The best thing about this clock is the price; for the money it is great value and works well. However, the quality is fitting for the price only. The instructions are poor, and it took time to understand how to use it. Apparently you can give voice commands to turn it on at night - but I don't know how you are supposed to do that. There are three levels of brightness, but I didn't find much difference between them, and it was too bright to leave on at night. I decided to unplug it at night (and use the batteries - you need to buy these extra), and then if you give it a firm tap it lights up for 18-seconds or so. It is compact enough to travel with, so it serves my needs very well indeed.