For decades I blindly believed that the only way to get up on time to work was to turn on a digital alarm clock that screamed bloody murder in my ear on my bedside table.

That changed last week when I tried out a more gentle kit that wakes you up without raising your heart rate.

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The Lumie lamp has taken social media by storm over the past two years and uses phototherapy to get up in the morning.

It is filled with LEDs similar to a sunrise that gradually brightens, and gently filters the light into the room for a more natural awakening.

But is high-tech equipment good? Tried the expensive Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB (spoiler: yes, good)

see the light

The first thing to note is that setting up a Lumie lamp has never been easier.

It only takes a few minutes to manipulate the settings once you get them out of the box, and you’re ready to use them right away.

One downside here is that you have to set it up using the lamp’s 4 buttons and 2 rotary dials.

This can save you the hassle of having to download the companion app, but it can be a bit annoying. Lumie has a helpful video guide.

Gizmo’s design isn’t for everyone. It’s a bit of a space age, with a U-shaped fabric base covered in a plastic case of light.

My version (there are 7 in different prices) comes with a digital radio. That is, the antenna protrudes from the top.

It doesn’t match the feng shui of every bedroom, but it’s neutral and subtle enough not to get too much attention.

out like the light

The Bodyclock Luxe comes with all sorts of extra features, including the aforementioned radio, Bluetooth speaker and low blue light capabilities.

As a bonus, you can use it as a bedside lamp and even charge your phone using the USB port on the back.

But the best part is the fake sunrise and sunset features powered by 10 LED lights.

If you set an alarm, the lamp will gradually brighten over 15, 20 or 30 minutes.

It’s undoubtedly a much calmer way to wake up, and if you don’t trust a fully waking light, you can always set it to play soft sounds like rainfall or waves at any time you want.

You can also use the sunset function as part of your bedtime, and the lights will gradually dim over a period of time.

It’s a great way to avoid scrolling your phone for hours when you need to bow your head to relax.

Lumie says waking up using sunrise and sunset lamps is good for your health.

But what I can say for sure is that with one of the lamps, waking up has become a much more pleasurable experience and you’ll find yourself snoozing much less often than you did with your previous alarm clocks.

lights out

If you’re looking for a calmer way to wake up from sleep, a Lumie lamp is a great way to go.

It saves you from the nuisance of traditional alarms and adds a soothing new addition to your bedtime routine.

For more expensive models, the added benefit of a radio and/or Bluetooth speaker might be a good thing.

Ultimately, the biggest downside is the price. Lumie lamps start at £50, but the more expensive model I’m using is £230, which makes my knees shake.

It’s a price worth paying if you ask me, but it depends on your budget and how much you disdain the alarms you use right now.

For me, Lumie is the best alternative to traditional alarm clocks. Deafening awakenings is certainly a thing of the past.

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