If you absolutely, positively, must wake up, this is your device. I bought my first one back in the mid-90s. If you really, really need to wake up after a set time, this is your huckleberry. It consists of two smoke alarm speakers, a timer, and a nine volt battery, all in a very durable plastic case. Back in the old days, I was a truck driver. I drove long distances with strict deadlines that weren't realistic given todays safety standards. When I absolutely couldn't drive any further, I would set this timer for 45 minutes and sleep with my head on the wheel along the side of the road. This thing is so loud, it will wake you up, and wake up the guy sleeping in his running truck parked next to you. I used the Screaming Meanie for 3-4 years like this. I remember paying something close to $25 in a truck stop for my first one. The case feels very durable. The controls aren't exactly intuitive, but once you figure them out they are easy to use. You set the count-down timer and start the timer. The battery lasts a very long time. You will hear the slightly different pitch of the alarm sound when the battery starts getting low, but that won't be for months if used daily. After I quit driving truck, I threw my Screaming Meanie in a box. When I rediscovered it last year the battery I left in it had corroded, ruining the device. I decided to replace it. It is small, relatively inexpensive and does its job so well I think I would always like to have one on hand. It is the loudest thing I can imagine ever being powered by one small 9-volt battery. Read more
This alarm could wake the dead! Programming it a little different, but works very well for a heavy sleeper! Cheaply made, but does the task. Read more
Not very good. Not as good as I remember when I bought one when they first came out. Didn't seem as loud and it seemed cheaply made. Read more
I've been hearing impaired my entire life, and am a beast to wake up. I used to use a Screaming Meanie several years ago when I traveled a LOT, and had to wake myself up in all sorts of places and situations, and I *HAD* to be on time. The Screaming Meanie that I received is the exact type I had years ago, (though I love the black and yellow!) and it works precisely the same. If you think that the set and turn off controls are a little odd, trust me when I tell you, I haven't had one for 25 years, and as soon as I used this one for the first time, the muscle memory from using my old one was still there. You WILL WAKE UP. My hearing is considered severe to profound loss, and I'm the perfect candidate for cochlear implants. But even without hearing aids or any assistive devices, the Screaming Meanie has no trouble getting me awake in seconds. Love these things! Read more
I would give this a 5 or if possible higher for loudness. However, I must deduct a star for it not being a real clock. It's a countdown timer only. You can't set a time of day for it to go off, only how many hours and/or minutes before it goes off. Read more
This is the best alarm out there. Super loud! Very high pitched and hurts your ears after a minute but is very effective and definitely does its job. Well worth the price. Very durable, been thrown a few times and still has no damage. Will recommend to everyone I can. Read more
i loved this because i am a very heavy sleeper. ive slept through a tornado before, multiple alarms, anything you could imagine. it worked amazing for the first 2 years cause i would use it on and off. the more I used it recently, i realized in my sleep i figured out how to turn the alarm off and i would sleep through it again. this is a me problem lol. but beside that it works well. the alarm is very loud that my roommates can hear it across the house. so if you live alone this is perfect for you. Read more
I bought this for my son. He wore out the first one. I used to have to literally pour water on him to wake him up. This apparatus is THE BOMB! If it can wake up my son, it can wake up anybody. Read more
