The Ultimate Guide to Your New Favorite Wake-Up Routine
The new Hatch alarm clock, the Hatch Restore 3 alarm clock has been making waves online, and for good reasons. As someone who has struggled with sleep schedules and waking up early, I was intrigued by its promises of better sleep, reduced screen time, and an overall improved morning routine.
After spending time with the Hatch Restore 3, I’m here to share my personal experience, insights, and whether this TikTok-viral gadget is worth the hype.
First Impressions
When the Hatch Restore 3 arrived, I was immediately impressed with its sleek design. It comes in three neutral colors: Putty (an ivory shade), Greige (a light beige), and Cocoa (a brown shade), which blend seamlessly with any bedroom décor. From my point of view, it is the most aesthetically pleasing sunrise alarm clock. The half-moon shape adds a modern touch, making it a stylish addition to my nightstand.
Unboxing and Setup
Setting up the Restore 3 was relatively straightforward but required some patience. The package includes the alarm clock, a matching cord, and a short instruction manual. To get started, you need to download the Hatch Sleep app and follow the prompts to connect the device to your phone’s Bluetooth and your home Wi-Fi. While the app guides you through the setup, it took me about an hour, most of which was waiting for the clock to connect.
Features and Functionality
Once the setup was complete, I delved into the myriad features of the Hatch Restore 3. The device is designed to help you unwind in the evenings and wake up gently using a combination of soothing lights and sounds. Here’s a breakdown of the main features:
Wide Range of Lights and Sounds
The Hatch Restore 3 offers a broad spectrum of light colours, from warm hues to cool tones, and even changing colour like the aurora, which can be adjusted to suit your mood and preference. The sound library is equally impressive, with options ranging from white noise, nature sounds, and meditative melodies to podcasts, music, nature sound and even bedtime stories for your to drift into sleep.
Customizable Routines
One of the standout features is the ability to create personalized morning and evening routines. The app’s content library and routine are divided into five sections:
- Cue: Sound and light combinations to signal when it’s time to start winding down in the evening.
- Unwind: Podcasts, meditations, and music to help you relax as you get into bed with the choice of your colour of light and brightness setting.
- Sleep: Soothing background noise to aid in drifting off to sleep (my favourite is the singing bowls and ocean waves).
- Alarms: Gradually brightening lights and energizing or soothing sounds to wake you up gently. In the app, you can adjust the brightness of light, you can try and test which brightness percentage is enough to wake you up gradually. My favourite sounds in the morning are bird chirping and singing bowls. Comparing to the traditional loud and too “energetic” alarm sound, it gives me a more peaceful and resting experience to wake up.
- Wake: Apart from the unwind routine, you can have a morning routine with the Hatch Restore 3, with motivational mantras, meditations, and music to kickstart your day.
User-Friendly Design
The Restore 3 is minimalist in design, comparing to the Restore 2, it features a large knob on top to control volume and can pause any bedtime routine (e.g. meditations / music) without needing your phone. Another button on the side provides quick access to the night light function, perfect for using it as a bedside lamp for reading or those late-night trips to the bathroom, this is a good improvement from the Restore 2, since you have to use the app to activate the night light function. Despite needing to be plugged in, the matching cord ensures it doesn’t stand out, which gives it a clean look and a clutter-free bedroom, which is one of the tips for a better sleep. Check out our post on how to make your bedroom a sleep-conducive environment.
Performance and User Experience
Using the Hatch Restore 3 has been a game-changer for my sleep routine. Here’s a rundown of my experience:
Morning and Evening Routines
Creating routines in the app was initially overwhelming due to the sheer number of options. However, the ability to preview each sound and light combination allowed me to tailor my routines precisely to my liking. I found that committing to the Unwind, Sleep, and Wake system made a significant difference in my sleep quality and morning mood.
Body Circadian Rhythm
What I appreciate most about the sunrise alarm clock is its ability to mimic both sunrises and sunsets. These changing lights help align our circadian rhythm with natural patterns, thereby enhancing sleep quality. Circadian rhythm is our body’s natural 24-hour clock, which runs in the background of your brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. It’s the reason you feel awake or sleepy around the same times every day. The gradual illumination simulating sunrise effectively wakes me up, and after some time using it, I often find myself awake before the alarm sound due to the “sunrise” effect.
Reduced Screen Time
One of the major benefits of the Restore 3 is its ability to curb screen time before bed. Previously, my bedtime routine involved scrolling through social media, but the soothing lights and sounds of the Hatch have helped me transition to a more tech-free environment and even doing a meditation before bed without access to my phone to reduce my screen time before bed. Waking up to gentle light and nature sounds is far more pleasant than the jarring chimes of my old phone alarm.
App Functionality
While the app offers a vast library of content, it isn’t without its flaws. During my month of testing, it crashed twice, rendering the clock unusable until I could reconnect. Despite this hiccup, the overall functionality of the app is impressive, and Hatch customer support assured me they are working on a fix for the bug.
Subscription Model
The Hatch Sleep app can be used for free with limited access to sounds and lights. However, for $5 a month, you can unlock the entire content library, which I highly recommend. The subscription allows you to customised your routine with more features, provides access to a diverse range of light options and content, including seasonal offerings, more sound choices, and celebrity collaborations, making it worth the additional cost.
Comparison with Hatch Restore 2
If you’re wondering whether to upgrade from the Restore 2, here’s a brief comparison:
Restore 2 vs. Restore 3
Both models are priced at $170 and offer similar features, but the Restore 3 provides more buttons for phone-free use and a broader range of relaxing options. Aesthetically, they are similar too. If you already own the Restore 2, there’s no rush to upgrade unless your old model stops working.
Conclusion
The Hatch Restore 3 is an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve their sleep and morning routine. While it’s not a magic fix, it provides the tools needed to make gradual changes that can lead to better sleep habits over time. The sleek design, customizable routines, and extensive content library make it a standout choice in the world of alarm clocks and sound machines.
Final Thoughts
If you are someone who struggles with consistent sleep patterns, the Hatch Restore 3 could be the perfect addition to your bedtime arsenal. Its ability to reduce screen time, coupled with the gentle wake-up experience, has made a noticeable difference in my mornings. Whether you decide to subscribe to the Hatch Sleep app or stick with the free version, the Restore 3 offers plenty of value for its price.
Rating and Availability
Overall, I give the Hatch Restore 3 an 8/10. It’s available for $170 on Amazon. When you purchase through these links, you may also contribute to supporting my blog through affiliate commissions.
Takeaway
Change your mornings for the better with the Hatch Restore 3. Commit to the Unwind, Sleep, and Wake cycles, and you might find yourself waking up a few minutes before your alarm, ready to take on the day.
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