I know many people falsely assume that travelers never have to use alarm clocks anymore. But trust me, travel alarm clocks are actually one of the most 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 I would have never made those magic moments without an alarm. And that’s why today, I curated a list of the 20 best alarm clocks to help you on your trips.
Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three travel alarm clocks by budget.
- Large budget: Vintage clock (#4)
- Mid budget: Atomic timezone clock (#5)
- Small budget: Rubber digital clock (#17)
Table of Contents
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Travel alarm clocks for large budgets
#1 Silent wearable alarm
The first alarm on this list is one of the best 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’re worried about not waking up from these vibrations. If you don’t turn off the alarm on time, 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.
Pros
- Doesn’t wake up other people in the room
- Comes with electric discharge for heavy sleepers
- Rechargable
Cons
- Only vibrates
- Only works with an App
- Pricy
#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 #13.
Pros
- Combines sounds and vibrations
- Can be silent for other people in the room
Cons
- Large and bulky
#3 Garmin smartwatch
Obviously, a smartwatch is so much more than just an alarm. But it can actually function as a portable alarm clock for travelers. It’s super practical, lightweight, and fashionable.
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?
Pros
- Wearable, small, and lightweight
- Not just an alarm, but much more
Cons
- Expensive
#4 Vintage travel alarm
If you’re looking for a stylish small travel clock, look no further!
You can find awesome vintage travel alarms on Etsy, such as this one from Selfix. Because these clocks are truly authentic and vintage, there is only one unit of each, so you need to be quick. But simply check out Etsy to find other vintage clocks. They’ll look different than the one in the photo, but they sure are unique.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Truly unique alarm clock
- No batteries or power need
Cons
- Vulnerable, so you need to be careful when traveling
- The clock ticks
- Wind-up movement so the clock stops working if you forget to wind it up
Travel alarm clocks for mid budgets
#5 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 about it.
You can choose from eight different time zones (so unfortunately it doesn’t automatically update outside of these zones), it keeps daylight saving time into account and also shows the temperature of the room. And like most alarms on this list, it’s lightweight and small (3.5 x 1.4 x 3.8 inches).
Pros
- Updates to the correct timezone automatically
- 8 Second backlight button
Cons
- Runs on batteries
- Volume is not very loud
- Only updates time and date for certain timezones
#6 Analog clock with temperature
This small analog travel 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).
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Silent analog clock
- Optional automatic light
Cons
- Doesn’t show the date
- Only one alarm possible
#7 Wooden alarm clock
This is one of the best travel alarm clocks for people 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 (4,9 x 4,8 x 2,5 inches). Plus it only weighs 6,2 ounces (about 180 grams), so it’s the ideal small and unique clock for travelers.
Pros
- Cute design
- Non-ticking clock
- Simple alarm
Cons
- The button to light up the display is not conveniently located at the back of the clock
#8 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.
Pros
- Adorable design
- Only 1 AA battery needed
Cons
- Clock ticks
- No option to light up the display to tell the time at night
#9 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, you can write down where you are, why you have set your alarm, or what you need to remember upon waking. Such as packing your 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).
Pros
- Extra notepad to remember things
- 4 Different sounds
- Shows the temperature and date too
Cons
- On the bigger side for travelers
- 3 AAA batteries needed
#10 Small digital travel alarm
This is one of the lightest and cheapest digital travel alarm clocks.
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 AAA batteries.
If you do care a little bit about the design and you prefer a white clock, check out the next one.
Pros
- Lightest and smallest travel alarm clock
- Button for light at the back
Cons
- You can only set one alarm
- Not the prettiest clock
#11 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 small and practical alarm.
And lastly, the alarm runs on a button cell battery instead of an AAA battery.
Pros
- Lightweight and small
- Shows the temperature and date too
Cons
- No backlight option, so hard to tell the time at night
#12 Blue digital clock
This is one of the best-rated travel alarm clocks for people who care about looks as well as functionality.
You can choose to display the time in the 24h or 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).
Pros
- Backlight button
- Colorful design
Cons
- Slightly bigger than most alarm clocks
#13 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.
Pros
- Beeps and vibrates
- Backlight button
Cons
- Vibrations are not super hard and may not wake up a heavy sleeper
Travel alarm clocks for small budgets
#14 Foldable travel alarm clock
This is one of the smallest alarm clocks for travelers who want a simple, light, 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 3,1 x 2.7 x 0,7 inches (7,9 x 6,9 x1,8 cm).
Pros
- Super small and lightweight
- Push button to light up the display
- 8 Minute snooze function
Cons
- 2 Aa batteries needed
- Not a very stylish design
#15 Corded digital alarm
This is the perfect alarm clock for people who always forget to buy batteries. All this clock needs is one lithium battery and a connection to a power outlet, and it will run forever (theoretically).
Besides that, it’s small (3.9 x 3.94 x 1.38 Inch), lightweight (0.36 lb), and comes with three brightness levels so the display won’t keep you awake at night. And you can even set multiple alarms with it.
Pros
- USB power supply
- Multiple alarms
- 5-minute snooze option
Cons
- The colon between the digits blinks
- The USB cord is not very long
#16 Digital travel alarm clock with phone stand
This digital clock is perfect for phone addicts who love watching movies and series on their phones in the hotel room. Because you can use the alarm as a phone stand too!
Apart from that it comes with the basic features of snoozing, one alarm, and a button to light up the display at night.
Pros
- Super small and lightweight
- Push button to light up the display
- Phone Stand
Cons
- 2 AAA batteries needed
- Not a very stylish design
#17 Rubber digital alarm clock
If you are looking for a durable alarm, this digital clock with a soft rubber finish is exactly what you need. 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.
Pros
- Ascending alarm volume for light and heavy sleepers
- Backlight button
Cons
- Only one alarm possible
#18 Small analog travel clock
This small analog travel 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.
Pros
- Doesn’t tick
- Backlight button
- Ascending alarm volume
Cons
- Can’t set your alarm for more than 12 hours ahead
#19 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).
Pros
- Silent clock
- Dim light push button
Cons
- Only one alarm, and not more than 12 hours in advance
#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).
Pros
- Cute design
- Easy travel case
Cons
- A very light ticking sounds
- No backlight
- Only one alarm and one sound
Travel alarm clock buyer’s guide
Alright, 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.
Source 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?
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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: Vintage clock (#4)
- Mid budget: Atomic timezone clock (#5)
- Small budget: Rubber digital clock (#17)
