Hatch Restore 3 | Science-Backed Sleep Audio, Circadian Lighting (Putty)

The Hatch Restore 3 is a bedside sunrise alarm, sound machine and wind-down light in one. It costs about $170 and averages 4.2 stars from around 3,300 reviews.

What it does

In the morning the light brightens gradually to wake you. Hatch says this supports your circadian rhythm, and morning light is in fact one of the main cues your body clock uses. At night you can pair a dim light with sleep audio. Hatch lists more than 80 sleep sounds, plus wind-down content from partners including Meditative Gold and Unconventional Meditations. The clock display dims so it doesn't light up the room.

Hatch's whole pitch is a screen-free bedroom. The idea is that the phone goes in the kitchen and the Restore replaces it as your alarm, white noise machine and bedtime routine.

The subscription

This is the part to understand before you buy. A lot of the content sits behind Hatch+, a paid subscription. Your purchase includes a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. After that, the Amazon listing gives the price as $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year, and you can cancel anytime. Hatch has quoted lower prices elsewhere, so check what's current when you buy.

The listing doesn't spell out which features stay free once the trial ends. Budget as if you'll want Hatch+, which means adding about $60 a year to the $170.

Who it's for

• People who want one device for falling asleep and waking up, and who currently use their phone for both
• Anyone already using a white noise machine who wants to swap it for a combined device (see our best white noise machines guide for standalone options)
• People who like a guided wind-down at night. Our wind-down routine without a phone guide has ideas that pair well with it

Who should skip it

If you just want a sunrise alarm, the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light HF3520 costs about $107, has around 14,800 reviews and needs no app or subscription. It still has sunset dimming, five wake sounds and an FM radio.

Skip it too if you dislike subscriptions on principle. Hatch+ is optional, but a fair chunk of what the Restore 3 is sold on comes with it.

Our best sunrise alarm clock guide puts the two side by side. If screens are what keep you up, screen time and sleep is worth a read first.