Street Test: Extreme Alarm Clocks
Trouble getting up in the morning? We hear you! SC checks out some of the coolest, wackiest and most annoying alarm clocks out there. We want to know which one, if any, can most peacefully, pleasantly and effectively rouse you from your beauty sleep.
The Products
Kuku Alarm Clock – about $45
The Kuku Alarm Clock is for all of you that grew up on a farm and miss those barnyard noises! The clock lays eggs every morning at the designated wake-up time and will not stop cock-a-doodle-doing until you have returned all of its eggs to the basket. Depending on the way the eggs fall, they could go flying around the room, forcing you to perform a mini Easter egg hunt still half asleep in order to shut the bird up.
iHome iH5 Stereo Home System - about $160
This alarm clock has a stereo speaker system that wakes you with your own music through your iPod. It houses and charges your iPod and has an extra jack that will allow connection with non-docking iPods, CD players or other MP3 devices. The iHome iH5 also offers a gradual waking system and the ability to set the radio to play for a set amount of time before shutting off.
Gong Clock – about $80
This clock claims to awaken the sleeper with "beautiful, chiming, clear sounding digital Tibetan Gong sounds." It claims that it will wake you "calmly and naturally."
Soleil Sun Alarm Clock – about $80
The Soleil Sun Alarm Clock helps you to rise with the sun every morning. Its specially built-in light gradually increases in intensity, simulating a bright natural sunrise. The clock also includes a sunset feature, where the light fades into darkness.
It claims to awaken you "gently in a relaxed, refreshed state" and help relieve Seasonal Effectiveness Disorder (SAD).
Shake Awake Alarm Clock – about $20
The Shake Awake Alarm Clock uses a quiet vibrating system that is "guaranteed" to wake the soundest of sleepers.
The Test
Street Cents had four sound sleepers and boarders at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Nova Scotia test out each alarm clock and report back on which clock was the best at awakening them from their beauty sleep.
Testers’ Comments
Gong Clock
"I think it’s a pleasant way to wake up."
"It felt like home because it sounds like a grandfather clock."
"It’s really repetitive and annoying to wake up to."
"You couldn’t see anything in the dark ‘cause it’s not glow-in-the-dark."
Shake Awake Alarm Clock
"It was very effective."
"It worked well, but I didn’t like it."
Soleil Sun Alarm Clock
"We all agree that this one didn’t wake us up at all."
Kuku Alarm Clock
"It does wake you up but who wants to wake up to that noise?!"
iHome iH5 Stereo Home System
"I really like this. It put me in a good mood to wake up to music that I had chosen."
"It’s pricey, but it is a whole stereo system in one. It’s perfect for away from home."
Testers’ Verdict
We know you just can’t bear to wait anymore to find out just how our sleepy students managed to turn their cranky morning around!
Well, it was a unanimous vote for the winner: iHome iH5 stereo home system. It blew away the competition because of its ability to rouse you with music, its portability, great sound and perfect nesting area for your iPod. Mornings have never been so fun!
Side Bar:
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For more information on why you’re feeling sleepy in the morning, check out these links.
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