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The Best Classroom Timers

SUKJAI PHOTO/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated July 2022

Classroom timed activities may cause students anxiety, so having silent timers on hand may alleviate students' stress while reinforcing the importance of time management. If you want to add timers to your classroom, start with our list below.

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  Top Choice Colorful Countdown Design Great Light-Up Timer Best Bulk Buy Best Hourglasses
 
  Antonki
Digital Timers for Kitchen and Classroom
Secura
60-Minute Visual Countdown Timer
Learning Resources
Time Tracker Mini
LinkDM
Small Digital Kitchen Timers
EMDMAK
Colorful Hourglass Sand Timers
 
Our SummaryThis is an easy-to-read digital timer for every age and activity.This visual countdown timer eases anxiety and comes in an array of colors.A colorful timer for ages three and up, this is a great tool to introduce time.This bulk set of kitchen timers is suitable for the classroom or exercise room.These hourglass timers make it even more fun to measure timed tasks.
ProsLarge, easy-to-read digital screen, big buttons, magnet back and kickstand for varied positioning, adjustable sounds and counting modes, change alarm from loud to silent, red light flashes when time is up.Made of stainless-steel, mechanical construction, no batteries needed, red disc clock face, set time between 1-60 minutes, may create a calmer experience for anxious students.Visual and auditory cues to hold kids’ attention, green and yellow dials for setting alarm time and warning time, alarm time ranges between five minutes and two hours in five-minute increments, warning and finish alarm sounds are adjustable.Straightforward operations, count minutes and seconds, max time is 99 minutes and 59 seconds, large digital interface with clear digits, can hang with magnetic strip or hook or set on surface with stand.Comes in many colors, six hourglasses to track six different time durations, made of quality borosilicate glass with PVS top and bottom caps to prevent breakage.
ConsOnly sets time for under two hours.Ticking and alarm sounds may be too loud.Confusing instructions because of the two dials.Lacks characteristics that make it particularly suited for the classroom.May not perform precisely.
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The Best Classroom Timers

Blurred of 3 years old asian little boy is looking at a set of hourglasses with different times.
SUKJAI PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Classroom Timers

Young boy writing in notebook with a timer on the table.
Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock.com

Why buy a classroom timer?

Many students find timed tests and quizzes super stressful. An easy-to-read, sound-adjustable timer explicitly designed for the classroom may reduce anxiety. Less stress leads to better results, which is good news for the students and you, their teacher. Speaking of stress, you may want to buy a classroom timer to make your job easier. You won’t have to multitask frequently during tests, looking up at the classroom wall clock as you supervise the room. Set up the timer, and you can tend to whatever tasks until it runs out.

What should you look for in a classroom timer?

  • Age Group: Timer designs differ according to the targeted age group. High schoolers may get a kick out of the multicolored sand timers, but that’s about it. Higher-level students who take a lot of quizzes and tests will likely benefit more from larger, easy-to-read timers. There are many timer options for all ages in between.
  • Activities: If you want a timer for recess, it makes sense to look for a portable and durable timer. Other timers can be placed on a magnetic chalkboard or students’ desks for quizzes and tests. If the lesson is to improve behavioral skills in the classroom, there are silent, large display timers that teach students pacing or patience.

What extra features may benefit the use of a classroom timer?

You may want to consider a timer that allows you to adjust the alarm sound so it can be loud, soft, or muted completely. Some options are meant to help students focus on their work instead of the amount of time. These typically have different colored sections and will light up depending on the time left. They also have various sound cues that follow each color.

Our Picks for the Best Classroom Timers

Top Choice

Antonki Digital Timers for Kitchen and Classroom

This is an easy-to-read digital timer for every age and activity.

Pros: This small timer has a large, easy-to-read digital screen, big buttons, and an all-around accessible construction and design. Stick it to the fridge with the magnet back, or position it on a desk or counter with the kickstand. When it’s time to time something, choose between Loud/Silent switch, On/Off switch, and count upward and count down modes to meet your needs. The loud mode works excellent if you’re multitasking around the house, in the kitchen simmering soup, then in the living room to dust. You’ll know when the soup is up. Use silent mode if you’re a high-strung individual or have students with sensory sensitivities. When time’s up, a red light will flash. There’s also a Memory setting and Fast Forward function and clear instructions on how to set them up.

