The best chess clocks for all levels 2024
It does not matter if your level is beginner, medium or advanced.
Any chess player needs a chess clock, it is true that clocks can be replaced with online applications that have the same function. But there is nothing like playing with a physical clock next to it, applications often fail to detect when it is pressed correctly, which implies a waste of time. Not wearing a chess clock takes the spirit and tension out of the games.
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What we should know before buying a chess clock
Before buying a chess clock , we will see what a clock is for, what features a good clock needs, the best chess clocks of 2024 of different prices and needs of the chess player or chess fan . All these arguments are made by several people who have been playing chess for decades and have tried all the products that are talked about.
What is a chess clock for?
Nowadays it is used to control the remaining time of each player in the games. In chess tournaments each player has the same amount of time to complete a specified number of moves or an entire game. If a player runs out of time, they lose the game. Also, the chess clock is an important tool in tiebreaker games. Some tournaments when two players are tied, the way to tie the tie (called armageddon) gives a time advantage to the white player, the white player starts with 5 minutes and the black player 3 minutes. In order to win, the white player must win the game, otherwise (including a draw) he will win black.
Chess clocks have been around for years and are as much a part of the game as the chess pieces themselves. If you haven't played clock chess, you are missing one of the most exciting aspects of chess.
There are a wide variety of chess clock designs and types to choose from with very different characteristics from each other, but all chess clocks have some aspects in common.
They have two markers positioned next to each other and two top buttons with a lever.
Pressing the button on your clock will stop it and your opponent's clock will start.
What are the characteristics of a chess clock?
When it comes to choosing which chess clocks to buy , there are a few features to consider, such as:
- Materials: Are we talking about wooden, plastic or metal chess clocks?
- Button type: Do you want a chess clock with an easy and pleasant button to press, without generating any noise so as not to be distracted? or is it indifferent?
- Type of watch: Do you want an analog or digital watch? If you don't know which one to choose, we will explain the differences below.
- Brand: there are several famous brands of chess material, where they have different chess clocks that we will see in the BRANDS section.
- Price: find a balance in these features that fits your budget. There are watches of all kinds, it will not be a problem for anyone to buy or give a chess clock.
The best chess clocks (page summary)
To select these clocks, a survey was passed to some YottaChess users, undoubtedly participating in tournaments and knowing the different clocks makes the opinion much more robust about which are the best chess clocks.
Premium Professional Watch - DGT Professional Watch - Quality Price Watch
DGT 3000 digital chess clock
- Compatible with electronic boards ♟️
- FIDE Approved ✔️
- Battery lasting over 1600 hours 🔋
- Quality and ideal touch for any type of game 🕰️
- 5-year warranty 🔥
It is a watch approved by the International Chess Federation, ideal for competitions, very quiet when pressing the buttons, its battery lasts more than 1600 hours.
The best chess clock on the market regardless of the price has a name, the DGT 3000 digital chess clock. The DGT 3000 has a large screen that shows all kinds of information: the configuration you are using, which player is the one you are playing. move and of course how much time each player has left. There are 25 different modes pre-programmed into this chess clock, and you can also add 5 more of your own design, giving you maximum control and flexibility.
The DGT 3000 is fully compatible with electronic boards, it comes with a warranty that shows how much DGT stands behind the quality of its products.
DGT 2010
- More than 300,000 watches sold worldwide 🔝
- Lightweight with quality and touch ideal for any game 🕰️
- Since 2008 called the Official FIDE Chess Clock ♟️
- The measurements are 28 x 28 x 13 cm and weight of 400 grams 📏
In the field of official competitions if a DGT 3000 is not found, a DGT 2010 is found in most competitions, it contains full functionality with a simple aesthetic which makes it easily portable to play anywhere, the material is plastic and the feeling when pressing the keys is very comfortable and quiet. For all those players who cannot afford version 3000 or are just starting out in the world of competitions, it is the best option to buy or give away the DGT 2010 digital watch.
LEAP chess clock
- Dimensions 16.8 x 10.2 x 5.8 cm 📏
- Unbeatable quality price ❗
- Good watch for people who are starting 🕰️
- Battery life 10 years 🔋
It is the TOP selling Amazon watch, more than 1000 orders and with about 900 ratings, this makes it the best quality-price watch for those players who want something simple and economical. The design is simple, but the important thing is that it has almost all the functionalities (some times are not possible to establish), it is very portable, which is important for travel.
Guide to buying chess clocks in 2024, what do I need to know to choose the best chess clock for my needs?
These are some of our favorite chess clocks available today, for all the years that different users have been participated and asked, we have reviewed many different chess clocks on the market to find all the details and show them to you here.
