1. Star Wars R2-D2
As far as robots go, C-3PO ranks up there with the most annnoying. Imagine waking up to, 'R2, you shouldn't be so polite,this little rebel is going to be late.' Nag nag nag. So it comes of little surprise to learn that C-3PO has never had a solo career in the alarm clock industry. R2D2's, on the other hand, is going from strength to strength. It began with the 1977 original C3PO and R2D2 alarm clock duo, but R2 later ditched the dead weight for a collect-the-labels promotion with 7UP in the nineties. Argos are selling this similar model, although bigger and with clearer projection for €34.84.
Argos, Parnell Mall, The Ilac Centre, Dublin 1.
2. Clapperboard Clock
Ever wake up feeling like Tom Cruise? Nah, us neither. It's at least 11am before we start talking to bottles and jumping up and down on the sofa. But with this clapperboard alarm clock you can feel like movie star every day. The LCD clock wakes you up with an alarm that can only be silenced with a swift snap of the clapper – shrill yelling of “action!” is optional, but recommended. You'll be out of bed before you can say, “I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille.” €49
B Cool Gadgets, Unit G15A, The Pavillions Shopping Centre, Swords, Dublin. 8075742.
3. JML Colour Touch
If forever-in-our-hearts 'Changing Rooms' (RIP) taught us anything, its that accessories are a handy way to bring character to any blank room. Team JML were also listening and the proof is in their new Colour Touch alarm clock (€5). The two leading features are in the name - it can change colour and it turns off if you touch any part of it. But it doesn't stop there; there is also a calendar function, temperature display and a countdown timer. It's being sold as the everyman clock. The ad shows two children gleefully pouring over it in a tent as Mr JML tells us, 'Even the kids can take their clock on their little adventures!' Chuck out that DS then.
Heatons, 200 The Park, Carrickmines, Dublin 18. 2943160.
4. Clocky the Runaway
'Toys for Big Boys' listed this renegade wheelie clock as one of their 'Top Ten Essential Gadgets' late last year. On a list that also included the Slanket, it's no mean feat. Clocky is a runaway alarm clock that puts an end to multi-snoozing. You can set yourself to a limit of snoozes from 0 – 9 minutes, depending on how your self discipline is - or how optimistic you're still feeling about 'the new you' post-new year. Clocky will jump up off your nightstand and run away beeping and booping droid-like until you get up. The manufacturers claim Clocky can jump 3 feet, which means in animal terms Clocky is an armadillo.
www.pressieport.ie €49.99
5. Dekad
Ikea don't give us a nostalgic spiel about the timelessness of the Dekad clock or the romance of rituals. They just lay out the facts. Swedish style. They point out it's 'good to know' the clock should be wound every 24 hours. The clock frame is steel, the face is paper, the backing is plastic, the front is glass and the handle is aluminium with a powder coating. That's all you need to know really, oh and it's pretty. €4.99
IKEA, Margaret's Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11. 1890 987 938.
6. BeoTime
BeoTime is the Bang & Olufsen alarm clock that is visually more like a futuristic wand. Designer Steffen Schmelling was apparently inspired by Mozart's The Magic Flute and the conflict between light and dark within it. You can choose to wake up to the BeoTime Chime, radio station or piece of music – whether that's Mozart or Miley Cyrus. The best bit is you can use the flute/wand/clock to control other Bang & Olufsen appliances like the TV, loudspeaker or lights. Although, this assumes you have a gaff full of expensive B&O a/v equipment. You can't play it like a flute though.
Bang & Olufsen, 6 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1. 2602404.
7. iPod Dock
We couldn’t make a top ten alarm clock list without including an iPod docker. You can get thousands of pointless iPod compatible accessories these days, including the iStethoscope, iBreathalyzer and iTable, but an iPod alarm docker is actually useful. This Gear 4 CRG-70W has a compact minimalist design with detachable speakers which can be positioned around the room or in the base tray. It will charge an iPod or an iPhone and gives you the option to wake up the iPod, radio or a buzzer. We don’t recommend leaving ‘Time’ by Pink Floyd to prompt you out of bed. €59.99
HMV, 65 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. 6795334.
8. Pink Floyd Twin Bell
You can’t call Pink Floyd sell outs for bringing out an alarm clock. After all, their homage to time on Dark Side of the Moon called er, ‘Time’ gave antique alarm clocks a significant airing in its lengthy introduction. This little beauty is a classic twin bell with quartz accuracy, the face picture is the lake postcard that came as an insert with the album ‘Wish You Were Here’. Floyd fans might prefer to wake up to an actual song but when you consider the lyrics of Time which include “one day closer to death, every year is getting shorter”, it’s probably best you don’t start your day in complete despair. Also avail in Led Zeppelin. €24.99
Asha Boutique, 212, St Stephens Green, Shopping Centre, Dublin 2. 4781396.
9. Sony ICF-C205
This is the alarm clock we imagine Zac Morris would’ve used. Ok so the ‘Saved by the Bell’ theme tune doesn’t sell it very well, he did miss the bus after all. But we reckon it was because he spent too much time giving himself ‘a look’, so it wasn’t the alarm’s fault. This Sony ICF-C205 is retro in a seemingly unconscious way. It boasts an FM/AM analogue tuner, 0.7 inch green LCD, a single alarm and a sleep timer. There’s no bells and whistles here (excuse the pun) but it’ll wake you up with the radio. Maybe even in time to do ‘the sprain’ with Lisa Turtle. €19.99
Peats World of Electronics, 25 Parnell Street, Dublin 1. 8727799.
10. Disney Princess Glow Time
Who better to persuade little girls to go to bed than Sleeping Beauty? This alarm clock is a nice alternative to a poisoned apple. The face changes between day and night according to when you set the sleep and wake alarms - Sleeping Beauty represents night naturally, and Cindarella represents day. Go Glow’s aim is to help form a sleep routine and this is really its only function. It is not an education tool to help learn the time - it doesn’t even have a minute hand. But it might buy you a few more minutes in bed. €23
Hamleys Toys, Pembroke District :: Level 1 Unit 51, Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dublin 14. 2924900.
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