Best Sleep Tech According to Wirecutter: Loftie Clock vs. Loftie Lamp
If you're serious about improving your sleep, Wirecutter has a clear recommendation: Loftie. But should you get the Clock, the Lamp, or both? After testing 15+ sunrise alarm clocks and countless bedside lighting options, Wirecutter named the Loftie Clock their #1 pick for smart alarm clocks and regularly features the Loftie Lamp in their sleep hygiene guides.
Here's everything you need to know about both products to decide which one (or both) belongs on your nightstand.
Why Wirecutter Chose Loftie Clock as #1
The Testing Process
Wirecutter's team spent weeks testing sunrise alarm clocks in real bedrooms, evaluating:
- Ease of use (can you set it half-asleep?)
- Alarm effectiveness (does it actually wake you up?)
- Sound quality (white noise, nature sounds, music)
- Design and build quality
- Value for money
The Loftie Clock beat every competitor.
What Makes Loftie Clock the Winner
1. Two-Phase Alarm System
Unlike traditional alarms that jolt you awake, Loftie uses a gentle two-phase approach:
- Phase 1: Soft, gradually increasing tone to ease you out of deep sleep
- Phase 2: Backup alarm 9 minutes later to ensure you actually get up
This mimics natural waking patterns and reduces sleep inertia (that groggy feeling when you first wake up).
2. Phone-Free Design
This is the game-changer. Loftie is designed to replace your phone as an alarm clock entirely, which means:
- No blue light exposure before bed (better melatonin production)
- No notification anxiety disrupting sleep
- No temptation to scroll first thing in the morning
- Better sleep hygiene overall
3. Built-In Wellness Features
Loftie isn't just an alarm—it's a complete sleep companion:
- White noise & soundscapes: Ocean waves, rain, forest sounds, and more
- Guided meditations: Breathwork and relaxation exercises
- Sleep playlists: Curated audio to help you fall asleep
- Bluetooth speaker: Play your own music or podcasts
4. Warm Nightlight
The adjustable warm nightlight provides just enough illumination for midnight bathroom trips without disrupting your circadian rhythm.
5. Intuitive Controls
Physical buttons on top make it easy to snooze, adjust volume, or change settings—even when you're half-asleep. No fumbling with touchscreens or apps.
Who Should Buy the Loftie Clock
- Anyone trying to break phone dependency
- Heavy sleepers who need a reliable backup alarm
- People who struggle with sleep anxiety
- Those who want white noise without a separate device
- Anyone serious about improving sleep hygiene
Loftie Lamp: The Perfect Sleep Companion
Why Wirecutter Features It
While the Loftie Lamp isn't a category winner like the Clock, Wirecutter regularly mentions it in their sleep hygiene guides because it solves a specific problem: reading before bed without disrupting sleep.
Key Features
1. Warm, Dimmable Light
The Loftie Lamp uses warm color temperature (2700K) that won't suppress melatonin production like blue-spectrum light from phones or overhead lights.
- Fully dimmable from soft glow to bright reading light
- No harsh blue wavelengths
- Perfect for evening wind-down routines
2. Touch Controls
Simple tap controls let you adjust brightness without getting out of bed or fumbling for switches.
3. Minimalist Design
Matches the Loftie Clock aesthetic perfectly—clean, modern, and calming. It looks like a design object, not tech clutter.
4. Supports Healthy Sleep Habits
By providing warm, adjustable light, the Lamp helps you:
- Read before bed without blue light exposure
- Create a calming evening environment
- Gradually dim lights as you prepare for sleep
- Avoid overhead lights that signal "daytime" to your brain
Who Should Buy the Loftie Lamp
- People who read before bed
- Anyone who wants complete lighting control in their bedroom
- Those building a phone-free sleep sanctuary
- People sensitive to harsh lighting at night
- Loftie Clock owners who want the complete system
Loftie Clock vs. Loftie Lamp: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Loftie Clock | Loftie Lamp |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Alarm clock + sleep companion | Bedside reading light |
| Price | $199 | $119 |
| Wirecutter Status | #1 Best Smart Alarm Clock | Featured in sleep guides |
| Alarm Features | Two-phase alarm, customizable | None |
| White Noise | Yes (built-in library) | No |
| Nightlight | Warm, adjustable | N/A (it IS the light) |
| Reading Light | Not bright enough | Yes, fully dimmable |
| Bluetooth Speaker | Yes | No |
| Best For | Replacing your phone alarm | Evening reading routine |
Which Should You Buy?
