Best Plug-in Timers of 2026

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 9 Feb 2026

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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

HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket Cover #TOP 1
HBN 24 Hour Programmable Timer Plug Socket
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket Cover #TOP 2
Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket
ftb score rating icon 9.7
HBN Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switch Cover #TOP 3
HBN Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switch
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Plug-in Timers

#TOP 1

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 2

Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket

White
1 Pack
Desiretech 24 Hour Timer Plug Socket Cover
Desiretech Plug-in Timer Switch, 24 Hour Segment Timer, Light Plug Socket to Control Appliances Up to 3120W, For Home Security, Deters Burglars, Automatic On/Off, Ideal for Christmas Lights - White

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 3

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 4

NOVKIT Programmable Digital Security Timer Plug Socket

NOVKIT
White
2 Pack
NOVKIT Programmable Digital Security Timer Plug Socket Cover
2 x NOVKIT Digital Security Timer Plug Socket Programmable Switch Timer with 10 ON-Off Programs and Random Mode for Home and Indoor (230V, 13A, 2900W)

The NOVKIT Digital Timer is a handy device that helps you save energy and reduce electricity bills by automatically switching your lights, fans, and appliances on and off as needed. It offers flexible scheduling with up to 10 programmable on-off timer groups, each allowing daily and weekly settings to suit your routine. The timer also includes an anti-theft random mode, which turns your lights on and off at different times to give the impression someone is home, deterring burglars. With a large screen for easy reading and silent operation, it’s perfect for everyday indoor use.

What We Like
Energy and money saving
Flexible 10-program scheduling
Anti-theft random mode
Clear display and silent use
#TOP 5

Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch

Plugtimer1
White
1 x Pack
Defender 24 Hour Programmable Timer Switch Cover
Defender 24 Hour Segment Timer Plug Socket - Programmable Mechanical Timer Switch for Home & Office - Energy Saving 240V 3 Pin Plug-In Time Controller - Ideal for Christmas Lights

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

ORIDGET 24 Hour Digital Electric Timer Plug Socket

ORIDGET
T319
White
ORIDGET 24 Hour Digital Electric Timer Plug Socket Cover
ORIDGET 24 Hour Digital Electric Timer Plug Socket UK with Countdown and On-Off Repeat Cycle Timer for Lights and Home Appliances, 13A / 240V

The ORIDGET Digital Timer Socket offers versatile control with three daily on-off timers, a countdown feature, and a repeat cycle mode, making it easy for you to tailor appliance use to your schedule. This timer helps you save energy and reduce bills by automatically switching devices on and off when needed. Its large screen ensures clear visibility of settings, while a built-in battery keeps your programmes safe during power cuts. The silent operation makes it perfect for home environments, providing convenience without any noise disturbance.

What We Like
Multiple timer modes
Energy-saving automation
Clear large display
Battery backup for settings
Silent operation
#TOP 10

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 (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
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 185 plug-in timer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 130,602 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 £17.59.

The plug-in timers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of plug-in timers, including HBN, Desiretech, NOVKIT, Defender, Timeguard.

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.