Remove the distraction, or give the restlessness somewhere to go.
Verdict
A timed lockbox removes the phone from reach entirely, which works because willpower is not the mechanism, distance is. Fidget tools do something different: they give restless hands an outlet so the rest of you can stay with the task. Buy the lockbox if the phone is the distraction; buy fidget tools if sitting still is what breaks the session.
| Mindsight Timed Lock Box | Infinity Cube Fidget Toy | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes temptation | Yes, physically | No |
| Occupies hands | No | Yes |
| Silent | Yes | Quiet, varies by toy |
| Works in shared spaces | Yes | Yes, if quiet |
| Reversible mid-session | No, that is the point | Yes |
| Cost | Moderate | Very low |
You reach for the phone without deciding to. A timed box makes the phone genuinely unavailable for a set period, which removes the dozens of small decisions that willpower keeps losing. Keep an emergency plan in mind before locking anything away for long periods.
Check Mindsight Timed Lock Box on Amazon
You get up, pace, or cannot settle. Occupying your hands with something repetitive and undemanding is a long-standing strategy for staying with a task, and it costs almost nothing to try.
Check Infinity Cube Fidget Toy on Amazon
Many people report they do, and the reasoning is that a small amount of undemanding movement absorbs restlessness that would otherwise interrupt the task. Evidence is mixed and individual, so it is worth trying rather than assuming.
Consider who might need to reach you before setting a long timer. Most boxes can be opened in an emergency by other means, but plan for it rather than discovering the limitation at a bad moment.
For some people, though software is easier to override in a weak moment than a locked box. The physical version works precisely because undoing it is inconvenient.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
We review them on their own too, in full detail: the reMarkable 2 and the iPad, which is the opposite choice.