We Tested 6 Pomodoro Timers, Here’s Our Favorite

If you find yourself pressed for time, and unable to manage time effectively, you might want to consider finding new time management strategies.

Time management is very important, as it can impact your productivity, stress levels, work efficiency, and mental health. However, we understand that managing time can be difficult. Life and work just don’t coexist perfectly, and that’s okay!

The Pomodoro Technique is one of the most popular time management strategies today. Even though it was created in the 1980s, it has passed the test of time and remained a primary method of time management for lots of people.

The Pomodoro Technique is a strategy based on using timers to help you manage time effectively.

We tried out 6 Pomodoro timers, and we’ll give you our suggestions for the best one. Keep reading if you want to learn how to use the Pomodoro Technique and find out which tool is the best for you to implement it today.

Why use a Pomodoro Timer?

Using the Pomodoro Technique can help you take control of your time and be more productive.

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple tool that uses psychology to help you manage your time and work more efficiently.

What makes using the Pomodoro Technique so effective is that it keeps you focused and engaged while you’re working, and it also helps you avoid burnout.

So, here’s how you actually use Pomodoro timers.

How to use a Pomodoro Timer

We’ve broken down the Pomodoro Technique into 5 steps.

1. Choose one task to focus on. Focus on only one task at a time so that you don’t get distracted. Small tasks work great, as you can likely get them completed in 25 minutes. Bigger tasks that can take more than 25 minutes should be broken down into different sections (you can spend 25 minutes at a time on each section).

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Work on your chosen task for 25 minutes. Don’t check your phone or get up to do something else. Try to work for 25 uninterrupted minutes.

3. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. This break provides an opportunity for you to refresh and regroup. Grab a drink or snack, walk outside for a few minutes, or just do some stretching.

4. Choose another task and work for another 25 minutes. You can repeat this process to get small tasks done, or just make some progress on bigger projects.

5. After doing 3-4 25-minute intervals, take a longer break. The longer break should be between 15 and 30 minutes. Enough time so that you can get lunch, go for a walk, or just relax.

Note: 3-4 25-minute intervals equals one cycle.

Once you complete 2-3 cycles, you will have already gotten a lot of work done, and likely in less time than it took you to do the same amount of work as before you used the Pomodoro Technique.

Not only will you get more work done, but the scheduled breaks help ensure that you don’t get burnt out. You can get a lot of work done while keeping your stress levels low.

So, now that you know how to use the Pomodoro Technique, here are 6 timers we tried, and our suggestions for the best one.

Our Top Pomodoro Timers

Pomodor

First up on our list is Pomodor. Pomodor is a simple Pomodoro timer that allows you to set timers to 25-minute intervals to get more work done.

Pomodor also allows you to change the duration of your work and break times, as well as provide statistics about your work habits.

Price: Free.

Best Feature: Settings that allow you to change the duration of your work and break times.

Our Suggestion: If you want a Pomodoro timer that you can use instantly and not have to download, this is the timer for you.

Toggl Track

Toggl Track is a more in-depth time-tracking tool that allows you to use the Pomodoro Technique while also tracking the time you spend working.

Toggl Track timers can help you track time, connect with your calendars, and integrate with all of your favorite apps. In-depth reporting allows you to analyze your time and use weekly reports to see how you use your time working.

Price: Free plan, starter plan for $9/mo, premium plan for $18/mo, and an enterprise plan for organizations.

Best Feature: Toggl Track’s reporting and analytics help you fully understand how you spend your time while you are working.

Our Suggestion: If you want a Pomodoro timer that has more in-depth features and analytics, Toggl Tracker is a great option for you.

Pomofocus

Pomofocus is another Pomodoro timer site that allows you to use timers and track your time in order to improve your productivity.

Pomofocus also allows you to generate activity reports and schedule hours when you are focused on work. You can even toggle ticking sounds, alarm sounds, and auto Pomodoro sessions.

Price: Free plan, Premium ($1.99/mo, $12/year, $36 lifetime).

Best Feature: You can add different tasks and track your progress on each through activity reports.

Our Suggestion: If you want a basic Pomodoro timer, the free version is great for you. If you want one with more in-depth task-creating features, the premium plan is a good option.

Forest

Without a doubt, the most unique tool on this list is Forest. Forest is a time-tracking app that integrates gamification to make productivity more fun.

As you use the Forest timer to track your time and get work done, you can grow your own personal forest, which grows only while you are working. If you aren’t working or go away, your forest will start to die. Forest provides a unique take on Pomodoro timers as it provides time-tracking features to help you boost your productivity.

Price: $3.99.

Best Feature: Pretty easy choice here, growing your own forest while working is an interesting way to make working more fun.

Our Suggestion: If you prefer a less serious and more fun tool, Forest is perfect for you.

Be Focused Pro

Be Focused Pro is an all-in-one productivity and time-tracking tool with many features to help you work more efficiently and limit distractions. Be Focused Pro is an IOS-only tool as well.

Not only does it have a timer for Pomodoro sessions, but it also has task creation, task filters, website blocking, and progress monitoring. Be Focused Pro has multiple features to help you keep all of your time-tracking tools in one place.

Price: $4.99.

Best Feature: Filters that allow you to change between tasks and track time for each.

Our Suggestion: If you simply can’t work without an IOS device, Be Focused Pro might be the best option for you.

Tomato Timers

TomatoTimers is a tool that helps you fight procrastination using the Pomodoro Technique. It allows you to use timers to do Pomodoro sessions.

TomatoTimers also has a mobile app (App Store and Google Play) that has even more features, such as task management and Pomodoro session looping.

Price: Free (with in-app purchases).

Best Feature: Creating loops for your Pomodoro sessions can automate the process of the Pomodoro Technique and help you work more efficiently.

Our Suggestion: If you want a tool that runs Pomodoro sessions for you, TomatoTimers is a great option for you.

Our Favorite Timer

Now, for our pick. Drum roll, please…

Our favorite Pomodoro timer is Pomofocus!

Pomofocus allows you to do basic Pomodoro sessions while also adding tasks, notes, and projects. Another reason why Pomofocus is great is because it offers reports that cover summaries of how you spent your time, details about different tasks, and rankings to see how you do compared to other users.

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