Instance v state variables in react.js

In react.js, is it better to store a timeout reference as an instance variable (this.timeout) or a state variable (this.state.timeout)?

React.createClass({
     handleEnter: function () {
         // Open a new one after a delay
         var self = this;
         this.timeout = setTimeout(function () {
             self.openWidget();
         }, DELAY);
     },
     handleLeave: function () {
        // Clear the timeout for opening the widget
        clearTimeout(this.timeout); 
     }
    ...
})

or

React.createClass({
     handleEnter: function () {
         // Open a new one after a delay
         var self = this;
         this.state.timeout = setTimeout(function () {
             self.openWidget();
         }, DELAY);
     },
     handleLeave: function () {
        // Clear the timeout for opening the widget
        clearTimeout(this.state.timeout); 
     }
    ...
})

both of these approaches work. I just want to know the reasons for using one over the other.

I suggest storing it on the instance but not in its state. Whenever state is updated (which should only be done by setState as suggested in a comment), React calls render and makes any necessary changes to the real DOM.

Because the value of timeout has no effect on the rendering of your component, it shouldn't live in state. Putting it there would cause unnecessary calls to render.

In addition to what @ssorallen said, you should also remember to handle the component unmounting before your handleLeave is called.

React.createClass({
     handleEnter: function () {
         // Open a new one after a delay
         this._timeout = setTimeout(function () {
             this.openWidget();
         }.bind(this), DELAY);
     },
     handleLeave: function () {
        // Clear the timeout for opening the widget
        clearTimeout(this._timeout); 
     },
     componentWillUnmount: function(){
        // Clear the timeout when the component unmounts
        clearTimeout(this._timeout); 
     },
    ...
});