A clock radio wakes you to a station instead of a beep, and many add a sleep timer so the radio switches itself off at night. Newer models mix in Bluetooth, USB charging and wireless charging. The tuner type, presets and display size are the main differences.
The six clock radios below range from a compact AM/FM model to a Bluetooth clock with a 1.4 inch display and a wireless charging model. Tuners, presets, displays and extras come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these radios ourselves, and radio reception depends on where you live.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tuner | AM/FM covers more stations than FM only |
| Presets | 10 to 20 presets save favorite stations |
| Display | Size and dimmer affect nighttime comfort |
| Extras | Bluetooth and charging add convenience |
Specs at a Glance
| Clock radio | Size | Tuner and display | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson SmartSet | 3 x 3.88 in | Digital PLL AM/FM; 20 presets; 0.9 in blue LED, 4 dimmer levels | Auto time set; dual alarms |
| JALL FM | 4.7 x 2.7 in | FM 76 to 108 MHz; 5 in LED, 5 dimmer levels | 8 white noises; night light; 10 to 480 min timer; USB cord |
| Timex T232 | 3.55 x 2.72 in | FM with digital tuning; 10 presets | USB charging port; buzzer starts softly and gets louder |
| Emerson CK2023 | 2.2 x 1.97 in | Digital PLL AM/FM; 20 presets; 0.6 in blue LED | Dual alarm; wake to radio or buzzer; sleep timer 10 to 90 min |
| Emerson Bluetooth | 6.2 x 3.5 in | 1.4 in orange LED, 3 brightness levels | Bluetooth 5.1; USB 1.5 A charging; auto time set; dual alarm |
| DreamSky wireless charging | 7.3 x 3 in | FM radio; sleep timer | Wireless charger; USB port; stereo Bluetooth speaker |
The 6 Best Radio Alarm Clocks
1. Emerson SmartSet Dual Alarm Clock Radio, AM/FM
A 3 by 3.88 inch clock radio with an auto time setting that adjusts the date and daylight saving, a digital PLL AM/FM tuner with 20 presets and a 0.9 inch blue LED with four dimmer levels.
Suits: a set-and-forget clock radio. Strengths: auto time and 20 presets. Weaknesses: no Bluetooth. Skip it if you want wireless streaming.
View Emerson SmartSet Dual Alarm Clock Radio with PLL AM FM Auto Time Setting on Amazon
2. JALL Digital Alarm Clock With FM Radio
A 4.7 by 2.7 inch clock with a 5 inch LED, five dimmer levels, FM radio from 76 to 108 MHz, eight white noises, a night light and a 10 to 480 minute timer.
Suits: a sound machine and radio. Strengths: a wide timer and white noises. Weaknesses: FM only. Skip it if you want AM.
View JALL Digital Alarm Clock with FM Radio for Bedroom 8 Colors Night Light on Amazon
3. Timex Alarm Clock With FM Radio, 10 Presets
A 3.55 by 2.72 inch FM clock radio with digital tuning, auto and manual scan, ten presets, a USB charging port and a buzzer that starts softly and grows louder.
Suits: a named brand. Strengths: a USB port and a rising buzzer. Weaknesses: FM only. Skip it if you want AM.
View Timex Alarm Clock for Bedroom with FM Radio and 10 Station Presets on Amazon
4. Emerson CK2023 AM/FM Dual Alarm Clock Radio
A small 2.2 by 1.97 inch clock radio with a digital PLL AM/FM tuner, 20 stations, two alarms, a 0.6 inch blue LED and a 10 to 90 minute sleep timer.
Suits: a small nightstand. Strengths: a compact size with AM/FM. Weaknesses: small digits. Skip it if you want a large display.
View Emerson CK2023 AM FM Dual Alarm Clock Radio 0.6-inch Blue LED Black on Amazon
5. Emerson SmartSet Bluetooth Dual Alarm Clock Radio
A 6.2 by 3.5 inch clock radio with Bluetooth 5.1, a 1.4 inch orange LED with three brightness levels, 1.5 amp USB charging, auto time setting and dual alarms.
Suits: streaming from a phone. Strengths: Bluetooth and a big display. Weaknesses: larger. Skip it if you want a small clock.
View Emerson SmartSet Bluetooth Dual Alarm Clock Radio USB Charging Large LED on Amazon
6. DreamSky Alarm Clock Radio, Wireless Charging, Bluetooth
A 7.3 by 3 inch oval clock with a wireless charger, a USB port, a stereo Bluetooth speaker, an FM radio and a sleep timer.
Suits: a charging station that is also a clock. Strengths: wireless charging and a speaker. Weaknesses: many features. Skip it if you want a simple radio.
View DreamSky Alarm Clock Radio with Wireless Charging and Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon
Setup Tips
- Extend the antenna and try several spots for reception.
- Save favorite stations to presets.
- Dim the display at night.
- Check battery backup options for outages.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Setting the alarm to a station with weak reception.
- Forgetting a backup buzzer.
- Ignoring cord length.
- Leaving a bright display on.
Clock Radio FAQ
Do I need AM?
Only if you listen to AM stations. Several models here are FM only.
Is Bluetooth worth it?
It helps if you stream podcasts or music at night.
The Short Version
For auto-set AM/FM, the Emerson SmartSet. For white noise and a timer, the JALL. For a rising buzzer, the Timex. For a compact AM/FM, the Emerson CK2023. For Bluetooth, the Emerson Bluetooth. For wireless charging, the DreamSky.
