reviewed by Truman Perkins
Having a big green yard with bright flowers and a small kitchen garden in the corner sounds appealing to everyone. But, between work and personal life people barely have time to look after their gardens nowadays.
It's like they say, necessity is the mother of inventions. You need something but it is tough for you to accomplish it? Boom! Here's a gadget that will solve all your problems. Difficulty seeing in the dark? Bulbs were invented. Have trouble communicating with your loved ones that live far away? Telephones came into the picture.
Similarly, smart sprinklers were introduced for people who would like to have a huge garden in their backyard but have no time to get invested in it. Once you buy a smart sprinkler, you can see your dream of a big green yard be coming true very soon. Smart sprinklers work by managing your plants for you. But who is going to manage the smart sprinkler? Boom! Smart sprinkler controllers it is!
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Once you have invested in a good smart sprinkler controller, you can sit back and relax. Watch how efficiently this artwork of science does its work without you having to worry about a single thing. It does not only water your garden for you, it also controls a million other things.
Eager to know more? Following is a list of benefits that are offered by smart sprinkler controllers:
These are only a few advantages that I decided to highlight. In reality, the benefits of having a smart sprinkler controller are much more than the ones you just read. This is one of the best investments for lawn lovers, so, if you would like to own a green garden you should think about getting yourself a smart sprinkler controller.
To help you search for the best smart sprinkler controller in the market, I have made a list of the top 5 smart sprinkler controllers. Each of them is critically analyzed and I have combined their features and their pros and cons.
Continue reading to know my take on these 5 best smart sprinkler controllers:
If your lawn is small to medium-sized, this smart sprinkler controller might be just the right choice for you. It is capable of controlling around 8 various zones. With the Rain Bird smart sprinkler controller you can choose between 4 different options for watering days i.e. alternate days, odd or even days, every 2 to 15 days, or you can design a fully custom option for yourself as well. Isn't that amazing?
You can connect it with Amazon Alexa, your Android device, or your Apple device since it is compatible with all. It also serves its basic purpose which is to schedule the watering days according to the atmospheric conditions. This includes weather, soil conditions, vapor content in the air, and temperature.
Furthermore, it has a rich onboard control which gives it a tough build and so it is considered to be very durable. Moreover, if you have enabled notifications of its app on your smartphone, you can receive updates about whatever is happening while sitting anywhere in the world.
Let's have a look at the pros and cons of this Rain Bird smart sprinkler controller.
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The orbit sprinkler controller is another one of the best options for smart sprinkler controllers in the market. It has been given a positive rating by over 500 customers worldwide. Just like the others, you can connect it with an app on your smartphone and control everything through it such as watering schedules and setting durations. It is suitable for both, outdoor and indoor environments.
One of the best features of this device is that you can totally rely on it for creating a customized plan for setting timers. It will itself analyze the weather conditions, the soil type, and the amount of sun received by your plants and then come up with a timer accordingly. And, it can control up to 12 different zones.
Another one of its features that is loved by the users is that it provides clear and complete directions. Therefore, saving the hectic of learning about a new system and adjusting to it. You won't require much time to get hold of this one.
Now let's give you a more detailed insight into this smart sprinkler controller by listing down some of its pros and cons.
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Talking about the best smart sprinkler controllers, this one from Orbit does not fall from the list either. If your budget is less but you want your smart sprinkler controller to have all the great features, you should consider buying this one. It costs $68.70 only which is really inexpensive if compared to other sprinkler controllers on the list.
As it is evident by its name, it is more suitable if you are looking to control up to 8 zones. It is compatible with both, Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant. The thing that I like the most about this sprinkler controller is that it can work just fine without being connected to the Wi-Fi as well. All you need to do is ensure that the settings have been adjusted beforehand.
It also comes with a built-in spike suppressor so, in case of a spike in voltage, the protection of your device is 100% guaranteed. I feel like this is one of the most important features and more devices should incorporate this in their models. Losing such an expensive device due to a spike in voltage is definitely not affordable!
