For anyone wishing to upgrade from a $10 basic hotel room alarm clock, an abundance of options exist. But, many of these products cost $150+, and are so jam-packed with features that it is hard to make a decision.
Here, we will review and compare two high-end, feature-packed white noise machine/alarm clocks — the Hatch Restore and the Loftie Smart Alarm Clock.
Choosing between Loftie & Hatch Restore
If you don’t wish to read the entire article, here is a summary to assist your buying decision.
The Hatch Restore includes a sunrise alarm, traditional alarm clock, sound machine, and night light. There are many options to customize the device, including sounds, colors, and meditation programs. Many of the features can only be accessed via the app, and full functionality (such as meditation programs) is only possible with a paid subscription.
The Loftie Smart Alarm Clock includes a traditional alarm clock, sound machine, and night light. It does not include a sunrise alarm. Although Loftie is less customizable, it is easier to control the device without the app, and there is no paid subscription to worry about.
If you want a sunrise alarm with a lot of extras, the Hatch Restore is a great option. If you want a simpler device that is less dependent on an app, Loftie is a solid choice that still includes great features.
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Features
The Hatch Restore packs more features. The Restore is a sunrise alarm with a sound machine, lamp, traditional alarm clock, and meditation app included. The Loftie is an alarm clock that includes a noise machine, night light, and wellness content, but is not a sunrise alarm.
The Hatch app provides more customization and options, but the Loftie scores points for being fully-functional without requiring the app. Loftie has an app that is needed for setup, and can be used to access many features. But almost everything can be controlled from the physical buttons on the device. Loftie markets itself as a product that allows you to go phone-free in the bedroom. So we like that the device is not dependent on an app.
Loftie has a backup battery to withstand brief power outages, which is a big benefit. However, the device is entirely dependent on WiFi, so a power loss may cause a missed wake-up regardless. Hatch has no battery backup, but it will save settings for whenever the power returns. So, neither of these devices will be much benefit in the event of a power outage.
Loftie has a “blackout mode” which is easy to activate. In blackout mode, all lights on the device turn off, including the clock. To turn off all lights on the Hatch, the clock display must be dimmed to zero via the app. But this also means that, if you want to check the time in the middle of the night, the app is required to turn the clock display back on.
In many of the alarms we have tested, there is no way to force the machine to stop emitting light. This is true even in high-end alarms that are packed with features, For sensitive sleepers, even a little light from the digital clock can be aggravating. We appreciate that both Loftie and Hatch have a “blackout mode” where the device emits no light. But Loftie is far superior here because it takes only one touch to enter/exit the blackout mode.
Loftie also has a two-phase alarm, which begins with a 30 second alarm to nudge you, and then concludes with a louder alarm 9 minutes later to force you out of bed. Unfortunately, this feature cannot be adjusted or customized.
Hatch Restore lets you customize everything — the steps in your bedtime routine, light color, brightness of clock display, different alarm times for different days, etc. The only downside is that a paid subscription is required to access all of the features. Loftie cannot be customized as much, but it has wellness content (like breathing exercises and stories) available without an additional fee.
Features winner: Tie
Design
Both devices have stylish designs, but the esthetics are very different. Hatch Restore has a soft, rounded appearance. You can tell it’s made by a company that specializes in baby products. The bottom portion of the device is covered in fabric, and the clock display is muted and almost blurry. Loftie has a rectangular design with sharp edges, hard plastic exterior with a steel grill on top, and an ultra-crisp clock display. The Hatch Restore is 7 ½” x 5 ¾” x 2 ¾”, while the Loftie is much more compact at 6 ½” x 2 ¾” x 2 ¾”.
Loftie has easy-to-locate, simple buttons that receive mostly positive user feedback. The buttons on the Restore are subtle in appearance, which makes them hard to find. This is frustrating when you are tired or the room is dark. Additionally, the main touch sensor on the Hatch doesn’t work for simply turning the light on and off.
The brightness of the clock on the Restore can be customized, and you can even program the clock to turn off its display at certain times (for example, you can have the time hidden between midnight and 6 a.m.). The Loftie clock display is also dimmable, but doesn’t have the same programmable feature. However, as mentioned above, we love that the clock display can be easily turned on/off with a single button on the device.
Design winner: Tie
Sound
Hatch Restore has significantly better sound quality than Loftie. The speaker on Loftie is unimpressive considering the high price tag. Both devices have a wide range of options available, including white noise and nature sounds.
Loftie can be used as a bluetooth speaker, so you have freedom to choose your own tunes. However, this feature is a recent update to Loftie, and many users complain of this feature not working. The Hatch Restore cannot be used as a bluetooth speaker, so you are stuck with the preset options. However, the speaker on the Hatch Restore functions much more reliably.
