The Ten Best Alarm Clocks

Wake up on the right side of bed with our choice of alarm clocks

Lumie Bodyclock - £100

Why wake to a shrill beep when "natural" sunlight can coax you gently into consciousness? The Lumie's frosted glass dome works its magic over 15-90 minutes. (Not for heavy sleepers.)

www.johnlewis.com; 08456 049 049

Retro iPod - £39.95

It looks like Granny's bedside alarm, but is in fact a bells-and-whistles iPod clock-dock. The bells are speakers, and a knob on the back adjusts the volume. Hit snooze to snooze.

www.iwoot.com; 0844 573 7070

Voco - £30

A classic-looking timepiece, with the voice of Stephen Fry easing you into wakefulness with phrases like: "Excuse me, sir, I'm so sorry to disturb you but it appears to be morning..."

www.voco.uk.com

Gemini 19 - £80

Here's an alarm clock in a top-notch DAB radio with "one touch" access to Classic FM, the soothing way to rise. You can get the other stations, too, or set it to sound a traditional beep.

www.robertsradio.co.uk; 01709 571 722

Billy - £17

A modern classic by Karlsson, Billy has the clean lines of an old station clock, updated with modern materials and design.

www.designmyworld.net; 0844 884 2340

Flying - £14.95

When this alarm goes off, it launches the propeller on an aerial tour of your bedroom. The shrill sound won't stop until you replace the prop, by which time you'll be furious, but awake.

www.firebox.com; 0844 922 1010

Wooden LED - £100

For organic slumberers for whom plastic is the enemy, this handsome block of wood doubles as a simple clock - the LED display shines through the maplewood veneer.

www.purves.co.uk; 020-8893 4000

Cancun Travel - £30

One for the seasoned traveller. The clock will adjust to give the time in 25 cities and includes a calendar and a backlight. It folds into a case crafted in black leather and gleaming metal.

www.theinsideman.com; 020-8682 3834

Pixel - £10

Perhaps inspired by the giant clock in Madonna's "4 minutes" video, this funky item is available in red, white and blue. It tells the time and has an alarm - simple.

www.iwoot.com; 0844 573 7070

Radio Projection - £29.99

No need to strain your eyes to spot that it's get-up time; this alarm and FM/AM radio projects the time on the ceiling above your sleepy head.

www.oregonscientific.co.uk; 0845 601 3964