Remembering to water your lawn or flowers is a huge part of keeping them growing healthy and strong all season, but it can be difficult to manually do this every day. This is especially true if you plan on going on vacation or you'll be away for a few days. You can't leave them without watering them, and a sprinkler controller system can help you keep your watering schedule on track. Technology has evolved in recent years, and you now have dozens of quality sprinkler controllers available on the current market.
But, how do you decide which sprinkler controller system is the best choice for your needs? Some are more technologically advanced than others, and this can make it challenging to select the best one for your needs. I've picked out 10 quality sprinkler controllers from different brands, and you can compare the products before using the buying guide to make your final decision.
Automating the watering process can save you countless hours and guesswork when it comes to keeping your plants and yard looking lush and green. You want to pick a system that has enough zones that you can meet your plant's unique watering needs, but it shouldn't break your budget either.
1. Orbit B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller
This sprinkler controller comes certified to save you both time and money, and it comes with an EPA WaterSense approval and certification. There is a weather-resistant case that lets you mount the product both indoors and outdoors without worrying, and the locking cabinet keeps your timer safe from vandalism. It works well with Amazon Alexa for voice control, and you can plug it into a 110-volt charger to keep it powered on and running for months at a time. It'll keep your lawn and garden lush and green all summer long, whether or not you're home.
Benefits: Drawbacks:2. Rachio 8 Zone Sprinkler Controller
Rachio's sprinkler controller allows you to automatically save water and money. This is a sleek system that lets you cut back on the amount of water you use, and it has Weather Intelligence software included. This software will skip unnecessary watering sessions, and it has several nice features like wind skip, rain skip, saturation skip, freeze skip, and seasonal shift. This gives you peace of mind when you travel to ensure that you don't let your lawn go too long without water, and it'll also help ensure that you don't drown your yard with overwatering. The app has a very user-friendly design, and it allows you to control your irrigation system anywhere.YOu can stop, pause, or run your sprinklers right from your phone.
There are no special tools required to install this sprinkler controller, and you should be able to get it up and running in under 30 minutes once you get it. This software uses sun exposure, soil type, and plant type to anticipate the needs of your lawn and create smart watering schedules. You can view and control different watering zones on the go through the app, and this product comes in three different styles that you can tailor to suit your needs.
Benefits: Drawbacks:3. Rain Bird Irrigation System
If you have inclement weather on the way and don't want to flood your yard, the rain delay feature on this sprinkler controller will suspend your watering schedule for up to 72 hours before resuming it again. The built-in surge protection helps to prevent electrical surges from frying your hardware, and there is a sealed case that protects the interface from grime, insects, and moisture. The new model has a redone timer that is more accurate, and you can choose from five styles that control 4, 6, 9, or 12 stations at one time.
Benefits: Drawbacks:4. Netro Smart Sprinkler Controller
Netro's sprinkler controller comes with 6 or 12 zone styles that give you individual control over each section of your yard. This is a fully automatic model with an EPA WaterSense certification that will dynamically create irrigation schedules and adjust them without any input from you based on your plant and lawn's needs. This product seamlessly connects to WIFi using a 2.4G system to monitor and control your sprinklers from anywhere using the user-friendly app for Android and iOS devices. You can also use it with web browsers on your table or PCs to update your settings or check that it's working.
This is an eco-friendly sprinkler controller that will help save you up to 50% of your typical outdoor water usage, and it uses a combination of historical statistics and weather forecasting to help save water. You'll need basic tools and 15 to 20 minutes to install this product, and you shouldn't need professional-grade help. It'll keep a running tally of your water usage, and you can adjust or set your own watering schedule with the click of a button. This product lays flat to the wall to stay out of your way.
Benefits: Drawbacks:5. RainMachine Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller
These apps work to increase the accuracy level of this sprinkler controller, and it comes with a bright color touch screen. You get PC browser access, and you can download the app on iPhone and Android devices to see your dashboard stats. It works when you're on vacation, at work, or home. This is an updated version of this product that comes equipped with hundreds of UI and schedule improvements, and you can seamlessly integrate it with Nest, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, or WINK via IFTTT. The user-friendly design and larger interface make this a good choice for people of all ages.
Benefits: Drawbacks:6. Aeon Matrix Yardian Sprinkler Controller
This chic sprinkler controller saves you money and water, and it can cut your water usage in half while watering at the peak times to keep your yard and plants lush, growing, and green. It comes with real-time weather monitoring that looks at real-time local weather streams to help tailor a schedule that works around inclement conditions so it doesn't give your yard too much. The pinpoint accuracy levels are very nice with this controller, and it works seamlessly with Google Home and Amazon Alexa to adjust your water scheduling and control 8 or 12 zones independently 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is a multi-functional sprinkler controller that works for irrigation and surveillance. It comes with an HD camera built into it, and this allows it to monitor your yard during the day and night. You can install the device in 15 minutes or less, and the customer service team is very responsive to questions or issues you have before, during, or after the install. The camera will send notifications to your phone if anyone trips it, and you get all of the mounting hardware you need when you purchase the unit.
