The report card
- Clear sleep and wake signals25% of score8.4
Colours plus a sleeping or smiling face signal sleep and wake times.
- Set-up & everyday use20% of score7.0
Separate buttons for the alarm, sleep trainer and nap timer, each of which must be switched on after setting.
- Bedroom-friendliness20% of score8.2
Six night-light colours with adjustable brightness, and three sleep sounds.
- Power & build15% of score6.6
Mains-powered with a coin-cell memory backup; buying from the US adds hassle.
- Value20% of score6.6
Fair for what it does, less so once delivery is added.
The full review
Mella is an all-in-one from US brand LittleHippo: an OK-to-wake sleep trainer that uses colours and facial expressions, plus an alarm clock, nap timer, night light and sound machine. It started life on Kickstarter.
On paper it covers a lot of bedside jobs. There are six night-light colours with adjustable brightness and three sleep sounds (white noise, waves and lullabies), so it could replace a separate white-noise machine. LittleHippo says the sleep-trainer function works best from about two, when children start to learn colours, and it carries on as a normal alarm clock and timer as they grow.
In the box you get the clock, a 4ft cable and a wall adapter, and a CR2032 coin cell keeps your settings if the power drops. LittleHippo's own FAQ flags one quirk: after you set the alarm, sleep trainer or nap timer for the first time, each is switched off until you toggle it on with its button.
The catch for UK parents is buying it. LittleHippo's own store ships internationally from the US, with delivery from $20 and any import charges down to you, so check the plug type before you order.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Sleep trainer, night light, sound machine and alarm in one
- Six night-light colours and three sleep sounds
- Grows into a normal alarm clock and timer
- Settings survive power cuts
What I don't
- Harder to buy in the UK
- Delivery and possible import charges
- Each function has to be switched on after setting
Key specs
- Sleep trainer
- Colours and facial expressions; best from about age 2 (LittleHippo)
- Night light
- 6 colours, adjustable brightness
- Sounds
- White noise, waves, lullabies
- Extras
- Alarm clock, nap timer
- Power
- Mains adapter, CR2032 memory backup
- In the box
- Clock, 4ft cable, wall adapter
Head-to-heads
What I read
This is a research-led review. These are the main sources behind the scores, alongside patterns in verified owner reviews. How I review.