Portable time clocks provide a much-needed solution for construction management, allowing for accurate time tracking with teams of all sizes. Check out this list of top portable construction time clocks and find the right one for your company.
Paper timesheets have their drawbacks. Time tracking apps are great for some teams, but many contractors find it’s difficult to get employees to install a work app on their personal device, and it can be hard to remember to clock in and out.
A portable time clock is the perfect solution. For a construction job site, standard paper punch clocks just won’t do. Neither will a fancy “smart” time clock that can’t hold up to the elements.
We reviewed the top five portable time clocks for construction job sites. Let’s see how the most popular portable time clocks hold up to the realities of the job site.
What to look for in a Portable Construction Time Clock
How does it prevent errors and labor fraud?
In our experience on real construction job sites, buddy punching and employee time theft is an industry-wide problem. When you choose your construction time clock system, it’s important to choose one that uses an error-proof and fraud-proof method, like facial verification, to provide documentation of the workers’ presence at the time of the activity.
How will the construction time clock be powered?
On many job sites, power is unavailable, limited, or inaccessible. A good job site time clock will have its own solution for ensuring that the device stays working. The best construction time clocks come with their own built-in power solution for the job site.
How easy is it to set up and operate?
The best construction time clocks are easy to use and don’t require a lot of time and attention. How easy is it to deploy on the job site? Will you need to charge or replace batteries? Will data be synced automatically, or require a job site visit to gather the timesheet data? An ideal solution will have a simple setup and no maintenance required.
5 Best Portable Time Clocks for Construction [2025 Edition]
SmartBarrel
- Weatherproof
- Solar Power
- LTE Connection
- Syncs Instantly
- Facial Verification
- PPE Detection
- Key Fob Option
- Badge/Card Option
Exaktime JobSite Hornet
- Weatherproof
- Battery Powered
- LTE Connection
- Hourly Sync
- Key Fob ID
EasyClocking Xenio R700
- Weatherproof
- Battery Power
- 3G, WIFi, Bluetooth
- Smart Card ID
Portable Construction Time Clocks Reviewed
SmartBarrel Portable Time Clock
At the top of our list is the SmartBarrel construction time clock. Designed specifically for construction job sites, this device is durable and super simple to use. A simple check-in system makes employee identification a breeze. The SmartBarrel portable time clock uses AI-powered facial verification technology to automatically alert you of buddy punching.
Read on to get the details of why the SmartBarrel time clock is a great choice for construction companies.
Durability
The SmartBarrel mobile time clock for construction was designed for commercial and industrial construction sites from the start. We put our device through a series of drop tests, threw it into mud puddles, and left it out in the rain. We’ve put time clocks on job sites across the country and they’ve held up beautifully. Best of all, if a SmartBarrel time clock for construction malfunctions, breaks, or is stolen, we replace it at no cost to the customer.
Employee Identification
The SmartBarrel portable construction time clock utilizes multiple employee verification methods for maximum accuracy. First, employees can clock in and out using their phone number, which acts as a 10-digit security code to ensure that the hours are associated with the right employee. Alternatively, employees can use pre-registered key fobs to speed up the clock-in process. Users can also sign in using a badge. All sign-in attempts are verified with a photo of the worker, and each new photo is automatically compared with previous punches to verify the user. If an employee does not match previous photos, a notification is sent to administrators for review.
Power Options
The SmartBarrel construction time clock is designed to be as easy–to-use as possible. For job sites that have power, the time clock comes with a power cord that plugs into a standard outlet. For job sites that don’t have power available, the device ships with a solar panel. Install the panel in an area with sufficient sunlight, and you’ll never have to think about it again.
Connectivity
The SmartBarrel portable construction time clock comes with a built-in 5G LTE connection with real-time updates. This provides live headcount monitoring through the SmartBarrel web dashboard, an important tool for HR, safety, and compliance teams. From urban tunneling projects to remote solar farms, our mobile time clocks for construction have provided real-time workforce data in places where others couldn’t.
Product Suite
When you use SmartBarrel for construction job site time tracking, you get much more than a portable time clock. The SmartBarrel ecosystem includes a mobile app, head office software, reporting features, time and attendance software, and broadcast messaging.
