Sunrise Alarm Clocks · Head-to-head
Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) vs LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise
Best App-Controlled
Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen)
7.2/10
$79.99 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) and LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise finish almost level in our scoring (7.2 vs 7.2 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) is stronger on alarm & sound, ease of use, features & versatility and health & materials. LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise is stronger on sunrise light quality, reliability & build and value. At current verified prices, the LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise costs about $25.00 less.
- Choose the Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) if: Parents who want to change wake and nap schedules from their phone and use one device from newborn to big kid.
- Choose the LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise if: Parents who want a proven, phone-free OK-to-wake clock that a toddler understands right away.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) | LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise light quality | 7.4Fully custom color and brightness, and the display is off by default for a dark room, but there's no face or icon for a toddler and any pre-wake stage has to be built in the schedules. | 7.9Face expressions plus a yellow pre-wake stage and green wake light give the clearest toddler cue, but the night light has no dimmer and testers found it bright (The Everyday Mom Life). |
| Alarm & sound | 7.5A proper sound machine with fine volume control; some content needs Hatch+. | 6.5Optional alarm and about 3 sleep sounds; BabyGearLab found the ocean and white-noise sounds loud or jarring. |
| Ease of use | 7.8Phone scheduling makes multiple routines easy, and the tap ring works without the app, but setup depends on Wi-Fi. | 6.3No app needed, but the instructions are convoluted, there is one schedule, and settings can be lost when unplugged. |
| Features & versatility | 8.5Multiple schedules, naps and a child lock; works from newborn sound machine to kid clock. | 7.5Night light, sound machine, nap timer and an alarm, so it stays useful past toddlerhood. |
| Reliability & build | 6.0Testers saw power-offs and connection loss, and one owner reports random turn-ons. | 7.0ABS and silicone shell with a long track record; the slide lock can be bypassed. |
| Health & materials | 7.0Hatch says the CPSC adapter recall covers only Rest 1st gen; AC-powered with no coin cell. | 6.5Lists CPSIA, RoHS and REACH compliance; the CR2032 coin cell needs a secure battery door. |
| Value | 6.0$79.99 plus an optional subscription; worth it mainly if you'll use it for years. | 7.8$54.99 with no subscription for the best-evidenced standalone trainer. |
Specifications
| Spec | Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) | LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise duration options | No timed sunrise; programmable Time-to-Rise color and sound cue set in the app | No timed sunrise; optional yellow glow up to 30 min before green wake light (green stays 1 hr) |
| Sunset / wind-down light | Yes | No |
| Built-in sounds | — | 3 sounds |
| FM radio | No | No |
| Bluetooth audio | No | No |
| App required for setup/core use | Yes | No |
| Subscription | Optional Hatch+ (3 months included); Time-to-Rise, Time-for-Bed and basic lights/sounds stay free | None |
| Power source | AC plug-in (not portable) | AC adapter (5V USB); CR2032 coin cell keeps settings only |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
| Pre-wake 'almost time' cue | Customizable via app schedules | Yellow, up to 30 min |
| Child lock / hidden controls | Yes | Yes |
| Nap timer | Yes | Yes |
Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen)
Pros
- Easy schedule changes for weekdays, weekends and naps
- Display off by default for a dark room
- Core features free without a subscription
- Works from newborn through big-kid years
- 30-night trial and 1-year warranty
Cons
- Needs Wi-Fi and the app
- Reviewers saw power-offs and connection loss; one owner reports it turning on at random
- Cue is color only, with no face
- Some sounds require Hatch+
- Plug-in only, not portable
A strong choice for parents who want phone control and long-term flexibility, as long as they accept the app dependence and some reliability reports.
Full Hatch Hatch Baby (successor to Rest 2nd Gen) review →LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise
Pros
- Face plus color cue that toddlers read quickly
- Yellow pre-wake glow up to 30 minutes
- No app, Wi-Fi or subscription
- Sound machine, nap timer and alarm included
- Child lock
Cons
- Night light has no dimmer and some owners find it bright
- Only one wake schedule
- Setup is convoluted; slide lock is easy for older toddlers to bypass
- Settings can be lost when unplugged
The best all-around choice for parents who want a proven, phone-free clock that a toddler understands right away. Its flaws are real but manageable.
Full LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise review →Both products are part of our guide The Best OK-to-Wake Clocks for Toddlers of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.