Factoring in scheduling, smart features, and ease of installation, we researched permanent installations at various price points and options that connect to a hose spigot. Based on our considerations, the Rachio 3 8-Zone Smart Sprinkler Controller is the best option for most people because it offers user-friendly control, smart features, and broad compatibility. Here are the best smart sprinkler controllers on the market. The Rachio 3’s scheduling interface is intuitive. It builds in a seasonally tailored watering algorithm to ensure your plants and lawn are only getting the water they need for that time of year and avoiding over-watering. On top of that, the Rachio app interfaces with hundreds of thousands of local weather stations to offer rain, freeze, and wind skip functions, so you won’t need to watch your app like a hawk with the weather patterns. There’s a wide variety of scheduling functions if you want your irrigation system watering on your specific terms. And thanks to Alexa and Google Home integration, you have many options for coordinating the system with other smart home functions. Rachio promises a 30-minute, app-guided installation, though reviews do seem to point toward installation taking a bit longer. And because it doesn’t feature water resistance on its own, you’ll need to find a waterproof installation box if you want to place the panel outside. But once it’s in and set up with the app, it’s a dream to use. However, that automatic weather adjustment functionality requires a Wyze Sprinkler Plus subscription (though Wyze includes an entire year with your purchase of the Smart Sprinkler). And though Wyze has gotten better over the years at developing app walk-throughs, wiring this up to your existing sprinkler controller will take some patience—think of it like wiring a smart thermostat. Overall, the Wyze ecosystem is a great choice if you want to dip your toes into the smart sprinkler landscape without dropping a few hundred bucks. The B-hyve XR comes with top-tier specs, including smart app functionality and automatic weather adjustments (without the need for a subscription). This model also has dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it works with both standard-speed and faster Wi-Fi channels. The controller is a bit pricey, and while the app is solid, it’s not quite as modern and intuitive as some other options on the market. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity to control with a simple app locally, but to unlock the full scheduling and smart functionality, Apple’s Thread network usage is advised. Of course, a hose-based smart sprinkler controller comes with its own set of limitations—there’s no zone control, and there aren’t any fancy Eve-specific smart functions like weather integration. But you do get a fairly plug-and-play option that’ll likely work with the existing hose sprinkler setup you’ve already got. While the Whisperer sensor requires a separate purchase, it offers more targeted monitoring of your outdoor space. Sprite gives you the option to interface with the Netro Whisperer in your specific yard to measure sunlight, moisture, and temperature and tailor your sprinkler system output to your needs. This connection to a personalized sensor can be helpful if you’re too far from a local weather station, but it’s also a way to get very specific about the schedules and smart triggers you prefer. There’s also Alexa and Google compatibility, plus 12 zones of adjustment for mid-sized yards. There are 12 zones of control for reasonably sized yards, an onboard rain and flow sensor for extra adjustments, and local weather station integration to ensure you’re never wasting water. The Touch HD-12 is a bit more cumbersome to install than some other options due to its more significant but necessary power draw, and it’s an indoor-only controller. Still, if you want plenty of options on a display itself, this is the way to go. You get timer controls, water usage monitoring, and even some weather forecasting options using the Netro app. And, because the Pixie comes with a rechargeable battery that pulls its power from the built-in solar panel, you won’t even need to go out and swap the batteries actively. It’s the easiest way to install a smart sprinkler system—but it won’t work with an in-ground irrigation system and does lack some of the features of a more permanent unit. “If you have a large garden to water, from a time and money perspective, it’s probably best to invest in a permanent in-ground irrigation system,” says Lars Felber, director of PR for Eve. “But, if you have just a few plants, then a hose-based system will do the trick.”
Scheduling Features
Most smart sprinkler controllers from top brands like Rachio and Orbit feature their own dedicated apps. You can interact with the controller by connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network via the app. A standard feature of most of these apps is the ability to schedule your system based on a calendar or an existing smart home trigger. One important thing to consider is how many zones the sprinkler can accommodate. If you have a larger yard and want to schedule different sections for different times of day, having more zones means more flexibility and control.
Smart Home Compatibility
While most smart sprinkler controllers have an app for smart control to allow scheduling and advanced functionality, compatibility with other smart home devices is another factor entirely. Smart sprinkler controllers are specialized devices, and many brands that make them don’t make other smart home devices. So, you’ll need to rely on other apps to aggregate devices together. Many smart sprinkler systems are compatible with Google Home devices. If you prefer to stay within the Apple ecosystem with Siri control, it’s best to look for one that works with the HomeKit protocol, like Eve’s hose-based controller.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jason Schneider has been a tech writer and smart home reviewer for a number of years, and he recently purchased his first home. For this roundup, he considered several smart sprinkler controllers from top manufacturers and hose-based systems for those who want a simpler, less permanent installation. By weighing the prices against the feature sets, he came up with choices that fit each category based on what the homeowner in that scenario would need the most. Then turn off the power to your system, remove the panel to expose the wires, and connect those wires to the same terminals on the new smart controller system. Most smart controllers give you walkthrough instructions via the app. If you have any questions about connecting the wiring for your system or whether your system is even compatible, contact a local electrician or irrigation installation professional. He also sought the smart home and installation expertise of Lars Felber, director of PR for Eve, to get more insight into the implications of a hose-based system versus a permanent system for the average homeowner.
