Kayla Young
The Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock provides a low-cost, effective option for people who would like to try a dawn simulating alarm clock without breaking the bank. It is space and energy-efficient, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. This makes it a very good choice for people who would like to try this type of alarm clock without making a huge investment.
However, it isn’t as high quality as some of the more high-end sunrise simulators. In this Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock Review, we’ll look at whether or not this clock is worth buying.
We’ll start with a look at Sunrise Simulation, and how it works. We’ll then dig into how well the Mosche does at simulating the sunrise.
Contents
Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock Review
No products found.The Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock is set up to meet the needs of people who are trying to adjust their zeitgeber. What is a zeitgeber? You might justifiably ask because it isn’t a word that is common in most people’s vocabulary. According to Merriam Webster online dictionary, it comes from two German words, zeit or time, and geber or giver, so it literally means “time giver”.
In a more user-friendly frame, it refers to the circadian rhythm, especially those affecting sleep cycles and personal energy. Using the sunrise alarm clock, in essence, it gives the user time by making it easier to get up in the morning. Not only that, the theory is that the user is will feel more rested and have more energy for the day.
Circadian Rhythms and Sunrise
Multiple studies have indicated that using a slow light cycle that simulates the gentle increase of light that occurs thanks to sunrise encourages a slow, natural wake-up. The reason the process works is because sunset or darkness encourages human systems to produce melatonin, the hormone that signals sleepiness.
The gradual increase of light promotes production of serotonin, one of the feel-good, stimulant hormones. Suddenly turning on a light shocks the system, and does not have the same affect as the gradual light increase. In fact, there is some indication that waking up to a blaring alarm and sudden transition from dark to light can jangle ones nerves and increase the likelihood of a grumpy morning.
By contrast, slowly bringing up the light in your room allows you to wake up naturally. Add birdsong or other nature sounds or gentle chimes for a just-in-case back-up.
Sunrise Simulators
The use of sunrise simulation as part of a wake-up cycle isn’t new technology. The first patent for a “mechanical sunrise” was filed in 1890. However, the original setups were large, involved several lights and timers. Fortunately, modern solutions, such as the Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock, are a lot smaller and more manageable. While not the most advanced type of mechanized sunrise, it is reasonably priced for those who are not sure whether they will like it or not. It perhaps a step down from the best dawn simulator alarm clocks, but it still works well.
Color Temperature and Dawn
When the sun rises, the color it gives off is strongly red/orange in color. As it rises, the color turns to a daylight tone, with much more blue light mixed in.
Most of the higher-end sunrise simulator clocks, such as the Philips HF3520 have a color-temperature changing feature. When the light comes on, it’s very red in cast, just like the sunrise. And as the light increases, it becomes bluer and “daylight” in its temperature. The Mosche doesn’t have this feature, and works more like a regular dimmer than a color-changing sunrise simulator.
Many people find the color temperature changing feature to be one of the most important aspects to the dawn simulation, and one that significantly improves their wake-up process. However, clocks featuring this design are generally much more expensive. This is how Mosche, like some of the other cheaper competition, keeps its price down.
Sound Simulation
For those who truly have a hard time waking up, the gradual wake-up light can be followed up by birdsong, chimes, or an insistent beeping. If you need background sounds to drown out ambient outdoor sounds, such as ambulances, sirens or trains, there is an FM radio connection that will allow you to tune in a station that plays your favorite sleepy-time music.
The Power of Dawn Simulating Alarms
According to an article by James Phelps, MD, published in the Psychiatric Times, for some people with unipolar depression, the sunrise clock can be an acceptable substitute for a lightbox when treating seasonal effectiveness disorder. Apparently, enough light can be absorbed through the closed eyelids to substitute for sitting for thirty minutes in front of a light box.
Not everyone has a sleep cycle that coincides with the sun. Some people seem to come to life sometime after 6:00 Pm, and some people don’t seem to get sleepy until around 3:00. Unfortunately, work schedules often require people to work at times that are different from their preferred time to sleep.
Add a brief physical workout and a brisk shower to your natural light wake-up, and you might find that you have more energy than you ever obtained from your favorite morning caffeinated beverage. Responses, of course, are highly individualized.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work for everyone. But for individuals for whom is does work, it can, indeed, be a gift of time.
After all, who would not like to wake up feeling rested, energetic and ready to greet the day with a smile? Very few would say no to this. Unfortunately, light and wake up time are only two of our personal zeitgebers. Other factors include number of sleep hours, natural preferred sleep cycle, and general physical condition.
That’s where the sunrise clock like the Mosche might help. Used over time, the gradual awakening helps the users metabolism to gently adjust to different waking times. In theory, at least, people who are well-rested are more alert and make better decisions than those who are feeling jet lagged and short of sleep.
Mosche Key Features at a Glance
- Choice of seven different colors for wakeup (does not morph color)
- Option for a night light
- Maximum brightness of 80 lux
- Choice of FM radio or six nature wake-up sounds
- Powered via USB or direct wall plugin
- AAA battery option (for if the power goes out – light not available in this mode.)
- 10 adjustable brightness settings
- Lower cost than most sunrise alarm clocks
- 1-year Warranty
Dimensions and Specs
- 1 wake-up light
- 1 USB Cable
- 5V Adapter
- LED central display screen
- 8 Oms, 2 Watts Speaker
- User manual
- 6.7 x 4.7 x 6.7 inches
- 12.8 ounces
The Details
The Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock is a sleek, modern appliance that can easily fit on any nightstand. It has a central LED display, surrounded by the light. There are control buttons on top, and control spots at the bottom of the LED screen.
In general, the aesthetics are pretty good. They are certainly a cheaper copy of the higher-end Philips devices, but they look pretty good as is.
No products found.To operate it, set the sunrise light function to begin about twenty minutes before your regular wake up time. If you are afraid that you will not wake up to the light, you can set an actual alarm. You can select nature sounds, FM radio, or standard alarm sounds.
Some interesting details include that if you use the touch function, you need to maintain the touch for more than one second. You should not press more than one button at a time. To set sound level, you might need to cycle through the range of sound level settings.
How Well Does the Mosche Sunrise Simulator Work?
Although not perfect, the Mosche Sunrise Alarm Clock offers and low-cost alternative to higher-priced mechanical sunrise options. It puts this comforting appliance within the price range of the average person, and just might improve personal productivity and happiness by giving a better start to your day.
In some cases, it might even be helpful in relieving symptoms of seasonal depression due to shortened daylight hours.
No products found.With flexible ways to power the clock, and the ability to simply use the Mosche as an alarm clock or a radio, it provides an aesthetically pleasing way to try mechanical sunrise therapy.
Just keep in mind that the Mosche will change color, but it won’t morph color temperature to simulate the dawn color. Many Wake-Up Light users (including me!) feel that this color-changing function is the most important part of the simulation, and it is worth spending a bit more on a wake-up light that does have this function, such as the Philips HF3520.
The Bottom Line
Most users report that they are pleased with the product, although it does not work for everyone. Some people would like more flexibility in the settings, and certainly the lack of color-temperature change makes it far less compelling than some of the higher-end dawn simulators made by Philips.
That said, the Mosche provides a low-cost option for people who would like to try a mechanical sunrise wake up without breaking the bank.
While not it might not work for everyone, there are those who have found them to be helpful with setting the tone for a having a better day.
No products found.
