The 10 Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers Of 2024, Tested By Our Experts

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Orbit 57950 Smart Sprinkler Controller

This product includes a B-hyve timer and is EPA WaterSense approved and certified, ensuring you save water and energy. This qualifies the B-hyve timer for local rebates, saving up to 100% of the timer's cost. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart Sprinkler Controller

This Sprinkler Controller is ideal for anyone who wants to control the watering of their lawn and garden. Thanks to its advanced technology and simple installation, it is simple to keep your plants hydrated and healthy while saving water and money. Read Review

3. Best Multiple Features: Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller

The Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Sprinkler Controller is a great tool for those who want to get the most out of their irrigation systems. The controller has multi-functional features, and live weather feeds, contributing to a more efficient and effective watering system. Read Review

4. Best Versatile: RAINPOINT Sprinkler Controller

Get the most out of your lawn and pool with RAINPOINT's advanced sprinkler controller. This intuitive device features an irrigation mode perfect for yards, collections, and more - plus a mist mode designed explicitly for misting systems and dust reduction. Read Review

5. Best Adjustable: Orbit 57985 B-hyve Sprinkler Controller

Take control of your lawn and garden with the Orbit 57985 B-hyve Sprinkler Controller. This smart controller allows you to easily create watering schedules, set duration times, and get alerts from your smartphone using the free B-hyve app. Read Review

Smart sprinkler controllers are a great way to save time, money, and water. They can automatically adjust your sprinklers to deliver the correct water for the season and weather conditions. Intelligent controllers are reliable, efficient, and easy to use, making them an ideal choice for any homeowner.

Whether you're looking to save time and money on water usage or ensure your lawn and garden stay lush and green, an intelligent sprinkler controller is the perfect solution. In this guide, we'll look at the best smart sprinkler controllers on the market today and discuss the features each one has to offer. With an intelligent controller, you can be confident that your lawn and garden will always get good water at the right time.

After 20 hours of research on customer feedback & product specifications, we've concluded that the best smart sprinkler controllers is Orbit 57950 Smart Sprinkler Controller. This device is packaged in a weather-resistant case that allows it to be mounted indoors or outdoors without fear of weather damage, and a locking cabinet protects the timer from harm. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one: the Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart Sprinkler Controller. It could better suit your needs.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Orbit 57950 Smart Sprinkler Controller
Our Score:
9.7
Orbit

The Orbit 57950 Sprinkler Controller is a unique and handy tool for maintaining a healthy garden and lawn. The device is packaged in a weather-resistant case that allows it to be mounted indoors or outdoors without fear of weather damage, and a locking cabinet protects the timer from harm. As a result, the Orbit 57950 Sprinkler Controller is a durable and secure option for watering plants and grass.

It should be noted that the Orbit 57950 Sprinkler Controller is only compatible with 110V North American electrical outlets. For markets outside of North America, international versions are available. This sprinkler controller's innovative watering technology, which uses WeatherSense technology to provide watering based on site conditions such as slope, soil type, sun/shade, historical et, and live weather feeds, is one of its most essential features. This ensures that your plants receive the appropriate water from the controller.

The B-hyve app, available for Android, iOS, and web devices, allows you to control the timer from anywhere. You can program your timer using the app, at the timer, or by letting the weather-based software do it for you. This allows you to control your sprinkler system from the comfort of your home or office. 

TOP Choice #2 Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart Sprinkler Controller
Our Score:
9.5
Rachio

The Rachio 8ZULW-C Sprinkler Controller gives you precise control over how much water is applied to each area. This sprinkler controller's cutting-edge technology allows it to deliver the appropriate amount of water to your plants, considering factors such as plant type, soil type, and sun exposure. This means there will be no water waste and no thirsty plants.

Your lawn and garden will receive the appropriate amount of water thanks to the controller, which monitors the weather forecast and adjusts its watering schedule accordingly. Your water bill will be lower, saving you both time and money. Furthermore, the controller considers local water restrictions to ensure you are always in full compliance. However, after a while, the signal may become difficult to detect.

The Rachio 8ZULW-C is also simple to set up. The procedure is simple, and it can be completed in less than half an hour without the use of specialized equipment. This sprinkler controller is designed to be compatible with 99% of currently available sprinkler controllers, making it simple to upgrade your existing irrigation system. Rachio's tutorial walks you through the installation process step by step, so you won't have any trouble getting started.

