Whether you want to add some extra security to your home while you're away or turn off indoor lights and other devices at night, a plug-in timer is a cheap and effective way to help regulate your energy usage. Picking the best model for your home can be a complicated task, so we've put together a ranking of the top plugs with timers available online in the UK.
We've included 24-hour mechanical timers as well as programmable digital countdown timers in our ranking, from some great brands like Defender, Masterplug, and HBN. All our picks are available online at Amazon and Argos, so you can browse from the comfort of your home, confident that you'll be choosing the right plug-in timer for your needs.
When looking at the best plug-in timers, the first choice you'll have to make is whether you want a simple mechanical timer or a digital option that's capable of more complex programmable functions. If you're looking to add a little automation to your home, it's well worth choosing a digital timer to set up different times and programs for your switches to turn off and on.
Mechanical timers are much easier to use for any technophobes out there. Pushing in the pins can be a little fiddly, but no more so than the small buttons on a digital option. The main drawback is the ticking sound they make, which doesn't matter if you're looking for something to turn the lights on and off while you're away on holiday. But for everyday use in a bedroom or living area, it could be an issue.
Cut down your electricity bill with an energy-saving device.
Next, you'll want to make sure the timer's features fit your needs. Most will have at least one programmable setting so you can set times in increments over a twenty-four-hour period, where the switch will turn on and off. Some digital models have up to twenty different programs for different dates to fully automate your home, including a random mode that can turn lights on and off while you're on holiday to deter burglars.
If saving on energy and its costs is a goal, look for models that function as countdown timers and turn off the power after a specified time. These are perfect for things like nightlights or radios that help you get to sleep, or putting your phone on charge before bed. They can also be a good option for coffee machines, slow cookers, and the like.
Automate your home further with a set of smart plugs.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of plug-in timers available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Defender | 2 ![]() Oridget | 3 Masterplug | 4 ![]() HBN | 5 ![]() Dewenwils | 6 ![]() HBN | 7 ![]() Ansmann | 8 ![]() Defender | 9 Masterplug | 10 ![]() Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Mini 24 Segment Timer | Timer Plug Socket | 24-Hour Mechanical Segment Timer | Countdown Timer Plug | Plug In Digital Timer | 24-Hour Mechanical Plug In Timer | AES-1 Energy Saving Plug Socket | 24 Hour Segment Timer | 7 Day Electronic Timers | 24 Hour Plug In Timer |
Features | A Compact and Reliable Mechanical Timer That’s Simple to Set Up | Great for Frequent Travellers Thanks to a Random Mode to Sporadically Switch on the Lights | A Fantastic Value 3-Pack That Can Help You Save on Energy Costs | A Sleek and Simple Countdown Timer With a Repeat Function | A Quiet and Reliable Digital Option With Twenty Programs | An Affordable Set of Three That Are Perfect for Deterring Burglars | An Energy-Saving Countdown Timer From the Experts at Ansmann | A Reliable Mechanical Option From One of the Best Plug in Timer Manufacturers Around | Three Digital Timers With Nicely Spaced Buttons at an Appealing Price Point | A Tiny Mechanical Option for Those Looking to Save Space |
Price | £7.95 | £17.98 | £12.99 | £9.99 | £16.99 | £14.59 | £10.95 | £7.47 | £19.99 | £5.50 |
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical | Digital | Mechanical | Digital | Digital | Mechanical | Mechanical | Mechanical | Digital | Mechanical |
Number of Programs | 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Dimensions | 10 x 5 x 4 cm | 12 x 6 x 2 cm | 17 x 10 x 6 cm | 8 x 7 x 8 cm | 10 x 5 x 5 cm | 10 x 7 x 6 cm | 8 x 6 x 8 cm | 10 x 6 x 4 cm | 17 x 10 x 6 cm | 3 x 8 x 3 cm |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£7.95
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 10 x 5 x 4 cm |
Pack of 2
£17.98
Digital/Mechanical | Digital |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 18 |
Countdown Mode | Yes |
Dimensions | 12 x 6 x 2 cm |
Pack of 3
£12.99
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 17 x 10 x 6 cm |
£9.99
Digital/Mechanical | Digital |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | Yes |
Dimensions | 8 x 7 x 8 cm |
Pack of 2
£16.99
Digital/Mechanical | Digital |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 20 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 10 x 5 x 5 cm |
Pack of 3
£14.59
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 10 x 7 x 6 cm |
£10.95
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 0 |
Countdown Mode | Yes |
Dimensions | 8 x 6 x 8 cm |
£7.47
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 10 x 6 x 4 cm |
Pack of 3
£19.99
Digital/Mechanical | Digital |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 10 |
Countdown Mode | Yes |
Dimensions | 17 x 10 x 6 cm |
£5.50
Digital/Mechanical | Mechanical |
---|---|
Number of Programs | 1 |
Countdown Mode | No |
Dimensions | 3 x 8 x 3 cm |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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