This budget digital alarm clock does so much for so little. It has the largest numerical display of the clocks we tested, two USB ports, and easy-to-use tactile controls (which take the guesswork out of changing settings).
Best for: Those who desire a large digital display, want to charge devices overnight via USB, and don’t mind a plug-in model.
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for an alarm clock that does a lot on the cheap, the DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock is both an alarm clock and a USB charging station. Something that really stood out with this model, versus other clocks we tested: The DreamSky has an enormous digital display (each number is 2 inches tall) that stretches across the entire front of the clock. Although I’m nearsighted, with basically mole-like eyesight, I could read this clock clearly from a distance—without wearing glasses or contacts.
Some digital alarm clocks we tested—specifically those with lots of extra features and controls, such as the Philips Wake-Up Light—required a detailed review of manuals to get them up and running. The DreamSky, on the other hand, was plug and play: The clock was easy and intuitive to set and adjust, with clearly labeled buttons for time and alarm and two physical dials for volume control and display brightness. The DreamSky was the only clock we tested that had such a wide range of customization options—it’s simple to literally dial in your personal preferences. The snooze button isn’t a physical button, but there’s a touch-sensitive surface that shushes the alarm in nine-minute increments.
If you’re picky about colors, you’ll like that this DreamSky model offers seven color variations, with different finishes and display hues to choose from.
You should know that this alarm clock is not fully battery-operated—two backup AAA batteries are responsible only for keeping time and alarm settings, in case of a power outage. There are two USB ports in the back—one to charge most mobile devices with 5 V output and the other to power the clock via USB (or you can plug directly into the wall).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The DreamSky logo emblazoned at the top (underneath the snooze button) is downright ugly. The plastic case and buttons feel every bit like what you’d expect from a $20 device. The batteries protect only time and alarm settings, in case of a power outage; for a full display, you have to plug in the clock or keep it connected via USB cable.
Materials: plastic
Finishes/colors: black case available with green, orange, red, white, or blue digits; white case available with white or blue digits
Dimensions: 5.8 by 2.9 by 2.7 inches
Power: plug adapter
This was one of the least sleep-disruptive digital alarm clocks we tested. Whether it’s the night-light, the snooze button, or the sound of the alarm tones, every detail feels like it’s been refined to reinforce a state of calm.
Best for: Those who believe in the minimalist ethos of “less, but better,” and people who enjoy falling asleep or waking up to ambient music and nature sounds.
Why it’s great: The Loftie can fool you into thinking you’re waking up of your own accord every morning, rather than being forcibly annoyed out of bed. Of all the alarm clocks we tested, the clock’s selection of five ambient compositions best induced the sensation of arising alongside the natural cues of the morning—sounds of birds, ambient tones, morning temple bells. After nine minutes, the Loftie follows up the first alarm with an ever-so-slightly more-insistent “get up” chime. (After first using the Loftie, I wrote down that “I felt like I had arisen to a morning directed by Terrence Malick, all contemplative mood and relaxing stillness.”) There’s the option to set different alarms scheduled for different days of the week, as well as a multitude of alarms you could set as reminders throughout the day—to get up occasionally, exercise, or walk the dog, among other everyday tasks.
The Loftie is also designed to help owners relax and fall asleep. It includes a variety of background-noise generators (white, brown, pink, and so forth), meditation/breathwork soundscapes, and even a podcast called Snoozecast. Any sound can be programmed to be activated or turned off with the press of a button, and this made the Loftie easy to use when the heavy blanket of unconsciousness began to take over at night.
Of all the clocks we’ve tested, this one’s display isn’t the largest or the brightest. But it’s clear, and it automatically sets the time once connected to a Wi-Fi network. We also liked the clock’s all-black exterior (it comes in a white and black option, too), which is free of distracting lights or branding. There’s an adjustable night-light hidden at the base that’s easily turned on and off, using the large button on top of the clock (it also works as the snooze button). You won’t be able to read using the light, but it’s bright enough for when you’re fumbling for your glasses or going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The two other buttons are for setting the alarm, accessing brightness and volume settings, setting the duration of the sleep timer, and choosing alarm tones.