TOP Choice #3 Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller
Our Score:
9.3
Orbit

The Orbit B-hyve 4-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller is an outstanding option when bringing the irrigation system up to date. Because of this controller, it is simple to make adjustments and operate the design in any setting, regardless of location. You may program your system from the convenience of your phone by using the free B-hyve app, which is incredibly user-friendly and accessible for Android and iOS platforms.

In addition to a manual override that can be activated whenever you require access to your water supply without having to cancel or alter your watering schedules, the controller comes pre-installed with several different safety features, such as fault detection and surge protection. These features can be activated whenever you need access to your water supply. The only downside is that it can be a little hard to understand the instructions the first time you use the device; once you've done so a few times, you won't have any problems carrying out the steps. Overall, this Sprinkler Controller is an excellent option if you want to modernize your irrigation system with newer and more advanced technology.

4 RAINPOINT Sprinkler Controller
Our Score:
9.2
RAINPOINT

If you want to maintain your garden looking lush and green while spending less money on watering it, you need to invest in the RAINPOINT Controller Irrigation System. The intelligent watering feature of the system will automatically postpone watering if it rains or the soil moisture is too high, and it will resume watering if the soil moisture is too low. While doing so can save you up to fifty percent on your water expenses, it will also ensure that your garden always looks its best. To determine the moisture content of the soil, the RAINPOINT Controller Irrigation System must be coupled with a WiFi soil sensor, which is not included in the package. Because of this, you will need to purchase it separately.

The manual watering feature is also a great addition, as it enables you to activate the WiFi watering timer's manual watering for 159 minutes by pushing a button on either your phone or the timer. This function will allow you to wash your car or bathe your dog while you are outside. With the timed watering feature, you can choose between two watering modes and three watering programs. Because each project has a unique start time, length, and watering frequency, it is easy to customize your watering schedule to meet the requirements special to your situation.

Those looking to save money and water while still providing proper plant care should consider purchasing the Orbit 57985 B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller. The auto-adjust feature of the controller takes the rain, wind, and freeze delay delays and makes automated adjustments in response to changing weather conditions. This feature is EPA WaterSense-certified, so it saves water as well.

Thanks to the controller's simple programming capabilities and the free B-hyve app, you can create watering schedules, set duration durations, receive notifications, and control anything from your smartphone. The three full-color digital displays and multi-colored LED light rings make it easy to determine the timer's current setting. Furthermore, the manual irrigation override button allows you to stop watering without using the app. The only disadvantage of this device is that it can only be used with 110V electrical outlets found in North America. In general, it is an excellent solution for people who want to save money and water while still providing adequate care for their plants.

6 Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller
Our Score:
8.9
WYZE

If you're looking for a smart solution to manage your irrigation system, Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller is the right choice. This device is EPA WaterSense test passed and can save you water yearly. It allows you to start and stop watering from anywhere, giving you peace of mind that your plants are taken care of, even when you're away. With the Wyze app, you can manually start and stop watering with just a few taps.

The weather-based watering feature is a standout feature of the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller. The advanced Smart Schedule algorithm uses hyper-local weather data to automatically decide when to water each zone, ensuring that your plants are always hydrated when needed. This feature is handy for those who don't want to water their plants when it's raining. The system comes with Sprinkler Plus, which is included for a year.

Scheduling is simple with this smart controller. You can create fixed schedules to water your plants on specific days of the week, including dedicated sunrise/sunset settings. The system will automatically create a plan for you after setup, making it easy for even those who are not tech-savvy.

The only thing that could be improved is the ability to duplicate and modify a program. However, this is a minor inconvenience, and overall, the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a smart solution to manage their irrigation system.

7 Rain Bird ESP4ME3 Controller
Our Score:
8.7
Rain Bird

The Rain Bird ESP4ME3 Irrigation Controller comes standard with four zones, and this number can be increased to 22 using one of the available expansion modules. It has a memory that does not lose its data under any circumstances, even if the power is extended. In addition, the controller is adaptable to various sizes and offers optional extra connected flow sensors for flow monitoring and alerting, both of which help conserve water and guard against property damage.

