The best clock radio
Radio alarm clock – Opinions, Analysis and Buying Guide in 2022
Sometimes it can be a bit difficult to wake up in the morning, especially if you haven’t had a good night’s rest, but if you need to, you can buy a good clock radio to wake you up in no time. If you want options, we recommend the Mpow LED 5” model, a device that has very striking functions, a discreet design and several adjustment options. Another good product could be the Sony ICF-C1PJ. This radio alarm clock has a very particular design that will look good on your nightstand and offers time projection so you can see it reflected on the wall or ceiling.
Opinions on the best radio alarm clocks on the market
In case you are interested in learning more about the aforementioned alternatives, among others that also offer interesting features, we invite you to study the models that we indicate in this list, since we have taken into account what most users who need a good clock radio at home.
Radio alarm clock
Mpow LED 5”
The Mpow alarm clock radio could be a good option for you, since it has a youthful and modern design. It is black in color and its dimensions are 6 x 9 x 23 centimeters with a weight of 358 grams, being comfortable to place on any table.
Another aspect that influences its being cataloged as one of the best radio alarm clocks of 2022 is the fact that it has a projector, with which you can see the time reflected on some surface and, in addition, you can regulate its brightness so that don’t disturb you when you sleep.
On the other hand, it has a 5” LCD screen and displays the information in blue, producing a good contrast against the black background so that it is easy to read. It also includes a USB port where you can connect your mobile phone to charge it during the night and be ready when you wake up.
Being considered as, perhaps, the best radio alarm clock of the moment, you should know its pros and cons:
Pros
Projector: The projector on this radio can be tilted to an angle of up to 120° for your convenience.
Personalization: It offers various adjustment systems for the volume of the alarm and the brightness of the screen, so that you can adapt it to your liking.
Alarms: You can set two different alarms and also make use of the snooze function when it rings.
USB port: Thanks to its USB port, you can easily charge your phone, clock or tablet from your radio alarm clock.
Cons
Memory: A detail to consider is that the radio’s memory can only store fifteen stations.
YY-clock
If you are one of those people who is a heavy sleeper and it is difficult for you to get up with soft sounds, this alarm clock radio could be the best alternative to wake up in the morning and always arrive on time for your commitments. To do this, it has a powerful alarm that generates a loud sound of up to 110 dB and has a repeat function every 10 minutes.
Likewise, it is a multifunctional model that provides you, in addition to a powerful alarm clock, also an FM radio so you can listen to the news, weather forecasts or to enjoy your favorite music with an adjustable volume in 16 levels, according to your needs.
It also gives you a modern design that integrates a screen with large digits, so you can easily view the time and temperature of the environment. In addition, it has a very useful USB port for charging mobile devices.
It is a model that combines various functions in a single device, so it could be the most suitable alarm clock for you. Know your strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
Multifunction: It is a model that offers the function of FM radio, USB charging port and a powerful alarm clock.
Screen: It has an LCD screen with adjustable brightness and large digits that favor visibility.
Alarm: Thanks to its alarm that generates a sound of up to 110 dB, it is recommended for people who wake up with difficulty.
Cons
Speaker: More power is missing from your speaker, since at high levels the volume tends to distort.
Sony radio alarm clock
Sony ICF-C1PJ
With the Sony radio alarm clock you won’t have to worry about falling asleep again, since it has a time projector so you can see it big on your wall or ceiling.
An advantage that could make it the best clock radio is that it has a modern and eye-catching design. With its cube shape, it has dimensions of 10.2 x 10.1 x 10.1 centimeters and a weight of 490 grams. On the other hand, it is silver with black to be able to combine it easily.
Among the functions offered by this watch, the possibility of programming two alarms stands out, as well as various systems with which you can adjust the parameters of its components, be it the volume of the alarm, the brightness of the screen, among others.
In addition to this, you should know that it has a built-in battery, so if you experience a power outage, your alarm clock radio will still be able to work and wake you up on time.
Sony is known for the quality of its products, so studying the advantages and disadvantages of this model could be useful to you:
Pros
Projector: The projector has a button specially dedicated to focus the time and obtain greater sharpness.
