The Best Kitchen Timers for Every Cook and Budget
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Whether you want a high-end multitasker or a simple device that gets the job done for under $15, we have a kitchen timer for you.
Courtesy of Brand
So many of our modern gadgets are multitaskers that you might be wondering if you really need a kitchen timer if you already have a smartphone. But as nice as it is to have a phone that also takes pictures, surfs the internet, tracks our exercise and functions as a timer and stopwatch, there's also something to be said for having a standalone kitchen timer.
For starters, a kitchen timer is typically much easier to set, start and stop with one hand than a phone. Even the most expensive kitchen timers cost a fraction of what you'd pay for a smartphone, which means less worry about using them with greasy or flour-covered fingers or dropping them. And if your oven doesn't have a built-in timer of its own, a kitchen timer can be a boon for tasks like baking, roasting and simmering.
While devices like Google Home or Amazon Alexa can time kitchen projects, you can't slip these devices in your pocket like you can a timer, and they can be tricky to set up. (Plus, not everyone wants that kind of connected device in their home for privacy reasons.) The bottom line is that kitchen timers can be extremely handy, especially if you're timing multiple dishes at once or need to keep track of a multi-day baking, brewing or fermentation project.
The best kitchen timers are easy to set, read and hear, and they're also versatile, portable, durable and easy to clean. In our tests of 21 kitchen timers, we found seven that performed outstandingly. Read on to find the best kitchen timer for your budget and specific kitchen needs.
Our Kitchen Timer Recommendations
Best Overall: ThermoWorks TimeStack
Also Great: OXO Good Grips Triple Task Kitchen Timer
Best Budget: Antonki Digital Kitchen Timer, 2-Pack
Best for Beginners: CDN TM8 Multi-Task Timer and Clock
Best Professional: Marathon Commercial Grade Direct Entry Digital Timer
Best Design: VOCOO Digital Kitchen Timer
Best Analog Timer: Time Timer MOD 60-Minute Timer (Education Edition)
Best Overall: ThermoWorks TimeStack
ThermoWorks
What we like: This timer hits the ball out of the park everywhere it counts, including design, ease of use, durability and versatility.
What to know: While the screen portion of the timer is easy to clean, the raised buttons are a bit more tedious.
When it comes to accuracy in the kitchen, we are big fans of the ThermoWorks brand. After taking the top spot in our tests of meat thermometers, the brand also landed on top of our list of the best kitchen timers. The tall, wedge-shaped ThermoWorks TimeStack scored five out of five in all of the major categories, including design, versatility, ease of use and durability.
Four separate timers, each of which can count up or down, allow you to choreograph a full meal, and the numbers on the screen are large and easy to read. The timers can go for more than 99 hours, so you can use them for multi-day projects like breadmaking and brewing. The buttons are rubber coated and have a nice tactile, grippy feel, which makes the timer a joy to use.
Despite being fairly large, the TimeStack is relatively light. You can stand it upright on your counter, and its magnetic backing allows you to stick the timer onto your fridge or oven, if you prefer. We like the fact that the tone and volume are adjustable on each timer (including a very loud setting that can be heard from far away) and that the display flashes in addition to beeping to let you know your time is up. You can also record your own voice alarms instead of using beeps to let you know a dish is done. The timer feels sturdy, and it has silicone bumpers on the base that help keep it from sliding around on the counter. It's also water resistant.
While we love the feel of the raised buttons on this timer, they are a bit difficult to clean (though as noted above, the screen is easy to clean). Another small ding against this timer is the fact that you have to use a screwdriver to remove the back panel to replace the batteries—it's not hard, but not as easy as simply popping the back off. These tiny quibbles aside, there's nothing we'd change about this timer.
Dimensions: 2.4"D x 4.13"W x 6.6"H | Time Range: Up to 99 hours in hours, minutes and seconds | Batteries Included? Yes (one 9-volt) | Special Features: Adjustable volume, voice recording, backlight, magnetic backing
EatingWell / Riddley Schirm
Also Great: OXO Good Grips Triple Task Kitchen Timer
Amazon
What we like: This timer is incredibly intuitive to use, as well as attractive enough to keep on your counter at all times.
What to know: While the timer sits firmly on the counter, it lacks magnetic backing so you can't stick it to your fridge or oven like some other timers. It's also a bit too large to easily carry around the house or tuck into an apron pocket.
OXO is known for its thoughtfully designed products, and its Good Grips Triple Task timer is a great bet if you want to spend a bit less money (and don't mind having three timers instead of the four that the ThermoWorks TimeStack has). We love this timer's slanted design, which makes it easy to read and set, and it features nice grippy pads on the bottom that keep it from sliding around on the counter. Its smart design means it can be operated with one hand, which is very helpful if you're holding something or stirring with the other hand.
