The Best Outlet Timers

Promise Shaffer
15 min readApr 19, 2024

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A reliable and efficient outlet timer can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your devices’ energy consumption and keeping your home safe. In this roundup, we’ll dive into the variety of outlet timers available on the market, from simple mechanical devices to smart and WiFi-enabled options, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your needs.

The Top 10 Best Outlet Timers

  1. Woods 6 Outlet Power Stake Timer with Remote Control and 24-Hour Timer Function — Illuminate your outdoor space with the Woods 6 Outlet Power Stake — a programmable, energy-saving solution with timer and remote control.
  2. Defiant Dusk to Dawn Grounded Mechanical Outlet Timer — Durable and versatile, the Defiant 15 Amp Outdoor Plug-In Mechanical Dusk to Dawn Countdown Timer provides reliable control for outdoor lighting and devices, with easy installation and weather-resistant construction.
  3. BN-LINK 7-Day Outdoor Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer — Simplify your outdoor setup with the BN-LINK 7-Day Digital Programmable Timer, featuring heavy-duty weatherproof design and easy-to-use 8-schedule programming options for ultimate convenience.
  4. Kasonic Waterproof Outdoor Light Timer with Remote Control — The Kasonic Outdoor Light Timer, a versatile and weather-resistant solution with three grounded electrical outlets and a 100 ft range remote control, offers convenient and safe control for your outdoor devices.
  5. Hyper Tough Outdoor Dusk-to-Dawn Photocell Outlet Timer — Illuminate outdoors and conserve energy with the durable Hyper Tough Outdoor Grounded Photocell Dusk-to-Dawn Timer, offering easy two-hour interval settings and a heavy-duty grounded outlet.
  6. Programmable Digital Timer for Lights and Outlets — Streamline your lighting routine with this efficient digital timer, featuring eight time schedules, a large LCD display, and two 110V 15-amp outlets, offering optimal control and convenience.
  7. Chicago Electric Lamp and Appliance 2-Prong Outlet Timer — Simplify your home automation with the versatile Chicago Electric Lamp and Appliance Timer #40148, featuring 2 three-prong plug ins and a convenient 24-hour time schedule.
  8. Philips Plug-In Snowflake Digital Light-Up Timer with Custom Schedule and Multipurpose Door — Transform your home into a snowy wonderland with the Philips 1-Outlet Digital Timer Plug-In Light Up Snowflake Polarized, featuring a customizable schedule, space-saving design, and color-changing LEDs.
  9. TOPGREENER Heavy Duty 7 Day Programmable Plug-In Digital Timer — Enhance your home lighting control with the user-friendly TOPGREENER TGT07 7-day digital timer, perfect for holiday appliances and daily routines.
  10. GE My Touch Smart Digital Plug-In Timer — Automate your indoor lighting and electronics with ease, thanks to the GE My Touch Smart Digital Timer, featuring intuitive programming options and CSA certification.

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Reviews

Woods 6 Outlet Power Stake Timer with Remote Control and 24-Hour Timer Function

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The Woods 6 Outlet Power Stake with Timer & Remote Control is a versatile and convenient tool for controlling your landscape and outdoor lights. It features an adjustable 24-hour outdoor timer that can be programmed to repeat daily, using sunlight for manual control to turn on and off at dusk or dawn, or setting timers of 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. The durable, weather-resistant flip cover protects the timer and outlets from rain, snow, and animals.

With a 4-foot, 14/3 SJTW cord, this power stake boasts energy-saving capabilities and is rated at 125V, 13A, 1875-Watt resistive, and 125V, 8A, 1000-Watt tungsten. The product is made by Southwire, offering a green-colored outlet timer that can be used indoors and outdoors. With six outlets for multiple connections, this 6 Outlet Power Stake Timer makes managing your outdoor lighting a breeze.

Defiant Dusk to Dawn Grounded Mechanical Outlet Timer

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Defiant’s 15 Amp Outdoor Plug-In Mechanical Dusk to Dawn Countdown Timer offers a convenient and durable solution for controlling your lights and devices. With its easy-to-use plug-in installation, this timer can handle up to 1875 watts and operates on a 24-hour daily cycle.

What sets it apart is its reliable performance in different weather conditions, making it perfect for any outdoor space. Users love its simplicity and effectiveness, making it a trusted choice for controlling their electrical devices.