The Loftie isn’t “smart” like other smart alarm clocks, in that you won’t be served the news or the weather with the aid of a voice assistant. But on a regular basis this clock can get additional features delivered via Wi-Fi updates. For instance, we discovered one night that there were a few more soothing classical compositions to wake up to than we’d had the day before and that alarm-scheduling options had been expanded. The developers recently added Bluetooth speaker functionality and now offer Spotify connectivity, making it easy to stream your own music and podcasts directly through your Loftie clock.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Loftie was $165 when we first tested it, but the price has dropped to $160. We still think it’s a pretty penny to pay for any device, let alone an alarm clock with a purposely edited selection of features. The numerical display is legible up close, but it’s slightly dimmer when viewed off-center. And, for nearsighted sleepers like us, we wish there were an option to increase the display size.
Materials: polycarbonate
Finishes/colors: black (with an option for black or white accent colors)
Dimensions: 2.75 by 6.5 by 2.75 inches
Power: plug-in (USB-C adapter)
This alarm clock has a unique tip-proof, triangular design, and you can set the display to turn off automatically after 10 seconds (just tap the clock’s face to wake it up again).
Best for: Those who prefer the look of wood over plastic and who value unfussy contemporary design—as well as those who want an alarm clock that displays the time, date, temperature, and humidity at a glance.
Why it’s great: The Oct17’s triangular-shaped wood body looks much nicer than one might expect from a budget clock. In fact, it’s more attractive than many pricier clock options we considered. (It’s also the only clock we found that’s virtually impossible to tip over.) This model is very affordable, and yet compared with the cheap feel of the DreamSky and Capello alarm clocks, the Oct17 seems upscale. The clock’s wood-grain finish has a great feel, and its cool “now you see me, now you don’t” LED display shines from beneath its veneer.
The Oct17 displays more information at a glance than any other clock we recommend, showing the time and date (alternating) alongside the temperature and humidity level—all without requiring an internet connection. If you’re bothered by ambient light glowing from your clock, the Oct17 has three brightness settings. And it’s the only display we found that you can set to turn off completely after 10 seconds. But when you need to know the time again, a clap of the hands or a tap on the front face will reawaken the clock for 10 seconds.
If you don’t wake at the same time each day, this is the digital alarm clock for you: It has three separate alarms, including one you can set to skip on weekends (to allow for sleeping in).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Navigating the clock’s mode settings and feature adjustments proved unintuitive, requiring more button presses than a Street Fighter move combination.
Materials: MDF and wood veneer
Finishes/colors: brown, black, bamboo, and white finishes
Dimensions: 3.1 by 3.1 by 5.9 inches
Power: USB cable (included), four AAA batteries (not included) for emergency power backup
A serene alternative to loud alarms, this clock induced a gentler wake-up (a simulated sunrise accompanied by birdsong) than any other clock we tried. But it’s pricey, and it’s harder to navigate than the other clocks we tested.
Best for: Anyone who hates being jolted awake each morning with a wailing alarm, and those who prefer easing into consciousness with increasing luminosity.
Why it’s great: A top pick in our guide to sunrise alarm clocks, the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF is still our favorite sunrise alarm clock for anyone who hates being woken abruptly. Over the span of 30 minutes, the luminous LED orb produces a convincing simulation of dawn or dusk. It provides a kinder, gentler wake-up than any other alarm we recommend, and it’s the only clock we tested that can help lull you to sleep at night. The Wake-Up Light also includes more alarm options than most clocks we tried, with five nature-themed tones, along with a built-in FM tuner and a backup alarm. (However, navigating the clock’s touch surface and icon-based menu system isn’t very intuitive, and not always responsive.) Our favorite setting was a combination of the simulated sunlight paired with the convincing sounds of cheerful chirping birds.
We also found the clock’s light sufficiently bright enough to work as a decent reading lamp, making the Wake-Up the only clock we recommend that can do so. At 8 inches wide, this model takes up a lot more room on the nightstand than other clocks we tested. But when you think of the Wake-Up as a combination alarm clock and bedside lamp, it presents a pretty efficient use of space.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Despite the Wake-Up Light’s overall size, its numerical digital display is less than an inch tall and so not as easy to read as those of the other clocks we tried (especially with its light at full brightness). The secondary set of tactile buttons across the unit’s top are more intuitive to use than the icons on the clock’s display, but they’re small and all the same size, so it’s easy to press the wrong button. The FM radio is a plus, but considering that the clock is our second-most-expensive pick, the silver-dollar-sized rear-facing speaker is tinny and disappointing. The LED bulb is rated to last seven years with regular use. But it cannot be replaced, so over time the clock could lose its most distinguishing feature.