We love that each of the timers has its own alarm pattern and that the timer has a memory function that keeps track of the last time set on each timer. This comes in handy if you use the same time intervals frequently when cooking. You can also use any of the timers as a stopwatch, and the adjustable volume means you can hear this timer even if you're in another room (or turn it down if you're sensitive to loud noises). We like that the screen lights up when there's a minute left on any of the timers, and that it keeps track of how far past the set time the timer has gone if you do happen to miss the timer going off.
We found this timer fairly easy to clean with a dry cloth, though some flour did get stuck in and around the buttons. The batteries are easy to change, too—no special tools required.
Dimensions: 2.55"D x 4.5"W x 8.2"H | Time Range: Up to 100 hours in hours, minutes and seconds | Batteries Included? Yes (3 AAA batteries) | Special Features: Adjustable volume, backlight, full keypad, stopwatch function
EatingWell / Elle Wignall
Best Budget: Antonki Digital Kitchen Timer, 2-Pack
Amazon
What we like: These simple little timers are easy to use—and, at less than $15 for a two-pack, an unbeatable value.
What to know: Not surprising given its low price, this timer doesn't have many bells and whistles—though for some cooks, its simplicity could be its biggest selling point.
This inexpensive little timer is no-frills, but it’s easy to use and gets its job done admirably. We like its clear, easy-to-read display, as well as its small size and portability. This timer is a champ not just in the kitchen but also for anything else you need to time, such as exercise or homework sessions. We appreciated touches like the flip stand on the back so you can set it on the counter, as well as the magnetic strip that allows you to stick it to any metal surface, like your fridge or oven—though we did find that it sticks better to smooth stainless steel than anything with a textured surface, like an old-school fridge with a nubby finish. We found the timer very easy to clean, and it's a snap to install or change the batteries.
Unlike some of the other timers that can be set for up to 100 hours, this timer maxes out at 99 minutes, so it won't work if you need to time something like an eight-hour bread rise. It only has one display field, so if you want to time more than one dish or task, you'll need to use multiple timers—although that's easy to do since these timers are sold in two-packs. Overall, for the price, we think this is a great timer—and especially great if you have kids who are learning to cook and might lose, break or wander off with it.
Dimensions: .67"D x 2.91"W x 2.72"H | Time Range: Up to 99 minutes in minutes and seconds | Batteries Included? Yes (1 AAA battery for each timer) | Special Features: Sound on/off option, magnetic back, kickstand, fast forward option
Best for Beginners: CDN TM8 Multi-Task Timer and Clock
Amazon
What we like: This petite multitasker does triple duty as a clock, a countdown timer and a countup timer.
What to know: It only goes up to 24 hours and only has one timer, so it's not great for multi-day or multi-dish projects.
This tiny timer is a great multitasker in the kitchen, serving as a clock, a countdown timer and a countup timer all in one. We love the countdown timer for longer tasks like baking, but we were surprised by how often we used the countup timer for short tasks such as frying foods in batches. It also has a memory function so you can save preset times you use often—e.g., 15 minutes for a batch of quinoa or four minutes for soft-boiled eggs. But the thing that makes this timer so great for beginners is how intuitive it is to use—we didn't even have to look at the manual to set it. The digital display is also very easy to read from any angle, and the timer is loud enough to be heard from another room.
This timer is extremely portable—it includes a pocket clip, or you can stand it up on your counter or affix it to your fridge or oven with the magnetic backing. Plus, the timer is easy to clean, and the batteries are easy to change. We’ll note that this gadget only goes up to 24 hours and it lacks the multiple timers and different sound levels of some of the others on our list. But unless you’re looking to do multi-day cooking projects or you need to time multiple dishes at once, this timer is a great bet for beginners and more advanced cooks alike.
Dimensions: .5"D x 2.63"W x 2"H | Time Range: 24 hours in hours, minutes and seconds | Batteries Included? Yes (1 LR44) | Special Features: Pocket clip, stand, magnetic back, memory function to save timers, clock, countup and countdown timers
EatingWell / Frank Corona
Best Professional: Marathon Commercial Grade Direct Entry Digital Timer
Amazon
What we like: A large screen and large buttons make this timer a snap to use, plus it has four different modes to cover all of your kitchen timing needs.
What to know: While the timer is easy to read, it is one of the larger, bulkier models on our list.
This sturdy Marathon timer has big buttons and a large display so it's easy to program and read, and it's chock full of features that any professional chef or experienced home cook will appreciate. Like the aforementioned CDN timer, this gadget serves as a clock, a countdown timer and a countup timer, and it has the added bonus of an interval timer. Plus, it has a memory function that allows you to save four preset times.
This timer also has mute, low and high volume settings with a high volume that can easily be heard throughout the house, and a flashing light indicates when the time's up—though we found this light so dim and small that it was easy to miss if used on its own without the audible cue. The batteries are easy to change, and we found the timer easy to clean as well since it doesn't have any crevices that trap food.
