Best Hourglasses

Updated October 2020

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more

Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

Best of the Best

Lily's Home

Cherry Wood Hourglass

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Bottom Line

This classic design and large size makes this a great decoration for the home or office.

Pros

Large, 60-minute hourglass that makes an excellent accent piece. It has a gorgeous classic design and is well-constructed. Stands 9.5 inches tall and has a 6-inch base.

Cons

May come unassembled, and the time is off by a couple minutes.

Best Bang for the Buck

JayDeco

Blown Glass Hourglass

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Bottom Line

Inexpensive, accurate, and elegant hourglass.

Pros

Frameless blown glass design makes this hourglass stand out. Its blue sand doesn't stop running, and despite the low price, this is a fairly accurate 15-minute hourglass. Stands 6.5 inches tall.

Cons

This all-glass piece is very fragile, and some customers noted that it can be difficult to stand upright.

Deco 79

Glass Quarter Hourglass

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Bottom Line

Good choice if you're looking for an hourglass that is both decorative and affordable.

Pros

Sleek metal frame and smaller size make this a good gift or office decoration. Stands 7 inches tall and runs for 15 minutes.

Cons

Feet may be uneven and sand may stop running occasionally. Best as a decoration.

Sleek 60-minute hourglass for a low price.

Pros

Cheaper option for a full 60-minute hourglass. The wooden frame is sturdy and there are four sand colors available. Stands 8 inches tall.

Cons

Glass piece may be slightly loose in frame.

Small, crystal hourglass that makes a great gift.

Pros

Elegant and affordable, this crystal hourglass looks nice on a desk or mantle. It runs 30 minutes with accuracy, and there are a few sand colors to choose from.

Cons

Sand may become stuck if kept in a humid environment. Easily breakable.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

38 Models Considered

28 Hours Researched

2 Experts Interviewed

175 Consumers Consulted

Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Hourglasses are famous as the timer of choice for villians in the movies. But they can be used as a cool piece of artwork in your home too. The hourglass consists of two connected clear glass or plastic bulbs containing sand. As you turn the hourglass upside down, the sand will run from the top bulb into the bottom bulb. The sand passes through the narrow connection between the two bulbs. It always takes the same amount of time for all the sand to run from the top bulb into the bottom bulb. Hourglasses often will have frames around them, consisting of wood, metal, glass, or plastic. The frame serves to protect the bulbs of the hourglass, while also giving the unit a sturdy base. For a splash of color, manufacturers will apply a dye to the sand inside the bulbs.

Other Products We Considered

The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.

Meridian Nauticals

3 Minutes Hand Made Brass Hour Glass w/Compass

KSMA

60 Minutes Elegant Hourglass

BOJINUS

Black Wooden Stand Hourglass, 60 Minutes

FantasticDecor

30 Minutes Hourglass Sand Timer

Lodunsyr

60 Minutes Hourglass

KSMA

Vintage 360°Rotating 30 Minutes Hourglass