The best water timers, compared.
Top pick: Insoma 3-zone water timer (brass inlet) Best value: Kingfisher electronic water timer (WT100) – About £14.95 at score 80, from 4.0 and 2,993 reviews, the lowest price and the largest sample here, if you check the tap connector before you leave. Updated 22.10.2026.
A garden water timer, also called a hose timer or tap timer, screws onto a UK outdoor tap and opens or closes a hose on a countdown or a digital schedule. You buy one to stop a forgotten hose and to water pots and beds while you are away. You recognise a suitable water timer by the thread, the washer, and the pressure. Most modern outdoor taps are ¾ inch BSP. A brass or reinforced inlet helps the seal. Solenoid timers usually need a stated minimum, often around 0.5 bar. A water butt needs a low-pressure or ball-valve design. Look for a start time, duration, frequency, rain delay, and a manual override that keeps the programme. Use alkaline cells, and prefer a valve that closes on a low battery. Fit the timer vertically, run one supervised cycle, and store it indoors before frost. An IP rating is splash resistance, not frost protection. A timer does not by itself lift a temporary use ban. Those checks are set out in the [water timer buying guide](/hub/garden-watering/water-timer/sub/water-timer-buying-guide).
A garden water timer, also called a hose timer or tap timer, screws onto a UK outdoor tap and opens or closes a hose on a countdown or a digital schedule.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
How many outlets do you need?
Across seven amazon.co.uk reviews the Insoma three-zone brass-inlet timer scores 5.0 at £35.14, a perfect average on a sample too small to treat as proof. Three independently programmed outlets, runs to 360 minutes, rain delay of one to fifteen days without a sensor, a rotatable brass inlet, child lock, and low-battery close are listed, with IPX5 and IP55 wording in the bullets. The listing prints 7.25–116.03 psi, which is 0.5–8 bar. Buyers who wrote praise zoning for misting heads and overnight drip hoses once the menus click. Settings confuse non-technical users at first, and a hose adaptor may be needed. Do not read the 5.0 as a lab result over rows with dozens or hundreds of reviews. It is a three-outlet option when you accept thin evidence at a mid price. The score hold keeps it off the top of this shelf.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want three outlets around £35 and will treat the tiny review sample as provisional.
Less suitable: You need a large UK review sample before trusting an unattended holiday run.
Specifications
Common questions
Does it include a rain sensor?
No. The listing says rain delay is manual for 1–15 days and notes there is no rain sensor.
Can each zone have its own schedule?
Yes. The listing says each of the three outlets can be programmed independently via the zone control.
Which batteries are required?
The listing supports only 2× 1.5 V AA alkaline batteries, not included.
Across 82 amazon.co.uk reviews the Restmo irrigation sprinkler timer scores 4.4 at £29.99, the strongest star average among listings with a usable sample here. It is a single-outlet LCD hose timer with multi-cycle schedules from one minute to twelve hours or one to seven days, rain delay of 24, 48 or 72 hours, and a metal aluminium inlet filter on the listing. UK buyers treat the clear screen and one-button manual override as a stand-in when another branded unit is out of stock, and some report long alkaline life once it is running. The same pool includes a unit whose display would not set the time, and at least one buyer found rechargeable cells would not power it. Rain delay was questioned on one unit, so confirm the mode on the first supervised cycle. It is the top pick on this shelf for a mid-price one-zone digital holiday schedule. It is the wrong row when you need two outlets or a proven water-butt valve.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a one-zone digital hose timer with a clear LCD and rain delay around £30, and will run a supervised full cycle before you leave.
Less suitable: You need two or three independent outlets, a ball-valve low-pressure or butt claim, or the cheapest entry timer regardless of screen quality.
Specifications
Common questions
Which batteries work?
The listing specifies 2× AA alkaline batteries, not included. A UK review reported that rechargeable cells would not run the unit.
Does it have rain delay?
The listing states 24, 48 or 72 hour rain delay. One UK review questioned whether that feature was present on their unit, so confirm it on the first cycle.
Is a filter included?
The listing says the timer includes a metal aluminium filter to catch sediment.