Materials: polycarbonate
Finishes/colors: white
Dimensions: 8 by 3 by 3 inches
Power: DC power plug with eight-hour power backup
The Riki is an analog clock that’s easy to read and to set (with one of the most pleasant alarms that will still wake you up). It’s ideal for light sleepers who want to banish electronic distractions from the bedroom.
Best for: Design enthusiasts, or anyone looking to ditch their smartphone for an uncomplicated, completely silent, easy-to-use classic alarm clock.
Why it’s great: If you want a dependable alarm clock with a timeless analog design that’s dead silent and easy to use, the Lemnos Riki checks all of those boxes. The only alarm clock among our picks with a design-award pedigree, the sedate beechwood Riki was designed by Japanese modernist Riki Watanabe, whose work was known for being simple yet functional. The Riki’s prominent face has half-inch-tall numerals and large hour and minute arms, so it’s easy to read—even in dim light and from a distance. The clock’s sole button consolidates the light and snooze functions (doling out extra sleep in four-minute increments), and we found it effortless to use, even with our eyes closed. When you press the button, the clock illuminates just enough to make the face legible (a big plus for those of us who like to peek at the time before we have any real intention of waking up). The brightness level seemed more akin to candlelight than to the intrusive modern glare produced by the LED- or LCD-backlit displays on other clocks we tested. Even the next-dimmest night-light (on the Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light) seemed much too bright after we’d acclimated to the Riki’s tranquil illumination.
Although it looks perfectly round, the clock actually has a subtle indentation on its base that keeps it from rolling away—and from moving when brushed or bumped. And because this clock is battery-operated (it needs only a single AA battery), there are no cords to worry about. In addition to its snooze button, the straightforward Riki has just three controls: an on/off switch for the alarm and two dial knobs to set the time and the alarm.
The Riki comes with a 3-year warranty from Lemnos — just make sure the retailer you're purchasing it from is an authorized reseller, otherwise Lemnos cannot fulfill the warranty. (Sellers on Amazon can vary significantly, Lemnos recommends asking for a letter of authorization or contacting them directly to verify.)
If the tick-tock of some clocks’ mechanical movement tends to keep you awake, rest assured that this clock is completely silent—something we can’t say about the percussive passing of time produced by the Alessi Optic 02 B or the faint bzzzz emanating from the Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light. The only sound the Riki makes comes from its alarm, which is loud enough to wake you without being annoying.
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Flaws but not dealbreakers: Setting the Riki’s alarm to a specific hour is fairly simple to do, but setting it to an exact minute is more of an estimate, due to the clock’s dial face. The ABS resin snooze-and-light button matches the color of the beechwood clock case, but it isn’t made of wood.
Materials: beechwood, ABS resin, glass
Finishes/colors: natural, brown, white, gray
Dimensions: 4.3 by 4.5 by 2.2 inches
Power: one AA battery
Alarm clocks may seem a bit old-fashioned, since everyone and their grandmother now uses a as an alarm. A search for “alarm clock” on Amazon returns a paltry seven pages of models to choose from, many only minutely different from the next (and most so ugly that the thought of sleeping near them is enough to induce mild insomnia).
But there are still some great options available today, and here are the features we looked for in an ideal alarm clock:
In , after reading through customer reviews on Amazon and other retailers—and focusing particularly on the qualities listed above—we tested the 10 most promising alarm clocks, using each clock for a few days and nights. In , we again scoured retailers and tested four more alarm clocks l in our bedrooms. We set the alarm half an hour earlier than our usual wake-up time, to ensure the clock’s alarm tone was responsible for breaking our usual sleep cycle as well as to allow us to use each clock’s snooze function while still groggy. We also kept an eye out for cosmetic defects, and we inspected the durability of materials and construction, imagining the litany of abuse an alarm clock may have to endure over its lifetime. Aside from the largest clock we tested (the Philips Wake-Up Light), our picks are small enough to fit on most nightstands and won’t slide or knock over easily.
