How To Set Alexa To Play Music For Alarm

An Amazon Echo smart speaker and Alexa make for an amazing smart alarm clock, so you can wake up to your favourite song, radio station or even a personalized news bulletin, using just voice commands.

And thanks to Alexa Routines, you can also blend music, lights, alarms and device for the ultimate wake-up experience.

Every Alexa device has the skills to replicate a bedside alarm clock, but Amazon has made a particular push towards this area last year, with the Echo Dot with Clock and Echo Show 5 - explore that pair if you're looking for the best Echo alarm clock.

The Amazon Echo Spot, of course, is also a great option for anyone looking for a smart digital clock, with an array of clock faces to choose from although you might find this a bit harder to get hold of now that Amazon has discontinued it.

Make: How to create an amazing morning routine
Connect: How to get Alexa to control smart lighting
Learn: The best Alexa sleep sounds and ambient skills

How to set an Alexa alarm

Just say, "Alexa, set an alarm for [time]."

Alexa will then confirm with you, normally questioning AM/PM, if you forgot to say. You can also add as many alarms as you want, so it's fine to add ones for you and your partner.

When your alarm sounds, just say, "Alexa, turn off" - or whatever you can muster. But don't forget "Alexa, snooze" for that all-important 10 extra minutes.

How to set a music alarm with Alexa

This one didn't exist when Alexa first launched, yet it was one of the first things we tried. You can ask, "Alexa, wake me up to [song name] by [artist] at [time]", or even just an artist radio by not specifying a song.

It works with AmazonMusic, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio.

You can do it with pretty much any radio station, too, providing you have the TuneIn skill. Just say, "Alexa, wake me up to [radio station] at time" for a gentler wake up.

It applies to the news, as well. Just ask "Alexa, wake me up to [news service] at [time]."

Best Alexa compatible smart home devices

The sleep timer & bedtime sounds

Above is the basics of alarm clocks, but what about going to sleep? Well, there are a few neat Alexa skills there as well.

Try "Alexa, play ambient sounds" to get a list of relaxing soundscapes to drift off to. You can also try things like "play bedtime music" or "play sleep sounds," as well.

Most of Alexa's sleep tracks last an hour, but there are also a few clever things you can do. Our favourite is "Alexa, turn music off in [x] minutes", so you can drift off and not get woken back up by the sound of crashing waves. Pretty useful.

You can also do the opposite, and say "Alexa, loop this track" to have it played all night.

Create a brilliant Alexa alarm routine

Of course, you can also use Alexa Routines to have your wake up process automated perfectly.

A morning routine could involve powering up your coffee machine, turning the lights on and playing your favourite music or radio station.

That last part is a new addition to the Alexa Routines feature – and makes for an amazing alarm clock.

Here's an example of a wake-up routines:

1. Head to the Routines section of the Alexa app (tap More in the bottom bar).

2. Hit the plus icon to create a new Routine.

3. Tap When this happens.

4. Tap Schedule and then choose your desired alarm time – and add any repeat rules, e.g. every weekday. Press Done.

5. Tap Add action.

6. Tap music, and then write in the name of the artist, song or playlist. We actually chose a radio station.

7. Choose a source e.g. Spotify. For radio, you need TuneIn.

8. Optional: Tap Add another action – choose a smart bulb, and edit the behaviour (e.g. power on/off, brightness, colour) and then press Next.

9. Save your Routine.

For a bedtime routine, this can involve turning off the lights, or dimming lights to a certain level and colour.

That one already exists in the app by default, just as an example, and you say "Alexa, bedtime" to enable it. You can, of course, customize the actions to your exact needs and wants, as well.