What functions can I do with a chess clock?
Of course, it depends on how you plan to use your chess clock, but in general, for battery-powered clocks, you'll want a low-battery warning as well. Believe it or not, some manufacturers overlook this feature and there is nothing worse than being interrupted in the middle of a game of chess by a clock without a battery.
The most important thing you will need from a chess clock is a display that is easy to read and functions that are easy to use.
If you are going to travel to different tournaments, or want to take a watch with you to play chess at any time, portability is another requirement to take into account.
As we said before, a player who has had the experience of trying different boards knows that there is no comparison between a cheap board versus a wooden one with leaded pieces, the same with the clock and the comfort when pressing and seeing the data is something very notorious.
Finally, the clocks in the case of professional tournaments, the connection to DGT boards is valued. This connection allows the games to be broadcast online with the player's real time, which provides the viewer with a lot of information, in addition, these clocks that have connection to DGT boards also allow connection to blind people to be able to listen to the time they have left.
Should you buy an analog or digital watch?
Digital chess clocks these days almost always have a lot more features and functionality than analog ones. Of course, many think that analog chess clocks have a more aesthetic appeal. Analog clocks have great disadvantages: not being able to have a time increment, not being able to have a delay, not knowing the exact time left for each player, etc.
If you really like the look of analog chess clocks, you can always buy one as a decoration and use an electronic chess clock for actual games. Analog watches are more expensive because their use is more limited and are usually bought for aesthetics.
We show you some of the analog watches that we recommend.
BHB Classic Watch - Black
- Metal Clock Mechanism 🔧
- Wood watch material 🌳
- German mechanism wind it up and enjoy 🕰️
If we have to talk about analog keyboards, the BHB mechanical chess clock is the best option. On the one hand, it is a modern analog chess clock in a world that is increasingly dominated by digital chess clocks. But another thing that sets it apart from the rest is its surprisingly attractive design. BHB's special mechanical chess clock takes the look of the traditional mechanical chess clock and updates it into something that is timeless and beautiful, as well as modern and elegant.
German engineering is what makes this mechanical watch work so well. You never need batteries, just turn it on and you're good to go.
Some other available models of BHB watches are as follows.
Brown classic BHB watch
- Simple and German quality 🕰️
- Measures 15 x 8 x 4 cm and weight 298 grams 📏
- Make sure the flag does not fall ♟️
Transparent BHB Clock
- Simple and German quality 🕰️
- Enjoy the mechanism while you play ♟️
What are the best materials for a digital chess clock?
Chess clocks, whether digital or analog, are available in a wide variety of materials and finishes.
It is common for analog watches to have wooden cases, but there are also plastic models.
Analog clocks tend to break down earlier than digital ones.
This is another reason why analog clocks may be better as decorative objects than as instruments for regular use.
On the other hand, digital watches are made of plastic most of the time. Although there are also options that use metal. The watches in official competitions (for example in world championships, Olympics, etc.) have DGT brand watches whose material is plastic with a long durability.
This is something important to keep in mind if you are going to buy a chess clock, especially in brands that you do not know.
What digital chess clock do I choose according to the use that we are going to give it?
For younger children , the DGT 1001 watch or the DGT 960 watch are the best option, they are very light portable watches, being so easy to transport it is used in many places such as terraces, beach, etc.
DGT 1001
- Dimensions 15.5 x 6 x 4.2 cm 📏
- Allow all custom times 🕰️
- Cheapest price of watches around € 20 💰
DGT 960 watch
- Foldable watch ideal for travel 🕰️
- Ideal for gifts 🎁
- Drop resistant 💢
- All the necessary times ♟️
Schools and clubs with limited resources should opt for the DGT 1002 Clock, while if you have a little more budget you can very reliably opt for the DGT Easy Plus Clock.
DGT 1002 Digital Chess Clock
- Ideal for classes or school tournaments 🧒
- Simple to handle for students ✔️
- Many configurations available ♟️
DGT Easy Plus Clock
- Battery saving mode 🔋
- Enhanced pushbutton and displays 💻
- Designed for everyone and all games 🗺️
For players with a lower budget , we recommend the LEAP watch , for about € 25 you can enjoy a magnificent watch being TOP sales on Amazon. With a large screen, different modes of functionality, small size is a watch that price quality for those fans without a high budget can have their first digital watch.
Some features it has are: Multifunctional, it can serve as a count-up timer, it shows the number of movements made by each opponent, it constantly shows the hours, minutes and seconds (it does not change when there is little time left). You only have two problems, it does not have a configuration that allows setting several times with a delay (such as 40/120, MS / 30; r10) and it is not validated by FIDE, instead its professional version is.
