Roberts iDream DAB Clock Radio review

Roberts iDream DAB/FM RDS Digital Stereo Clock Radio

Who knew that you could get so many features jam-packed into one unit? The Roberts iDream DAB Clock Radio is a great clock radio that has so many things going on you will probably never get tired of all the things it can do. From normal clock radio functions to remote control, DAB and FM radio, all with an iPod dock this machine is the complete package.

For starters, the clock is housed in a semi-round black and chrome casing with speakers house in the side. While the shape may remind some of those automatic vacuum cleaners, it is nice looking and will blend in with any bedroom décor. The large LCD display is easy to read and has multiple dimmer settings to not disturb your valuable beauty sleep. When it comes to waking up in the morning you have your choice of radio, buzzer or iPod. If you haven’t joined the iPod movement yet, you can still listen to mp3 tunes through the aux input socket, and to avoid fights with the misses there is a headphone socket as well.

The Roberts iDream DAB Clock Radio is incredibly easy to use with its large display and easy to follow menu functions. The time is set automatically, so no worrying about being late for work, and a remote control comes in handy for changing the music when you are across the room. For the price, this is one of the most affordable clock radio and ipod units on the market.

Shape Up Alarm Clock review

This is just a cool idea. The Shape Up Alarm Clock takes fitness to a whole new level, by making you do bicep curls first thing in the morning just to turn off the alarm! If you’ve been putting off getting into shape you will have no excuse with this alarm clock. Nothing gets us up and awake like forced exercise does it? In case you really can’t handle 30 reps on a particular morning there is a regular alarm off function, but that’s no fun is it? If you are buying this alarm clock form someone else then don’t tell them that.

Whether you are a muscle mania and would love the opportunity to start your morning by pumping iron, or you want some encouragement to keep to your exercise routine this cool clock will have your blood flowing in no time. Don’t worry about the weight, it’s pretty light, but you will still feel more awake when you are finished lifting it 30 times to turn off the alarm. By the way, this probably isn’t the best clock to have if you wake up before your spouse does or he/she may throw it at you.

So if you need some help with those scrawny pipes of yours, or you want to irritate a friends with a clock that makes them wake up to a workout, the Shape Up Alarm Clock is perfect. For the price you could by a few and give them to all your friends, or maybe not.

PHILIPS HF3461/01 Natural Light Dawn Simulator review

We all know that Philips make great products, and the PHILIPS HF3461/01 Natural Light Dawn Simulator is no exception. This quality, stylish clock and lamp combo lets the user wake up to increasing light, simulating a sunrise. For those who have problems waking, or feel a bit down when winter comes, this clock will help you wake up more refreshed and relaxed, and the natural light will banish those rainy day blues. Increasing the amount of natural light you get in a day is also beneficial for those with stress or depression.

For those heavy sleepers there are 3 great nature sounds to choose from that will slowly increase in volume as the clock gets closer to its set alarm time, letting you wake up slowly and gently. There is also a digital FM tuner in case you wish to wake up to your favourite radio station instead.

The PHILIPS HF3461/01 Natural Light Dawn Simulator is stylish and portable, so you can take it with you on trips or holidays to keep your body in its natural rhythm. Use the lamp to read by at night to increase your exposure to natural light, which helps the body feel better. Probably the only downside to this unit is that the alarm clock with lamp function is not programmable to 30 minutes, so if you like a shorter or longer wake up time then you may want to consider another model. Other than that this clock is perfect for those who want more light in their lives.

Click here to buy the PHILIPS HF3461/01 Natural Light Dawn Simulator from Amazon. The price is £109.95 at the time of writing.

NAF NAF LYS v2 Sunrise effect Radio Alarm Clock Lamp review

This is one of the most affordable sunlight alarm clock and lamp combos available, so if you’ve been wanting to get a sunrise lamp to help you with those winter blues, but didn’t like the steep price tag then the LYS v2 “Sunrise effect” Radio Alarm Clock Lamp is perfect for you. Wake up naturally and more refreshed to the gently increasing light in the room, and if you are a heavy sleeper a progressive alarm with kick in to ensure you aren’t late for work. Use the natural sounds built into the clock to wake up peacefully, instead of jumping out of bed to a buzzer.

A digital FM tuner also lets you listen to your favourite radio stations in your room, and the unit is light and portable so you can take it on trips away with you. The unit is very stylish and modern-looking, perfect for just about anyone’s bedside table. The LCD display is easy to read, but not too bright like some models.

Probably the only downside to the LYS v2 “Sunrise effect” Radio Alarm Clock Lamp is that the sunlight feature is hard-wired to 20 minutes, meaning that if you like a lengthier wake-up call you will be out of luck. It is definitely a more streamlined model than some of the more expensive sun lamps, so you will have to decide whether you want the budget model or a fancier model with more features.

Click here to buy the NAF NAF LYS v2 Sunrise effect Radio Alarm Clock Lamp from Amazon. The price is £39.00 at the time of writing. Or take a look at eBay where there are often great offers

Geemarc Wake and Talk Radio Alarm Clock review

If you are in the need for an alarm clock and a phone by your bedside, then the Geemarc Wake and Talk Radio Alarm Clock is for you. With its big, bright display and radio function you can set your alarm for the next day, listen to some tunes while you read before bed, or talk on the phone - all from the comfort of your own bedroom.

