I think you’ll agree that it can be hard to find the best timer for grow lights. There are so many different types that it can be a challenge to narrow down your options. You could go with a simple mechanical timer, or you could get a digital timer if you want more control over your light cycle. There are even smart outlets that you can control with a smartphone or a voice assistant.
Continue reading this article if you want to learn more about the different types of timers and the pros and cons of each option. Alternatively, if you just want to know our top pick we recommend the Hydrofarm Digital Programmable Timer (Buy Online) since it is the most reliable and best all around grow light timer.
Best Timer for Grow Lights
Hydrofarm Dual Outlet 7-Day Grounded Digital Programmable Timer
The Hydrofarm Digital Programmable Timer (Buy Online) is one of the best digital timers for grow lights on the market. This timer offers professional features at an affordable price point, and to top it all off it’s very simple to program.
This timer has two separate outlets on each side of the unit that can be controlled independently. That means you can control your light cycle using one outlet, and then you can use the other outlet to control pumps, fans, or any other equipment.
You can set a maximum of 8 on/off cycles in total for both outlets. If you just need one day/night cycle for your lights then the other outlet will have 7 cycles available for equipment that needs to be turned on and off more frequently.
The Hydrofarm Digital Programmable Timer also has a built-in battery so it will remember all of your settings if there is a power outage. In addition, it has an optional daylight savings mode that you can use if you want to keep your grow lights in tune with your daily schedule.
Features
Dimensions: 7.7 x 3 x 2 inches
Item Weight: 12.8 oz
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 1725 watts
Controls Two Outlets Independently
8 ON/OFF cycles
1 Minute ON/OFF
UL-listed
Positives
The dual outlets let you control two independent sets of equipment with separate on/off cycles
Perfect for controlling pumps along with lighting
Built-in clock stays set even during a power outage
Very easy to program
Negatives
If you need more control the PCTART-Autopilot Analog Recycling Timer has more on/off cycles
Intermatic DT620 Heavy Duty Indoor Digital Plug-In Timer
The Intermatic Heavy Duty Indoor Digital Plug-In Timer (Buy Online) is a great timer if you want to control two lights on a single light cycle. It’s also very easy to program since it has a large LCD screen that lets you see all your programming options.
The Intermatic Heavy Duty Indoor Digital Timer has two separate outlets that will allow you to control two devices simultaneously. The two outlets are not independently controlled though so they will both turn on and off together.
This timer lets you set a maximum of 28 on/off cycles per day. While that many cycles might not be necessary for a grow light it can come in handy if you ever end up using it to control a hydroponics/aeroponic system.
The Intermatic Heavy Duty Indoor Digital Timer also has a battery backup system that will keep your on/off cycles in memory even when the timer loses power. You can also replace the battery if it ever dies since the battery is user serviceable.
Features
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 3 inches
Item Weight: 7.7 oz
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 1800 watts
Two Outlets
28 ON/OFF cycles
1 Year Warranty
Positives
The large LCD screen is very easy to read
The back-up battery is replaceable
Holds up to 28 events in memory
Adjusts for daylight savings time
Negatives
The outlets are not controlled independently
Autopilot TM01015 Analog Grounded Timer
The Autopilot Analog Grounded Timer (Buy Online) is an extremely reliable timer that’s perfect for people who don’t want to mess around with digital timers. Mechanical timers also tend to be more reliable than digital timers, and they are well suited for running HID lights that have electrically noisy ballasts.
What this timer lacks in features it makes up for in ease of use. You can program the on/off cycles by pressing down the black segments that surround the face of the dial. Each segment represents 15 minutes of on/off time.
For example, if you want to set your light cycle to 16 hours on, and 8 hours off you would press down 64 contiguous segments. Since each segment represents 15 minutes you could also use it for shorter cycles if you plan to use it for other types of equipment.
The only downside to a mechanical timer is that it won’t keep proper time if it loses power. Although, it’s really not a big deal if your power goes out since all you’ll need to do to reset the timer is simply turn the dial.