BN-LINK 7-Day Outdoor Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer

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The BN-LINK 7 Day Outdoor Heavy Duty Digital Programmable Timer is a perfect solution for automating your home’s outdoor lights, fountains, and decorations. With its dual outlet feature and weatherproof design, this timer is built to withstand various weather conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

A user-friendly interface allows you to easily program the 8 available schedules, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The heavy-duty construction ensures durability and longevity, while the 125V AC power source and 1875-watt wattage provide ample power for your outdoor needs.

Featuring a through-hole mount and the ETL certification, this digital timer is not only reliable but also adheres to applicable safety standards. Make your life easier with this programmable timer, and enjoy the convenience of a fully automated outdoor environment.

Kasonic Waterproof Outdoor Light Timer with Remote Control

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Kasonic’s Outdoor Light Timer offers a fantastic solution for controlling your outdoor devices with ease. This waterproof, plug-in timer boasts a 100-foot range remote control, allowing you to manage your outdoor Christmas, holiday, or yard lights, lamps, and pool pumps without ever stepping outside. With its reliable RF signal, you can control your appliances through walls and doors, making it an excellent choice for those with limited mobility or the elderly.

The timer’s light sensor and countdown timer options provide flexibility, enabling you to set your schedule according to dusk-to-dawn settings or custom time preferences. With the ability to create daily repeat schedules and turn devices on or off as needed, you’ll have ultimate control over your outdoor environment. Plus, its watertight construction and heavy-duty materials ensure safety and durability, backed by a rigorous ETL certification for quality and safety assurance. Kasonic’s Outdoor Light Timer promises a seamless and convenient experience with no programming or tools required.

Hyper Tough Outdoor Dusk-to-Dawn Photocell Outlet Timer

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This Hyper Tough Outdoor Grounded Dusk-to-Dawn Timer is a convenient and durable solution for outdoor lighting needs. Its photocell feature automatically turns the lights on and off, ensuring energy efficiency and enhancing security. The timer is equipped with a large, easy-to-read dial that can be set at two-hour intervals for manual operation.

Additionally, the single heavy-duty grounded outlet provides a reliable and weather-resistant connection for your outdoor lighting setup. The timer is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for various outdoor projects and holiday decorations. Users have praised its sensitive photocell, ease of use, and heavy-duty construction, making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications.

Programmable Digital Timer for Lights and Outlets

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Like most people, I’ve grown tired of constantly reaching for switches to turn on and off lights within my home. That’s why the Digital Timer caught my eye — an affordable solution to program lights to do their jobs automatically. The thing is, even with its affordable price tag, I wasn’t expecting much from it.

But as I installed it in my living room, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The product is small and lightweight, easy to carry around and install. And despite its size, it packs a substantial punch when it comes to its capabilities.

What stood out the most for me was its intuitive programming system. It’s surprisingly simple to navigate with just a few buttons, and yet it enables you to set up the lights’ on and off times to the nearest minute. It felt like a breath of fresh air, not fumbling with complicated controls to get the timings right.

However, one downside I found was its battery system. While the built-in battery is a great feature, I found that the power sometimes runs out unexpectedly. It was disconcerting as it occasionally caused the entire timer to stop working.

All in all, the Digital Timer has proven to be a reliable and efficient addition to my home. It allows me to automate my lights with ease, and is a handy little gadget that I find myself turning to regularly for those extra moments of convenience.

Chicago Electric Lamp and Appliance 2-Prong Outlet Timer

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I recently tried out this Chicago Electric Lamp and Appliance Timer #40148, and I have to say, it’s a nifty little device. The dual three-prong plugs definitely came in handy when I needed to set timers for multiple lights. The 24-hour time schedule is straightforward and easy to understand.

One thing that stood out to me was the rotary switch mechanism. It may seem a bit outdated, but I actually found it easy to use and it got the job done without any issues. The outlet timer was simple to operate, and I could set it up without any hassle.

However, there were a couple of drawbacks to using this timer. The instructions were a bit lacking, which made it a bit harder for me to figure out how to operate it at first. Also, the lack of an indicator light was a bit frustrating, as it made it difficult to tell whether the outlets were active or not.

Overall, I would say this is a decent outlet timer for the price, but there are definitely some improvements that could be made.

