24.9.2012

I know what you're thinking... 'Coloured Sunrise Simulation Wake-up Light? Sounds a bit much'. You need not be skeptical, because in the time that I've been using these products, my mornings have never been so happy. Why oh why couldn't I have had one of these when I was at school.How does it all work? It's entirely straightforward - this is a device that is designed to produce an artificial sunrise in your very own bedroom, and will therefore wake you up in the most natural way possible (apart from a bad hangover). No 'buzzing', no BRING-BRING, just light.As soon as you take the product out of its box, it immediately recalls design cues from the 1998 Apple iMac, what with its 'dome' shape,transparent rear casing and vents hidden towards the back. This won't strike you as being a typical bedside clock, and given its large size I would just like to point out that the incredible ergonomics of this device may overwhelm anything else that is on your table. My previous Lumie sunrise clock now looks tiny in comparison.Does the extra size return any favours for Philips' offering? This has to be a resounding yes, because the light fills the room easier and this means that you can set the intensity to a lower setting. I've also benefited from the larger clock display itself, the space to have a multitude of buttons (each with their own dedicated function, so you don't need to remember combinations) and perhaps best of all, the buttons on the front-face of the device are touch-sensitive, meaning it's silent to press them. The factory setting does include a 'beep' feedback, but you can turn this off.The quality of the finish is also outstanding, and I haven't come to accept anything less from Philips to be perfectly honest. Each component of the outer casing/enclosure is made from a high quality plastic, and the lighting from clock is beautifully soft. I doubt sound quality was top of their list in this product, but the radio and wake-up effects still project clear dynamics.This leads on to an interesting USP; you can have a sound recording accompany your sunrise. You've set your alarm time (you get 2 presets - one for week days, one for weekends), the sunrise time (how long it takes for the light to reach its maximum brightness) and volume level for the audio... then you can go on an pick from one of five different built-in sound effects to follow up from your sunrise. These include bird calls, a zen garden, woodland atmosphere, piano/new age sounds and the seaside. Are they actually any good? Well, that all depends on where you live for a start...The only drawback here is that you can't preview the volume of the sound effects, so it's a process of trial and error this time round. You also have the option to wake up to the built-in FM radio, or of course, you can just listen to it at any point.Like other sunrise alarm clocks, the main lamp itself can be used on its own without the alarm, which is handy if you just want to use the product as a 'bedside light' per sé. But to extend on this functionality, you can allow the lamp to gradually dim like a sunset too, so if you don't fancy just plunging into the depths of darkness, the device will slowly make the room go dark. Surprisingly, it's a very effective feature.Compared to the Lumie products, Philips' offering is also far, far easier to use - largely because of the aforementioned controls. Each function has a dedicated button, so once you've learnt to navigate the device, it's much more instinctive to use. Like many Philips products however, the only thing missing is an instruction manual that actually 'is' instinctive, and doesn't require some deciphering. I can understand the need for hundreds of languages (and thank god, English is at the front), but the images and annotations can sometimes be... well, cryptic. Just as well the product's easy to use!Since I had already owned a sunrise alarm clock for about a year, I had a good deal of knowledge for how to get the most from the concept and what works best for my own body clock. And while the HF3520 is packaged with a better design and more features, the actual wake-up is unsurprisingly similar to my Lumie, although I'll admit that the change in lighting hue was a nice addition. If I was to lean in favour of this product, it would be that the light does a better job of spreading around your space and therefore appearing more natural, whereas the Lumie felt somewhat constricted to wherever it sat. Philips seem to have done a better job of using plastic and film technologies to give the light a different 'glow'; one that is far more satisfying, no matter how simple it is to wake some one up.All round, the HF3520 just seems like a more refined, purposeful product than others on the market, and although you'll be paying a bit more in return, the value is easily present. This is just a wonderful product from a company that understands the importance of simple concepts.

