The Basics: Clock Radios

Clock radios are among the few consumer electronics items where attention to styling makes a significant difference, as you'll spend a lot of time looking at your final decision. However, before purchasing a new clock radio based solely on looks, you should really decide how you plan to use it. Is this going to be a glorified alarm clock, or will it become the single source of audio in the bedroom?

If you intend to listen to your clock radio every morning while getting ready for work, you should consider what you prefer to listen to. Many clock radios are available with a built-in CD player, so you can always wake to a favorite song. Talk radio, classical music, or rock and roll will affect what type of clock radio you should purchase. Typically, sound quality is directly related to the size of the speakers. Obviously, make sure the clock display is one that is satisfactory to you. It should be large and bright enough for you to read without fumbling for your glasses, but not bright enough to keep you up at night.

You'll want to make sure to buy from a store with a reasonable return policy. There would be nothing worse than a radio that worked fine in the store, but when it's placed on your nightstand cannot pick up the only radio station you want to listen to.

How to Shop

Clock radios have a unique set of features to consider. Even single people might want to look for a dual alarm clock--one setting for your every-day wakeup call, and one for either weekends or an early meeting. Preset memory for the radio stations is a nice feature as well--one station set to catch the day's weather forecast and traffic updates, and then with a touch of a button switch to your favorite music station. Some clock radios have adjustable light controls to dim or brighten the display.

Other desirable features include automatic display dimming when you turn out the light. (Most people don't want their clock radio to double as a nightlight.) Bidirectional alarm/clock set buttons save time and frustration. If you zip past the desired setting you don't have to scroll through 24 hours to return to the right spot. Unfortunately, this feature usually shows up only on more expensive models.

We consider a battery backup essential to keep the clock circuitry running and sound the wake-up alarm should there be a power failure during the night. The backup doesn't need to keep the clock display illuminated, but it should prevent you from oversleeping or having to reset the clock. A pleasing feature on more expensive models gradually increases the volume to your chosen level when the alarm is activated. Other high-end clocks have a feature that recognizes days of the week, so the alarm doesn't go off on weekends, only workday mornings.

Clock radios are usually a commodity product, and unless you desire specific features and abilities, they should be purchased by price. Clock radios seem to have an exceptionally long life span, although they can be prone to premature death. Most are destroyed by being knocked off the nightstand or by electrical surges from lightning strikes.