Indoor plug timers are handy when it comes to automating electrical appliances and devices throughout our homes from lamps to fans to kitchen appliances. It would cover it all.
Most kids are afraid of the dark so just imagine setting up the timer to turn on the night light just before bedtime, so your kids won’t have to walk in the dark or make sure the game console is turned off when it’s time for homework.
Moreover, It can also protect your house from burglars by turning lights randomly to make it seem like someone is living there.
Sounds interesting?
But how to select and go for the best indoor outlet timer that is both easy to use and computable for almost every indoor light and appliance?
Well, in this article, we are going to discuss how to find such a timer on the market and also tell you what makes it the best, the parameters to keep in mind, and much more.
Let’s get started.
Choosing the best indoor outlet timer
No matter the type or size, all timers work on the same principle. They all turn off and on things on a schedule. Your needs and requirements will dictate what is going to be best for you and your situation.
Based on my research and analysis I concluded that the U153T from HBN is the best outlet timer for indoor activities. It offers impeccable capability and credibility at a very affordable price point.
Please do keep in mind the above product was selected after keeping in mind careful examination, expensive research, and parameters that I will be discussing below.
a. Type
There are mainly 3 types of outlet timers. Mechanical, digital, and smart. Mechanical timers use mechanical mechanisms to function. It’s also the reason they are imprecise. Digital and smart use circuits.
Digital and smart are much more accurate, and I would recommend you buy a digital outlet timer but if absolute control is your priority then you can never go wrong with a smart timer.
b. Number of ports
The number of ports in an indoor timer outlet is important because a lot of things are going to be attached to it at some point, but you can just attach a normal power strip for more ports.
But ideally, two ports are more than enough and would cover everything. I’m recommending two ports just in case one of them burns or stops working.
c. Timing accuracy
Considering the timing accuracy is important because what’s the point in buying a timer that does not function on time? It’s just not worth investing in.
If your work does not require time accuracy then there is no need to buy a smart or digital timer. You can get by with a cheap mechanical timer but if the timing is important then always go for a digital or smart outlet timer.
d. Build quality
No matter how well it works, if one drop can seal its path then I think it is not worth buying. It should be robust and reliable. It should be able to withstand daily indoor abuse.
I would recommend you look for either a PVC plastic or ABS plastic build because these are the most commonly used materials for industrial-grade types of equipment.
d. Additional features
You should also look for any additional modes and features. Your timer should offer a security feature that protects your home from burglars by giving a false sense as if someone is living there.
You should also look for a good display in case of a digital timer plug and also a power surge protector so that in case of a power surge it would protect your appliance.
List of the top indoor outlet timers
Keeping the above parameters in mind we have a list of the best timers for indoor use. Let’s go through each and one of them to see what its strengths and weaknesses are.
1. Our Selected: HBN U153T
HBN is a new company that is dominating the space with a vision to create some of the highest quality and capability products on the market and automate your home at prices that are simply incompletable.
The HBN U153T (Amazon link) is the best when it comes to indoor timers. It is excellent for daily appliances. This smart timer puts absolute control right under your fingertips.
The Good
Down below are some of the good aspects of this indoor outlet timer
It can be used on many indoor appliances: The great thing about this power timer is that it is very versatile. You can use it on lights, fans, kitchen appliances, air conditioners, and much more.
Comes with very high load capacity: Load capacity means how much load can a device take before it burns or malfunctions. The higher the load capacity the better and more versatile it becomes.
You would be able to run all shapes and sizes of appliances regardless of what voltage rating it’s designed for. It would run everything around your house.
It is very accurate and precise: This plug timer is very accurate and precise which makes it perfect for tasks such as slow cooking and baking where the timing is critical.
A minute late or too soon can completely change the taste of the end dish. So, a timer that can turn the heat off at the right time can help take your cooking game to the next level.
It offers a great level of control: It allows you to be able to control your home with a great level of control. You just have to download the app and you are all set. You can control it from anywhere.
Also offers security features: The app allows a variety of modes but the one mode I like is the anti-burglar mode which turns the lights off and on throughout the night to make seem like the home is not empty.
Independent outlet control: This device allows you to control the two outlets independently so you can use one port for one purpose and the other for something else.
The build quality is very good: The build quality of this timer plug is good. It won’t crack or chip when you drop it. Which means it would last a long while before you would need another one.
The Bad
There is nothing much to complain about other than the fact that for some reason there is very little instruction on how to set it up which can be a problem for a non-technical person.
