Having to get up in the morning in heavy weather just to turn off the outdoor decoration lights or garden sprinklers or pumps seems a bit too cruel, isn’t it? It is frustrating for me at least.
If I told you there is something called a timer outlet that you have to only set up once and then it would take care of outdoor appliances, protect your home, and also save you money, would you believe it?
I bet that caught your attention.
I know the pain of going out in the rain but you don’t have to. Just get an outdoor timer. Plug your outdoor appliances into it, set it, and then let it do the work for you. It’s that simple.
So the logical question is how can you get one for yourself? That is why I’m here. I’m going to tell you what features make the best outdoor outlet timer and what you should keep in mind. So without further ado.
Let’s get started.
Choosing the best outdoor outlet timer
Having a timer is like having a cheap tool that can automate your house or the outdoor sprinklers or lights without you being physically there. It’s a good tool to have in your arsenal.
After looking at a lot of different options on the market I have concluded that the Dewenwils digital timer outlet is the best option on the market. it offers high capability and reliability with very affordable price tags.
Below is the list of the top timer plugs for outdoors. Please keep in mind that these products are being selected based on the parameters that we will be talking about below
a. Outdoor usage rating
The number one thing that you should be looking for in an outlet outdoor timer is its capability to withstand the outdoor abuse that comes with being outside like water, snow, and dust.
Make sure you buy a timer that has an IP rating of 44 or 65. IP stands for ingress protection. That Means how much the device is resistant to dust and water.
b. Type of timer
There are many types of plug timers which include mechanical and digital. Digital timers tend to give you more freedom when it comes to programmability and precision.
Mechanical timers on the other hand are a cheap alternative but they don’t give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to the features.
If money isn’t the issue then a smart timer is best because it combines the features of digital and mechanical all into one little package that you can control from the comfort of your phone
c. Power capacity
Power capacity is important because it is the only factor that determines the diversity of your device. A power timer with a high power capacity is always better than a timer with a low power capacity.
Always check the power capacity of your outlet timer. It is measured in watts and amps. You should be looking for 1800 W or 15 amps of rating.
d. Number of outlet ports
The number of outlet ports will directly impact how many devices you can connect to the timer outlets so the more you have the better it is.
If you need more ports then you can simply attach a normal power strip to one of its ends and there you go you have a power strip without spending extra money on buying a separate timer plug to do different things
e. Programming options
Programming options are important. You should look out for the daily and weekly schedule along with multiple time settings per day
You should also look for random or vacation modes to keep the bad guys out of your home and the ability to set different schedules on different days.
It shouldn’t be a problem in a smart timer but when it comes to digital and mechanical I don’t think they offer such features.
f. Display
Display is very important because in case you have a digital power timer no matter how good it works if you can’t navigate through the device it is useless. It is not worth your money.
You should look for a display that is easy to read and navigate. It should be user-friendly and also have a backlight screen for easy readability in the dark.
g. Durability
Durability is a very important aspect to keep in mind when buying a plug timer for the outdoors because what’s the point in buying a timer for the outdoors if it’s not durable?
You should look for a timer plug that can withstand the outdoor condition including UV resistance to prevent sun damage and the only material that provides that sort of protection is either PVC or ABS plastic.
List of the top outlet timers for outdoors
This is part of the article where I will talk about why I selected these particular products. What made them worthy, and the different features each timer plug has.
1. Our Selected: Dewenwils digital timer
Dewenwils is a relatively new company that is dominating the market with its very quality and reliable line of products. They are simply amazing at what they do and what they offer at such a low price that it is almost unbeatable
I have concluded that the Dewenwils digital timer (Amazon link) is the best when it comes to functionality capability and outdoor use you can not beat it. It is exceptionally good.
The Good
Down below are some of the good aspects of this outdoor outlet timer.
This timer plug has a high outdoor rating: Because it has a weatherproof cover that protects it from water, snow, and dust. Making it perfect for pumps, sprinklers, irrigation systems, and Halloween decorations. It is perfect for that.
You don’t have to go out of your home in heavy weather just to check on sprinklers, pumps, and irrigations. This device will take care of it for you without you being there.
It is a digital plug timer: Which means it is very accurate making it perfect for tasks that require time precision like pumps in the aquariums and the food valves of aquariums as well.
The high power capacity is perfect for heavy-duty outdoor appliances: This means that it would work on pumps, sprinklers, and air conditioners.
Decorations such as Halloween or Christmas lights or other decorative lights can be easily controlled with this outdoor heavy-duty timer.
Outlet ports are not an issue: Because this digital timer plug has 6 outlet ports you would be able to connect as many devices you wish to connect to.
In this case, I would not recommend you attach a simple power strip to one of its ports a normal power strip is not waterproof which makes it very dangerous.
It is very easy to program and set: The on-device button allows you to program it to whatever setting your heart desires. It offers up to 20 on/off settings, and you can repeat it weekly by programming it only once
That is something I like about this digital outdoor timer because digital time doesn’t offer that many features, but this one is the exception.
The display is loud and clear: Most digital power timers on the market have two main problems. Either the display is not good enough or it does not provide flexible time sittings.
But the display on this timer for the outdoors is very clear. It’s a multi-line display which you can easily navigate and take readings from.
PVC plastic build is great: The outdoor environment comes with a lot of environmental abuse so having a durable timer is essential. This timer is made with PVC plastic which is not only abuse-resistant but also protects the device from sun damage with UV protection
The Bad
Though many things are good about this plug timer that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. It’s not, it has some issues that I have noticed.
- The time setting is not in a.m./p.m. it’s military time 24 hours.
- The buttons are a bit flimsy and small.
Those are the problems that I have noticed and many people have brought up in the review section of this outlet timer
The downright ugly
Though there are 6 outlet ports the ugly fault about this is that the ports are not independently controlled so all of these 6 outlet ports are designed to operate on one-time settings.
