(CNN) –
This article is part of the CNN Underscored Sleep Guide, which highlights the best sleep-related products from throughout the week. We will be introducing new products and tutorials throughout the week. So come back every morning to see what’s new and stay tuned for exclusive offers.
To say we need a break from our smartphones during a pandemic is an understatement. There has been a lot of scrolling this year: Doomscrolling, scrolling boredom, scrolling recipes, scrolling fitness – scrolling, scrolling, scrolling…. And as if it’s not hard enough to fall asleep during the pandemic, all the blue light and stimulation from using a smartphone doesn’t help.
But we still have to get up and go to work. For those who really want (and need) to get away from their phone, or at least don’t want it to be the first thing they look at when they wake up, there’s Lofty.
- Exclusive offer: This week only (March 15-21), CNN Underscored readers get 15% off Loftie with the code CNNSLEEP at checkout.
It may be an ironic thought, but that doesn’t mean he’s not welcome: Loftie is a smart alarm clock that wants to help you get unstuck. The packaging is nice, with a brand image that promises less screen, more dreamlike alarm clock for the unarmed.
Lofty
Lofty
The alarm clock itself has a sloppy, minimalist design. Its black and grey plastic with soft curves (it also exists in white) fits well in a modern interior.
But it’s really the functionality that changes the game. Once you receive your Loftie, plug it in, connect it to your wifi network, download the app and pair it with your phone – and within minutes you’re ready to schedule your alarm and sleep.
With just three manual buttons built into a powerful Bluetooth speaker that can also play your own music, Loftie offers a variety of alarm functions, as well as other calming features. Schedule up to 30 alarms – manually or via a simple app – and easily set, delete or remove them whenever you want. You can safely wake up to one of 15 different background sounds, ranging from white, brown, or gray noise to nature sounds like trout runs, lakes, or mountain peaks; in other words, the Loftie doubles as a white noise device just by pressing a selection button.
Lofty wakes you up with a two-stage alarm. The sound you’ve chosen first purrs softly for 30 seconds, then automatically comes on for nine minutes, then goes off again – louder this time – until you turn it off or press the repeat button.
But even more impressive magic happens when you’re getting ready for bed or just want to lower your energy level. Loftie comes with programmed audio playlists, including breathing exercises and sound baths, both of which are particularly useful in times of stress, such as a pandemic. In the Breathwork playlist, there are seven different recorded exercises that focus on the heart, abdomen and other areas. Take a lunch break at work and meditate as soon as you wake up under the guidance of a very calming instructor. The sound baths contain an opening tone as well as the sound of a gong, drone or singing bowls. You won’t run out of meditation content either, as Loftie is automatically updated with new meditations and sounds, and is regularly updated for free once you’ve invested in the device.
Lofty
Lofty
And the Lofty night light also deserves a special mention. It turns on and off with a large snooze button on top of the Loftie and is perfect for any lighting situation at midnight or during the day. The light is strong enough to help you see, but the warm glow is subtle enough to help you easily switch from sleep to wakefulness and back again. While napping, use a nightlight instead of a bedside lamp and set Loftie’s sleep timer to play one of the soothing sounds for 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes, then the light will automatically turn off when you leave the house.
One of the criticisms of the author of this article is the screen, which looks weak even at the highest setting – it falls away easily and is sometimes difficult to see. But perhaps this is exactly what most users expect from this highly effective sleep aid.
If you’re looking for an alarm clock that’s not your smartphone, Loftie has everything you need to wake up and fall asleep easily. With features like white noise and meditation built in, it’s more than just the first sound you hear in the morning.
- Loftie watch, use code CNNSLEEP ($140.25, originally $165; byloftie.com).
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