Our Top Picks
Dreamegg D1 Nova Sound Machine Alarm Clock forPalm-sized (D1 Nova)3.8 x 3.8 x 2.1 inches0.5 poundsCheck on Amazon
Housbay Wooden Sound Machine Alarm Clock for BedroomsOak3.54 x 2.83 x 3.15 inches0.57 PoundsCheck on Amazon
The Hatch Restore 3 is the pick for shoppers who want nature sounds plus a sunrise light and bedtime routines in one device; the Loftie suits people who want a sound-first, phone-free wake-up with no subscription; a budget Hatch-style clock such as the Dreamegg suits anyone who only needs basic birdsong and waves; and a plain white-noise machine like the Yogasleep Dohm is for steady masking only, since it is not an alarm clock and has no nature tracks. The notes below come from maker descriptions and independent roundups, so read them as reported claims.
What to look for in a nature-sound alarm
Not every clock that says “nature sounds” delivers the same experience. Four details separate them.
Dreamegg D1 Nova Sound Machine Alarm Clock for Sleep, White Noise | 25 Sounds, 7 Gentle Alarms, 5-Level Dimmable Clock, 10-480 Min Timer, 10-Color Night Light, USB-C Plug-In
Chosen because it specifies White Noise and 25 Sounds.
View on AmazonHousbay Wooden Sound Machine Alarm Clock for Bedrooms - Gentle Wake-Up with Birdsong, White Noise for Sleeping, Small Digital Clock for Phone-Free Routine
Chosen because it specifies Gentle Wake-Up with Birdsong and White Noise for Sleeping.
View on Amazon
REACHER Digital Alarm Clock & White Noise Sound Machine for Bedroom | 21 soothing sounds, 7 wake-up sounds, 8 color night lights, adjustable volume, sleep timer, memory function for kids, teens
Chosen because it specifies 21 soothing sounds and 7 wake-up sounds.
View on Amazon- Sound as the alarm versus sound for sleep. Some clocks play nature tracks only while you fall asleep. Others can wake you with them. Check the product page for whether the alarm tone can be a nature track.
- Looping. Short recordings repeat, and some people notice the seam. Larger libraries and longer tracks reduce this.
- Library size and cost. Reviewers report the Loftie has 100+ sleep sounds with no subscription, while the Hatch’s wider content sits partly behind its optional paid tier.
- Control method. App-based devices need a phone for setup and scheduling. Button-based clocks work without one but have smaller libraries.
At a glance
| Model | Best for | Sound features as reported | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatch Restore 3 | Light, sound and routines together | Nature sounds, white noise, music; core sounds and alarm work without the paid tier, per reviewers | Premium tier; phone app for setup; larger library behind subscription |
| Loftie Clock | Sound-first, phone-free bedrooms | 30 alarm options including white noise and nature sounds, 100+ sleep sounds, Bluetooth speaker, no subscription | Not a sunrise alarm per one guide; mid-to-premium tier |
| Dreamegg (Hatch-style) | Lower budget | Basic nature sounds such as birdsong and crashing waves, plus white, pink and brown noise, per Tom’s Guide | Simpler software and fewer features |
| Philips SmartSleep | Light quality first | Cited as better where the light matters most | Less sound variety |
| Yogasleep Dohm Classic | Plain, non-looping noise masking | Fan-style white noise; no alarm, timer or nature sounds, per reviewers | Not an alarm clock |
Hatch Restore 3
Forbes Vetted, Tom’s Guide and Sleepopolis rank the Restore 3 first among sunrise alarm clocks, and it combines nature sounds, white noise, music and hosted audio with a light that brightens before the alarm. Reviewers say you can wake to sound, light or both and build separate routines for wind-down and wake-up. The device works without the optional subscription for core sounds, light controls and the alarm, but setup and scheduling use the app, and some of the larger content library requires the paid tier.
The trade-offs are cost, since it sits in the premium tier, and app dependence. One tester also found the sunrise light dimmer than the leading dedicated light clocks. For nature-sound shoppers, the practical question is whether you want the light too; if you do not, you may be paying for features you will not use.
Loftie Clock
The Sleep Foundation names the Loftie best overall. Its main idea is a two-phase alarm: a softer first alarm, then a slightly louder second one to get you moving. Reviewers list 30 alarm options, including white noise and nature sounds, and over 100 sleep sounds in total, plus a nightlight and Bluetooth speaker. Because it is aimed at phone-free bedrooms and has no subscription, it appeals to shoppers who do not want another app relationship. One guide notes it is not technically a sunrise alarm, so if gradual light is your priority, a Hatch or a dedicated light clock is the better fit.
