The Best Light Timers
While heaters, air conditioners, and other large appliances are the main culprits of energy consumption in many homes, lights and small devices can also significantly impact your electricity bill. Installing timers on lamps or lighting fixtures can be a convenient way to automatically turn them off when they’re not in use, steadily saving you money each day. Check out our list of the best light timers below to find one that is best for you.
What to Look For
When choosing our favorite light timers, we searched for ones that were durable, easy to use, and unique in their design and features. Our favorite option was the two-pack of indoor timers from BN-Link because of their quick and intuitive operation. On the other hand, CFGrow’s digital timer sports an extra-large LCD screen and robust programming capabilities. Keep reading to learn more about why our favorite light timers are perfect for your home.
BN-Link Indoor Timer Set
Classic design
If you’re looking for timers you can set and forget, BN-Link’s two-pack has you covered. It has a classic dial with up to 24 on and off settings for each day, allowing you to set intervals as short as 30 minutes. Choosing when you would like your lights or devices to be on is simple as can be. Just push the corresponding pins down, and the timers will do the rest. And once you’ve made your selections, these timers will repeat them daily, so you won’t have to think about them again.
Pros:
- Programming these indoor timers is extremely quick, making them perfect for anyone who doesn’t need fancier options.
- While they make a little noise, they’re remarkably quieter than most other options.
Cons:
- These timers only have two-prong outlets on them, so you won’t be able to plug in lights or devices with a grounding prong.
Dewenwils Digital Light Timer
Dewenwils’ digital timer allows you to automate your lights while keeping one of your outlets free. Its slim profile is only 1.3 inches tall, so it shouldn’t block access to your second outlet. The digital LCD is large and displays the current time, the current timer mode, and various settings as you scroll through them. And to ensure your devices don’t exceed their max load, this timer has a polarized outlet on its left side for them to plug into.
Pros:
- Because of its slim design, this light timer conveniently only takes up one plug on your outlet.
- This user-friendly timer makes it easy for anyone to program their settings.
Cons:
- This light timer only has one outlet to plug devices into.
Fosmon Dual Outdoor Timer
Weatherproof reliability
Poor weather shouldn’t affect your ability to automate your outdoor lights, and Fosmon’s outdoor timer has the protection you need to keep them running. With its durable, rainproof lid and casing, this timer keeps out water, dirt, and sand to allow it to continue to work reliably. The timer can be easily programmed with its 24-hour rotary dial and automatically repeats your selections every day after it has been set. Better yet, this timer features two outlets to control multiple strings of lights without needing to buy a second timer.
Pros:
- This timer is great for holiday decorations, especially when you have multiple strings of lights that you want to run simultaneously.
- With its 15-amp capacity, this timer works well with devices that draw a significant amount of electricity.
Cons:
- The pins on this timer can be a bit difficult to press down without using a screwdriver or pen.
BN-Link Smart Digital Countdown Timer with Repeat Function
One-push programming
If you don’t want to navigate through an assortment of features, BN-Link’s countdown timer is for you. The six preset buttons range in intervals from 15 minutes to six hours, all of which can be programmed with a single press. And once you’ve chosen how long you’d like the power to be on, you can select the repeat button to maintain your settings every day. Using this timer from BN-Link can help you prevent overcharging and reduce the amount of electricity you waste around the house.
Pros:
- This countdown timer requires significantly fewer button presses to set it exactly how you want it.
- We appreciate that this timer only takes up one outlet slot, leaving room to plug another device into the wall.
Cons:
- This timer only allows you to set one countdown period per day.
CFGrow Digital Timer
Control your home
CFGrow’s digital timer is a highly customizable device that gives you more control over your home than most options. The large LCD screen makes the numbers and letters clearly visible so that you can quickly see its current settings at a glance. Its child-lock feature prevents young children from messing up the settings. And to keep your programming saved during power outages, it also has a built-in battery backup that can last up to three months.
Pros:
- This timer is extremely customizable, featuring up to 20 programs you can set throughout the day.
- The battery backup isn’t just handy for power outages — it retains your settings even as you move it from one outlet to another.
Cons:
- The instruction manual could be more helpful, but this timer is pretty easy to figure out how to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity do light timers use?
While light timers help you save electricity, they also consume a tiny amount themselves. A standard mechanical timer will often consume about one watt per hour of use. A digital timer will often consume about two watts per hour of use.
What are some common uses for light timers?
One of the most common uses for light timers is for holiday lights. They are also used for passive home protection since they can simulate the presence of someone within the home while people are on vacation. Lastly, you can also use light timers for basic day-to-day functions, like ensuring lights in common areas are shut off at night.
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