Deaf people need alarm clocks, too—here are my top picks

Imagine if we could all wake up naturally every day after a full night’s rest. Alas, tis but a lovely dream. Due to work, an appointment, or family obligations, we invariably have to get out of bed by a certain time. But what if you can’t hear the alarm clock? And I don’t mean in a sound-sleeper kind of way, but being literally unable to hear Beep! Beep!

That’s me. I was born profoundly deaf and raised to lipread and speak. I have a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other, meaning a vibrating alarm clock serves as the most effective way to rise from sleep when a loved one isn’t there to help.

Here are eight of the best alarm clocks for deaf and hard-of-hearing users based on consumer reviews and personal experience. Picking any of these products should help you fall asleep without fear of missing work or your next big event.

1. Sonic Boom Alert—a loud bed shaker

When I was growing up, I had a vibrating alarm clock with a bed shaker attachment placed under my fitted sheet or mattress pad—similar to the Sonic Alert Boom Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker. But now that I’m older and travel more, it’s not as practical.

For people with hearing loss who prefer strong vibration over something discreet, the Sonic Boom alert is a solid option for those easily lulled into the deepest of deep sleep.

$74 at Amazon

2. Tabtime Vibrating Reminder Watch—a unique portable alternative

Unfortunately, the ShakeAwake portable clock we love is out of stock again, which compelled us to look for alternatives we haven’t featured before. Enter the Tabtime Vibrating Reminder Watch: a small arm band capable of storing 10 different vibrating alarms to wake you up when sounds aren’t an option.

The product works from a simple two-button interface that allows wearers to set the current time and then select times for additional alarms. The first alarm vibrates for 40 seconds, while subsequent alarms vibrate for 20. Users like this product for its simplicity and long battery life, only requiring one 30-minute USB charge per week.

On the other hand, the alarm setting process may be a little annoying for those who often wake at different times, because you can’t set certain alarms to trigger on a given day to suit complex sleep schedules.

The product also isn’t water resistant in any way, which leaves the door wide open to water damage if you’re not careful. For the basic task of going to sleep and waking up, though, this device is approved by deep sleepers and could prove effective for those in the deaf and hard of hearing community.

$22 at Amazon

3. Sonic Alert SBP100 Portable Loud Vibrating Alarm Clock—a small, portable vibrating alarm

The Sonic Alert portable version also serves as a solid substitute for the ShakeAwake. In fact, it improves upon it via the addition of a clip that ensures the alarm clock never falls off the bed or becomes dislodged from the pillow it’s sitting under.

This travel-based clock has three modes for vibration, an audio alarm, and a mode that uses vibration and audio simultaneously. Most folks in the deaf and hearing-impaired community will likely make use of the vibration alone, which users suggest is strong enough to jerk them awake. While the LCD screen doesn’t feature a light of its own, there is an illumination button that allows the time to be read in the dark.

Reviews say this clock’s biggest downside is its lack of durability. As functional as it might be, some buyers advise attaching multiples of this alarm clock to your pillow just in case one fails. With no indicator to tell you when its battery is running low, you may need to have a backup plan ready.

That means this otherwise $30 alarm clock could cost $60 for a truly optimal experience. If you can look past those faults, however, this may be the best loud alarm clock with vibration in its class right now. It was also removed from sale for a while, but it passed the test in personal use.

$29 at Amazon

4. Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock—an innovative solution

Sunrise alarm clocks have garnered more attention in the mental health community than the deaf community, but they could be an interesting alternative for those who need to wake up but don’t want bed shaking, flashing lights, or vibrations to get the job done. Instead, this Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock from Jall has large bulbs that become increasingly bright to wake you up from sleep via natural light.

The lights work their way up to 100% brightness around 30 minutes before the scheduled time, at which point the soothing light is accompanied by one of seven selectable sounds or the din of an FM radio. It’s possible to turn off those noises entirely if they don’t help you, leaving the light alone to do the job.

The Sunrise Alarm Clock is also probably the most technically sophisticated option on our list, with features like a USB port for device charging and the ability to double as a bedside lamp.

That said, while waking to natural light can be great for mental health, it may not be effective for everyone based on their individual hearing levels. Those who are profoundly deaf may want to consider the previous two options, while those who are closer to hard of hearing could maybe make use of something like this.

$39 at Amazon

5. Rocam Vibrating Alarm Clock—good for ears and eyes alike

If $80 for the Sonic Boom is too rich for your budget, this Rocam Vibrating Alarm Clock has many of the same features for a fraction of the cost. It has four adjustable levels of volume ranging from 70-110 decibels, an attachable bed shaker with multiple levels of vibration, and individual settings that allow users to select between sound, vibration, or both.

And, should you happen to have vision issues in addition to hearing loss, the screen is massive and customizable to suit multiple levels of brightness. If technology matters, its USB port will charge your phone as well. This brand may not have the backing of a five-year warranty like the Sonic Boom does, but you’ll still get a functional product for cheap.

$20 at Amazon

6. Mesqool Extra Loud Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers—extra USB and lights

At first glance, the Mesqool Extra Loud Alarm Clock looks like an exact replica of the previous selection, but it actually has a few noteworthy differences. Like the others, this alarm clock has bespoke settings for an included bed vibrator, auditory buzzer, and a third setting that activates both the shaker and buzzer at once.

Perhaps the main point of separation between this and the Rocam is its top LED Light that can double as a night light for children. If you have lots of devices, this clock also has two USB ports instead of just one. The buzzer is a little quiet by comparison, peaking at just 90 decibels, but most owners feel the effectiveness of the bed shaker is solid enough to suffice.

$24 at Amazon

7. Onlyee Loud Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers—two alarms and three modes

The Onlyee Loud Alarm Clock used to be the cheapest vibrating alarm clock on our list, but stock issues have driven costs upward. Despite its previously low price, it still manages to impress with many interesting features.

Chief among them is the introduction of a dual timer that allows users to set two independent wake-up times with two entirely different alarm sounds. Hit the snooze button, and you’ll get an extra nine minutes of peace. If you’re sleeping with a partner, this clock can potentially help you both.

Otherwise, this clock's feature set is fairly standard. It has three modes with a vibrator, sound, or both, with a peak loudness of 110 decibels. It also has a bed shaker, one USB port, and five different brightness levels for its large LCD screen. With nearly 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews, you apparently can’t go wrong with this product.

$39 at Walmart

8. Clarity WakeAssure Alarm Clock

The Clarity WakeAssure Alarm Clock is a new addition to our list, specifically made with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in mind. The alarm itself tops out at 85 decibels, but it comes with a bed shaker designed to wake even the deepest of sleepers. Essentials like a large LCD screen and battery backup options are also fully accounted for.

Something that makes the WakeAssure unique is that it features ports to set up a lamp timer, if that’s something you need, to make a standard lamp flash each time the alarm goes off. If you have moderate hearing loss, this is one alarm clock option worth considering. It may be pricey by comparison, but it’s got a few extra bells and whistles to show for it.

$70 at Amazon