Battery: It has a lithium-ion battery that will keep it powered up in the event of a power outage.
Audio: It has a port to connect headphones and thus not disturb anyone when listening to music.
USB port: With its USB port you can charge your devices at night without occupying an outlet.
Cons
Tuner: Please note that the radio tuner is analog and can only store ten stations.
Philips clock radio
Philips AJ3400
With this Philips radio alarm clock you can enjoy a large screen where you can see the time from anywhere in your room. The screen is LED type and shows the numbers in green on a black background. Its design is simple and discreet with a size of 10.3 x 19.1 x 7 centimeters and a weight of 331 grams so as not to take up much space.
One of the most striking functions that you will enjoy with the Philips radio alarm clock is its timer, through which you can determine a stipulated time during which the music will play and then it will turn off automatically. This feature can be useful to help you fall asleep better. It also has a radio station tuner with FM and MW frequency so you can place the one of your choice.
Finally, it has an internal battery that will maintain the settings applied in the configuration in the event of a power failure.
For some, Philips could be the best brand of alarm clock radios on the market and this model stands out for the following attractions:
Pros
Screen: Its LED screen has a considerable size and shows large numbers for easy identification.
Reserve: It has a reserve battery to avoid losing the programming made by the user in case of power failure.
Radio: You can set your favorite radio station or a ready-made tone as an alarm.
Timer: The timer will disable any music playback after the stipulated time has elapsed.
Cons
Volume: According to some buyers, the volume level, even at the minimum, is a bit high and can annoy sensitive people.
digital clock radio
Sunstech MorningV2
MorningV2 could be the digital alarm clock you need to wake up more easily in the mornings. Its design is attractive, since it has a triangular shape of 15 x 7.8 x 5.5 centimeters with a weight of 336 grams to be light and comfortable to place on your table. Its manufacturing finishes are robust and attractive, as well as elegant, thus providing an appropriate decorative accessory for the room.
As for its screen, it is an LED type and shows numbers in orange, in addition to offering a system with which you can adjust the brightness level according to your preference.
It also highlights the fact that it is equipped with an FM and AM radio station tuner, so you have no limitations when selecting the one of your choice. You can set two alarms at different times, as well as make use of the “Snooze” and “Sleep” functions.
If you still have not been able to determine which is the best radio alarm clock, take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this equipment:
Pros
Adjustable: You can change the brightness intensity of the screen to sleep without discomfort.
Tuner: The tuner is capable of working with AM and FM radio frequencies, offering freedom of choice.
Melodies: The system includes a total of ten melodies for you to choose which one will sound when the alarm is activated.
Battery: Its backup battery will prevent losing the configuration in case there is a power outage.
Cons
Configuration: Some users commented that its configuration could be a bit complicated.
Bluetooth alarm clock radio
Howise Acc Digital Bluetooth
If what you are looking for, in addition to functionality, is a device that provides an aesthetic component to your room; This Bluetooth alarm clock radio could meet all your expectations. To do this, its modern design in pink finishes add a touch of elegance and distinction.
It is a clock radio that you can program with two types of alarms, one daily and one temporary, according to your needs. It also has FM radio function and thanks to its advanced technology, you will have four modes to listen to music: TF card, U disk, Aux and Bluetooth connection.
Likewise, it has a large 5.5-inch screen that offers easily visible digits and you can easily configure its brightness level in three levels. Likewise, it is equipped with a 2200 mAh lithium battery that offers up to 8 hours of music. In addition, its screen indicates the time, the ambient temperature and the battery level.
It is one of the most attractive and functional models of the moment, so you could consider it in your comparison. Read on and analyze its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Bluetooth connection: It is a clock radio equipped with Bluetooth 4.2, so it is compatible with other technological devices.
Rechargeable battery: Thanks to this quality, you can take it with you anywhere, since it does not depend on a power cable.
Design: It offers you an elegant design with pink finishes, so it could be a suitable model to give to a lady.
Cons
User manual: It is missing that the user manual has instructions in Spanish.