Budget option: Dreamegg and similar
Tom’s Guide added the Dreamegg as a cheaper Hatch lookalike, listing basic nature sounds such as birdsong and crashing waves along with white, pink and brown noise. Expect a smaller, less polished library and simpler controls than the Hatch or Loftie. For a guest room or a child’s room where you want a gentle sound and a basic alarm, that may be enough. For a primary bedroom where you will use it nightly for years, compare build and software support with the more expensive models.
What about a white-noise machine?
A machine like the Yogasleep Dohm Classic is called the best-value white-noise unit in one roundup, valued for durable, fan-style, non-looping sound. But reviewers are clear it has no nature sounds, meditations, alarm or timer. It makes sense only if what you want is steady masking of street or household noise, and you can pair it with a separate alarm.
Choosing by budget tier
- Budget: Dreamegg-style clocks and basic white-noise machines. Expect simple tracks and fewer controls.
- Mid-range: Light-focused clocks like Philips SmartSleep, depending on model and region.
- Premium: Hatch Restore 3 and Loftie, with larger libraries and more polished apps or hardware.
Fit and placement notes
- Place the speaker where sound reaches you evenly, such as a nightstand at head height, instead of inside a cabinet.
- Check the power setup. Most of these use a plug-in adapter, so confirm cable length against your outlet position.
- If you share the bed, test the volume at low settings. Nature loops that seem quiet at the clock can still reach a light-sleeping partner.
- Pick a stable surface away from water and open windows, and keep vents and cables clear of bedding.
Setting up a nature-sound routine
The sounds you pick for falling asleep and the sounds you pick for waking should usually differ. For wind-down, steady tracks such as rain, ocean waves or a stream are common choices, set to fade out after a timer so they do not play all night if you prefer silence. For waking, birdsong or a gentle forest scene tends to feel gradual, and a clock with a two-stage alarm gives you a back-up if you sleep through the first tone.
Volume matters more than the track. Start low and raise it slowly until the sound is audible but not intrusive. If you have a partner, place the clock on your side and angle the speaker toward you. In a noisy city apartment, a sound that covers traffic gaps may help more than one with a lot of variation, since sudden bird calls or thunder samples can themselves be startling.
It is also worth testing the alarm before relying on it for an early flight or shift. Set a test alarm a few minutes ahead, confirm the wake sound, and keep a second alarm as a backup until you trust the device. If a clock depends on Wi-Fi or an app for schedules, check what happens during a power cut or an update.
Pick X if…
| If you want… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Nature sounds, light and routines in one | Hatch Restore 3 | Most often ranked first |
| No subscription and no phone at the bedside | Loftie | Large sound library and two-stage alarm |
| Basic birdsong and waves on a budget | Dreamegg-style clock | Cheaper Hatch-style design |
| Best dawn-style light | Philips SmartSleep | Reported as better for light quality |
| Constant steady noise masking | Yogasleep Dohm | Non-looping fan-style sound |
Care and safety notes
Unplug before wiping the device with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth, and follow the maker’s manual. Do not place it where it can fall into water or be covered by pillows. For babies and young children, use sound at low volume and at a distance, and follow the maker’s guidance and your pediatrician’s advice on sleep sound levels. If sleep problems persist, a doctor is the right person to ask, not a gadget.
Alternatives
- A phone app with nature tracks and a small Bluetooth speaker, if you already have both.
- A dedicated sunrise clock plus a separate sound machine, if you want to pick the best of each.
- A basic radio alarm with a nature-sounds station if you prefer something with no setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nature sounds be used as the actual alarm?
On several clocks yes. Reviewers say the Loftie offers 30 alarm options including nature sounds, and the Hatch lets you wake to sound, light or both. Cheaper or simpler machines may play nature tracks only for sleep, so read the product page.
Do these clocks need a subscription for nature sounds?
Reviewers report core sounds on the Hatch Restore 3 work without the paid tier, with a larger library behind it, and that the Loftie has no subscription. Check the maker’s listing for what is included at purchase.
Do the sounds loop noticeably?
Short recordings can. The Dohm is praised for non-looping fan-style noise, though it has no nature sounds. If looping bothers you, choose longer tracks or a larger library.
Is a sunrise light needed for a good wake-up?
No. It is a preference. The Loftie, for instance, wakes with a two-stage sound alarm and is not a sunrise clock according to one guide. Choose light if you wake in a dark room and want a gradual start.
Are they safe to use in a baby’s room?
Some sleep-sound devices are marketed for nurseries, but follow the maker’s manual on distance, volume and cord safety, and ask your pediatrician about suitable sound levels. These are not monitoring devices.
Why not just use my phone?
You can, and many people do. A dedicated clock keeps the phone away from the bed and adds light and a dedicated speaker, but costs more and adds a device to maintain.