The lack of integration is also something I don’t like because most of its user base is going to be elder people with old phones. So they should focus on making the app lighter for old phones to work on.
The downright ugly
The lack of physical buttons on the device is not good, and it’s something I hate about this power timer because just in case the wifi dies there is no way to program the device, and that bugs me.
This is the kind of problem that plagues almost all smart timer plugs on the market. I can’t seem to wrap my head around why they do it. I guess to give you a seamless experience but at what cost?
2. Also Great: Techbee digital timer
Techbee promises to make your life easier not harder. It is a new emerging company that promises function and reliability along with excellent durability and precision.
The Techbee digital power timer is the best when it comes to indoor activities. It’s accurate and it would operate from lights, fans, and lamps to air conditions and pumps. It would work for all of them.
Important features:
- It’s a digital power timer which means it is very reliable and easy to use and program. Because it uses circuits to do its intended function.
- You only get one outlet port with this timer outlet but you can always attack a normal power strip to get more ports.
- It is very precise and accurate. Which makes it perfect for coffee making, baking, and slow cooking.
- The build quality is on point. It is made from PVC plastic with no flexing and crackling noise when you press on it or squeeze it.
- There are no additional features but you can program the timer randomly to make your version of the security feature.
In summary, the Techbee digital timer (Amazon link) is the ideal indoor outlet timer on the market. It is digital which means it is very precise and would work on the majority of the daily tasks.
The build quality is on point. The screen is big and clear with a lot of easy-to-use buttons that would allow you to program the timer to whatever your situation requires.
3. Also Great: GE mechanical timer
Last but not least the third entry in our list of best indoor timer outlets is from General Electric. What started as a small company in 1892 is now a global conglomerate with a hand in almost every technology.
The GE mechanical timer outlet is very reliable and it does what it promises on the label. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it experience. It’s very easy to set up and works as intended.
Important features:
- It is a mechanical timer outlet which means it is a very affordable way to automate your home.
- You get two outlet ports with this timer which is good because you would have the option to use the other outlet in case one of them burns or stops working.
- This timer is not as precise as the other two but it gets the job done which makes it perfect for Christmas and Halloween lights which don’t require timer precision.
- It is made out of PVC plastic which means it would last you a long while before you would need another one.
- You can set the timer randomly to make your version of the security mode.
In summary, the GE mechanical timer (Amazon link) is a very affordable alternative to the above too. If you are on a budget then there is no better option than this.
It’s sturdy and reliable along with excellent functionality along with very affordable price tags. It’s the best when it comes to mechanical power timers.
Conclusion
To cut it short, timer plugs make your life easier and at the same time save you a lot of money in the long run. The applications are endless. It can used as an affordable way to automate your home.
Not only does it automate your home but also protects your home from unwanted attention. It’s an amazing tool to have in your arsenal. But acquiring it is not as easy as it looks.
There are certain parameters that you have to keep in mind to get the best indoor outlet timer for yourself which are given below.
- Type
- Number of outlet ports
- Timing accuracy
- Built quality
- Security and other features
After extensive research and a lot of digging around, I have concluded that the HBN U153T (Amazon link) is the best when it comes to reliability. The build quality is superb, it functions very well and you can control it from any part of the world as long as you have a stable internet connection.
This is folks. I hope you enjoyed today’s article and learned anything of value. I would be very happy to know if someone learned something valuable from this article.
Thank you and stay awesome.
Questions
Below is the list of the most frequently asked questions about indoor outlet timers.
Q1. Can I use the indoor outlet timer to automate lights?
Yes, you can use it for indoor decoration lights, lamps, night lights, and much more. You can also use it to control and automate light during Halloween and Christmas.
You can use it on night lights, fans and much more You can even control air conditioners and pumps with the help of outlet timers.
Q3. What’s the difference between a digital and a mechanical plug timer?
Mechanical timers use mechanical mechanisms with a lot of moving parts to perform the intended function while digital timers use circuits to do the same job.
Due to a lot of moving parts mechanical power timers are not as precise and accurate as digital timers.
Q3. What safety features do these timers have?
A quality timer should have a power surge protection built in. Just in case the power load gets high it would protect your devices from getting burnt out.
Another safety feature is the anti-burglar feature which turns the lights throughout the house on and off to give a sense as if someone is living in the house to keep the bad guys away for good.
Q5. Are these timers suitable for outdoor use?
Indoor timers are not meant for outdoor use. They might get damaged outside because their build is not designed to withstand outdoor abuse, so use them indoors only.
Other useful articles.