Radio alarm clock with headphones
Sunstech FRD35U
The FRD35U model corresponds to a radio alarm clock with headphones that uses a very useful system for domestic use. Among the functions that stand out in this equipment is the FM radio tuner, so you can listen to the stations you want. It also has a USB port to charge equipment through the radio and a headphone jack that will allow you to listen to music privately.
In addition to being a cheap model, it has a simple but modern design in black with the information on the buttons in white for easy reading. Its dimensions are 11.5 x 13 x 6.3 centimeters and its weight is 440 grams, while its screen is 0.9” and shows the numbers in a very light blue color.
It also stands out that its storage memory has the capacity to store up to 50 different radio stations, which prevents you from having to search one by one.
If you are interested in one of the cheapest options to save money, here are the pros and cons of Sunstech’s product:
Pros
Size: It is a compact-sized radio alarm clock with a discreet design to accompany any bedside table.
Screen: Its screen, although it is small, has a high contrast that will not make it difficult to read the time.
Headphones: With the headphone jack you can listen to music without bothering you.
Memory: It has a large capacity memory to store 50 presets.
Cons
Frequency: This radio alarm clock can only tune in FM stations, so you could not choose any AM type.
How to choose the best radio alarm clocks?
In order to make the best purchase decision regarding which model of alarm clock to choose, there are some aspects that you could study before choosing it. In addition, the integration of functions greatly influences its practicality, so we invite you to read the following guide to buy the best clock radio:
Shopping guide
clock radio design
When studying a comparison of radio alarm clocks, the design of the equipment in question must be known. This is due to the fact that many buyers prefer a model that suits their style and that of their decoration, so that it can be complemented with either the color of the walls or the furniture.
It is also important to consider the size and weight of the clock radio so that it is not uncomfortable to have near the bed. In addition, its manufacturing materials are relevant, in case you want to invest in a model that offers resistance to use in order to enjoy a long useful life.
Nowadays, the market is quite wide and you can find radio alarm clocks made of all kinds, be it plastic, metal, wood, etc. So you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right one.
computer screen
Since we are talking about a radio alarm clock, it is common to find models that have integrated screens and, therefore, it is an important factor that must be analyzed.
The screen will probably match the size of the clock radio itself, but we advise you to verify that it has a good level of contrast, so that it is not difficult for you to read the time and, if possible, allow changes in the brightness setting to avoid discomfort when sleeping.
On the other hand, you could take into consideration if the screen is capable of showing more information apart from the time, this can be very useful to make use of other functions that the device may offer.
Available Features
Currently, clock radios may be capable of performing various actions in addition to indicating the time of day. If you are looking for a multifunctional model, you have all kinds of equipment available, yes, in different price ranges depending on what they are capable of doing.
We advise you to consider those that have a good value for money and include, in addition to radio and alarm clock, a system that allows you to access other functions, such as parameter settings on the screen or volume level, current date, display status of the weather, among others.
As mentioned, the options are very varied and having a radio alarm capable of offering extra functions for your comfort can be more practical than you imagine, although it may not be as cheap as other simpler models.
radio range
When buying a radio with an alarm clock, taking into account the range of its antenna is of the utmost importance, since this will determine practically how many radio stations you will be able to listen to from your device.
In general, alarm clock radios for domestic use have enough capacity to offer, at least, local radio stations, although if you want to be careful to be able to reproduce one in particular, we advise you to check its range.
Likewise, you must also make sure that it can work with the frequency where the station is located, since you can choose between options with compatibility for AM, FM or both frequencies.
Storage capacity
The storage capacity in a clock radio can be very important in case you want to store information in it, be it personalization profiles, radio stations or other files.
Some models offer ports to increase their storage capacity, which you should consider if you have in mind to use these types of functions of a common clock radio.
Accessories included
Finally, we cannot overlook the accessories included or integrated into the radio alarm clock itself. Since some users prefer to listen to their own selection of music, they have available models with USB ports through which they can connect storage units where they have their saved playlists.
On the other hand, there are radio alarm clocks that include eye-catching accessories, such as a projector that can display the time or some effect on the wall or ceiling of your room. This way you won’t have to turn around to find out what time it is.
In addition to this, it would not be bad if you chose a radio alarm clock that offers you a 3.5 mm Jack port in case you want to listen to music without disturbing anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How to set the alarm clock radio?
