The 10 Best Wooden Alarm Clocks
Editor's Notes
January 20, 2021:
Popular as much for their decorative attributes as for their timekeeping abilities, these wooden alarm clocks come in a range of designs and with a variety of features. In this update we selected several new models, offering more variance in aesthetics, while incorporating modern technological advancements.
The Anjank Bedside is most notable for its built-in wireless, fast charging pad for QI enabled devices. It also has an FM radio that can be set as the alarm tone and can be used as a media player. The Bernhard Products Twin Bell looks like a wooden version of an old fashioned mechanical clock with two bells on the top, however, this modern version is actually made from metal and is battery powered. Finally, the Lingsfire Vintage is made from a solid piece of hand-polished beech wood. Its fine graining and engraved numerals give it the refined look of a quality timepiece.
October 14, 2019:
Alarm clocks like the ones on our list have grown immensely popular in recent years, not least of all due to the fact that many boast unconventional appearances and the ability to run on USB power or with replaceable or rechargeable batteries. This new wave of available clocks isn't without its problems, however, and things like limited wake-up sounds and a lack of volume controls are important to watch out for.
The Angry Owl clock on our previous list suffered both from availability issues and from a lack of volume control, and the Sangean HDR-18 didn't quite fit the spirit of the category, boasting only a small bit of wood paneling on an otherwise metal cabinet. These were enough justification to remove both items from our list. Their replacements include the Artinova classic — which almost surprisingly features a volume control despite its small stature — and the Topacom model, which is basically just a big wooden cube and couldn't be a better fit for the category at hand.
Keep in mind that if you get a model that runs on built-in rechargeable batteries, you'll want to make sure it has enough juice before going to bed that it won't die and thus fail to wake you up in the morning. Few models feature any kind of battery life display, and most are intended for use with USB adapters, relying on their batteries more as an emergency backup than anything else. If you need something battery-operated for travel, an analog model is often your best bet, as its display will use less power.
August 23, 2019:
If you just want something to wake you up without any bells and whistles, consider the Yacig Bedside. It doesn't tick, so it's good for light sleepers, and the face lights up with the touch of a button to allow you to read it at night. Plus, at less than four inches tall, it's easy to toss in your suitcase to take along when you're traveling.