Handling a kindergarten classroom is tiring, not only do you have to look out for the kids, but you also have to watch out for their sleep, and playtime to make sure they learn well and grow.
Schools waste a lot of electricity because kids are naive and they forget to turn off things. So having a device that automatically turns the computers or fans off makes sense.
That device is known as an outlet timer. It turns things off and on a schedule. It can be a cost-effective tool to automate schools.
Does that sound interesting to you?
So the real question is how do you go about buying one? There are plenty of brands to choose from with everyone wanting a piece of your pocket and that’s exactly why I’m here.
In this article, we will talk about the best school outlet timers, what you need to stay mindful of, and what makes it best to find the diamond in the rough.
Let’s get started.
Choosing the best school outlet timer
Choosing the best school outlet in town can be difficult because there are a lot of factors at play that you have to keep in mind to get the best deal possible.
Doing my own reading and research work led me to the company Kasa, and their PK401 is the best in terms of capability, reliability, and affordability.
Below are the parameters that I kept in mind while I chose this product and it is what you should also keep in mind.
a. Child safety
The first and most important thing to look for in a timer outlet for a classroom is to make sure it’s childproof, which means that it should have a cover to protect the child.
The plastic cover prevents the child from touching the conductive part of the ports which is important because any contact with live voltage can be very harmful.
b. Type
The type of timer is important because this will decide how much control you can have. Mechanical and digital timers are very useful but only good at automating things.
A smart timer will allow you to control the intended device from any part of the world as long as you have a wifi which makes it perfect for kindergarten and small kids’ classrooms.
c. Build quality
Build quality is important because kids break a lot of things so you would need a strong, sturdy, and reliable timer plug to deal with the daily abuse of these kids.
Go for either a PVC or ABS plastic build because these are the most common plastics that are used in industrial products. If they can withstand industrial abuse then It can withstand kids.
d. Timing accuracy
Timing accuracy in simple terms means how accurately the timer will function when a timer is set. If you set it to 9:30 and it set off at 9:35 then it means it is not accurate.
The timing accuracy heavily relies on the type of the timer.
Always go for a digital outlet timer but if you want accuracy along with convenience then you can never go wrong with a smart outlet timer because it combines all the necessary features into one package.
e. Number of ports
Several ports in a timer plug should directly affect its versatility but I don’t think that’s true. Because you can simply plug a power strip into it for more ports.
But you should be looking for two or a minimum of two ports in a timer outlet because if one port stops working then you can use the other outlet port.
f. Control
Having full control over the plug timers is very important especially when it comes to kids because controlling kids is very difficult.
So in that case you need a device that can control everything remotely from your phone if you have a smart timer. It makes it a lot easier to control classrooms.
List of the top outlet timers for schools
Here is the list of our top-timer outlets. The above power timers are chosen based on the parameters we discussed above.
1. Our Selected: Kasa KP401
The first one is from the company Kasa. Kasa promises to make your life convenient by automating everything in your house and workspace. It’s like an all-in-one product.
The KP401 (Amazon link) delivers on its promises. It is also child safe so you can use it in any situation from classrooms to regular homes. It’s very versatile and easy to use. Its absolute control is at your fingertips.
The Good
Below are some of the good features of the Kasa PK401.
It is a smart timer: Which means you can control it from anywhere even if you are not physically present in the class you can easily control the fans and air conditioning while the kids are sleeping.
The cover protects the device from moisture but also the child: I like how this smart time has a cover so when it’s not in use you can cover the outlet port to ensure the child is out of harm’s way.
It also protects the timer against moisture if someone drops water on it. it won’t short circuit because the cover with protected so it’s an advantage to have.
The build quality is on point: Quality-wise, it is very nice. It doesn’t flex or crackle when you press on it or squeeze it. This is because it is made out of PVC plastic.
It also means that it would withstand the daily abuse of kids in the classroom so you don’t have to worry about them breaking it or accidentally dropping it.
It Is also very accurate: This is a smart timer plug so the accuracy should be on point it would set off at the time that you set it to.
High accuracy makes it perfect for timing the air conditioners and the lights to make sure the kid sleeps on time and develops a healthy routine.
Overall feel of the timer is good: The PVC plastic build provides excellent protection against environmental abuse and it feels nice in the hand. The cover on the ports provides protection.
The design is practical because the wire is very flexible which means you can use the normal port even if this power is plugged in. I like this design. It is very practical.
The Bad
Just because this smart timer has a lot of good does not mean it is perfect. It also has some faults. For instance, the lack of extra outlet ports is a big one for me.
It’s a big deal because in case the only outlet port on the plug timer stops working would render the whole device useless.
