Credits: Social Media
I tried the best and worst of iPhone alarms and there is a clear winner
After science named the best and worst iPhone alarms out there, I just had to put them to the test against my stubborn sleep inertia.
Waking up, in theory, has never been easier. Currently, there are dozens of alarms already loaded on your phone with the added possibility of downloading or buying more. Thanks to social media, countless hacks, tips, and tricks give even the most sleep-deprived a range of choices.
It is well documented that our bodies need between seven and nine hours of shut-eye a night. Though this can be easier said than done, there are things we can do to maximize success and gain those much-needed zs.
Sleep and I have a complicated relationship. Though I admit to dropping the ball on the lifestyle side of things, sometimes scrolling on TikTok when I should be sleeping, a healthy sleeping pattern is something I have always struggled to obtain. The snooze button and I are on great terms.
The science behind good iPhone alarms
A Startle report from the beginning of the year outlined the many aspects of what makes an alarm successful. They found that some iPhone alarms had melodic rhythms that could counteract sleep inertia, which is described as that groggy feeling you get when first waking up.
In their research, the team discovered that successful alarm tones required an easily hummable melody, a dominant frequency around 500 Hz or in the key of C5, and an ideal speed of 100-120bpm. As such, they laid out the top five best and worst iPhone alarms to start your day.
The best of the iPhone alarms was Sencha
As expected, I had the best experience with Sencha thanks to its easy melody, 500hz frequency, and 110 bpm speed. The rhythmic chimes were enough to get me alert without inducing the panic of the alarm that shall not be named. Sencha is now my standard alarm tone and one that I have continued to gravitate towards.
“The Sencha alarm on the iPhone is perfect for quick and stress-free waking up,” Joel Smith, an audio expert and founder of AllAxess.com, told us. “The Sencha tone is melodic and softer than the default iPhone alarm.”
He added: “With the Sencha sound, you wake up feeling refreshed instead of frazzled. Your brain has time to transition naturally from sleep mode to wake mode without the crazy adrenaline rush. By the time Sencha’s gentle tones get you fully awake, you’re already in a more relaxed state of mind – ready to start your day.”
In the second place, Id have to rank Uplift. This elevator-style music was calming but still powerful enough to force me awake.
Despite being one of Startles top performers, Constellation was a little too close to comfort with the iPhones standard ringtone. Similarly, Slow Rise had the desired effect but I couldnt get past the idea that it sounded like creepy jack-in-the-box music.
The worst was Radar
Unfortunately, for every shining alarm sound I found, I was scarred by the plethora of terrible tones you could choose from.
Radar, one of the iPhone pre-loaded alarms, was rated one of the worst in Startles study due to its tendency to jolt you awake and leave you with sleep inertia.
“The typical alarm is rough because it blasts a very loud, sharp sound right away before your brain is ready,” Joel explained. “It’s literally designed to startle you awake by disrupting your sleep cycle. Waking up to that can make you feel frazzled, leading to your body going into fight or flight mode and releasing all the stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.”
After years of using Radar, the mere sound of it sparks waves of anxiety. Im not the only one either as many people have complained on social media that Radar is a crime against humanity.
The Beacon, Chimes, and Presto iPhone alarms were equally traumatic largely due to their short bursts of intense sound.
Of the bad bunch, Signal was the only alarm that didnt result in that wave of anxiety or instant rage. However, its worth mentioning that the long gap between the sounds could pose an issue if youre prone to falling back asleep quickly.
