aXbo Sleep Phase Alarm Clock reviewed

Sure, the aXbo alarm clock sounds quite promising with its ability to monitor your sleep phases and wake you at just the right time, but does it promise too much? Martin Regtien doesn't seem to think so, and after reviewing the Sleeptracker as well, he seems to think the aXbo not only bests its rival, but happens to be one of the best systems on the market for waking up right. Unfortunately, he didn't receive the USB cable with his review unit that allows you to check out your sleep patterns with your computer, but he did have an easy time setting up and using the actual aXbo. Turns out the wristband sensors are plenty comfortable, but though you can set separate alarms for both you and your partner, Martin's wife was wakened by his alarm. He suggests that the makers of aXbo create a vibrating alarm for the ultimate in sleep bliss, but for the casual user the aXbo seems to fit the bill exactly if you're prepared to fork over the $250.

[Via Gadget Review]

[Josh S. @ May 3rd 2006 11:01PM]

I've been waiting for a review of this.

By the way Engadget, you wrote "Martin Regtien doesn't seem to think so" but he seems to give it a pretty good review, you might want to change it to "does seem to think so".

[Josh S. @ May 3rd 2006 11:07PM]

Whoops!

Sorry, didn't read right; you wrote it correctly.

[will @ May 3rd 2006 11:38PM]

...did i miss how well it worked?

[Marc @ May 3rd 2006 11:55PM]

I'm no sleep expert, but this device only wakes you up within a 30 minute window before you HAVE to get up.

That doesn't seem like enough time to make a difference.

Interesting idea though.

[Elijah @ May 4th 2006 12:43AM]

I knew that I should have bought it a while ago. But for $250??? That's still a little much I think. I'm usually the one who cannot sleep with a watch on, as I am curious how a wristband would feel.

[thedvs01 @ May 4th 2006 1:12AM]

Instead of just having a button on the wrist unit to re-light the clock display, it should sense when you wake up and keep the light lit-up temporarily so that you dont have to reach for a button on your wrist while in a sleepy daze.

[Kenno @ May 4th 2006 1:48AM]

I'm going to wait for the WiFi interface with my coffee maker. I mean why get up if the coffee's not ready?

[HyperHacker @ May 4th 2006 3:36AM]

"Turns out the wristband sensors are plenty comfortable"
Yeah, I was at the hospital about 2 weeks ago doing a sleep test. They ensured me that the mass of wires hanging off my face and taped to my leg and chest hairs, with a huge box at the end, were plenty comfortable. Guess what?
They also told me there's no way any current technology can tell whether you're actually asleep. If this thing really can, well...

[Steven @ May 4th 2006 4:50AM]

HyperHacker, how do you think they got all of the results of your sleep study? Telling which level of sleep you were in, when you woke up, etc. They can definately tell with sensors when you're asleep.

[0ndsk4 @ May 4th 2006 4:53AM]

#4 -

Actually, after sleeping 8 hours you don't deep sleep anymore. Rather, you have quite frequent microwakes. Half an hour timeframe is an adequate timespan.

If you plan to use it for sleeping only three hours or so a night though, half an hour could be too short.

[Hansemann @ May 4th 2006 5:21AM]

Hi there,

I have it at home and it works perfektly.

Before using aXbo I could never get up before 9:30am, the alarm clock was set for 6:30am but because i was so tired, i snozzed it until 9:30am ....

At the first day I used Axbo i also set the alarm time at 6:30am and i got awake at 6:18am and it was no problem at all to get up.

Since that my complete life has changed, i now get up every day at 6:30am compared to 9:30am, this gives you three more hours a day.

So how much is that worth?

I say the $250 was invested very good and things payed of after one month as i over achieved my monthly goals at work and got a $1.5K bonus.

so go for it

[Lcd @ May 4th 2006 5:37AM]

Hi. A friend talked me into aXbo 2 months ago and I thought I gonna try it. Since the first days my husband and I are really satisfied with our new friend in the mornings. We can choose different very enjoyable sounds. My husband doesn�t disturb me anymore when he wakes up like he did in the past. I really believe that since its his ideal time and not mine it�s not effecting my sleep. In the users manual the sleeping phases are described. My husband and I noticed when aXbo wakes us during a lighter sleep getting up is a lot easier. The wristband is comfortable and aXbo is facile to use. To be honest, I had doubts but now I am stunned� it really works!

