The remote control, battery included, makes it easier to set this up and adjust settings while it is still hanging on the wall. Two AAA batteries are needed for the power outage battery backup, not included. I won't need the alarm function but it is there in case this is your only clock. The night light bar is a nice feature, it is on the bottom of the clock frame facing down - it looks like a continuous bar of light and it has two brightness settings and off. I definitely have a use for the night light. The power cord is over 6 feet long and it has a USB plug for using the included USB to AC power adapter. I like having a temperature display and this one is big and bright and can be degrees C or F. The display can be any of a number of colors including white, the best for a black background. I have never seen a clock with a remote control before but it is convenient so you don't have to pull it off the wall for setting and it makes a timer and alarm practical to use. It would be wise to save the instruction manual, which is legible with a decent sized print for legibility. 5 stars for sure.