Thanks to many functions & its great alarm function, the Philips HF3520 convinces even in comparison with much more expensive light alarm clocks.
The Philips Wake Up Lights have been among the most popular light alarm clocks in Germany for many years.
- I have looked at and tested one of the most popular current models, the Philips HF3520 alarm clock, for you.
- In addition to my own experience, I also consulted independent reviews and user comments for this post.
The most important things at a glance:
The following chapters are intended to bring you closer to the most important aspects of the light alarm clock:
I sincerely hope that the information summarized here will help you make an informed purchase decision. After all, you should be satisfied with your new sunrise alarm clock for a long time.
Index
The first impression when unpacking the Philips HF3520 light alarm clock
The first thing that strikes you is the rather unusual size of this light alarm clock. Those who are used to normal alarm clocks will have to make some space on the bedside table.
The size also has its purpose, after all, the light alarm clock should simulate sunlight and the larger the light source, the more effectively the light alarm clock should work.
In addition to the actual light alarm clock, the packaging also includes a user manual and a power cord with which you must connect the alarm clock to the power supply.
The performance features of the Philips HF3520 at a glance
On the packaging you will find a quick overview of the most important functions of the HF3520 light alarm clock. The alarm clock features
- Sunrise function
- Sunset function
- Five natural alarm tones
- Radio
- Night light function
- Touchscreen
In the following I would like to introduce the individual functions in more detail.
The sunrise function of the Philips HF3520
The main function of a light alarm clock is to gently wake up the user through the slowly increasing light intensity.
The process of waking up is more natural and the body has a longer time to wake up slowly and naturally.
With the Philips HF3520 light alarm clock, a special light source that slowly changes in five color levels from reddish to orange to bright yellow light takes on this sunrise function.
Depending on how long you personally need to wake up, you can program the duration of the sunrise. Intervals between 20 and 40 minutes can be selected, and the light intensity to be achieved at the end can also be regulated.
Using the sunrise function
The steadily increasing light intensity prepares the body to wake up.
When the light reaches its strongest point, or the signal tone sounds for the end of the sunrise interval, the body is prepared to wake up and reacts more positively than when it is suddenly woken up from sleep.
- In fact, this works for almost everyone who has tried a (high quality) light alarm clock.
- Personally, I felt a lot more energetic when I got up. Product reviews on the Internet are also all-round positive.
Note: Depending on the sensitivity to light, it can also happen that the light alarm clock only has a limited influence on your wake-up behavior.
Every body works differently here. A miracle cure is not always such a function.
In my experience, however, I can say that the artificial sunrise makes waking up easier, especially if you regularly get up at the same time.
Then the body adapts to it and the light helps to wake up quickly and effortlessly.
The sunset function – or sleep aid – of the Philips HF3520
The sunset function of the HF3520 works in principle exactly the opposite of the wake-up function. The light of the light alarm clock slowly gets darker and helps the body to calm down.
The sunset function brings a little sunset into the bedroom. Here, too, you can program the duration of the darkening according to your own preferences.
Use of the sleep aid
Since I personally have no problems falling asleep (thanks to regular sleep times and these sleep aids ), I couldn’t really test the sunset function.
Although I have set this, I usually fell asleep within the first 5 minutes, which is normal for me with and without a light alarm clock.
Many users with asleep and staying asleep problems but rave almost from the sunset function. So it is worth trying the light alarm clock even if you have trouble falling asleep.
The natural alarm tones of the Philips light alarm clock
Natural wake-up tones instead of a shrill alarm can transform waking up into a harmonious experience.
With the HF3520 you can choose from five different sounds: the chirping of birds, the sound of the sea, piano music, zen garden or forest noises.
The natural tones increase slowly when you wake up, while the volume decreases continuously when you fall asleep. You can set the volume of the alarm tone; the duration during which the tone increases slowly is 90 seconds.
Use the alarm tones
In principle, the alarm tones serve as security to actually wake up after the wake-up interval has expired.
- However, if you use the light alarm clock “normally”, the light will often wake you up before the alarm tones even sound.
- It is interesting, however, that many users describe that the slowly decongesting natural sounds work very well as a sleep aid.
For example, you can concentrate on the sound of the sea and fall asleep much faster.
If you want to forego the sounds of nature, you can also let the built-in radio wake you up after the sunrise phase.