Benefits: Drawbacks:7. Sprinkl Control - Smart Sprinkler Hub
There is no subscription required for this sprinkler controller to work, and you can easily pair it with your Apple or Android phones or smart home hubs like Google Home and Amazon Alexa. It has a bright green coloring that stands out when you put it up, and it comes with built-in fault detection that will alert you if part of your system goes offline for any reason. The app is slightly larger and very easy to navigate.
Benefits: Drawbacks:8. RAINPOINT Sprinkler Timer
You can set the water duration on this sprinkler controller from 1 minute up to 240 minutes, and it comes with a watering frequency setting on every day, every two days, or every three days. You can water up to three times a day at eight-hour intervals, or you can control it manually, and this system is IP65 waterproof. This durability allows you to use it outdoors without worrying about moisture seeping inside, and the computer utilizes ABS plastic with electronic components. This product is UV-resistant, retains precision control, and it's weatherproof. You can use this sprinkler timer for micro greenhouse irrigation, drip irrigation systems, fog systems, garden lawn sprinklers, and other basic irrigation control.
You get a single outlet with a solenoid valve on this sprinkler controller that fits a ¾-inch hose and faucet. It puts out 1 to 10 gallons a minute for the flow rate, and it can work with 10 to 120 PSI water pressure. Two alkaline 1.5-volt batteries power this unit, and it can run a full year. The big LCD display is easy to read, and it flashes a low battery indicator. When you purchase this product, you'll get a 100% satisfaction guarantee with 24-hour customer service. If you're not happy, they'll refund you within 30 days of the purchase date.
Benefits: Drawbacks:9. LinkTap G1 Wireless Water Timer & Gateway
The eco function will save you water by closing and opening the valve to reduce your run-off while allowing more water to soak in. The LinkTap Wireless Water Timer on this sprinkler controller gives you a steady connection to WiFi while offering more wireless coverage throughout your yard, and the battery can last for up to two years. A single LinkTap Gateway can simultaneously control up to 15 LinkTap Wireless Routers, and you can access three LinkTap Gateways from a single account. The installation process takes under five minutes, and you can control it from an app on your phone or through a browser.
Benefits: Drawbacks:10. HUNTER Smart WiFi Sprinkler Controller
The final sprinkler controller on the list comes from Hunter. This is an elegant and user-friendly device that features a very simple interface and setup. It can help you cut your water bills in half, and the controller uses WiFi to access a live stream from your local weather stations to provide real-time coverage and alter the watering schedules accordingly. There are water flow meters in the app that can help you see how much water you use, and it helps you detect broken pipes, faulting wring, broken spray heads, or cracked valves. You can change your water usage from the app too.
The sprinkler controller will send you detailed reports that outline how much rainfall you had already and when your system is set to water again. There are no extra wires when you replace your existing controllers, and it accesses your network wirelessly. This device weighs in at just 1.5 pounds, and this makes it easy to mount on your wall out of your way. You can expand this setup to cover 36 zones throughout your yard on a single controller.
Benefits: Drawbacks:Best Sprinkler Controller Buyer's Guide
Indoor or Outdoor Mounting
Do you plan to mount your controller inside or outside? Some products on the list recommend putting them in a dry place that has protection from the elements because moisture can destroy them. Other options come with a sealed interface that protects it from moisture or UV damage. Having it inside will protect it, but it can be a hassle to go in and out each time you want to switch something or adjust it.
Mounting your system outdoors allows you easier access to it if you want to adjust your settings, but exposure to the elements can shorten the product's lifespan. You have to decide which option is better for your needs.
One of the nice things about having a controller that has smart watering schedule capabilities is that they can stream your local weather in real-time and the environment to tailor the perfect watering schedule to your area. These systems have to be highly accurate or you may find them overwatering, so keep a close eye on it if you let the program design a schedule with no input from you.
Being able to connect your sprinkler system to a smart home hub allows you to use voice controls to adjust your system, turn it off, switch it back on, and more. This is useful if you already use voice in the house because it adds a convenience factor to it.
Ideally, how often would you want to water your yard or garden? Are you someone that waters every morning or evening? How about every two or three days? More? Less? Whatever your schedule, you want a device that can keep up with your watering schedule. Not all controllers have the capabilities to create and maintain complex schedules, so take a good look if this is important to you. Some even allow you to water multiple times a day and create tailored schedules based on each zone.
The correct sprinkler controller takes the hassle out of watering your yard or garden. They allow you to get a beautiful and lush space without a lot of time-consuming effort on your part, and you can customize your pick based on your needs. I've reviewed 10 great options for you, and you can compare the various reviews while using the buying guide to narrow down the products to your final pick.
