Best iHome Alarm Clocks 2022 – Reviews and Buying Guide

Alarm clocks are making a comeback. That’s right. iHome alarm clocks are bringing back that classic-era bedside table look thanks to their innovative range of nightstand alarm clocks. Talk about infusing a modern twist to an old classic.

These clocks do so much more than just wake you up. Most of them come with a built-in speaker for Bluetooth connectivity, USB charging ports, and pleasant alarm sounds that won’t jolt you out of your slumber and cause you a heart attack in the process.

We tested the best iHome alarm clocks on the market to bring you our top picks for 2022.

 

	IBT29BC iHome Alarm Clock	IW18 iHome Alarm Clock	IBTW41BG TimeBoost iHome Alarm Clock
	Best Overall	Best Compact Option	Best for Wireless Charging
Dimensions	13 x 10.3 x 6.5 in.	5.51 x 4.8 x 2.17 in.	7.49 x 5.16 x 2.05 in.
Weight	1 lb.	12.3 oz.	1.28 lbs.
Color	Black	Black	Black and gray
Battery included	No	No	Yes
	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

How We Tested and Compared These Products

First, they had to look good. We were looking for something that blended seamlessly into virtually any kind of bedroom decor. We were also interested in the features they came with. We gave preference to alarm clocks that had Bluetooth connectivity. That way, we could stream music from any Android or Apple smartphone or any other Bluetooth-compatible device.

We also have a soft spot for alarm clocks that can wake you up to the sound of your favorite FM station. iHome alarm clocks with that feature also made the cut.

A USB stationphone charger was another must-have. No one likes to wake up to their phone battery on empty in the morning, especially if you need to dash out of the house in a few minutes.

Those were the core features that piqued our interest. Any alarm clock that had additional fun and innovative specs, like the ability to change the display color, certainly ranked higher on our list.

Our Pick: IBT29BC iHome Alarm Clock – Best Alarm Clock Overall

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Dimensions: 13 x 10.3 x 6.5 inches
• Weight: 1 lb.
• Shape: Semi-circle
• Color: Black (changeable)
• Battery included: No

First impressions: The iHome IBT29BC is a beauty. Its semi-circular design is unlike any other tabletop alarm clock we have come across. It looks modern and futuristic while still maintaining some classic elements synonymous with traditional alarms.

One of our favorite things about it has to be the translucent changeable color display. Depending on your mood, you can switch between five different LED colors – white, blue, red, sky gradient, and amber – all of which glow in sequence when the alarm goes off. It’s the best sunrise alarm clock in its class, reminiscent of the wildly popular HeimVision sunrise alarm clock.

If you want to dim the brightness, all you have to do is hit the snooze button. You can even get the colors to pulse to your favorite head-bopping jams. On the flip side, if simplicity is your middle name, you can set it to plain old sky gradient when listening to soft music or using it to get up in the morning.

The IBT29BC iHome smart alarm clock supports wireless streaming from Apple, Android, Windows devices, and any other device with Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, you can connect it to your smartphone and use the built-in speaker and microphone to answer and end calls.

We especially like the digital voice echo cancellation feature that dramatically improves the quality of your calls. It eliminates that annoying feedback you get when you connect your phone to a conventional Bluetooth alarm clock speaker.

As far as the actual alarm goes, you can set it to wake and sleep to FM radio if you’d rather listen to your favorite radio station. Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth audio on your smartphone or use any of the pleasant built-in alarm tone options. The sound quality you get from this Bluetooth speaker is nothing short of phenomenal.

All in all, we were pretty impressed with the IBT29BC iHome Bluetooth alarm clock. For the price, it delivers excellent value.

 

Best Alternatives

IW18 iHome Alarm Clock – Best Compact Option

 

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Dimensions:51 x 4.8 x 2.17 inches
• Weight: 3 oz.
• Shape: Rectangular
• Color: Black
• Batteries included: No

As far as adding a modern twist to an old classic goes, it doesn’t get any better than the IW18 iHome alarm clock. Its minimalist design looks clean and futuristic and is a little reminiscent of a folded smartphone. The fact that it is also a tabletop alarm clock combines the best of both worlds.

Our favorite thing about it is no doubt all the features it comes with. It is one of the very few alarm clocks on the market that supports wireless charging. If you have the new generation iPhones and Samsung Galaxy and devices like smartwatches, Airpods, Galaxy Buds, or any other brand of wireless headphones, this is the alarm clock you need to get.

The IW18 also comes with dual alarm clock capability. This means that if you prefer to sleep in on the weekends and not wake up as early as you usually do during the weekdays, you can set multiple alarms without having to get an entirely different device.

This iHome alarm clock has adjustable brightness control to change the level of brightness between low and high or turn it off altogether, depending on your light sensitivity and comfort level.

On the downside, this particular clock doesn’t come with a wireless streaming feature. Unlike the IBT29BC, it doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to play audio from your smartphone. It’s a basic alarm clock designed to get you up and keep your mobile devices charged. That’s it.

If you’re looking to eliminate all forms of distraction from your morning routine, the IW18 iHome alarm clock might be just what the doctor ordered.

 

IBTW41BG TimeBoost iHome Alarm Clock – Best for Qi Wireless Charging

 

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Dimensions:49 x 5.16 x 2.05 inches
• Weight: 28 lbs.
• Shape: Flat oval
• Color: Black and gray
• Batteries included: Yes

Everything about the IBTW41BG iHome TimeBoost alarm clock has been designed for convenience and functionality. It just makes sense in every way.

For one thing, we like that it supports dual USB charging, meaning you can charge two mobile devices at a go. That’s something you don’t often come across with tabletop alarm clocks. We especially like the built-in Qi-certified wireless charging feature. You can juice up your new generation iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, as well as charge your Apple Watch, Android smartwatch, Airpods, and any other kind of wireless headphones.