Across 187 amazon.co.uk reviews the RAINPOINT ITV156 scores 4.3 at £39.99. It is a single-outlet digital timer with three independent programmes, a 3.3-inch LCD and rotary dial, brass inlet, a stated 0.5–8 bar range, and IP65 casing. Rain delay is 24, 48 or 72 hours. A rain sensor and a solar panel are sold separately. UK buyers kept potted trees alive on a two-week holiday and liked the three-programme layout once they read the manual. At least one unit stopped actuating the valve after about 45 days, and a leak until a loose washer from the box was fitted is a recurring setup note. Choose it when you want brass and three programmes on one tap and will budget for optional accessories. It is the wrong row when you need dual outlets or a proven low-pressure rain-barrel valve.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a brass-inlet one-zone timer with three programmes and IP65 housing around £40.
Less suitable: You need two or three outlets from one tap, or a proven low-pressure rain-barrel valve.
Specifications
Common questions
Does it include a rain sensor?
The listing says it is sensor-ready. The compatible rain sensor is sold separately.
What batteries does it use?
The listing calls for AA alkaline batteries, not included. A dedicated solar panel accessory is listed separately.
What pressure range is stated?
The listing states 0.5–8 bar with a brass inlet and solenoid valve.
Across 661 amazon.co.uk reviews the RAINPOINT brass in-and-out timer scores 4.2 at £42.99, the deepest review sample among the mid-band brass one-zone units here. Three independent schedules cover weekday and interval options, with 24, 48 or 72 hour rain delay, manual watering from one minute to eight hours, and a listing claim that the valve closes on low battery. UK buyers praise the large screen and buttons for greenhouse soft fruit and say the brass top stays dry when fitted carefully. Instructions are hard to follow for some, support can be slow, and an internal leak after about a year flooded a bucket for one buyer. Unresponsive buttons also appear. It is a solid one-zone brass pick when you want schedule depth and a large UK sample. It is not the cheapest entry, and it is not a dual-zone body.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want brass ends and flexible daily or weekly schedules on one outdoor tap with a large UK review sample.
Less suitable: You need two outlets, a sub-£20 budget, or a water-butt timer with a 0 bar claim.
Specifications
Common questions
Is a rain sensor included?
The listing describes rain delay on the timer. It does not state that a rain sensor is in the box.
What happens on low battery?
The listing says the valve closes automatically when the battery is low.
How flexible are the schedules?
The listing allows three schedules with start time, duration and frequency, including weekdays and interval hours.
Across 92 amazon.co.uk reviews the Restmo three-dial analogue timer scores 4.2 at £32.99. Frequency, duration and rain-delay or manual control sit on brass-fitted dials with a maximum run of 480 minutes, so there is no digital clock to set wrong before a holiday. UK buyers use it for greenhouse watering while away, and a landscaper note praises the brass fittings. The recurring drawback is a loud whistling noise under flow that one buyer only noticed after returning from holiday, a neighbour nuisance rather than a scheduling failure. Alkaline AA cells are required and not included. Pick it when you want dials and long runs without an LCD menu. Skip it when you need multi-programme digital flexibility or dual outlets.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You prefer brass dials and long greenhouse runs without learning an LCD menu.
Less suitable: You need quiet operation near neighbours, three weekday programmes, or two hose outlets.
Specifications
Common questions
How long can a single watering last?
The listing states a maximum of 480 minutes, which is 8 hours.
Is the inlet brass?
The listing states a solid brass inlet and a brass outlet.
Does it need a digital clock setting?
No. The listing describes three dials for how often, how long, and manual or delay control.
Across 49 amazon.co.uk reviews the Johgee two-zone brass-inlet timer scores 4.2 at £31.59 and sat at Best Sellers Rank 1 in Watering Timers in the capture. Independent outlets, starts from one hour to fifteen days, runs from one second to 99 minutes, child lock, IPX5, and a brass swivel inlet cover greenhouse-plus-garden splits. Owners like set-and-forget dual sections and a manual override with a chosen duration. The recurring UK fault is a leak at the brass-to-body joint rather than only at the tap washer, and at least one buyer saw outlet B keep flowing when set off. An earlier unit failing after about two seasons in a heatwave also appears. It is the practical dual-outlet pick in the mid band when you will leak-test the brass collar before travel. It is not the row for three sequential zones or a huge review sample.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You need two different schedules from one outdoor tap around £30 and will check the brass joint before you leave.