[hitkaiser @ May 4th 2006 5:50AM]

The last 2 comments are sooo aXbo staff.... they should learn how to talk like normal people rather than writing "testimonials"

Actually forget that, check out comment #2 on
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2006/03/axbo-alarm-knows-when-to-wake.html

"Anna" literally copy pasted this thing

[Marcus @ May 4th 2006 6:20AM]

Nice gadget but al littel expensive. In a week you can try by trial & error to set your alarm with a ten minute interval and find out what the best time to get up is.

[AAM @ May 4th 2006 6:29AM]

I just had a good look at quite a few other reviews at digitalreview.net, where the review of this clock took place. I have to say, I only found a couple of reviews where the conclusion was not very positive, and even then, the language was to do with "how to improve the device to be even better". Makes me wonder how good this clock really is.

[Where Can I get One? @ May 4th 2006 8:51AM]

Ok, enough for the review, where can I get one in US?

[Jeremy @ Sep 20th 2007 10:57PM]

I just found the site for North America. Its www.optimalwakeup.com

[Simonster @ May 4th 2006 10:26AM]

It's really a pity:
I've ordered one in February. First it was supposed to ship in March, then May. Guess what, yesterday I got an email which read that due to problems with the supply of one part delivery has been delayed to August oder September! This sucks...

[porovaara @ May 4th 2006 11:30AM]

Dearest aXbo,

I was considering reading the article and perhaps even buying your product until I read the obvious astroturfing comments. Good game.

[damian @ May 4th 2006 12:33PM]

The problem is all these things do is monitor your movements, with the assumption that you will shift about when you are sleeping lightly. That assumption is a poor one. I bought a SleepTracker watch, and when it works it works reasonably well, you feel more refreshed if you wake up during light as opposed to deep sleep. But more often than not it wouldn't get triggered at all before the set time because I wasn't moving my wrist. Nice idea but until they can actually monitor the sleep cycles instead of your movements it's pretty useless.

[Joe @ May 12th 2006 10:35PM]

When Blu-Ray fails and the fanboys of the world have a $600 Betamax, they'll probably bust out with this new awesome PS3 mod...

[Anna @ Jun 13th 2006 5:04PM]

hi hitkaiser. In searching more about aXbo I found this and the other blog u mentioned, so I posted my opinion. I don't have so much time to blog or surf, so I don't rewrite my opinion every time. Thats only logical I think.
I am into healing practice, in german called "Heilpraktiker". There is for sure a lot of ways to find good sleep, to wake up better, have a more refreshed feeling in the morning. aXbo is a positive gain to all the yoga and herbal tea treatments I do normally for myself. I can see a difference. Would like to know more about how other people think who have aXbo at home.

[zpr @ Feb 5th 2007 3:31AM]

I received mine today, I'll reply again in a few days when I've tested it. Looks extremely good thought, the design is awesome.

[MARY @ Mar 26th 2009 7:43PM]

So how is it working for you?

[Ralphie @ Feb 5th 2007 6:40PM]

Besides wake-up time adjustment, light-based wake-up (with upscale products like NightCove - http://www.nightcove.info ) actually works great!

[cromas @ Feb 13th 2007 11:21AM]

I've been one of these for a few months, and it's wonderful. The purpose isn't so much to save you time in the morning (though that is a nice bonus sometimes), but to wake you up at whatever time within the 30-minute window is most appropriate for your body...which makes it much easier to get up. You wake up at the cycle "apex" instead of mid-dream, so I find myself a lot less groggy when I wake up with this vs. my cell phone alarm. I use it a lot for naps, too, so I end up with a "full nap," instead of waking up mid-dream and feeling horrible.

I find it works better if you set it in 90-minute increments from the time you go to sleep, since that's the average length of a sleep cycle. In other words, if I go to bed at 2:30, I'd set it for 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30, or 10:00, depending on when I needed to be up. (I actually use 95-minute increments for myself, but it depends on the person.)

It is indeed somewhat ridiculously expensive for an alarm clock, but just like buying a nice mattress or pillow, I figure I'm going to spend a third (...err, maybe a quarter?) of my life asleep, so if it works, it's a good investment. I'm happy with the purchase, and it only took about 10 days to get to me in Japan from Germany.

