Best of Sleep: every wake-up light and mattress topper we recommend, by situation

+Strengths

• Sunrise and sunset in 20, 30 or 45 minutes with adjustable peak brightness
• Ten sounds including white noise for the sunset
• Three-year warranty

−Limitations

• No radio
• No choice of light colour

→Good for

• most adults who want a sunrise alarm with a sleep sound
• a bedside that is short of space

↺Look elsewhere if

• someone who wakes to the radio

+Strengths

• Sunrise and sunset lengths set independently, 15 to 90 minutes
• FM radio and 14 sounds, so it can replace the clock radio
• Three-year warranty and a 45-day trial from Lumie

−Limitations

• The most expensive of the Lumie trio
• Sound count differs between Lumie's page (14) and the listing (15)
• Mains only, no battery backup

→Good for

• a light sleeper who wants a long, slow dawn
• a bedroom where the radio matters

↺Look elsewhere if

• a child's room or a minimalist who wants one button

+Strengths

• The cheapest way into Lumie's sunrise alarm
• Tap snooze and a fade-to-nightlight sunset
• Three-year warranty

−Limitations

• Sunrise length is fixed at 30 minutes
• No sounds beyond a beep, no radio

→Good for

• someone trying a sunrise alarm for the first time
• a spare room or a student

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone who wants a slow 60- or 90-minute dawn

+Strengths

• The lowest price with the Lumie three-year warranty
• USB powered, so it runs from a bedside charger
• Six mood colours for a child's room

−Limitations

• Fixed 30-minute sunrise
• Figures are from the listing, pending Lumie's page
• Plastic shell, lighter build than the Bodyclocks

→Good for

• a child's bedroom
• a budget first sunrise alarm

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone who wants radio or a long dawn

+Strengths

• Brightness stated: 300 lux across 20 steps
• Two alarms, so a couple can wake at different times
• FM radio and five sounds

−Limitations

• Sunrise only from 20 to 40 minutes
• Sunrise goes yellow to white, no red dawn phase on this model
• Heavier and larger than the Lumie domes

→Good for

• a couple with different alarm times
• someone who wants a bright reading lamp as well

↺Look elsewhere if

• a narrow bedside shelf

+Strengths

• A red-to-yellow dawn, closer to the real thing than the HF3519's yellow
• Seven sounds, two alarms, FM radio
• Midnight light for finding the door

−Limitations

• Sunrise length and lux figure come from the listing, not Philips
• Availability on Amazon was unknown at import

→Good for

• someone who wants the dawn colours and the radio

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone who needs an adjustable sunrise length

+Strengths

• 8 cm with a support layer, enough to change a firm or tired bed
• Removable washable cover, straps and a grippy base

−Limitations

• Needs 48 to 72 hours to expand and air
• No maker page; listing facts only

→Good for

• a firm or worn mattress that needs real softening
• side sleepers with sore hips

↺Look elsewhere if

• someone who sleeps hot and dislikes foam

+Strengths

• 5 cm of memory foam, the deepest comfort layer in this group
• Zip-off washable cover and full-length bands

−Limitations

• Memory foam sleeps warmer than fibre
• No maker page; listing facts only

→Good for

• a hard mattress and a side sleeper
• someone who likes the slow sink of memory foam

↺Look elsewhere if

• a hot sleeper

+Strengths

• Machine washable, the whole topper
• Mesh sides for airflow on a hot sleeper's bed
• Two-year guarantee from a UK maker

−Limitations

• Fibre flattens over time where you lie
• Depth figure is from the listing; Silentnight's pages vary

→Good for

• a firm mattress that needs softening
• a guest bed

↺Look elsewhere if

• a sagging mattress, which needs foam

+Strengths

• Deep fibre layer for a plush feel
• Machine washable and strapped like the 5 cm
• Two-year guarantee

−Limitations

• 10 cm of fibre compresses more over time than foam
• Needs deep fitted sheets
• Depth is the listing's figure

→Good for

• someone who wants a hotel-style plush top
• a very firm mattress

↺Look elsewhere if

• back-pain support, which is a foam job

+Strengths

• Fitted skirt stops it sliding
• Whole thing goes in the washing machine

−Limitations

• 3 cm is too thin to change a firm bed
• No manufacturer specification page; listing facts only

→Good for

• a slightly softer surface and a washable layer

↺Look elsewhere if

• a sagging mattress or back pain

+Strengths

• Cheap, light and washable
• Straps hold it like a fitted protector

−Limitations

• 2.5 cm will not soften or support anything
• All figures from the listing

→Good for

• a mattress protector with a little padding
• a child's bed

↺Look elsewhere if

• anyone shopping for comfort or support