Philips Plug-In Snowflake Digital Light-Up Timer with Custom Schedule and Multipurpose Door

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The Philips Indoor Plug-in Digital Light-up Timer is a game-changer for those seeking to add a festive touch to their daily routine. After trying this product, I found that it effortlessly brought a sense of joy and holiday spirit to my life with its customizable schedule and snowflake-embellished door.

From the moment I unboxed it, I appreciated the compact design that allowed me to fit it in tight spaces without any hassle. It was a convenient feature as I didn’t have to worry about blocking other outlets.

One standout feature of this timer was its digital display, which made setting the exact time of day simple and stress-free. I particularly enjoyed the 24-hour cycle, as it provided me with versatility in controlling when my lights turned on and off.

However, one improvement I’d suggest for future models is to incorporate a manual override option, allowing me to adjust the timer settings without having to restart the entire device when power loss occurs. I’m sure this would be an even more helpful addition to an already impressive product.

Overall, the Philips Indoor Plug-in Digital Light-up Timer has brought a touch of holiday cheer to my daily life in the most seamless way. Its ease of use, combined with its festive appearance and customizable settings, have made this timer a must-have addition to my household.

TOPGREENER Heavy Duty 7 Day Programmable Plug-In Digital Timer

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I recently tried the TOPGREENER Heavy Duty 7 Day Programmable Plug-In Digital Timer and I must say, it’s a game-changer for my home lighting control. This little plug-in timer is incredibly easy to use and sets any light or electrical appliance to operate on a schedule. Imagine being able to manage all your lights and appliances to save energy and create a more efficient home environment.

One feature I loved was its simplicity. The process is as easy as plugging the timer into a wall outlet and plugging in any electrical appliance to enable 7-day programmable control. No need for any complicated wiring or installation. What’s even better is that it works with both Christmas lights and holiday appliances, making it the perfect multipurpose tool.

However, I did notice a slight issue with the timer’s display. The font size was quite small and faint, making it challenging for me to read. Especially for those with tired or aging eyes. But overall, I’m happy with the quality and functionality it provides.

What’s even better? The TOPGREENER Heavy Duty 7 Day Programmable Plug-In Digital Timer comes with a battery backup, so you don’t have to worry about resetting it even if your power goes off. And I’m not just saying this — I highly recommend this timer if you’re in the market for a reliable and easy-to-use plug-in timer. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to upgrade your home lighting control.

GE My Touch Smart Digital Plug-In Timer

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I recently tried out the GE My Touch Smart Digital Timer and it has made automating my lights a breeze. The timer is easy to set up and works perfectly with all types of light sources, including CFL, LED, incandescent, and halogen.

What stood out to me is the full 24-hour countdown option, which makes programming a breeze. It also features a large LCD screen for effortless viewing, and LED indicators that show active programs.

However, one thing I noticed was that the battery isn’t used in this device, which might make it less convenient for some users. Overall, I’m happy with the GE My Touch Smart Digital Timer and it has made automating my lights much more efficient.

Buyer’s Guide

An outlet timer is a smart device that automates electrical appliances’ on and off time. Its primary purpose is to conserve energy, reduce electricity bills, and enhance safety by ensuring appliances are not left plugged in unnecessarily. However, with various models available, it can be challenging to determine the best one to pick. In this buyer’s guide, we highlight essential features, considerations, and general advice to help you make an informed decision when purchasing an outlet timer.

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Type of Outlet Timer

Outlet timers come in two types: mechanical and digital. Mechanical timers have a simple interface, with a dial that you set manually to choose the desired time. In contrast, a digital timer requires you to set the time using buttons, and some even have LCD displays. While both types serve the same purpose, digital timers are more accurate and easier to program than their mechanical counterparts.

Features to Consider

When choosing an outlet timer, consider the following features: programmability, energy efficiency, surge protection, and remote control options. Programmability allows you to set an appliance to turn on or off at specific times during the day. Energy-efficient timers help reduce your electricity bill by automatically turning off appliances when not in use. Surge protection protects your appliances from power surges and prevents damage. Lastly, remote control options provide convenience by allowing you to control the timer from a distance using your smartphone or a dedicated remote.

