I know many people falsely assume that travelers never have to set an alarm. But trust me, travel alarm clocks are actually very essential items for travelers.
In fact, I have woken up at the most insane hours to watch the sunrise or catch some bus or flight, and trust me, I needed an alarm for that. And that’s why today, I curated a list of the 20 best alarm clocks for travelers.
Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three travel alarm clocks by budget.
- Large budget: personalized alarm clock (#6)
- Mid budget: wooden analog alarm (#7)
- Small budget: vibrating alarm (#19)
Table of Contents
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What to consider when buying travel alarm clocks
Alright, before we head over to the 20 best travel alarm clocks I selected for you today, let’s have a quick look at some of the things you may want to consider before buying an alarm clock.
Size
Size doesn’t always matter, but when it comes to travel gear, it certainly does!
Travelers need to fit all their belongings in a suitcase or backpack. So generally speaking, the smaller an item, the more suitable for travelers. Though in the case of alarm clocks, also keep in mind the readability of the time. People with bad sight may prefer a bigger alarm.
Weight
Related to size is the alarm’s weight. Generally speaking, the smaller an alarm, the lighter it is, and the easier to take along. Oftentimes a lighter alarm also means it comes with fewer features. So that’s something to keep in mind when you’re looking for lightweight travel alarm clocks.
Type of clock
Basically, there are two options here. An analog alarm clock or a digital one. One is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on your preferences.
Durability
Travel alarm clocks come in different shapes and sizes and besides that, they are also made from different types of materials. Metal clocks might be very durable, but they are also very heavy. Plastic clocks on the other hand may look very cheap (check out the design heading for more about that), but at least it’s lightweight and relatively durable.
Again, neither one is better. You just have to decide for yourself what you value most; lightweight, design, or durability.
Type of alarm
Are you someone who wakes up from the smallest noise or does it take an entire army of trumpeters to wake you up?
Besides the different volumes and melodies, you can also opt for alarms that use vibrations rather than sounds to wake you up.
Costs
Well, this is an obvious factor to weigh in. Luckily, I have already separated all travel alarm clocks on this list into different price categories to help you find one that suits your budget.
Souce or power
The two main options are either loose batteries or an internal battery that’s chargeable through power plugs.
One may argue that buying loose batteries is annoying and expensive, but if you are a frequent camper and you don’t have access to a power plug, they are definitely the better option.
Features
What other features do you value? Do you want your alarm to show the time in different time zones, or do you want to know the current temperature? Or do you need a display light or are you fine with a basic alarm?
These are just some of the functions that come with an alarm. And generally speaking, the more features you want, the more expensive the clock.
So keep that in mind when looking for your ideal travel alarm clock.
Design
Last but definitely not least, is the question of the clock’s design.
How much do you care about how your travel alarm clock looks?
Travel alarm clocks for large budgets
#1 Silent wearable alarm
The first alarm on this list is a great clock for heavy sleepers who often share rooms with others, such as backpackers or a couple.
The bracelet vibrates instead of making a noise when it’s time for the traveler to get up. That way, nobody else in the room will be woken up by the sounds of the alarm.
And don’t worry if you think you’re a heavy sleeper and these vibrations won’t wake you up. If the vibrations haven’t worked, the bracelet will give you a small, but noticeable electric discharge! That will certainly wake you up.
It comes with a mobile app where you can set your alarm and check out your sleep cycle analysis. Plus the bracelet is rechargeable, so no need to change batteries all the time.
#2 Dual alarm with bed shaker
This alarm clock is another great idea for people who have a hard time waking up from sounds.
It comes with a separate bed shaker, so you will literally be shaken out of bed.
Now, I’ll admit it’s a rather large alarm clock for travelers (7 x 6 x 6 inches 17,8 x 15,2 x 15,2). But for travelers who really struggle to wake up, it’s definitely worth it. Especially if the alternative is you missing your flights, busses, trains, and tours!
