The 4 Best Shot Timers We’ve Used

It’s hard to improve what you can’t measure, and that’s definitely true for shooting.

If you want to shoot like a pro, you have to train like one – and all the pros use shot timers. There are only a few that we recommend, but which one is right for you?

We tested the four best shot timers we’ve used side by side to see which ones have the best features, which ones give you the most for your money, and which ones can get you on target faster without breaking the bank.

Are you ready? Stand by… beep!

Best Shot Timer Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Shot Timers

For this article, we gathered a bunch of shot timers we've personally used, reviewed, and owned. To provide the most thorough perspective possible, we welcome product feedback from our entire staff and team of freelance writers.

We fired at least 250 rounds with each shot timer during testing. Ammunition included .22 LR, 9mm, .223 Rem, and various 12ga loads. Shot timers are great tools for all kinds of shooting, so we ran drills for pistol, carbine, shotgun, and precision rifle shooting.

Since not all manufacturers list a decibel rating, I used the Decibel X app to compare buzzer volume. The numbers might not be as accurate as they’d be from a true sound meter since it relies on a phone’s microphone, but they did allow me to compare all these shot timers on a level playing field.

We compared each shot timer’s user interface, added features, volume, ability to pick up shots, ability to filter out other sounds, and durability.

Best Shot Timers

1. SG Timer 2 - Best Overall

Pros

Cons

Specs

Does this shot timer really cost $300? Yes, you’re reading that correctly – and the SG Timer 2 is worth it. This shot timer offers the most robust suite of features in the industry.

You can manage most settings using the largest display of the bunch and intuitive controls. Create multiple profiles for different kinds of firearms and ammunition, and adjust sensitivity and buzzer volume. Build complex strings of fire so you don’t have to activate the buzzer for each shot. The display is powered by sunlight during the day and an automatic backlight in the dark, so you always have a clear view. With 100 hours of battery run time, you won’t have to stop training to charge it.

As good as the Timer 2 is, there are even more features in the free Drills app. This incredible training tool lets you build 3D stages of fire, save them for later, and share them with other shooters on the app. You can film yourself training, and the app will overlay data from the timer on the video in real time. 

Last but not least, this is the most compact shot timer of the bunch by a wide margin. It’s considerably smaller than a cell phone. At the same time, it boasts the biggest screen. Shooters Global provides a magnetic belt clip that holds it securely and lets you grab it whenever you want to dig into your data. 

It’s definitely the most user-friendly shot timer I’ve used, and its extensive suite of capabilities is untouchable. This is, simply put, the best shot timer in the world right now.

2. Pact Club Timer III - Most Proven

Pros

Cons

Specs

If you’ve ever seen someone use a shot timer, it was probably a Club Timer. The Pact Club Timer III is the latest in a family of shot timers that’s decades in the making.

This timer’s features are basic but easy to use and unflinchingly reliable. There are four buttons (up, down, review, and go), and you can feel which is which without taking your eyes off the target. There’s almost no learning curve with the Club Timer III. Even if you’ve never handled one, it will come easily to you.

The timer records multiple shots and displays the information you need most without touching a single button. The simple but uncluttered display shows the number of shots recorded, your total time, the time of your first shot, and your last split time at a glance. During testing, I was able to access all my shots and splits in seconds by toggling through the list with the up and down arrows.

It’s a little bulky compared to the SG shot timers, but there are no sharp edges or corners on the Club Timer III, and it stayed comfortable when I ran, took a knee, or went prone. With just one CR123 battery inside, it was also very light on my belt. Long training sessions were easy and comfortable.

The Pact Club Timer III doesn’t have the bells and whistles you’ll get with SG timers, but the essentials are all there, and it costs a little bit less. If you want a rock-solid, no-nonsense shot timer, put one of these in your range bag and get down to business. 

3. Zohan Shot Timer - Best Budget

Pros

Cons

Specs

If you don’t have $300 to drop on a shot timer, that’s ok. The Zohan Shot Timer is effective and easy on the wallet. There’s nothing wrong with saving more money for ammo!

This timer’s features are basic but adequate. They’re on par with what you get from lots of other shot timers these days. Track shots and splits, compete against the clock or a par time, and scroll through your course of fire at the end to break down all the numbers. It does everything you need it to.

The display is very standard. It’s clear, concise, and easy to read in direct sunlight. The settings and controls aren’t complicated, but I found myself spending more time setting this shot timer up than, say, the Pact Club Timer III. I suspect the buttons on the Zohan aren’t quite as sensitive or don’t offer as much tactile feedback. That’s not a deal-breaker, but I did notice it.

This is the largest shot timer of the bunch, but not by much. I think the sharp corners are more relevant than the overall size. When I moved around and used a variety of shooting positions during testing, this one occasionally jabbed me in the thigh.

The Zohan Shot Timer isn’t refined enough to knock the Pact Club Timer III off its perch, but it’s still a good timer at a competitive price. If buying one of these puts another box of ammo in your range bag, I’m all for it. 

4. SG Timer GO - Best Value

Pros

Cons

Specs

If you want to get the most for your money, it doesn’t get better than this. The SG Timer GO is very nearly as good as the SG Timer 2, but it costs roughly half as much.

The main difference is being more reliant on your phone to manipulate settings with the Timer GO. The simple two-button interface and simple display can handle the timer’s main functions, but adjusting specific firearm profiles will require help from your phone.

This shot timer works with the Drills app to offer shooting drills, custom courses of fire, data logging, and social engagement with other users. You can tweak individual parameters like shots per drill, microphone sensitivity, buzzer volume, and timing.

The feature I enjoyed the most was dry fire mode. This is a huge training advantage because it lets you get reps without going to the range and spending money on ammo. There’s no reason you can’t drastically improve your draw time and reaction time at home for free. 

I tested the dry fire function with Walther’s famously light Dynamic Performance Trigger, and the timer picked up the quiet “click” every time. The SG Timer 2 has this feature as well, but its buzzer doesn’t get as quiet as the SG Timer GO’s. Interestingly, the Decibel X app results show that the Timer GO has a lower minimum volume and higher maximum volume than the Timer 2. 

For dry fire training, this is one of the best training tools you can get.

How to Pick the Best Shot Timer

Shot timers aren’t very complicated, but there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re choosing the best shot timer for you.

Sensitivity

Manufacturers have to strike a balance when it comes to shot timer sensitivity. If a timer isn’t sensitive enough, it won’t always detect your shots. If it’s too sensitive, it will pick up other people’s shooting and ambient sounds.

Some shot timers allow you to adjust their sensitivity. If you’re shooting common supersonic ammunition, this won’t be an issue for you. Adjustable timers can be useful if you shoot subsonic ammunition with a suppressor or dry fire with your shot timer.

Connectivity

Want more from your shot timer? The Shooters Global Timer GO and Timer 2 feature Bluetooth connectivity so you can pair your shot timer with the Drills app. Access shooting drills, build range cards, record your performance, and engage with other app users using your phone and real data from your timer.

These features are nice but not necessary. How much tech you want in your shot timer is up to you.

Why Trust Shooting Foundation

Writing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Shooting Foundation.

Final Thoughts

A shot timer is one of the most effective tools for improving your shooting. It will reveal weak points and add productive stress to make you more efficient and effective.

All four of these can take your shooting to the next level. It really comes down to which features you want.