[eric @ Apr 22nd 2007 10:07PM]

i just got my axbo and so far the experience has been pretty good. i started off with the sleeptracker and soon got annoyed by the discomfort of the watch-- i often removed it in the middle of the night without even knowing it. the bands of the axbo are much more comfortable and the clock on the bedside table did a much better job waking me than a watch muffled under a pillow. delivery was quick-- only four business days from austria to new york.

i was pretty excited about that but i will give this warning...

i discovered a problem where the battery won't hold a charge. not a problem when it's plugged in but if i need to move it or want to travel with it, no shot. it resets completely thinking the battery has absolutely no power. the alarm functions won't work for a few hours while it charges the low battery! sucks that it's brand new too!

now i fear i have to return the axbo to austria for warranty service (i wish they would have made the batteries replaceable!?!) postage is not cheap so for those in the u.s.a. who want to buy this thing-- consider expensive international shipping into your cost. or wait until there is a vendor who is stateside who can also handle repairs.

ahh... the pains of being on the cutting edge. hopefully this battery issue is an isolated occurrence and not indicative of their quality assurance.

[eric @ Apr 24th 2007 12:51AM]

i have to add that their staff is pretty responsive. i received a reply explaining how to open the clock... the design makes it seem like it is not meant to be opened. in fact, the manual says, 'do not try to open the clock or sensor, to remove any parts or batteries. this can lead to a short-circuit, and you risk losing any warranty claim.' anyway, they explained that during shipping, one of the batteries could come loose. i opened it and while none of the batteries were loose, taking them out and re-seating them seemed to do the trick. the clock is working now and i look forward to enjoying many good mornings.

[Philippe @ Dec 12th 2007 11:45AM]

Dear Eric,

I noticed that you had the same problem as I have with my aXbo clock. Anyhow, I haven't received any response from aXbo for 1 month now.

Could you help me please by sending me what you received from aXbo to solve the problem?

Thanks

[akazak @ May 13th 2009 1:16AM]

To eric:

I experience nearly the same batteries issue.
Could you share with me the aXbo instructions explaining how to open the clock please?...

[akazak @ May 13th 2009 9:29AM]

Here you have the instruction how to open the aXbo and check the batteries.

CAUTION: Before you open the cover you MUST unplug your aXbo from the mains!

Place the aXbo on the table so that the orange SPAC logo is on the left. Between the white cover and the silver frame there is a small gap into which you can slide your fingernail (for example). Using this gap as a lever loosen the cover and lift away carefully. And check if the polarities are correct and the batteries are well fixed.

Good morning. Every day.
the aXbo team

[Alex @ Feb 29th 2008 9:13AM]

my friend bought one and told me about it today, and now i'm reading through these comments. he says he has the same problem like eric...
I'm sure the system needs a lot of improvements before it could work properly. I mean, seriously, where's the competition? they say this technology is under trademark, that's something to think about. just imagine it's one of the first "computers" of its type. this thing definitely needs improvement. give it another 5 years with a little competition, I'd probably be willing to pay double the price.

[vp @ May 29th 2008 8:35AM]

I purchased an aXbo on 2 May 2008, today it is 28 May 2008 and the item has yet to arrive to my address in the United Kingdom.

I have used the contact form on their website as well as the [e-mail] address that also features on the website to try and ascertain the location of this item but have to date received no response.

In the event that my item does arrive or I hear from aXbo I'll update here.

[Tynen @ Feb 5th 2009 1:41PM]

I really want one of these. But dang they're expensive..

[MARY @ Mar 26th 2009 7:41PM]

I actually came up with this idea in 1980. ( I like to invent things) This technology wasn't readily available at the time. The only thing close to it was an EEG monitor. I didn't have the money for a prototype anyway. However, there is a similiar unit (in the US) called SleepSmart. It was touted in 2005 as a breakthrough in sleep science. I went to the HQ Axonlabs in Providence, RI and the VP showed me a prototype.I had to sign some non disclosure agreement. Yet when I asked him to demonstrate it he refused saying it was proprietary information. So I never did see the prototype work. It is now 2009 and it still isn't available for purchase. Axonlabs has changed their name to Zeno with an evasive website. I have heard of the SleepTracker and that it had little success. I believe this is due to the sensor being on the wrist as is the aXbox. The sensor has to be on your head to trasmitt brainwave information to the alarm clock to determine the stages of sleep you are experiencing. My invention is called "The Alpha Rythm Alarm Clock". It measures brainwaves not your pulse or magnetic field.