A plug timer also known as an outlet timer is a very time and energy-saving device. It helps us in so many situations, like timing the light or in slow cocking.
It automates things by opening and closing them on a schedule without your presence, but there are some key things you have to keep in mind to get the best deal.
Human beings are flawed in many ways. Every year 30% of our total energy is wasted just because we forget to turn things off. That’s where a timer plug can help you.
In this article, I will walk you through how to select the best plug timer for your situation, what to look for in a timer, and so much more.
Let’s dive right into it.
Choosing the best plug timer
Plug timers work in the same manner as painkillers, every painkiller cures pain. But is it going to work in your case? Every plug timer works. Your need will decide what’s going to be best for you.
After extensive research and reading a lot online, I have concluded that the Aoyococr BX5P is the best option on the market, it’s smart, versatile, and comes at an affordable price.
Below are the parameters which I kept in mind before I selected the above-mentioned product.
a. Type of timer
There are mainly 3 types of timers on the market namely, mechanical, digital, and smart. Mechanical is less accurate than digital and smart outlet timers.
Fundamentally they all do the same job so choosing boils down to what you need are what you are willing to spend on it. Always go for a digital but money isn’t an issue go for smart.
b. Usage
Outlet timers are mainly used in two situations, indoors and outdoors. Indoor devices are meant for indoor use only because they can not withstand the environmental abuse of the outside.
Outdoor devices are robust and not very pretty to look at. If looks don’t matter then I would suggest you buy an outdoor one and use it indoors because they are built to last.
c. Scheduling options
This parameter will determine if it is for you or not. The short timer period on any timer should be 15 mins because it is short enough for short tasks and combining 15 intervals gives you a very flexible scheduling option.
d. Voltage rating
Keeping this parameter in check is important because this will determine how versatile your timer would be The higher the voltage rating the wider the range of applications it can work on.
The rule of thumb is to buy a power timer that has a rating of at least 1800W voltage rating because most appliances come in between this voltage rating.
e. Timing Accuracy
Accuracy is essential, I mean what’s the point in buying an outlet timer if it does not turn on and off an appliance on time? It just does not make sense.
Don’t go for a mechanical timer if precise timing is something important for you. A mechanical power timer has a lot of moving parts in it it is not precise. Always go for a digital timer and if you have some cash then it would suggest you go for a smart timer.
f. Build quality
No matter how good a timer or any other product works, if the build quality is not up to standard then it is not worth buying. That is why it’s important to check the build quality and feel of the product.
I would suggest you go for a product that feels good on the hand and is made of ABS or PVC plastic because these are industrial-grade plastics that are most commonly used in heavy-duty machines.
List of the top power timers
Keeping the above parameters in mind I have made a list consisting of best timers that are currently on the market and also made sure they live up to their reputation.
1. Our selected Aoycocr BX5P
Keeping the above parameters in mind and after reading a lot of expert opinions about these timers I can confidently say that the Aoycocr BX50 (Amazon link) is the ideal power timer on the market both in terms of functionality and affordability.
The Good
The following are the goods of this smart plug timer
you can use for lights: You can easily control the light around your house and on occasions like Christmas or Halloween. Just plug the lights into a plug timer and it will take care of it for you.
You can use it to schedule appliances: Yes you can use it to schedule appliances around the house like aquariums and lights for indoor plants. It would automate all of that and you can control it from your phone.
lets you connect seamlessly: Ayococr did a phenomenal job with the connectivity of this device. Just download and open the Poptan app and within 5 minutes you are in control.
The same applies to Alexa and Google Assistant as well.
The accuracy is perfect for precise tasks: Tasks such as backing and slow cooking require very precise timing. A minute off can seriously affect the quality of your end product so this timer is perfect for those.
It has a very versatile voltage rating: The voltage rating on this device is 1800W which is suitable for all indoor appliances like slow cookers, air fryers,s and lights along with air conditioning and much more.
The vacation mode will protect your house: When you turn on vacation mode the device will turn on and off the lights in your house in a manner that would give the illusion as if someone is living there.
The PVC plastic build will provide drop protection: It won’t crack or break if you drop it but do keep in mind these things are made for indoor use only because we are talking about all-purpose and the most common use case for timers is generally indoors.
The overall feeling is excellent: It feels plasticky but that’s because it is made out of plastic. But overall it feels sturdy and strong. It does not flex or make any weird crackling noise when you squeeze it.
The Bad
It is a great product with a few bad apples like the lack of instruction on how to set up the app and program it along with the app not working on older phones.
