Cool Alarm Clocks

Types of Alarm Clocks

For many people, the traditional alarm clock is one with a round face and bells on the top. When the clock hands reach a certain time, the bells clang and clatter until a sleepy hand gropes for the switch to turn the clock off. There are now, however, many different types of cool alarm clocks that have some fun and innovative features. While an alarm clock has not been invented yet that makes getting up in the morning fun, some of the new cool features at least might raise a smile.

Projection Alarm Clocks

Some alarm clocks have a projection feature and this projects the time onto a wall or ceiling, making it easy to read.

Character Alarm Clocks

There are many different character alarm clocks and these can be a great choice for fans of a certain character and a good complement to a character watch. Disney, for instance, has a whole range of charming characters and watches including Micky Mouse watches and clocks, and these popular cartoons can help brighten even the most dark of mornings.

Radio Alarm Clocks

A great cool choice is a radio alarm clock. There is nothing quite like waking up to music to ease you into the day. New innovations include Internet radio alarms and these are high tech alternatives to traditional radio. Internet radios typically require wifi and present a great way to wake up to radio stations from all over the world.

MP3 and iPod Alarm Clocks

Another new innovation in alarm clocks is the ability to play an MP3 or iPod through the alarm clock, meaning that you can wake up every morning to your favorite tunes.

'Natural Light' Alarm Clocks

Waking up gradually to natural light is a luxury that not many people have. 'Natural light' alarm clocks have a special light that brightens gradually, mimicking the dawn sky.

Other Cool Features

Many alarm clocks have other neat features and these include:

• Inside and Outside Temperature – Ideal for planning what to wear from the comfort of the bedclothes.
• Crescendo Alarm – These alarms get gradually louder until they are switched off.
• Snooze Function – Many alarms have a snooze function that allows you to have an extra five minutes or so snoozing before getting up.
• Self Setting – The time on these alarm clocks automatically sets depending on time zone. The time also adjusts for daylight saving.

Unusual Alarm Clocks

Some novelty alarm clocks have cool and unusual features and these include:

• Clocky – When the snooze button is hit, this little clock jumps off the bedside table and rolls away beeping. To stop it beeping you have to get out of bed to find it. The challenge is not to get back into bed afterwards!

• Propeller – This alarm clock has a propeller that spins away when the alarm goes off. The only way the alarm can be stopped is by getting out of bed, finding and replacing the propeller.

• Lightening – Get woken up by lightening! This unusual alarm clock features electricity that crackles and buzzes.

Buying Cool Alarm Clocks

Many online retailers offer a range of alarm clocks and this can be a great way to browse all the cool options from the comfort of an armchair! Some stores that offer cool alarm clocks include:

• Amazon.com – This is one of the most well known online retailers and has a large range of products. Amazon also offers free delivery for many items and this means that they can be very competitively priced. Another useful feature of Amazon is the fact that customers are able to post reviews of the product and this enables purchasers to get an invaluable insight into other people's experiences.

• EBay.com – Online auction houses such as eBay are a good place to look for unusual and cool products such as alarm clocks. Being a truly international market place, it offers the opportunity to find and purchase items from around the world and this can sometimes offer some interesting options. There are a few key tips to make buying from eBay a positive experience and these include checking a seller's feedback as this will help give an indication of their reliability and customer service and noting delivery costs if buying from oversees as this can dramatically inflate the end price.

• RadioShack – This website offers a wide range of alarm clocks. It also offers a 24 hour help line where customers can talk to an adviser about a purchase. This service is available in English and Spanish. The retailer also has stores throughout the US and a useful store finder on the website will help to identify the nearest store.

A cool alarm clock will help start the day with a smile and banish early morning blues!