Clock Radios: From Smart Speakers to DAB Devices

We’ve rounded up the latest selection of radio alarms, compact but great-sounding devices designed to wake you up. Whether you want a smart speaker to play what’s happening in the day ahead, a classic alarm sound or the morning news, one of these should tick all the boxes, with a wild card thrown in for DIY tech fans.

Radio alarm clocks to help you wake up

Amazon Echo Spot 2024

Amazon’s new Echo Spot is the latest in a global warehouse. If you’re already entrenched in the Amazon experience, Echo Spot keeps you even more grounded, with Alexa on your phone and direct access to Amazon Music, as well as Apple Music, Spotify, and more.

Unlike other smart speakers, the Echo Spot is designed from the ground up to sit on your nightstand, with custom clock faces and a dimmable display. Information displayed includes the time, weather, and song or show titles, while the compact 1.73-inch speaker can wake you up to one of four dedicated alarm sounds. Alternatively, Alexa can be instructed to come up with a themed wake-up playlist.

Amazon Echo Spot in Black, Glacier White or Ocean Blue, £79.99, Amazon

Tivoli Audio’s Model Three BT

Tivoli Audio's Model Three BT

Tivoli Audio’s Model Three BT

(Photo source: Tivoli Audio)

Tivoli’s Three is a compact classic, a simple bedside companion aimed at those who don’t yet want to shun the analog signal. This AM/FM clock radio comes in Tivoli’s signature wood casing (available in walnut, cherry or black ash), with traditional knobs and only Bluetooth as a concession to modern wireless technology.

Tivoli’s Three BT, £259, TivoliAudio.pl, @TivoliAudio

Moment by Pure Aud

(Photo Source: Pure Audio)

Pure Audio’s new Moment describes itself as an “ambient sleep companion”. In addition to DAB and FM radio tuners and the latest Bluetooth 5.3, the Moment’s party trick is an onboard selection of over 20 themed ambient sounds, from classic white noise to nature sounds. Designed as a soothing soundscape generator to help exhausted city dwellers fall asleep in a consistently calm audio environment, the Moment also has a dimmable display and ten different alarms to pull you out of your sonic reverie.

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Moment by Pure Audio, £109.99, Pure-Audio.com, @PureAudioWorld

Monda Alto by Grace Digital

Monda Alto by Grace Digital

(Photo Source: Grace Digital)

Grace Digital’s Mondo Alto is a bedside companion in a walnut wrapper with a huge range of alarm options, as well as the ability to connect to many of the top streaming services in Europe and the US (including iHeartRadio, Audacy, Pandora, Spotify Connect, SiriusXM and Live365). For added flexibility, you can store your favourite tune (or morning mantra) on a USB drive, and alarms can be brightened, dimmed and snooze. We particularly like the multi-function display, which has multiple backlight settings with a clock function that can be set to blue or red light.

Mondo Alto, Grace Digital, $229.99, GraceDigital.com, @GraceDigital

Lego 10334 Retro Radio

(Photo source: Lego)

Finally, a bit of Lego fun, always adept at spotting a niche. Retro electronics is the trend of the day, and the latest set from the Danish block offers the chance to transform more than 900 pieces into a replica of a 1970s transistor radio. While you’ll be providing your own radio shows or music, thanks to the built-in smartphone stand, the set also includes what Lego calls a “sound brick,” containing an unspecified but intriguing playlist.

Lego 10334 Retro Radio, £89.99, Lego.com, @Lego