There is no backlit display so in case you’re dealing with this timer outlet in the dark you would have a hard time programming it.
2. Also Great: BN-LINK Outdoor Mechanical Timer
Bn-link was founded in 2014 and since then they have also dominated the market with their quality and functional power timers. They have a lot of experience in solving problems related to home automation
Their outdoor mechanical timer is an affordable alternative to the above but don’t let that you into thinking that mechanical timers are not good enough. They get the job done and the function as intended.
Important features:
- They are rated very highly when it comes to outdoor usage. The outlet cover provides excellent protection against water, snow, and dust.
- It is a mechanical timer that is designed for outdoor use. So you can leave the appliance on a schedule and the timer will take care of it for you.
- This mechanical timer has a very high power capacity and a rating of 1800 watts. This means you can use it on pumps, sprinklers, air conditioners, and irrigation without having any issues.
- There are two outlet ports which means you can use multiple appliances at the same time without having any issues.
- There is unfortunately no screen but you can set the timer through your phone to your desired timing.
- This plug timer is made out of PVC plastic. Meaning it is highly resistant to environmental abuse and UV sunlight damage.
In summer, the Bn-Link outdoor mechanical timer (Amazon link) is the best alternative to the above digital timer. It offers the same functionality capability, and reliability at a fraction of the price.
The built quality of this timer plug is on point it is environment abuse resistant. It is very easy to use and set up. You only have to set it up once and it will repeat the task at hand automatically without your presence
3. Also Great: Kasa KP401
Also great is the KP401 from Kasa. This company was founded in 1974 and since then it has been providing automation to different industries and consumer goods such as automotive and timer outlets for home automation.
The KP401 is a masterpiece when it comes to smart outlet timers. It is functional and capable with the added benefit that it can be controlled from anywhere in the world.
Important features:
- Rated high for outdoor uses because it would research water and dust due to its cover. Which protects the outlet from water in dust along with snow.
- This is a smart timer. It is very accurate and you can control it from anywhere in the world with ease.
- This power timer has a rating of 1800 watts or 15 amps which is plenty for outdoor appliances such as pumps, sprinklers, and irrigation.
- The only thing I don’t like about this smart plug timer is the number of outlet ports it only gives you one outlet port.
- It can be easily programmed through your phone. It gives you full accessibility when it comes to programming.
- It does not have any display but you can control it through the screen of your phone.
- It is made out of ABS plastic which is the most commonly used plastic in industrial-grade products. It would last you a long while before you need another one.
In summary, the KP401 (Amazon link) is the best power timer for outdoors because of its high outdoor rating. The cover that is on the top of the outlet port protects it from water, snow, and dust.
The only thing that I don’t like about this is there is only one outlet port so if in case one outlet burns or stops working it would render the whole device useless.
Conclusion
Let’s admit it, no one likes to get up in heavy weather and go outside to turn the sprinklers off unless you are David Goggins. Then it’s easy but for an average human like me, it is very uncomfortable.
It’s a universal pain for all homeowners. But luckily there is a very clever solution for that and it is called a timer outlet. You just have to hook your outdoor appliances like lights, pumps, sprinklers, or even air conditioning to it, set the timer and it will take care of it for you.
Not only does it take care of the home it also saves you money and keeps your home protected from a bad guy by turning the lights on and off at random times of the day.
Here are some of the parameters that you need to keep in mind to get the best.
- Outdoor rating
- The type of outlet timer
- Power capacity
- Number of ports
- Programming options
- Display
- durability
To cut it short, the Dewenwils digital timer (Amazon link) is the best outdoor outlet timer because It offers high durability, higher load capacity, a clear display, and 6 outlet ports along with a waterproof cover that protects it from water, snow, and dust. That means it would last you a long while before you are going to be needing another one.
Alright, folks, I hope you learned something of value from this article. If you did it would mean the world to me.
Thank you and stay awesome.
Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about outdoor plug timers.
Q1. Can I use an outdoor power timer for holiday lights or decorations?
Yes, you can use it on all sorts of outdoor lights. From incandescent and fluorescent bulbs to LED lights or any other sort of light you might have on your hand. It would cover all of it.
It is perfect for Halloween decoration lights and also Christmas lights. Just arrange the lights in whatever arrangement you want and then it into a timer and set the time. You are all set to go.
Q2. How do outdoor power timers work?
An outdoor plug timer is a timer for your outdoor appliances such as pumps, lights, sprinklers, and irrigation systems. It is there to make sure they are up and running without your presence.
You just plug the outdoor appliance into one of the ports of the outdoor timer outlet, set the timer and that’s it. The timer will take care of it for you.
Q3. What should I do If my outdoor timer plug stops working?
Many timers come in surge safety so if that’s the case then change the component and you are good but if the timer is completely damaged then here is what you need to do.
- Shut down the whole electricity to the house.
- Unplug the timer first carefully.
- Then after that, unplug your appliance from the timer.
- Turn the power back off as normal.
Do these steps in this particular order to avoid accidental shocks.
Q4. Can it reduce my electricity bill?
Yes, it can reduce your electricity bill. By automating everything in your house you essentially create an environment where leaving an appliance open by accident is very unlikely.
And even if you did manage to forget something. Your outlet timer will turn it off when the set time is reached or in the case of a smart timer, you can simply control it from your phone which stops the energy consumption hence resulting in a low electricity bill.
Q5. What’s the ideal load capacity rating for an outdoor timer outlet?
Load capacity means the amount of voltage the device can handle before it burns or stops working. The higher the load capacity the more device it operates on.
Ideally, you should be looking for 1800 watts or 15 amps. That is the standard rating of American appliance which mean it should work on all of your appliances.
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