Projection display alarm clock
This innovative alarm clock projects the time onto a wall or ceiling, making it easy to check the hour without moving.
Home & Comfort
Clocks
8 kinds worth knowing, 11 picks, and what to check before you buy.
A clock makes a practical gift for someone setting up a new home, heading off to school, or trying to stop sleeping in. The ones that get used earn a daily job, like a bedside alarm clock that wakes someone gently or a wall clock that is easy to read from across the kitchen. Before you pick one, think about the room it will live in and how the person tells time now. Most people already have a phone, so the clock has to do something better: be easier to see, be quieter at night, keep them off the phone in the morning, or simply look good on a shelf. Aim for one clear purpose instead of a pile of extra features.
Kind 1 of 8
Bedside alarm clocks that replace the phone
A bedside alarm clock lets someone charge their phone in another room and still wake up on time. It suits students, shift workers and anyone trying to cut down on late-night scrolling. Before you buy, check how bright the display is and whether it dims, because a glaring screen can bother a light sleeper. Look at how loud the alarm gets and how many alarms it can hold, and make sure the buttons are easy to find in the dark. A projection model shows the time on the ceiling, and a smart model may add a radio or charging.
Smart digital alarm clock
A versatile alarm clock with smart features helps users wake up gently and manage their morning routine efficiently.
Kind 2 of 8
Visual timers for focus and routines
A timer clock shows time running out, usually as a coloured disc that shrinks as the minutes pass. It helps kids see how long is left before bedtime, and it helps adults keep work sessions, workouts or cooking on track. Teachers and parents often like them because nobody has to keep asking how much time is left. Before you buy, check the longest time it can count, whether the alarm at the end can be turned off, and whether it ticks. A silent one is better for a classroom or a shared office.
Kind 3 of 8
Wall clocks for a kitchen or living room
A wall clock is a good fit for a new homeowner with bare walls and a room that needs a focal point. A large, bold clock can anchor a living room, while a simpler modern face works in a kitchen or entryway. Measure the wall space first, or at least ask about it, since a clock that is too big or too small looks out of place. Check that the numbers can be read from across the room, whether the movement ticks or sweeps silently, and what kind of hanger it uses.
Contemporary wall timepiece
A sleek wall clock enhances any modern living space, offering both functionality and a touch of minimalist design.
Large statement wall clock
An oversized clock serves as a striking focal point in spacious rooms, adding grandeur and practicality to interior design.
Kind 4 of 8
Digital clocks that show more than time
A digital clock gives a clear numeric readout and often adds the date, day of the week, or indoor temperature and humidity. A weather station style clock suits people who like to check conditions before heading out, or who keep an eye on how dry the house gets in winter. Before you buy, check whether it plugs in or runs on batteries, whether the display can be read from an angle, and whether it sets itself automatically. Clocks that set themselves save hassle when the time changes in spring and fall.
Indoor weather station clock
This practical device combines timekeeping with environmental monitoring, ideal for those who like to stay informed about their indoor conditions.
Kind 5 of 8
Flip clocks with a satisfying click
A flip clock shows the time on small panels that turn over each minute. It appeals to people who like retro design, mid-century rooms or a bit of motion on a desk or shelf. Many people buy one mostly for the look, and it doubles as a conversation piece. Before you buy, think about where it will sit, because the soft flipping sound suits a living room or office better than a bedroom for some people. Check whether it uses 12- or 24-hour time and whether the panels are large enough to read at a glance.
Vintage style flip desk clock
This unique clock brings a nostalgic charm to any desk or shelf, perfect for those who appreciate classic design aesthetics.
Kind 6 of 8
Desk clocks for a tidy workspace
A desk clock sits within arm's reach on a home office desk, a bookshelf or a nightstand. It suits someone who works from home, a graduate starting a first office job, or anyone who wants to glance at the time without picking up a phone. Look for a size that fits a crowded desk, a face that is easy to read, and a quiet movement if it will sit near someone on calls. Materials like wood, metal or stone can make it feel more like a keepsake than an accessory.
Elegant desk timepiece
A sleek and understated desk clock provides precise timekeeping without cluttering a workspace or nightstand.
Kind 7 of 8
Sunrise alarms for dark winter mornings
A sunrise alarm slowly brightens a light before wake-up time, so the room gets lighter before any sound plays. It suits people who dread a sudden buzzer and anyone getting up before daylight during a Canadian winter. Before you buy, check how long the brightening lasts and whether that can be changed, what wake sounds come with it, and whether the light can also be used as a reading lamp. Make sure the display dims fully at night and that the controls are simple enough to set without the manual.
Kind 8 of 8
Vintage-style clocks with classic character
A vintage-style clock brings an older look into a room with a wooden case, Roman numerals or a traditional mantel shape. It suits someone with a heritage home, a cottage, or a style built on antiques and warm wood. Before you buy, check whether it chimes and whether the chime can be turned off, since hourly chimes are charming for some people and annoying for others. Measure the mantel or shelf depth, and find out whether it runs on batteries or needs winding.
Traditional mantlepiece clock
A beautifully crafted mantle clock adds a touch of classic elegance and warmth to a fireplace or shelf in any home.
How to choose clocks as a gift
- Decide which room the clock will live in first, since bedrooms, kitchens and offices each call for a different type.
- For bedrooms, choose a display that dims and a movement that doesn't tick, so the clock won't keep anyone awake.
- Pick a clock that matches the person's decor, whether that's modern, retro, rustic or traditional.
- Choose clocks that set themselves or have simple buttons, so the time change isn't a chore twice a year.
- Check whether it plugs in or uses batteries, and make sure that works for the spot it will go.
Usually safe to skip
- Novelty clocks with loud cartoon themes usually lose their charm within weeks and end up in a drawer.
- Alarm clocks with crowded menus and tiny buttons often go unused because setting an alarm feels like a chore.
- Ticking clocks are a poor choice for a bedroom or small apartment, where the constant sound quickly wears on people.
Questions people ask about clocks
- What kind of clock makes a good housewarming gift?
- A wall clock or mantel clock is usually the safest choice, since a new home often has bare walls and empty shelves. Pick a style close to their decor, and choose a silent movement so it works in any room.
- Is an alarm clock still a useful gift if everyone has a phone?
- Yes, especially for someone who wants to keep their phone out of the bedroom. A separate alarm clock lets them charge the phone elsewhere and still wake on time, and a sunrise alarm gives a gentler start on dark mornings.
- Who would use a visual timer clock?
- Parents use them for routines like screen time and bedtime, teachers use them for classroom activities, and adults use them to keep work sessions or workouts on track. They are most useful for anyone who finds it easier to see time passing than to read numbers.
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