Start with the Loftie Clock if:
- You currently use your phone as an alarm
- You struggle with sleep quality or phone addiction
- You want white noise or guided meditations
- You need a reliable alarm system
- You can only choose one product
Bottom line: The Clock is the foundation of a better sleep routine. It's Wirecutter's #1 pick for a reason—it addresses the biggest sleep disruptor (your phone) while adding helpful features.
Add the Loftie Lamp if:
- You already have the Clock and love it
- You read before bed regularly
- You want complete control over bedroom lighting
- You're building a comprehensive sleep sanctuary
- You have overhead lights that are too harsh at night
Bottom line: The Lamp is the perfect complement to the Clock, but it's not essential on its own. Think of it as the "nice to have" upgrade.
Get Both if:
- You're serious about optimizing sleep
- You want a completely phone-free bedroom
- You read every night before bed
- You value design and want matching nightstand pieces
- You're willing to invest $318 in better sleep
Bottom line: Together, they create the ultimate phone-free sleep environment. The Clock handles alarms and sound, the Lamp handles lighting—you handle sleeping better.
How to Use Loftie Clock + Lamp Together
If you decide to get both, here's the optimal setup:
Evening Routine (8:00 PM - 10:30 PM)
- Dim the Loftie Lamp to 50% for evening activities
- Turn on Loftie Clock's white noise or soundscape
- Gradually dim the Lamp as bedtime approaches
Reading Time (10:00 PM - 10:30 PM)
- Increase Lamp brightness to comfortable reading level
- Keep Clock's white noise running
- Phone stays charging in another room
Sleep Time (10:30 PM)
- Turn off Lamp completely
- Switch Clock to nightlight mode (very dim)
- Let white noise or sleep playlist run
Wake Time (6:30 AM)
- Clock's two-phase alarm gently wakes you
- Turn on Lamp to low brightness for morning routine
- No phone needed until you're fully awake and ready
The Science Behind Better Sleep
Why Sunrise Alarms Work
Gradual light exposure mimics natural sunrise, which:
- Signals your brain to reduce melatonin production
- Increases cortisol (the wake-up hormone) gradually
- Reduces sleep inertia (grogginess)
- Improves mood and alertness
The Phone Problem
Using your phone as an alarm means:
- Blue light exposure suppresses melatonin for up to 3 hours
- Notification anxiety keeps your brain in alert mode
- Morning scrolling hijacks your dopamine before you're even awake
- Poor sleep hygiene becomes a hard-to-break habit
Loftie's phone-free approach eliminates all of these issues.
Why Warm Light Matters
The Loftie Lamp's 2700K warm light:
- Doesn't suppress melatonin like blue light (5000K+)
- Signals "evening" to your circadian rhythm
- Allows reading without sleep disruption
- Creates a calming environment
Real Customer Insights
What people love about the Clock:
- "Finally broke my phone addiction"
- "The two-phase alarm is so much gentler"
- "White noise library is incredible"
- "Looks beautiful on my nightstand"
What people love about the Lamp:
- "Perfect for reading without harsh light"
- "Matches my Loftie Clock perfectly"
- "Dimming is smooth and easy to control"
- "Helps me wind down naturally"
Common questions:
- Is the Clock's alarm loud enough? Yes, with adjustable volume and a backup alarm
- Can I use my own music? Yes, via Bluetooth
- Is the Lamp bright enough for reading? Yes, at full brightness it's perfect
- Do they work without WiFi? Yes, all features work offline
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Loftie
For the Clock:
- Place it across the room if you're a chronic snoozer
- Experiment with different alarm sounds to find what works
- Use the white noise every night for consistency
- Try the guided meditations for better sleep onset
For the Lamp:
- Start dimming 30 minutes before bed
- Use the lowest comfortable brightness for reading
- Turn it completely off when you sleep (not just dim)
- Pair with the Clock's white noise for optimal environment
Investment in Better Sleep
At $199 for the Clock and $119 for the Lamp, Loftie isn't cheap. But consider:
- Better sleep = better health: Improved mood, energy, immune function, and metabolism
- Phone-free mornings = better mental health: Less anxiety, more intentional days
- Quality over quantity: These are built to last, with premium materials and design
- Multi-functional: Replaces alarm clock, white noise machine, Bluetooth speaker, and nightlight
If you spend 8 hours a day sleeping, investing in the tools that support that sleep makes sense.
Start Your Sleep Upgrade Today
Whether you choose the Wirecutter-winning Clock, add the complementary Lamp, or invest in both for the complete system, you're making a choice that will improve your sleep quality, reduce phone dependency, and create a healthier bedroom environment.
Ready to build your complete sleep sanctuary? Explore our full collection of Wirecutter-featured sleep products including Canopy humidifiers, Dyekween silk pillowcases, and more.