If you’re hoping to engage your students with a quiz game, it might be a good idea to look into purchasing a set of buzzers for your classroom or school Quiz Bowl practice session. Like many a classroom prop, buzzers will pique your students’ interest and keep them entertained and involved during learning gameplay. It will make them feel like they’re on an episode of Jeopardy!
There are plenty of game buzzers on the market, and we’re here to help you find the ones best for school use. Read on to hear our buzzer recommendations. We’ll also cover alternatives to traditional buzzers and fun ideas of how to use them with your students.
Learning Resources Answer Buzzers
Learning Resources Answer Buzzers is a simple set of four plastic buzzers that was developed with classroom use in mind. Each buzzer is a different color and makes a distinct loud sound so that no team will be mistaken for another. These buzzers are low on bells and whistles but are incredibly functional, making them our top recommendation for learning game use.
Learning Resources Answer Buzzers have rubber feet on their undersides, which helps to keep them from going flying across a desk when pressed with force. They’re powered with two AAA batteries each and require the use of a small screwdriver to install them.
One con is that these buzzers don’t light up when pressed, so their audio cues are the only way to tell which player has gotten ahead. In other words, if your class is particularly rowdy, you might have trouble hearing which team pressed their buzzer first. Encourage students to keep their voices down so that the entire class can hear the buzzer noises and experience the game to the fullest.
- 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)
Learning Resources Lights and Sounds Buzzers
Learning Resources Lights and Sounds Buzzers is a set of four buzzers that are very similar to the previous set—they’re made of multicolored lightweight plastic and powered by AAA batteries. However, they have one key difference: this set of buzzers lights up when pressed. Each of the four buzzers has their own individual sound effect and light color.
When thinking about whether or not you need light-up buzzers for your classroom, consider the needs of your students. A younger class may be more stimulated and engaged by the visual effect of these buzzers’ colored lights. Students who are hard of hearing can participate more easily with the use of these as well, so if you’re looking to make your classroom more accessible, these buzzers are a great choice.
Learning Resources Lights and Sounds Buzzers are a bit more expensive than their unlit alternatives, but they still remain one of the least expensive sets on the market.
- REALISTIC & ENTERTAINING: Set of 4 buzzers each with a unique, real world, sound
- CLASSROOM JEOPARDY BUZZERS OR BUZZERS FOR FAMILY FEUD: Promote active learning by incorporating student involvement in instructional activities
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL: Sounds mimic real-world objects that light up: siren, game-show buzzer, laser, and "charge"
- DETAILS: Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included
- FAMILY & CLASSROOM FUN: Ages 3+
Learning Resources Team Answer Buzzers
Learning Resources Team Answer Buzzers is another Learning Resources buzzer set that’s pretty similar to the aforementioned two. Instead of four separate colors intended for four individual players or teams, this set of eight only contains buzzers of two colors, red and blue. Each color has its own corresponding sound effect, and all buzzers light up when pressed.
Learning Resources Team Answer Buzzers’s doubled buzzer quantity makes it an ideal purchase for larger gameplay amongst two teams. More students have a chance to answer questions at one time, and teams don’t have to rely on one single player at the buzzer when they’re ready to answer.
If you’re playing a game in which any team member is allowed to answer during any turn, then this is an ideal buzzer set for you. However, it’s not a great choice for individual play (as opposed to team play) since there aren’t enough distinct sounds to distinguish one player from another.
- BUZZ IN and win with this set of 8 game show buzzers designed for team games!
- UNIQUE colors and sounds mean you'll always know who's buzzing in!
- BUILD social skills like sportsmanship, turn-taking, and teamwork!
- READY for classroom or at-home games!
- GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: Whether you’re shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just because, toys from Learning Resources help you discover new learning fun every time you give a gift! Ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, Stocking Stuffers, Easter or even for Homeschool.
Educational Insights Wireless Eggspert Buzzer Set
If you’re looking for something a little more complex, the Educational Insights Wireless Eggspert Buzzer Set might be for you. Unlike the previous buzzer sets mentioned, each individual Eggspert buzzer connects wirelessly to a light-up console that can be placed on the teacher’s desk or at the front of the classroom.
When one of the six buzzers is pressed, the corresponding “egg” on the console lights up, showing the teacher who should answer the question. If two or more students buzz in at the same time, the console makes it plain which egg was pressed first.
