Here’s my honest Hatch Restore 3 review covering sunrise alarms, sunset routines, sound baths, and whether the paid plan is worth it. My Hatch Restore was gifted, but I wasn’t paid for this review.
I’ve wanted a sunrise alarm clock for years, so I jumped at the chance to review the Hatch Restore 3. I think a sunrise alarm is a genius way to get up before the actual sunrise, but I’ve never gotten to use one myself. I am one of those people who can’t function without great sleep, and the Hatch has added a lot of peaceful zen for both winding down at night and waking up gently in the morning.
The sunrise and sunset features were my top priority, but I think my favorite feature is the evening sound baths I created using a custom routine. Together, they’ve made my nights feel more peaceful and getting up before dawn on school days a bit easier.
Review summary:
- Best features: the sun lights and the sound baths
- Cons: App is a bit confusing, paid plan cuts off a lot of features
- Is it worth it? If you’re looking for a sunrise + sunset alarm clock, this one is beautiful and reliable
Check out this related post: How to get the best sleep
What Is the Hatch Restore 3?
The Hatch Restore 3 is an all-in-one sunrise alarm clock, sound machine, and sleep routine builder. It’s designed to support your circadian rhythm by pairing light and sound in a way that helps signal to your body when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to wake up — without the jarring effect of a traditional alarm.
Sunrise Features (My Favorite Part of The Hatch Restore)
The sunrise and sunset simulations are truly the standout features for me and the main reason I wanted one of these types of alarm clocks. In the morning, the gradual increase in warm light feels SO much better than waking up to darkness or a loud alarm (I seriously don’t know how anyone can wake to a loud alarm).
I have my machine programmed to start the sunrise 10 minutes before I actually want to wake up. My light is set to “Hiking at Dawn,” which is a lovely sunrise orange. And then right at my alarm time, I have it set to play Meditative Flutes. It’s a gentle cue that makes getting out of bed feel far less abrupt.
I love how many options there are – you can change the light colors, the brightness, the time it takes for the sun to rise, as well as tons of different wake sounds and volumes. The sound options are plentiful including birds, nature sounds, and crazier options like a Parisian Cafe! I will add that if you are a very heavy sleeper, you might want to have a backup alarm just in case this one is too gentle on the first morning.
At peak sunrise:
Sunsets, Custom Routines & Evening Sound Baths
One of the most impressive parts of the Hatch Restore 3 is the ability to create fully customized routines. However this is a paid feature that you’ll lose access to after your free trial ends. I set one up while I was in the free trial, but now that I’m not paying for a plan, I can’t edit it (but it still works!)
The sound library includes white noise, nature sounds, and meditative tracks, making it easy to find something that fits your mood. Some of them are paid features (like guided meditations) but the free ones are good too – white noise, ambient spa sounds.
My Hatch turns on every night at 9pm with a purple light and a sound bath:
My evening routine is as follows:
- 9:00 pm – The Hatch automatically turns on a pretty purple light and plays a sound bath until I get in bed and tap the top button. This is usually already on when I come up to bed between 9 and 9:30.
- Sound bath – After I tap, a 20 minute timer starts of a Scorpio sound bath (my sign!) and more purple light (my color!)
- Sunset – Then a 10 minute sunset starts with soothing ambient spa sounds.
- White noise – Then pink noise starts for the night.
I did find the app a bit confusing at first, but I’ve gotten used to how it works now. When I first turned the Hatch on all I wanted was a sunset demo, and making one happen is not that simple! You have to create it in the app first, and then you can demo it.
Hatch Membership: Paid Plan vs. Free Features
I’ll be honest — I’m not thrilled that some content sits behind a subscription. That said, the basic features work perfectly well for me, including the sunrise alarm, sunset wind-down, and simple sound routines, so I don’t feel too limited without the paid plan.
The paid membership unlocks the full sound library, guided content, and additional features for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It’s not that expensive, but I just don’t want another subscription to manage if I don’t need to. I do wish I could at least edit my evening routine without an upgrade, but since I’m happy with it for now, I’m ok on the free one.
Design: Minimalist, Modern & Nightstand-Friendly
Aesthetically, the Hatch Restore 3 looks beautiful on my nightstand. The minimalist design is clean and modern, and I really love that it doubles as a clock without looking cluttered or overly techy. It feels more like a decor piece than a gadget, which I appreciate in a bedroom setting. If it was shiny or bulky, it wouldn’t be worth it to me.
I love that there are very few buttons, but one button that I do love is the side button that turns the alarm off for the night. If we have a teacher workday or holiday and I don’t want to mess with my app settings I can just turn the alarm off manually. Quick and easy!
Clock Brightness: One Small Critique
My only real critique is that the clock display is still a bit bright for me even on the dimmest setting at night. That said, you can turn the clock completely off, which solves the issue so it’s more of a personal sensitivity than a dealbreaker. For now I’m just adjusting to it because I like to see the time in the night. I do love how cool the clock looks though!
Using with a partner
I am currently sleeping alone so I didn’t have to consult with anyone on my routines. But if you sleep with a partner, you might want to make sure you have a similar routine before a purchase because they might not love all of your same steps. However, I do think the alarm is gentle enough that if you or your partner have to wake up at separate times, it’s not as disruptive as a loud alarm. There’s a good chance the sunrise alone will wake you up and you can turn off a sound alarm before your partner notices.
Final Thoughts on the Hatch Restore 3
Who It’s Best For: Light sleepers, early risers, anyone sensitive to harsh alarms, and those who appreciate a spa vibe.
I have loved having Hatch Restore! It has made a noticeable difference in how I start and end my day. The spa music has really helped me relax, and I really, really love the sunrise feature for dark winter mornings. I also love that the light is actually a light so I can use the dim sunset or soft sunrise to get dressed without turning on additional brighter lights. I do recommend investing in the Hatch, and I don’t think you also need the paid plan because the free features will check most boxes. The $169 cost is an investment, but if you have an HSA account – it’s eligible!
