Meditation has become a popular practice for many people seeking stress relief and mental clarity.
Timers and gongs are helpful tools for meditators.
They let us focus on our practice without worrying about keeping track of time.
These devices can mark the start and end of a session, as well as signal intervals during longer meditations.
Meditation timers come in many forms, from simple kitchen timers to specialized apps.
Gongs add a soothing sound to mark meditation periods.
Some timers include built-in gongs or chimes.
The gentle tones help ease us in and out of meditation without jarring interruptions.
When picking a meditation timer or gong, we should think about ease of use and sound quality.
A timer should be simple to set up and have a display that’s easy to read.
For gongs, we want a pleasing tone that fades slowly.
Portability is also key if we plan to meditate away from home.
We tested several popular meditation timers and gongs to find the best options for different needs and budgets.
Best Meditation Timers and Gongs
We’ve gathered a list of top meditation timers and gongs to help you find your zen.
These tools can make your practice easier and more enjoyable.
Read on to see our picks for the best options available.
Kipcush Meditation Sound Machine
We think this compact sound machine is a great pick for anyone wanting to bring calming Tibetan bowl sounds into their meditation practice.
Pros
- Seven soothing singing bowl sounds
- Easy-to-use touch controls and timer
- Doubles as a color-changing night light
Cons
- Limited sound options compared to some devices
- No option to mix or customize sounds
- Plug-in only, not portable
We love how this little device packs a big punch.
It’s super simple to use – just tap the top to change sounds or turn on the soft night light.
The seven different singing bowl sounds are really relaxing.
We found ourselves drifting off during meditation much faster than usual.
The timer feature is handy too.
We set it for an hour-long session and didn’t have to worry about turning it off.
It remembers your last settings, which is nice when you find your perfect sound and volume combo.
One thing to note – it needs to be plugged in to work.
We wish it had a battery option for outdoor use.
Also, while the sounds are great, some extra variety would be nice.
But for the price, we think it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to add some Zen vibes to their space.
Kipcush Singing Bowl Machine
We think this compact singing bowl machine is a great buy for anyone seeking peaceful sounds and relaxation at home or on the go.
Pros
- 11 soothing singing bowl sounds
- Adjustable timer and volume
- Portable and easy to use
Cons
- Some users report quality issues
- Limited sound options for some
- Needs to be plugged in
We recently tried out this Kipcush singing bowl machine and were impressed by its range of calming sounds.
The 11 different bowl tones gave us lots of options for meditation and relaxation.
We liked being able to adjust the volume to our liking.
The timer feature came in handy during our yoga sessions.
We set it for 30 minutes and didn’t have to worry about keeping track of time.
The machine remembered our last settings too, which was nice.
At first, we weren’t sure about the touch controls, but they turned out to be simple to use.
The compact size made it easy to move from room to room.
We even took it to the office for some midday zen.
The soft glow from the light was a nice touch for nighttime use.
Nytpal Singing Bowl Machine
We think this sound machine is a great buy for anyone looking to add calming Tibetan bowl sounds to their meditation or relaxation routine.
Pros
- Seven unique singing bowl sounds
- Timer and memory features
- Adjustable night light
Cons
- Volume control can be tricky
- Battery issues reported by some users
- Limited instruction manual
We tried out this Nytpal singing bowl machine and were impressed by its range of sounds.
The seven different options give you plenty of variety for your meditation sessions.
We really liked the mix of pure bowl sounds and those combined with pink noise.
The timer feature came in handy during our yoga practice.
We set it for 30 minutes and didn’t have to worry about checking the clock.
It’s nice that it remembers your last settings too – no need to fiddle with it each time you turn it on.
The night light is a nice touch.
We found it useful for nighttime meditation sessions.
You can pick from seven colors to match the sound you’ve chosen.
It’s not too bright, so it won’t disturb your zen vibe.
While we love this machine, the volume control took some getting used to.
A few users have also had trouble with the battery, so keep that in mind if you plan to use it unplugged often.
Zenergy Solo Chime
We think this hand chime is a must-have for anyone looking to bring calm and focus to their meditation or classroom.
Pros
- Beautiful, long-lasting sound
- High-quality materials
- Versatile for many uses
Cons
- May be pricey for some
- Takes practice to strike properly
- Sound might be too loud in small spaces
We recently got our hands on the Woodstock Zenergy Solo Hand Chime, and we’re impressed! The sound is amazing.
When we tapped it with the mallet, it made a clear, rich tone that seemed to go on forever.
It’s perfect for starting and ending meditation sessions.
The chime is really well-made.
It’s got a nice cherry wood handle that feels good to hold.
The silver rod looks sleek and modern.
We like that it’s compact – just 7 inches long.
It’s easy to keep on a desk or pack in a bag for yoga class.
We found lots of ways to use this chime.
It’s great for meditation, but we also tried it in a classroom setting.
The sound quickly got everyone’s attention without being harsh.
We can see why teachers and yoga instructors love it.
It even makes a nice gift – it comes in a pretty box ready to give.