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Installation and Use

Outlet timers are relatively easy to install as they plug into a wall outlet. Once installed, insert the appliance’s plug into the timer’s socket. Before using the timer, ensure it is correctly set to the desired time and that the outlet receives power. Most timers have an indicator light to show they are operational. Furthermore, read the user manual before using the device to understand its features and functions fully.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Proper maintenance and troubleshooting are essential to ensure your outlet timer functions optimally. Regularly check the timer’s socket for debris or dust, and clean it if necessary. If the timer fails to function correctly or the appliance does not turn on or off at the programmed time, refer to the user manual for troubleshooting steps. If the issue persists, contact the manufacturer’s customer support for assistance.

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FAQ

Uncover the wonders of an outlet timer, and harness its power for a greener and safer future!

An outlet timer is a cutting-edge electronic device that automatically switches off electrical appliances, saving energy and ensuring safety. Simply plug in your gadgets and devices, and let the timer do the rest! This innovative tool prevents energy wastage and curtails risk by automatically shutting off appliances after a designated amount of time has elapsed — perfect for use with appliances that drain power constantly, like heaters, pool pumps, and lights. It’s an eco-friendly solution that helps reduce expenses and lowers the risk of electrical hazards.

Outlet timers come in diverse designs and features, some even offering programmable time settings and multiple outlet options. They are user-friendly devices designed to help you save energy and increase safety in your home or office, all the while conserving essential resources and creating a greener environment for future generations. Choosing the right outlet timer for your specific needs is essential for maximum output and peace of mind.

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Unlocking the versatility of outlet timers

Outlet timers are adaptable devices, accommodating a range of outlet types, including standard household outlets and specialized outlets designed for heavy-duty appliances. Select outlet timers offer a combination of these options, giving users the flexibility to plug in various devices without the need for extra adapters. This adaptability makes outlet timers a popular choice for those seeking energy-saving solutions.

When selecting an outlet timer, verify that it matches the needed outlet type for compatibility and proper functioning. If you require multiple outlet types, look for a versatile model that suits your needs. These devices are easy to install and can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet, making them a convenient addition to your energy-saving toolkit.

Do all outlet timers fit the bill for appliances that need constant power?

Outlet timers, by design, turn appliances off after a predetermined time. While this feature benefits appliances that don’t require constant power, it poses problems for those that do, such as refrigerators, water heaters, and some medical devices — appliances that rely on a consistent power supply. In these cases, alternative solutions like surge protectors or dedicated outlets with switch controls should be considered.

These devices allow manual control of power supply, ensuring the smooth operation of appliances without frequent on/off cycles. Whether you’re looking for a solution that enhances efficiency, conserves energy, or protects your appliances, there’s an alternative outlet solution to accommodate your needs. Choose wisely to achieve optimal results!

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The accuracy countdown: A matter of precision

The precision of pre-set time settings on outlet timers can vary from product to product, depending on the make and price range. Top-notch models offer more precise time settings, while budget options might have slight discrepancies. When selecting an outlet timer, consider the importance of accuracy to ensure that your devices are shut off or turned on precisely as needed.

For high-precision results, consider investing in a premium model. These devices generally yield better performance and reliability, ensuring that your appliances are powered only when necessary, thereby conserving energy. Additionally, some outlet timers provide adjustable time increments, offering more flexibility to better match your specific needs.

The power of multiple outlets, all in one place

Using multiple outlet timers is indeed possible! Simply connect each device to a different electrical outlet to control various appliances and devices separately. This setup is particularly useful for those who own multiple appliances or require additional control options over their gadgets.

However, be cautious of the combined load, ensuring it does not exceed the capacity of your electrical circuits. Place each outlet timer in a visible location for convenient access and control. Also, always consider the compatibility of the outlet timer with different appliances to avoid any potential issues or damage.

For the ultimate safety, opt for a surge-protected outlet timer

An outlet timer with built-in surge protection is like having a superhero by your side, shielding your appliances and devices from power fluctuations such as surges and spikes. These devices use a combination of metal oxide varistors (MOVs) and other protective components to absorb and dissipate the excess voltage, ensuring your appliances remain safe and sound.

When investing in an outlet timer, surge protection is a feature worth considering, especially if your appliances are consistently exposed to power fluctuations. With the right surge-protected outlet timer, you can rest assured that your gadgets and devices are protected from potential damage, safeguarding your investments and prolonging their lifespan.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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