Alessi Optic 02 B Alarm Clock: This now-discontinued model from Alessi was an example of high design being hampered by low-quality features. This clock was too audible to be a peaceful bedside companion, producing a tick-tock sound so loud that it bothered us even when we were in the next room. No doubt, the Italian space-age design is eye-catching, but having this clock near the bed made the passing of time a torturous, second-by-second affair. And we found its plastic construction flimsy, with tiny and difficult-to-set dial controls that had more in common with a cheap, drugstore alarm clock than something sold for many times the price.
Amazon Echo Spot: Amazon discontinued the Echo Spot, so we can no longer recommend it. Although it was the most expensive clock we tested, we loved how small and simple it was to set up. It also offered more features than any other clock in our tests. Amazon has folded features from the Echo Spot into its smart displays, like the Echo Show 8 and the cheaper Echo Show 5 (which you can read more about in our guide to smart displays). We also recommend the Echo Dot in our guide to Alexa speakers, one of which comes in a version with an LED clock display.
Capello Round Time Table Clock: The Capello is a small and lightweight plug-in alarm clock with an easy-to-read LED display and a stylish gray-fabric front. A USB port in the back works great for overnight charging, but the listed “option to plug in your so you can listen to music” didn’t really work for us (with an iPhone). And the clock’s lightweight plastic construction made it easy to knock over. The snooze button isn’t a real button—touches or light taps won’t register. Snoozing the alarm requires a firm, palm-down press across the entire clock. If you’re sensitive to light, you should note that even at the dimmest of this clock’s three settings, the LED display was distracting. We eventually had to turn it face-down.
Lexon Flip On/Off Alarm Clock: (Of note: This clock has now been replaced by the Lexon Flip Plus; the size hasn’t changed, however.) The Lexon Flip is fun to use and has a novel design that works well: To turn the alarm on or off, you flip the entire clock over, instead of pressing a button or a switch. Each side is clearly marked, with “on” written across the clock’s rubber coating on one side and “off” written across the other side. The Flip (which is nearly impossible to tip over) takes up little space, but its small size also means it isn’t as legible as we’d like for an everyday alarm clock. Its LCD display is hard to see in standby mode, and it’s easy to read only with the backlight on. Also, its high-pitched digital tone is effective yet annoying.
Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light: The Marathon has many great features. In addition to its compact design (the clock measures 3.5 inches wide by 1.5 inches deep), the Marathon features a sensor night-light, dead-quiet movement, a clearly marked alarm and snooze buttons, and a low-glow light that’s similar to (but not quite as good as) the one on the Riki. Its one and only shortcoming was legibility: The clock’s printed numerals were small and hard to read at a glance. We’d still recommend it if you want a battery-operated alarm clock that’s easy to throw in your luggage.
MoMA Alume Cube Clock: We liked the Alume for its compact, 2.75-inch minimalist silver-cube design. It should fit on any surface with plenty of room to spare, displaying the time, date, and temperature with a snap of the fingers or a tap on its top. Where the clock comes up short: the absence of snooze or dimming options (the display turns completely off between snaps or taps) with an LED display that glows a bit too cold and bright for tired or still-waking eyes. If you do like this design, there are several knockoffs—with similar features—for a lot less.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
Manually creating employee schedules, keeping track of hours worked, and handling time off requests can be challenging and error-prone for companies and confusing and frustrating for employees. However, modern Time and Attendance software can help you manage your staff’s time much more efficiently and eliminate manual processes that are hindering your operations or diminishing employee satisfaction.
Time and Attendance software solutions are available in different capacities. Some vendors offer stand-alone systems for tracking employee hours, overtime, vacation days, and handling scheduling, while others offer time and attendance tracking capabilities as part of a larger suite of tools, including Payroll and HR Management.
Business trends and software trends have a symbiotic relationship much of the time, innovation in one area always drives change in the other. To stay current and competitive in your industry by embracing all the best tools for your business, you should regularly study trends surrounding the software solutions you use in your company.
Time and Attendance as Part of a Larger Suite of Tools
While there are a variety of great time and attendance solutions that work as stand-alone offerings, many of the larger software companies that offer more robust Human Resources (HR) Management or Payroll tools have built time and attendance capabilities into their systems to provide businesses with a more streamlined approach to managing employee processes, in one centralized system.
