Sunrise Alarm Clocks · Head-to-head
LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise vs Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051
Best for Teaching the Concept of Time
Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051
6.7/10
$30.10 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise comes out ahead overall with 7.2/10 against 6.7/10 for the Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051. LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise is stronger on alarm & sound, ease of use and features & versatility. Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 is stronger on value. At current verified prices, the Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 costs about $24.89 less.
- 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.
- Choose the Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 if: Parents of toddlers who keep asking 'is it morning yet?'
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise | Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise light quality | 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). | 7.8The star countdown and sun/moon face are very readable for toddlers; the screen dims or turns off, though some owners still find it bright. |
| Alarm & sound | 6.5Optional alarm and about 3 sleep sounds; BabyGearLab found the ocean and white-noise sounds loud or jarring. | 3.5Optional alarm only, no sleep sounds. |
| Ease of use | 6.3No app needed, but the instructions are convoluted, there is one schedule, and settings can be lost when unplugged. | 5.8Two schedules, but Lucie's List found programming frustrating. |
| Features & versatility | 7.5Night light, sound machine, nap timer and an alarm, so it stays useful past toddlerhood. | 6.5Nap timer, two schedules and a storybook. |
| Reliability & build | 7.0ABS and silicone shell with a long track record; the slide lock can be bypassed. | 6.8Major brand, long-running product, sold by Amazon. |
| Health & materials | 6.5Lists CPSIA, RoHS and REACH compliance; the CR2032 coin cell needs a secure battery door. | 6.8USB-powered with no coin cell; keep the 180 cm cord out of crib reach. |
| Value | 7.8$54.99 with no subscription for the best-evidenced standalone trainer. | 8.3About $30 from Amazon for a teaching cue no other pick has. |
Specifications
| Spec | LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise | Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise duration options | No timed sunrise; optional yellow glow up to 30 min before green wake light (green stays 1 hr) | No sunrise; stars fade progressively overnight |
| Sunset / wind-down light | No | No |
| Built-in sounds | 3 sounds | 0 sounds |
| FM radio | No | No |
| Bluetooth audio | No | No |
| App required for setup/core use | No | No |
| Subscription | None | None |
| Power source | AC adapter (5V USB); CR2032 coin cell keeps settings only | USB mains (180 cm cable; plug adapter not included) |
| Warranty | 1 years | — |
| Pre-wake 'almost time' cue | Yellow, up to 30 min | Stars count down overnight |
| Child lock / hidden controls | Yes | — |
| Nap timer | Yes | Yes |
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 →Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051
Pros
- Fading-star countdown teaches the idea of time
- Separate weekday and weekend settings
- Display dims or turns off
- Optional alarm and bedtime storybook
- Budget price
Cons
- Frustrating to program
- Screen goes blank about 2 hours after wake time
- Some owners find it bright even at the lowest setting
- No sleep sounds
- Walmart is out of stock; Amazon is the reliable source
A charming, affordable clock for curious toddlers who need to see time pass. Expect a fiddly setup and check brightness in your child's room.
Full Tommee Tippee Groclock 499051 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.