Advertisement
Products featured in this Yahoo article are selected by our shopping writers. We will earn a commission from purchases made via links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Hate waking up in the winter? So did I, until I discovered this Lumie sunrise alarm clock

lumie
I've used my Lumie lamp daily as a bedside light and alarm clock. (Yahoo Life UK)

I've never been very good at getting a decent amount of sleep, but investing in the Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 four years ago has been a game-changer. For the uninitiated, Lumie makes a range of SAD lamps designed to mimic a sunrise to wake you up gradually, which makes getting up in the dark, winter months a whole lot more enjoyable. Its Bodyclocks are specifically for aiding sleep, doubling up as an alarm clock with settings that will help you doze off faster, sleep better for longer and wake up more easily.

You may be thinking £99 for essentially a fancy bedside light is unnecessary, and I did too until I owned one myself.

Lumie alarm clock: Quick Overview

🛍️ Product reviewed: Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100
Tested it for: Four years
Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: It mimics the sunrise and sunset, making waking up and falling asleep easier than ever. There's no blaring foghorn alarm and within a week of buying it I was sleeping better
Reasons to avoid: It's a rather pricey, but it does double up as a bedside table lamp too
💰 Best deal we've found: Amazon has currently discounted the clock by 24%, taking the £99 gadget down to £74.79

It emits a soft light and the alarm sound gradually gets louder, all to ensure you wake up slowly and well-rested. 

£75 at Amazon

How it works

Sunrise alarm clocks are recommended for those who suffer from SAD (seasonal affected disorder) in the winter months, as it helps to regulate your sleep and wake cycles.

Research has found that light at the start of the day is the most effective way to reset your internal clock, as well as your daily cycle of hormones and metabolism. Lumie explain: "The Bodyclock Spark 100 is a Class 1 graded medical device that will introduce you to the benefits of sleeping and waking with light, so that you can experience a more regular sleep and wake pattern".

Having used it daily for nearly half a decade, it has made such a difference to the quality of my sleep. Read on to find out why I think it's a night-time essential.

💸 Reasons to buy

Firstly, it has a very simple set-up. All you need to do is plug it in, choose your alarm time, brightness and volume setting between one and five. I prefer number four as it's just loud enough to wake me up but doesn't feel like an abrupt awakening.

If like me, you love a snooze button, just tap the dome to give yourself another five minutes – I often reach out to tap it from under my duvet.

The sunrise feature allows the lamp to gradually get brighter simultaneously with the alarm sound for a more gradual experience, rather than rushing to turn off a blaring iPhone.

The sunrise and sunset features mimic natural light and help you wake up and fall asleep gradually over 30 minutes. (Yahoo Life UK)
The sunrise and sunset features mimic natural light and help you wake up and fall asleep gradually over 30 minutes. (Yahoo Life UK)

£74.79 £99 at Amazon

Of course, throughout the day and before bed you can use it solely as a warm bedside lamp too, but my favourite feature is the sunset setting. This fades the light over 30 minutes, from a warm white, pink, orange then red, which makes you feel more sleepy so by the time the light turns itself off, I'm usually drifting off.

Lastly, the domed design is minimal and sleek, and doesn't take up much space on my bedside.

Reasons to avoid

The only downside to the Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 is the initial up-front cost – £99 is a lot of money.

However, having owned one for four years and used it daily, the cost per day over a year averages out to just over 24p, and I'm a firm believer that the best investment you can make is for your sleep, including everything from your pillows to your alarm clock.

You simply can't beat a good night's sleep.

💰 Best deal we've found

The Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 usually retails for £99, but currently has been discounted at numerous stockists in the January sales.

You can currently get £24 off the clock at Amazon and Currys. It was also reduced at John Lewis but has already sold out at the high street store.

The clock remains fill price at Argos and Boots.

Shop now: Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 Wake up to Daylight Table Lamp | £74.79 (Was £99) from Amazon

Shop at Amazon Shop at John Lewis Shop at Currys Shop at Boots Shop at Argos

Watch: Why is sleep so important?