What’s a game of Jeopardy! without the buzzers? We take those little handheld buttons for granted, but they propel the game forward much more than we give them credit for. A good buzzer system helps to keep the game’s pace snappy and the players from talking over one another—plus, they reward sharp thumb reflexes with extra opportunities to give answers.
If you’re running your own quiz game, or just creating a competitive at-home Jeopardy game, chances are you’d like to use a similar buzzer system to the one used on Jeopardy!. Whether it’s intended to be Jeopardy!-esque or otherwise, your quiz night deserves to run as smoothly as a televised show would. There are plenty of options available out there, but we’ve narrowed it down for you to just a few so you can easily pick out the system that suits you best.
Below, we’ve listed our four top picks for buzzers. Whether you’re looking to buzz in at school, work, a bar, or at home, these buzzers are sure to bolster your next game night.
For the Jeopardy! Purist: 3 & 4-Player Quiz Game (Gameshow Features)
When it comes to replicating the classic Jeopardy! show buzzer system, this four-buzzer setup from BuzzerSystems.com is as good as it gets. This quiz game-inspired variety contains four rod-like handheld wired buzzers. These wires attach to console boxes that make a sound and light up when a buzzer’s button is pressed.
The system doesn’t need batteries and its features are customizable to your needs. They offer systems for as many as ten players, if that suits your game, and they provide options for console box lights of two different brightness levels and colors.
Notably, after a player buzzes in, all other players are locked out of answering until the system is cleared. This is especially important in order to avoid debate over which player’s turn it is to answer. While this might sound like a necessary or obvious feature, not a lot of buzzer systems will do this, making this one a rare and valuable find.
This system is relatively traditional—it’s probably similar to what your school used for quiz bowl in the late ’90s or early aughts. And this type of system has remained a standby for a reason: it’s simple and reliable.
BuzzerSystems.com boasts that it’s the leading supplier of buzzers for the National Science Bowl. In other words, if this company is trusted enough by a major national quiz organization, it’s definitely good enough for your personal quiz game.
A major drawback is that it’s pretty expensive—its price fluctuates, but a 4-player system currently comes out to a whopping $335—so unless your game night has a hefty budget, it might not be a feasible purchase for you. However, if you’re willing to make the investment, you probably won’t regret it. This is the next best buzzer system to actually being on the set of Jeopardy! itself.
For Wireless Gameplay: Retekess TM101 Answer Buzzer System
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up a wired buzzer system? Retekess TM101 Wireless Quiz Answer Game Buzzer System on Amazon can do the trick.This system’s buzzers are large, and must be placed on a flat surface, like a table or unraked podium, before use. From there, pressing one will trigger the buzzer’s number to appear on a large screen display included with the system. The screen provides the assurance that the first player to buzz in will be obvious and helps to avoid answer overlap.
One unique thing about this buzzer system is that a countdown must occur on the central display scene before players can buzz in. Otherwise, the round is declared a foul and must start again. If you time it correctly, you can set the countdown to begin while the question is being read so players can buzz in as soon as the host has finished speaking. However, that’s easier said than done, and might prove to be a challenge depending on the rules of your specific quiz game.
Retekess TM101 Wireless Quiz Answer Game Buzzer System aren’t handheld, which may detract from their likeness to those used on Jeopardy!. However, they’re still an excellent option for your quiz game.
- Answer time can be choose from 1-999; 1 screen receiver max add 32 response buttons; volume of the playback is loud and clear
- Normal mode; voice mode; elimination mode for screen display receiver; wireless remote control can be paired with the screen to operate the display; set the start; response time; a perfect tool for quieter students; enough to get the attention of the class
- 4 distinctly different bright colors for press buttons; attention-getting sounds enable teachers to clearly identify who pushed in first; big buzzers; easy to press; high sensitive for quick response
- Ideal for family game nights; teacher supplies; essential learning resources for the classroom; it makes the game more exciting and fair
- Screen of the wireless answer buzzers can display the winner number; the foul number; the timing time and so on; display comes with detachable bracket; support placed on the desktop or hanging on the wall; save space
For the Aesthete: Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers
If you’re looking for something slightly different from a traditional Jeopardy! buzzer, but still want to retain its handheld aspect, Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers may be for you.
This system was first intended as a classroom discipline tool and made with busy teachers in mind, so it’s easy to set up: simply plug the transmitter console into an outlet, and these wireless buzzers will be ready to chime.
And these are no ordinary, plain handheld buzzers—these little guys look cool. They’re petite and sleek, and their creamy, vibrant colors (red, yellow, green, blue, and white) pop. When pressed, these buzzers light up from the inside with blue LED. They’re small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, too.
The buzzers are waterproof, as well. And they’ve got a battery lifespan of three whole years. Be careful not to drop them, though—Amazon reviews indicate they’re far from indestructible, so players should try to handle them delicately to prevent breakage.
If you’re worried about confusion while determining which player has pressed their buzzer first, you can assign each one a different chime ringtone. This system has over 50 chimes available, so you’ll have plenty of options to assuage this issue.
Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers can also be used as wall-mounted buttons reminiscent of doorbells, so if you’re looking for an alternative to a handheld buzzer that won’t slide around a table, this is a good option for you.
- ASSIGN A DIFFERENT RINGTONE TO EACH BUTTON
- RECOMMENDED FOR TEACHERS: Looking for classroom learning resources? These are must-have school supplies for teachers for classroom that will help avoid yelling during class. It comes with with variety of colorful, vibrant push buttons. These teacher supplies for classroom are great for classroom organization.
- CONDUCT FUN CLASS QUIZ CONTESTS: This easy to install wireless doorbell for classroom device is used for fun educational games to organize class activities from kindergarten games to math games for first grade.