For a little more money you can enjoy an inexpensive professional watch certified for official tournaments and this is thanks to the Leap Professional Watch .
LEAP chess clock
- Dimensions 16.8 x 10.2 x 5.8 cm 📏
- Unbeatable quality price ❗
- Good watch for people who are starting 🕰️
- Battery life 10 years 🔋
The DGT 2010 option is the one we recommend to amateurs, professionals or clubs with a bigger budget , it has a large screen that makes it much easier to see the time, and they are also normally used in official competitions.
DGT 2010
- More than 300,000 watches sold worldwide 🔝
- Lightweight with quality and touch ideal for any game 🕰️
- Since 2008 called the Official FIDE Chess Clock ♟️
- The measurements are 28 x 28 x 13 cm and weight of 400 grams 📏
They also exist in other colors such as DGT 2010 North America
DGT 2010 North America
- Very easy to configure ✔️
- Similar to DGT 2010 which has> 300K sales 🔥
- The measurements are 19.1 x 10.2 x 5.1 cm and weight of 400 grams 📏
These clocks are not only used for chess, they serve to control time in other activities, such as the game of Go, Monopoly, etc.
Although most of the watches are made in China, important brands related to the world of chess such as DGT pass a quality standard, which allows it to offer great guarantees against any manufacturing defect. Be wary of great deals, here as in other cases the saying "cheap is expensive" is very accurate.
Buying or giving away a digital chess clock as soon as possible is very important, because in current times, you not only have to make the good moves, but also in the shortest possible time.
Which digital chess clock would you choose?
After many years practicing this sport, there is a very big difference when it is played on a walnut board and leaded wooden pieces, because the same thing happens with a watch, for many years and after many different watches with which I have played games. Once the DGT 3000 watch is tested, there is no point of comparison at this time with any other.
Personally, the special edition is the one that I like the most aesthetically.
DGT 3000 Limited Edition
- Compatible with electronic boards ♟️
- FIDE Approved ✔️
- Battery lasting over 1600 hours 🔋
- Quality and ideal touch for any type of game 🕰️
- 5-year warranty 🔥
However, the red or white version is also very beautiful, with the same functionalities.
DGT 3000 digital chess clock
- Compatible with electronic boards ♟️
- FIDE Approved ✔️
- Battery lasting over 1600 hours 🔋
- Quality and ideal touch for any type of game 🕰️
- 5-year warranty 🔥
If financially I could not afford the DGT 3000, the next on my list would be the DGT 2010, one of the watches most seen in different places such as: competitions, terraces, clubs, bars, beaches. With a quality very similar to DGT 3000, the main disadvantages are a slightly more outdated design, a slightly less pleasant touch quality but all the necessary for functionalities, in addition to being smaller and being able to carry it in a simpler way .
DGT 2010
- More than 300,000 watches sold worldwide 🔝
- Lightweight with quality and touch ideal for any game 🕰️
- Since 2008 called the Official FIDE Chess Clock ♟️
- The measurements are 28 x 28 x 13 cm and weight of 400 grams 📏
Top brands in chess clocks
There are a few brands that are quite respected among professional players and that often have a dedicated space in the chess clock market.
This does not mean that the products made by those brands are perfect, nor that the products of unknown brands are bad. Still, take reputation into account when purchasing digital chess clocks.
We leave you here the list of the best known brands.
Leap Timer is a Shenzhen-based company that exports to America, France, Australia, Italy, India, Iran, and 35 other countries and regions. It is mainly dedicated to research, development and innovation. It has different chess clocks approved by the International Chess Federation as in a multitude of other sports.
Digital Game Technology (DGT) is one of the most recognized brands in chess. They design, develop and produce high quality chess products validated with different production processes worldwide. From high quality chess clocks, electronic chess boards, chess computers and accessories.
Is it a good option to buy online on Amazon?
If you have read reviews, opinions and have spent enough time researching before buy online, you are likely to make a good decision.
Amazon is the largest online store in the world and there are many advantages to buying there. If you are looking to buy something to have it quickly (be it a gift, to improve your chess, or to have a treat), with security and the possibility of returning it is the best option.
On the other hand, you will be able to see hundreds of comments from people who have bought chess clocks and draw your own conclusions.
YottaChess participates in the Amazon Affiliate program.
Nevertheless, also there are several chess stores online that provides the same and more chess material. Yottachess participates with several shops like Ajedrez 21, Duochess, Tienda Ajedrez Escac i mat, The ChessStore and House Of Staunton.
