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A clock radio combines the convenience of a radio and the usefulness of an alarm clock. Its multifunctionality can be incredibly useful in smaller spaces, and its simplicity is a great way to separate the distractions on your phone from your daily wake-up routine.
Our expert testing crew bought 8 popular clock radios for side-by-side testing. Our in-depth analysis will give you an extensive look at what each product has to offer. Each model is rated on its sound and display qualities, useful extra features, ease of use, and general design aesthetics. Clock radios have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and our goal is to help you find one to suit your bedside needs so you can have a refreshing, uncomplicated morning routine.
Our testers agreed that the best overall clock radio is the Sangean RCR-20. It possesses a high-quality speaker with an abundance of features, a handy remote, and an excellent LED display.
Our favorite budget-friendly option is the Housbay Glow Small Alarm Clock. It is a simple, easy-to-use radio clock with dimmable, color-changing lights.
Starting the day off on the right foot might begin with an alarm clock, but it doesn't stop there. From brushing teeth to caffeinating with precision coffee makers, we depend on numerous home devices daily. GearLab has tested lots of gear across many categories to help you find the right goods for your home and space.
Editor's Note: Our clock radio review was updated on June 5, 2025, to revamp our lineup and add new products.
Battery Backup: Yes | USB Charging Port for Phone: Yes
PROS
Excellent speaker system
Large LED display
Bluetooth capable
Weekday and weekend alarms
CONS
Expensive
More complicated to set up
Large footprint
The Sangean RCR-20 is one of the most comprehensive and intricate clock radios we tested, but it is well worth the effort. Once fully set up, its many notable features are easy and intuitive to use. We like the high-quality speakers, which have bass and treble controls giving out a full, rich sound, whether using the FM radio or your Bluetooth device. But if you prefer an alarm, the beeper on this model is a pleasant alternative since it's not too tinny or robotic. The alarm and radio go on in 1-minute increments for a full hour or until turned off, just in case you like to wake up slowly. “I've had many unfortunate incidents with snooze buttons, so I always prefer a clock where the snooze isn't close to any other controls,” our tester noted. The snooze button on this one is clearly marked and easily accessible. Each alarm includes the option of being set once, daily, on weekdays, or on weekends, with different time-setting capabilities for each. Another cool feature is the clearly marked remote control that comes with 2 AA batteries. The soft white display includes everything you need to know in a clear and easily read format.
Bluetooth connectivity, excellent speakers, and many alarms and options make this one of the more elaborate clock radios we tested. It also makes it one of the priciest options. We should note it is one of the largest alarm clocks in our lineup, so those with smaller nightstands or bed tables may want to consider a model with a smaller footprint, like the USCCE Digital below. However, our testers kept returning to the awesome sound provided by the Sangean, and it's our favorite of the models we tested.
This sleek clock radio has Bluetooth capabilities so you can enjoy your favorite music or podcast.
Battery Backup: Yes | USB Charging Port for Phone: Yes
PROS
Multi-colored lights
Different alarm sounds
Sleep timer for nightlight
CONS
No Bluetooth connectivity
Speaker is not the best quality
Slighty tricky to set clock
Maybe our testers get a little too excited about dimmable, color-changing lights, but we loved the affordable pricing and fun display and nightlight options offered by the Housbay Glow Small Alarm Clock. It comes in a petite, portable size of 5 x 2.5 inches, and boasts a large, easy-to-read LED display. Our tester found this clock and its two programmable alarms to be easy to set, relative to some of the more complicated clock radios on this list, and we liked that the alarms could be set to three different sound options–beeping, birds, or the radio.
The main headline with this clock radio, though, is its adjustable, multi-colored nightlight, which can be dimmed or set on a sleep timer for pre-bed reading or ambiance. Though the Housbay does not offer Bluetooth pairing or the most robust sound quality, the added benefit of adjustable lighting made this wallet-friendly clock radio feel more like its full-featured competitors. Its small size would easily fit onto any nightstand, and we liked that it provided a USB charger for phones or small electronics to juice up while you slumber.
Our tester loved the easy-to-read display of the Housbay Glow.
Battery Backup: Yes | USB Charging Port for Phone: Yes
PROS
Large snooze button
Small footprint and attractive design
Easy to use
CONS
No radio presets
Small speaker
The updated USCCE Digital model comes in a variety of attractive, wood-grain finishes and is a small device that takes up little space on your bedside table but still has plenty of desirable features. It is easy to set up out of the box, and our testers loved the large snooze button that also scrolls to easily set the time or change an alarm. The USCCE has a convenient switch on the back to set your alarms for weekdays, weekends only, or all 7 days, if you prefer. Its display is fully dimmable, has an indoor temperature feature, and two USB ports located on the front for easy phone or device charging.
The USCCE only has a couple of notable drawbacks. Though the radio alarm is easy enough to set, it lacks a preset radio option. Additionally, the speaker is located on the back of the unit and is fairly small, so it's not our top choice for sound quality. Minimal gripes aside, the USCCE shines in many other ways, making it a worthy contender.
