I bought the Dekala alarm light after comparing reviews for about 10 similar products here on Amazon. I chose it because it seems to be the most full-featured compared to the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light I've used for about 8 years. The SmartSleep was around $130 when I bought it, and is $109 today, but the Dekala is only $32, so this is hardly a fair comparison by price range; yet the Dekala stands up to the comparison; this Dekala is a really terrific wake-up alarm light.
I would have just bought another Philips except that I never liked the capacitance touch-screen controls, which were hard to push while laying on my bed, and not intuitive. Additionally, these seem to be the cause of the failure of the Philips light after 8 years. Now when its light is illuminated, it makes ticking sounds like the touch controls are being touched, but very rapid ticking, and finally now it is doing a strobe-light with the ticking, so it's truly not usable anymore.
The Dekala has all the same features of the Philips light and seems like a direct clone of it, for the most part. It is well designed and seems quality built.
Comparing the two products, I assigned 20 points to each to start and deducted points for disadvantages.
Philips light: -1 point for the unintuitive, hard to use front screen touch controls
Dekala light:
-1 because the wake up sound comes on rather suddenly / loudly rather than getting gradually dimmer like the Philips
-1 because the go-to-sleep light shuts off suddenly rather than getting gradually dimmer like the Philips, and also because when transitioning from the reading light to the go-to-sleep light it turns the light off and back on, which could disturb a partner already starting to drift off to sleep next to you
18 points for the Dekala vs 19 for the Philips makes it 95% as good, for 29% of the price.
I love the various colors the Dekala can make, although I probably won't use them because I like the orange-yellow light that is similar to the Philips so I have everything set to the same color. The alternate colors are beautiful shades, though, and some people may like having the options. The sounds are good, and the birds chirping is nice to wake up to, even if I would like it to start softer and get louder over 60 seconds or so like the Philips instead of being abruptly loud like the Dekala is. Still, it's a gentle enough sound that it is hardly like waking up to one of those beeping alarm clocks, and beating the birds to the punch is enough reason for me to stop lying awake yawning and just get up and switch it off based on the light already waking me up.
One other minor critique is that I wish the clock display got much darker at night. I could switch it all the way off, but I do like checking the time if I wake in the middle of the night so I know how much more time I have to sleep. Still, it's darker than most old beeping alarm clocks, and it will be ok. If it really bugs me, I could find a way to tape a piece of amber stage lighting gel over it or something. But I'll probably leave it as-is because I use a blindfold at night anyway and it's really not that bright on its dim setting.
If both lights were priced at $108, I would probably get the Philips, even though I really don't like the front panel controls and hate setting the time on the Philips. This is because the Philips is just smoother with the light and sound transitions. But at $32, the Dekala wins. The disadvantages are not very bad, just issues of refinement they may improve with later versions. Even though I can't compare how long it lasts vs the Philips lasting eight years, at $32 who cares. If it lasts two years it will be worth it, and it seems quality built so I'm betting it lasts about as long as the Philips.
Overall, I'm glad I tried the Dekala, and I reccomend it.
Sunrise Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers, Wake Up Light with Sunrise/Sunset Simulation, Dual Alarms & Natural Sounds, Snooze &
4.1
| 2,914 ratingsPrice: 37.99
Last update: 12-19-2024
About this item
Sunrise Alarm Clock Wake Up Light: Elevate your mornings with Dekala's upgraded model, featuring a gradual brightness increase from 10% to 100%. Wake up naturally and gently (Also available with 7 alarm clock sounds). Ideal for heavy sleepers and kids. Experience enhanced clarity and soft lighting through the latest digital technology for a more comfortable wake-up.
Dual Alarm Clock & Snooze Supported Digital Clock: Accommodate varied wake-up times with dual alarms for family members. The snooze function, offering an extra 9 minutes, is perfect for a fresh start. Simply press the "Snooze" button at the top, with up to 5 times 9-minute snoozes.
FM Clock Radios for Bedroom & 8 Sleep Sounds: Utilize Dekala's wake-up light as a versatile bedside lamp, night light, reading light, or ambient light. Delight in FM radio capabilities (76-108 Hz) for additional entertainment. Sleep aid with options to auto-off in 5-120 minutes or stay on all night with 8 Soothing sounds. An ideal gift for teens, kids, friends, and family dealing with waking up and falling asleep challenges.
Gradient Ambient Light & 20 Brightness Sunrise alarm clock for bedroom: Dekala's Light Alarm Clock impresses with advanced RGB control, offering stunning visuals. Select from 4 LED displays and 20 brightness levels to create a personalized ambiance. Embrace the soothing breathing light feature for added tranquility in your space. Prepare for a luminous wake-up experience.
User-Friendly Setup: Initiate effortlessly using simple controls and a comprehensive instructional video, ensuring a seamless morning routine with the Dekala Sunrise Alarm Clock. Adjust display brightness with 4 levels and activate night mode for undisturbed sleep.
Dual Alarm Clock & Snooze Supported Digital Clock: Accommodate varied wake-up times with dual alarms for family members. The snooze function, offering an extra 9 minutes, is perfect for a fresh start. Simply press the "Snooze" button at the top, with up to 5 times 9-minute snoozes.
FM Clock Radios for Bedroom & 8 Sleep Sounds: Utilize Dekala's wake-up light as a versatile bedside lamp, night light, reading light, or ambient light. Delight in FM radio capabilities (76-108 Hz) for additional entertainment. Sleep aid with options to auto-off in 5-120 minutes or stay on all night with 8 Soothing sounds. An ideal gift for teens, kids, friends, and family dealing with waking up and falling asleep challenges.
Gradient Ambient Light & 20 Brightness Sunrise alarm clock for bedroom: Dekala's Light Alarm Clock impresses with advanced RGB control, offering stunning visuals. Select from 4 LED displays and 20 brightness levels to create a personalized ambiance. Embrace the soothing breathing light feature for added tranquility in your space. Prepare for a luminous wake-up experience.
User-Friendly Setup: Initiate effortlessly using simple controls and a comprehensive instructional video, ensuring a seamless morning routine with the Dekala Sunrise Alarm Clock. Adjust display brightness with 4 levels and activate night mode for undisturbed sleep.
Product information
Brand | Dekala |
---|---|
Display Type | Digital |
Style | No WiFi Classic Version |
Special Feature | Sunrise Alarm, Adjustable Brightness, Noise Machine, Mood Light, Adjustable Volume |
Product Dimensions | 6.3"W x 6.3"H |
Power Source | Corded Electric |
Room Type | Bedroom,Bedrooms,Usb |
Shape | Round |
Frame Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
Are Batteries Included | No |
Mounting Type | Tabletop |
Item Weight | 320 Grams |
Number of Batteries | CR5 batteries required. |
Alarm Clock | Yes |
Watch Movement | Automatic |
Number of Items | 1 |
Operation Mode | Electrical |
Manufacturer | Dekala |
UPC | 635028267243 |
Item Weight | 11.3 ounces |
ASIN | B081W7P8TS |
Item model number | ACA-002-B |
Batteries | CR5 batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars
2,894
4.1 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #452 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #2 in Clock Radios #17 in Alarm Clocks |
Date First Available | January 2, 2020 |