Biometric Time Clocks Companies requiring physical clocking stations on-site at their work locations must implement hardware that gives employees a place to clock in and out to track their hours worked. There are various options for employee validation available, including unique PIN numbers or encoded cards that a employee must swipe in order to clock in or out.
However, many time and attendance software companies are beginning to include biometrics as an employee identification method to ensure that employees aren’t making mistakes or purposely clocking co-workers in and out. Biometrics will continue to evolve in , and give companies more control over the time tracking process by requiring a fingerprint, retinal scan, or facial recognition process to access and use the time clock.
GPS Tracking
Another area where time and attendance solutions are advancing is in GPS tracking. GPS tracking can be used to identify where field employees are located and help track time spent on particular jobs or sites as part of their work each day. This data can be analyzed and used to constantly improve service levels and keep employees accountable on the job.
Mobile Time-Tracking
Mobility is a huge trend surging across many software categories in , and time and attendance is certainly no exception. Many solutions have mobile access built into their systems so employees can clock in or out remotely or manage PTO requests and more through a cloud-based system.
After you’ve conducted a complete review of your business needs and have a strong understanding of your time and attendance requirements, it is important to figure out the budget you can allocate toward purchasing or upgrading your system.
Using the list you prepared while reviewing your business needs, you can determine how much value will be created by using a time and attendance system, and prepare your budget accordingly. There are solutions available along a sliding scale of prices that are affordable for most any business, so when you create your budget for this purchase, you should give yourself spending limit as well as a range of pricing models including one-time installation costs or monthly fees. Depending on the size and needs of your company, one type of plan may make more sense financially over the other.
Time and attendance vendors typically offer an array of different technologies and deployment methods to best meet the size, budget, and needs of your company. While cloud solutions are swiftly gaining popularity, particularly among small and medium companies, many businesses need on-site time clocking stations for employees to use when they arrive at work on-site.
Here’s a closer look at the main time and attendance technology options available on the market:
Cloud
Cloud-based technology is becoming increasingly popular for all types of business software, and time and attendance is no exception. Cloud technology functions through a third-party platform that is powered by the internet, which supports business mobility and remote system access that a flourishing company needs.
Cloud systems are also quite affordable, which gives more companies the opportunity to embrace a time and attendance earlier in their business.
On-Site/Physical Clocking Stations
On-premise, or on-site time and attendance solutions are systems that are built on-site in an office building or other physical location. On-premise time and attendance solutions require hardware and ongoing updates and maintenance, which makes implementation more expensive than cloud solutions.
But if you need a physical station where employees clock in and out (using PINs, cards, or even biometrics), then setting up a solution on site may make the best sense for your business.
As you meet with various time and attendance system providers that you’re interested in working with, you should do some due diligence in researching their reputation before you commit to purchasing their services. Some of the key things you should look for in your perfect time and attendance provider are prominence, reviews, and support.
Industry prominence and popularity
While you should not choose a time and attendance provider based on popularity alone, a vendor’s standing in the industry can signal what you can expect from their services. Make sure that the provider you select has prominence in the industry and is popular among other companies with similar needs as yours.
Reviews from current or past system users
One of the best ways you can easily research a time and attendance provider you’re considering is to look for reviews given by current or past users. Reviews from current companies using the time and attendance can give you great insight into how the provider treats customers and how companies value their services and features. Past reviews can establish a history of service values and give you a snapshot into how the provider handles business over time as well.
System support offered
Support is a vital component that all time and attendance system providers will offer. However, the types and degree of support will vary from provider to provider, so make sure you know what level of support your team will need, and then ensure your selected time and attendance vendor can easily fulfil those support needs.
Once you’ve created a short list of three to five time and attendance vendors that you’re interested in implementing, it’s important to take your preparation and research one step further and get in touch with each one. Most providers will happily set up meetings to discuss your time and attendance needs and requirements and can demonstrate all the key features for you.
Before you participate in a meeting or demo with a time and attendance provider, make sure that you refresh your memory on all your business and feature needs. It is also a great idea to provide your lists to the vendor prior to meeting, so they can put together the custom options and pricing they have available that will meet your needs. This will make your time much more efficient, and also give the vendor a clear understanding of exactly what you require.
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