Lumie

This is the sunrise simulation alarm clock that changed my mornings for the better (way, way better). It’s a relatively high-end pick, but it’s worth it. With the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300, I can adjust the colored sunrise simulation setting from 15 to 90 minutes and choose from 15 high-quality wake-up sounds at the designated alarm time — I’m a fan of the wave and blackbird sounds. 

You can adjust the brightness settings on the sunrise simulator so that the final intensity is perfect for you: not so dim that you don’t wake up, but not so bright that you’re squinting. You can also set daily or weekly recurring alarms, and it has a tap-control snooze button (although I haven’t had to use that yet, even though I used to press the snooze function on my phone every morning). 

In addition to all of those sunrise features, you can use the Lumie to fall asleep, too. It doubles as a white noise machine, and the clock lets you set a sunset simulation too — first set the light at the desired intensity, then press the sunset button, and relax as the light slowly dims. I use the sunset simulation whenever I feel like I’m going to have trouble falling asleep. So far, it seems to have helped every time.