This clock radio takes up little space on your nightstand.
Battery Backup: Yes | USB Charging Port for Phone: Yes
PROS
Large LCD display
Fun, retro design
Bluetooth enabled
CONS
Minimal alarm sounds
No weekday/weekend alarm settings
The unique colorways and funky, retro design of the Studebaker SB3500 Retro with Bluetooth made it one of the most stylish of the models we tested. It also sports a large, dimmable, and easy-to-read LCD display that earned it our “best large display” award. Though it didn't have the best bass or richest sound (that award goes to the much larger Sangean RCR-20), the Studebaker offered a large volume knob on its side, which made adjusting whatever music was playing via AM/FM radio or Bluetooth connection a piece of cake. It can also save up to ten AM and FM radio station presets, for easy navigation between your favorite talk shows and tunes.
For those seeking a reliable alarm clock, the Studebaker Retro has the ability to save two different alarm times, though they need to be switched on every day while in use. There is no way to set a single alarm to automatically go off on just weekdays or weekends, as with some clocks we tested, like the Sangean RCR-20. We should also note that this clock radio has a battery-powered backup, to ensure that the alarm goes off even if your power goes out, but it requires two AAA batteries, which are not included. A single USB charging port in the rear of the clock makes for easy smartphone charging while you snooze.
The Studebaker features a retro design and a dimmable, large text display.
Credit: Emily Pennington
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With the wood-like finish, the USCCE blends into the room without looking too bulky.
Credit: Emily Pennington
How We Tested
We purchased the most promising models at retail price for our extensive testing. Each unit was tested for eight days, including overnight, for real-life application. Our testers assessed the various features of each model, noted how easy they were to use, examined the sound quality of the radio and the alarm sound choices available, and considered the display and design to determine where each model excelled or fell short. Our assessment is sure to include everything you might want to know when choosing a new clock radio to enhance your wake-up routine.
Why Trust GearLab
This review comes to you from Miya Tsudome, Emily Pennington, and Ruth Bruckbauer, who all have several years of experience of daily alarm clock use for everything from napping to a pre-dawn wake-ups. We chose the most promising designs to compare side-by-side and give you honest reviews of each. With experience testing the latest technology that will help make your life easier, Miya, Emily, and Ruth bring attention to detail, generous use of the snooze button, and a strong belief in easy, painless wake-ups to this comprehensive review.
Analysis and Test Results
While most of us think of clock radios as a thing of the past, these devices are a great way to keep your smartphone far away from your bedside, allowing for less screen time and more options for your daily wake-up call. Some of these clock radios allow you to ease into the day with nature sounds or wake up to your favorite radio station. Others even use gradual light to help you wake up naturally, feeling more refreshed. And some are simple in design and function, with a buzzer and snooze button ready to go when you are.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The USCCE is an excellent buy, given its below-average cost. It is a stylish option, as opposed to the classic clock radio look, which we appreciate. Plus, it is so small that it could easily become a travel companion. The Housbay Flow Small is another option worthy of your consideration. It is super easy to use and even comes with a cheat sheet, in addition to a manual. Both of these options did well in our tests. Some of the pricier options, like the Sangean RCR-20 and Studebaker SB3500 are made from high-quality materials. That said, we have no concerns about their longevity and think the upper pricetag is worth it if you aren't looking to replace your clock radio every few years.
The remote control on the Sangean is a very nice feature.
Credit: Ruth Bruckbauer
Ease of Use
Some of the models we tested were intuitive to set up without having to read the entire instruction manual. Others were more feature-packed and took a lot of reading and re-reading to figure out how to set up all their special functions. We rated each model based on how easy they were to set up, and also examined how easy its functions were to use or access.
The clock radios from DreamSky and Philips are the simplest, most intuitive clocks we tested. They offered clear time-setting buttons, which you hold down for a few seconds and then adjust the hour or minute using the volume keys or a convenient dial. These steps are standard in most simple alarm clocks, and our reviewers loved that they didn't have to painstakingly go through each manual to figure out which buttons did what.
A nice, large snooze button on the USCCE also functions as a dial, making setting the time and alarms easy.
Credit: Miya Tsudome
The DreamSky and the USCCE were easiest to use in part due to their simplicity — they lack the extra features of some other clocks, thus requiring fewer buttons and navigation.
The Sangean RCR-20, Studebaker Retro Clock Radio with Bluetooth, and the Emerson SmartSet radios also earn recognition for their ease of setup, as they are the only models we tested that automatically set the time and date as soon as they are plugged in, after connecting to a radio station in your specific time zone. We were impressed by their quickness and accuracy. However, these models also have built-in Bluetooth capability, which can add complexity to the setup if you plan on using that feature.
The Emerson SmartSet sets the date and time automatically, making it versatile for use in a variety of spaces.
Credit: Ruth Bruckbauer
Because it has loads of extra features, the iHome clock had a more involved setup. It can double as a lamp and has its own light settings, but its . The alarms have many options to go through to set up — namely, alarm sound (tone, FM radio, or Bluetooth), the volume of chosen sound, light option, and light brightness.
