This is a great idea. I am a fairly early riser in general, and often do wake naturally as the sun comes up and the birds sing. However, in these dark New England fall and winter mornings, I noticed it was much much harder to wake up at the same time, because it was pitch dark.
When I was offered the opportunity to review this, I was excited, because I thought it's a perfect solution for me. I have used this for several weeks so that I could write an accurate review.
However there are some definite issues. I've included my workaround here for each issue as well. One of them I got from another reviewer here, so you might check the other reviews too.
1) If you want to squeeze every minute of sleep, this is not for you. The wake cycle begins 15 minutes before the time you set the alarm. One might think that you could just set it 15 minutes later, but it's only the wake cycle beginning. Sometimes I awaken right away (so it's about 10 minutes earlier than I "need" to be up), and other times later.
2) Not only does the wake cycle start but the combo music/nature sounds (depending on what you set it for). I can understand the light going up slowly, but the sounds wake me right away (15 minutes before I wanted to wake up). I read a review here, saying that there was no "light only" option, but you could set the sounds to zero. So I did that, but then I used a backup clock to be sure I woke up. Definitely NOT a good option to have to use.
3) I somehow stumbled across the fact that if I set the sound level at 1, it doesn't go on until the very end, when the time is actually set. This is a perfect fix for me, hopefully waking to the light, but then hearing music at the alarm time if I haven't awakened on my own. But this was something I had to stumble upon by trial and error. A more detailed instruction book would probably help, though might scare others away.
4) The Snooze feature is great. It turns off the light and the sounds, and then the light cycle goes on much quicker. I've begun doing that, and it's almost perfect.
5) The reviews are mixed about whether or not the light can be used for reading. If it's on the brightest setting, I find that it's enough light for my 40-year-old eyes. Also, I've used it with the "natural sleep cycle" where the light dims gradually to help remind myself that I need to go to sleep. You can set it for up to 60 minutes I believe.
I do like this product, but in its current design I would be disappointed if I paid full price for it. If the price doesn't bother you and the workarounds above are acceptable, then go for it. It definitely has made it much much easier to wake up when it's still very very dark outside.
Hi! So before I bought this alarm clock, I did TONS of research on alarm clocks that used light that gradually turned on to wake you up.
I scoured the internet, comparing the few products that do exist, many having awful reviews.
I really wanted to make sure that if I was going to spend this much on an alarm clock, it was really going to work and be decent quality.
This Verilux was honestly one of the best ones that I found. There were mainly good reviews about this lamp, however some key features that were complained about, that I found NOT TRUE!!!
So I would like to point out what I noticed about the lamp (I have had it for nearly 3 months now), to help you in your search!!!
1. The light has DEFINITELY helped me wake up better in the morning. In the past I have had SEVERE issues waking up to my alarm, including hearing it and turning it off, or ignoring it all together. I do not do that with this alarm, which is great!
2. A few people complained that the buttons were too hard to read, even with the light itself on. This is not true. Perhaps a modified model has come out since those complaints, but even my mother with not so good vision had no problem reading the buttons.
3. People complained that the music that the lamp plays starts as soon as the lamp turns on, and gradually gets louder, and the only way to do it without sound is to set the sound level to level one. But you cannot just turn on the sound at the END of the light cycle. I found that if I set the alarm 1 with very low (or no) sound, then set a second alarm with louder sound, that goes off 10-15 minutes later, it does exactly that. Also, for each alarm 1 and alarm 2, you can store different sounds (either one of the 4 presets or each their own radio station) and their own light levels. They are independent and it remembers each. Also separately the light level that is on when you just turn the light on, or the radio station/volume that is used, separate from the alarm, is stored.
4. People complained that when you unplug the alarm or the power goes out, you lose all your settings. This is not true. I have unplugged it TWICE, and both times it completely remembered both of my alarm 1 and alarm 2 settings. The only thing I had to reset was the clock time.
5. Someone complained that you cannot independently turn on the lamp just to use, without the alarm or sleep setting. This is not true. ALL you do is push down on the top of the lamp and it turns on, until you manually press down again OR press the OFF button to turn it off.
6. I also read a review that the speakers were completely unclear and muffled. I think maybe they received a damaged alarm because my noise is pretty clear and gets quite loud for as small as it is.
7. There were many complaints about the 4 preset music/nature sounds. I personally don't mind them, and the bird song is my favorite, but I think at that level it is a personal choice. HOWEVER, if you go to the Verilux website and search for this item, you can listen to the 4 preset sounds BEFORE you buy it, to determine if you do or do not like them yourself.
8. Also, someone complained that the light doesn't actually gradually come on, it comes on in 20 different levels. They said that it makes noise when it does so. I have yet to notice this. To me, it seems pretty smooth and gradual, but at the least it is quiet (unless you choose a sound, but the light bulb does not buzz or make noise)...