But for a smaller alternative check out #19.
#3 Alarm clock with different time zones
This atomic clock actually receives radio signals to display the correct time and date all the time. You don’t have to do anything for it.
You can choose from six different time zones and the display also shows the internal temperature as well as the humidity.
For travel standards, it’s a rather large and heavy clock. But it does come with additional features, so you’ll have to decide what you value more.
For a smaller option that also displays the temperature, check out the next item
#4 Analog clock with temperature
This small analog clock by marathon is perfect for travelers who care about the design and who want to know the indoor temperatures.
It’s made from plastic, but alarm clocks by marathon are generally known for their durability and high quality, so even though it’s plastic, they do last long.
With regards to the sizes, the clock is 3.5 x 3,75 x 1,5 inches (8,9 x 9,5 x 3,8 cm ) and weighs 9,6 ounces (272 grams)
#5 Garmin smartwatch
Obviously, a smartwatch is so much more than just an alarm. But it can actually function as an alarm clock for travelers. It’s super practical, lightweight, fashionable and basically every smartwatch has an alarm function build-in
So if you are willing to spend quite a bit on your alarm, why not buy something that can also track your heart rate, and sleep cycle, play music, record your training, and more?
#6 Personalized alarm
This tiny clock (2 inches or 5 cm in diameter and 0,6 or 1,5 cm thick) is not only great because of its size. I actually selected it due to the fact that you can personalize it.
You have a personalized message engraved on this clock. You can gift it to someone who is leaving for a trip soon, or encrypt it with your own name, so no one will take your clock.
Travel alarm clocks for mid budgets
#7 Wooden alarm clock
This is one of the great alarm clocks for travelers who love cool designs. It’s a wooden squared clock (though check out Amazon for more shapes and materials) which size is perfect for travelers (4,88×4,832,5 inch and 12.4 x 12.19 x 6.35 cm). Plus is only ways 6,2 ounces (about 180 grams), so it’s the ideal small and unique travel clock for travelers.
#8 Foldable travel alarm clock
This is one of the great alarm clocks for travelers who want a simple, light, small, digital, and durable alarm clock.
It may not be the most beautiful clock on this list, but as long as you don’t care about the looks, it’s a great clock.
It only weighs 3,2 ounces (91 grams) and measures 3,5 by 0,5 by 2,5 inches (8,9 x 1,3 x 6,4 cm)
#9 Bear-shaped clock
Are you looking for the cutest alarm clocks for travelers?
Then this clock in the shape of a bear is perfect. I know some people might find it childish, while other people will absolutely love it. If you fall into that last category, here is some additional info about the clock.
It runs on one AA battery and measures 2 x 2,4 x 1 inches (5 x 6 x 2,5 cm). I’m not quite sure how much it weighs, but can’t be too heavy with these incredibly small measurements.
#10 Alarm clock with scribble board
Now, this is definitely not the smallest alarm clock for travelers, but I still think it’s a great option.
Waking up at a different place every day can really mess with your head at times. You may wake up and not remember where you are, or you may have forgotten why you set your alarm.
But with this alarm clock, travelers can write down where they are or why they have set their alarm. Or write down something they need to remember upon waking. Such as packing their laundry that’s still drying somewhere, or emptying a locker before leaving and this scribble board can serve as a reminder!
Some quick information about the alarm. The pen is included, there are four alarm melodies, it runs on three AAA batteries and measures 6,7 x 5,3 x 2,9 inches (17 x 13,5 x 7,5 cm).
#11 Alarm with built-in rechargeable battery
This cute pink alarm is perfect for travelers who don’t want to buy batteries. It has a rechargeable battery built into it!
What’s also cool is that the alarm can be turned into a light and you can use a shake snooze, so you have to actively shake the alarm in order to snooze it!
It measures 3,1 x 3,1 x 3,5 inches or 8 x 8 x 9 cm.
