The Best and Most Recommended Classic Alarm Clocks

#5.  RCA RCD30

The RCA RCD30 is a straight forward and basic alarm clock that packs a lot into a simple design and small form factor. This is a very affordable clock with a streamlined interface, large snooze button, and no-worry battery back up. The thing that most stands out is the large display. It’s very easy to read the time even from across the room. The adjustable brightness settings let you dim the display if you prefer a darker room. This is a basic no frill clock. It displays the time with a large display and has one alarm. That’s it but it does its job very well with a small footprint.

#4. Sony Dream Machine

The Sony Dream Machine is the ‘pick up truck’ of alarm clocks. Its not the most trendy or most elegant clock we have ever ever reviewed, but this is a solid piece of hardware and as good of a buy as you will find. It has all the features you are going to need like battery back up, DST, auto time sync, easy to use controls, and a great display that is ‘just right’. The AM/FM radio isn’t close to a high end stereo but it work surprisingly well for a unit this size.  One more nice thing about this clock is that there is no power brick. It makes it that much simpler to get it plugged in behind your night stand. I also really liked the way the alarm gradually ramps up instead of just blasting you awake. Personally, that helps me avoid instantly slamming the snooze button. Overall, this is a very solid and classic choice.

#3. Sony ICFC1

The Sony ICFC1 is a modern alarm clock with an sleek and elegant form factor. Solid construction and all the features you want. It has three alarm setting to choose from; radio, buzzer, and gradual. It also has adjustable brightness, battery back up, AM/FM radio, and like most Sony clocks it comes with a full internal calendar and automatically adjusts for daylight savings time. It also plugs straight into the wall without an ugly power brick. This clock does come in white and black versions. I found that the white version ‘bleeds’ light around the display and is generally brighter. I found it kind of annoying and preferred the black version a little bit more out of the two. This is overall a great alarm clock and I highly recommend it as basic clock.

#2. Timex XBBU

The Timex XBBU is a ‘next gen’ basic alarm clock and is the model I personally have set up in the guest room of my own house. It has all of the features you would expect; dual alarms, DST, battery back up, adjustable display, plus it has a built in night light, and best of all an actual USB port to charge your phone!!! That’s right, its 2016 and we can finally have that amazing convenience right there on the night stand. I love everything about this clock….. except for the power brick. Some times its a necessary evil and helps keep the foot print of the device smaller. But for sure, this was one of my favorite clocks to review and I highly recommend it.

#1. Sony ICFC1PJ

The Sony ICFC1PJ is similar to one that we already reviewed but even better! This is for sure my most recommended alarm clock by a mile. It has all the previous features plus more! Dual alarms, multi alarm settings, AM/FM with preset stations, battery back up, auto DST, auto time sync, brightness control, and no power brick. All of that PLUS a several different nature sounds with a sleep timer to easy you to sleep, an actual USB port to charge your phone, and coolest of all it has a projector that shines the time up on the ceiling or wall! How cool! This is probably the best alarm clock you can find right now so buy with confidence here for sure.

Honorable Mention – Sharp SPC800

You want to wake up? The Sharp SPC800 will do that for you. Probably everyone else in your house as well. Maybe even the neighbors too… Sometimes, old school is the best school and this classic clock will startle you out of bed in the morning for sure. Simple and solid construction with absolutely no frills or options at all.