The IBTW41BG also comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker. You can stream all your favorite tunes wirelessly or listen to your favorite podcast or bedtime white noise, right before you hit the sack. We particularly like the auto-dimming sensor that dims the digital display based on the level of lighting present in the room. We thought this was quite a nifty little feature since most of the other alarm clocks we tested required us to manually adjust the backlight, which can get pretty old after a while.

We also like how stylish and compact the TimeBoost alarm clock is. It matches just about any bedroom decor you have. Its gunmetal finish blends seamlessly with whatever paint color you have on your walls or nightstand.

While we would have liked it to come with FM radio, its lack was not a deal-breaker since we could still stream our favorite audio content. The sound quality was also remarkably good for a Bluetooth speaker in an alarm clock. The foreign object detection capability was also a nice touch.

All in all, for the price, this alarm clock is hands-down the best in its class.

IBT235W iHome Alarm Clock – Best Classic-Looking Option

 

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Dimensions:61 x 3.19 x 4.81 inches
• Weight: 32 lbs.
• Shape: Circular classic
• Color: White
• Batteries included: No

What can we say – the classics make us weak in the knees. The IBT235W iHome is one of the best classic-looking tabletop alarm clocks we’ve come across. It looks like a traditional twin bell clock, but with a modern twist worthy of the digital age we live in.

It comes with dual alarm capability, allowing you to set different wake times depending on your weekday or weekend schedule. We also like the fact that it comes with a battery backup feature that guarantees power supply in case of an electrical fault of some kind.

The IBT235W has two USB charging ports to charge two devices simultaneously. It also comes with a dimmable backlight display that lets you adjust the brightness by three levels. The IBT235W alarm clock has a speaker with Bluetooth connectivity through which you can stream your favorite audio content wirelessly from your smartphone.

All in all, if functionality and reliability are what you’re looking for in a tabletop digital alarm clock, you will like what the IBT235W has to offer.

 

How to Choose the Best iHome Alarm Clock – Buying Guide

 

iHome alarm clock (Image courtesy of Amazon)

We’ll start by saying this – if you’re looking to buy a digital alarm clock, you can’t go wrong with the iHome range of products. The fact that they are made by a company that has more than six decades’ worth of innovation and experience in consumer electronics is the stamp of approval you need to know that you are dealing with quality products.

That said, when choosing the best iHome alarm clock, it all comes down to the features. Whether you’re looking to buy the iHome IBT, iHome IBTW, or iHome IW range of clocks, the choice of one over the other all comes down to the specific must-have features you need. Here’s an overview of the main ones to keep an eye out for.

Charging Capability

The first question you need to ask yourself is: How many devices would I like to charge at a go? If you just have one mobile device, then an alarm clock with a single USB port will suffice. On the other hand, if you need to charge multiple devices, it helps to get a clock with two USB ports.

If you have the new generation iPhone or Samsung Galaxy smartphone, it might be a good idea to get an iHome alarm clock that supports Qi-certified wireless charging. That way, you can charge your phone or any other wireless device you might have, including Airpods, Galaxy Buds, or a smartwatch.

Dual Alarm System

Do you have a different waking time on the weekends compared to the usual time you get up during weekdays? If that’s the case, you need to ensure the alarm clock you get comes with a dual alarm system.

Rather than having to manually set different wake-up times for the different days of the week, you can simply program them into the clock. There’s nothing worse than your alarm going off in the wee hours of the morning on a weekend when you would have preferred to sleep in.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Again, it is all a matter of preference. Some people like to stream audio content wirelessly from their smartphone through their clock’s built-in speaker. If Bluetooth connectivity is a must-have for you, ensure the alarm clock you get supports wireless connectivity.

FM Radio

iHome alarm clocks come with a built-in FM clock radio that wakes you up to your favorite station in the morning. It’s a little old school, but it works, especially if you cringe at the thought of waking up to a generic alarm tone. This is a feature you need to look out for when choosing the best digital alarm clock for your bedside stand.

Preset Alarm Tones

Speaking of generic alarm tones, most iHome clocks come with built-in preset tones. Some are loud and punchy, which makes them ideal for any heavy sleeper, while others are more soothing and pleasant for those who prefer a subtle nudge to get up in the morning. Ensure you get a clock that fits your waking preferences.

Ambient Lighting

Some clocks like the IBT29BC iHome come with an ambient mood lighting display or a sunrise feature if sunrise alarm clocks are your jam. This is a nifty little feature to have if you want your alarm clock to match your bedroom’s color scheme. Additionally, you also want to check that the clock you get comes with a dimmable display, especially if you are sensitive to bright light at night.

FAQ

Who makes iHome alarm clocks?

In 2005, SDI technologies created iHome as its premier flagship brand. Before the company diversified to other types of consumer electronics, their iPod docking clock radio was the fastest-selling Apple accessory at the time. Their alarm clocks are undoubtedly the most popular bedroom electronics on the market right now, if the recent Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are anything to go by.

Are iHome alarm clocks any good?

Yes, they are. They give you some of the advanced capabilities you get from higher-end smart devices like Alexa and Google Home at a fraction of the cost. They’re durable and of high quality. We know several people who’ve had the same iHome alarm clock for 10+ years.

How much does an iHome clock cost?

It costs anywhere between $30 and $70, depending on the specific features it comes with. A basic clock with an alarm and USB charging ports will be on the lower end of the price spectrum, compared to those that come with Bluetooth speakers, wireless streaming capability, and FM radio combined.

Conclusion

All in all, any of the iHome alarm clocks we’ve reviewed in this guide would be an excellent addition to your nightstand. If we had to pick one, though, it would undoubtedly be the IBT29BC iHome. The features it comes with are best-in-class for the price.