Our 12 Highest Rated Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers for 2024

Extra Loud Alarm Clock Buyer’s Guide

Alarms for deep sleepers have several different features to get you out of bed in the morning—here are a few of the most common.

No Snooze Function

For the snooze-button addicts, this is a feature that might help break the habit of hitting snooze over and over again. Taking away the snooze function means you only get one chance to wake up on time, so the first jolt awake better be effective.

Extremely Obnoxious Sound (Over 100 dB)

Some heavy sleepers need a high decibel sound to rouse them from dreamland. For these sleepers, an option such as the Sonic Alert (113dB) should do the trick. However, you might have to warn the neighbors first, and if you have a dog, it might be good to have him sleep in another room.

Vibrating Function

If sound and light aren’t enough to wake you, a vibrating feature could be the answer. Clocks with this feature have a small attachment that can be placed under your pillow or mattress that delivers a buzz to wake you. These are useful for the hearing impaired who can’t rely on extra-loud noises to get them out of bed.

Sound Gradually Getting Louder

Sleepers who prefer a gentler wake-up might like an alarm clock that gradually gets louder. Rather than a 100dB blast, these slowly build to a crescendo, meaning you won’t wake with your heart in your throat. These can also be great for people whose partners are lighter sleepers—they’ll thank you for the gentler wake-up.

Battery Backup

A power outage overnight can cause major issues for someone who needs to wake up early, which is why it’s great to pick an alarm with a battery backup. If power outages are frequent where you live, find a clock such as the Mesqool that has both a power cord and a battery bank.

Light Flash

If sounds and vibrations don’t help, consider a clock that also features flashing lights. Our bodies are naturally wired to wake up with light, so an option that uses lights will help you rise more effectively. Flashing lights are also great to wake up the hearing impaired, but people with a history of seizures may want to avoid this feature.

Design

For some, aesthetics are everything, and a bulky or large alarm clock will throw off your carefully designed bedroom feng shui. If you want a fashionable clock, opt for either the Peakeep or PILIFE, both of which have a retro and vintage vibe with fun colors to match any room.

Analog or Digital

Many people have an easier time reading digital clocks when half-awake, and they can be easier to set than analog. If you want a simple, clear display, then digital is for you. However, many analog clocks can be louder than digital options, so they might be a better choice for the deepest of sleepers.

Super Loud Alarm Clock Types

From bed-shakers to alarms that make you chase them down, there are few types of super loud alarms for people who need more than just a beep to get them up.

Bed Shaker

The vibrating alarm can be far more effective than their beeping counterparts for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Most bed-shakers have a small round device connected by a cord to the clock, but some, including the ANJANK, are wireless to make it easier to place anywhere in the bed.

Rolling (Runaway)

If your main issue with waking is extracting yourself out of bed each morning, a runaway or rolling alarm clock is a great choice. Alarms such as Clocky start chirping and whirring like a robot while rolling away at a chaotic pace, ensuring that you’ll be vertical within moments of it going off.

Classic (Vintage)

The classic analog alarm clocks can sometimes be the best for heavy sleepers, delivering not only a retro vibe in your bedroom but also shattering the morning silence with more hutzpah than most digital clocks out there. Many of these come in fun colors and can be much more attractive than digital options.

Deep Sleepers General Precautions

While picking out the perfect alarm is important, other considerations might be causing issues for your morning wake-up and compromising your ability to get out of bed with ease.

Buying Two Very Loud Alarm Clocks

While it may be tempting to set multiple alarms to ensure you get out of bed in the morning, it can disrupt your sleep cycle. When your alarm goes off, your body begins its wake-up process, so falling back into deep sleep will disturb your natural waking ability.

Getting Enough Light in the Morning

One of the best ways to wake up is with the morning sun. Our bodies are hardwired to rise and set with the sun, and while blackout curtains are great for shutting out lights for sleeping, be sure to open them first thing when you wake up to help you shake off your tiredness.

Having a Partner Act as an Annoying Clock

If you have a partner who knows you have trouble waking up, they may be tempted to torment you out of your slumber. This won’t end well for obvious reasons, and won’t help you learn to wake yourself up. Finding a clock that can effectively get you up is far better than creating tension between you and your partner.

FAQ about Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers

Why doesn’t a normal alarm clock wake me?

The most likely reason your normal alarm isn’t working is that it’s simply not loud enough. This can usually be fixed by upgrading to a more robust clock, but the issue may be deeper than the volume of your alarm.

Inconsistencies in your bedtime and wake-up time can influence your ability to get up in the morning. If you’ve changed alarms and you’re still having trouble getting up, try to stick to a regular sleeping routine.

It could be that you’re just an extremely heavy sleeper. This is a great thing because it means your body is working hard to repair itself and reboot during those precious stages of REM.

However, some deep sleepers who consistently struggle—even in older age—to wake up could be dealing with an underlying sleep disorder. If you suspect this might be the issue for you, consider consulting a doctor.