The lack of an extra port is also an issue for me because if one outlet port dies it would render the whole smart timer useless.
The downright ugly
The connectivity issue is the downright ugly aspect of this device and unfortunately, it’s the only flaw that would render this device useless because there is no other way to access it.
The chances of this device not connecting to your devices are fairly low but what about a Wi-Fi outage? In that case, it would run on its set settings, but the controlling part of the equation is gone now.
2. Also great: BN-LINK mechanical timer plug
The second best in the power timer from BN-LINK. This company aims to make your everyday tasks a breeze with a diverse and functional line of products with exceptional quality and reliability.
This plug timer is mechanical and can be used in a variety of different tasks, from your slow cooker to your air conditioner it will cover all aspects of your daily life with ease.
Important features:
- It’s best meant for indoor use only so don’t use it outdoors because it is built to withstand outdoor abuse.
- Each pin in the wheel represents 15 minutes making it very versatile for both short tasks and long tasks.
- The 1875W voltage rating allows it to be used in almost everything around the house from ovens to air conditioners.
- Mechanical timers are not always precise but it more than 95% accurate making it the perfect task that does not require strict timing such as cooking and pumps.
- The build quality is superb, it’s durable and robust so you don’t have to worry about dropping it.
In summary, the BN-LINK mechanical timer(Amazon link) is the best option on the market in terms of mechanical timers, It is functional and reliable at a very affordable price tag making it perfect for those who just want to automate things around the house without spending a lot of money
3. Also great: NEARPOW all-purpose timer
Last but not least the best timer outlet on our list is the timer from Nearpow, This company has been standing since 1999, and they specialize in office products along with kitchen essentials because they understand this problem very well.
With that understanding, they came up with this all-purpose timer that will do all your tasks from office to home along with your kitchen as well. It’s all-purpose and the great thing about it is that it is digital.
Important feature:
- It’s accurate, making it perfect for aquariums which require precise timing along with indoor plants.
- This device is meant to be used indoors and for indoor appliances such as slow cookers, lights, lamps, aquariums, air conditioners, and such.
- 1800 voltage rating allows it to be used everywhere except pumps I would not recommend you do that.
- It is very easy to use and set up, just push the buttons to set the timer and you are all set and ready for action.
- The build quality is top-notch, it’s robust and reliable so don’t worry about dropping it.
In summary, the NEARPOW digital all-purpose power timer (Amazon link) is the best precise, and most versatile option on the market when it comes to digital power timers. It does what it promises on the label all wrapped in a neat and affordable package.
Conclusion
There is no denying that humans tend to forget a lot, I struggle to remember people’s names or phone numbers it’s a natural thing that we can’t get rid of.
But this seemingly harmless flaw in humans is responsible for a lot of high electricity bills around the world and that is exactly where having a timer of some sort can help you tremendously.
You plug it into a normal outlet, set it, and then it will take care of whatever is plugged into it. As easy as it may sound the acquiring process is not easy at all there are parameters that you need to keep in mind which are given below.
- Type of timer
- Use case
- Scheduling options
- Voltage rating
- Accuracy
- Build quality
In conclusion, the Aoycocr BX50 (Amazon link) is the best timer plug on the market in terms of quality, functionality, and reliability. It’s smart and easy to use. You can easily connect it to your phone via Wi-Fi and it also works with Alexa. It is an all-round good product.
Alright, folks this is it, I hope you have learned something of value from this article because it matters a lot to me.
Thank you, Stay awesome.
Questions
Q1. What is an outlet timer?
An outlet timer or plug timer is a device that turns off and on appliances on a schedule. It works by controlling the power supply from the outlet to the appliances.
Q2. What is the difference between an outlet and a plug timer?
A normal outlet supplies power to an appliance while a plug timer allows you to control the power supply from the normal outlet to the appliance. That’s the main difference.
Q3. Which brands make the best plug timer?
I think BN-LINK, General Electric, Aoycocr, and NEARPOW make the best all-purpose outlet timers.
Q4. Can I use an outlet timer with all types of devices?
Yes, they can be used on devices such as lamps, fans, heaters, coffee makers, and more. However, make sure you read the power rating of the appliance first to avoid problems.
Q5. Can outlet timers improve home security?
Yes, it can improve home security. Setting the timer to turn on and off lights, at random times will give the illusion that someone is living in the house. Smart timers give you a mode built in that you can use if you are planning on a vacation.
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