25.1.2016

Bought this because I wanted an alarm which would light up gradually. This does exactly that, so in that regard I'm relatively content.To speak in its favour, I get up in the early hours, and since getting this clock I've found my quality of sleep has improved. More often than not, I wake up naturally 15 minutes or so into the 'wake cycle'. I feel a big difference now when I wake up in the dark; having this light doesn't mean I leap out of bed in the morning, but it takes me noticably less time to 'wake up' and shake off the grogginess. It's unusual that I wake up in the middle of a dream, which suggests I'm waking during the correct sleep cycle.So as for the clock, you can set what time the alarm light peaks (i.e.the time you want to wake up), and what 'max' brightness you want. I use it at about level 15 out of a possible 20; 20 is very bright. There's also some other gimmicky features such as a 'sunset' mode, which I've never bothered with, but which a friend has told me he uses regularly to get to sleep. As a bedside light it's pretty handy, as the maximum luminence is very bright and has good range. The light is very 'white', however, which takes a bit of getting used to. It also has LED bulb, so it doesn't heat up and (hopefully) shouldn't need replacing. The mains cable has a decent (but not great) reach. The time display can be 12 or 24h time, and it can be varied in brightness by a fair amount.However, I'm slightly loathe to recommend this clock, because it is very overpriced and doesn't deliver well in other areas. I have a 15 year old Sony Dreammachine which, apart from the light-up element, has MORE functionality than this alarm-clock. Philips really skimped out on this, which is frustrating; you could pick up a better alarm clock for a few quid at the market.- I have to set a second alarm on my phone because the 'wake up' sounds are all a bit pathetic and you only get a limited choice. They're all very calming and relaxing - which is great and everything, but if you actually want to be woken up they're useless.- Added to the above point, you can't switch off sounds either. If you don't want a sound alarm, all you can do is turn the volume down to minimum (which is still fairly audible).- The interface for setting the alarm is rudimentary and there are some options which cannot be changed (such as length of the wake cycle), which seems arbitrary.- The buttons on the sides of the clock are very difficult to see and differentiate because of the design. I had to mark on in sharpie so I can remember which ones I need to press.- The 'alarm off/on' toggle button is very easy to knock accidentally, and if you do... no alarm!- FM radio. This is an absolute joke - £100 for an alarm clock which doesn't even have DAB. Needless to say, FM reception is atrocious and this is unusable.- No 'reserve' power so if the main power skips for even a moment, the alarm clock gets amnesia and forgets everything.So in conclusion, if you're looking for a light alarm, this will do the trick (and you don't have very much other choice). The options are basic, but do the trick. However, this is not a great alarm clock and you will probably need another 'back-up' alarm to make sure you're actually up.

24.10.2019

As I found it helpful to read other reviews before making my purchase, I thought I'd take the time to write one. I had read one or two negative points but the positives outweighed them and it had all the features I wanted and none of the gimmicks I didn't. I didn't really want to spend quite so much on an alarm device but it is a clock, radio and lamp too. Anyway, I'm thrilled with it. Firstly it DOES come with a UK main plug (something many others don't and don't tell you so you end up returning them). The light itself it very weighty (so it doesn't slide across the bedside table when touched) it takes up a fair amount of space but the dimentions are listed.The instructions are clear if you take your time and read them all through first. Some of the set up is done on the display at the front, some are on the top/sides. Absolutely everything can be set to your personal preference, the light intensity both as an alarm and a reading light (something I particularly wanted, many whilst wake up, can only be dim night lights), volume of sounds and radio (both very clear) duration of sun rise simulation 20-40 mins, brightness of clock display and this can also be shown as 12 or 24hr. On dim it is just about clear enough to see the time but certainly won't disturb your sleep. Snooze is fantastic, you can gently tap anywhere on the front so you don't have to wake up fully, put specs on and peer at it to see where a tiny button is for snooze. There are 2 alarms, I use one for work days other for days off so you don't have to keep changing it but it's very easy to do so if you need a third wake up time. The wake up light is excellent as it grows from a dim red, through orange and yellow to bright white (20 brightness options) and does this super smoothly (I'd read many cheaper brands ping on at 10% then increase by 10% increments which is not a relaxing way to wake up). Does it wake me up? Yes indeed and I'm usually facing away from it with the pillow blocking the lamp but the whole room is filled with bright light. You don't feel like the lamp has woken you, you just wake up naturally and yes, I do feel much more refreshed and am able (and willing) to open my eyes straight away and get out of bed. Another great feature is that the alarm sound (which only comes on at the wake up time not before) stays at the volume you set it to, so it doesn't gradually get louder if you don't get up. I really like this as I have it set to bird song (definitely a blackbird, not a fake one, a real one) and like to stay in bed for a couple of minutes and listen to it. At lowest volume it sounds like it's outside the window with the window shut. I had a very expensive wake up lamp years ago which did the job but this is better. The brightest light is also great for putting on my make-up on dark mornings and the mains lead is long enough so I can move it from bedside to dressing table. Well worth the money, would highly recommend.

