Your questions about sunrise alarm clocks answered What is the best sunrise alarm clock?Overall, the Hatch restore 3 offers the most in terms of being a sunrise alarm clock but also for building better sleep habits. The possibilities feel endless with the Hatch app and it makes for a fully customisable experience. However, it’s not the cheapest sunrise alarm clock and if you’re happy with basic functions, the Groov-e light curve will more than suffice. Another favourite of mine is the Lumie bodyclock luxe 750DAB because of the wealth of sleep/wake sounds and its audio quality. Although, it is the most expensive option in this guide. If your bank balance gulps at £229 for an alarm clock, I’d opt for the Beurer WL 50 as it has FM radio, is portable and features a pleasant light upon waking. And, if you don’t mind the limited sleep/wake sounds, it does pretty much what the Luxe does, but simpler. Do sunrise alarm clocks work? Dr Maja Schaedel, co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic explains that sunrise alarm clocks offer a “really nice way to wake up” because “our circadian rhythms, our internal body clocks, depend on daylight to understand what is daytime and nighttime. During the early hours of the evening, when the sunlight fades, our bodies start to release a hormone called melatonin, which signals to the body that it is time to sleep. The level of melatonin continues to increase throughout the night until it starts to tail off in the latter half of the night. When the sun rises in the morning, melatonin is inhibited, and our circadian rhythm tells us that it is daytime. This makes waking up generally easier.” Are sunrise alarm clocks good for you?Sunrise alarm clocks help to ease you into the day by mimicking the sunrise, triggering your body to suppress melatonin and to produce serotonin, so you start the day feeling less groggy. This gentle waking process could lead to you being in a better mood and having greater levels of energy. Being woken by bright light in the morning can also help reset our circadian rhythm, which in turn can improve the quality of our sleep, which plays a role in our overall health.Wake-up alarm clocks also boast mood-boosting benefits that people dealing with SAD may benefit from during the drearier months of the year.In terms of further health benefits, research has shown that sudden waking can contribute to higher blood pressure and heart rate compared with those who wake up on their own time, as happens with a sunrise alarm clock. However, this is inference; there need to be more studies into whether sunrise alarm clocks lower blood pressure to be certain.I tested these sunrise alarms for a few weeks using the following criteria:Ease of set up and use: Each sunrise alarm was tested to see how easy it was to get working and to set the alarm, and whether or not the manual was required to understand all of its functions. Audio quality: Whether or not the sunrise alarm had FM radio or simply tones, notes were made as to the sound quality and how pleasant they were to wake up to. Size and design: Appearance can easily sway you when purchasing a sunrise alarm so I tested each alarm to see how practical it was in real life to find space on the bedside cabinet for them as well as noting any remarkable design features. Ease of wake up: The main aim of a sunrise alarm is to help you wake up gradually and expose you to light in the morning. Therefore, I made notes on how each alarm made me feel upon waking as well as whether or not I found the light and tones helpful and/or relaxing. Extra features and functions: Every extra feature and function of each sunrise alarm was tested and notes made on ease of access and use, and how helpful they were. Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsThe Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes. Kat Bayly is a writer who specialises in wellness and mindfulness, as well as being a yoga teacher and founder of Kalindi Yoga. She has reviewed a number of sunrise alarm clocks, so know what it takes for a product to impress.Upgrade your bedtime with our pick of the best mattresses