Do you have a hard time reading the display of your alarm clock in the middle of the night? With a good projector alarm clock, you will be able to read it easily no matter where you are in the room, how you are positioned in bed, or whether you have your glasses on or not.
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A projection clock will project a clear and easy-to-read image of the time and, in some cases, the temperature and humidity readings on the ceiling or on the wall in your room.
While it may sound simple to pick the best projector alarm clock, you should keep in mind that there are some significant differences between the models being offered on the market.
These alarm clocks come in various types, sizes, prices, and functionalities. Some have added features such as outdoor temperature readings, USB phone charging ports, dual alarms, and more.
Read on for our advice for choosing the best projection clock for your needs, as well as for our selection of the best ones you can buy right now.
Features to Look for When Buying the Best Projector Alarm Clock
As mentioned above, there is a wide choice of clocks of this type. This is why it makes sense to choose the one with the features that suit your needs best.
Here are the most important characteristics and factors that you should consider when shopping for the best projector alarm clock:
The Projection Feature
The key feature of a device like this is its ability to project the time in a way, size, and place where you will see it comfortably and easily at all times.
These clocks have built-in projectors which can be rotated so that the projected image is clearly visible on the ceiling or on a wall or on other surface of your choice.
Most of these alarm clocks will display digital images of the current time. You can usually set them to a traditional 12-hour readout or a military 24 hour one, as preferred.
These integrated projectors can use either LCD or LED technologies to display the time.
The Display Type and Available Backlight
A projection clock needs to have a backlight of some type to work as expected. It can be a LED backlight or may utilize a traditional incandescent bulb. The backlight is essential for displaying the time and other data on the alarm clock screen or for projecting it on the wall or the ceiling even when the light in the bedroom is low or completely dark, and when the light is very bright too.
The digits are typically shown in red or blue, which have been shown to cause fewer disruptions while sleeping or relaxing. Many of these clocks have brightness controls, allowing you to change the brightness as required and modify the brightness of the projected and displayed digits. When you don’t want to be distracted by the display or the projected picture, you can turn off the backlight entirely on some of them.
In most cases, a dimmed display will be suitable for use in dark rooms, while a brighter backlight is more suitable for brightly-lit bedrooms.
The Build and Materials
If you want to invest in an alarm clock that will endure years of use and can withstand the test of time, we recommend that you choose one which has a durable casing. Some of the best materials to choose from are ABS and other durable plastic types. These materials will provide sturdiness and longevity and offer the required electrical insulation for the projection clocks.
As for the displays of these clocks, many of them have LCD screens and use LED bulbs for backlighting and projection of the time on the wall.
LED lights are more energy-saving and long-lasting than incandescent bulbs.
The Alarm Type
The primary function of any alarm clock is to wake you from a deep sleep when needed. The different clocks come with a wide variety of alarm tones and types. Some have traditional loud buzzers, and others wake you with gentler natural sounds. Some clocks will switch on the radio or your preferred AM/FM station when it is time to get up. Others will play a song or music of their choice from their smartphone, MP3 player, or tablet.
Many of these alarm clocks offer dual alarm settings, so you can set the times when you want you and your partner to wake up separately.
The Design
Projection alarm clocks come in a wide variety of designs and sizes. Most of them have tabletop sizes and designs so that they can fit next to the bed on the bedside table of the users. Many of them have small footprints to allow the users to hold other necessary items by their beds.
There are some clocks with curved LCD displays. These are easier to see and are more comfortable on the eyes.
Some of these devices are small-sized cubes, and others have a sleek and thin design. The clocks with curved displays are usually about an inch thick and have rectangular forms.
The Power Options
Most of these projector alarm clocks are AC-powered and plugged into electrical wall outlets. Some, though, are also battery-powered. You can find a clock like this with USB rechargeable batteries. Others work with replaceable AAA or AA alkaline batteries.
The best ones offer a combination between AC power and batteries. The battery backup will ensure that the alarm will go on even if there is a power outage. And that the rest of the time, the clock will work correctly without the risk of the batteries draining while you are sleeping.
The Best Projector Alarm Clocks
Here are our top choices for the best projection alarm clocks on the market. We have chosen the most reliable, efficient and well-built ones and the clocks which offer the best value for money.
SMARTRO SC91 Projection Alarm Clock for Bedrooms
If you like the multifunctionality of the SMARTRO SC31B, then you will absolutely love the SC91 projection alarm clock. This is not only a projection alarm clock but is also an accurate weather station. It will display the current time and date and the humidity levels and temperatures both inside and outdoors. The clock will also display a colorful weather prediction for the day. You will even receive mold alerts on the display of this versatile alarm clock.
It has a projector that can be rotated to 180 degrees and will display the time and temperature in soft red color, which won’t wake you up.
The clock can connect to three wireless sensors for the temperature and humidity indoors and outside.
It has a dual alarm function with options for snoozing them and canceling them on weekends or other chosen days.
The size of the clock is 6.6 x 3.9 inches, and it has a 3-inch color display with adjustable brightness.