Playing your favorite radio station as a wake-up alarm can be a good idea if you want to start your day on the right foot and listen to your favorite artists.
To be able to use this option, you must access the configuration menu of your alarm clock to verify that, among the alarm alternatives, you can activate the radio instead. Press it, select the FM or AM range of your choice, save all the changes and voila, you should be able to wake up listening to the station of your choice.
Q2: How to fix a clock radio?
If you think that your radio alarm clock has broken, the first thing you will have to do is rule out that it is not a battery or power problem. Try replacing with new ones or checking the outlet. If it still does not work, we advise you to take it to a technician to have it checked, since the problem could be electronic and internal and require advanced knowledge in this area.
Q3: How to program a radio alarm clock?
To correctly program your radio alarm clock, you must press the button that shows the name of the menu or programming. This will allow you to access the different settings that you can change on your clock radio.
If you want to set the alarm, you can press the alarm button and the numbers will start flashing for you to indicate what time you want the clock radio to activate to wake you up or notify you of something.
In case you want to program the radio, you can make use of an automatic search system, which could store all the stations that are within range or also do it manually to save only those that you really want to listen to.
Q4: How to set the time on a Sony clock radio?
Sony brand alarm clock radios are known for being of good quality and offering a long lifespan thanks to their finishes. To adjust the time of one of your equipment, you should review the instruction manual depending on your model.
However, one of the standard procedures for this is to look for a direct button to set the time. By pressing it, the numbers on the clock radio screen should begin to flash and using the turn signals (if you have them) you can change what you need, be it the minutes displayed, the hour or whether it is AM or PM.
Q5: Who invented the clock radio?
Although the origins of the alarm clock date back to 250 BC, it could be considered that the models known today come from the invention carried out by Levi Hutchins in 1787. He was a watchmaker from New Hampshire, USA, that he used to wake up at 4 in the morning when the rest of the town woke up with the sunrise. For this reason, he decided to integrate a lever into the clock hand so that, upon reaching number 4, it would ring a bell to wake him up.
How to use a clock radio
Having a radio alarm clock on your nightstand can make getting up in the morning more bearable, especially if it is a model that offers multiple functions like most of those studied in this list. If you already have one, but you don’t know how to use it, here are some basic steps:
Connect the clock radio to power
To carry out the first step, which is basically to turn it on, you must consider two aspects: if your clock radio uses batteries or must be connected to an outlet.
In the first case, you should find the compartment for disposable batteries and open it carefully. Place all the required units in each of their spaces and replace the lid until you hear the click that indicates that it has been closed correctly. Now you can turn on the equipment.
In the second case, your alarm clock radio must have a power adapter cable included, so you will have to take it out of its packaging and connect the voltage tip to the corresponding port on the device, and then place the adapter in a nearby outlet.
Turn on and set the time
Since your device is on, the first thing that should appear on the screen are the flashing numbers. This means that they are in adjustment mode so that you can adjust the time according to what your watch shows or the one you want.
You should be able to do this by pressing the buttons on the device, it is a matter of verifying it in the instructions to know which one to press or keep trying until you know which button changes which digit. After you have set the time, proceed to save your changes as prompted.
Apply alarm preferences
Now you can access the configuration menu of your clock radio. Navigate between the different options it offers you until you find the alarm section. On some models, you will be able to access it directly from a particular button.
Here you can determine what time you want your alarm to sound, the volume level at which it will sound, the tone to ring or even activate a radio station of your choice, so that you wake up listening to your favorite songs.
Find and save radio stations
The next step in setting up your alarm clock radio would be to search and save the radio stations that you listen to the most. Depending on the model you choose, you will be able to store a certain number, so you will have to be careful not to fill the memory too quickly.
Start by pressing the button on the radio and, if your system includes it, let the automatic search engine identify the stations within range and save them. Then you can modify the position or even assign them a particular button.
Adapt display settings
Finally, you would have to adjust the display of your clock radio. Many of these models work with LCD screens, which allow changes in their brightness level to avoid being disturbing at night. Choose the level with which you feel most comfortable and save the changes to be able to enjoy your new clock radio.
