Double tops are more reliable on longer timeframes such as 4-hour, daily, and weekly charts because higher timeframes filter out noise and signal deeper shifts in market structure. Using higher timeframes provides a clearer and more reliable view of market trends, helps filter out short-term price fluctuations, and double tops identified on daily or weekly charts tend to signal stronger and more significant market reversals, reducing the likelihood of false signals.
If spotted on a higher time frame like the daily or weekly, a double top can be a powerful signal of an impending bear market, as happened with the S&P 500 in January 2022 before a 271-day, 25% bear market.
Lower timeframes produce more signals but more whipsaws.