Last year, we were on vacation when we heard a storm was brewing at home. Unfortunately, I set the sprinkler system on a daily function. We went home a few days after and found the lawn all soggy.
That's when I decided to gather my team for this review of the most popular smart sprinkler systems today.
It's time to do things remotely, including watering your plants with the best WiFi sprinkler controller we've found.
Top 5 WiFi Sprinkler Controllers in 2020
Orbit B-Hyve 57950 WiFi Sprinkler Controller
First on the list is the B-Hyve, an iOs, and Android compatible smart sprinkler system controller.
The B-Hyve wireless sprinkler system offers you up to 12 different zones of control, plus it’s easy to use and install.
Other aspects include a daily forecast to make an accurate watering adjustment, order drizzle skips, and handy manual panel control.
In addition, this model has EPA WaterSense Certification to ensure sustainable water use. It also comes with an enclosed weather-resistant box for outdoor use and a key to making it kid-safe.
The B-Hyve controller uses 110V of power, which is compliant to North American electrical outlets. There are international versions for those who live outside North America.
Key Features:
- Ultimate Water Control System
- Smart Watering
- EPA WaterSense Certification
- Connects With Alexa and Google Assistant
- Easy to Install
RainMachine Pro-8 Wireless Controller
This model has an independent cloud device, which means it continues to work even without an internet connection.
All personal data, like scheduling, has been backed up and stored as well.
It can control up to 8 zones around your yard, which is ideal for your home app and uses a weather forecast for the most effective watering.
It even schedules automatically, based on the chance of drizzle. The EPA WaterSense Certification means it doesn't cost much to operate, and the touch screen panel is a nice function to have when your smartphone isn’t handy.
It has direct access to monitor local weather signals and adjust watering schedules using a mobile app. Plus, you can connect and control it using Apple products, Android phones (with an app), or web interface.
This smart home device doesn’t come with a real-time weather-resistance housing, but you can buy a protective box if you want to use it outdoors.
Key Features:
- Eight Zones with Master Valve System
- Color LCD Touchscreen
- Cloud Independent
- EPA WaterSense Certified
- Weather Data Integration
- Works With Alexa and Google Assistant
- Easy to Install
- Adjustable Schedule through Mobile App
Rain Bird ST80 Irrigation Controller
If you want a weather-resistant controller that you can install outdoors, check out this product from Rain Bird.
In addition to 8 zones of coverage, the Rain Bird has a watering delay function that you can set to suspend watering up to 14 days.
This is a handy option if you’re going to be away unexpectedly and don’t want anyone to fiddle with adjusting the whole watering schedule.
After the set delayed time ends, watering resumes back to normal. A digital panel control is also included in the Rain Bird as well as the EPA WaterSense Certified label. It adjusts its watering schedule automatically based on the local weather, season, humidity, and temperature.
Rain Bird is compatible to use with Alexa; however, there are limitations when it comes to smart gadget compatibility. It only works with Android 4.4 (KitKat) or later or Apple iOS 8 or higher.
Push notifications will even prompt through the Rain Bird App to inform you what’s happening in your yard even when you’re not home.
Like our #1 pick, the Rain Bird includes a weather-resistant lockbox so you can install it outdoors. It doesn’t include a lock, however, so you’ll need to purchase one as well.
Key Features:
- 14-day Watering Delay Feature
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Weather Data Integration System
- Self-Adjusts to All Seasons
- Cyclical Scheduling Options
Blossom 7 Wireless Sprinkler Control System
This unit handles up to 7 zones, gathers the data, and works with smart home integrations like Amazon Alexa.
This model updated weather data via satellite, so sprinklers will know if it needs to start watering or not.
This device can schedule a rain delay according to your advantage. This will help to prevent over-watering and optimize usage.
This controller is missing a touch panel, weather-resistance, and the EPA WaterSense Certification. Probably the one-of-a-kind function this product offers is it’s Xona Technology. You can program the watering system based on the plants, trees, grass, or vegetation in the area.
