The Hatch Restore 3 serves as an excellent bedside companion. Primarily functioning as a smart alarm clock, it also offers music playback to help you relax at night and simulates a sunrise to gently ease you into waking. Our review highlighted it as one of the top smart alarm options available, but how does it stack up against its predecessor, the Hatch Restore 2? More importantly, should those who own the Hatch Restore 2 consider upgrading?
This overview of the Hatch Restore 3 and Hatch Restore 2 will assist you in determining whether the newer model is a worthwhile investment.
Pricing and Availability
Both models are priced at $170, and they both support the Hatch+ membership plan, which is available for $5 per month. This subscription unlocks exclusive routines, including new meditations, soundscapes, and music. However, as the Hatch Restore 2 is now solely available through third-party retailers, it’s simpler to purchase the Hatch Restore 3 directly from the Hatch website.
Winner: Hatch Restore 3
Design and Buttons
The Hatch Restore 3 sports a design similar to its predecessor but includes several enhancements for improved usability. Notably, it introduces a “Big Button” on the top. This versatile feature allows you to initiate and navigate through your Unwind routines, silence and snooze your alarms, and even serves as a rotating dial to adjust volume levels.
Other controls on the Restore 3 include a Swap button to cycle through your Unwind routine, a Pause button, an alarm toggle to disable alarms, and a Light button that can reset the device or sync via Bluetooth.
In contrast, the Hatch Restore 2 is limited to just two buttons and an alarm toggle, making it somewhat cumbersome to operate, particularly in low-light settings.
Winner: Hatch Restore 3
Features
Both devices come equipped with virtually identical features. Here’s a quick summary of their notable capabilities:
- Set alarms
- Play meditations, soundscapes, and other audio to enhance your morning and sleep rituals
- Illuminate their faces with various colors to mimic a sunrise
While the Hatch Sleep app features slightly different interfaces (for instance, the Restore 2 has a Morning Moment feature, which is supplanted by a two-step sunrise routine on the Restore 3), both effectively achieve similar outcomes. Many users may find the Restore 3 offers slightly more customization, though the Restore 2 remains quite functional.
Ultimately, both devices can seamlessly play various soundscapes to help you relax and simulate a sunrise in the morning, providing a gentle wake-up experience.
Winner: Tie
Verdict
With its revamped design and added buttons, the Hatch Restore 3 is a clear advancement over the Hatch Restore 2. Maintaining the same price of $170 is certainly a plus, minimizing concerns about inflation despite significant enhancements.
If you don’t already own a Hatch device, opting for the Hatch Restore 3 is undoubtedly the way to go. However, for current Restore 2 users, there’s probably no immediate need to rush into an upgrade. While the Restore 3 offers slight customization improvements and user-friendliness, it may not justify the $170 expense if you’re satisfied with your current model. Consider maximizing the use of your Restore 2, and when you’re finally ready for an upgrade, the Restore 3 will be a fantastic choice.