The 6 Best Pool Timers

Recap: The Best Pool Timers

• Aube by Honeywell TI040/U 7-Day Programmable Timer: Best Heavy Duty Timer
• Intermatic P1121 Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer: Best for Above Ground Pools
• Woods 59104RWD Outdoor 24-Hour Heavy Duty Mechanical Time Switch: Most Daily Settings
• GE Z-Wave Plus Direct Wire Smart Switch: Best Mobile App Controlled Timer
• Woods Outdoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Plug-in Timer: Most Affordable
• Intermatic Electromechanical Pool Timer: Easiest to Set Up

How They Compare

Durability and Price Comparison

I made a scatterplot of my durability and price scores for each timer to show which products have the best value for your money. Honeywell and the Intermatic Electromechanical Pool Timer really shine here.

Compatibility Comparison

1. Woods 59104RWD Outdoor 24-Hour Heavy Duty Mechanical Time Switch: 5
2. GE Z-Wave Plus Direct Wire Smart Switch: 5
3. Intermatic Electromechanical Pool Timer: 5
4. Aube by Honeywell TI040/U 7-Day Programmable Timer: 4
5. Intermatic P1121 Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer: 3
6. Woods Outdoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Plug-in Timer: 3

The simplest pump timers won on compatibility, with the exception of the GE Z-Wave timer, which also performed well.

Programmability Comparison

1. Woods 59104RWD Outdoor 24-Hour Heavy Duty Mechanical Time Switch: 5
2. GE Z-Wave Plus Direct Wire Smart Switch: 5
3. Woods Outdoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Plug-in Timer: 5
4. Aube by Honeywell TI040/U 7-Day Programmable Timer: 5
5. Intermatic P1121 Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer: 4
6. Intermatic Electromechanical Pool Timer: 4

I really like the programmability of Woods, GE, and Honeywell timers. Intermatic struggled in this category among my other top picks, but still performed decently well.

Safety Comparison

1. GE Z-Wave Plus Direct Wire Smart Switch: 5
2. Aube by Honeywell TI040/U 7-Day Programmable Timer: 5
3. Intermatic P1121 Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer: 5
4. Intermatic Electromechanical Pool Timer: 5
5. Woods 59104RWD Outdoor 24-Hour Heavy Duty Mechanical Time Switch: 4
6. Woods Outdoor 7-Day Heavy Duty Digital Plug-in Timer: 4

I have some small durability and power cord concerns with Woods timers, as mentioned in my notes above.

Other Timers Researched

• BN-LINK Compact Outdoor Mechanical Timer
  Source: I didn't love this timer in my testing and think Intermatic makes a better mechanical solution.
• Dewenwils Wireless Controller Timer: This Wi-Fi-enabled timer is very difficult to set up, and the Wi-Fi isn't always reliable.
• Fosmon C-10707US Mechanical Light Timer: This model is not durable at all. I would avoid it.
• NSi 1101B Electromechanical Time Switch: This model has to be used indoors and isn't very durable.
• Plusmart Outdoor Timer: Cheap, but not durable enough to stay outside for long periods of time.
• Sylvania SA307 Double Pole Zip Industrial Timer: Very expensive and not a good value for your money.

My Research Criteria

So, how did I select the best pool timers?

I looked at a lot of features, specifications, and even prices. Let’s look at each of these variables.

Durability

Durability made up 20% of the total scores.

With any pool product, you want to ensure you get something that will last longer than one pool season. The last thing you want is to replace a pool timer every year or deal with troubleshooting. As pool timers are constantly exposed to the elements and chemicals in the water, you should ensure you get a quality product that will last you years to come.

A pool timer should last up to 20 years if properly taken care of.

Current Rating and Compatibility

Compatibility accounted for 15% of the product scores.

Every pool pump timer has a current rating, which tells you how much current it can withstand.

You will need a different current rating depending on the pool’s size and whether it’s in a residential or commercial setting. The most important thing to note here is that whatever current rating you go for in your pool timer should be higher than the current rating on the pool pump.

With a higher rating on the timer than the pump, you won’t have to worry about the timer being your system’s weak point. Also, when you get a pool timer with a high current rating, you can use it with many different types of pool pumps.

It’s also future-proof because it will still be helpful if you upgrade to a pool pump with a higher current rating.

You should also check how much HP your pool timer is rated for and make sure that it is compatible with your pool pump.

Programmability

Programmability took up 30% of the total product scores.

A swimming pool timer’s ability to save programmed settings is yet another thing you should consider. You should be able to set run times and other features each day. This trait is particularly important when there is a power outage. If it can save programmed settings, it should pick up where it left off when the power comes on again.

For more information on pump run times and timer programming settings, read my guide on how long to run your pool pump each day.

Price

Price is an obvious consideration when buying any product, so price made up 20% of the scores.

You don’t necessarily need an expensive pool timer since a higher price tag doesn’t automatically mean the timer is of superior quality.

Things like brand reputation or extra features can influence the price. These extra bells and whistles may or may not be useful for you. If they are not helpful, you should opt for a cheaper timer that gives you what you need without unnecessary extras.

Read my research on pool timer costs for a full breakdown of average prices.

Safety

Safety accounted for 15% of the overall product scores.

Safety is something you should always consider when purchasing an electrical device. You should, therefore, check whether the timer has the necessary safety features.

Some pool pump timers have a heavy-duty metal casing to protect them from inclement weather and other potential damage. Others have insulation for the connections to protect you from getting electrocuted. You also need to install the timer properly to avoid any wiring issues and set the timer properly to have your pool pump running smoothly.

You need to ensure that the device is safe to use around your family (for residential pools) or patrons (for commercial settings).

What Else To Consider

Here are other things to consider when finding the best pool timer for your specific needs.

Load Capacity

The load capacity is a measure of how much load the pump timer can take on. A good one should be versatile enough to handle variable loads. For example, you might be operating more than one pool pump simultaneously and need a single timer for all the equipment.

There are pool pump timers on the market that can operate with several pumps simultaneously.

Pool timers typically have three-way independent circuits, each with a control point and program to work independently of each other. For the most part, such pool timers are digital timers. For more on which pool timers are suitable for your situation, check out my article on how to find the right pool timer for you.

Extra Features

Pool timers come with additional features, such as the ability to switch modes, voltage settings, LCD (for digital timers), and the ability to set the number of operations per day.

There is no standard set of features that all manufacturers include, so they will always try to add something unique that makes their pool timer stand out from the competition.

You should take advantage of this as a buyer and find one with the right extra features.

Questions? Drop me a line, and I’ll get back to you soon! Also, check out my recommendations for top-rated pool pumps if you need a new one.

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