Philips HF 3520 – Wake Up Light Review

light and sound machine

 The Philips HF3520 wake up light and colored sunrise simulation

You might have passed this sound machine by, but that would be a mistake, because it not only helps you to fall asleep at night, but it also helps to wake you up naturally in the morning.

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What does the Philips sound machine do?

Philips light and sound machineThis particular sound machine might be a bit left field for some people, but I have become enamored with it and feel that I should share it with you. 

This is not your usual sound machine, because it uses light therapy to help you fall asleep and to wake up. It still uses the sounds to help you drift off to sleep as well, but it focuses more on light therapy than sounds 

It is perfect for people who have problems waking in the morning or for those who hate to wake to the sound of an alarm clock in the morning. So if you are interested in a sound machine to help you fall asleep naturally at night, but are also open to using light therapy – then this might be the perfect sleep machine for you.

  • The gradual sunrise simulator slowly changes from red, to orange and yellow, which gently wakes you from a deep sleep, instead of being blasted awake by the harsh sounds of an alarm clock.
  • The sunset simulator, which emulates the colors of the setting sun , helps you to quietly fall asleep naturally.
  • Any of the five natural and soothing sounds (or your favorite radio channel) can be used to help you fall asleep or can be used to help wake you up in the morning, along with the changing light.
  • The natural sounds help you to relax, so you can fall asleep more easily.
  • Awesome for shift workers who have trouble falling asleep during the day, when they are on night shift and people who have get up early, especially in the dark.
  • The sunset and sunrise lights help travelers adjust to the local time zones.

Features of the Philips sound machine and wake up light

Philips HF3520 sound machine You don’t have any white noise with this sound machine, but you do have 5 lovely, gentle sounds to help you sleep and wake gently.

  • Dawn simulator
  • Sunset simulator
  • 5 natural soothing sounds
  • Sleep cycle alarm
  • Smart touch snooze button (9 minutes)
  • Anti-slip rubber feet
  • 20 Self-adjusting brightness settings
  • 300 LUX
  • Long lasting LEDs
  • Reading light
  • Sunrise simulation lasts for between 20-40 minutes
  • Mains power only
  • Easy to set up

You can touch anywhere on the light once the alarm has been activated and give yourself an extra 9 minutes in bed, before you need to get up.

The wake up alarm is any one of the natural soothing sounds, which plays for a minute or so at your pre-set time.


Why is the Philips HF 3520 Sound Machine and Wake Up Light so effective? 

Philips light and sound machineThis sleep sound machine is a little different to other ones I have reviewed, because the Philips wake up light and sound machine doesn’t only help you to fall asleep, but it also gently wakes you up.

So if you have a problem falling asleep or you really don’t like the alarm clock in the morning, then the Philips wake up light is the solution to all of your sleeping problems.

This natural light alarm clock is actually a dawn simulator, which uses a unique combination of natural lights and soothing sounds to gently wake you in a more natural way than a regular noisy alarm clock.

It is also a sunset simulator, which prepares your body for a good night’s sleep by gradually decreasing the light and playing soothing sounds as you fall asleep.


The Philips wake up light and soothing sounds machine is scientifically proven to work

Using extensive research, Philips has shown that the HF3520 not only wakes you up naturally in the morning, but you feel more refreshed and energized as well.

92% of people who use the Philips sound machine and wake up light, agree that it is easier to get out of bed in the morning using this gentle wake up alarm.


Chose from 5 natural wake up or soothing sounds

There are five high quality natural sounds you can chose from to help you fall asleep or to gently wake up in the morning:

  • Bird song
  • Birds in the forest
  • Zen garden
  • Gentle piano
  • Seaside sounds

You can even listen to your favorite radio show instead of the soothing sounds as you are gently stimulated to wake up in the morning.


What are customers saying about the Philips sound machine and wake up light?

Philips light and sound machineThere are more than 1500 customer reviews on Amazon for this sound and light therapy machine with more than 80% of them giving it a 4 or 5 star rating.


Why is the Philips sound machine so popular?White noise machine

Customers love this sound machine because it not only has five natural sounds to help you fall asleep, but it also simulates both sunset and sunrise.

So when you fall asleep at night, the sunset light gives you a relaxing and gentle display of changing lights from yellow, to orange and red, meant to emulate a beautiful sunset.

The lights slowly and automatically dims, helping your body to relax and you easily fall asleep.

The Philips HF3520 is meant to help you fall asleep using a sunset simulator and gently wakeup using first, a dawn simulation and then a natural sounds alarm.


What I like about the Philips wake up light

Philips light and sound machineFor many people, they not only have problems falling asleep and staying asleep at night, but they also have problems waking up in the morning. Well, the Philips HF3520 sound machine fixes all of that by using both a sunset and a sunrise light simulator.

With the Philips sunrise simulator you slowly wake to both sunrise light and to natural sounds, making it easier to get up in the morning. The light is cool to the touch and doesn’t need replacing at all, you have a large LED display and a tap snooze function as well.


Points to Ponder

This sleep machine only runs on mains power and not batteries, so you can’t take it camping with you! Also, it is more focused on waking you in the morning, as it doesn’t have any soothing sounds that mask annoying noises. This is not necessarily a bad point, it simply has a different focus than the other sleep machines.


Is the Philips HF3520 Sound Machine and Wake Up Light worth it?

light and sound machineIf you really want a sound machine to block out annoying noises which prevent you falling asleep or staying asleep, then the Philips dawn simulator is most probably not for you.

In this case – check out my Marpac DOHM review here (if you like white noise) or my HoMedics Sound Spa review here (for natural sounds).

I have included the Philips sound therapy light here, because it has a sunset light simulator, which might be enough to help people to fall asleep, particularly shift workers who need to sleep during the day.

Also, it is ideal for people who have problems getting out of bed in the mornings, particularly when it is still dark outside. Feel refreshed and well rested every morning with the Philips HF3520 wake up light.

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Philips HF3520 FAQ

Q. Are the natural sounds just for the alarm?
A. Yes, you have a 20-40 minute wakeup cycle with the dawn simulator, followed by your wakeup alarm, which is one of the natural sounds. This natural sounds alarm increase in volume over a minute or so (to your preferred settings).


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