Less suitable: You want three outlets, a 2,000-review sample, or a single-zone budget timer only.
Specifications
Common questions
Can I water two areas on different schedules?
Yes. The listing describes two outlets with independent programming.
What pressure range is stated?
The listing states 0.05–0.8 MPa for the solenoid valve, which is 0.5–8 bar.
Is there a child lock?
Yes. The listing includes a child-lock mode.
Across 11 amazon.co.uk reviews the TURNRISE two-outlet digital timer scores 4.2 at £39.99, a thin sample despite the star average. Brass inlet and outlet, independent zones, runs from one minute to four hours, and rain delay up to 96 hours look strong on the listing, with a max flow claim of 36 l/min. One buyer praised a watertight fit with the supplied PTFE and silent pot watering. Another found the interface too complicated compared with a manual timer. Treat the feature list as listing text until more UK reviews land. It is an optional dual-outlet brass row when you accept thin evidence. It is not a default over the Johgee or TRJZWA rows on this shelf.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You specifically want brass dual outlets and long rain delay and accept a very small UK review sample.
Less suitable: You want a larger review sample, the cheapest dual timer, or a simple three-dial analogue unit.
Specifications
Common questions
How long can rain delay last?
The listing allows 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours.
Are both outlets brass?
The listing states brass metal for the inlet and the outlet.
How many reviews support this listing?
The amazon.co.uk line shows 4.2 from 11 reviews, so the sample is small.
Across 2,993 amazon.co.uk reviews the Kingfisher WT100 scores 4.0 at £14.95, the largest sample and the lowest price on this shelf. It is a basic electronic single-outlet timer claiming up to 24 cycles per day and compatibility with most hose fitting brands. UK buyers use it for holiday pots and say relatives could set it after reading the instructions, with some multi-year users on AAA cells. Timing accuracy is hit-and-miss for some, and the rubber tap connector can blow off under pressure unless you replace it with a better fitting. Quality feels basic next to brass-inlet mid-band models. It is the best value here when you need a simple schedule and will check the collar before an unattended run. Skip it when you want brass ends, rain delay or dual zones.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the cheapest one-zone electronic timer with a huge UK review sample and will verify the tap connector before you leave.
Less suitable: You need brass fittings, rain delay, dual outlets, or a low-pressure or rain-barrel valve claim.
Specifications
Common questions
How many cycles per day are stated?
The listing states up to 24 cycles per day.
Will it fit other hose brands?
The listing says it is compatible with most brands of hose fittings. UK reviews still flag a rubber tap connector that can blow off under pressure.
Are batteries included?
The short listing bullets do not include batteries. UK reviews note that 2× AAA are required and not included.
Across 2,385 amazon.co.uk reviews the Aqualin ball-valve hose timer scores 4.0 at £21.99. The listing claims 0–8 bar including low-pressure and rain-barrel use, durations of 1–120 minutes, intervals from one hour to seven days, a stainless inlet filter, and valve close on low battery. UK buyers find setup easy for holiday grass and greenhouse jobs once the menus are learned. Mis-set programmes can run longer than intended, some call it seasonal throw-away kit, and settings memory is lost when batteries change. Winter disconnect guidance appears often. It is the low-pressure and butt-oriented pick on this shelf when you accept a plastic body and will re-check the schedule after a battery swap. It is not the row for brass dual outlets or an IP65 mid-band housing.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a budget timer with an explicit low-pressure or rain-barrel claim and a large UK review sample.
Less suitable: You need brass dual-zone scheduling, rain delay with a sensor port, or a premium IP65 housing.
Specifications
Common questions
Can it run from a rain barrel?
The listing highlights a ball valve with 0–8 bar working pressure and low water pressure or rain-barrel use. That is a listing claim, not a measurement on your butt.
