The 7 Best Kitchen Timers

Best Overall

OXO Good Grips Triple Timer

$27 at Amazon $27 at The Container Store

This Oxo timer is an all-around winner and kitchen must-have. It has three 100-hour digital countdowns, each with a unique alarm sound and adjustable volume to allow for optimal multitasking. The timers can also be used as a stopwatch to count up instead of down. The extensive span of time is especially useful for braises and roasts that may need to cook over several hours, or even a holiday turkey and its iconic sides.

The latest model boasts a bigger, inverse backlit display that’s clear and easier to read and redesigned buttons that are intuitively positioned, soft, and easy to press. The angled face makes the display clearly visible as you mosey around the kitchen. Clumsy cooks best not fret about it crashing to the ground; the nonslip bottom keeps this timer stable on the counter and protects the surface. 

Range: 100 hours | Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.5 x 4 inches | Weight: 0.395 lbs | Batteries: 3 AAA, included | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Best Budget

Antoki Digital Kitchen Timer, 2-Pack

$7 at Amazon $14 at Walmart

You can’t beat the value of these easy-to-use Antonki timers. Though basic in their functionality, they perform the necessities with a maximum count, up or down, of 99 minutes and 59 seconds (that's enough time to make a pineapple chicken stir fry or tuna carbonara).

Because they're magnetic, you can stick them to appliances, like a refrigerator, but they also have a kickstand for posting up on a table or counter. When time runs out, the alarm is loud enough to hear in another room, so you can rest assured that you won’t miss your cue. In addition to the plain white color, this product is available in pastel blue and pink.

Range: 99 minutes, 59 seconds | Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.7 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 0.01 lbs | Batteries: 1 AAA, included | Warranty: N/A

Best Mechanical

LAOPAO Kitchen Timer

View on Amazon

Looking for an old-school mechanical timer? We love the retro look of this one. This device’s clockwork design allows it to work without batteries, which is super convenient for people who don't always keep spares stocked in the junk drawer. It’s also magnetic, so it will easily stick to your refrigerator and other kitchen appliances.

According to the manufacturer, this timer boasts corrosion- and oxidation-resistant metal casing, so you don’t have to worry about deterioration if you place it somewhere humid. Just keep in mind that the maximum time it can measure is 60 minutes, so it may not be suitable for recipes that require longer intervals.

Range: 60 minutes | Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 1.6 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Batteries: N/A | Warranty: N/A

Best Easy-to-Read

ThermoPro TM02 Timer

$16 at Amazon $24 at Walmart $16 at Home Depot

We love the sleek appearance of this timer, but most of all, we love how easy it is to read. It has a 2.6-inch backlit LCD display that you can dim or brighten to your liking, and the digits are large, so you don't have to put on your reading glasses. With two separate countdowns, it's perfect for multitasking and measures a maximum of 23 hours and 59 minutes, so you can slow-cook recipes, like beef stew and brisket, all day.

For those who are noise-sensitive or have sleeping children, you can adjust the volume or put it on mute. It has a kickstand for counter and tabletop use, as well as a magnetic back that adheres to appliances.

Range: 23 hours, 59 minutes | Dimensions: 4.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches  | Weight: 4.2 ounces | Batteries: 2 AAA, included | Warranty: 30 day money back guarantee

Best Modern

VOCOO Digital Kitchen Timer

$18 at Amazon $14 at Walmart View on Sears.com

We love the minimalist, high-tech look of this thermostat-looking timer that has a twist feature instead of traditional buttons. The LED display is very easy to read and looks uncluttered in its design. It can count up or down to a maximum of 99 minutes, making it suitable for many kitchen tasks, like waiting for the chocolate on your peanut butter bonbons to dry.

Thanks to the magnetic backing, you can stick this timer to an appliance and view it as you move about the kitchen. The sound is adjustable and even offers a quiet setting for those who are noise-sensitive or don't want a loud alarm going off in their home for whatever reason. When it’s not operating, the light will dim and eventually shut down to save energy.

Range: 99 minutes, 55 seconds | Dimensions: 3.07 x 3.07 x 1.06 inches | Weight: 118 grams | Batteries: 3 AAA, included | Warranty: 18 months

Best Professional

ThermoWorks TimeStick

View on Thermoworks.com

This tool will make you feel like a professional chef. Similar in looks to a TV remote, this portable gadget is small enough to fit in your palm or pocket. It also comes with a lanyard in case you prefer to wear it around your neck. This works as a clock and can count down or up with an impressive range of 99 hours, 99 minutes, and 99 seconds.

For those who like visuals, a bar graph illustrates the remaining time. The keypad can be locked to prevent any accidental button presses and there's no need to worry about kitchen messes because it's splash-proof. This timer comes in nine fun colors.

Range: 99 hours, 99 minutes, 99 seconds | Dimensions: 4.25 x 1.2 x 0.62 inches  | Weight: 0.10 pounds | Batteries: 1 CR2032, included | Warranty: 2 years

Best Wind-Up

Secura 60-Minute Visual Timer

$19 at Amazon $19 at Walmart

There's something satisfying about winding up a mechanical device. This 60-minute timer from Secura scratches that itch while also keeping you on task. The wind-up timer comes in eight bold colors, each with a large display face. What really sets this timer apart from others is the red disk that disappears as time goes on. Not only is it great to visualize the passage of time, but it makes it easy to read if you're all the way across the room multitasking.

While Secura's timer seems old-fashioned with its hand-crank timer and analog display, there are several modern features to make cooking easy. The timer has two helpful slider controls—one for volume and one for the length of time the alarm goes off. Hate the sound of clocks ticking? Don't worry, this alarm is completely silent while counting down. Thanks to its built-in stand, the timer can sit on any kitchen counter without fear of falling over. Since it only times up to an hour, it's better used for shorter bakes like apple strudel or grilled potato skins.

Range: 60 minutes | Dimensions: 4.21 x 4.06 x 2.83 inches | Weight: 3.84 ounces | Batteries: 2 AAA, not included | Warranty: 2 years