If you’re forgoing a traditional buzz-in game in favor of a more traditional verbal quizzing method, you can use the Eggspert’s “Scrambled Eggs” feature to randomly choose a student to answer your next question. With the touch of a button on the wireless teacher remote, you can select an egg on the console to light up. The student holding the corresponding buzzer can proceed to answer.
I myself played learning games with an Eggspert system while in school and was especially engaged by the buzzers’ vivid, creamy colors and unusual shape. The buzzer’s egg-like appearance and texture were most likely designed with younger students in mind, but my middle school English class was enthralled with these buzzers just the same.
This buzzer set is especially pricy due to its wireless console. It also requires a great deal of batteries to power it. Educational Insights Wireless Eggspert Buzzer Set is definitely an investment purchase, so weigh its pros and cons and read its reviews before making the buy.
- SPARK MORE LEARNING! Whether your inside the classroom or teaching at home, these tools can help spark their passion for learning!
- CLASSROOM REVIEW: Quickly and easily transform classroom review sessions into an interactive quiz-off, with no tangled wires wrapping around the room! Students race to press their buzzers in "Quiz Show" mode, or Wireless Eggspert chooses a student at random in "Scrambled Eggs" mode.
- ENGAGE STUDENTS! Engages students by making review sessions and quizzes fun and interactive! Perfect for classroom and homeschool learning games.
- INCLUDES: Wireless Eggspert, 6 wireless student buttons, wireless teacher remote, and guide. Additional student buttons sold separately.
- BATTERIES REQUIRED: Unit requires 4 AA batteries; student buttons require 2 AAA batteries each; wireless teacher remote requires 3 AAA batteries. No batteries included.
Education Insights Wired Eggspert Buzzer Set
Extremely similar to the wireless Eggspert, Education Insights Wired Eggspert Buzzer Set features six brightly colored buzzers connected to a light up console. Its major difference from the former is that its buzzers are connected via wires, so students may need to leave their desks and sit or stand closer to the buzzer console in order to press the button and present their answer.
Education Insights Wired Eggspert Buzzer Setis best used on a larger table as opposed to small desks to avoid tangled wires. It’s battery-operated and takes a while to set up due to its many small individual parts. However, it’s significantly less expensive than its wireless counterpart.
- Quickly and easily transform classroom review sessions into an interactive quiz-off!
- Two ways to play! Students race to press their buzzers in "Quiz Show" mode or Wireless Eggspert chooses a student at random in "Scrambled Eggs" mode.
- Engages students by making review sessions and quizzes fun and interactive!
- Includes Eggspert, 6 student buttons, teacher control button, and guide.
- Unit requires 4 AA batteries or AC adapter (sold separately). Batteries not included.
Teacher’s Choice 8 Player Light Up Buzzer System
An alternative to the wired Eggspert system, Teacher’s Choice 8 Player Light Up Buzzer System features eight individual buzzers of four colors. Each numbered buzzer lights up and makes a sound when pressed. Then, the console they’re connected to displays the number of the buzzer that was pressed first.
The student whose buzzer number is displayed gets ten seconds to answer the question. However, if more than one buzzer was pressed at one time, the system only displays the winning player’s number for three seconds before letting other students buzz in again. This can prove difficult and distracting if your students are especially competitive and hasty, as the machine may show a number that shouldn’t count depending on your gameplay.
Despite its display shortcomings, amazon link=”B0831SPWR9″ title=”Teacher’s Choice 8 Player Light Up Buzzer System” /] is still a good option for your classroom buzzer system, especially for large group gameplay.
- 8 Pack of light up game Buzzers with master console. Each buzzer makes a unique sound, light up with the color of the buzzer, as well as connects to the master console which will display the winner!
- When a buzzer is pressed, the console will display the corresponding number for 10 seconds. When multiple buzzers are pressed, the console will only display the first buzz in. All new buzz ins will be locked out for 3 seconds after which new buzz ins will be allowed.
- Great for game shows, trivia night, classrooms, spelling bees and more! Spice up your event with this interactive game buzzer system.
- Cords are 3 ft long each. Can be used with any 3.5mm male to male cord. Buzzers and console require 2 AAA Batteries (Not Included). Ages 3+
- Our Guarantee: Teachers Choice manufactures educational products such as teaching clocks, money sets, and coin counters to foster learning and responsibility. We stand behind all of our products, offer a 1 Year warranty and hassle free returns. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers
If you’re looking for something a little different from a traditional buzzer system, Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers may be the solution for you. Originally intended as a classroom behavior management tool to signal transition moments or discourage chatter, Zingers can also prove useful during learning gameplay.
