Diapers & Potty Training Products The 9 Best Potty Training Watches That Will Make the Process a Whole Lot Easier By Laura Lu, MS Laura Lu, MS Laura has written for some of the nation’s top health care organizations, including Mayo Clinic and University of California, San Francisco. She’s also composed a variety of health and wellness articles for Brit+Co. She is passionate about translating complex health care information into stories that everyone can relate to and understand. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 06, 2023 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr LinkedIn Twitter Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Family / David Hattan When you’ve decided it’s time to potty train your child, you may be wondering how often you should take them to the potty—and how to get them on board with doing so. Enter the potty training watch: a pint-sized watch that alerts your child with music, lights, or vibrations that it’s time to use the potty. Potty training watches come in all sorts of colors and designs and play a variety of musical tunes. Some have rechargeable batteries and are water-resistant, and all of them have timers that can be programmed to go off at certain intervals. “Potty watches can be set for certain time intervals or for different times during the day when a child is likely to need to use the potty,” says Allison Jandu, owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant and author of “How Do You Poo?” “Some children need to go every 30 minutes, while others only need to go every 3 hours. Once parents have an idea of that frequency, a potty watch can be a great tool to bridge the gap between a child having accidents, being prompted by a parent, and learning how to listen to their body." As a mother of two young children, I have personally had great success using a potty-training watch. These simple devices encourage toddlers to listen for the timer to go off, take control of their own potty training process, and become more independent. In addition to relying on personal experience, we consulted with two potty training experts and a social media influencer who’s become famous for her “mom hacks” to come up with a thoughtfully curated list of the best potty training watches. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Potty Time The Original Potty Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Pottywin Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Waterproof: Cucubit Potty Training Toddler Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Themed: Athena Futures Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Rechargeable: Kidnovations Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Music: Skyroku Kids Potty Training Timer Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Vibrations: e-vibra Premium Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Looping Timer: Benny Bradley's Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Latex-Free: ABC123 Potty Training Watch at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Potty Time The Original Potty Watch 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Patented automatic timer Hypoallergenic wristband Waterproof Cons Bulky design Invented by a mom, the Potty Time Original Potty Watch uses music and lights to remind your child that it’s time to use the potty. It has a patented timer that can be set for 30, 60, or 90 minutes and plays three different melodies when the timer is up—with words included for parents to sing along, too. To keep your child on schedule, the timer automatically resets once finished, so they’ll have consistent reminders. This potty training watch comes in five different colors: blue, pink, green, purple, and orange. Also, it has a waterproof rating of IP67, which means it can be safely submerged in up to 3 feet of water. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs:Battery: Two LR44 (included) | Weight: 1.76 oz | Waterproof: Yes | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90 min | Additional Features: Hypoallergenic band, stainless steel buckle, plays three melodies with lights, five colors available Best Budget Pottywin Potty Training Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros One-button setup 12-month battery life Displays images on watch face Cons Only comes in blue If your child is a visual learner, the Pottywin Potty Training Watch is a great choice for them. When the timer goes off, it will display a variety of icons, reminding your child to stop and use the potty, flush the toilet, and wash their hands. Simultaneously, it plays a catchy song that even parents will find themselves singing. The best part about this watch is its single-button setup. By pressing and holding the button for three seconds, you can alternate between a 30, 60, or 90-minute timer. However, it only comes in blue, which may cause your child to hesitate to wear it if they prefer a different color. