The outdoor light timer is an excellent device for security and convenience. It allows you to turn an outdoor light on and off, saving you electricity and effort.
A good outdoor light timer, designed for your convenience, will automatically turn your outdoor lights on and off. With its user-friendly programmable settings, you can set it to turn on at dusk and off at dawn, or even program it for your vacation schedules.
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Why You Need and Outdoor Light Timer
There are so many reasons why an outdoor light Timer can be beneficial.
Keeping outdoor lights on at night can benefit security or a family member who comes in late and works late shifts.
Having outdoor lights for Christmas and the holiday season and security when you go on vacation can be ideal.
However, turning the lights on and off daily can be a hassle, and if you leave or forget them on, you can run up quite an electricity bill.
The Outdoor Light timer is compatible with any light and will turn your lights on and off when needed with programmable settings.
Different Types of Outdoor Light timers
There are a few different control systems when it comes to outdoor light timers;
- Analog Light Timer – The analog Light Timer is an old-school mechanical timer that turns your lights on and off. You need to set the tabs to switch the lights on and off for a certain time. The analog Timer will not adjust for daylight savings; some mechanical failures may occur over time.
- Digital Light Timer – The Digital Light Timer is a step up from the analog timer with different programs you can set for different times of the day and week. With the Digital Timer, you have much more control and various programs that you can set, though it does work with batteries that need to be replaced every few years, and it will not adjust for sunset or sunrise.
- Photocell Light Timers – A Photocell is a light sensor that senses sunlight to turn off the lights and darkness to turn them on. It comes in many shapes and sizes with a protected sensor. It is ideal for adjusting your lights during different seasons and is affordable. Though it does not work well in heavily shaded areas, it will not turn off at designated times.
- Astronomical Light Timers -The Astronomical Timers allow you to enter your GPS coordinates and use them to tell the time, automatically switching your lights on and off. The Programming for the astronomical timer is slightly more involved, and you will need to operate the system with batteries.
- WiFi/Smart-control Light Timer – The WiFi or Smart Control outdoor light timer functions using an app on your mobile device or through Google or Alexa using your WiFi connection or Bluetooth. It operates and sets automatically with the use of your mobile device. This setting gives you fuller control over your lighting system, though it may be a more expensive option, and you will need to be within a certain WiFi range to control the lights.
Features of a Good Outdoor Light Timer
- Power -The Outdoor light timer may have a self-charging design battery with a backup battery. Some models are corded and have grounded outlets.
- Programming – Most outdoor Light Timers are fully programmable. They come with different programs for weekly settings. There will be an override on and off switch, and some come with a random vacation program. The lights are programmed to switch on at dusk and off again at dawn. Most can be set on a 24-hour basis.
- Fit – Most models will have an Incandescent/fluorescent/CFL/LED or another fit compatible with various outdoor lights, and some for indoor lights. Outdoor lights may include lamp posts and poles, lantern lights, Christmas lights, and regular outdoor lights
- Weatherproof – The Device and wiring need to be sturdy and durable with a weather-resistant shell and base, as well as a waterproof switch.
Reviews: The Best Outdoor Light Timers
In our review section, we have quite a variety of some of the best available Outdoor light timers;
1
- The BN-Link Compact Outdoor Light Timer is a programmable analog timer.
- It is programmable at 15-minute intervals with 48 setting options and a 24-hour working period.
- The device is fully waterproof and ideal for outdoor use.
- It has heavy-duty materials and two-grounded outlets, making it much safer and more durable.
- There is a two-ringing grounded outlet system that you can use for multiple light types.
- The timer has an easy and mechanical setting with convenient settings.
2
- The BN-Link Digital Outdoor Light Timer has a Dual Outler and is fully weatherproof.
- The Outdoor light Timer is versatile and fully customizable. It has eight on-and-off programs that make it easy to control.
- It is an easy set and go and design, and you can pre-set days and combinations and switch to daylight saving mode.
- It also has a random Vacation mode to keep your home safe during vacations.
- It is ideal for indoor and outdoor use and works with various light types.
- Don’t worry; the Outdoor Light Timer is safe and reliable. It’s built with weather-resistant heavy-duty materials to withstand the elements, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
3
- From Kotlin, we have an outdoor hard wire Light Timer.
- The timer is UL-listed and has Photocell sensors suitable for various wall pack fixtures such as post lamps, pole lights, lanterns, and other lights.
- It has an auto-on and off function. The sensor senses sunlight and will turn off at dawn and on at dusk.
- Very easy-to-install design that can be mounted to most fixtures.
- The High-quality material shell will protect the photocell against weather elements.
4
- The Topgreener Digital Astronomic Outdoor Light Timer is a 7-day programmable light timer.
- It has a single pole or three-way design, and a neutral wire will be required.
- It is UL-listed for safety.
- The Topgreened is available in more colors, and it has a backlit LCD screen that activates when you press a button.
- You can program up to 7 on and off schedules per week.
- The random function will vary your schedule, and there is a manual override function.
5
- Here we have the BN-Link Smart operated Outdoor Light Timer.
- It is a hands-free device that operates using Google or Alexa with voice control using your smartphone with the App from anywhere.
- It has a smart scheduling function that works with most heavy-duty electronics to switch lights on and off as needed.
- There is a countdown timer that you can set for more flexible times.
- The device is waterproof and weatherproof.
- You will require a 2.4 GHz WiFi network connection for operation.
6
- From the Tessan store, we have another Wi-Fi-operated Outdoor Light Timer for your convenience.
- It has a hands-free voice control function uses WiFi connections with Google or Alexa on a mobile device.
- It has a very long wireless range, and you can control the wireless switch anywhere inside your home.
- It comes with 2 AC sockets that you can control independently or simultaneously. Each AC Socket is 125V, 15A, 1875W, and 2HP.
- It also has an IP44 waterproof and rubber socket cover to keep it dry in wet and cold conditions.
Index Table: Top Rated Outdoor Light Timers
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BN-Link Compact - Analog Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| BN-Link | 98 |
| 2 | BN-Link 7 Day - Digital Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| BN-Link | 97.9 |
| 3 | kotlin Hard-Wired - Photocell Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| kotlin | 97.3 |
| 4 | Topgreener Astronomical - Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| Topgreener | 96.7 |
| 5 | BN-Link Smart - WiFi Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| BN-Link | 97.4 |
| 6 | Tessan Outdoor - WiFi Outdoor Light Timer |  |
| Tessan | 97.3 |
