iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock Review (2024)

Written by Amelia Jerden, Senior Staff Writer

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In This Review

I’ll cover my experience testing out the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock. I’ll go over my pros and cons, as well as how to use this alarm clock and what features it has.

On the hunt for a new sunrise alarm clock? Let me introduce you to one great option: the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock. I personally tested this alarm clock and in this review, I’ll be going over everything you need to know about it, including how to use it, its main features, and my pros and cons. Hopefully by the time you reach the end of this review, you’ll know whether the iHome Zenergy is the best sunrise alarm clock for you.

Short on time? Skip ahead for a review summary.

The iHome Zenergy Sound Machine with Sunrise Alarm Clock allows you to create a calming bedtime or peaceful wake-up routine, with multiple light and sound options available, as well as Bluetooth connection to play music from your phone.

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Is the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock Right For You?

Before we fully dive in, I want to offer a quick overview of who I think would and would not like the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock.

Who Should Try the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock

If you are shopping on a budget, the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock is a great option. It is significantly more affordable than many other sunrise alarm clocks on the market.
If you want a sound machine, you will likely appreciate the sound options available on the iHome Zenergy — particularly if you enjoy breathing exercises or guided meditation.
If you want to play music, you should enjoy the Bluetooth connectivity that allows the clock to double as a speaker and use your music from your phone for your alarm.

Who Should Not Try the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock

If you want easy controls, the myriad of buttons required to navigate the iHome Zenergy may be frustrating to you.
If you want a sunset effect in addition to the sunrise, this may not be the best option. There are some good Light Therapy light options you can enjoy to wind down in the evening, but no dedicated sunset feature.
If you want lots of customization, the iHome Zenergy may be a bit too simplistic for you. There are other sunrise alarm clocks that allow for more customization than this one does.

How to Use the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock

Let’s start off by going over how to set up the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock. You will need a smartphone to set up this alarm clock.

First, you’ll need to plug in the alarm clock and turn it on.
Once it is on, you’ll need to ensure your phone is discoverable for a Bluetooth connection.
Press the Bluetooth pairing button on the iHome Zenergy alarm clock to put it in pairing mode.
On your phone, select iHome iZBT3 to pair your phone with the alarm clock.
Once they are paired, you’ll be able to continue setting up your clock, including setting the time and setting up preset sound/light modes, setting sound alarms, and setting light alarms.

To create a preset sound/light mode:

Press the Light or Sound buttons to cycle through different light and sound options.
Once you’ve settled on a combination, press and hold the Zenergy button.
Now you can press the Zenergy button at any time to activate your preset light/sound combination.

To set a sound alarm:

Press and hold the Sound Alarm button (which looks like an alarm clock with a music note in it) until the display flashes.
Then use the plus or minus buttons to set your desired time.
Press the Sound Alarm button again to confirm the time. Use the plus or minus buttons again to select your schedule (every day, weekdays, or weekends only).
Press the Sound Alarm button again to confirm your selection. Use the plus or minus buttons to select whether you want to use Bluetooth or Tone for the alarm (Tone meaning one of the preloaded sounds on the clock itself).
Press the Sound Alarm button again to confirm. If you chose Tone, use the plus and minus buttons to choose your sound.
Press the Sound Alarm button once again to confirm your selection. Use the plus or minus buttons to select the volume of the alarm.
Finally, press the Sound Alarm button to confirm and close out. The alarm clock should beep twice to let you know the alarm is set.

To set a light alarm:

Press and hold the Light Alarm button (which looks like an alarm clock with a sun in it) until the display flashes.
Use the plus or minus buttons to set your desired time.
Press the Light Alarm button to confirm your alarm time. Then use the plus or minus buttons to set the schedule (every day, weekdays, or weekends only).
Press the Light Alarm button to confirm your selection and close out. The alarm clock should beep twice to let you know the alarm is set.

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iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock Features

Now that we’ve gone over how to use the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock, let’s take a look at some of its features.

Sunrise Alarm

The iHome Zenergy is a sunrise alarm clock, so naturally the sunrise feature is one of the most important features. The iHome Zenergy has the option of using a wake-up light alarm, a sound alarm, or both in conjunction for a dual-alarm.

