A brief and incomplete history of clock radios

by johna | March 27, 2026 | Retro

These days, most people wake up to an alarm on their mobile phone, but back in the 1970s to 1990s most people had a clock radio beside their bed to help start their day.

The earliest clock radios had an analogue clock or those fantastic – but not so silent – flip numbers, and you could wake to the sound of an annoying buzzer or choose to wake to the sound of the radio.

Over time, alarms were improved with dual alarms for spouses that wake up at different times, and even separate alarms for weekdays and weekends.

Some manufacturers added extra features beyond just an alarm clock and radio. Some had a lamp or small night light. Some had a cassette player or recorder. Some embraced stereo with multiple speakers.

There were even models fitted with a small black and white television, or later a colour TV.

The addition of a telephone (one with a cord) was another common feature.

Clock radios are kind of still a thing today, although they are sometimes just a clock with a wireless charger for a mobile phone, or a clock with digital radio.

The clock radio pictured above is the very stylish Ross Wake-o-matic model 5500 from the 1970s. [eBay USA Listing]

Following are some note worthy clock radios from last century.

This Panasonic RC-6030 is an example of early clock radios with flip numbers and the most basic of features. [eBay USA Listing]

This is the Soundesign 3834 that I had back in the 1980s (see post). It had an usual design and the cassette recorder allowed you to record a message and leave a flashing message light so your housemates could play it back. So much better than leaving a paper note, right?

Soundesign must be the most prolific manufacturer of clock radios. Here is a model with cassette recorder and one with big stereo speakers [eBay USA listing].