Top CrossFit Clocks – Reviewed and Rated for 2024

The way you use your timer will be determined by what you need to use it for. One way you can use your timer is for Tabata training. If you are unfamiliar with this type of training, we will let you know just how you can use your little handy timer to try this out!

Let’s see where Tabata came from, and how helpful it actually is. Tabata training is a workout that is considered to be HIIT or high-intensity interval training, and it will be very intense since your heart rate will go over 200 in under four minutes!

You can definitely give this program a try with your CrossFit clock.

The battery life of your clock will determine how reliable your new little buddy is, and how long it can go before it needs to be charged, or before the batteries need to be replaced. The clocks we described here have three different ways of charging or staying on. Most of the clocks have removable regular batteries, which you will need to replace every few weeks or so, depending on how much you use the clock, or how good the batteries are. Some of the clocks are charged just like our cell phones are, and their batteries also usually last anywhere between a full 24 hours to a few weeks or more.

The plus is that they only need to be charged for an hour or slightly more so you won’t lose precious time waiting for them to charge. And lastly, the most reliable option is the clocks that you need to plug into a socket, just like you would do with regular household appliances. This is great because you don’t need to replace the batteries or recharge the device, but it’s a problem if there are no sockets present, or if the cable is too short or it bothers you.

The cable can also stop working, so you’ll be left with a dead clock. Ultimately, there is no definitive winner here, and what you choose will depend on what works best for you. Just in case, we will share some tips on how you can make your li-on and regular-battery-powered clocks last longer than anticipated!

Regular batteries simply need to be replaced, and there’s no special way to make them last longer than usual. But if you choose rechargeable batteries the story changes.

First, choose NiMH batteries, or Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries. NiMHs can be recharged over and over again, thousands of times before you take them to be recycled. But if you do not plan to recharge batteries, do not go for NiMHs - alkaline batteries last longer without needing to be charged (or thrown out). As we said, NiMHs lose their power fast so you will need to recharge them often, which can be pretty boring.

However, the amount of electricity needed to charge them is not a lot, and alkaline batteries last longer if they are charged often. Store your batteries in a cool and dry place when you don’t use them. You can even try storing NiMHs in a fridge! Warm temps can deplete their life, and a fridge can help them last longer. Just make sure to let the batteries warm up to room temps before you pop them into your clock.

Li-ion batteries are a different story. You must remember to use your Li-ion batteries - they will not only degrade when you use them, but they will also degrade when you don’t use them. This is exactly the reason why manufacturers tell you the cycle life of the batteries, and sometimes even their calendar life. This is why it’s best to buy batteries that are the newest, just like everything else.

What your clock can do is actually quite an important criterion. In order to fully experience the benefits of CrossFit Clocks, you will need one that can do a lot of things, and lucky for you, all of the clocks we listed here are quite versatile, with many features for you to enjoy!

Some clocks have the ability to sync up with other clocks of the same brand and name. This is very useful if you exercise in a very large gym, and if there are multiple people with you - this way, they can all hear and see what's going on, so in turn, you all sync up. If you need to sync up more timers together, check whether the clocks have this feature or not before you buy them. All of the timers have a regular clock. When they don’t count down your sessions, or when they don’t help you do your Tabata routine, they simply show the time, and some even show the date. Some clocks do not have this feature though, and if you want to be able to tell the time when your clock is idle, make sure that it can actually do that.

Most clocks can count up and down, which is also useful for obvious reasons. All of the clocks we mentioned here have a stopwatch feature, which is just a simple way the timer lets you know how much of the exercise you have left. The stopwatch is easy to control thanks to the many buttons the clocks have. Some stopwatches count only seconds, while others count milliseconds as well, and it’s generally better to find a clock that can do both things at once. We talked about Tabata in our ease of use section, and how useful the exercise is - this is why most of the clocks are programmed to have the Tabata countdown in them! Some clocks have other programs too, but Tabata is the most common one. Some clocks have Every Minute on the Minute and Fight Gone Bad presets on them, which are two popular training methods in CrossFit, and you will greatly benefit if the timer already knows what you want. A lot of timers come with remote control.

This way, when the time is up, you don’t actually have to go to the timer to change the setting - you can simply push a button on the remote and you’re good to go. But make sure that the remote is reliable! Some can reach only 10 feet, while others can reach the clock even if it's 50 feet away.

This is why you need to consider how big your gym is beforehand. Also, where do you intend to place your timer? On the wall or on the floor? No matter what you decide, most of the clocks come with a stand or with a wall mount, so you don’t have to worry about that. Again, think about where you want the timer to be, and then shop according to that. The very first thing many users complain about is the sound or the loudness of their buzzers and alarms. This is because you probably won’t be working out in complete silence, and the buzzer is hard to hear over loud music. Go for a clock that is loud, and you will definitely hear it no matter what you like to listen to. Also, many of the clocks have a big LED display, and you won’t need to approach the clock to see how much time you’ve got left.

These are just some of the features your timer will come with, but not all of them are created equally, so think about what you need your clock to do before you actually go to buy it!

Your timer needs to be durable. The durability will be largely affected by the battery life, but it can also be affected by how the clock was constructed, and what the clock is actually made out of. The software is also something you should look into - the clock will not die if it doesn’t work well, but if you refuse to use it because it’s faulty, it might as well be dead!

So, your clock needs to be constructed well, and out of good materials. Most clocks will be made out of a variety of plastic, which is completely okay. You need to make sure how heavy the clock is - a lightweight clock is likely cheaply constructed, and will not last long. You obviously can’t do this if you’re buying your timer online, so read the specifications and experiences from other people.

The buttons also need to be sturdy. After all, if they stop working, you won’t be able to use your clock! The remote with which you control your clock also needs to be constructed well. When your remote dies, you will need to go up to the clock every time you need to change a setting, and that can definitely become cumbersome! We already covered their battery life, so make sure you went over that section in order to learn how to make the most out of your clocks. If you drop your clock (and you will, accidents happen), you don’t want it to break into pieces and stop working as soon as it hits the floor.

Luckily, most of the clocks are little, and can easily fit inside your backpack. Some even come with a carry case, making them even more portable. The only problem can be the remotes and the fragility of the clock itself. When you want to carry the clock around you wherever you go, make sure that there is no way for the clock to be damaged - protect it with clothes, bubble wrap, or even a box, and the clock will serve you no matter where you are!