For the light alarm, you can set your desired time for the alarm. The simulated sunrise will start 20 minutes before your set alarm time, slowly becoming brighter until the designated wake-up time, at which point it will reach maximum brightness.

For the sound alarms, you can use some of the preset sounds on the iHome Zenergy or Bluetooth from your phone.

Snooze/Display Dimmer

When an alarm is going off, you can hit the snooze button to snooze the alarm for nine minutes.

This button also functions as the display auto dimmer. The iHome Zenergy is designed to be able to adjust the brightness of its display setting according to the light in the room. You can choose between Auto 0 (which turns the display fully off in a dark room), Auto 1 (minimum brightness setting one), and Auto 2 (minimum brightness setting two). This is handy for people who don’t want any ambient light from their alarm display at night.

Light Therapy

In addition to the sunrise wake up, the iHome Zenergy has additional light settings you can use as light therapy, a nightlight, a reading light, or simply for additional lighting in your bedroom. The light therapy modes include: Sunrise Light, Glow, Hue, and Day.

Sound Therapy

The iHome Zenergy can also double as a sound machine, with a variety of soothing sound therapy options to listen to. The sound therapy tracks include things like Meditate and the 4-7-8 breathing technique. There are also white noise options and nature sounds like Nature, Ocean, River, Storm, and Air. There are 15 relaxing sounds in total.

Bluetooth

As I mentioned above, you can connect your phone to the iHome Zenergy by Bluetooth. This allows you to use songs from your phone as your alarm, but you can also use the iHome Zenergy as a Bluetooth speaker. There is also a USB port, which you can use for USB charging.

Price

Wondering how much this alarm clock costs? Currently on Amazon, the iHome Zenergy is priced at $59.99, at full retail. Overall, this is on the lower end for sunrise alarm clocks, making the iHome Zenergy a solid budget buy.

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My Experience Using the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock

The iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock is a really great option for shoppers looking for a more affordable sunrise alarm clock, as long as they don’t mind a clunkier interface. When I was testing out this alarm clock, I was impressed with how many capabilities and functions it offers. The preset alarm sounds plus the option to use your own music via Bluetooth for your alarm lets you customize your alarm settings to your preferences, as far as sounds go.

There are fewer options when it comes to customizing the sunrise simulation. You can’t really adjust how long the sunrise takes or the light color, which is where this alarm clock falls short compared to some competitors. However, if you just want a basic sunrise effect for a gentle wake-up, this one works great.

My only other complaint with this alarm clock is the controls feel a little complicated and outdated. It did take me a minute to figure out how everything worked and consulting the manual was very helpful, but once I got it down it wasn’t too hard to remember. Having to learn the functions of a ton of different buttons feels a little frustrating, but you get what you pay for. Compared to more “high tech” sunrise alarm clocks that use apps, this alarm clock is considerably less expensive.

Policies and FAQs

Does the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock come with a warranty?

Yes, the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock comes with a 1-year warranty. You can find the warranty information at https://www.ihomeaudio.com/support/ by searching the model number, iZBT3.

How does the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock ship?

This product is eligible for free shipping on Amazon.

Can I return the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock?

Yes, this alarm clock is eligible for free returns within 30 days on Amazon. It must be returned new and unused.

Can I use the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock as a white noise machine?

Yes, you can. There are some white noise options in the Sound Therapy options.

Does the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock need WiFi?

No, this alarm clock does not use WiFi, but it does use a Bluetooth connection to connect to your phone.

What is the point of sunrise alarm clocks?

Sunrise alarm clocks are intended to use your body’s natural circadian rhythms to help you wake up more easily and pleasantly in the morning. Exposure to light early in the morning can also help you feel more awake throughout the day.

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Other Products To Try

Amelia Jerden

Senior Staff Writer

About Author

Amelia is a Senior Staff Writer for Sleepopolis. She primarily covers bedding and sleep accessory products in reviews, how-to guides, and more. You can also find her over on the Sleepopolis YouTube channel. Amelia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with double majors in media and journalism and in dramatic art. Outside of work, Amelia can usually be found on a hike, traveling to a new city, or at her local thrift store.

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