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Battery: One lithium-ion (included) | Weight: 2.08 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90 min | Additional Features: Icon display, easy setup, sing-along melody, water-resistant Best Waterproof Cucubit Potty Training Toddler Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros Water-resistant up to 100 feet Doubles as a time watch Glows in the dark Cons Timer must be reset daily While this watch is not technically waterproof, the fact that it can be submerged in up to 100 feet of water is a pretty good level of protection. Because of this, there’s no need to take it off when your child washes their hands or is in the bathtub. However, the manufacturer notes that this watch should not be exposed to hot water. Another benefit of this device is that it looks like a regular watch—and can display the time of day. It also glows in the dark and is available in either blue or pink, however, the pink Cucubit watch is slightly more expensive. Also, you’ll need to reset the timer daily, but it can repeat whatever interval you choose up to 48 times. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Battery: One CR2032 (included) | Weight: 2.08 oz | Waterproof: Up to 100 feet | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90 min | Additional Features: Glow-in-the-dark face, timepiece, resembles regular watch, blue or pink The 10 Best Potty Training Books of 2023 Best Themed Athena Futures Potty Training Toilet Timer Watch in Blue Dinosaurs Amazon View On Amazon Pros Variety of colors, themes, and sounds Charging cable included Auto-off sensor Cons Alarm isn’t very loud This watch is truly customizable to your child’s interests. It is available in four different colors and three themes, including dinosaurs, unicorns, and princesses. There are also 16 different alarms to choose from that coincide with colorful flashing lights and vibration. In addition to the timer, the watch face also displays the time of day and battery life. You can recharge its battery with a USB cord, and it even has an auto-off sensor that is activated when the watch is not worn. However, the alarm isn’t very loud, and it can be challenging to hear if you’re in another room. Price at time of publication: $25-$30 Key Specs:Battery: Rechargeable with USB | Weight: 1.76 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 min | Additional Features: 16 different alarms, 4 colors, 3 themes, water-resistant, three-day standby time Best Rechargeable Kidnovations Premium Potty Training Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros Optional themed wristband Comes with micro-USB cable Timer can be as often as 15 minutes Cons Large watch face Thanks to its rechargeable battery, you won’t ever have to worry about buying a specialized battery for this watch. It comes with a micro-USB cable, which is just a miniature version of a standard USB cable that you can plug into a computer or wall adapter. It’s also water-resistant enough to wear during a shower, hand washing, or water play. This watch comes in several shades of blue and pink and is also available in purple and black. You can also choose from a sports- or princess-themed wristband or just a plain color. Best of all, this watch’s timer can be programmed to go off as often as every 15 minutes, which can be helpful during the initial stages of potty training. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs:Battery: Rechargeable with USB | Weight: 2.39 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min | Additional Features: Different colors and themes, water resistant, rechargeable battery, wide range of timer intervals Best With Music Skyroku Kids Potty Training Timer Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros Plays three musical tunes Flashing LED lights Can withstand being dipped in water Cons Bulky design When the timer goes off on this watch, it can play up to three different adorable tunes. There are also flashing LED lights, which can serve as an extra reminder if your child happens to be watching television or listening to music. It also comes in five different colors, including blue, pink, green, yellow, and gray. The band on this watch is made from food-grade silicone, and the watch itself is resistant to handwashing, water play, and even an accidental dip in the water. While its design was recently updated, it is still bulkier than other potty watches on our list. Price at time of publication: $22 Key Specs:Battery: One LR44 battery (included) | Weight: 1.44 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90 min | Additional Features: Different colors and themes, water resistant, food-grade silicone band Best With Vibrations e-vibra Premium Potty Training Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros Good for daycare or classroom use 15 alarm settings (in addition to timer) Timer can be set from 1-180 minutes Cons May be difficult for parents to moderate If your child is sensitive to sounds and lights or plans to wear a potty training watch during an outing or in daycare, this e-vibra watch is a great alternative to musical potty training watches. Its timer can be set to anywhere from 1-180 minutes, and it has 15 different alarm settings (for example, time to wake up and time to go to bed). Because of the versatility of this watch, it can also be used as your child gets older for everything from screen time moderation to reminders to drink water. Since this watch doesn’t make any sounds, it can be difficult for parents to know when it’s time for their child