28.6.2014

This Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock was a replacement for a much earlier model. The look is very futuristic and clearly you need to be comfortable that it will fit with your décor - in the right surroundings it looks really eye-catching and modern.Out of the box this looks and feels a well made product by Philips, plus, the instructions are clear. It is easy to set up and there are lots of options for the dual alarm natural sounds (Birds in the Forest, Zen Garden, Gentle Piano, Ocean and Bird song). The snooze is one of the easiest to operate that I've come across - in your sleepy haze you can touch anywhere on the front of the unit rather than fumble for a snooze button. Also,

21.5.2017

Excellent clock.The light is bright. It does help me wake up. The dawn simulation (red through yellow to whitish light) is funky.The design is sleek and classy.The settings are all easy to use and intuitive.It's very cool how you tap the light with a finger to snooze it (it's very sensitive).The touch screen menu buttons (below the clock) work nicely (when I starting pressing below and not on the labels!).I've never tried the radio, so no comment there.It's very nice to have nature sounds to wake up with, a big reason why I bought this model. I like it. The alarm sounds are a bit mixed, though, and it's a very short sound loop. Of the 5, the 2 music ones were too aggravating after about 10 seconds,

23.11.2016

I am one of those people who never get up on time. Who are always grumpy in the morning and just want to snuggle under duvet and cry whenever the alarm clock stabs my brain with its annoying sound! Recently it was getting even worse. I struggled for over 1h to fall asleep and as a result I did not have enough sleep, I would not be able to get up in the morning, run 1h late to work each day for few weeks and I could feel my career was getting affected. Then I came across this lamp and the mechanism made sense from biological point of view (scientist here). I thought I will give it a try and I bought it for £100 directly from Philips.It arrived pretty quickly and was easy to set up.

20.1.2013

I was uncertain about this, but bought it after a lot of research. I needed a clock that could go on the floor as my fiancee doesn't have a bedside table but wants to have a clock that she can see in the night. With this being angled, it can easily be read on the floor from the bed. I also wanted something that wouldn't keep us awake with bright glowing LEDs. The fact that this has a sensor that can tell how dark the room is and adjust the LED accordingly is great. It works well.As for the alarm itself. It wakes my lass fine. She tends to wake when the birds tweet rather than with the light, but she doesn't jump with shock at least. The light doesnt wake me at all from my side of the bed either.

17.1.2017

Having read the reviews from other customers on this site I want to point out a few things that people have mentioned. The sound during sunset is possible but you have to have the sound ON in the first place when you press the button for sunset simulation. You can only have the radio on for the sunset but it dims nicely over the set period of time (5-60minutes) along with the light if you want it to. The other thing I read was that you had to turn off the alarm completely to stop the alarm which meant resetting it for the next day. Whilst you can turn off the alarm by pressing the alarm button, you still have to turn off the light. Instead I just turn off the sound and the light which turns off the alarm but leaves it set for the next day.

