Buffbee vs Hatch Restore 3: Is the $25 Sunrise Alarm Worth It Over the $170 Smart Clock?
Sunrise alarm clocks have blown up over the past couple years, and for good reason — waking up to gradually increasing light beats the hell out of a blaring phone alarm. But the price range is wild. The Buffbee costs about $25. The Hatch Restore 3 runs around $170. That’s a 7x price difference for what seems like the same basic idea: a light that wakes you up slowly.
So we tested both. Used the Buffbee for two weeks, then the Hatch Restore 3 for two weeks, same bedroom, same schedule. Here’s what actually matters when you’re picking between them.
Buffbee Alarm Clock
Hatch Restore 3
| Feature | Buffbee | Hatch Restore 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Simulation | 10-60 min, 7 colors | Custom gradients via app, more natural spectrum |
| Sound Library | 7 built-in sounds | Hundreds via app (subscription adds more) |
| Night Light | 7 colors, adjustable brightness, always free | App-controlled scenes, full library needs subscription |
| App Control | None — buttons only | Full iOS/Android app with routines |
| Smart Home | None | Works with Alexa and Google Home |
| Dual Alarm | Yes — two independent alarms built in | Yes, via app |
| Display | LED clock face with dimmer | No visible clock — time only in app |
| Subscription | None needed, ever | $4.99/mo for full sound/scene library |
| Build Quality | Plastic, lightweight but solid | Premium matte finish, heavier, feels high-end |
| Setup | Plug in, set time, done in 2 minutes | Download app, create account, pair Bluetooth, configure |
| Price | ~$25 | ~$170 + optional $4.99/mo |
Buffbee Alarm Clock: Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Under $25 — basically impulse-buy territory for a sunrise alarm
- Dead simple setup with physical buttons, no app or account needed
- LED clock display that dims at night (the Hatch doesn’t show time at all)
- 7-color night light works great for kids’ rooms or hallway lighting
- Dual independent alarms for couples with different schedules
Worth Knowing
- Only 7 sounds — you’ll memorize them all within a week
- Sunrise light doesn’t fade as smoothly as the Hatch’s gradient
- No app means no sleep routines or wind-down automation
- Plastic build feels like what it costs
Hatch Restore 3: Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Sunrise simulation is noticeably more natural — gradual warm-to-bright gradient
- Huge sound library with rain, ocean, fan noise, and guided meditations
- Wind-down routines that dim lights and play calming audio on a schedule
- Smart home integration lets you trigger it with voice commands
- Premium build quality — looks good on a nightstand
Worth Knowing
- $170 upfront, and the best content requires a $4.99/mo subscription
- No clock display — you have to check your phone for the time, which defeats the purpose
- Setup takes 15+ minutes between app download, account creation, and Bluetooth pairing
- Occasional Bluetooth connection drops reported by users
Who Should Buy Which?
Get the Buffbee if: You want a sunrise alarm that just works, you don’t care about app control, and you’d rather spend $25 than $170 on something that sits on your nightstand. It’s also the better pick for kids’ rooms — the night light colors are a hit, and there’s nothing to break or misconfigure.
Get the Hatch Restore 3 if: You want the full bedtime-to-morning routine automated — wind-down sounds, gradual light dimming, custom sunrise sequences, and smart home triggers. The subscription stings, but if you actually use the sleep routines nightly, it’s a different category of product than the Buffbee.
Skip both if: You already sleep well and wake up fine. Not everyone needs a sunrise alarm. If your phone alarm works, save your money.
The Bottom Line
The Buffbee does the core job — sunrise wake-up, night light, dual alarm — for $25 with zero ongoing costs. The Hatch Restore 3 is the better device by every measure except price and simplicity. Most people should start with the Buffbee. If you find yourself wanting app routines and a bigger sound library after a month, then upgrade to the Hatch knowing you’ll actually use those features.
Read our full reviews: Buffbee Alarm Clock Review | Hatch Restore 3 Review
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