I think that these were the main drawbacks that I read in the reviews, which I obviously disregarded when I bought my alarm. I was hoping that peoples complaints weren't so bad compared to how much the light would help me wake up. Personally I feel like I was right. The main negative reviews that I read seemed to either be a result of USER error, or simple ignorance.
I would suggest if you buy this lamp, read the Verilux site about it and also read the instructions thoroughly to help you out, it is a GREAT product and totally worth it if you have issues waking up to your alarm clock with noise. It is a soothing, gentle way to naturally wake up and I LOVE it.
Oh, the only review that was negative that I AGREED with was that when setting any times on the lamp (alarm 1 or 2 or basic time), you have to cycle through ALL the times, minute by minute to get to the time you want. HOWEVER, if you simply hold down the left or right arrows (to go down or up in time), it will eventually move the minutes faster, like 20 minutes at a time, so it is a lot quicker to get to the time you want...
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I usually review books and have been happy from time to time to review some useful and interesting technological products. The Verilux Alarm Clock reminds me of some of the things that I studied when I took Psychophysiology in Graduate School. It simulates the way the sun gradually woke up our ancestors, who were more attuned to the biological rhythms of the natural world. Our society tends to not adjust our schedules to changes in seasons and therefore creates a certain amount of biological stress. Some of the stress can be felt when daylight savings time impacts on our rhythms about twice a year and also the SAD (seasonal affective disorder) where people feel depressed and low energy during the winter months. My sense of the latter is that it is a hibernation reflex that humans and many other animals have. We tend to associate hibernation with bears that go into deep sleep during the winter, but most hibernation animals simply lower their metabolism to conserve their energy and not need as much activity or food. Our schedule driven society usually does not change our activity level according to the seasons. We tend to work 40 hour work weeks whether it is winter or summer, get up at the about the same time, and never go to sleep when the sun sets.
While the Verilux cannot shift everything back to a more natural rhythm, it gradually brightens the room in a manner similar to a sunrise, going through about 20 levels of brightness accompanied by a gradual increase in nature sounds and some gentle ambient relaxing music (or it can wake you with your favorite FM radio station). I found myself getting up very slowly and easily, without the abruptness of the usual alarm, and without the sluggish feeling of still feeling half asleep. I liked this a lot. I also liked the reverse process called "sleep cycle" where the light progressively dims until the room is dark. This simulates going to sleep with the sunset. The sleep cycle can be set to 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. I chose 15 minutes. I found it interesting to notice how the light changes helped to assist transition from waking to sleep and sleep to waking. I found that I have been more sensitive to how much of our brain is influenced by light changes.
When not in use as a soft alarm, the Verilux does serve as an ambient light source. The 20 gradations of light give a lot of choice on what kind of light fits the mood of the room for various functions. I do hypnotherapy and found that the choices of lighting in the treatment room were useful. Too bright makes going into a relaxed trance more difficult, too dark makes staying awake and following the process more difficult. What required about three different lights to do, I can now do more easily with just this one light. The nature sounds and ambient music choices, 4 of them, too, can serve as a background for trance induction.
The Verilux can also double as an FM radio. This is a function that I rarely use, but I did tune it to one local radio station that usually plays classical music and has a good news summary. The FM wire antenna plugs in the back and can be easily unplugged if one does not need this feature. I prefer their plug in design for this over the loose wire that is clipped into a holder than some FM features have on some models. If you do not use it, you may want to keep the FM wire plug with the manual just in case you might want it later, or if you intend to sell the unit later on to someone else.
There are a lot of thoughtful features in the unit. But there are a few minor detractions that are worth noting and that may influence the decision to purchase this unit. One is the size. It is big enough to be considered a small lamp. This is partly so that the unit can house a 60 watt clear bulb (it can apparently also take a 40 watt bulb, but this might affect the gradations of light some). This is a good choice, because some alternative light products use more exotic bulbs that are more costly to replace and sometimes harder to find. However, the size of the unit may be a consideration if your bed only has a small night stand to work with. Since it does replace a lamp, however, it may be a matter of deciding whether or not to part with what is already there. The design of the oval dome allows for proper cooling of the light bulb, having ventilation slits on both and top and bottom. No bright light leaks through to spoil the light effect.
There are two other minor detractions. One is that the nature sounds cannot be played without the associated ambient music that they chose. You cannot input your own MP3 file of your own favorite music. While the selections are pleasant, they are also in a repetitive loop that is relatively short and there are only four choices. They might get old over time. I can partly understand why they might put the ambient music in, because the nature sounds may not be enough by themselves to wake you up. However, for a background soundscape during the day, the four selections might get old. Two is that the buttons are complex enough to use to need the manual to program the unit. While it is designed to set and forget, and remembers two alarm settings that you can alternate with, I did find programming the unit to take a little time, constantly going back and forth from the manual. I appreciate and prefer a system of buttons that are more intuitive to use and easier to fully learn. The buttons, too, are not easily readable in the light of this unit, even at its highest setting. You would either need to have another light to shine on the letters or you can artfully reflect the light of the unit back on itself with a book cover (or the manual cover). I found I just memorized which button does what from playing around with the unit. I think partly why the unit is a little button complex, though, is because it does give you a fair amount of options, even controlling the starting light level on the sleep cycle and the ending light level on the alarm cycle. The buttons, for most functions are intuitive enough to memorize, but you definitely do not want to lose the manual. One function, for instance, requires holding down the set button for 3 seconds to activate.