Features
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 3 inches
Item Weight: 7.7 oz
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 1725 watt
15 Minute ON/OFF
48 ON/OFF cycles
1 Year Warranty
Positives
Very easy to program
Extremely Reliable
The programming pins are built-in to the dial
Negatives
Needs to be reset after a power outage
Century 8 Outlet Surge Protector with Mechanical Timer
The Century 8 Outlet Surge Protector with Mechanical Timer (Buy Online) will let you run multiple grow lights on a single schedule. You also get surge protection built-in, which will protect the sensitive electronics found in most LED lighting.
There are eight outlets in total on this surge protector. Four of the outlets are controlled by the timer, while the other four provide constant power. There is also a built-in override switch that will let you bypass the timer so you can run all of the outlets on constant power.
The mechanical timer on this surge protector has a maximum of 48 on/off cycles, and each cycle can run for as little as 15 minutes. In order to set this timer all you’ll have to do is press down the timer segments that surround the dial. Each segment represents 15 minutes, and you can easily set the pins to match any day/night cycle.
Features
Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 2 inches
Item Weight: 1.55 pounds
Voltage: 120 volts
Wattage: 1875 watts
8 Outlets – 4 Timed & 4 Always On
15 Minute ON/OFF
48 ON/OFF cycles
15 Month Warranty
Positives
Great for LED lights or other sensitive electronics
The timer override switch will let you bypass the timer
Simple and easy to use
Negatives
Won’t keep time without power
SENDOW Wifi Surge Protector
The SENDOW Wifi Surge Protector (Buy Online) will make it possible to control and program your grow lights at the touch of a button. This smart power strip makes it easy to finally use 21st century smart home technology instead of using an old fashioned mechanical or digital timer.
The SENDOW Surge Protector can be programmed using an app that runs on both Android and iOS, or you can even control it using a voice assistant. Each one of the outlets is individually programmable, and you can run up to 4 devices on their own independent schedule.
The SENDOW Smart Surge Protector has built-in WiFi, so you can control your lights anywhere there is a network connection. You can also see the power status of each device using the app, and you can name each outlet to keep track of which light or piece of equipment is plugged into each outlet.
Features
Dimensions: 10.3 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches
Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
Voltage: 125 volts
Wattage: 1250 watts
4 Individually Controlled Outlets
3 USB Ports
Smart Home App (Android/iOS)
Amazon Alexa/Google Home
UL Certified
Positives
You can program your lights with your smartphone
Each outlet can be named and programmed separately
Surge Protection
Negatives
WiFi can be unresponsive
Grow Light Timer Controllers
Hydrofarm MLC-4X 4-Light HID Controller
The Hydrofarm MLC-4X 4-Light HID Controller (Buy Online) will let you run 4000 watts of lights off a single 30 amp circuit. This controller is perfect for large grow rooms that use powerful high-pressure sodium lights or metal halides.
All four outlets are controlled by a single trigger cable, so all of the lights will run on the same schedule. A timer is not included, but it can be connected to a standard 24-hour timer or an environmental controller.
Features
Dimensions: 9.5 x 10.6 x 7.6 inches
Item Weight: 3.55 pounds
Voltage: 120 – 240 volts
Amps: 30 amps
4-Light Controller
Industrial Relay
3 Year Warranty
Positives
Very affordable four light controller
Connects to 2 pole power
Runs 4000 watts on a 30 amp circuit
Negatives
You might need an electrician to install it
Timer not included
Titan Controls Pre-Wired 8-Light Controller w/ Trigger Cord & Timer
The Titan Controls Pre-Wired 8-Light Controller (Buy Online) will let you control up to eight 240-volt lighting ballasts. It also has one 120-volt (2-amp) accessory outlet for a light mover or other low power systems.
Features
Dimensions: 17.9 x 17.6 x 7.8 inches
Item Weight: 15.9 pounds
Voltage: 240 volts
Amps: 50 amps
8-Light Controller
Positives
Commercial grade light controller
Dual triggers
Comes with a 24-Hour Timer
Negatives
Needs an additional timer to control all 8 outlets