Key Features:
- Xona Technology
- Weather Data Integration System
- Mobile App Use
- Compatible With Voice Control Alexa and Google Assistant
Netro 6 Smart Sprinkler Controller
Our final recommendation is ideal for someone who doesn’t need a lot of fancy aspects from their smart controller.
You can also use a basic operation and the ability to cover a limited number of sprinkler zones.
This device covers six zones, can detect bad weather, is weather intelligent, and an indoor-only model.
There is no digital panel or EPA WaterSense Certification. However, it has a water restriction function that automatically complies with your local rules. For a simple controller that can also be programmed using an app on your mobile phone, this device is a great deal.
Key Features:
- Lifetime Cloud Service
- Local Weather Data Integration
- Water Restriction
- Easy Installation
- Simple Controls through App
Some Key Considerations
Before making any purchase, there are a few features you’ll want to think about if you want a smart buy. Paying attention to these small details will not only help you get the best WiFi sprinkler controller, but you’ll save the most money on the upfront cost, too.
WiFi Sprinkler Number of Zones
The number of zones that the smart irrigation controller can handle is an important factor to consider.
The products listed above have a range of 6 to 12 zones. Some of the expensive smart watering systems, like Rachio 3, even have 16 zones.
You can also set different watering time schedules on each zone, so each area of your yard can be watered independently of each other. This prevents the chance of over or under-watering your plants and lawn on a certain zone.
Weather Intelligence
With a good smart sprinkler system that has weather intelligence features, this is one less thing to worry about.
Each one of our smart irrigation picks above comes with built-in weather analysis software that tracks the daily weather.
This means your irrigation will be connected to your local forecast. The software will read the forecast and adjust its watering schedule all by itself.
This feature potentially saves you money on water consumption and is great for the environment too.
Touch Panel Control
One of the major conveniences of having a smart sprinkler system is that you can also control it directly from your phone or tablet, you just need to download a mobile app for it.
However, there may be times when your mobile device is not available. In either case, you’ll want to get a WiFi controller that includes a touch screen panel.
Unfortunately, this is not a standard feature on all smart controllers. A few sprinkler systems can also import legal watering restrictions information for your zip code, to ensure you aren’t watering on prohibited days.
If this sounds like it may be important for you to have, you’ll find that 3 out of 5 of my best wireless irrigation smart controllers recommended above have a manual panel for additional control.
EPA WaterSense Certified
How would you like to protect the environment while still achieving the best results from watering your lawn? If that sounds appealing, then you’ll want to look for a sprinkler unit that includes the EPA WaterSense Certification. [1]
Products with the WaterSense label allow you to achieve more while using less water and can be a great deal. Many stores offer money-saving rebates for WaterSense sprinklers.
This means you can mail in a rebate and get cashback for the purchase of your sprinkler control system.
Choosing to be water-efficient can pay off. In some areas, you can get up to 50% of the cost back for the price of the controller.
Weather-Resistant Electronic Sprinkler
In the world of smart irrigation systems, there are two types:
- indoor only units
- weather-resistant outdoor units
If your controller is located indoors, then you don’t have much to worry about. You can buy any type of device you want as long as it has the features you need.
Smart Home Sprinkler Voice Control
If you have other smart devices in your smart-home hub and also use Google Home devices such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, HomeKit, or IFTTT to control them, then you’ll be happy to know that a sprinkler control system has voice control features.
By setting up your controller to your smart home system, you’ll be able to make voice control commands.
In this way, there’s no need to reach in your pocket for your phone and use the app or use the panel to change the settings.
Smart Sprinkler Notifications
Since all of these products are smart controller sprinklers that can be controlled using a smartphone via an app, it makes sense that a push notification is a must feature.
Each smart controller has a designated app that you can download on your mobile. Most of these apps have push notification settings.
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FAQs
Sprinkler controllers are devices that automate the process of watering the garden, or other outdoor areas. What makes a smart irrigation controller different from standard irrigation systems is that it can be operated through a smartphone through a dedicated app. They also receive information from radar, satellites, and weather stations.