One feature that I appreciate a lot is the clock display panel. It has three light settings of its own. At its brightest, it can serve as a nice light blue night light. There is a softer one that does not illuminate the room very much, but can be read easily. Then there is a complete black out setting. I like this a lot, because I prefer the darkness in the room that this produces. I had an alarm clock whose numbers lit up so much that you could read a book near it and which allowed one to see all the objects in the room. Having a display which can go totally dark is a very good feature which is not in many alarm clocks (in fact, this is the first one that I have found, unless you count the ones where you close the case or the ones that are wind up and have no lights at all).
On the whole, I like this unit a lot and intend to keep it and use it for myself. I give it four stars, rather than five because of the slight complexity in programming the unit, the lack of being able to input an MP3 file, the lack of being able to just have nature sounds without the chosen ambient melodies, and the size being a bit larger than I would prefer.
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The big point is that it works well as a night table light and alarm. On the down side, the buttonology is not intuitive and it looks like it should be on the set of Star Wars.
Once set, the alarm, a combination of gradually increasing light and natural sounds with some sort of New Age music layered in does wake you up gently, rather than the jarring wake up of a conventional alarm. When you're ready to call it a night, you can set the light and sounds to gently dim over a period from 5 minutes to an hour. For the natural noises, you have several choices, including ocean, stream, birds, and frogs, all with a layer of a mild New Agey instrumental music. The music is relaxing, but might not be for everyone, and this would benefit from an option to turn the music off and just use the natural noises.
The controls, however, are not intuitive. I'm passably comfortable with gadgetry, and genuinely needed the manual in hand to set this. There is no reason the controls can't be more user oriented, and perhaps a later generation of this will simplify the setting procedure.
The aesthetics are odd. Without sarcasm or any intent to hurt feelings, this lamp would look entirely at home on the set of Star Wars or Logan's Run. I don't consider my bedroom a "public area" of the house, so I am much more concerned with comfort than coordinated decor, but this might be an issue for someone who has different preferences.
Looks funny, it's a little tricky to use, but a good night table lamp and alarm.
E.M. Van Court
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I own similar products from Homedics Homedics SS-5500 SoundSpa Radiance AM/FM Alarm Clock with Time Projection, Light, Sound and Timerand Hammacher Schlemmer Peaceful Progression Aromatherapy And Nature Sounds Wake-Up Alarm Clock by Collectibles Todayand they all are valiant attempts at using gradually increasing light to wake you gently. Neither of the three models succeeds because the buttons on each product are difficult to use, though the Verilux buttons are the best.
All the units are usable if you wake the same time every day. This is what the sleep experts say you should do anyway same time even on weekends. Simply read through the manual as you set the clock the first time in daylight and perhaps with a magnifying glass to read the fine print in both the manual and on the clock (The Verilux's manual is fine, but the buttons are small and the letters on each button are microscopic.) My wake time changes each day, though, and resetting these clocks is difficult.
I must report that my unit came defective with LCD non-working segments on the alarm set time (the larger current time was OK). Since I got my unit through Amazon Vine, it is not eligible to be replaced through Amazon. I WILL BE CONTACTING VERILUX CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILL REPORT BACK HERE ON HOW THAT GOES.
Only the Verilux sounds include both Space/Environment music overlayed on the nature sounds. I'm not sure what to make of this. In addition to the three clocks I reference here, I have 4 sound machines and none incorporate music. I sorta like Verilux's approach on this. If anything the soft music might be too pleasant to wake you up.
The light switch is right on top of the unit (actually, you press down on the whole globe). This is very intuitive and easy so kudos to Verilux on this one. The Homedics uses a button that is flush with the top and adjacent to other buttons. You can't see how to turn on the light without turning on another light!
Another problem is that only the Verilux has NO BATTERY BACKUP. So if the power goes out, out comes the manual and magnifying glass to reset the thing.
The Verilux takes a standard 60W bulb.
The price is also a consideration. I paid 1/2 as much for the Homedics which includes a wireless electric switch to use your own lamp (up to 350 Watts). For 3/4 the price you could have the Hammacher clock with aromatherapy and light.
When I got my first light alarm clock I thought it was great and would have given it 5 stars. The IDEA is wonderful. I assume this is why this product got some 5 star reviews it might be based not on usability but on novelty. Based on using the Verilux for a couple weeks I can't give it more than 3 stars. I would suggest that alarm clock manufacturers do market research before designing a product. And don't let the electrical engineers do button layout!
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It works great for me. At the same time I take 1000 mg of Graminex Flower Pollen
