My partner got me this. It's a typical alarm clock but it also has a vibrating disk you put in the pillow. My problem was that alarm clocks make those annoying sounds so I would turn them off while half asleep out of spite because they should all go to hell. This particular one has the option to turn off the sound so it only vibrates. I find it wakes me up much more gently and, therefore, is much more effective for me. Unfortunately, it still has a snooze and a "turn off" button within reach so I know it doesn't really answer your question but it's an option.