With the addition of the Rain Bird LNK WiFi Module, this controller can establish a connection to a WiFi network. It utilizes weather information from the internet to make daily adjustments to the irrigation plan, resulting in water savings of up to thirty percent. Installation is easy as the controller comes with a power cord for rapid plug-in interior or outdoor facilities or may be hardwired to a junction box. The only issue with this product is that the Rain Bird LNK WiFi Module is offered separately. Despite this, the Rain Bird ESP4ME3 Irrigation Controller is a fantastic alternative for individuals who want to increase efficiency and save water simultaneously.

More To Consider

8 Hunter Sprinkler XC800 Sprinkler
Our Score:
8.5
Hunter Sprinkler
10 tolviviov Smart Sprinkler Controller
Our Score:
8.1
Tolviviov

What to Look For in a best smart sprinkler controllers?

We're sure you've purchased something and afterward regretted it. We are all concerned about the items we purchase. The easiest method to prevent these concerns is to conduct a thorough study before purchasing the best smart sprinkler controllers.

That is also why we decided to introduce this post in order to provide you with advice on how to avoid buying errors when selecting the best smart sprinkler controllers.

Scheduling

Smart sprinklers now have automatic changes to watering schedules when heavy rain or drought conditions occur, so you don’t have to worry about changing the schedule. Zip code information is gathered and used to alter the schedule to compensate for weather changes in your area.

Notifications

Smart controllers usually come with the ability to notify the user if anything goes wrong, such as a water shutoff, a faulty valve that's preventing the system from turning on or off, or excessive water flow, which could mean that a sprinkler head has broken. Some apps can be configured to send text messages or audio alerts to your phone, while others emit an audible signal to alert people in the yard.

Ease Of Installation

The smart sprinkler controller you choose will depend on your inclination for installation and your appetite for smart home technology. A smart sprinkler controller can be installed either through hardwire connections or by connecting to a hose outside. The former requires a compatibility check and an in-ground irrigation system. The latter is much more plug-and-play, making it possible to connect a sprinkler series to Wi-Fi.

Operation

Smart sprinkler controllers come with apps you download to your smartphone or another digital device. Some sync which allows you to control the water using voice commands. You can adjust most sprinkler controllers from either a smart device or manually. You may control the water from your smart device or directly on the unit.

Zones

You can ensure that there is adequate water pressure in your sprinkler system's zones by setting up an underground sprinkler system in zones. There are more zones as the size of the lawn expands. To accommodate a specific number of zones, a controller may be as little as two or as many as 16. You may find zone setup diagrams on the inside of your existing watering system control box.

FAQs

What is a smart sprinkler controller?

A smart sprinkler controller is an automated irrigation system that uses sensors, weather data, and other information to adjust watering schedules and optimize water use for your landscape. It can be controlled remotely via a mobile app or web portal, allowing you to monitor and adjust your sprinkler system from anywhere.

How does a smart sprinkler controller work?

A smart sprinkler controller uses a variety of sensors and other data to determine the best watering schedule for your landscape. It will take into account weather, soil moisture, temperature, and other conditions to adjust the watering schedule and optimize water use. It can also be controlled remotely via a mobile app or web portal.

What are the benefits of a smart sprinkler controller?

Smart sprinkler controllers offer several benefits, including improved water efficiency, cost savings, and convenience. They can help reduce water waste by adjusting the watering schedule based on current conditions, and they can be controlled remotely for added convenience. Smart controllers can also help you save time and money by automatically adjusting the watering schedule and providing an accurate water bill estimate.

How do I install a smart sprinkler controller?

Installing a smart sprinkler controller is relatively straightforward. Depending on the type of controller you have, you may need to install additional wiring or sensors. Generally, you will need to connect the controller to your home’s Wi-Fi network and download a mobile app or web portal for remote control. Once the controller is installed, you can create customized watering schedules and monitor your system from anywhere.

Conclusion

Finally, the best smart sprinkler controllers may be readily used and offers a range of options to meet your needs. When looking for another kind of best smart sprinkler controllers, which we recommend  Inkbird Smart Sprinkler Controller, all of these characteristics are significant. 

We've combed through all of this data in order to assist you in making the best decision possible. Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you discover the best smart sprinkler controllers in the comments section below!


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About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

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