Where to put it

Makers’ own advice is to keep these clocks out of the bed and out of reach. Hatch says to place Hatch Baby at least 3 feet from a baby’s sleep space, ideally near the door, with cords tucked away and out of reach, and never perched on the crib. PlayMonster’s Mirari manual says the clock is not a toy, must not be placed in bed and is not for children under 36 months, and to keep the cord out of reach.

A shelf or dresser across the room usually works: visible from the bed, out of arm’s reach, and with the cord running behind furniture.

Coin batteries

Some clocks keep their settings with a small coin battery. NESSI’s CR2032 sits behind a cover you open with a screwdriver, and MELLA also keeps its settings on a CR2032. LittleHippo’s manual warns that a swallowed coin battery can cause internal chemical burns, and to get medical help immediately if one may have been swallowed. Keep the cover shut and spare coin batteries out of reach.

Recalls

On 9 October 2026 we searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for every brand we compare. One recall involves an OK-to-wake or sleep-sound clock: in July 2024 Hatch recalled the power adapters sold with some Rest 1st Generation sound machines (adapter model CYAP05 050100U, about 919,400 in the US and 44,352 in Canada), because the plastic housing can come off and leave the prongs exposed. Hatch replaces them free; the CPSC notice explains how.

This is not the 2nd generation Rest or Rest+ we compare. A search that finds nothing is not proof a product was never recalled, so check the database for your exact model, especially when buying secondhand.

Buying secondhand

  • Check the exact model and generation on the label against the maker’s manual.
  • Check the power adapter’s model number against recall notices, and use the adapter the maker supplies or specifies.
  • Make sure the battery cover screws shut and nothing is cracked.

Brightness at night

Most clocks let you dim the light and the time display, and some can switch the display off. Turn them down to the lowest level your child can still read, so the clock signals without lighting the room.

Sources

Details can differ between versions and countries. Dates show when we last checked something that changes, like stock or a recall. Every source we use