The clock is easy to set and operate and will never run out of power, thanks to the available battery backup option.
Sony ICF-C1PJ Alarm Clock with AM/FM Radio
If you are ready to splurge on a high-end projection alarm clock, then this one by Sony is among the best options you can find on the market.
The premium alarm clock has a built-in Sony digital radio and recorded nature and calming sounds.
The alarm can be set at your favorite AM/FM station or nature sound and will increase gradually so that you wake up calmly without stress.
The radio is AC powered but comes with two batteries and a USB extension cable too.
It can be set to two different alarms. The brightness of the display and the projected image can be adjusted. There is also a sleep timer option if you want to take a brief power nap.
The clock by Sony has a compact and modern design and is among the best top-of-the-line projector alarm clocks.
Magnasonic Projection Alarm Clock AM/FM Radio, Battery Backup
This top-rated projection alarm clock is affordable and multifunctional. It is a bestselling device that is highly adjustable, so it can be customized to fit just about any need or preference.
The inexpensive projector alarm clock is compact (3.5 x 5.5 x 4.76 inches) and yet has many useful functions.
The blue backlit LCD display has a 3.6-inch diagonal and is easy to view from any angle.
On top of the device, a projector can be rotated and adjusted to 180 degrees.
The digital clock displays the time and temperature in the room and the current date.
It is easy to set and automatically adjust to Daylight Savings Time twice a year.
Thanks to the dual alarm option, you can set two alarm types for you and your partner. You can also select whether the alarms will alert you via a projection of the time, a buzz, by switching on a preferred AM/FM radio station, or it will play the music of your choice when the time to get up comes. There is an option to switch off the alarms on weekends.
The clock has a built-in digital radio tuner and can be connected to your smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, and other music-playing device via the convenient AUX input.
Thanks to the built-in lithium battery and the SelfSet technology of this alarm clock, you don’t have to worry about the time or date being reset after a power outage or whether the alarm will wake you in time if there is a power failure.
SMARTRO SC31B Digital Projection Alarm Clock
The SMARTRO SC31B is one of the most popular products on the market. It is amazingly versatile, reliable, and customizable.
Apart from displaying and projecting the exact time, this smart alarm clock is like a mini weather station too. It will inform you of the ambient and outdoor temperatures and the weather predictions for the next 12 hours. It will also display the barometric pressure. The clock comes with two wireless thermometers, which have a 200-foot transmission range so you can monitor the temperature inside and outside of your home at all times.
Its projection option will project the time and temperatures in red, which is easy on the eyes and will not bother you while you are sleeping. You can adjust it and swivel it to 180 degrees or completely turn the projected image off.
The clock has a compact design and footprint and a large 8-color backlit 3-inch LCD display.
You can set dual alarms and use the snooze function, which will let you get more sleep for a few minutes without being late for work. You can keep the clock on your bedside table or hang it close to your bed.
It is AC-powered with a battery backup option and can also be used as a convenient USB charger.
Mesqool Projection Digital Alarm Clock for Bedroom
If you want a projector clock that you can easily read even in the middle of the night and even if you have problems with your vision, we recommend this inexpensive clock by Mesqool.
It is 6.1 x 1.4 x 0.9 inches in size and has a 350-degree rotating and adjustable projector.
The clock has a clear 7-inch large LED display which is easy to read even without glasses. It can be dimmed to three brightness settings.
Thanks to the adjustable and incrementally increasing alarm, this clock is suitable for heavy sleepers and small children alike.
It is AC-powered but comes with battery backup. There is also a USB port that you can use to charge your phone or another device while you are sleeping.
The clock is easy to set, easy to read, and easy on the wallet, making it a perfect choice even for tight budgets.
HoMedics SoundSpa Dual Alarm Digital FM Clock Radio
This convenient projector clock doubles as an alarm clock as well as a white noise machine. It also has a built-in digital FM/AM radio tuner. You can set each of the two alarms to a gentle natural sound, to your favorite radio station, or for a beep.
You can also play one of the 8 built-in nature sounds if you have trouble going to sleep.
The alarm clock has an adjustable and rotating projector, which will display the time in soft blue on the ceiling or a chosen wall. The projection option can be easily turned off with a press of a button.
The clock and white noise machine are easy to set, affordable, and backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions we have been receiving regarding projection alarm clocks:
Q. How is a projection alarm clock set?
While most of these clocks are very intuitive and easy to set, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact steps for setting your clock. Check whether you have set the additional options such as automatic battery backup and data recovery, daylight saving time auto adjustment, time zone adjustment, and others.
Q. Can I get a projection alarm clock with natural sounds?
Yes, we have added several of these to our list with built-in natural sound recordings, such as calming ocean waves, rainfall, bird songs, white noise, and others.
Q. I am a light sleeper – will the projection keep me awake?
Most of the best projection alarm clocks can be adjusted in brightness, or their projection function can be turned off altogether. Also, they are designed to project the time and other data in soft colors, which will not normally wake you up.
Related: The Best Wake-Up Light Alarm Clocks