What thread is stated?
The listing says it attaches to a standard 3/4 inch garden outdoor hose connection.
What batteries are required?
The listing specifies 2× AAA 1.5 V alkaline batteries, not included.
Across 135 amazon.co.uk reviews the TRJZWA dual-port timer scores 4.0 at £35.99. Two outlets with three programmes per port, rain delay from one to fifteen days, child lock, and a brass swivel claim in the title target greenhouse and drip holiday jobs. Several UK buyers say it does the job once programmed and feels solid for the price. Programming took a week of testing for one buyer, and an internal leak from the top of the unit, not the fittings, is reported in the reviews. It is a dual-outlet option when you want long rain delay and per-port programmes and will supervise the first cycles. It is not the cleanest leak record, and it is not the deepest brass mid-band sample.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want two independently programmed ports with long rain delay and will test for leaks before travel.
Less suitable: You want the strongest leak record, three sequential zones, or a single-zone dial timer.
Specifications
Common questions
How many programmes per outlet?
The listing states three independent programmes per port.
How long is rain delay?
The listing allows rain delay from 1 to 15 days.
Is there a child lock?
Yes. The listing includes a child-lock mode.
Across 35 amazon.co.uk reviews the RAINPOINT three-outlet timer scores 4.0 at £74.99. Brass inlet and outlet, a large LCD, per-zone start, duration and frequency, and rain delay cover a veg patch plus a greenhouse, but the listing states only one area runs at a time. Conflicting plans wait. Owners who finish programming like holiday pipe runs without cans. At least one UK buyer saw the unit stop after a couple of months, with tomatoes at risk, and warranty frustration appears in that thread. The sample is thin for the £75 shelf price. Choose it when you truly need three sequential zones on one tap and accept the queue. Two outlets, or a cheaper one-zone brass timer, will do for a simpler job.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You need three sequential zones from one outdoor tap and will practise programming before a long trip.
Less suitable: You expect three sprinklers at full pressure together, or you want a sub-£40 dual-outlet timer.
Specifications
Common questions
Can all three outlets run together?
The listing says only one area runs at a time. Conflicting plans wait until the previous zone finishes.
What hose sizes are stated?
The listing states compatibility with 3/4 inch and 1 inch hoses and faucets.
Are batteries included?
The listing says batteries are not included.
Across two amazon.co.uk reviews the Hbzunt programmable hose timer scores 4.0 at £15.99, essentially unproven on this shelf. The listing claims a brass inlet, large LCD, durations of 1–120 minutes, up to sixteen sessions per day, rain delay, and IP65. The saved reviews have almost no body text to confirm leaks, battery life or schedule accuracy. The warranty field in the capture reads Not. Treat every feature claim as unverified listing copy. It is a speculative budget digital row only if you accept near-zero social proof. It is not a substitute for the Kingfisher or Restmo one-zone picks.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You are experimenting with a cheap digital listing and accept almost no UK evidence.
Less suitable: You need a trusted holiday timer with a real review sample.
Specifications
Common questions
What watering duration is stated?
The listing states adjustable durations of 1–120 minutes.
Does it claim rain delay?
Yes. The listing mentions rain delay mode. With only two reviews, that claim is unverified here.
How many UK reviews are there?
The amazon.co.uk line shows 4.0 from 2 reviews, so the evidence is very thin.
Each score starts from the amazon.co.uk star line: the rating divided by five, times 100, then rounded. Thin UK samples are held down. Seven reviews, eleven reviews and two reviews stay well below a clean conversion of 5.0 or 4.2. Leak, valve and early-failure notes also hold a few points where the sample is small. A rubber tap connector, winter removal and battery-memory loss stay in the assessment and do not change the score. Price, outlet count, brass fittings, rain delay and a low-pressure claim are recorded beside the score. They are not a second score. There is no laboratory test. The weight below is 100.
Amazon star line
100%The amazon.co.uk star rating divided by five and multiplied by 100. A 4.4 line starts at 88 and a 4.0 line starts at 80, then the holds in the method note are applied. Review count and price are shown beside the score and do not add points.
