No advertising on this page. We have no agreements with the shops. We aren't paid for the links or for anything you buy. We haven't held or tried any of them ourselves. The facts come from the shops' own pages, with the date.
What we look for
- An increment per move (also called bonus or Fischer). FIDE requires it of digital tournament clocks.
- A display that is easy to read from the other side of the table.
- Simple setup. A clock nobody understands stays in the drawer.
- If the clock is for FIDE events: look for the model in FIDE's register.
Watch out: The simplest digital clocks only count down. Without an increment it is easy to lose on time in a won position, so choose a clock with an increment if you are going to play rapid or blitz.
Five to choose from
In no particular order. Every shop here ships to the United States, the United Kingdom and most of Europe. The House of Staunton is in the United States, The Chess Shop in the United Kingdom. If the shop is in another country, you may have to pay import duty or tax when the parcel arrives. More on how to choose is in the guide to buying a chess set.
DGT 1001 Digital Chess Clock
DGT
A simple digital chess clock: switch it on, set the time and play. It has no delay and no increment. The shop writes that it suits schools, clubs and organizations, and that it is not recommended for US Chess Federation rated games. It comes in black or white.
- Increment
- No
- Delay
- No
- Size
- 6.6 × 2.7 × 2.1 in
- Battery
- 1 × AA, included
Our view School and the first games with a clock at home. Without an increment it is best when both players have plenty of time.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)DGT 1002 Digital Chess Clock – Black
DGT
A small digital chess clock with an increment (bonus). You set the time with plus and minus. It has no delay.
- Increment
- Yes
- Delay
- No
- Size
- 6.5 × 2.8 × 2.1 in
- Battery
- 1 × AA, included
- Warranty
- 2 years
Our view Home and the club, for anyone who wants to play rapid or blitz with an increment without learning a long menu. The same clock comes in the DGT Starter Box on the shelf of chess sets.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)DGT 2500 Official FIDE Chess Clock
DGT
A digital tournament clock with a large display, 36 preset and manual settings, increment and delay. Its flag is a bar that shows clearly when time has run out. The shop writes that FIDE has approved and recommends it.
- Settings
- 36, preset and manual
- Increment and delay
- Yes
- Size
- 198 × 110 × 60 mm
- Weight
- 320 g with batteries
- Batteries
- 2 × AA, included
- Warranty
- 24 months
The model is in FIDE's register of approved digital clocks (read October 28, 2026).
Our view The club that runs tournaments, or the player who wants to practice with the same kind of clock as in tournaments.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)DGT 3000 Digital Chess Clock
DGT
A digital chess clock that shows the seconds from the first move, has an increment (Fischer) and both kinds of delay, and connects to DGT's electronic boards. The shop writes that it is the successor to the DGT XL.
- Presets
- 25, and 5 slots for your own
- Timing
- Increment (Fischer), Bronstein and US delay
- Electronic boards
- Connects to DGT's
- Batteries
- 2 × AA, included
- Warranty
- 5 years
The model is in FIDE's register of approved digital clocks (read October 28, 2026).
Our view The tournament player, and the club that broadcasts games from electronic boards.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The House of Staunton)Garde Traditional Analogue Chess Clock
An analog chess clock in cedar wood, with two large clock faces linked so that only one can run at a time.
- Type
- Analog
- Case
- Cedar wood
- Size
- 22 × 12.5 × 6 cm
Our view Anyone who wants a classic clock with hands, for long games. An analog clock can't add time after each move.
Facts from the shop's page, November 6, 2026. They may have changed since.
To the shop (The Chess Shop)Frequently asked questions
What is an increment on a chess clock?
The clock adds a few seconds after every move, for example 2 seconds in blitz or 30 seconds in long games. A player who is short of time gets a small margin with every move, and the time can build up.
What is the difference between increment and delay?
With an increment, the time is added and can build up. With a delay you never get more time than you had before the move: the clock waits a few seconds before it starts counting (US delay), or gives back the time the move took, up to a limit (Bronstein).
Which chess clocks are approved by FIDE?
FIDE keeps a register of equipment that has passed its technical review. When we read it on October 28, 2026, the digital clocks on it were: DGT 2010, DGT 2500, DGT XL, DGT 3000, Leap KK9908, Leap KK9909, CE Clock, Sistemco and Silver Timer.