Do you need a subscription to use Hatch Restore 2?

If you’re looking for a premium smart alarm clock, it’s hard to do better than the Hatch Restore and the new Hatch Restore 2. Offering a variety of sleep sounds, wake-up alarms, and lighting options, the two devices are bound to help your nighttime and morning routines. However, they’re not cheap — and the availability of a premium Hatch Sleep plan only makes them more expensive.

But do you need a Hatch Sleep membership to use your Hatch Restore, or can you start using it right out of the box without dropping more cash? Here’s a closer look at the service and everything it has to offer.

Recommended Videos

What is Hatch Sleep?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hatch Sleep is a premium membership option that gives you access to a vast selection of sleep sounds, meditations, stories, music, and other unique content. One of the newest additions to the platform is Wind Down Channels, which pull together a combination of sounds, music, and stories to introduce variety to your nightly routine. Most purchases will include a 30-day free trial of Hatch Sleep. Once this membership expires, you’ll be able to sign up for $50 per year or $5 per month.

Is Hatch Sleep required?

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Thankfully, Hatch Sleep is entirely optional and is not required to use Hatch Restore 2 or Hatch Restore. Even if you don’t sign up for the service, you’ll be able to use your smart alarm clock without any issues. However, you won’t have access to nearly as much content. Not only are Wind Down Channels locked behind the subscription, but so are many of the sleep sounds, music, and other wake-up options.

As a non-member, you’ll have access to a handful of sounds and sunrise color options — and that’s about it. In other words, your Hatch Restore 2 will lack a lot of the features that make it such as compelling product. If you can swing the $50 annual payment, you’ll find the smart alarm clock to be a much better purchase (and it’s something we highly recommend).

It’s still worth purchasing a Restore 2 even if you don’t opt for a Hatch Sleep membership, but there’s no doubt that you’ll get the most out of your money by joining the program. That’s especially true if you’re hoping to use it as a sleep aid instead of a standard alarm clock, as there are heaps of great sounds and Wind Down Channels to help you have a restful night.

Not sold on the Hatch Restore or Hatch Restore 2? Be sure to check out our list of the best alarm clocks, which covers all budgets and includes products with a wide variety of features. Most of the items on the list don’t require a subscription — meaning they’re ready to use out of the box without having to worry about dropping even more cash.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
The Blink Mini 2 features an updated design, support for outdoor use

The original Blink Mini was one of the best indoor cameras thanks to its affordable price, 1080p resolution, and support for Alexa. Now, Amazon is making the gadget even more enticing with the new Blink Mini 2, which boasts a sleek new design and is capable of working both indoors and outside in the elements.

While it's still small and compact, the Blink Mini 2 looks slightly different from the old Blink Mini. Its corners are much softer, its entire chassis is white (instead of a white chassis and black faceplate), and its camera takes up a bit more space on the front of the device. The differences are apparent when the two gadgets are placed side by side -- and the minor changes add up to make the Blink Mini 2 look a bit more premium than its older sibling.

Read more
How to use the Google Home app on a computer

Google Home makes it easy to manage all your smart devices through your smartphone or tablet. Giving you access to your camera feeds, smart thermostat, smart lights, and more, Google Home is one of the most popular smart home platforms on the market. But while there's a lot to love about Google Home, it lacks full PC support. However, that's slowly starting to change – here's a look at how to use the Google Home app on your PC and control your devices from a larger display.
Can you use the Google Home app on a PC?
Google Home doesn't have a PC app, but it does have a website. Unfortunately, Google notes that Google Home for web is in Public Preview, meaning not all features are available and you may encounter glitches during use. The website is seeing constant updates, so there's a good chance it'll work just as well as the mobile apps in the future. Be sure to check it out regularly to see what's been added.

There are a few other workarounds you can implement to get Google Home on your PC. Read on to learn about the alternatives.
Use Google Home through your Chromebook

Read more
Red, green, flashing: What do my Shark vacuum’s lights mean?

Modern high-tech vacuum cleaners like those from Shark are not only better at picking up dust than their older counterparts, but they are also better at conveying when thy have an issue and indicating that you need to do something to fix it. Shark vacuums are favored for their ability to efficiently clean all areas of your home, whether it has carpet or solid flooring, and are able to get into all the tight corners and nooks where dust likes to accumulate. And they also come in a range of sizes and styles, including cordless or robot options, to make cleaning your space a breeze.

However, like any technology, your Shark vacuum can go wrong. It might not suck properly and require some cleaning, or a cordless version might be not charging correctly.To help figure out what the problem is, Shark vacuums come with indicators lights which light up in different colors and sequences to give you information about how they are performing and if they are experiencing any issues.
Your Shark vacuum has a health monitor

Read more