Not every alarm clock is created equal. Heavy sleepers know how easy it is to snooze through the overly genteel alarms on your phone. For people who can’t get out of bed without a bigger jolt, extreme alarms have popped up in recent years—from relatively simple puzzle-alarm phone apps to alarms on wheels to alarms that shake the bed. Not only are these an innovative way to get chronic snoozers out of bed, but they can be great for those who are hard of hearing, utilizing different frequencies and pitches as well as movement through vibration.
I’m a very heavy sleeper, so I tried one of these nontraditional extreme alarm clocks every day for a full week (at least). I chose the extreme alarms that were the most rated or reviewed online, found most often on online retailers like Amazon and in the app store, and tried to get a versatile range of options that focused on different areas, whether it be sound or activity.
While I can say that they worked better at getting me out and helping me stay out of bed, most mornings I woke up with anxiety like I was being hunted for sport. Be forewarned that some of these extreme alarm clocks are not for the faint of heart.
Check out our other sleep guides, including Best Sunrise Alarms, Sleep Trackers, Best Mattresses, and Best Pillows.
Updated November 2025: We've added the Lasso Alarm Clock and updated prices and links throughout.