The Downright Ugly
The lack of compatibility with old phones. This timer plug works flawlessly with new phones but it has connectivity issues with the old phone and it sometimes just disconnects for no reason.
Combine lack of connectivity with connectivity issues and you got yourself just a pretty-looking piece of plastic. It renders the whole device useless and that’s my biggest issue with it.
2. Also Great: Minoston MP22W
Also great is the Minoston MP22W. Minoston is a relatively new company but don’t let it fool you into thinking that this is not good. It is dominating the market with impeccable quality and prices.
The MP22W is also a great alternative to the above. It offers the same level of functionality and accuracy at half of the price without sacrificing anything.
Important features:
- It is a smart timer which means it is very accurate and you can control it from anywhere in the world. Everything in the classroom can be controlled from your phone.
- The build quality is very good it is made out of PVC plastic which provides excellent protection against environmental abuse such as kids and other factors.
- Smart timer uses electronic circuitry which means it is it has very accurate timing.
- It comes with only one outlet port. I don’t like that. But if you want extra outlet ports then you can attach a normal power strip to it.
- The official app will allow you to control it from anywhere in the world with relative ease.
In summary, the Minoston MP22W (Amazon link) is also a great option if you are looking for a smart plug timer that gets the job done. It dominates the landscape with its durability, capability, and reliability.
3. Also Great: Amazon smart timer
The last Entry in our list of the best school timer outlets is from Amazon. What started as a small online bookstore has now turned into a global conglomerate with excellent products and services.
This smart timer is the best alternative to the above because it’s cheap and functional. It provides excellent protection against kids with its outlet cover and the design is very thoughtful.
Important features:
- It is child-safe. The cover on the outlet ports of the device provides excellent protection against any unexpected moisture or kids.
- It is made from PVC plastic which is the most common plastic found in industrial-grade products so this means it would withstand daily classroom abuse.
- Because of the electronic circuitry that made this smart timer, it is very accurate which makes it perfect for time-restricted tasks such as turning off the lights and computers around the classroom.
- Comes with true outlet ports which are very good. It means in case of one outlet malfunctioning you can use the other port.
- The two outlet ports are independently controlled so you can use one outlet port for one task and another outlet for other tasks.
- The Amazon app developed for this smart timer will allow you to control the timer from anywhere in the world as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
In summary, the Amazon smart timer (Amazon link) is also a great option if you want to just get the job done. Is very reliable, capable, and robust.
The thing that I like the most about this timer is that it gives you independent outlets that you can control independently in the app. You can use one outlet for lights, let’s say and the other for something else.
Conclusion
To sum it all up I think every school needs one of these timer outlets. It can not only help you control the appliances throughout the school but also allow you to save on energy costs.
Moreover controlling kindergarten kids and making sure they develop good habits requires a timer to take care of the lights and computers when it’s either time to sleep or work.
I think that makes having plug timers a very attractive tool to have but how can you find a good one for yourself? There are certain parameters you have to keep in mind to get the best timer for yourself.
- Type
- Child safety
- Build quality
- Timing accuracy
- Number of ports
- Control
To cut it short, the KP401 (Amazon link) is the best school outlet timer on the market right now. The build quality is great, the cover protects the hands and it offers full control through the app.
Other than the fact that it only has one outlet port. It is a very good investment. You can easily set the timer through the app on your phone and it allows you to control the timer from any part of the world as long as you have a wifi connection.
Questions
To clear any remaining confusion or doubts, below is the list of some of the most frequently asked questions about timers for schools.
Q1. How can plug timers be used effectively in school classrooms?
You can control the lights and computers of the school when the student’s classes are over. You can also use it on fans and air conditioners in the classrooms to save energy.
If it is a kindergarten classroom then it can be a good tool to discipline them by turning the lights off when it is bedtime and also computer and games when it’s time to do homework.
Q.2 Can you control lights with it?
Of course, you can control light with it. You can control all sorts of lights in your classrooms to the lights and the year as a whole you can control everything with it.
Q.3 Can I save on electricity costs with a plug timer?
Yes, absolutely. Having a timer outlet can greatly reduce your electricity bills because it would take care of the appliance for you. It would turn the appliance on when it’s needed and in case you forget to turn it off, it would automatically turn it off for you.
Q4. Can a smart timer plug be used to automate the classroom?
Having a plug timer allows you to automate a lot of things around the school and classrooms. You can automate the lights, fans, and air conditioners along with computers and much more.
If you want absolute control then a smart timer allows you to control everything right from the comfort of your phone.
Q5. What are the things one should keep before buying an outlet timer for schools
The number one thing that you should keep in mind is child safety. It should have a plastic cover over the ports. Other things include build quality, timing accuracy, number of ports, and the type of outlet timer.
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