One small complaint about this timer is that it doesn't have a magnetic strip, so you can't affix it to your oven or fridge. And although it's portable, it's not as streamlined as some of the others on our list. We also found it slightly strange that there's no "off" button for the timer—it's on unless you take the batteries out—but this does make sense if you frequently use the timer's clock function.
Dimensions: 2.64”D x 4.45”W x 4.45”H | Time Range: 100 hours in hours, minutes and seconds | Batteries Included? Yes (2 AA batteries) | Special Features: Adjustable volume, keypad, four timer modes, memory, visual indicator when time is up, 12- and 24-hour clock modes
EatingWell / Cathy Fallone
Best Design: VOCOO Digital Kitchen Timer
Amazon
What we like: With one large LED display, this modern-looking timer is incredibly easy to read.
What to know: Because there is only one button to reset, start and pause the timer, it can be a bit confusing to use.
This stylish, round timer looks like a Nest thermostat and works in a similar way—you adjust it by twisting the outer body either clockwise or counterclockwise to set the timer in five-second increments up to 100 minutes. It can count up or down, but it doesn't have added functions like interval timers. The volume is adjustable, with settings for mute, soft and loud, and the “loud” can be heard from another room.
This timer is light, portable and magnetic, so you can carry it around with you and stick it to any metal surface, like your stove or refrigerator. The batteries are easy to change and the timer is fairly easy to clean, although it can be a bit tricky to clean the gap between the faceplate and the body of the timer.
If you love a streamlined, single-purpose device, this timer is a great bet. However, if you want bells and whistles, multiple timers and different timing functions, such as intervals, other picks on our list might be a better choice.
Dimensions: 1”D x 3”W x 3”H | Time Range: 100 minutes in minutes and five-second increments | Batteries Included? Yes (3 AAA) | Special Features: Adjustable volume, magnetic back, eco display mode (dimmed display)
EatingWell / Hang Pham
Best Analog Timer: Time Timer MOD 60-Minute Timer (Education Edition)
Amazon
What we like: This simple, colorful analog timer beats out even the most streamlined digital timers when it comes to ease of use.
What to know: There are none of the bells and whistles that often come with digital timers—but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This old-fashioned timer, which boasts a few newfangled features, is wonderfully simple to use—just turn the knob to the time you want and let it do its thing. As the device counts down, the remaining time shows up in red, and it gives a series of beeps when the timer is up. (You can also set the timer to silent, if you prefer.) Its simplicity makes it great for kitchen tasks that only require one timer (baking a batch of cookies, for example). It's also great for families with small kids, and not just for cooking—they can visually see how much longer they get to play a game or when it'll be time for dinner or bed.
For both kids and adults, we particularly love the feature of the remaining time being shown in red—it allows you to get a sense of how much time is left with a quick glance. We also found it extremely easy to change the batteries in the timer, and it was a snap to clean, especially since you can pop the silicone cover off and wash it.
On the downside, this timer—like any analog timer—only goes up to 60 minutes, and the smallest unit is a minute (as opposed to seconds), so it's not suitable for tasks that require fine-tuned timing. Still, this is a timer we'd be happy to have on hand for shorter kitchen tasks, especially when cooking with kids. Note that we tested the Education version of this timer, which comes with a silicone case to protect the timer. There is also a Home edition in a variety of colors—it's sold without the silicone case, but you can buy that separately.
Dimensions: 2”D x 3.6”W x 3.6”H | Time Range: 60 minutes in 1-minute increments | Batteries Included? No (Takes 1 AA battery) | Special Features: Adjustable volume, removable silicone casing, visual countdown
EatingWell / Cecily McAndrews
The Bottom Line: The Best Kitchen Timers
If you want to time multiple dishes at once with a timer that's easy to use and read, it’s hard to do better than the ThermoWorks TimeStack (view at ThermoWorks). For a no-frills yet top-performing budget pick, we recommend the Antonki Digital Kitchen Timer (view at Amazon). And if you prefer an analog timer, we love the Time Timer Mod 60-Minute Timer (view at Amazon).
Choosing a Kitchen Timer
Design and Features
When choosing a kitchen timer, you'll want to consider size and shape—for example, do you want something that you can easily slip in your pocket or clip to your apron, or are you willing to buy a larger timer with more real estate for a big, easy-to-read display? Stylistically, do you prefer a rectangular, round or wedge-shaped digital timer, or do you like the classic look of an old-fashioned digital timer? Do you like raised, textured buttons, or would you prefer to set the timer by turning a knob or the timer's casing?
