Sleep & Mornings

The Best Alarm Clocks for Sleepyheads

Say goodbye to frazzled mornings with alarms designed with the ADHD brain in mind. You’ll never sleep in again with features like vibration, aromatherapy, and even a simulated sunrise that give your brain an early-morning boost.

The Best ADHD Tools: Alarm Clocks
The Best ADHD Tools: Alarm Clocks

Like many other adults with ADHD, I struggle to wake up in the morning. My alarm clock buzzes, chortles, and even vibrates, but I have an amazing talent for turning it off and going back to sleep.

My clients (I’m an ADHD coach) are equally talented. Despite their best efforts to get out of bed on time, many are late to rise on a daily basis. I’ve had them try setting multiple alarm clocks, positioning their alarm clocks across the room, even placing alarm clocks inside their pillows. All to no avail. Surely there’s an ADHD tool that will help them rise and shine. Right?

When I began my quest, I found a lot of great timers, but little in the way of a surefire alarm clock.

Best Alarm Clocks for ADHD

Shake Awake (#CommissionsEarned) ($17.99). This vibrating, tuck-inside-your-pillow device can create enough of a ruckus for sleepyheads.

Alarm Clock and Vibes Bedshaker ($73.95) If you’re like me and some of my clients, you may need a foghorn to wake you up. And if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a deer in the headlights, this is the alarm for you, which flashes a bright light and shakes your bed.

Sonic Boom (#CommissionsEarned) ($34.99) Available on Amazon or from sonicalert.com. In addition to shaking your bed and flashing lights, it generates a 113-decibel shriek.

[Free Resource: Mobile Apps for Better Sleep]

The Screaming Meanie (#CommissionsEarned) ($39.99) clocks in at an ear-popping 120 decibels. (For inquiring minds, that’s louder than a jet airplane.)

Philips Wake-up Light (#CommissionsEarned) ($99.99) During my research, I met a woman who swore by progression wake-up clocks like this one. Over a 30-minute period, this clock it gradually wakens you with light, nature sounds, and aromatherapy. Something soothing to start the day, kind of makes you go ahhhhhhh.

Zen Alarm Clock (starting at $139.95 from now-zen.com). The literature claims that this clock can “awaken the soul,” and, as I discovered the next morning, that’s not far from the truth. First once, then with increasing frequency, it sounded the gentle, soothing chimes that one associates with mountain monasteries. After 10 minutes, it coaxed me out of bed. I felt calm and refreshed.

Only one hitch: The effect was so relaxing that I just had to try it again. So I reset the alarm and went back to sleep.

NOTE: Please note that all names, models, prices, links, and specifications were accurate and items were in stock at the time of this article’s last update on January 28, 2022.

[Free Download: Guide to Sleeping Better]

#CommissionsEarned As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.