Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light alarm clock: Review in brief
Regularly gracing our TikTok FYP and Instagram feeds, sunrise alarm clocks are trending right now. And, like any social-media-recommended sleep solution, we've been testing various models ourselves to see if they live up to the hype. Enter: the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light.
Type: Sunrise and sunset alarm clock
Best for: Less tech-savy
Dimensions: 8.8" x 8.6" x 4.7"
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $179.95 at Philips
At $179.95 MSRP, this wake-up light is one of the most expensive out there, so you'd expect top of the range features. While it doesn't have a whole variety of these, like the best sunrise alarm clocks, it excels at mimicking a sunrise. We tested this sunrise alarm clock for two weeks and can confirm it is the only wake-up light that managed to wake our tester up without sound (though we should note that this didn't happen every single morning.)
With a powerful sunrise simulation and soothing alarm sounds, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-up Light has made our early mornings not only bearable but often enjoyable. Here's how we rate it in terms of price, features and performance...
Recent updates to this product
The Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light model joins the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light in Philips’ tech suite (though it's worth noting that these are the US models, with the models in the UK differing slightly). With amplified brightness, more sound options, improved design and an added sunset simulation, this SmartSleep model is a step up. And, as an ever-developing tech brand, we’re sure to see more upgrades from Philips as the sunrise alarm clock industry grows.
Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light alarm clock: PRICE
We’ll get right to the point: at $179.95 MSRP, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is one of the most expensive sunrise alarm clocks on the market. However, studies have shown waking up in the dark is the hardest thing 42% of adolescents will do all day, while adults reported having similar trouble with rising from their slumber before daylight. So, can you really put a price on a device that will help make that task easier, whatever your age?
Although there’s currently no discount on this sunrise alarm clock, it has been known to drop just under $120 during major sale periods at retailers like Amazon. So, it’s worth keeping an eye out for bargains on this smart alarm clock throughout the year.
Considering its price point, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light does lack a full breadth of features, especially considering one of its rivals, the Hatch Restore 2, offers better sound options including music, guided meditations, historical narrations and Bluetooth connectivity for $10 less at full MSRP (though you do need to pay for a subscription to access the Restore 2's full library of features.)
But, if the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light wakes you up with more energy, you might save on having to splurge on that extra morning coffee!
Price score: 3/5
Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light: FEATURES
At almost 9” tall, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is pretty large for a sunrise alarm clock, and it's also a somewhat futuristic-looking accessory to have on your bedside table. The circular face featuring a hollow middle of the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is a unique design that is likely to appeal to some, and it does create a more authentic feel for the sunrise simulation. However, those who don't want their sunrise alarm clock to stand out too much in their bedroom may want to go for something more like the subtle, stylish Hatch Restore 2 sunrise alarm clock.
The main selling point of this device is that, of all the sunrise alarm clocks we’ve tested, it has the best sunrise simulation function. Probably due to its larger size and adjustable brightness control (we set it to the brightest level), we felt that it does a better job of lighting up the bedroom and, therefore, waking you up in the morning.
You can adjust the light’s brightness via the smart touch control pad on the front of the clock. The light comes on 30 minutes before your alarm and gradually brightens, changing from red to amber to white light, gently illuminating your sleep environment. By your wake up time you are more adjusted to the light, making it easier to rise from sleep rather than being jerked out of your slumber by the grating sound of an alarm.
This newer model also offers a sunset feature where the light gradually dims over 30 minutes, changing from white light to yellow, warm amber and soft red as you drift off to sleep. You can select the starting light intensity and, with the bright white light lasting around 10 minutes, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light can double (albeit perhaps a little briefly) as a reading light.
Our lead tester said reading a few pages as the light dimmed meant they could drift off without having to move to turn off any light – which even stopped them doing a final phone check before going to sleep.
Philips have factored in that slow and controlled breathing encourages your body to destress, decreasing your heart rate and blood pressure to make you sleepy.
So, alongside the sunset simulation, the SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light features a RelaxBreath function to help you relax before falling asleep. You can select one of seven breathing rhythms, with each rhythm having a fixed number of breaths per minute. The clock helps you count your breaths with bleep sounds as you fall asleep.
You can also select one of three sleep sounds, and though we enjoyed drifting off to the nature sounds offered by this sunrise alarm clock (there are seven wake up sounds to choose from), the audio options are limited to these or FM radio, while the sunset sounds offered are a smaller selection.
It's worth noting that you can also connect a phone or other music playing device via an AUX to play your preferred sounds, making a speaker of your sunrise alarm clock, and and there’s a USB port for phone charging. However, there is no Bluetooth connectivity, a feature you’d expect from a pricey sunrise alarm clock.
Features score: 4/5
Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light: Ease of Use
This device is easy to unbox and the lamp itself comes with a connecting cable and plug and a user-friendly, illustrated manual, making for an easy to set-up. You set your alarm time, sound and light intensity and select your preferred sunset duration, light intensity and sound using the buttons on the face of the clock.
It may be our tester's gen Z, phone-obsessed perspective, but, considering its price point, we expected this sunrise alarm clock to come with more features, which we felt might have been possible if it operated via a compatible app. However, we're sure others will appreciate the Philips SmartSleep’s straightforward functionality.
Ease of use score: 5/5
Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light: Performance
Set-up
With limited customization options, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is simple to set up. Although it is fairly inituative, the different controls, menus and icons can be a little confusing so it’s useful to have the instruction manual to hand.
Connectivity
Operated via touch-sensitive panel on the light, there’s no need to connect Bluetooth or sign up to an app with this sunrise alarm clock – a big plus for anyone not well versed in smartphone technology.
Sunrise simulation
Out of all the sunrise alarm clocks we’ve tested, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light has the best sunrise simulation function. With 25 different brightness settings and an effective transition from red to warm orange and then bright yellow light, this device really feels like the sunrise is happening right inside your bedroom. Even on the few days when we needed the sound alarm to fully wake up, we woke up easier and faster when it did go off.
Alarms
If you do want a back-up audio alarm alongside the sunrise simulation, there are just two alarm sound options to choose from on the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light – natural sounds or FM radio. We find waking to the radio jarring, but one of the natural sounds, birds chirping, helped us kid ourselves into thinking it was a summer morning, and eased the process of getting out of bed.
Sunset simulation
The sunset simulation and unwind programme is a really effective addition offered by the this newer product. You can change the duration, brightness and sound to suit your preferences, which provides a calming, screen-free (if you can keep your hands off your other devices!) wind-down routine.
Sleep sounds
The sunset feature includes three natural sounds options you can choose from, as well as the RelaxBreath function if you want to use breathing exercises to help you ease yourself into sleep.
Should you buy the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light
Buy it if...
✅You struggle to wake up: With the strong sunrise simulation, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light really does make it easier to make up and feel more alert in the mornings.
✅You want a relatively basic sunrise alarm clock: Unlike other sunrise alarm clocks, it doesn’t require an app or WiFi connection to access all its features. You simply plug it in and operate it via a touch-sensitive panel on the face of the clock.
✅You want a wellness-boosting sleep routine: With the option to be led through a relaxing breathing routine before sleep and your alarm being taken of, your wellbeing can get a boost, while your phone stays in the drawer.
Don't buy it if...
❌You’re on a budget: For a sunrise alarm clock, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is a splurge, and there models with a lower price tag out there (though they may not have the same excellent sunrise simulation).
❌You like subtle bedside accessories: As far as smart alarms go, this device is on the bulkier side and might not fit your bedroom aesthetic as easily as smaller models.