to go potty. However, the fact that it has a rechargeable battery that lasts six to 12 days is pretty great. Price at time of publication: $22 Key Specs:Battery: One lithium-ion (included) | Weight: 1.41 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180 min | Additional Features: Silicone band, rechargeable battery, four color options, easy setup The 10 Best GPS Trackers for Kids to Help Keep Them Safe Best With Looping Timer Benny Bradley's Potty Training Watch Amazon View On Amazon Pros Plays music or vibrates Includes animated ebook Rechargeable battery Cons Kids can accidentally turn off timer To further support your potty training efforts, this watch comes with an animated ebook, “Benny Bradley Learns to Potty.” The story is about a young monkey who learns to go potty and includes valuable tips and tricks for parents. The watch itself has a recurring timer that can be programmed for every 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes and it even displays the time of day. However, the timer function is sensitive and can accidentally be turned off if your child plays with the watch. A helpful feature of this watch is that it can either play the “Wheels on the Bus” melody or vibrate, which is great for transitioning from home to school. It’s also the lightest watch on our list, weighing less than 1 ounce. This watch comes in pink or blue and is made of BPA-free and latex-free silicone. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs:Battery: One lithium polymer (included) | Weight: 0.704 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90, 120 min | Additional Features: Silicone band, rechargeable battery, themed ebook, music or vibration alerts, blue or pink band Best Latex-Free ABC123 Potty Training Watch Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Made of BPA-free and latex-free silicone Rechargeable battery Displays time of day Cons May be cumbersome to turn off If your child has a latex allergy, this watch is a safe choice for them. It’s made of BPA-free and latex-free silicone and is recommended for children who are 18 months and older. It has a recurring timer that goes off every 30, 60, or 90 minutes and plays a musical tune. Although it’s not waterproof, this watch can withstand the occasional splash of water, such as when washing hands. You can choose from either a pink or blue strap, and its battery is rechargeable via a USB cord. However, turning the watch off at night requires several steps and is not an intuitive process. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs:Battery: Rechargeable | Weight: 1.58 oz | Waterproof: No | Automatic Timers: 30, 60, 90 min | Additional Features: Silicone band, rechargeable battery, themed ebook, blue or pink band, displays time of day How We Selected the Best Potty Training Watches To determine the best potty training watches, we consulted with Allison Jandu, owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant and author of “How Do You Poo?” We also sought guidance from Michelle Swaney, CEO of The Potty School, and from Autumn Barron, a mom and social media influencer who is famous for her “mom hacks'' and runs the popular TikTok account @honestlyautumn. In total, we spent nearly two weeks reviewing more than 20 different devices to come up with our list of the best potty-training watches. What to Look for in a Potty Training Watch Timers With Intervals The main function of every potty training watch is the recurring timer. This timer will alert your child that it’s time to use the potty and can be increased or decreased depending on your child’s needs. Every potty training watch on our list can be programmed to at least 30, 60, and 90 minutes—but a few have even more options. The e-vibra Premium Potty Training Watch has the most intervals by far and can be programmed to go off every 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes. Our best rechargeable pick, the Kidnovations Premium Potty Training Watch, also has a timer that starts at 15 minutes, which may be helpful when you first begin potty training your child. Materials and Design There are a variety of features to consider when it comes to the material and design of a potty training watch. Choosing a watch that is made of silicone, like our latex-free pick, the ABC123 Potty Training Watch, will protect your child’s skin from possible irritation. Also, a watch that is water-resistant will come in handy since potty training usually involves handwashing. According to the manufacturer, the Cucubit Potty Training Toddler Watch is water resistant in up to 100 feet of water, which is far more than your child will ever need. You’ll also want to pick a watch that will fit comfortably on your child’s wrist, like the Pottywin Potty Training Watch. The Benny Bradley's Potty Training Watch is another great pick as it’s the lightest watch on our list, weighing less than 1 ounce. Battery Life Battery life is an important component to consider when choosing a potty training watch. The last thing you’ll want to do is change a tiny battery all the time, so a watch with a rechargeable battery (like the Kidnovations Premium Potty Training Watch) will save you money and effort. Other watches on our list that use rechargeable batteries are the ABC123 