Integrations
SmartBarrel has direct integrations with Procore, CMiC, and Microsoft Power BI. SmartBarrel’s integration with Procore is the first time tracking system to connect directly into Procore’s Timesheets feature, which allows you to report actual timesheet data against your budgeted cost codes in real time. SmartBarrel also provides exports for Quickbooks, Viewpoint, Foundation Software, and other providers.
Ratings & Reviews
The SmartBarrel portable time clock is loved by field and office alike. In reviews, SmartBarrel customers rave about the customer service. SmartBarrel has a rating of 5.0/5 on SoftwareAdvice.
Get The Best Portable Time Clock
Feature Comparison
| SmartBarrel | Exaktime JobSite Hornet | EasyClocking Xenio R700 | TimePilot Extreme Blue Enhanced | ATS Maximus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherproof | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Power Source | Solar | Battery (up to 21 days) | Battery (3-4 days) | Battery (up to 1 year) | Battery |
| Wireless Connection | LTE | LTE (current model only) | 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth | WiFi |
| Sync Frequency | Instant | Hourly | Unknown | Manual | Unknown |
| Photo Capture | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Facial Verification | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| PPE Detection | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Key Fob ID | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Badges/Cards | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
What is a portable time clock?
In general, a portable construction time clock is a time tracking device that can be easily moved from one location to another. Instead of using paper timesheets to track time, a portable time clock provides a more organized and efficient way to keep track of hours spent on the job.
How does a portable time clock work?
In general, a portable time clock is durable and comes with an alternative power source to enable round-the-clock use. These devices provide a way for workers to clock in and out on the job site, and provide accurate data in a format that can be used by payroll, accounting, and project management teams.
Why you need a portable construction time clock?
Tracking employee hours is of critical importance for a successful and profitable project. Paper timesheets are prone to errors and fraud, and most time tracking software solutions require employees to install an app on their phone. Portable time clocks for construction solve these problems by providing a dedicated device which all employees use to clock in and out of the job site. Some devices like the SmartBarrel time clock provide advanced verification features which can eliminate common sources of errors and time theft, increasing timecard accuracy and project profitability.
How much does a portable construction time clock cost?
In general, portable time clocks are sold as individual units, with prices starting at a few hundred dollars per time clock. Once the device is purchased, companies are generally required to purchase a software subscription to use the product. These subscriptions are usually priced per worker. If a device is damaged, broken, or stolen, companies usually are forced to purchase a new device at full price. The SmartBarrel time clock does not require an up-front purchase, and stolen or malfunctioning devices are replaced at no cost.
How are portable time clocks powered?
One of the most important features of a portable time clock is a reliable power source. Construction job sites may have limited options for power, and early in the project may have no on-site power at all. Each of the time clocks we reviewed has some form of alternative power source, but take different approaches to solving this problem. Many devices use battery power, while the SmartBarrel device comes with a solar panel that provides power throughout the duration of the project.
How do portable time clocks sync data?
For most portable time clocks, timesheet data is synced via an LTE, WiFi, or Bluetooth connection. The SmartBarrel time clock syncs timesheet data to the cloud in real time, providing live workforce and attendance data that is invaluable for workforce management and safety teams.
How do portable time clocks connect to accounting, payroll, or construction management software?
In general, portable time clocks can come with direct database integrations to a variety of third-party applications, including Quickbooks, Procore, CMiC, Foundation Software, and more. SmartBarrel has direct integrations with Procore, CMiC, and Microsoft Power BI. SmartBarrel also provides data exports for Quickbooks, Viewpoint, Foundation Software, and other providers.
The bottom line
Portable time clocks go a long way in improving efficiency on the job site. A good portable time clock is durable, easy to install and use, and provides a verifiable record of time and attendance for every employee on the job site.
For commercial construction contractors that want a fool-proof, excuse-proof solution, we believe they are best served by a portable time clock that offers automatic facial verification, PPE detection, and a dedicated power solution.
SmartBarrel’s construction time clocks meet all of these requirements, while providing you with advanced integrations, and top-tier customer service.
