Best Automated Light Switch Timer 2020 Detailed Review.

Best Automated Light Switch Timer 2020 Detailed Review.

Best Automated Light Switch Timer: Sometimes, you want a switch in your house to turn on or off automatically. Maybe you want to deter burglars while you’re out of town. Maybe you get up at the same time every day and don’t like fumbling in the dark every morning. Or maybe you just want the convenience of lights at times when you know you’re going to be home. 

Different Light Switch Timer Types 

If you remember the dark, prehistoric decade of the 1990s, (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) you’ve probably seen mechanical timers. These were timers that could be plugged into a power outlet and used to power various devices.

They were particularly popular with frequent travelers since they could be used to turn a few lamps on and off while you were away. Typically, they worked by inserting sets of pins into a rotating dial. As the dial turned, the pins would flip the switch on and off 

Honeywell Daysmart 

The Honeywell Daysmart is an in-wall timer switch that has a flip-open cover. This gives it a cleaner look than your typical electric timer since all the buttons are hidden. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary wall plate, at least once it’s been installed. It ships with 2 different faceplates: a white and almond. As a result, it will easily match the vast majority of wall plates on the market. When you open the cover, you’ll see a small digital LCD display that shows the current time. 

myTouchSmart In-Wall Digital Timer 

The MyTouchSmart In-Wall Digital Timer has a more traditional design than the Daysmart. The buttons and LCD display are always exposed, with no cover. They’re not unattractive, though, and the LCD doesn’t have any backlight to disturb your sleep.

There’s a row of three LED lights on each side, next to each of the buttons. When you press one of the buttons to set the timer, the corresponding LED will illuminate.

This only happens while you’re setting the timer, and helps you keep track of what you’re doing. There are also a pair of arrow buttons just under the LCD display, for navigating timer menus. 

The MyTouchSmart is designed to work with a wide variety of devices. Not only is it compatible with almost any lightbulb, including LED, CFL, incandescent, and halogens, but it also supports dimmable LEDs and CFLs. It also works for motors.

This can either mean or exhaust fans, outdoor lights, or even kitchen appliances. The switch is rated for standard US voltage of 120 volts and 15 amps at 60 Hz. It can support up to 1200 watts, which is generally less than you’ll draw at a full 15 amps. Still, you’ll be able to run a few fans without any problems. 

Honeywell Econoswitch 

The Honeywell Econoswitch has a much more minimalistic design than the last 2 timers we looked at. Instead of several large buttons, there are two slim ones just beneath the LCD screen. 

There’s also a larger one that works as a touchpad-style slider. At the bottom right corner, there’s a blue LED that lets you know when the switch is active. The learning curve is very shallow since the controls are contextual and pretty intuitive.

In addition, the screen comes with an attractive option. Instead of being automatically backlit or not, you get the choice. In the menu, you can leave it off, turn it to a low-intensity night light setting. You can even turn it up very high in an emergency. 

The Econoswitch is compatible with most lightbulb types. In addition to LED, CFL, incandescent, and halogen, it’s also compatible with fluorescent tube ballasts. It’s also compatible with appliances. At a US-standard 120 volts and 15 amps, it can deliver 1800 watts of power.

This will give you enough starting wattage to power a 1500-watt, 15-amp device. It also means that you can safely use the Econoswitch to power a light that’s plugged into an outlet.

Anything that someone could plug in and damage the switch will trip a 15-amp breaker, so you’re safe. And the Econoswitch also comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty for added protection. 

Final Verdict 

Now that we’ve examined each of these Automated Light Switch timer , it’s time to decide which is the best. If you’re looking for the best by numbers alone, it’s hard to argue against the Honeywell Econoswitch. That little beast does everything.

The sunrise-sunset mode is fully featured, with the very convenient ability to offset your times a little. The seven-day timer is common enough, but still much appreciated. However, the best thing of all is the random mode. If you’re at all concerned about home security, you’ll appreciate being able to deter thieves while you’re on the road. 

That said, the MyTouchSmart has a lot to offer at a very reasonable price. Most switches in this price range don’t have many features, and it’s nice to see one that supports appliances. Then again, your timer options are limited, and there’s no seven-day feature. 

Finally, the Honeywell Daysmart offers its own kind of value. It’s almost as affordable as the MyTouchSmart, and it offers a sunrise/sunset feature. That’s virtually unheard-of, and it’s one of Honeywell’s most impressive offerings. It also offers a seven-day timer, so you can be fully prepared for weekends. That said, it doesn’t support appliances.