Best Plug-in Timers of 2025

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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Plug-in timers are a simple and effective way to control the timing of your electrical appliances. These timers are small devices that plug into your wall socket and allow you to set a specific time for your appliances to switch on and off. They are perfect for those who want to save energy by turning off their appliances when not in use, or for those who want to automate their home lighting system for added security. With a wide range of options available, ranging from simple mechanical timers to advanced digital models, there is a plug-in timer to suit every need and budget.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch Cover #TOP 1
Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch
ftb score rating icon 9.8
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket Cover #TOP 2
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket
ftb score rating icon 9.7
HBN 24 Hour Plug-in Timer for Appliances Cover #TOP 3
HBN 24 Hour Plug-in Timer for Appliances
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Plug-in Timers

#TOP 1

Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch

Plugtimer1
White
1 x Pack
Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch Cover
Defender 24 Hour Segment Timer Switch - Energy Saver Plug Standard Size - Plug-in Timer Socket Set - 240v 3 Pin Plug With Programmable Time Controller

The Defender Timer Switch is a reliable plug-in device that allows you to schedule your electrical appliances to turn on or off at specific times. With each segment representing 15 minutes and a total range of 24 hours, you can easily manage your devices for convenience and energy savings. It also helps deter burglars by making it appear as though someone is home, particularly useful during darker winter months. This versatile timer can control various appliances, from lamps to heaters, ensuring your home remains functional and secure.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Deters potential burglars
Versatile for many appliances
Energy-saving functionality
Ideal for seasonal use
#TOP 2

HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket

HBN
White
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket Cover
HBN Mechanical Timer Plug Socket, 24 Hour Programmable Energy Saving Compact UK Plug-in Indoor Timer Socket for Lights, Lamp and Home Appliances (13A/3120W, 3 Pack)

The HBN Timer Socket is designed for easy use, allowing you to set your appliances to turn on and off up to 48 times a day. Complete instructions are provided, making it straightforward to create your own schedule. With a minimum setting time of just 15 minutes, you can save time and money by ensuring your devices are only active when needed. This versatile timer can handle a load of up to 3120W, making it suitable for various appliances such as lights, heaters, and fans, enhancing convenience in your daily life.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Energy-efficient operation
Versatile for multiple appliances
Enhanced safety features
#TOP 3

HBN 24 Hour Plug-in Timer for Appliances

HBN
3 Pack
3 pack
HBN 24 Hour Plug-in Timer for Appliances Cover
HBN 24 Hour Plug-in Compact Timer Plug Socket, Mini Energy Saver Mechanical Timer Switch for Indoor Lights, Christmas Lights and Home Appliances (13A/2900W, 3 Pack)

The HBN Timer Switch is designed for easy use, allowing you to programme your appliances to turn on or off up to 24 times a day. You simply pull the pins up to set your desired schedule. With a minimum setting time of just 30 minutes, you can conveniently automate your devices, ensuring they do not remain on unnecessarily. This multi-purpose timer can handle appliances and lighting up to 3120W, making it perfect for everything from TVs to Christmas lights.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Energy-saving features
Versatile for various appliances
Daily repeated settings
#TOP 4

HBN Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switch

HBN
BND-50/E39
White
HBN Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switch Cover
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switch, Energy Saving UK Plug-in Indoor Timer Socket for Lights, Lamp and Home Appliances (13A/3120W, 2 Pack)

The HBN Timer Plug Switch is designed for ease of use, allowing you to set your appliances to turn on and off up to 48 times a day. With clear instructions included, you can create a customised schedule to suit your needs. It features a load indicator and a switch knob for added convenience. The built-in child protector ensures safety in homes with little ones. This timer is not only practical but also helps save time and money by ensuring your devices are only on when needed.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Child safety features
Energy-saving design
Versatile for various appliances
#TOP 5

STATUS 24 Hour Timer Switch S24HRSQT3

110034754
White
STATUS 24 Hour Timer Switch S24HRSQT3 Cover
STATUS Timer Switch Square | 24 Hour Segment Timer Light Switch | White UK Plug | S24HRSQT3

The STATUS Timer Switch is a practical 24-hour plug-in timer designed to make managing your electrical devices easier. With its simple white design, it easily blends into your home decor. You can set it to operate on a 24-hour schedule, which helps automate your lighting or appliances, providing you with convenience and energy savings. The model number S24HRSQT3 ensures that you are getting a reliable product that meets your timing needs effectively.

