Dreamie Smart Alarm Clock Review

About the Dreamie smart alarm clock

Ambient describes the Dreamie smart alarm clock as a smart bedside companion that delivers everything you need to maximize your sleep without a phone connection or subscription. It has a sleek circular touchscreen face and a white body with 360-degree diffused sound, a touch-dimmable bar for light control, and a twistable volume ring.

• Sound: Full-range 50mm speaker with 360-degree diffused sound
• Light: Warm white 2700K dimmable reading light with RGB capabilities
• Physical controls: Tactile volume ring, dimmable light touch strip, sleep-optimized touchscreen display
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless internet for software updates, content updates, and automatic time; Bluetooth headphone support
• Size: 5.5 x 3.8 x 4.5 inches
• Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Features: Podcasts, sound library, customizable sleep routine, sunrise simulation, gradual alarms, Bluetooth headphone support
• Price: $249

How we tested

Everything you need is included in the box, so it's truly plug-and-play. After plugging the unit in, I set it on my bedside table and followed the onboarding to set up my customized bedtime routine, which took about five minutes. The Dreamie connects to the internet, but that's only used for software updates and new features. It's also a corded device, so you don't have to worry about charging—though I haven't had to weather a power outage with it yet.

I tested the Dreamie smart alarm clock for a few weeks as an alarm, a way to wind down, and an ambient reading light. I usually rely entirely on my phone for alarms, white noise, and a flashlight, if needed. To test the Dreamie's full capabilities, I kept my phone off overnight to see if it could replace the experience.

Sleep routines and schedules

Dreamie lets you customize your sleep routine across four categories:

• Bedtime Cue—the sound that plays to remind you it's time to get ready for bed
• Wind Down—to help you fall asleep
• Noise Mask—to keep you asleep
• Back to Sleep—for when you wake up in the middle of the night

It's as customizable as you'd like, with the option to use or omit any category as you choose. A simple swipe down on the tactile screen switches between routines, or you can set timers and control the pace yourself. From there, you set your alarm schedule.

Since I've been struggling with my sleep for a while, I've paused the early-morning workout classes and now wake up around 8 a.m. every morning. Setting an alarm schedule on Dreamie is easy, with options to select every day, specific days, or just weekdays. You can use a different alarm for each day of the week to prevent fatigue, or pick one and stick with it. You can also snooze or turn off your alarms with ease. I was impressed by the speaker quality across all the nature-esque sounds, and it covered up my neighbors mowing the lawn at 6 a.m., the garbage truck's arrival, and more.

You set the alarm duration and sound, as well as the optional sunrise light and how far ahead of your alarm you want it to start. The sunrise light is less customizable than alarms built specifically around sunrise simulation, but again, the Dreamie is more focused on being phone-free and improving sleep.

Once you're in the falling-asleep parts of your sleep schedule, the face of the Dreamie dims to show just a clock, and the different clock faces are customizable.

I found the Dreamie's touchscreen easy to control, even when I was half-asleep. I had no problems switching between sleep routines or turning off alarms, and I often woke to the sunrise before my alarm went off—a more pleasant wake-up experience.

What we like

It's subscription-free with tons of features

Everyone, and I mean everyone, has subscription fatigue. Streaming services, apps, meal kits, you name it. You blink, and you're out hundreds of dollars a month from things you probably aren't even using.

That's why it's so refreshing that the Dreamie smart alarm clock has no subscription whatsoever. You get access to every feature as well as updates when new things—like sleep insights—are released. And Ambient isn't skimping. A wide library of sounds and podcasts, along with Bluetooth headphone functionality, is included with the initial purchase of the device.

It's a true phone-free substitute

During testing, I turned my phone off overnight to see if the Dreamie had everything I would need to stay off my phone. And it did. If I were winding down and needed some stimulation, I could turn on a podcast instead of mindlessly scrolling on TikTok for hours.

The light is too dim to read by unless you're using an e-reader, but it still offered enough light for me to locate my lotion, water bottle, and lip balm before bed. The library of sounds is huge, with brown noise, thunder, wind, rain, and more to choose from.

What we don't like

It's pricier than alternatives

The Dreamie costs about $100 more than Hatch and Loftie, so it's a big investment. However, since there's no subscription required, this results in substantial lifetime savings. The $4.99 per month for Hatch+ or $9.99 per month for Loftie adds up, and the price difference becomes negligible, with Dreamie costing even less over time after a year or more of subscribing to others.

Its light feature is closer to a nightlight than a lamp

You can adjust the Dreamie's light to a warm glow, but in a pitch-black room, it alone wasn't enough to read a paperback book by unless you were lying on your side directly next to it. It does, however, create a good ambiance for winding down if you're using an e-reader or need to see your glasses, water, medicine, or other pre-bedtime necessities.

Warranty

Dreamie offers a 30-night sleep trial so you can test the product risk-free. If you don't see an improvement in your sleep, the company will even cover the return shipping.

In addition to the 30-night trial, Dreamie has a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship under normal use.

Should you buy the Ambient Dreamie smart alarm clock?

Yes, especially if you have problems putting your phone down before bed

Using your phone before bed affects your sleep, whether you want to admit it or not. Whether you're staying up too late scrolling, bringing work home, or even just reading, the light and stimulation keep your brain awake. Plus, some of my most questionable purchases and regrettable texts have come during the late-night or early-morning hours after seeing something while scrolling on TikTok when I should've been in bed. I've noticed improvements in my relaxation and sleep scores since I started using the Dreamie (available at Ambient Life) . Plus, as someone who never turns their phone off, I'm sure it's been a welcome break for my device, too.

While the initial investment is steep, it pays off over time: no monthly or yearly subscription, plus access to new features—like sleep insights—as they roll out.