A plug-in outdoor timer switches patio string lights and other plug-in lighting on and off for you. The main choice is how it decides when: a photocell that reacts to dusk, a mechanical dial, a programmable digital timer, a remote, or a Wi-Fi smart plug.
We compared plug-in timers sold for outdoor use on control type, number of outlets, electrical rating, weather protection and the safety listing each maker states. For the lights themselves, see our guide to Best Outdoor String Lights, or browse the Outdoor Lighting category.
Our Top Picks
| Pick | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | BN-LINK Outdoor Light Timer with Dusk to Dawn Sensor |
| Best for Smart | Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug KP401 |
| Best for Programmable | BN-LINK Outdoor 7-Day Programmable Timer |
| Best for Remote | DEWENWILS Outdoor Timer with 100FT Remote |
| Best for Stake Design | Southwire Woods Outdoor Yard Stake Timer |
| Best for Digital Display | myTouchSmart Indoor/Outdoor Digital Timer |
Pros
- Follows sunset through the seasons
- Dead-simple dial
- Two outlets
Cons
- No weekday scheduling
- Photocell needs open sky
- No rating data available to us
BN-LINK's timer turns lights on at dusk with a photocell, then either keeps them on until dawn or switches them off after 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours. You set it with a dial; there is no app or programming. It has 2 grounded outlets, a 125V/15A rating, an ETL listing and a 14AWG SJTW outdoor cord. BN-LINK says to hang it vertically at least 2 feet above the ground.
The easiest way to automate patio lights.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
Pros
- Change schedules from your phone
- Sunset offset follows the seasons
- Voice control
Cons
- Needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi at the patio
- Single outlet
- No rating data available to us
Kasa's outdoor plug connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and runs schedules, countdowns and sunrise or sunset offsets from the Kasa app, plus voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant. Kasa lists a Wi-Fi range up to 300 feet, IP64 weather resistance with an attached cover, a 15A/1875W rating and ETL certification. No hub is needed.
The most flexible control if you have Wi-Fi outside.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
Pros
- Different times on different days
- Keeps settings in a power cut
- No Wi-Fi needed
Cons
- Clock-based, does not follow sunset
- Small buttons to program
- No rating data available to us
BN-LINK's digital timer stores up to 8 on and off programs across the week, down to one-minute settings, with preset day groups, a daylight saving button and a random vacation mode. A backup battery keeps settings through a power cut. It has 2 grounded outlets controlled together, a weather cover, and a 15A/1875W rating with an ETL listing.
Full weekly control without an app.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
Cons
- No rating data available to us
A light-sensor timer with dusk-to-dawn and countdown modes plus a remote that works up to 100 feet in line of sight; UL listed per the maker.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
Cons
- No rating data available to us
A green yard stake with 3 grounded outlets, a dusk-to-dawn photocell and a 6-foot SJTW cord, for lights placed out in the yard.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
Cons
- No rating data available to us
A weather-resistant digital timer with daily presets, custom on and off times, a large LCD, 2 grounded outlets and a CSA listing.
Amazon rating: not available in our product data.
Plug into a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover, stay under the timer's rated load, and mount it as the maker says, off the ground and away from standing water.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Control | Outlets | Listed Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BN-LINK Outdoor Light Timer with Dusk to Dawn Sensor | Best Overall | Photocell plus 2/4/6/8 h countdown | 2 grounded | 125V/15A, ETL |
| Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug KP401 | Best Smart | Wi-Fi app, schedules, sunset offset | 1 | 15A/1875W, ETL, IP64 |
| BN-LINK Outdoor 7-Day Programmable Timer | Best Programmable | Digital, 8 programs, 7-day | 2 grounded | 15A/1875W, ETL |
| DEWENWILS Outdoor Timer with 100FT Remote | Best Remote | Remote, photocell, 2/4/6/8 h | 2 | 125V/15A, UL listed |
| Southwire Woods Outdoor Yard Stake Timer | Best Stake Design | Photocell, dusk to dawn | 3 grounded | Weatherproof (maker) |
| myTouchSmart Indoor/Outdoor Digital Timer | Best Digital Display | Digital presets, custom, 24 h countdown | 2 grounded | 15A/1875W, CSA |
Top 3 Outdoor Light Timers Reviewed
#1 BN-LINK Outdoor Light Timer with Dusk to Dawn Sensor: Best Overall
Why We Picked It
BN-LINK's timer turns lights on at dusk with a photocell, then either keeps them on until dawn or switches them off after 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours. You set it with a dial; there is no app or programming. It has 2 grounded outlets, a 125V/15A rating, an ETL listing and a 14AWG SJTW outdoor cord. BN-LINK says to hang it vertically at least 2 feet above the ground.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Control: photocell, dusk to dawn or 2/4/6/8 h countdown
- Outlets: 2 grounded
- Rating: 125V, 15A (maker)
- Listing: ETL (maker)
- Cord: 14AWG SJTW
- Mounting: vertical, 2 ft above ground (maker)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Follows sunset through the seasons | No weekday scheduling |
| Dead-simple dial | Photocell needs open sky |
| Two outlets | No rating data available to us |
Best For
Patio string lights you want on every evening for a few hours.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who wants different times on different days.