There are a lot of things that you need to know about the Orbit B-hyve 8 Zone smart sprinkler controller. So, mentioned below are some pros and cons of this product.
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Cons:
Who doesn't like themselves a clean, green, and healthy garden? Even if you just have a small lawn but you'd like to keep it maintained without wanting to get too involved, this smart sprinkler controller by Netro might be the one for you! It is designed for small areas since it is capable of controlling 6 zones only but that does not mean you will have to compromise on its features. It is designed just as goodly as the rest of the sprinklers in this list.
To start with its basic qualities, it is eco-friendly. This means that it does not allow unnecessary usage of water. It prevents excessive water wastage by adjusting according to the weather updates and statistics. Furthermore, it also adjusts its settings as per the water rules in your neighborhood and acts accordingly.
You can sit back and relax as owning this smart sprinkler controller by Netro means you don't have to worry about your garden anymore. It will do the job more efficiently than anyone else could. For me, its best feature has to be that it can only be turned on using the app. This ensures that controlling the sprinkler is entirely in the palm of your hands.
But that's not it. There are only so many things that I can tell you about a product. So, I have summarized some of its pros and cons below.
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Even though this is the last one on the list, it does not indicate it is any less than the rest of them. It is one of the best that you can get your hands on if you are looking for a sprinkler that can control up to 12 zones.
It brings you full control at the palm of your hands, no matter how far away from home you are. The B-hyve app works perfectly fine on both, android and Apple devices. It is functional on Windows as well which is a plus point especially because it means you can control your sprinkler through your laptop as well.
This sprinkler also offers protection against damage caused by weather as it comes in a weather-resistant case. This ensures that your sprinkler is protected against any potential harm.
Now let's look at a list of its pros and cons.
Pros:
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So, these were some best options in the market for smart sprinkler controllers. Even though this may have helped you in narrowing down your choices, there is still a lot that you need to know.
To further help you make the best choice, let's address some frequently asked questions about smart sprinkler controllers. Your mind might be flooding with questions too at the moment but not for long. Show a little more patience and continue reading this article.
The following questions were all asked by people interested in investing in a smart sprinkler controller and are answered by the experts only. So you can absolutely rely on it!
Without any further ado, let's get into it!
Using a smart sprinkler controller to preserve water is a great idea. The consumption of water in every household is huge and so it is high time that we start looking into methods of conserving water.
Most smart sprinkler controllers can reduce your water usage by up to 20%. This results in a decrease in water utility bills as well. Saving water AND saving money? Sounds like a pretty good package to me!
The answer to this question varies on the type of your smart sprinkler controller. Every type has a different complexity. Some might be tougher to install than others. But to install even the simplest of a smart sprinkler controller, you ought to have some basic knowledge about electrical.
If you don't possess knowledge about electrical, I would suggest you to hire a landscape professional. It is a safer and more reliable option. The professional will get the job perfectly done in a couple of hours.
If you do have that knowledge, you will probably not encounter any problem in installing a smart sprinkler controller that claims it is easy to install. Just follow the guidelines that are mentioned in the instruction manual, and you are good to go!
Well, buying a weather-proof smart sprinkler controller is totally up to you. But it also depends on where you intend on placing your timer. Most people prefer it to be placed outside which means getting a weather-proof smart sprinkler controller is a safer choice for them.
If your sprinkler controller is weather-proof, it will protect it in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, snow, or sandstorm. Smart sprinkler controllers are more of a long-term investment so it is better to spend on a weather-proof one because you are not going to replace it frequently, right?
Reading through the list of top smart sprinkler controllers, you may have noticed one thing that kept repeating. The number of zones the sprinkler controller can manage. Some of you may not know how it is important and that's totally okay. Because that is what I am here for, right?
Before investing in a new sprinkler controller, you need to find out the number of zones that your sprinkler system has. This is important because it ensures that all the required areas are being watered sufficiently. If you buy a smart sprinkler controller that has lesser zones than your sprinkler system, all necessary areas won't be watered!