The built-in radio in the HF3520
The radio in the HF3520 light alarm clock basically fulfills a purely additional function. If you want to wake up to music or fall asleep listening to a radio program, you can set the light alarm clock accordingly.
The HF3520 alarm clock should not be viewed purely as a radio alarm clock. There are much better devices at more interesting prices *.
The small antenna on the device also makes it rather difficult to guarantee a clean reception. Given the price of the light alarm clock, you could expect a little more here.
The light alarm clock as a bedside lamp
Since the Philips HF3520 light alarm clock takes up a lot of space on the bedside table, it is only practical that it also doubles as a reading lamp. You can vary the light intensity freely. In any case, the light intensity is sufficient to read comfortably in bed.
The functions of the touchscreen on the HF3520
All those who like to sleep a little longer will find a practical additional function in the Smart Snooze function of the HF3520.
- As soon as the alarm sounds, you only have to touch the large touchscreen of the light alarm clock to activate the snooze action.
- This gives you an additional nine minutes before the alarm sounds again. There is no need to search for the stop button.
Note: The snooze function only affects the alarm sound, the light of the light alarm clock remains switched on.
This means that you do not fall back into a deep sleep straight away, which makes getting up again a little easier.
The inside of the Philips light alarm clock HF3520
In order to fulfill the functions presented, the light alarm clock HF3520 from Philips is provided with various technical equipment. The continuous further development of the Philips Wake-Up Light light alarm clock has always ensured positive developments.
The light source of the HF3520
After both halogen lamps and energy-saving lamps were installed in previous models, Philips is now relying on LED technology.
The LED lamp in the HF3520 is energy-saving and creates a light intensity of 300 lux. LED lamps are also known for their long service life.
Thanks to the LED lamp, operating noises can no longer be heard. There is also no need to change the lamp. You can adjust the light intensity of the LED lamp according to your own preferences.
The usability of the HF3520
When buying new electrical devices, many users shy away from having to read the sometimes cumbersome operating instructions in order to operate the new device.
The HF3520 light alarm clock also comes with extensive operating instructions, but the basic functions can also be operated intuitively.
You can use the menu buttons and the function buttons directly to set the time, light intensity or alarm time. You quickly reach your goal.
This is how you can program the light alarm clock
For more complex processes, such as programming different alarm times for different days or setting the sunset interval, you can then consult the operating instructions.
The sensor buttons on the side of the HF3520 wake up alarm clock are visually beautiful. Here you can switch on the lamp or radio or activate a previously programmed alarm profile.
You can also darken the time display in stages or switch it off completely. This prevents too much light from bothering you in the bedroom.
ATTENTION: If your sunrise alarm clock is not connected to the power supply for more than eight hours, all programmed settings will be lost.
This is a bit annoying, but still better than cheaper models – these usually lose the settings immediately. If you need a battery function, there is an alternative from Philips (more on this in the table below).
The design of the HF3520 light alarm clock
The round and modern design is certainly one of the reasons for the great success of the HF3520 light alarm clock. Like all alarm clocks in the Wake-Up Light series, the HF3520 is also relatively large, which significantly improves the lighting effect.
On the dessert the device makes a noble and high quality impression, but without attracting too much attention. An HF3520 is like a little sun in the bedroom.
For technology fans: Useful data on the HF3520
Here I have summarized some of the most important data of the light alarm clock for all technology fans:
- Weight: 1.1 kg
- Light intensity: 300 lux
- Dimensions: 19.2 cm wide, 19.2 cm high, 14.6 cm deep
- Material: plastic, metal and glass
- Power consumption: 800 watts
- Wattage: 16.5 watts
- Natural tones: 5
The advantages and disadvantages of the HF 3520 at a glance
The main advantages of the Philips HF3520 are
- Comprehensive functions
- Modern Design
- High quality LED light source
- Easy handling
I noticed the following disadvantages with the HF3520
- Quality of the radio
- Missing connections (Jack, USB)
The HF3520 compared to other light alarm clocks
In principle, the light alarm clock HF3520 from Philips has all the essential functions of a high quality light alarm clock.
If you want more, you can get additional alarm tones, connections for external music sources or a technically better radio. Much more is not possible in terms of quality.
On the other hand, there are hardly any downward limits to the decreasing quality.
In the following table you will find a brief comparison of the HF3520 with more expensive light alarm clocks from Philips:
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.