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A shrill electronic beep is a blunt way to meet the day. A growing group of bedside clocks swaps the beep for birdsong, rain, ocean waves or a slowly brightening lamp, and many also play steady white noise in the evening. If you are searching for the best nature sounds alarm clocks, you are probably looking for a calmer opening to the morning and a single device that covers both bedtime sound and wake-up.
This guide is for people who want a gentler alarm, parents of light sleepers who already use a sound machine, and anyone replacing a phone alarm with something more deliberate. We compare five bedside clocks from Hatch, Philips and Loftie. We stick to what the makers list on their pages, because we cannot promise any health or sleep outcome from a clock, and we explain the real-world trade-offs such as apps, memberships and size.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Main point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatch Restore 3 | Buyers who want the current Hatch adult model | Sound machine with light and routines | Check on Amazon |
| Hatch Restore 2 | App-controlled routines and sound library | Sunrise alarm with a large set of sounds | Check on Amazon |
| Hatch Rest 2nd Gen | Night light and white noise first | Sound machine and night light with app control | Check on Amazon |
| Philips SmartSleep HF3520 | Light-based waking without a phone | Wake-up light with touch controls | Check on Amazon |
| Loftie Clock | A phone-free bedside routine | Alarm clock with soft tones and no screen glare | Check on Amazon |
How These Options Were Chosen
This list comes from maker pages, retailer listings and published reviews. We have not lived with these clocks, so we cannot comment on how they feel in your room. We looked for named brands, an alarm function, soft or nature-themed sounds, and either a light or a sound-machine role. We then aimed for a spread of control styles, from app-driven to button-driven. The category changes quickly, with new versions replacing old ones, so check that the model on the listing is the one you intend to buy. Several sellers carry older stock.
The Best Nature Sounds Alarm Clocks
Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine
Hatch has been the best-known name in this niche, and the Restore 3 is described in recent coverage as the company’s current adult model. It follows the Restore line, combining a bedside light, a sound machine and an alarm that can wake you with light and sound together. Routines are set up through the app.
It suits someone who wants the newest design from the brand and is happy to use a smartphone to set it up. The lamp can brighten before the alarm, and the sound library includes nature and white-noise options, according to the maker. It is a good fit for a household that already knows the Hatch ecosystem.
The trade-offs are the usual ones for a connected device. Setup needs the app and Wi-Fi, some features sit behind an optional paid membership, and the exact code can vary by finish, so check the listing. Skip it if you want a clock that works without any account or phone.
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine HBR4802P
The Restore 2 is the previous generation, and it still turns up in stores and online. Reviews describe a sunrise alarm with a large library of sounds, with HBR4802P shown as the code for the putty color. It does much the same job as the newer model, so it is a way to get the Hatch approach if a seller has stock.
It suits people who like to build routines: a wind-down light, background sound that runs for a time, and a morning light with a chosen tone. The app lets you pick the nature sounds you prefer, whether rain, forest or waves.
Hatch has said that the Restore 2 is no longer its current model, so support and updates may differ over time. An optional paid plan adds more content. Skip it if you want certainty about long-term support, or if you do not want to depend on an app for the main functions.
Hatch Rest 2nd Gen Sound Machine and Night Light HBR4400
The Rest line is aimed at the sound-machine and night-light role. It is smaller than the Restore models and is often bought for a child’s room, though adults use it too. The maker lists sounds, a color light and app control, and an alarm style routine can be built in the app.
Choose it when white noise and a low light are the top priorities and a built-in sunrise lamp is less important. The device is compact and can sit on a shelf without taking much room.
It is not a traditional alarm clock with a big time display. It is a sound machine with scheduling, so people who want a clear readout at a glance may be disappointed. Skip it if you want a clock face that tells the time, or if you want a lamp strong enough to read by.
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520
Philips takes a button-based approach. Reviewers describe the HF3520 as a wake-up light that brightens gradually before the alarm, run with touch-sensitive controls and no phone required. Sound options sit alongside the light, and the maker lists a choice of wake-up sounds.
It suits people who dislike apps, subscriptions and screens by the bed. You set the time on the unit itself, pick a sound, and let the lamp do its work. For anyone who wants a quieter, analog-style routine, this is the least complicated option here.
Its strength is the light rather than a library of nature recordings, so the sound choices are modest compared with the Hatch family. The unit is also bigger than a plain clock. Skip it if a large library of sounds matters more than the lamp, or if you would like a white noise machine for the evening.
Loftie Clock Bedside Alarm Clock
The Loftie Clock is designed around keeping your phone out of the bedroom. Coverage describes a stand-alone alarm with a soft look, gentle tones, and an approach that favors a wind-down routine over notifications. It is sold as a premium bedside object.
