Best desk clock

The best desk clocks for keeping you on track at work or in your home office.

Best desk clock: JALL Digital Alarm Clock
(Image credit: JALL)

A desk clock will keep you running on time, and make sure you don't miss any meetings. With a variety of styles and functions though, the best desk clock for you will depend on just what you want it to do. If you simply want a clock to remind you of the time, we've found plenty of simple and clear desk clocks on offer, and many of them are super affordable. There are also some desk clocks that double as alarm clocks for bedside use or reminders to take medication. 

To save your eyes from straining, it's a good idea to choose a desk alarm clock that comes with large and easy-to-read numbers. Our favorite desk clock is the 4th Gen Echo Dot, which comes with a huge range of smart features such as hands-free calls and traffic checks. It comes with Alexa in-built, meaning you'll have your own personal assistant in the office. See more of our top picks below.

Best desk clock

Amazon

(Image credit: Amazon)

4th Gen Echo Dot

It's voice-activated

This Alexa alarm clock can turn your lights on, play music, tell you the weather and so much more.

Pros:

  • Smart
  • 2 color choices
  • Voice controlled

Cons:

  • Needs to be plugged in at all times

The 4th Gen Echo Dot Smart Alarm Clock is the best desk clock as you can buy – it can do so much more than tell the time. This alarm clock offers hands-free calling, which is great for those busy days where you just can't spare the time to pick up the phone. It boasts a simple and discreet mesh display and Alexa – a virtual assistant – is built-inside. 

This desk clock can be voice-controlled and you can manage it from your smartphone. It can also make video calls for you, play music, tell you the weather, check traffic on your commute, add things to your calendar and so much more. It comes in two colors and it needs to be plugged in at all times to work.

Best modern desk clock

JALL Digital Alarm Clock

(Image credit: JALL)

JALL Digital Alarm Clock

It comes in three colours

This sleek desk clock is made from wood and it tells you the temperature and humidity levels, as well as the time.

Pros:

  • Sleek looking
  • 3 colour choices
  • Tells time, temperature and humidity
  • Can set up to 3 alarms at once
  • Brightness is adjustable

Cons:

  • Ideally used plugged in

Buy the JALL Digital Alarm Clock if you are after something that's sleek looking. It's made of wood and benefits from being both practical and stylish. Not only can it tell the time, but it also shows temperature and humidity levels. And, you can set three alarms on it at once. Adjust its brightness depending on whether you are a deep or light sleeper, or you can even turn off the LED light at night. It's operated by USB to a barrel power cord and batteries are not recommended for use. It also comes in three colors from black to brown and even yellow.

Best compact alarm clock

DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock

(Image credit: DreamSky)

Welgo Large LED Digital Alarm Clock

It can charge your smartphone or tablet

With seven colors to choose from, this compact alarm clock does the job and more.

Pros:

  • Backed up by batteries
  • Inexpensive
  • Easy to see
  • ten minute snooze

Cons:

  • Batteries not included
  • A little basic

Looking for something bold and simple? Choose the Welgo Large LED Digital Alarm Clock. It has large, 2-inch jumbo illuminated LED digits that are easy to see, and its brightness can be adjusted from 0-100. You could even use it as a reading light. With a ten-minute snooze function and an alarm setting that can easily be turned off with the switch of a button, this desk clock has two USB charging ports so it can actually charge your smartphone or tablet. It also has battery backup in the form of two AAA batteries, which will ensure that you don't lose your display if there's a power cut.

Best date desk clock

Amazon

(Image credit: Amazon)

Jall Digital Calendar Alarm Day Clock

Tells you the day, date, and time

If the days seem to roll into one, this clock will keep you on track. 

Pros:

  • Simple and clear
  • Adjustable brightness
  • Eight inch screen
  • Quiet
  • Many color options

Cons:

  • On the large side

It's easy to lose track of the day or date, but when you're at work and in need of a quick reminder, the Jall Digital Calendar Alarm Day Clock will save you from rummaging on your smartphone to find the answer. This is useful for making sure you keep your meetings, or reminding you if you have after-work commitments thanks to its day and date display. 

This clock is easy to control and can be hung on a wall or placed on your desk. It comes in many colors and the display is easy to read and comes with an adjustable dimmer. 

Best flip desk clock

WoneNice Retro Digital Flip Down Clock

(Image credit: WoneNice)

WoneNice Retro Digital Flip Down Clock

A classic yet stylish design

This battery-powered clock has a 304 stainless steel frame.

Pros:

  • Battery powered
  • Classic design
  • Large, easy to read numbers
  • Quiet
  • 304 stainless steel frame

Cons:

  • Only one color option

The WoneNice Retro Digital Flip Down Clock is a great buy for a home office, bedroom, or anywhere else for that matter. This 12-hour AM/PM flip clock has easy to read numbers and it keeps time accurately while acting quietly. A high-quality quartz movement keeps it going while it features a 304 stainless steel frame. It requires just one D battery to work.

Best looking desk clock

Mensent Alarm Clock

(Image credit: Mensent)

Mensent Alarm Clock

A lovely looking analogue clock that comes in 6 colors

This round desk clock is totally silent and it's inexpensive.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Analogue
  • 6 colors
  • Silent
  • Light to see in the dark

Cons:

  • Some people may prefer digital
  • Basic

Choose the Mensent Alarm Clock if you are after a desk clock that also looks the part. With a high-quality metal casing, this clock has a light so that you can tell the time even if it's dark. You can also set alarms on this clock with ease and its numbers are larger than other analog clocks that are the same size, to make them easier to read from afar. This clock is powered by one AA battery and it comes in six different colors.

Our verdict

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The 4th Gen Echo Dot is the best desk clock you can buy. It has smart features that allow you to check the traffic and weather, and also displays the time in a sleek and discreet manner. If you want something a bit more basic, the Welgo Large LED Digital Alarm Clock will simply tell the time, and the Jall Digital Alarm Clock will also display temperature. We like the Jall Digital Calendar Alarm Day Clock because it displays the day, date, and time all in one, which is great for keeping you on track and can act as a reference point when setting meetings or writing emails. 

If it's something a bit more traditional you're after, check out the Mensent Alarm Clock. It's stylish and analog, with six color options. For a classic design, the WoneNice Retro Digital Flip Down Clock is sure to impress. 

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.