Sound
Our reviewers assessed the sound quality of each clock radio and noted how many alarm sound options each model has.
The Sangean RCR-20 has the best sound quality of all the models tested, with the I-Box Dawn a close second. Doubling as a Bluetooth speaker, the I-Box boasts 6W stereo speakers and a passive subwoofer, making the radio or Bluetooth-connected music sound rich with good bass, though we should note that one of our testers found it exceedingly tricky to set up (even with the manual).
While these two clock radios have the best quality speakers, they both lack variety in alarm tones. The I-Box Dawn's built-in alarm tone gradually increases to a volume our reviewers considered excessively loud. But both the I-Box and Sangean are certainly the best choices for those who value sound quality and will use their clock often to stream their favorite playlists or listen to the radio.
The USCCE has natural sounds, like birdsong, as alarm choices in addition to a buzzer or FM radio. Almost all of the clock radios we tested had small speakers with mediocre sound quality. The exceptions are the Sangean RCR-20 and the I-Box, but we were disappointed that the other Bluetooth speaker, the iHome, lacked the richness and quality we expect from a clock that also sells itself as a speaker. The DreamSky, Studebaker, and the USCCE units only have two alarm sound options: FM radio and a buzzer, making them the most lackluster in the wake-up sound department.
Features
The clock radios we tested came with a wide variety of features. We scored each model based on how many features and customizations they provided. All came with USB ports for easy bedside accessory charging, and all had battery backup options for power outages.
The iHome and the Sangean RCR-20 were the most feature-rich clock radios we tested. The iHome reminds our testers of a lava lamp, with five different color settings that range from a set color of your choice, slowly changing colors and colors that will even pulse to the beat of your Bluetooth-connected music. These models have an FM radio, a variety of different alarm tones to wake up to, and the option to wake up with or without light. The iHome acts as a Bluetooth speaker with its built-in microphone, which can connect to speakerphone, Siri, or Google Assistant on your smartphone.
The iHome has many features in addition to its color-changing cabinet.
Credit: Miya Tsudome
We didn't love the display of the I-Box, which it a bit blurred through the speaker grill, but we loved the quality of its Bluetooth speaker and the fact that it can charge Qi-enabled phones wirelessly by simply placing them on top of the clock. This earned it extra points in our features category.
Charging your phone overnight could never be easier thanks to the wireless charging capabilities of the I-Box.
Credit: Miya Tsudome
The DreamSky and the USCCE are the simplest models of the fleet, sticking to the basics of radio and alarm options. However, they provide indoor temperature readings, which is a unique attribute for more simplistic models.
Display
When assessing the display of each model, we considered how easy the digits are to read and if the brightness is adjustable for nighttime dimming. We also gave extra points to models with more detailed display screens, with clear (and separated) alarm and snooze buttons to provide us with peace of mind when choosing to sleep in.
The Emerson SmartSet and the Sangean again scored top marks for their clear, easy-to-read, bright white LED displays and large, spacious screens that easily showed each alarm, the time they are set for, and their designation for weekdays, weekends, or both. We also loved the dimmable, large text LCD display of the Studebaker, which also offered an easy-to-adjust volume knob on its side.
Each of the models we tested had adjustable display brightness, which is a key feature for those who are light-sensitive or prefer less visual disturbance while winding down. The speaker grate display design of the I-Box makes its numbers harder to read when dimmed, and nearly impossible to read any of its smaller display features. While it is not entirely necessary to read AL1 or AL2 to know if they are on, we do consider this a serious design flaw, particularly if you plan to use the alarm feature often. The light blue LED light is also very tough to read underneath a bright lamp, making the I-Box a better overall speaker and phone charger than an alarm clock.
Design
When buying a new clock for your bedside table, design can be an important purchasing factor. Many tech-savvy shoppers want their technology to look good, especially if it's the last thing you see before bed and the first thing you see when you wake up.
Clock radios have come a long way from their humdrum, utilitarian pasts and now come in a cornucopia different shapes and sizes. The USCCE Digital comes in a simple black color, but the updated version we tested has a handful of attractive wood-grain finishes that make this clock a petite and stylish addition to any bedside table. Its small footprint and minimal buttons make for a great, simple device that looks good and is easy to use.
With its wood-grain finish, the USCCE is a stylish bedside accessory.
Credit: Miya Tsudome
The iHome, with its unique globular design and multi-color-changing cabinet, makes a fun addition to a room, but because it is so large, it's not the most practical clock radio we tested. But it is a good choice for someone who wants a clock radio that also doubles as a speaker with fun lights to accompany your music. The DreamSky is the most practical of the models we tested, though it brought nothing special to the table in terms of style.
Our editors tested multiple top-quality devices side-by-side to help you find which features are most useful.
Credit: Ruth Bruckbauer
Conclusion
With our in-depth review of the latest clock radios, we hope you can find what you're looking for. These days, many of us are trying to cut back on screen time before bed, and having a clock radio to replace your phone may help make your bedtime routine more relaxing and help ease you into the morning with nature sounds or your favorite radio station.