Skip to main content

Here comes the sun (-light lamp that will make getting out of bed less agonizing)

philips wake light hf3500 60 u1p global 001 highres
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Having trouble waking up in the morning? It could be because you’re not getting enough light. It’s a common problem for anyone with a bedroom that doesn’t have a lot of lighting. 

Like me. I sleep in a dungeon. I mean, not like a literal medieval dungeon with stone floors and iron shackles affixed to the walls, but my bedroom happens to be in a basement without windows, so it feels like a dungeon sometimes. It’s great for lazy weekends when I don’t need to wake up until the late afternoon, but during the week when I’ve got to get out of bed at a reasonable hour, it’s a nightmare.

Not being able to see the sun’s cycle really messes with your head. Literally. Lack of light can have a profound effect on your brain chemistry. When no light enters your eyeballs, your pineal gland produces a chemical called melatonin – a hormone that causes you to become sleepy. This is why it’s sometimes hard to keep yourself from nodding out in dark concert halls and movie theaters. Low light levels trick your brain into thinking it’s time to pass out.

Conversely, when certain wavelengths of light hit your eyes, your brain temporarily halts the production of melatonin, leaving you feeling slightly more energized and alert. Even just a small amount of light bleeding through your closed eyelids can provide a significant energy boost in the morning.  

Philips Wake-up light makes use of this phenomenon by incorporating a soft-glow, variable-intensity light into an alarm clock. Rather than firing off a horrible, jarring klaxon to wake you up in the morning, the light flicks on and gradually grows brighter over time, eventually reaching full intensity and sounding an audible alarm when it’s time for you to rise and shine. 

The idea of a light-based alarm definitely isn’t new. This latest light is actually just a fresh, modern redesign on Philips’ original Wake-up light – but it also comes with a few new features. In addition to a slimmer, more night-stand-friendly form factor, the new light has more intuitive controls  and a new tap-to-snooze function.

The new light retails for $70 at Philips.com.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit and Blinds Collection join the Matter lineup
The Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit being installed.

Eve is a prominent name in the smart home world, with the company responsible for a variety of devices covering everything from smart plugs and security cameras to smart light switches and motion sensors. Its catalog is growing even more enticing today, with the Eve Blinds Collection and MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit gaining Matter support.

The MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit will likely appeal to more customers, as it costs just $200 and works with most existing setups. Installation is as simple as removing your shades, placing the MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit through the roller rod, then reinstalling the unit on your windows. Blinds with a roller between 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches are compatible with the upgrade kit.

Read more
Philips Hue lights have a rare discount, but there’s a catch
A TV with ambient backlighting from Philips Hue.

One of the cool things about Philips Hue lighting is how much freedom it gives you over creating the perfect ambiance in your home. One of the cool things about buying Philips Hue products over at Best Buy right now is how much freedom Best Buy is giving you over what you buy to save money. Right now, when you buy two or more select Philips Hue smart lighting product in Best Buy's offer builder, you can save 15%. Tap the button below to start building your own bundle and see all of the products available. While they don't include the best smart light bulbs that Philips produces, you'll be amazed by the versatility of the lightstrips. Or keep reading for an overview of some of the top picks from the bundle.

What you should purchase from the Philips Hue offer builder
The place to start with this deal is the and the if you don't already have them. These are the devices that take your movies, music, and games and syncs them to your lights.

Read more
Samsung’s futuristic Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum is $400 off
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum cleaning the floor.

For families who need a lot of help in keeping their floors spotless, the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ is an investment that you'll want to make. It's pretty expensive at its original price of $1,300, but a $400 discount from Samsung pulls it down to $900. It's still not cheap, but this futuristic robot vacuum could be the only device that you need to keep dirt, debris, and pet hair away from your sight. You're going to have to complete your purchase for it as soon as possible though, as there's no telling when the offer expires.

Why you should buy the Samsung Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum
The Samsung Jet Bot AI+ checks all the boxes in the features that are recommended by our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum. It's equipped with powerful sensors and object recognition technology that allows it to avoid furniture when it's cleaning your floors, while LiDAR technology allows it to create accurate maps of the rooms in your home so that it can properly navigate and clean more efficiently. The robot vacuum also features a five-layer filtration system that allows it to release clean air, and when it's done, it goes back to its Clean Station where it empties its contents.

Read more