By now I’m sure many of us are aware of the viral Hatch alarm clock that mimics sunrise lighting to create a more natural wake-up experience. But look out Hatch, Philips is putting a new twist on the sunrise alarm clock trend.
Philips recently debuted their take on the product by launching their latest lighting innovation: the Hue Twilight bedside lamp.
So how does the Philips Hue Twilight compare to the latest Hatch Restore 2 alarm clock?
Even though they both serve a similar purpose, the two are more different than they may seem depending on what extra features you’re looking to add to your nighttime routine.
It can be confusing to understand the difference between all of the latest sunrise alarm clock options on the market, but we’re here to help.
Philips Hue Twilight vs. Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Let’s take a closer look at how the new Philips Hue Twilight compares to the Hatch Restore 2.
Price
Like most people, one of the first factors I consider when buying anything is the price.
Admittedly, both the Twilight and Hatch sunrise alarm clocks come at a hefty price for an alarm clock, but one is a bigger investment than the other.
Philips’s Hue Twilight bedside lamp currently comes in at about $280 retail price whereas the Hatch Restore 2 is currently priced at $170.
However, the Hue Twilight lamp has some unique features that may account for the higher price depending on what you’re looking to get out of your sunrise light.
Sunrise Alarm Features
The Hue Twilight lamp can serve as a sunrise alarm clock, reading light, and mood lighting source for your bedroom.
Philips’s take on the sunrise alarm clock includes a front light that swivels back and forth, making it perfect for getting the right light while reading in bed. It also includes LED lights on the back of the lamp that create an added soft light source in your bedroom.
While the Hatch has a variety of sunrise lighting features, it’s not quite bright enough to serve as a reading light on its own. But that’s because the Hatch’s primary function is to serve as an alarm clock, not a bedside lamp.
On the contrary, the Philips Hue Twilight’s primary function is that of a bedside lamp with sunrise lighting features to help you wake up by mimicking natural sunlight. It does not have other sleep features like white noise or an audio alarm clock.
So, if you’re looking for a 3-in-1 sunrise light, audio alarm clock, and white noise machine, the Hatch might be the better option for you — unless you don’t mind setting up a separate alarm on your phone.
If you’re looking for a high-tech bedside lamp, then maybe the Hue Twilight is more up your alley.
Alarm Controls
The controls for both sunrise alarm clocks are primarily based on apps that you download on your smartphone.
Both apps let you set lighting color preferences right from your phone. With the Hatch app, you can even set your sound alarm and play white noise with just a couple clicks.
Each sunrise alarm clock also has two buttons on top that you can push for immediate sunrise or sunset light scenes without needing to use the app.
However, the Hue Twilight is part of the Philips Hue collection that relies on a smart home lighting system to activate all of its features.
Not that tech savvy? Then the Hue Twilight might not be the best choice for you.
The Hue Twilight is meant to connect to the Hue app and Hue Bridge, another Philips product that acts as the control center for your home’s lights.
By connecting the Hue Bridge to your router, you can activate voice-controlled lighting and other app controls that allow you to control lights even while you’re not home, according to Philips.
While you can still use the Hue Twilight without the Bridge system, the lamp was designed to work best with other Hue products.
Design
The Hue Twilight and Hatch alarm clocks also have different designs and color options if you’re looking to match your sunrise alarm to your bedroom aesthetic.
Philips’s Twilight lamp currently comes in either white or black. The Hue Twilight mimics the typical design and size of a bedside lamp but with a modern, sleek twist.
On the other hand, the Hatch takes the size and shape of a typical alarm clock with a more rounded design. Hatch currently offers their alarm clock in grey, cream, and tan tones with a more organic, linen-inspired design.
What Features to Consider about Sunrise Alarms: An Expert Weighs In
When it comes to choosing what sunrise alarm clock is best for you, it’s important to prioritize what features you’re looking for.
“Features to consider when shopping for a sunrise alarm clock are the brightness level, noise components, Bluetooth ability, and its overall value. You want to make sure that the brightness level is bright enough to effectively wake you up in the morning, and I prefer a sunrise clock that allows you to adjust the intensity level of the light,” according to Dr. Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health for Sleepopolis.
“I personally like sunrise clocks that have the option of different sleep sounds, such as white noise,” adds Dr. Harris.
While they may seem similar at first glance, not all sunrise alarm clocks are created equal and the Hue Twilight and Hatch lights are no exception.
As always, it’s best to keep in mind your own needs when choosing the best product to help you get a better night’s sleep.