It fits someone who wants a deliberate, phone-free routine and likes the idea of one object that makes the bed feel simple. The tones are softer than a typical beep, and the device is meant to look good on a nightstand.
It has no sunrise lamp, and the list of features is shorter than the Hatch devices. Retail details, including the model name, change, so read the listing. Skip it if you want strong light, an extensive nature sound library or a simple gadget.
Best White Noise Alarm Clocks
The Hatch Rest 2nd Gen leans furthest into steady background sound, with the Restore models close behind. Both let you choose a sound and set how long it plays. We cannot say what any sound does for you, so choose what you enjoy.
Best Soothing Alarm Clocks Without a Phone
The Philips HF3520 and the Loftie Clock both avoid the phone at the bedside. One uses light and the other uses soft tones. Pick the Philips if you want a gradual glow, and the Loftie if you want a calm object and a minimal routine.
Best for a Gentle Morning
Makers of sunrise clocks describe a gradual increase in light before the alarm. Whether that suits you is personal, and we cannot promise it will reduce morning grogginess. Check the seller’s return policy so you can see how you feel about it after a few mornings. The Hatch Restore 3 and the Philips HF3520 are the two to compare.
Best for Sleeping in a Noisy Home
If outside noise is the issue, a steady sound can mask some of it. The Hatch Rest and Restore models are built for that role. Place the unit away from the bed’s head and set the volume conservatively.
How to Choose
Begin with the role you most want the clock to play. If it is mainly a sound machine, a Hatch unit gives the widest choice. If it is mainly a light, the Philips may be the better fit. If it is mainly a phone-free object, think of the Loftie. Many buyers choose one without noticing that they wanted something else.
Check the control method. App-controlled devices offer detailed routines but need an account, Wi-Fi and a phone. Button-controlled units are simpler, yet offer fewer options. Consider what happens if the Wi-Fi drops or the company changes its app, and read what the maker says about offline operation.
Look at the sound options. Some people prefer rain or ocean, others like a plain fan-like hum. Check whether the sounds loop smoothly and whether you can set a timer. Volume range matters, too: you want enough to be heard and a low setting that suits a quiet room.
Consider light. A sunrise lamp needs room on the nightstand and should be positioned where the glow will reach you. Look at brightness settings and the color of the night light. People who are sensitive to light should look for a dim or off option.
Finally, weigh the ongoing cost. Some clocks have optional memberships that add content. Decide whether the base features are enough for you. A common error is assuming the full sound library is included for life. Another is placing a unit too far from the bed for the light to be useful.
Installation, Safety and Legal Notes
Follow the maker’s instructions for power, placement and setup. Keep the device away from water and out of direct heat. If a clock will be used in a child’s room, follow the maker’s safety guidance on cords and placement. We make no health claims for any of these products; if you have a concern about your rest, speak to a qualified professional. Use a licensed electrician for any new outlets by the bed, and check house rules in shared housing about overnight devices.
Care and Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| App cannot find the clock | Check the Wi-Fi band and power-cycle both devices |
| Sound is too quiet | Raise the volume in the app or on the unit |
| Light seems too strong | Lower the brightness setting in the routine |
| Alarm did not go off | Check that the routine is active and the clock is powered |
If a firmware or app update changes how routines behave, review each saved schedule afterwards rather than assuming nothing moved. Wipe the case with a dry cloth and keep vents clear. Install updates when the app asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these clocks good for sleep?
Makers market them for bedtime and morning routines, but we cannot promise any result. Use the listing as your guide.
Do I need a subscription?
The Hatch devices offer an optional paid plan for extra content. The Philips and the Loftie do not use the same model, so check each listing.
Can I use one without my phone?
The Philips and the Loftie are designed for that. The Hatch units rely on an app for most settings.
Can I fall back on a normal alarm if the app fails?
Keep your phone alarm or a plain backup clock set for any morning that matters, since a connected device can lose its network link.
Which has the most nature sounds?
Hatch lists the largest sound libraries among these, but numbers change over time.
Will white noise bother a partner?
It depends on volume and placement. Begin low and ask your partner.
Is a sunrise alarm louder or quieter?
Most pair light with a soft sound that rises gradually. Check whether the volume range suits you.
Bottom Line
The Hatch Restore 3 is the current all-round choice for people who like an app, the Restore 2 is a fallback if you find stock, and the Hatch Rest is a sound-first device. The Philips HF3520 favors light with simple controls, and the Loftie suits a phone-free room. Choose by control style, and confirm the exact listing before you buy.