Utter the words ‘alarm clock’ to anyone born in this century, and they may look at you in undisguised bewilderment. For the young, such things may as well be ancient relics unearthed by Indiana Jones. But alarm clocks still have their uses, especially when you’re on the road.
Sure you could rely on your phone’s alarm, but if you’re travelling somewhere without the right adaptors or sans plug, there’s the risk that you’ll be out of battery and stranded if you miss your wake-up time.
This might not be such a huge catastrophe if it’s the first day of your holiday and you’re on leisure mode.
But consider if you’re catching a connecting flight, need to board an early train, have to meet your tour guide, or just want to get a head-start on the crowds by seeing the sights before peak visiting hours. And that’s not to mention the disaster that could potentially ensue if you’re travelling for business and miss a crucial meeting that you’ve travelled across multiple time zones for.
So while a travel alarm clock may feel like an ancient artefact, there are still plenty of uses for them in the modern world.
To prove it, we’ve rounded up the nicest, most compact and smartest alarm clocks that should be packed as an order of priority, right after your passport and tickets.
See the best below
Echo Show 8 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
Why buy a product that can only do one thing when Amazon’s Echo is so great at wearing multiple hats? This bedside companion has it all, from an 8-inch screen that can display time, date and temperature, to a stereo speaker that allows you to play music, the radio or talk to folks back at home. The smart assistant speaker can even set your alarm for you just by issuing a simple voice command. It doesn’t get higher spec than this.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
USBERG Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charging
No need to choose between your phone or your travel clock if there’s only one socket to use for charging.
This device supports wireless charging while telling you the time at any point in the day too. Featuring a 12/24H clock, dual alarms and three levels of brightness so the screen doesn’t interefere with your shut-eye, it’s a thoroughly modern travel accessory.
Buy now £13.97, Amazon
Acctim Jowie Flip Digital Alarm Clock & Night Light, Pink
It can be disorientating waking up in an unfamiliar bed, no matter how comfy your hotel room. Make finding the loo or getting a glass of water easier thanks to this tiny alarm clock which also functions as an adjustable night light. Shown here in pink (white and grey are also available), it has two alarm settings which can easily be snoozed with a simple shake. Runs on rechargeable batteries or USB.
Buy now £65.00, John Lewis
AYADA Small Cube Digital Loud Alarm Clock
Not only does this clock tell the time in two formats (12hour and 24hour), but it can also let you know the outside temperature and offers two alarms so you can set separate times. It will work with 3 x AAA batteries - but eco-conscious travellers will like the fact that it can be powered through USB too. It comes with a hidden stand to sit on tabletops and a magnet on the back to hang on metal frames and doors, so you can always keep it close by.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
LEFF amsterdam Tube Analogue Alarm Clock, Brass
This clock may look simple but the industrial tube-like shape and gleaming brass hue take it to new heights of coolness. It’s a small thing measuring just H5 x W5 x D8cm so should fit into cabin bags as well as luggage with ease, and there’s a snooze button to silence the alarm should your plans change.
Buy now £89.00, John Lewis
Lexon Flip+ Travel Size Digital Alarm Clock - Lilac
This fun travel clock is perfect for backpackers and uni students. Offered in a cute lilac colour, it will be easy to find in a packed bag and offers an electroluminescent display that is reversible to boot. Faces are easy to distiguish between the ON and OFF settings, and there’s a snooze option too for those who need a few minutes muster time before getting up.
Requires 2 AAA batteries, which are supplied with the alarm clock.
Buy now £29.90, Skinny Dip
mooas Multi-Hexagon Clock Timer
Whether you’re cooking or cat-napping, this clock and timer is the perfect way to keep an eye on short bursts of time. There are three options, each with slightly different timing configurations and there’s a backlight so you can see what time it is, even in the dark. There are two alarms, one in sound mode and the other in mute, which allows you to use the device in quiet places, like red-eye flights. Start, pause and reset the clock easily by tilting it at various angles.
Buy now £41.90, Amazon
Braun Digital Travel Alarm Clock
From a brand name you can trust comes this digital alarm clock, small enough to go on adventures big and small. It may look unassuming but it’s packed to the eyeballs with features, from a crescendo beep alarm that gets more annoying unless you turn it off, five minutes snooze button and a backlight function so you can see it when light is scarce. Just the one battery is needed, which keeps luggage nice and light.
Buy now £20.00, Argos
MeesMeek Projection Alarm Clock
No need to squint at the clock to make out the time. Whether you are bleary eyed or just haven’t got your glasses to hand, this clock projects the time onto the wall in super large font so you can see it clearly. The projection can be angled through 180 degrees and as well as a 12/24H clock, alarm, weekend mode and snooze button, there’s also a calendar feature too. The compact clock charges via USB or batteries.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
John Lewis ANYDAY Quartz Analogue Alarm Clock, White
Simple and fuss-free, this compact alarm clock is the perfect basic version to sling into your suitcase or weekend bag. The quartz movement offers precision timing and a clear beep sounds when the timer runs out.
Buy now £4.50, John Lewis