- LISTEN TO THE RING CHIMES BEFORE YOU BUY - Just SCROLL DOWN below to the Specification Guide link and click to DOWNLOAD the PDF file. Open the PDF and play all 52 ringtones.
For the Host on a Budget: Learning Resources Answer Buzzers
The Learning Resources Answer Buzzers are a tried and true favorite in the classroom, and they can also work well for your quiz game. These are a great option if you’re trying to create a Jeopardy!-like gameplay experience for less money. With 4 buzzers for $12.59 on Amazon, you’re definitely getting a bang for your buck.
These buzzers come in four different colors—pink, orange, blue, and green—and each have their own sound when their buttons are pressed. Each buzzer is powered by two AAA batteries that aren’t provided with the set.
Learning Resources has plenty of varieties of this product, including buzzers that light up or ones that you can record your own buzz-in sound effects for. They also carry expansion packs so you can involve more than four players in your game. These alternate versions may be slightly more expensive, but if you’d like to take your game night to the next level, they’d be a worthwhile investment, too.
As with any cheaper product, some problems may arise with these as you play your quiz game. For starters, there’s no central system to indicate which player has buzzed in first. In other words, if two or more buzzers are pressed at nearly the same time, the host has to really open their ears to distinguish each sound and determine who pressed their button first.
Additionally, aren’t handheld and must be placed on a flat surface before being pressed. However, press with too much force and they’ll go skidding across the table. We recommend using adhesive or a skid-proof mat to prevent buzzers being harmed or lost when gameplay gets a little too enthusiastic.
- BUZZ WHEN YOU HAVE THE ANSWER: Response buzzers let students easily buzz when they have an answer
- WAYS TO MAKE LEARNING FUN: Actively engage students with "game-show" style buzzers
- GREAT FOR CLASSROOM JEOPARDY OR FAMILY FEUD: A perfect tool for quieter students - buzzers are loud enough to get the attention of the class. Use as Jeopardy buzzers or buzzers for Family Feud.
- MAKE DIFFERENT SOUNDS: Four distinctly different, attention-getting sounds enable teachers to clearly identify who buzzed in first
- GAMES FOR CLASS & HOME LEARNING: Ideal for ages 3+. Buzzers require three AAA batteries (sold separately)
DIY Jeopardy! Buzzers
If you’re on a tight budget, or if troubleshooting a buzzer system doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, not to worry. You can get creative on your own to make a do-it-yourself solution and come up with your own Jeopardy! buzzer system.
Let’s start with the simplest DIY buzzer methods first. An equipment-free way to buzz in is to do so orally. Every player can designate a vocal sound effect for themselves ahead of the game and share it with the group. Then, when they wish the buzz in, they must fully utter their sound before being allowed to respond to the question. This can add a layer of challenge to the game by requiring players to remember their sound and execute its delivery perfectly.
Another buzz-in method that doesn’t require additional materials is to ask your players to hit their podium when they wish to answer. This can prove problematic: a player may hurt themselves smacking a podium too hard, a podium on wheels might roll away after a forceful hit, or two players might “buzz” in too close to one another to tell who should answer. However, if you’re in a pinch, this isn’t a bad method to try.
Have you ever thought about using a flyswatter instead of a buzzer? A middle school classroom favorite of mine, this technique requires that players be situated by a wall or podium. When I played it during a French class learning game, a classmate and I would approach the board, flyswatters in tow.
On the board, a large word bank of possible answers would be written. After the teacher read the question aloud, we’d speed-read the word bank to find its answer, and then we’d use our flyswatters to hit our selected word as quickly as possible. This was a great way to make a game physical with minimal chances of harm or violence. Plus, if both players hit the same word with their swatter, whoever’s swatter ended up underneath the other’s became the clear winner.
Obviously, using a word bank doesn’t lend itself to a Jeopardy! game whatsoever, but it might serve another type of quiz game nicely. And flyswatters might serve as a good alternative to hitting the podium with one’s hand, as mentioned above.
If you’re feeling like taking on a project, you could always construct your own electrical Jeopardy! buzzer system using a small circuit, some wires, and a few buttons. It might be more trouble than it’s worth, given that the needed materials may be just as expensive (or more so!) than purchasing factory-made buzzers might be. There are plenty of tutorials online depending on your circuit board of choice, so if you’ve got the materials on hand, search away and knock yourself out!
You Could Always Use an App
There are plenty of apps available that feature an on-screen buzzer. These apps are often have numerous fun sound effects or vibrate the phone when the buzzer is pressed. Some apps are standalone downloads, while others allow participants to connect to a host’s phone and participate in a specific game via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Check out our recent article, “7 Apps You Can Use as a Buzzer for Quiz Games.” In it, we highlight the best free buzzer apps and weigh their pros and cons.
Many of the apps we discuss in the article above are free, and only a few cost a couple dollars to download. Therefore, using an app is an excellent way to save money if you’re running a Jeopardy! game or quiz night without a lot of money on hand.
A buzzer app or online buzzer (especially an all-in-one website like BuzzIn.Live) can also be a great option if you’re feeling short on time—you don’t have to deal with tangled wires or involved setup and can instead rely on players to buzz themselves in from their own mobile devices. Just make sure all players are using the same app—there are many similarly named apps available, and consistency is important, especially since even a millisecond of difference can matter when buzzing in.
There can be some drawbacks to buzzer app use, however. Delayed buzz-in times, different sound effects, wishy-washy Bluetooth connection, and disruptive ads can all prevent a game from running as smoothly as possible. If you opt to use an app, just make sure you have a tech guru on hand ahead of the start of the game so you can troubleshoot if need be.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading through our guide to the best of the best Jeopardy! game buzzers. Have you hosted a Jeopardy! night? We’d love to hear about the buzzers you used in the comments section below.
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