Verdict
The easiest way to automate patio lights.
BN-LINK Outdoor Light Timer with Dusk to Dawn Sensor
#2 Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug KP401: Best Smart
Why We Picked It
Kasa's outdoor plug connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and runs schedules, countdowns and sunrise or sunset offsets from the Kasa app, plus voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant. Kasa lists a Wi-Fi range up to 300 feet, IP64 weather resistance with an attached cover, a 15A/1875W rating and ETL certification. No hub is needed.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Control: app schedules, countdown, sunset/sunrise offset
- Voice: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Outlets: 1
- Rating: 15A/1875W (maker)
- Weather: IP64 (maker)
- Listing: ETL (maker)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Change schedules from your phone | Needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi at the patio |
| Sunset offset follows the seasons | Single outlet |
| Voice control | No rating data available to us |
Best For
Smart homes that already use Alexa or Google.
Who Should Skip It
Patios out of Wi-Fi range.
Verdict
The most flexible control if you have Wi-Fi outside.
#3 BN-LINK Outdoor 7-Day Programmable Timer: Best Programmable
Why We Picked It
BN-LINK's digital timer stores up to 8 on and off programs across the week, down to one-minute settings, with preset day groups, a daylight saving button and a random vacation mode. A backup battery keeps settings through a power cut. It has 2 grounded outlets controlled together, a weather cover, and a 15A/1875W rating with an ETL listing.
Key Specifications
- Amazon rating: not available in our product data
- Control: digital, 8 programs, 7-day
- Extras: random mode, DST button, backup battery
- Outlets: 2 grounded
- Rating: 125V, 15A, 1875W (maker)
- Listing: ETL (maker)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Different times on different days | Clock-based, does not follow sunset |
| Keeps settings in a power cut | Small buttons to program |
| No Wi-Fi needed | No rating data available to us |
Best For
Weekend-heavy schedules without Wi-Fi.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone who wants lights tied to dusk.
Verdict
Full weekly control without an app.
BN-LINK Outdoor 7-Day Programmable Timer
Also on Our List
- DEWENWILS Outdoor Timer with 100FT Remote (Best Remote): A light-sensor timer with dusk-to-dawn and countdown modes plus a remote that works up to 100 feet in line of sight; UL listed per the maker.
- Southwire Woods Outdoor Yard Stake Timer (Best Stake Design): A green yard stake with 3 grounded outlets, a dusk-to-dawn photocell and a 6-foot SJTW cord, for lights placed out in the yard.
- myTouchSmart Indoor/Outdoor Digital Timer (Best Digital Display): A weather-resistant digital timer with daily presets, custom on and off times, a large LCD, 2 grounded outlets and a CSA listing.
How to Choose an Outdoor Light Timer
Photocell, Clock or App
A photocell follows sunset through the year. A clock timer runs fixed times. A smart plug does both from your phone but needs Wi-Fi at the outlet.
Electrical Rating
Add up the wattage of everything you plug in and stay under the timer's rating. Most here are rated 15A or 1875W.
Outlet Count
Count the strands and devices you will connect. Avoid stacking power strips or extension cords to make up the difference.
Weather Protection
Use a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet with an in-use cover. Mount the timer as the maker says, often vertically and off the ground, and keep plugs out of puddles.
Safety Listing
Look for an ETL, UL or CSA listing on the timer. Every pick here states one or describes its weatherproof design.
How We Evaluate Outdoor Light Timers
For this guide we compared listings on control method, number of outlets, electrical rating, weather protection, cord type and stated safety listing. We included only timers sold for outdoor use. Most listings in this guide had no rating data in our product feed, so ratings did not decide the order. We did not handle or measure these products ourselves, every figure comes from the maker's listing, and we never repeat a weather, brightness or runtime claim as our own.
Variants of one listing count as a single product, and we would rather list a few strong picks than pad the list. Our full process is on the How We Review page.
FAQ
Can I leave an outdoor timer plugged in all year?
Timers rated for outdoor use are designed to stay out, but mount them as the maker says, keep the cover closed and inspect the cord each season.
Will a photocell timer work under a covered patio?
It needs to see natural light changing. If the sensor sits in deep shade or under a bright porch light, it may switch at the wrong time.
Do I need a GFCI outlet?
Outdoor outlets should be GFCI protected. If yours is not, have a licensed electrician check it before you plug in lighting.
Final Verdict
BN-LINK's dusk-to-dawn timer is our top pick for its simple dial, photocell and countdown options. Kasa's smart plug is the most flexible with Wi-Fi, and BN-LINK's 7-day digital timer covers weekly schedules without an app.
DEWENWILS adds a long-range remote, Southwire Woods suits lights out in the yard, and myTouchSmart has the clearest digital display.
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