The prices of sprinkler controllers also vary according to the number of zones they are capable of managing. The greater the number of zones, the higher the price. Therefore, determine what you need and then opt for purchasing the right sprinkler system for you!
The point of purchasing a smart sprinkler controller is that all your necessary zones are watered sufficiently. Running two valves on a single zone will not fulfill this purpose and so it is not recommended.
Running two valves at once will decrease the overall pressure and quantity of water. Therefore, it will disturb the pattern of your irrigation. So, make sure to always run one valve per zone only.
You manage your sprinkler controller by installing its app on your phone and connecting it to the app. Without having internet access, this won't be possible. As it will stop you from making or adjusting any settings.
Some sprinkler controllers keep performing their function even without an internet connection if the settings were saved. But then again, you will need a Wi-Fi connection to make the adjustments.
Therefore, no. You cannot use a smart sprinkler controller if you don't have an internet connection at your place.
The rain delay feature is supposed to be turned on by the user if there are any predictions for rain. This will postpone the watering if it was scheduled at the time of rain. It helps you in staying one step ahead otherwise it would have led to overwatering of the plants. And we all know how harmful it is, don't we?
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, 16 Zone 3rd Generation, Alexa and Apple HomeKit - Walmart Link
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, 8 Zone 3rd Generation, Alexa and Apple HomeKit - Walmart Link
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller Weatherproof Outdoor Enclosure, Compatible With Rachio - Walmart Link
Rachio 8ZULWC-L R3e Generation: Smart, 8 Zone Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - Walmart Link
RainMachine Touch HD-16, Cloud Independent Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller, Compatible - Walmart Link
RainMachine Touch HD-12, Cloud Independent Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller, Compatible - Walmart Link
Orbit 57985 B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - Walmart Link
Orbit 57995 B-hyve XR Smart 16-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - Walmart Link
Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart 12-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - Walmart Link
Orbit 57946 B-hyve Smart 6-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - Walmart Link
Orbit B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller - Walmart Link
Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller - Walmart Link
Orbit 57095 Outdoor-Mounted Controller Timer Box Cover, Grey - Walmart Link
WYZE WSPRK1 Smart Controller, 8-Zone WiFi (1 Year of Automatic Weather-Based Watering - Walmart Link
Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wi-Fi Hub, Compatible with Alexa,GRAY - Walmart Link
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, 16 Zone 3rd Generation, Alexa and Apple HomeKit - eBay Link
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, 8 Zone 3rd Generation, Alexa and Apple HomeKit - eBay Link
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller Weatherproof Outdoor Enclosure, Compatible With Rachio - eBay Link
Rachio 8ZULWC-L R3e Generation: Smart, 8 Zone Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - eBay Link
RainMachine Touch HD-16, Cloud Independent Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller, Compatible - eBay Link
RainMachine Touch HD-12, Cloud Independent Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controller, Compatible - eBay Link
Orbit 57985 B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - eBay Link
Orbit 57995 B-hyve XR Smart 16-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - eBay Link
Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart 12-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - eBay Link
Orbit 57946 B-hyve Smart 6-Zone Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with - eBay Link
Orbit B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller - eBay Link
Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller - eBay Link
Orbit 57095 Outdoor-Mounted Controller Timer Box Cover, Grey - eBay Link
WYZE WSPRK1 Smart Controller, 8-Zone WiFi (1 Year of Automatic Weather-Based Watering - eBay Link
Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wi-Fi Hub, Compatible with Alexa,GRAY - eBay Link
These were the questions frequently asked by first-time buyers. I am hoping this was helpful for you as it may have cleared many queries of your own. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on a smart sprinkler controller that is the most suitable for you. It is finally time for you to bring that lifelong dream of yours to life of owning a green, lively, and beautiful garden!
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About Truman Perkins
Truman Perkins is a Detroit-based SEO consultant who's been in the business for over a decade. He got his start helping friends and clients get their websites off the ground, and he continues to do so today. In his free time, Truman enjoys learning and writing about gardening - something he believes is a natural stress reliever. He lives with his wife, Jenny, and their twins in Detroit.
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