Rylaxtones Meditation System
We think this compact meditation system is a great choice for anyone looking to add depth to their mindfulness practice.
Pros
- Eight unique Tibetan singing bowl tones
- Compact and portable design
- Customizable timer settings
Cons
- Limited to 2 hours of playback
- May take time to learn all features
- Relatively new product with fewer reviews
We’ve been using the Rylaxtones Meditation System for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become a go-to tool for our daily practice.
The device is small enough to fit in our palm, making it easy to take along to yoga class or use at the office during breaks.
The eight different tones are amazing.
Each one creates a unique vibe, helping us focus and relax in different ways.
We love how the sounds come from real Tibetan singing bowls – it adds an authentic touch to our sessions.
The dual-channel stereo tech makes the sound rich and full, even from such a tiny gadget.
Setting up the timer is a breeze.
We can pick anywhere from a quick 5-minute breather to a deep 2-hour session.
It’s nice that it remembers our last settings too.
The auto-off feature is handy – we don’t have to worry about the battery draining if we drift off during meditation.
While we wish it could play for longer than 2 hours, it’s enough for most of our needs.
Hooshing Feng Shui Gong
We think this gong is a great choice for anyone looking to add a touch of zen to their home or office.
Pros
- Nice sound
- Good size for desks
- Attractive design
Cons
- Small
- Delicate string
- Limited uses
We recently tried out this Hooshing Feng Shui Gong and were pleasantly surprised.
The brass and wood combo looks really nice on our desk.
It’s not too big or small – just right for a tabletop piece.
When we hit it, the sound was pretty cool.
It made a nice, soothing tone that helped us relax.
We found ourselves tapping it now and then during the day when we felt stressed.
It was a nice little break.
The gong comes with a wooden stand that’s easy to set up.
We put it next to some other decor items and it fit right in.
It could make a fun gift too.
While it’s meant for good luck, we just liked how it looked and sounded.
If you want a simple way to add some calm vibes to your space, this gong might do the trick.
Vangoa Singing Bowl Machine
We think this digital singing bowl is a great buy for anyone wanting easy access to relaxing sounds.
Pros
- Plays 8 different bowl sounds
- Has timer and night light features
- Easy to use touch controls
Cons
- Sound quality could be better
- Volume may be too low for some
- Light function can malfunction
We tried out this neat little gadget and were pretty impressed.
It’s super easy to use – just tap the metal grill to switch between the 8 bowl sounds.
The timer is handy too.
We set it for 15 minutes before bed and dozed off before it finished.
The night light is a nice touch.
It has 9 colors to pick from.
We liked the soft glow for evening meditation.
One thing to note – a few users said the light stopped working after a while.
We didn’t have this issue, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Sound quality is okay, not amazing.
At top volume, there’s a bit of a hiss in the background.
Still, it’s good enough for basic meditation or as white noise.
We found it helpful for yoga and mindfulness breaks at work.
It’s small and light, so it’s easy to take along in a bag.
Znewtech Hexagon Timer
We think this stylish and easy-to-use timer is a great tool for boosting productivity and focus.
Pros
- Simple rotating design
- Adjustable volume levels
- Visual backlit alert
Cons
- Batteries drain quickly
- Loud timer sound
- Pricey for a basic timer
This hexagon-shaped timer caught our eye right away.
Its unique design makes it super easy to set – just turn it to the time you want!
We loved how we could choose from 5, 15, 30, 45, or 60 minute presets without fiddling with buttons.
The LCD screen is clear and shows the countdown, which we found helpful.
We could see at a glance how much time was left.
The backlit alert is a nice touch too.
It flashes when time’s up, so we didn’t miss it even with the sound off.
Speaking of sound, we liked having volume options.
The high setting works well in noisy spots, while the silent mode is perfect for quiet offices.
But we did notice the batteries don’t last very long.
We had to replace them more often than we’d like.
And when they die, we had to set everything up again.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a meditation timer or gong, we recommend looking at a few key features:
Sound Options
Look for timers with a variety of soothing sounds.
Gentle chimes, singing bowls, or nature sounds work well.
Having choices lets you pick what’s most relaxing.
Timer Settings
Flexibility is key.
We suggest timers that let you set custom intervals and durations.
This way, you can tailor your practice.
Volume Control
Adjustable volume is a must.
You’ll want to hear the timer clearly without it being jarring.
Portability
Consider where you’ll use the timer.
If you meditate in different spots, a small, battery-powered option might be best.
Ease of Use
Look for intuitive controls.
You don’t want to fumble with complicated settings when trying to relax.
Display
A clear, easy-to-read display is helpful.
Some people prefer dim lighting for less distraction.
Quality
Invest in a well-made timer.
It should be durable and produce clean, clear sounds.
Here’s a quick checklist of features to consider:
- Multiple sound options
- Customizable timer settings
- Adjustable volume
- Portable design
- User-friendly interface
- Clear display
- High-quality construction
By keeping these factors in mind, you can find a meditation timer that suits your needs and enhances your practice.