Potty Training Watch and the Athena Futures Potty Training Watch. If the watch doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, you may still get anywhere from six months to one year of use before having to replace it. Additional Features The primary purpose of a potty training watch is to encourage your child to use the potty—so what better way to do that than with music, flashing lights, and a fun design? These features also help with getting your child to wear the watch in the first place and keep it on throughout the day. When it comes to features, the Potty Time Original Potty Watch has it all. It’s available in five colors and plays three different melodies when the timer goes off. It even comes with words for parents to sing along! While every watch on our list has some sort of musical or light-up feature (and sometimes both), the e-vibra Premium Potty Training Watch solely uses vibrations instead of sounds to notify your child. Another aspect to consider is the watch band design. While some are available in a variety of solid colors, the Athena Futures Potty Training Watch has various prints to choose from, including dinosaurs, unicorns, and princesses. If you’re interested in a watch that can grow with your child, the Cucubit Potty Training Toddler Watch has a classic design and even displays the time of day and glows in the dark. Frequently Asked Questions Do potty training watches work? Potty training watches can be very effective in not only promoting a child to use the potty, but also teaching them to listen to their body. “Potty training watches are great because they promote consistency not only for the child but the parent as well,” says Barron. “Having that reminder to use the bathroom throughout the day is such a great tool to accomplish potty training goals. It helps both parent and child keep the idea of going to the potty on their mind since it's easy to forget, especially for the child for whom the process is entirely new.”According to Jandu, potty training watches are especially helpful if you have a strong-willed child. “Potty watches can be helpful to avoid power struggles. Oftentimes kids will resist being told to use the potty if it's coming from a parent. They may be less resistant if the prompt is coming from the potty watch,” Jandu says.It’s important to note that a potty training watch is not all you need to potty train your child. In addition to specific supplies, such as a potty chair or “big kid” underwear, you’ll also want to choose a method. The three-day method is one of the most popular approaches because it can (generally) be accomplished in a long weekend. The “Oh Crap” method has also gained popularity with the release of the book “Oh Crap! Potty Training.” The most important thing to do when deciding to potty train is to be patient, flexible, and listen to your gut. While it can be helpful to research and try different supplies and techniques, you know your child best and have an understanding as to what will work best for them. What age is a potty watch best suited for? Typically, a child is ready to be potty trained between the ages of 2-3 years old. However, some children will show signs of bladder and bowel control as early as 18 months old. When you believe your child is ready to be potty trained, introducing a potty training watch can be a helpful way to encourage them to use the potty and teach them how to listen to their body. On the other hand, Swaney believes that it’s actually about the parent’s readiness. “My question is whether the parent is ready,” Swaney says. “Meaning, is the parent equipped (knows what to do and has the support to do it) and emotionally able to provide loving leadership and guidance along the way (and able to stick with it)? If those two parameters are met, any time is a good time to start.” How much should I expect to spend on a potty training watch? Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10-$25 for a potty-training watch. The average cost of the watches on our list is $20, and they vary in price based on features and functionality. How often should a potty watch go off? Across the board, experts recommend starting with short intervals to help your child become acquainted with the process of potty training. “My recommendation would be to start short, [such as] every 30 minutes,” says Barron. “Then, gradually add more time in between as the child becomes more accustomed to the cues of needing ‘to go’ and gets used to routinely going.” Why Trust Verywell Family Laura Lu, M.S. is an experienced health writer who has a Master of Science degree in Health Communication. Her work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, Media Psychology, Brit+Co, and Parents.com, to name a few. She’s also a mother of two young children, each of whom had a potty watch while potty training. Her son had an Athena Futures Potty Training Watch, while her daughter most recently used a Potty Time Original Potty Watch. Now that her kids are successfully potty trained, she plans to pass the watches on to her nephews to use when the time is right for them. 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The Right Age to Potty Train. HealthyChildren.org. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit