If you like to know the exact time, all the time, and hate re-setting your clocks for daylight saving time, an atomic clock will help keep you on top of your schedule. The best atomic alarm clocks are synchronized to the NIST station in Colorado and have your local time zone setting so you’ll never be uncertain about the time again.
At-home atomic clocks are very precise, but they are also not technically atomic clocks. Genuine atomic clocks use atom frequencies to determine time, while atomic clocks for your home use radio signals to synchronize to a real atomic clock. In the U.S., these home atomic clocks are synchronized to The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s station in Colorado, which is the American government’s official time. While atomic clocks automatically set and adjust to daylight savings, they still must be set to a specific time zone.
Most atomic clocks sold in the U.S. have every American time zone setting, but it’s good to double check before buying one. You’ll also want to consider what other features you need in an alarm clock in general. You may want a snooze button or multiple alarm settings if you like to sleep in, or date and day of the week settings to help you keep track of time in a broader sense. Some options have internal and external temperature readings, which are transmitted through wireless sensors, and USB charging capability can be another convenient feature. Some alarm clocks also have automatic backlights that adjust to the room’s lighting, while others have manual backlights.
Atomic clocks come in both battery-powered and plug-in designs. Plug-in designs don’t need to have their batteries replaced, but battery-powered clocks work through power outages and can travel, so both have their benefits.
If you want to know the exact time, all the time, here are four of the best atomic alarm clocks that you can buy on Amazon.
1. The Best Overall
- Size: 4.3 x 6 inches
- Time zones: 6
You can set alarms for weekdays and weekends with this dual-alarm atomic clock, which displays the alarm settings as well as the date, day of the week, and year. The different colors on the display help you get a good reading at a glance, and the internal temperature reading helps you dress for the day. This plug-in clock has a battery backup, as well as a snooze button and a USB port to charge your compatible devices.
One fan raved: “The clock set itself within a minute or two when I plugged it in and has been working very well since then. Another alarm clock in our house is not working well, and I will be buying another one of these.”
2. The Best With A Wall Mount
- Size: 5 x 6.45 inches
- Time zones: 7
This large atomic alarm clock can either be set on a tabletop or hung on your wall with the included mount. This battery-powered alarm clock requires three AAA batteries (which are not included), and it has a backlight that can be turned on for five seconds at a time by pressing the “snooze” button. This clock shows the date, day of the week, and indoor temperature, and has an icon that indicates when the alarm is set.
One fan raved: “What a deal, I just put in batteries, selected the timezone, and left it a few hours …….
Source: https://www.bustle.com/life/best-atomic-alarm-clocks