A cool feature of Loftie is the two-phase alarm. Basically, there is a 30 second initial alarm, which is quieter and more peaceful. This is intended to prime you for the actual wake-up. 9 minutes later, the final alarm sounds, which is louder and intended to get you out of bed. This is a “love it or hate it” feature. Some users appreciate the phased wake-up, while others feel that the 9 minute gap between tones is too long and causes them to wake up late. Hopefully there will be future updates that allow some customization in this feature.
Loftie also advertises the device’s “non-alarming” alarm tones. In our testing, we found them to be more pleasant than comparable devices, and much better than a cell phone alarm.
Sound winner: Hatch
Software & Apps
The Loftie app is easy to use, but has fewer options available. The Hatch app is loaded with options and customization, but many of the features require a paid subscription.
Although we love the features on the Hatch app, the $50/year fee is too large for us to recommend it. On the other hand, Loftie has wellness content (including breathing exercises, stories, and “soundbaths”) available without a paid subscription.
We like that the Loftie app is “optional,” because the device’s functions can all be performed via physical buttons. The Hatch Restore has too many features for this to be possible, so you are somewhat “stuck” with having to use the app.
Loftie offers unlimited updates with the device, so the alarm is marketed as a constantly-improving product. The downside: many customer complaints are met with a message of “that issue will be corrected with the next update,” or “that feature will be added with the next update.”
Lastly, Loftie requires 2.4 gHz WiFi in order to function. This is a source of frustration for many users. It is hard to trust an alarm that will not work if you lose WiFi during the night.
Software/Apps winner: Hatch
Lights
The Hatch Restore is the clear winner in terms of lighting. The Hatch is a sunrise alarm that uses color-changing light to wake you from sleep. Using the app, you can customize the color of the light. The light is bright and high quality. And the sunrise alarm is a great feature to have.
The Loftie does not function as a sunlight alarm, but it includes a night light. The night light is easy to locate in the dark, and requires less fumbling around than many alarm clocks. The light can be turned on and off with a single button. There is also a blackout mode that is easy to turn on, and will turn off all of the lighting on the device (including the clock display).
Although we love the blackout mode on Loftie, the customization and sunrise alarm features make Hatch the clear winner.
Lights winner: Hatch Restore
Warranty & Customer Support
Both Hatch and Loftie have excellent customer service, and provide a free return window. Hatch provides free shipping, and free returns for 60 days. Loftie provides free shipping, and free returns for 30 days. Both Loftie and Hatch come with a 1 year limited warranty. In our testing, we did not need to interact with customer service. However, we did find that most customer questions were quickly answered by customer service representatives.
Warranty/Customer Support winner: Hatch Restore (due to longer return window)
Setting Up Your New Alarm Clock
Transitioning from a basic hotel room alarm clock to a high-end, feature-packed device like the Hatch Restore or the Loftie Smart Alarm Clock can seem overwhelming at first. The excitement of unboxing your new gadget can quickly turn into confusion when faced with multiple buttons, lights, and setup instructions. However, fear not! Setting up both these devices is simpler than you might think.
The Hatch Restore comes with a simple instruction booklet and, once you download the Hatch Sleep app, the setup process is pretty straightforward. It involves connecting the device to your Wi-Fi network and adjusting your preferred settings using the app. You can customize your bedtime routine, wake-up routine, and also adjust the brightness and colors of the night light. Keep in mind, some features such as meditation programs require a paid subscription.
The Loftie Smart Alarm Clock also comes with a detailed guide to help you set it up. The device requires you to download the Loftie app to access the full set of features. However, after the initial setup, almost all functions can be controlled using the physical buttons on the device itself. This provides a level of freedom not offered by many high-end alarm clocks, allowing you to control the device without constantly reaching for your smartphone.
Final Thoughts
The new generation of alarm clocks combine so many features that it can be tough to make a decision. And, due to the high price tag, it is important to do your homework before buying.
We love the Hatch Restore because it is one device that is not only a sunrise alarm, but also a traditional alarm clock, light, and sound machine.
The Loftie is a great product because it packs a lot of features into a small device, and it can be used without having to take out your phone and log onto an app.
Ultimately, if you want a sunrise alarm, Hatch makes a great product. And if you want something more reminiscent of a traditional alarm clock, but with added features, Loftie is the best choice.
FAQs
Do Hatch Restore & Loftie alarm clocks operate without a Wi-Fi connection?
Both the Hatch Restore and the Loftie Smart Alarm Clock require a Wi-Fi connection for setup and to access some of their features. Loftie is more dependent on Wi-Fi; if the Wi-Fi connection is lost during the night, the alarm might not work. Hatch Restore, while it does require Wi-Fi for setting up and customizing features, will save your settings and continue to function with those settings in case of a Wi-Fi disconnect.
Is it mandatory to purchase the subscription for the Hatch Restore?
No, it is not mandatory to purchase the subscription for the Hatch Restore. However, without the subscription, you won’t have access to all of its features, such as the meditation programs. If you want to use these features, you would need to pay for the subscription.
