Lider 7-Day Programmable Digital Timer Switch Assessment

About the LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch

• Model: LTS-7D-G-WWP
• Color: White
• Amperage: 15A/120V
• Application: In-wall
• Voltage: 60Hz; Tungsten 1200W; 1/2HP
• Weight: 5.59 ounces
• Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.47 x 2.75 inches
• Screwless: No (offered individually)
• Includes Wall Plate: Yes

The LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch replaces a regular in-wall gentle change with a programmable one, letting you schedule as much as 18 each day or weekly on/off timers without having Wi-Fi, an app, or a sensible residence hub. It works with out a impartial wire, which makes set up appropriate with a wider vary of present wiring setups, and features a built-in battery backup that LIDER says preserves your settings for as much as 14 days throughout an influence outage.

How we examined

I selected the lobby in my residence to switch the present gentle change with this unit. Since it requires wiring, it is really helpful to rent knowledgeable to do the work—or a minimum of have enough expertise to put in it your self.

After switching off the ability to the room in our circuit field (a.ok.a. electrical panel), the complete course of took lower than 10 minutes to unscrew the present wall plate, take away the present gentle change, and fix the brand new one through the proper wires, without having a impartial wire (which completes the conventional electrical circuit by appearing because the return path for energy flowing again to the ability supply).

As for securing the brand new wall plate, the included plate appeared precisely just like the one we already had earlier than, however LIDER additionally provides a “screwless” wall plate ($10.49), offered individually. Since it provides a cleaner and extra minimalist look, I went with that choice.

The lobby’s energy was turned on once more to check the brand new change.

Referencing the folded guide within the field, the primary activity is to set the proper time. Then, I set some “on” and “off” instances with the included keypad, which was principally a easy process (see beneath). The change means that you can arrange customized schedules—as much as 18 each day or weekly timers. The non-compulsory screwless wall change additionally has a big button to press for manually turning the lights on and off.

LIDER says the built-in battery backup saves your settings for as much as 14 days throughout an influence outage.

What we like

Simple set up

Perhaps due to my expertise with lighting gear, swapping out the previous change for the brand new one could not have been simpler.

It was simple to kill the ability to the room, take away the previous gentle change with a screwdriver, join the wires to the brand new change, and placed on the brand new faceplate.

Of course, it is simpler nonetheless to switch a lightweight bulb with a “smart light”, however if you happen to’re intent on changing the change quite than the bulb, that is about as straightforward as I’ve seen.

It works as marketed

Once you set the time—with the assistance of a paper guide within the field—the LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch was pretty easy to program with varied on and off instances, reminiscent of approaching each night time at 8 p.m. and turning off at 11 p.m., for example.

A small digital show reveals the time and programmed on/off instances, and allows you to select a day of the week individually, or go for weekdays, weekends, or all days.

You can choose Daylight Saving Time (DST), as effectively.

And in guide mode, you merely press a button in the course of the change to show the lights on and off.

It’s inexpensive

At simply $23.69, you get the programmable gentle change and a faceplate, each in white, in addition to three wire nuts, must you want them (generally known as twist-on wire connectors), to securely be a part of, insulate, and defend electrical wires when linked.

Smart lights price greater than that, in fact, and the LIDER answer is right for individuals who do not wish to cope with Wi-Fi, apps, or something further—or for individuals who wish to hold their present lights and solely substitute the change with a programmable one.

What we do not like

Not “smart” (no app, voice assist)

Because it is a gentle change—and never a sensible gentle—it is advisable manually flip the lights on and off with a button or arrange schedules for the duty to be dealt with mechanically.

But which means you possibly can’t flip the lights on and off utilizing your voice through a sensible speaker, or use an app to do it. With an app, you may also make changes even exterior of the house, like turning your lobby lights on as you are returning residence from a nighttime stroll across the neighborhood.

And with sensible lights, you may also add an affordable movement sensor to mechanically flip lights on once you stroll right into a room or hallway, and/or have them flip off when there is not any occupancy detected. You cannot try this right here.

The LIDER change is right for merely programming on and off instances—however that is about it.

Buttons are exceptionally small

On a associated word, these with poor eyesight—or dexterity challenges, reminiscent of shaky arms—could have a difficulty with the tiny buttons used to program the lights. The buttons are solely a few millimeters apiece.

If you go for the $10 LIDER Decorator Screwless Wall Plate, when the entrance flap is closed, the massive button will flip the lights on and off manually—which is much more snug. You can then open the flap to entry the small buttons for programming functions.

The digital display screen can also be fairly small, at about 1.2 inches extensive and 0.5 inches tall—and the numbers (reminiscent of time) solely refill a part of the display screen. There’s additionally no gentle behind the display screen, so you possibly can’t see it at the hours of darkness with out a smartphone or flashlight.

Some limitations

The LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch primarily performs one activity: automating on and off instances for the sunshine(s) the change is linked to. If you want extra, this is not for you.

For instance, I changed a dimming change with the LIDER program, solely to later discover on the market’s no dimming choice with this product. So my lights are illuminated at full blast or nothing in any respect.

There’s additionally no assist for multi-way management, as this LIDER change was designed for single-pole installations solely and can’t work with 3-way or 4-way change configurations.

As talked about earlier, there is not any sensible/Wi-Fi connectivity for distant management through an app or sensible audio system, no shade altering, movement sensor assist, and so forth.

Requires some electrical expertise

Unless you wish to rent an electrician, you may have to rigorously set up this product, which will not bode effectively for some individuals.

Compared to the simplicity of changing a bulb with a sensible gentle, the LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch could possibly be tough for somebody to put in on their very own.

It actually was fast and simple, thoughts you, however I’ve bought some expertise and luxury with minor electrical work.

Warranty

The guarantee for the LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch is legitimate for one 12 months from the unique date of buy.

Should you purchase the LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch?

Yes, if you happen to’re fascinated with setting lighting timers with out sensible options

Sometimes you need the comfort of a sensible residence with out the sophisticated apps, compatibility points, or information privateness issues of the sensible residence platforms. The LIDER 7-Day Digital Timer Switch
(available at Amazon for $23.69)

sits in that candy spot, doing one job—automating the on-and-off instances of lights within the room—elegantly and competently.

Installation was quick and simple, and you’ll program as much as 18 totally different instances, together with weekdays, weekends, or “all days” choices. It labored as promised, and there is a backup battery within the occasion of an influence outage.

And at below $24, it is a steal.

Just remember the small buttons and show could also be robust for some individuals to entry, and it is lacking some options like dimming and multi-way change assist.

Overall, nevertheless, this LIDER product is a superb purchase for individuals who wish to automate one gentle or gentle fixture (i.e., a chandelier), with programmable “set-it-and-forget-it” ease.

Meet the tester

Marc Saltzman

Contributing Writer

@marc_saltzman

Along with Reviewed and USA TODAY, Marc has been a contract journalist for greater than 20 publications, is a 16-time writer (together with Apple Watch For Dummies and Game Design: Secrets of the Sages), hosts the syndicated Tech It Out radio (and podcast), and is host of Tech Impact tv present (on Bloomberg TV and FOX Business).

Based in Toronto, Marc makes a speciality of shopper electronics, video games and apps, sensible residence improvements, automotive tech, and future traits.

See all of Marc Saltzman’s critiques