You'll also want to take into account how important special features are to you, such as multiple timers and interval timers. Do you want a timer that doubles as a clock, or are you simply looking for something that can keep time while you boil an egg? Although most of the timers we tested are fairly intuitive to set, reset and stop, the more functions a timer has, the more complicated it can be to operate, so keep that in mind when choosing your timer.
Alarm Sound
Do you want a timer that's so loud you could hear it at the other end of a mansion, or does loud, incessant beeping make you want to run for the hills? Whichever you prefer, it's nice to have a timer that lets you control the volume, which most of our top picks do—and many even allow you to turn the sound off completely and use visual cues instead.
Durability and Performance
When it comes to durability, all of our top picks seemed sturdy in our tests. However, if you are prone to dropping gadgets or getting them greasy or wet, you might want to choose a model that claims to be water-resistant and impact-resistant.
As for performance, all of the digital timers that made our final cut were quite accurate. The analog timers were also fairly accurate, but since they can't be programmed to the second, they're inherently less accurate than digital timers. That said, unless you frequently measure your cooking tasks in seconds, any kitchen timer will get the basic job done.
Ease of Use
As we noted above, you can't beat the simplicity of simply turning a knob on an analog timer, but a well-made digital timer—such as any of our top picks—should be easy enough to program, start, stop and read.
Overall Value
While you can spend $60 or more on a kitchen timer, you can also find our budget pick on sale for less than $15 for a two-pack. The average price of all the timers we tested was about $28, and our top two picks can be found for less than $40, which we think is a fair price for these multitasking timers.
Our Kitchen Timer Tests
For each of the 21 timers we evaluated, we used the timer as part of our regular cooking routines, using all available features and settings. To assess how easy the timers were to clean, we sprinkled each one with flour and then attempted to clean it off. For battery-powered timers, we went through the steps of adding and changing the batteries. To gauge the accuracy of analog timers, we set each one to five minutes and immediately began a digital stopwatch. As soon as the time was up on the analog timer, we stopped the stopwatch, recorded the time and compared it to the analog timer to note any discrepancies. We also assessed the design, versatility, ease of use, durability, value and overall quality of each timer before making our final picks.
We Also Considered
ThermoWorks Extra Big & Loud Timer ($34 at ThermoWorks): This timer is true to its name, with a large, easy-to-read display and an alert sound that can be heard from another room, even at the lowest setting. But unless you need a really loud timer, we think some of the other timers on this list are a better bet for the price.
FMP 4 Channel Commercial Kitchen Timer ($75 at Amazon): This large timer is easy to set and read, and you can time four different dishes at once with it. That said, we found it to be too pricey to recommend.
ThermoPro TM02 Digital Kitchen Timer ($18 at Amazon): This is a reasonably priced timer that allows you to time two different dishes at once, and it also has a clock setting. But if you are going for the ThermoPro brand, we think it's worth leveling up to TimeStack, which is well worth the extra money for its advanced features and ease of use.
Taylor Splash 'n' Drop Water and Impact Resistant Timer ($22 at Home Depot): Though it's nice that this timer is water resistant and seems sturdy, we found it a bit too fussy to set and reset.
Kikkerland Vintage Streamline Timer ($29 at Amazon): This classically styled analog timer would be a nice addition to a retro-looking kitchen, and it does its basic job just fine. If you love the vintage vibes, this might be the timer for you—but if you love bells and whistles, you may want to skip this one.
Common Questions
How do kitchen timers work?
At their most basic, both analog and digital kitchen timers simply allow you to set a timer for a period of time and then count down. They signal you with sound and/or visual cues that the time is up. More complicated digital kitchen timers allow you to track as many as four dishes at once, count up or down, and have interval counters and various other features.
Why would you need a kitchen timer?
In our tests, we found that the biggest advantage of a stand-alone kitchen timer is not having to fiddle with a phone or smart home device. We loved not having to try to operate our phones with sticky fingers, and we didn't miss repeatedly shouting at devices like Alexa and Google Home to start or stop. (Why is it that it always seems to take more than one try to get those devices to listen?)
What's the best way to clean a kitchen timer?
Most kitchen timers can be wiped clean with a damp or dry cloth. Some also have removable housing that you can wash. Just be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions before getting the timer wet or using any cleaners on it.
Are digital or analog timers better?
Whether a digital or analog timer is better is really a matter of personal preference. Some people love the advanced capabilities and multiple timer settings of a digital timer, while others love how fantastically simple an analog timer is.
Our Trusted Expertise
Megan O. Steintrager is a former food editor for EatingWell and is now a freelance writer with more than 20 years in the food space. She's previously worked at Epicurious, the Kitchn, TODAY Food, AOL and Consumer Reports. To write this article, she drew from the results of 21 digital and analog kitchen timers that we rigorously tested for accuracy, ease of use, ease of cleaning and more.
This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes—and was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, Senior Commerce Editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing nutrition and health content.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