30.10.2013

This is the best of the "wake up more naturally" products that I have used, and the one that I have stuck with.I don't agree with some other people who say that this gives them masses of energy in the morning or anything like that, perhaps because I don't suffer from SAD, nor am I a "morning person", what it does do (for me) is ease me in to the day better - I'm not jarred awake by an alarm, and am usually just awake enough by the time the sounds start that I don't feel the need to snooze the alarm half a dozen times over like I used to with regular alarm clocks.Regarding the device itself, it's an attractive design, not too large like some previous ones,

6.10.2016

This is an absolutely brilliant Dusk/Dawn light.I put off buying it for a couple of years due to some of the reviews, and kept waiting for 'the perfect device' as it was always a toss-up between this unit and a Lumie light.I eventually took the plunge and went with this one, and I'm so happy I did.The features simply work, and it is so easy to set/alter/control.One of the things that put me off was the idea of having to set the alarm every day... but this is now actually one of my favourite features... you can set 2 'usual' alarm times (pre-set with dusk/dawn lengths/brightness and volume etc.) these are stored in the unit... You then set the alarm(s)

16.1.2017

I like this light/ alarm clock a lot. I am no longer startled in the mornings by an alarm screeching at me to wake up. Instead the light wakes me up gently and the first time I used it I said I woke up like a disney princess. I actually wanted to get out of bed!The light starts slowly building up before your alarm goes off and your chosen sound will play** at the actual time your alarm is set for. Mostly I wake up earlier than my alarm because of the light, but I can wake up just as the sound starts playing to signal your alarm. Either way I wake up fairly easily. There is also a sunset setting which I use to help me drift off to sleep.It is possible you might need to use to manual to help you

16.12.2014

I love my wake up light!! It took a long time for me to choose which one to get and to finally purchase one due to the price. Very glad I did!!!! I now wake up before the alarm and have been able to put a stop to the 5 alarms I used to use. Admittedly I still struggle to get out of bed though I am now wide awake and in a much better mood.I did read some reviews about the sound quality of the radio which did give me some concerns, though having had the unit for a couple of weeks I now find myself using it as just a radio. If you are expecting the type of sound quality you'd get from a stand alone stereo then yes you may be disappointed.

21.10.2015

Wow!We have south east facing bedroom windows so we pretty much get the morning sunrise in the summer. My wife likes the blinds up mid week so we get the natural light arousing us for the day ahead, no alarm clock required. Unfortunately, this natural biorythmic approach does not last living in southern England, even before the clocks returning to GMT, which is still 1 week away.However, we purchased 2 of these puppies, for both our eldest son starting secondary school and my wife and I.Unanimously, we all agree these WUL are excellent albeit expensive. My wife laughed at me when I told her how much each unit costs.Thankfully,

8.2.2017

I've had this lamp for about a month now and I absolutely love it!The features on it cover pretty much everything I require. The 2 alarms are perfect for my requirements depending on where I am working for the day, and the sun rise makes waking up much more natural. The alarm sounds are not as numerous as some might wish for, but as the idea is that you wake up naturally with the light then I don't see the requirement for a vast array of alarm clock sounds. It does have an FM radio, but I haven't used it. I use the birdsong, which has the desired affect if my head is buried under the duvet!The sunset setting is really nice for getting read to sleep. I stick it on an hour,

28.3.2017

Since purchasing the Philips Wake-up Light HF3520/01 with Coloured Sunrise Simulation, we have found it to be a very good buy, and yes, we do think that it helps in the way that it wakes you up each morning, as we find that you are not feeling so “shocked awake” as when a normal alarm goes off. We find that the Bird song is a nice gentle wake-up call and even find that at times you are wake before the alarm because of the increasing light which is not a bright harsh light and allows you to drift a bit if needed. We find that the setting of 19 is bright enough to wake us without the glare of a normal bedside light. So, all in all yes, we are pleased with our purchase, and also use the Night-time light as well,

Philips Wake-up Light (HF3520/01) - Reviews

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