Sprinkler controllers are also referred to as “smart sprinkler controllers” “or “wireless irrigation controllers.” A smart sprinkler system is a great addition if you’re aiming for a smart home.
A smart irrigation controller works differently than fixed hose timers. It draws data from soil sensors, weather information, plant-care databases, and human input to deliver the proper how much water is needed for a healthy lawn or garden.
These devices connect directly to your underground irrigation system and take all of the guesswork out of watering your yard. Through a smartphone app (or by using onboard digital controls), there are a lot of customization options.
You can fine-tune the how much water supply (through zones) is needed. It can even set it up for different types of vegetation, soil, and the sun or shade areas of your yard (or garden) receives.
The watering schedule feature of smart sprinklers can possibly help in saving money for your water bill. If you don’t have a smart controller, there are instances that you will forget to switch off the sprinkler system. With this incident, you can potentially save money and practice water conservation. [2]
With the advances of a smart irrigation system, convenience of voice commands, and mobile app pairing, just set up an alarm time, and you can avoid this incident in the future.
The weather analysis of smart sprinkler controllers can also potentially save you money. A simple example is in instances of bad weather. If you don’t have a smart sprinkler system, it won’t analyze weather forecasts from weather stations and will continue to water your garden even if it’s raining. Now that sounds like a total waste of money on water bills.
Other sprinkler controllers even have a Flow meter to detect any leaks. The products I recommended above may not have this as a Flow meter, but this could also potentially save you money on the water bill.
Xona Technology enables a smart sprinkler system to create a schedule based on the plant type, soil type, sun exposure, soil moisture, vegetation, and natural exposure to elements.
We have mentioned Xona Technology in the early part of this article. This technology enables scheduling based on the zone and sprinkler types.
5 Benefits of Smart Irrigation Controllers
There are many reasons why you should invest in a smart sprinkler controller. Here are just a few of the best reasons:
1. Saves Water
Irrigation controllers can save much more water than a standard fixed timer controller. That’s because smart sprinklers can tap into forecasts and watering adjustments based on the expected rain, heat, and humidity levels.
Some models have the EPA WaterSense Certification, which means it’s backed by a third–party certification and meets EPA’s specifications for water efficiency and performance.
2. Convenience
Smart sprinkler controllers are much more convenient than manually watering your garden every day. These devices completely automate the process.
You’ll worry less about your lawn getting watered too much or too little regardless of the time of year. You can also make adjustments while you’re away from the house through your smartphone or any app for mobile phones.
3. Environmentally Friendly
The best smart sprinkler controller is not only convenient but is also environmentally friendly. Since water usage can be controlled, you don't have to worry about overwatering your plants.
4. Easy Installation
Most smart home sprinkler controllers can be installed in under thirty minutes. You just need to replace your existing fixed timer box with the new wireless version and reconnect the wires to the new device. Then, install the easy-to-use mobile app and follow the instructions to get it up and running.
5. Healthier Lawn and Garden
With a wireless irrigation controller, you’ll never miss another watering or fear that your lawn and garden suffer when you’re not home. If you came here looking for the top-quality smart watering system for your lawn or garden, consider the options we've mentioned.
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And the Best Smart Sprinkler Controller Is …
Out of all the smart sprinkler controllers we tested and reviewed, we recommend Orbit B-Hyve as the best WiFi sprinkler controller. The weather sense technology feature conveniently waters your garden based on environmental factors like soil type and slope. You don't have to worry about leaving it outside since it is enclosed in a waterproof case.
The device is compatible with Amazon Alexa, and you can control it from anywhere via iOs and Android. We are impressed with the rain delay feature of the B-Hyve, too, as it puts off any watering schedule if there's a rainy weather forecast.
Orbit B-Hyve 57950 WiFi Sprinkler Controller
Our #1 Recommendation
- Ultimate Water Control System
- Smart Watering
- EPA WaterSense Certification
- Connects With Alexa and Google Assistant
- Easy to Install