These five buzzers function similarly to a wireless doorbell in that they chime when pressed and can be mounted on a wall in your classroom with the included adhesive. So long as the console’s “Chime Box” is plugged into an outlet, these buzzers will sound anywhere in your classroom. They can also be used as handheld buzzers if that better suits your classroom needs.
Brightly colored and small enough to fit in a child’s palm, these buzzers are sure to be eye-catching and engaging. Their biggest con is their lack of sound variety and the potential for sound overlap. Teachers using Zingers in their quiz games will have to listen closely to determine whose buzzer was pressed first and (hopefully!) avoid any complaints of game unfairness. Overall, Sadotech Zingers Attention Bell Answer Buzzers are still an excellent and high-tech way to incorporate buzzers into gameplay.
- 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.
Creative and Fun Buzzer Ideas
Buzzers are for more than just classroom Jeopardy! (although it’s an excellent way to engage your students and put those buzzers to use). Think outside the box next time you pull out your game buzzer set in the classroom.
A Family Feud-style quiz is perfect for reviewing questions with multiple answers—think vocabulary terms that fall into single categories or steps to complete a particular equation or formula. The “Survey Says” would list all possible answers, and players would have to individually buzz in to reveal them one by one. This would be played best with a larger set of team buzzers to accommodate at least two teams of four.
Buzzers can also be incorporated into your everyday classroom review game standbys. During charades, Pictionary, or Spin the Wheel, students can press their buzzer instead of waiting to be called on. It’s a great way to encourage students to answer that takes the pressure off of you, the teacher, to choose who to call on.
What Stores Carry Classroom Buzzers?
If you prefer in-person browsing to online shopping, skip the Amazon links and check out your favorite hometown game store. It’s a great place to begin your search, and the store employees will surely be knowledgeable about the best options to fit the needs of your classroom. You can also check out retail gaming giant GameStop, though call your local store ahead of time to make sure buzzers are in stock.
Big name office supply stores, such as Staples, and craft stores, including Michael’s, stock game buzzers, too. Walmart and Target are also old standbys for teacher supplies—just check online ahead of time to make sure the product you’re looking for is available. With so many options for game buzzer retailers, you’re sure to find the set that’s right for you and your classroom.
You Could Always Use an App
If your students are allowed to bring their mobile devices into the classroom, then you might consider allowing them to play with a buzzer app. The use of an app is a simple way to incorporate buzzers into your next learning game. This way, you don’t have to deal with tiresome game setup or sanitizing germy buzzers. Instead, you can simply ask your students to pull out their smartphones.
There is a myriad 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. For the classroom, we suggest opting for an ad-free app to avoid any pop-ups that may be inappropriate for school. Likewise, check out our article of the 9 best online buzzers.
How to Play Without Buzzers
If troubleshooting a buzzer system sounds like too much of an ordeal, don’t fret. There are plenty of ways to play classroom games without a buzzer. Instead, you can choose another prop.
When I was in school, my favorite learning game was my French teacher’s flyswatter game. In it, two students from opposing teams would approach the board, on which a large word bank of potential answers was written. Each student would be handed a flyswatter. Then, after the teacher had read a question aloud, students would search for the correct answer on the board and smack it with the flyswatter.
This game was always a huge hit in my French class. There was always a clear winner because even if both students swung their flyswatters at the same word, one swatter would always end up under the other. Thus, there was no controversy or debate when a close call occurred. This allowed students to be very competitive but gave them no grounds to argue that the game was rigged or unfair.
You could always just opt for a game without a prop. Suggest that students tap their desks or clap while making a designated noise (nothing too loud or lewd, of course!). This adds an element of difficulty to the game—students not only have to remember their answer, but also recall their chosen noise while under pressure.
Thanks for reading through our guide to classroom buzzers. We hope you’re able to seamlessly integrate your buzzers of choice into your next classroom quiz game. If you’re looking for buzzers to use for an at-home trivia night, check out this list. And if you’re more interested in lock out buzzers, we’ve got a list for those, too.
Got another buzzer suggestion for us? Hit us with a comment telling us what we missed!
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