Choose by outlet count, the pressure the tap or butt can actually deliver, and a schedule you can set without wiping it. A large review count does not make a 0.5 bar solenoid open on a gravity butt, and an IP line is not frost protection. Prices below are the amazon.co.uk lines saved with this comparison, plus the category bands from the October 2026 digest. There is no laboratory test.
A water timer screws onto an outdoor tap and opens a hose or irrigation line for a set time. You use one to stop a forgotten hose, to cover pots and beds while you are away, and to run drip more steadily than a spray from the hand. Mechanical auto-off models start by hand and shut off after a short run, often somewhere between five and 120 minutes, with no holiday calendar. Analogue multi-dial timers use large dials for frequency, duration and delay, which is simpler with wet hands.
A wrong AM/PM clock, or overlapping starts on a timer that runs one zone at a time, can leave a bed dry or flood a pot. Run one full cycle while you watch, and read whether conflicting plans wait.
Use the alkaline cells the listing names. Rechargeables fail on some units, and a cell swap can clear the programme. An IP splash rating is not frost protection. Drain the timer and store it indoors before frost.
On mains water a timer on an open sprinkler is not a universal exemption. Some notices allow drip or trickle only with a pressure-reducing valve and a non-handheld timer. Cans and stored rainwater are the usual fallback. Read your supplier’s live notice.
Outlet count is the first split. One outdoor tap and one hose is a single-outlet timer. Two beds, or a greenhouse and a border, need two programmes. Three areas need a three-outlet body. Many multi-outlet timers run one zone and then the next. The listing will say if only one area runs at a time, and conflicting plans wait. Do not buy three outlets if you expect three sprinklers at full pressure together. A sequential queue can still cover a holiday if each bed can wait its turn.
A useful schedule has a start time, a duration and a frequency, in hours or on weekdays. Rain delay pauses watering after rain, often for 24, 48 or 72 hours, and sometimes longer. A manual watering that does not wipe the stored programme lets you top up a pot without rebuilding the plan. Analogue dials avoid a clock set to the wrong half of the day. An LCD is clearer for several programmes, and it is also easier to mis-set.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want short cycles on one outdoor tap and a screen you can check before a weekend away. The Restmo irrigation sprinkler timer is about £29.99, with an adjusted score of 88 from 4.4 and 82 amazon.co.uk reviews. Rain delay is 24, 48 or 72 hours, and the listing includes a metal inlet filter. Run one supervised cycle, because a few displays will not set the time.
You want two programmes from one tap, for a greenhouse and a bed that can take turns. The Johgee two-zone timer is about £31.59, score 82, from 4.2 and 49 amazon.co.uk reviews, with a brass swivel inlet and a stated child lock. Check the brass-to-body joint before you travel. The review sample is modest.
You need more than one zone and you accept that a three-outlet timer may water one area at a time. The RAINPOINT three-outlet timer is about £74.99, score 76, from 4.0 and 35 amazon.co.uk reviews. The listing says only one area runs at a time. The sample is thin for that shelf price, so practise the programme before a long trip.
The top pick is the Restmo irrigation sprinkler timer at about £29.99. The adjusted score is 88, from 4.4 and 82 amazon.co.uk reviews. It is a one-zone LCD timer with rain delay and a metal inlet filter on the listing. A few units arrive with a display that will not set the time, or they refuse rechargeable cells. The best value is the Kingfisher WT100 at about £14.95, score 80, from 4.0 and 2,993 reviews, the largest sample and the lowest price here. It claims up to 24 cycles a day. UK reviews say the rubber tap connector can blow off under pressure, so check the fitting before you leave. Neither score is a laboratory test.
Kingfisher electronic water timer (WT100)
About £14.95 at score 80, from 4.0 and 2,993 reviews, the lowest price and the largest sample here, if you check the tap connector before you leave.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources from the research digest for water timers, hosepipe restrictions and outdoor tap fittings. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines in the display file. The digest date is 21 October 2026. Re-check each ASIN before you buy.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines. We did not run a lab test.
