This is an alarm clock with a difference. Let me shed some light in this review of the Lumie BodyClock Luxe 750DAB designed to get you to rise and shine.
What the Lumie Luxe 750DAB Does
If you’re unfamiliar with the Lumie concept, here’s the brief: Imagine that moment in the morning when you get rudely awoken by your sudden alarm noise. It’s designed to shock you awake, really, isn’t it?
No one particularly loves that sudden intake of breath and wondering what on earth just happened to your wonderful dream about swimming with whales.
Well, now reimagine the same moment but with the tranquility of the sun rising and slowly filling your bedroom with its soft glow until it gradually wakes you up. Yes. That is what Lumie is designed to do – basically using a giant light to wake you incrementally.
This model of Lumie has this core functionality and a few added features.
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB Features/Spec
| Includes Bulb? | Yes |
| Cable length | 1.8m |
| Dimensions | H20cm x W23cm x D13cm |
| Light Type | Dimmable |
| Energy Rating | A++ |
| Light Type | LED (Integrated) |
| Brightness Capacity | 370 Lumens |
| Weight | 1100 g (1.1 kg) |
| Sound | DAB Radio, Bluetooth to Device |
What’s the Lumie Luxe 750DAB Like to Use?
My testing of the Lumie reveals that it is a way that you can (at least I can, anyway) wake up without an audible alert – and I am probably classed as a pretty heavy sleeper.
One thing to note is that the wake-up time that you set is not the time that the light starts to glow. It’s the ‘end time’ at which the light becomes brightest.
You can adjust the length of lead-up time that the Luxe takes to get to its peak brightness. You can also change the level of peak brightness. this is useful, for example, if you can wake up with much less Lumie light than the maximum setting.
It is not particularly complicated to set up and the dials and knobs are fairly straightforward to work out. Who reads instructions, anyway?!
Sound Options
You can choose from an array of sound options to accompany your light-up experience if you so wish. This fades in the selected sound (e.g. dawn chorus, waves crashing, tropical birds, lightning storm etc) alongside the increasing glow of the light.
The product name gives it away, so it’s probably no surprise to learn that you can also wake to DAB digital radio as an accompanying sound option. The only potential downside of this is that you probably need to extend the antenna quite a way to pick up the DAB signal.
Bluetooth is also available, so you can additionally play devices through the Lumie Luxe.
Going to Sleep
The Lumie Luxe 750DAB doesn’t only offer you the option to help wake up. It also has a sunset option that fades the light as well (for the wind-down at the end of the day).
So, if you are the kind of person who reads in bed but can’t stop turning the pages and end up staying awake too long for your own good, this could be very useful for you!
According to the product guide, the Lumie Luxe 750DAB light lasts for 30,000 hours. That’s a lot – almost 3 and a half years if left on non-stop – so it should last quite a long time all being well.
Happy or SAD
For sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this device can really be helpful. Some of the symptoms of this ‘winter depression’ as it’s sometimes called are:
- Low mood
- Being irritable
- Sleeping longer
- Finding it difficult to get up in the morning
The Lumie Luxe is meant to bring balance back to one’s circadian rhythm (also known as the body’s internal clock) by simulating the sun. Clearly, the Lumie Luxe 750DAB is more useful in the darker months, mainly winter.
Is the Lumie Luxe 750DAB Worth It?
I have enjoyed testing this device and will continue to use it as part of my daily routine. There is something quite satisfying about developing a regular sleep pattern and getting a great night’s sleep without the rude awakening.
Yes, the price tag of the Luxe 750DAB is high. However, given just how important sleep management is, I think that this is an item that I can’t not recommend.