Cons: Its maximum timer range is 99 minutes and 59 seconds, just under two hours. If you’re looking for a timer to set for two hours or more, you may want to look elsewhere.

Bottom Line: You have very little to lose and lots to gain if you invest in this two-pack timer set. It also comes with AAA batteries, enough for both timers.

 

Colorful Countdown Design

Secura 60-Minute Visual Countdown Timer

This visual countdown timer comes in an array of colors and eases anxiety.

Pros: This stainless-steel, 7.5-inch mechanical countdown timer makes time management a cinch for students with its easy-to-read display. Wind the control nob clockwise to set the time between 1 to 60 minutes. The Secura timer features a red disc where some timers have a minute hand. As time elapses, the red disk grows smaller. The red and white visual cue and noiseless feature create a calmer experience for many students, especially sensory-sensitive students: less stress and anxiety boost confidence and performance.

Cons: The ticking and alarm sound may be too loud.

Bottom Line: Use the magnetic backing to secure it to the fridge, hang it on a wall, or place it on a countertop. Use it anywhere—at home, at work, and in the classroom.

 

Great Light-Up Timer

Learning Resources Time Tracker Mini

A colorful timer for ages three and up, this is a great tool to introduce time.

Pros: Help keep students focused, engaged, and on track for success with the Time Tracker Mini. It features visual and auditory cues to hold kids’ attention in a gentle, fun way. Perfect for pre-K and up, the timer is easy for adults. Turn the green and yellow dials to set the total alarm time and warning time. The alarm time ranges from five minutes to two hours in five-minute increments. The light goes from green to yellow (if you set the yellow dial) to red when the time is up. Yellow and red both have an audible alarm that can be adjusted.

Cons: You may find the instructions confusing because of the two dials.

Bottom Line: The Time Tracker Mini measures a mere 4.8 (L) x 3.3 (W) x 3.3 (H) inches but has a distinct auditory and visual presence. Use it in the classroom or at home with your little ones.

 

Best Bulk Buy

LinkDM Small Digital Kitchen Timers

This bulk set of kitchen timers is suitable for the classroom or exercise room.

Pros: This digital, magnetic timer is straightforward in every way. The time units are minutes and seconds; the max time is 99 minutes and 59 seconds. You can have the timer count upward or down and fast forward, too. When time’s up, the loud alarm sounds for 60 seconds if you don’t shut it off. The interface is 2.2 inches wide and 1.18 inches tall and features clear digits, making it easy to see. If you want to move it from the fridge, for example, so it’s closer to you, pull back the retractable stand to set it on a surface.

Cons: While the LinkDM timer can be used in any setting, it lacks characteristics that make it particularly suited for the classroom.

Bottom Line: You couldn’t get a better bang for your buck than this bulk package of quality timers. Also, you get a variety of colors in white, orange, and blue.

 

Best Hourglasses

EMDMAK Colorful Hourglass Sand Timers

These hourglass timers make it even more fun to measure timed tasks.

Pros: Hourglass sand timers are fun, especially when they come in a rainbow of colors. The EMDAK set comes with six sand timers, each with a different amount of sand to track different amounts of time. There’s white, blue, green, purple, orange, and red; in sequence, that’s one, three, five, ten, 15, and 30 minutes. Don’t worry; you don’t need to memorize it. The numbers are printed clearly on the side of each hourglass. This design is cool and safe for kids, made of high borosilicate glass with a PVS top and bottom caps and colored sea sand.

Cons: These sand timers may not perform precisely. Occasionally, a bit of sand might get stuck before it drops to the bottom. If you want better accuracy, you might want to consider a digital clock.

Bottom Line: These hourglass timers have fun-colored sand, making timed activities more enjoyable for kids. Watching the sand pour from top to bottom may soothe kids who find timed activities stressful.

Final Thoughts

Whether proctoring a test for students or timing yourself for a presentation, a classroom timer can be helpful. Depending on the type of timer and activity you’re involved in, they help make the time much more manageable and assist in helping you efficiently finish tasks.

Britta Kallevang Britta Kallevang
Britta is a professional writing tutor and freelance writer that is trained in journalistic, technical, and creative copywriting. At LifeSavvy, she researches products, writes about the items, and shares what she's uncovered with readers. Her writing is comprehensive and sometimes a bit silly. Read Full Bio »
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