Here’s a sped-up example of how the alarm clock works. Still, I snoozed the alarm by easily tapping the top of the clock, and got up to the same sound and sunrise nine minutes later. I felt more relaxed and refreshed, especially as I woke up to birds’ chirps rather than a sudden beeping. I awoke at eight in the morning to a brightening light and the sound of forest birds, something that made me feel like I was camping rather than waking up in a small, overpriced apartment. I felt encouraged to put my phone away as my bedroom grew darker, and soon enough I was asleep. Prior to the SmartSleep Wake-Up Light, I never tried going to sleep with white noise in the background - but the gentle sound of waves, and the slowly dimming “sunset,” really helped me wind down. Having been in cold New York City, I opted for the “Island Red” sunset accompanied by the sound of ocean waves. In anticipation of the next morning’s sunrise, I tried out the sunset feature, which could be adjusted to your desired length of time and customized with different sounds and types of sunset. There’s also an extra “PowerWake” feature which offers a brighter and lounder alarm to ensure you get up (trust me, you do). Most of these features can also be seen and adjusted on the clock itself, which boasts a stylish (and efficient) smart touch display. Its funky design fit well with my decor, however, and I began to set it up via its accompanying app, called “SleepMapper.” Within the app, you can set your alarms, track your sleeping patterns, adjust the light intensity of the lamp, turn on breathing exercises, and most impressively, monitor the conditions of your bedroom - from sound to humidity. Upon receiving the SmartSleep Wake-Up Light, I arranged it on my nightstand - although at 11 inches wide, the clock took up most of the space available. I already sleep with my curtains open to wake up to sunlight, but I was curious how my body would react to a simulated version. Alarm sounds on the SmartSleep Wake-Up Light like “Forest Birds,” “Ocean Waves,” and “Summer Lake” (supposedly) further encourage the biological clock to start ticking. According to various studies, the rising sun triggers the production of cortisol as we’re gradually exposed to its natural light - and that serves as a natural indicator to shift from being asleep to awake. With its large display, the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Therapy Lamp mimics sunsets and sunrise, preparing your body to sleep and wake up. We only include products that have been independently selected by Input's editorial team. Input may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Intrigued, I decided to order one - and after acquiring one discounted from its retail price of $200, I thought: This better work. So, what do those people use? Are they being serenaded awake, or do they open their eyes to a platter of fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls? According to TikTok, they use the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Therapy Lamp, a sunrise-simulating alarm clock shaped like an uneven donut. I strongly believe that anyone who brands themselves as a morning person does not wake up to that sound. I sought to replace the jarring iPhone alarm that woke me up every day, which left me irritated and groggy.

I have a bad habit (see: lifestyle) of staying up late, and while I could rearrange my schedule to aid my sleep, capitalism always seems to be the most convenient option. I invested in essential oils, a humidifier, and a Casper pillow, all of which helped me sleep better, but didn’t alleviate the struggle of getting up. Yet during the past two years, I began valuing sleep more than before, most likely because it served as the one time of day I could go without hearing something devastating. I am not a morning person - never have been, and never will be.

Phillips smartsleep