Sometimes their usefulness is disputed: a common complaint is that when time has to be set to Daylight Saving Time, many household clocks have to be readjusted. Besides three extra alarm sounds (think wind chimes and yoga music), higher maximum brightness (315 instead of just 310 lux), and the added amber nuances in the light, you can choose from four sun “themes,” such as a pink “Caribbean” sunrise versus the frostier “Nordic” one.

I have an uncanny ability to wake approximately one minute before any alarm, but I’m still paranoid enough to set one as a backup.It also offers some other special features, like temperature, humidity and light sensors, and the ability to log your sleep and wake up times in the app, but these are simply nice-to-haves.

This approach feels more natural and may be more effective at helping you feel less groggy when you wake up. Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission.I will wake up, sometimes an hour late, and see the alarm on my screen, showing that it SHOULD be making a sound, but it is silent.