6 Best Debate Timers For Competitive Teams That Veteran Coaches Swear By

Your child comes home from practice buzzing, talking about "flowing," "cross-ex," and "prep time." You realize this speech and debate thing is more than just a casual after-school club; it’s becoming a passion. Now, the coach is recommending a dedicated timer, and you’re wondering if a phone stopwatch is really that different from these specialized clocks.

Choosing the Right Timer for Your Debate Format

You wouldn’t send a soccer player to practice with a basketball, and the same principle applies here. Different debate formats have unique timing structures, almost like different sets of rules in a game. A timer built for debate isn’t just counting down; it’s managing multiple, distinct blocks of time for speeches and preparation.

For instance, a Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debater has a different amount of prep time than a Policy team, which shares its prep pool between two partners. A good debate timer allows you to program these specific times in advance. This frees up your child’s mental energy to focus on their arguments, not on fumbling with a stopwatch.

Think about your debater’s current level. A novice just learning the ropes might only need a simple, durable timer for basic drills. But as they progress to the varsity level, where seconds can make or break a round, a more precise and programmable timer becomes an essential piece of competitive equipment. The goal is to match the tool to the task and the student’s commitment.

DGT North American: The Gold Standard for Debate

If you’ve walked into the final round of a major national tournament, this is the timer you’ll likely see on the judge’s table. The DGT North American is the undisputed champion, known for its large, clear display, robust construction, and near-silent operation. It’s the kind of investment a family makes when their student is deeply committed to competing at a high level for several years.

Originally designed for chess, its features translate perfectly to the needs of debate. Coaches love it because it’s highly programmable, allowing for custom time settings for any format, from Public Forum to Congressional Debate. Its reliability means one less thing to worry about during a high-stakes round.

Is it overkill for a first-year debater? Probably. But for a dedicated junior or senior, or for a team looking to purchase a few timers that will last for a decade, this is the one. Consider it a long-term investment in serious competition; it also holds its resale value remarkably well within the debate community.

LEAP PQ9907S: A Reliable Workhorse for Teams

Here is the dependable minivan of debate timers. The LEAP PQ9907S may not have the same elite reputation as the DGT, but it’s a tough, reliable, and highly functional clock that gets the job done for a fraction of the price. This is the timer most teams buy in bulk, and for good reason.

It’s intuitive to program and durable enough to withstand being tossed into a debate tote bag day after day. The buttons provide a satisfying click, giving debaters tactile confirmation that they’ve started or stopped their time correctly—a small but crucial detail in a fast-paced exchange. It handles all standard debate formats with ease.

This timer hits the sweet spot for the vast majority of debaters. It’s a significant step up from a phone app, providing legitimacy and focus without the premium price tag of a top-tier model. If your child is consistently competing and needs a dedicated device, this is often the smartest choice.

Zmart Fun II: An Affordable and Durable Option

Your middle schooler just joined the debate team and you want to support them without making a huge financial commitment just yet. The Zmart Fun II is your answer. It’s an entry-level digital chess clock that has become a favorite in the debate world for its simplicity, durability, and budget-friendly price.

This timer is incredibly easy to set up for basic debate timing, making it perfect for novices who are still learning to manage their speech and prep times. It’s built to be tough, which is a huge plus when you’re dealing with younger, less-careful competitors. A team can afford to buy a dozen of these, ensuring every student has access to a proper timer during practice.

While it lacks the advanced programming features of more expensive models, it covers the essentials beautifully. It’s the perfect "first timer" that helps a student build foundational time management skills. If they stick with the activity, you can always upgrade later and pass this one down to a younger sibling or a new team member.

Protege App: The Best Digital Timer for iOS

For the student who lives on their iPhone or iPad, a physical timer can feel like one more thing to carry. The Protege App is a powerful and beautifully designed digital solution created specifically for the speech and debate community. It comes pre-loaded with the official time schemes for every major format.

The app is more than just a countdown clock. It allows for detailed customization, tracks prep time usage with precision, and even has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to use mid-round. For debaters who are comfortable with a digital workflow, this can be an incredibly powerful tool for both practice and competition.

However, it’s crucial to check tournament rules, as some competitions restrict or ban the use of phones during rounds to prevent outside communication. Furthermore, you have to consider battery life and the potential for distracting notifications. It’s a fantastic tool for practice and for tournaments where phone use is explicitly permitted.

Speech & Debate Timer App for Android Devices

The Android ecosystem has an equally robust option that serves the same purpose as its iOS counterpart. The Speech & Debate Timer app is a highly-rated, feature-rich application that brings professional-level timing to any Android phone or tablet. It’s a testament to how technology can make specialized tools accessible to everyone.

Like Protege, this app comes with presets for all common debate formats, from Policy to Extemporaneous Speaking. It provides a clear, easy-to-read interface and reliable performance. This is an excellent way for a new debater to get the feel of a real debate clock without any initial financial investment.

The same caveats apply here: always be aware of tournament rules regarding phone usage and manage potential distractions. But as a practice tool or a backup timer, an app like this is an invaluable resource. It ensures that every student, regardless of their phone’s operating system, has access to a high-quality timing tool.

Ultrak T-3: Simple Timer for Individual Drills

Sometimes, the most complex tool isn’t the best one for the job. The Ultrak T-3 is a simple, multi-function stopwatch, not a dedicated debate clock. So why do so many veteran coaches have them in their bags? Because it’s the perfect device for targeted, individual skill-building.

This timer is for running specific drills. A debater can use its split-timing function to see how long it takes them to read through a set of evidence cards. They can use the countdown feature to practice giving a two-minute rebuttal over and over again, building muscle memory and efficiency. It’s small, cheap, and virtually indestructible.

This isn’t the timer you’d bring to the final round of a tournament. It’s the timer you use at the kitchen table to shave 10 seconds off your introduction or to practice flowing a fast-talking opponent for exactly four minutes. It isolates the skill of time management, which is the foundation of all good debating.

Integrating Timers Into Effective Practice Drills

Handing your child a timer is only the first step; the real growth happens when it becomes a central part of their practice. A timer isn’t just for keeping score during a round; it’s a training partner that builds discipline and strategic awareness. Encourage your debater to use it for more than just full-length speeches.

Coaches recommend specific drills that rely heavily on a timer. For example, "stop-start" drills involve giving a speech and having a partner or coach yell "stop" randomly. The debater then has 15 seconds on the clock to figure out how to transition to their next major point, simulating the pressure of running out of time. Another is the "prep time efficiency" drill, where a student gives themselves only 30 seconds to prepare a response to a complex argument.

Using a timer in these focused ways transforms it from a simple clock into a powerful coaching tool. It helps debaters internalize the rhythm of a round and make smarter decisions under pressure. This is how they learn to allocate their most valuable resource—time—to build a winning argument.

Ultimately, the best timer is the one that fits your child’s current needs and helps them develop their skills. Whether it’s a simple stopwatch for drills or a tournament-grade clock for serious competition, the right tool can help turn their interest into a true passion. Your support in providing that tool is one of the most important arguments you can make for their success.