What We Like
Easy to use
Energy saving
Blends with decor
Reliable scheduling
#TOP 6

Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket

1 Pack
Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket Cover
Desiretech Plug-in Timer Switch, 24 Hour Segment Timer, Light Timer Plug Socket to Control Appliances Up to 3120W, Home Security Timer, Deters Burglars, Automatic On/Off, Energy-Saving (7x7x11.5 cm)

The Desiretech Timer Plug is a reliable 24-hour segment timer that allows you to control your electrical appliances effortlessly. You can set them to turn on and off at specific times, making it easy to manage devices up to 3,120W. Each segment corresponds to 15 minutes, providing precise scheduling that fits your lifestyle. This timer also helps deter burglars by making your home appear occupied, especially during dark winter months or late arrivals. It's versatile enough for various appliances, from lamps to heaters, ensuring convenience and peace of mind.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Deters burglars
Versatile for multiple devices
Energy-saving features
#TOP 7

Timeguard TS800N Compact Plug-in Timer Controller

TS800N
White
Timeguard TS800N Compact Plug-in Timer Controller Cover
Timeguard TS800N Compact Plug-in Time Controller , White

The Timeguard TS800N Timer is designed for controlling appliances and filament lamps up to 400W, making it a versatile addition for your home. You can easily set the timer using simple setting pins, allowing you to schedule your devices to switch ON and OFF at specific times. With a minimum switching interval of 30 minutes that can be adjusted in 15-minute increments, you have flexibility in how you manage your energy use. You can programme up to 24 ON and OFF cycles per day, giving you extensive control over your appliances.

What We Like
Easy to use setting pins
Flexible scheduling options
Manual override feature
High capacity for appliances
#TOP 8

DEWENWILS 24 Hour Programmable Timer Socket

White
DEWENWILS 24 Hour Programmable Timer Socket Cover
DEWENWILS Timer Plug Socket UK, 24 Hour Programmable Energy Saving Light Timer for Home Security, Lamp, Router Christmas Light, Coffee Machine, Home Appliances, CE Listed (3 Pack)

The DEWENWILS Timer Socket is designed for effortless home automation. Setting it up is simple; just rotate the dial to the current time and adjust the pins to schedule your devices. With the ability to create up to 96 ON/OFF programmes, you can easily customise your energy usage and reduce your electricity bills. This timer also features an AUTO mode, allowing your appliances to operate on a set schedule without manual intervention, making it perfect for daily routines.

What We Like
Easy to set up
Customisable ON/OFF programmes
Automatic appliance control
Ideal for various devices
#TOP 9

Masterplug TMS24-MP Energy Saving Timer Plug

TMS24-MP
White
normal
Masterplug TMS24-MP Energy Saving Timer Plug Cover
Masterplug TMS24-MP Energy Saving Daily Mechanical Segment Timer Plug, White

The Masterplug Timer Plug is designed to help you save energy while using electrical appliances. With an easy-to-use dial, you can accurately set the timer for your devices, which is particularly useful for managing heaters, lights, and seasonal decorations. The timer features blue segments that indicate the time you need, allowing for precise control. Additionally, the two switches on the side let you choose between continuous operation or timer mode, providing flexibility in how you manage your energy consumption.

What We Like
Energy saving capabilities
Easy to set timer
Controls multiple appliances
Simple operation with switches
#TOP 10

HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket

HBN
White
3 Pack
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket Cover
HBN Mechanical Timer Plug Socket, 24 Hour Segment Programmable Energy Saving Plug-in Timer Switch for Lights and Home Appliances (13A/3120W, 3 Pack)

The HBN Timer Plug is easy to use, allowing you to simply wind the dial to your desired time. This feature lets you conveniently set a schedule for activating or deactivating your devices, helping to save energy when you're not at home. Its mechanical design is durable, making it a cost-effective choice compared to digital timers. Additionally, it automates various appliances, from lights to heaters, enhancing your home's efficiency and convenience.

What We Like
Easy to use
Energy-saving features
Durable mechanical design
Automates various appliances
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are timers used for?

Timers: Timers are used to measure specific time intervals. But in electrical engineering terms, timers are also referred to as counters often. The timer is a component which is extensively used in different embedded systems. They are used to keep a record of time for different events occurring in the embedded systems.

2. What are timers called?

Timers can be categorized into two main types. The word "timer" is usually reserved for devices that counts down from a specified time interval, while devices that do the opposite, measuring elapsed time by counting upwards from zero, are called stopwatches. A simple example of the first type is an hourglass.

3. What are sensory timers?

Sensory Liquid Timers / Bubble Liquid Timers: These colourful liquid timers, or bubble timers are designed to relax and calm anyone who uses them! The bubbles float to the bottom and fill up, like a sand timer, but with liquid bubbles!

Editor's Notes

During our plug-in timer research, we found 145 plug-in timer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 150,842 customer reviews through our big data system to write the plug-in timers list. We found that most customers choose plug-in timers with an average price of £16.80.

The plug-in timers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of plug-in timers, including Defender, HBN, Status, Desiretech, Timeguard. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 959 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Jennifer Fraser Avatar

Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.