This alarm clock and phone combo is pretty basic, which is why it is so affordable. The phone has standard features like mute, redial, ringer on and off settings as well as volume control for the ringer in case it is too loud for right beside your head. If you are looking for features such as dual alarm, call display or other functions though you may have to consider spending a lot more, because you definitely won’t find it at the same price as this model.

The Geemarc Wake and Talk Radio Alarm Clock is certainly not a fashion statement or does it have all the features of more expensive models – however, it is definitely a good, cheap phone and radio alarm clock combination that beats buying the two units separately. This product makes a great addition to a guest room, den or office where privacy may warrant a phone, but it is not used enough to justify an expensive radio alarm clock. This phone is a great buy and will last a long time.

Click here to buy the Geemarc Wake and Talk Radio Alarm Clock from Amazon. The price is £15.26 at the time of writing.

2 in 1 Lightbox and Dawn Simulator review

This clock is great for anyone who wants to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (sometimes known as SAD), stress, depression, or simply wants to improve their sleep cycles. The 2 in 1 Lightbox and dawn simulator lets you wake up to a simulated sunrise, which alerts the body to the fact that it is time to wake up so you awake slowly and more naturally. You will find that waking up to light leaves you more refreshed and ready to face the day rather than being startled awake by a buzzer.

The alarm function on this clock is very versatile and lets you set it for each day of the week, in case you want different light levels or times on different days. The big LCD screen is easy to read and clearly displays what you are changing so there is no confusion. The clock comes with a security feature to randomly turn the light on and off when you are away, and the brightness on the LCD screen is adjustable so it doesn’t disturb your sleep.

The 2 in 1 Lightbox and dawn simulator comes with several cables so you can take it anywhere with you. Most people find that having a light box is pretty handy when travelling as it alleviates jet lag, and gets you adjusted to the local time more quickly. The 2 in 1 Lightbox and Dawn Simulator
is stylish and will look great on any bedside table while it helps you sleep more deeply and wake more naturally.

Click here to buy the 2 in 1 Lightbox and Dawn Simulator from Amazon. £119.94 at the time of writing.

Barbie Radio Alarm Clock review

Are you a fan of Barbie? How about the colour pink? Or – are you fed up of trying to wake up your daughter (who happens to be a fan of Barbie and the colour pink) every morning? If any of these apply this is the perfect alarm clock for you!

It is shaped like a flower (a pink one), with lots of pinky, flowery bits on it. It features an FM radio, or a buzzer alarm if you prefer, and a large LCD screen. In addition, it also has a flower shaped night light, so you can clear the old nightlight off the bedside table if there is not enough room for both.

Find out more about this great gift for young girls - the Barbie Radio Alarm Clock from Woolworths.

Neverlate Executive Alarm Clock review

This alarm clock has everything! It is ideal for a couple who need to wake up at different times. You can set alarms for 2 people at different times every day of the week – so if you need to get up at 7am on a Monday, 10am on a Tuesday and 6am on Wednesday, that’s no problem, just program in the different times and away you go.

In fact, pretty much every function of this alarm clock can be tailored to your needs – the alarm duration, the snooze duration and the brightness of the backlight can all be set to your individual requirements.

Another great feature of this alarm clock is the gradual wake up mode, where the radio gets louder and louder the longer you leave it on. Descending snooze is another great feature, every time you press snooze it gets shorter and shorter, so you have to get up in the end!

Add to this the USB port to plug in your ipod (or other generic MP3 player!) and the 20 preset radio stations and you have a great all round alarm clock.

Why not find out more on the Firebox website?

iPod Alarm Clock review

This is the perfect alarm clock for MP3-loving oversleepers! Pop your iPod into the alarm clock’s cradle, set the alarm time and enter the land of nod.

The next thing you know you will wake to the sound of your favourite band or singer. Or - and here is a good idea - set up a ‘wake up’ playlist which plays when the waking hour arrives. Here’s a few suggestions…

• “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” by Wham!
• “Wake Up” by Alanis Morissette
• “I Didn’t Want To Wake You Up” by Babybird
• “Wake Me Up” by Girls Aloud
• “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
• “When You Gonna Wake Up” by Bob Dylan
• “Wake Up And Smell The Coffee” by Cranberries

If you have an iPod you need one of these - buy it from the I Want One Of Those website.

Flying Alarm Clock review

We have all done it - you hear the noise of your alarm as you are still basically asleep, you sub-consciously roll over and press the snooze button, same happens again 15 minutes later, repeat 10 times, eventually wake up. PANIC!!

The implications can be huge - late to work and get the sack, miss interview and don’t get new job, miss flight to Malaga and miss your holiday, late to your wedding and get dumped at the alter - it’s all bad!

So, here is the answer. An alarm clock that goes off and doesn’t stop until you are out of bed. And how does that work I hear you ask. Well when the alarm goes off it makes a rather nasty noise that will wake you up - but at the same time one of those kind of helicopter-style rotor things flies off the alarm clock and lands somewhere in your bedroom. The nasty noise does not stop until you have found the rotor and fitted it back on the top of the alarm clock base. By then, of course, you are awake!

You can then go to work, that interview, the airport or the church in plenty of time and live happily ever after!

Get more information on this product at the Firebox website.