Any advice on which time control to become proficient at?

As I'm starting out, I'm experiencing what I'm sure is the case for many, that my success rate is directly tied to the time control I choose.  I don't play bullet, for blitz I play 5|5 pretty much exclusively, and for rapid I do 15|10, 30 and 60, and I also have done a few daily.  Unsurprisingly to me, I've won every daily so far, my rapid is around 800, and my blitz is down at 450ish.  It all comes down to having enough time to think and catch my errors, etc.

I don't have any particular desire to be "fast" at chess, or easily dominate games through memorization or anything, so I could care less about succeeding at faster time controls.  But I do have a lot of trouble finding games sometimes, especially 60 min the matchmaking sometimes can't find anyone.  It seems like if looking for longer games, 30 is much more popular, but I personally find 15|10 often more comfortable.  I lose 30 min games on time somewhat often but for whatever reason very rarely with 15|10.  Is there any harm in simply playing 15|10 because that's what works for me, or is there some overriding reason to push out of my comfort zone?  Really just looking for advice on reasons to choose 30 vs 15|10 vs 60 (or daily, I guess).  Obviously I will get better at whatever I play more, so if there's a level at which people just stop playing 15|10 or something, I don't want to get too comfortable with just that.

@1

"I don't play bullet" ++ wise

"for blitz I play 5|5 pretty much exclusively" ++ 3|2 is standard

"and for rapid I do 15|10" ++ Excellent

"30 and 60" ++ Increment is better

"I also have done a few daily" ++ It is too inhomogeneous

"I've won every daily so far" ++ Some do not take daily seriously, play many daily games simultaneously and spend only a few seconds per move

"my rapid is around 800" ++ Try to improve to 1500, then to 2000

"my blitz is down at 450ish" ++ Then focus on rapid first.

"It all comes down to having enough time to think and catch my errors, etc." ++ Yes

"easily dominate games through memorization" ++ That is impossible: chess is a game of thinking, not of remembering

"I could care less about succeeding at faster time controls" ++ 15|10 is best

"I do have a lot of trouble finding games sometimes, especially 60 min" ++ Better 15|10

"30 is much more popular" ++ 15|10 is better

"I personally find 15|10 often more comfortable" ++ Yes

"I lose 30 min games on time somewhat often" ++ Yes: no increment

"but for whatever reason very rarely with 15|10" ++ Thanks to increment

"Is there any harm in simply playing 15|10" ++ No harm, only benefit

"that's what works for me" ++ Yes

"is there some overriding reason to push out of my comfort zone?" ++ No

"reasons to choose 30 vs 15|10 vs 60 (or daily, I guess)." ++ 15|10 is best. 30|0 lasts about the same time, but as there is no increment you lose on time sometimes in won or drawn positions. 60|0 is longer, but you still can lose on time. Daily is too inhomogeneous.

"I will get better at whatever I play more" ++ Yes.

"if there's a level at which people just stop playing 15|10 or something" ++ Above 2000.

Rapid 15|10 is probably the best format for you, practically speaking.

It's a good trade-off between three key factors: 1) time to think about each move, 2) ability to fit playing games into the rest of your (real life) schedule and 3) play enough games to experience a variety of positions.

One suggestion I have for you is to stop switching between time formats. On the same day you're playing 30 min rapid games (and 15|10 and 30 and 60), 5|5 blitz games and a couple of Daily games in between, effectively changing game speed every few games. It's easier to play each time format in consecutive streaks before changing to another one.

Longer time formats requires you to play solid well calculated moves. Intuitively blitzing out moves after just a few seconds will ultimately lose against moves carefully considered by an opponent taking their time.

Conversely, you can ruin your winning chances in any blitz games by forgetting the urgency. One moment of inattention is enough to turn the rest of the game into a time scramble, just by pending 30 seconds on evaluating a position.

Playing at a time control where you feel comfortable and enjoy the game is important for maintaining motivation and enjoyment.

If you're looking for slow games you could try the 45|45 league:

https://www.lichess4545.com/team4545/

I believe they play on chess.com too

Also this club:

https://www.chess.com/club/90m-30s

Rapid for sure

Stick with the time management that feels good for you. If you are comfortable with 15–10 video games and they work properly for your improvement, there is no need to switch. Keep in mind your dreams; if you are no longer fascinated by pace chess or memorization, longer time controls would possibly no longer be necessary. However, attempting exceptional time controls now and then can help you emerge as an extra-well-rounded player. The key is to revel in the sport and remain open to new experiences while enhancing your skills.

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I'm of the opinion that it is good to have a healthy mix of time controls that you play because each one can serve a purpose in your improvement as a player. If where you play chess is primarily online, than find the time control that you can get the most games from, are comfortable playing and enjoy the most.

15|10 is sounding like it will be the primary time control that you will want to focus on.

I'd add a couple of daily games (1 move every 3 days) as a way to practice your openings and to have the time to deeply analyze positions.

I'd use blitz games as a way to practice working on playing under time pressure and as a way to test your instincts.

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate the advice about not switching time formats, that's exactly what I've been doing because I just felt unsure which I should stick with and I was worried about getting too set in my ways with a particular format to be able to compete on others.

Daily chess is different than regular chess, because opening explorer is allowed in daily chess and you have analysis tool (without the engine of course) that allows you to move pieces freely without actually moving them (so visualization is easier). Those 2 things makes things easier, which is why I would generally stick with regular live games. Daily can be useful also, but if you wish to pick one of those, live games all the way, if chess improvement is what you seek.

The longer live games you play the better it is. 15|10 is minimal time control if you wish to study chess and get better at it. Some people can get better with blitz, but most of us need time to think.

If you can, 60|0 is better for improvement than 15|10, if you use the time of course. Losing on time is better than losing with almost all your time on the clock, when it comes to improvement. And yes, 60|0 is less popular, but on lower levels you will still be able to get some games in, albeit sometimes you will have to wait a bit.

30|0 is on average a little bit slower than 15|10 (if decent number of moves are played), so it might be slightly better, but 15|10 has the advantage that it is more difficult to lose on time, so it is kind of a close call between those two.

Whatever you do, look through your games after you finish them and try to learn something from your mistakes.

Two most important time controls are rapid and classical. You need to get good at rapid for online games, games against friends and family, and some tournaments. Classical is important because of most tournaments, especially big prize ones. Don’t do too much blitz and bullet. I only do them either when I’m bored, need to get my rating up, or don’t have much time. That’s why I’m 1300 rapid and 1100 USCF classical and only 1000 blitz and bullet.

If you play a lot of tournaments, practice classical. Only problem is that the games take way too long especially if you have work, school, an event, or some other thing. Basically, if you don’t have enough time in your day, stick to rapid. It’s good practice for both casual games and classical. Still wouldn’t advise playing longer than 30 minute games. But, whatever your heart desires. As long as you’re having fun and enjoying it. Hope this helps!

Choosing a time control to become proficient at depends on your individual preferences, strengths, and goals in chess. Ideal for improving tactical skills, fast-paced decision-making, and handling time pressure. It's great for players who enjoy quick games and want to work on their intuition and speed.

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I recommend 15|10.

Thank you for the replies everyone, definitely makes me more confident to stick with 15|10 for when I have less time. I've also taken up more 60 min games the past few days based on the advice here and my overall accuracy on those is notably higher and I'm finding them more instructive. Just have to wade through the longer matchmaking time and more frequent abandoned games but it's been worth it.

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