Travel alarm clocks for small budgets
#12 Small travel alarm clock with keyring
This travel alarm clock is a relatively simple one, but it’s perfect for travelers who are looking for just that.
It runs on one AA battery and measures 4 x 1.8 x 4 inches (10 x 4.5 x 10 cm), so it’s definitely small enough for travelers to take on a trip. Plus it comes with a small keyring, which makes it easy to attach it or hang it outside of a backpack.
The alarm is available in six different colors; black, blue, gray, green, pink, and red.
#13 Rubber digital alarm clock
Remember when we talked about the durability of an alarm?
Well, you will surely have a very durable alarm if you go for this digital clock with a soft rubber finish. The rubber will serve as protection if you ever drop your alarm.
Other things to know about this alarm are that it runs on AA batteries and that the blue background only shows on demand, so you don’t have to worry about this bright light ruining your dark nights.
#14 Small digital travel alarm
This is one of the lightest and cheapest digital alarm clocks for travelers.
So if you don’t care that much about the design, but more about the size, price, and weight, then this is a perfect alarm.
It only weighs 0.64 ounces (or 18 grams) and measures 2.76 x 1.5 x 3.15 inches (or 7 x 3,8 x 8 cm). The display is super easy and also comes with a 5-second light if you need to check the time at night. The alarm runs on two triple A batteries.
If you do care a little bit about the design and you prefer a white clock, check out the next one.
#15 White digital travel alarm
This white travel clock is very similar to the previous one, except that it also shows the temperature and the alarm is slightly thinner, yet it’s also slightly heavier. Though I still consider the 2,9 ounces (82 grams) an extremely light alarm.
And lastly, the alarm runs on a button cell battery instead of AAA batteries.
#16 Small analog travel clock
This analog clock is great for people who are looking for a relatively simple and straightforward analog clock.
It runs on one AA battery and the alarm sounds are simple beeps that increase in volume until the alarm is turned off.
It’s small (3.15 x 3.25 x 1.77 inches or 8 x 8,3 x 4,5 cm ), and lightweight enough for travelers to consider taking the alarm in their bags (3,2 ounces or 88 grams).
For an even smaller and more colorful analog clock, check out the next one.
#17 Blue analog alarm
This cute analog travel alarm is great for people who care a little bit about the design, but who also want a small and light one. It measures about 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.0 inches ( 5,6 x 5,6 x 2,5) and only ways 2 ounces (57 grams).
#18 Blue digital clock
This is another great colorful clock. Except this time, it’s a digital one.
You can choose to display the time in the 24h our 12h style, the backlight can be turned off for when you want to sleep in complete darkness, and the sound is a beep that gets louder until the alarm is turned off.
The size and weight are as follows 4.1 x 2.4 x 1.4 inches ( 10,4 x 6 x 3,6 cm) and 0,8 ounces (22,7 grams).
#19 Vibrating travel alarm
Did you like the idea of a vibrating alarm clock, but is the bracelet out of your budget? And is the bed shaker alarm too big?
Then this small alarm by Sharp is perfect.
It comes with both a sound and vibration alarm, so you can choose a combination or just one. And all you have to do is place the alarm under your pillow, or somewhere else in your bed.
It runs on three AAA batteries and the blue display only shows on demand.
#20 Cutest alarm clock for travelers
This red leather alarm clock definitely gets my vote when it comes to the cutest alarm clock for travelers. Even though it’s faux leather, I still think it looks great.
And besides looking cute, it’s also a small (3 x 3,7 x 3,1 inches or 7,6x 9,4 x 7,9cm) and lightweight one (2,89 ounces or 82 grams).
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Final note on alarm clocks for travelers
Alright, I hope you found the perfect clock for you! And if you need a bit more help, check out the top three alarm clocks for travelers according to the editor (a very frequent traveler)!
- Large budget: personalized alarm clock (#6)
- Mid budget: wooden analog alarm (#7)
- Small budget: vibrating alarm (#19)
