Thanks to the technological innovations in the industry, there are smart variants available for even the most basic equipment you use on a daily basis such as doorbells, door locks, and even gardening peripherals like sprinkle controllers. If you have a large backyard, you are probably using a sprinkler to water the grass and other plants on your lawn. What if we tell you you can automate the whole process completely? It is totally possible with the help of a single smart sprinkler controller. Here are some great qualities of a smart sprinkler controller that you will find helpful once you have installed it.
- Zones The supported zones on a smart sprinkler controller basically tell you how much area it can moisturize once you have installed it. This zone rating of the smart sprinkler controller is specified with a number such as 12 zones or 6 zones. If you have an overly large backyard with a variety of plants, you will probably need a sprinkler controller with 12 or more zones capacity.
- Smart Features: Since we are taking a look at smart sprinkler controllers, you will find a collection of smart features that are designed to make your life easier than ever. These features include wireless connectivity, remote control, mobile app support, and even voice control with AI voice assistants. However, the best features are usually available with the most premium options.
- Warranty: Smart electronic gadgets feature a lot of intricate internal components that can get damaged easily, especially after water contact. Thankfully, most brands that design smart gadgets offer a reliable warranty period with such accessories to assure their longevity. Therefore, you should check the warranty period available on your smart sprinkler controller before you buy one.
If you are not sure how you can pick up the best smart sprinkler controller for your home or office lawn, don’t worry. In this guide, we will go through the best options available in the market right now for smart sprinkler controllers. We have carefully shortlisted these options based on the features mentioned above and some more. If you want to know more about the important features of a smart sprinkler controller, take a look at our “Buying Guide” which is also available right here.
Best Smart Sprinkler Controller
| Smart Sprinkler Controller | Zones | Smart Features Support | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller | 8 Zone | Alexa and Apple HomeKit | 2 Years | Check On Amazon |
| Orbit Smart Sprinkler Controller | 12 Zone | Alexa | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Orbit Smart Sprinkler Controller | 8 Zone | B-hyve App for Android and iOS, Wi-Fi connectivity | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| RAINPOINT Sprinkler Controller | - | RAINPOINT app | --- | Check On Amazon |
| LinkTap Smart Sprinkler Controller | 1 Zone | Home Assistant via MQTT, cloud and local APIs | 2 Years | Check On Amazon |
| Rain Bird Smart Sprinkler Sprinkler | 8 Zone | Amazon Alexa | Check On Amazon | |
| Netro Smart Sprinkler Controller | 6 Zone | Alexa, WiFi, Remote access | 2 Years | Check On Amazon |
| Wyze Smart Sprinkler Controller | 8 Zone | Wyze app, WiFi | 2 Years | Check On Amazon |
| Imolaza Smart Sprinkler Controller | 8 Zone | Imolaza App | --- | Check On Amazon |
Best Smart Sprinkler Controller Reviews
1. Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
Rachio is yet another popular brand for smart home appliances that has delivered life-changing smart accessories to thousands of users. You will find many smart features on the smart sprinkler controller made by Rachio.
In the 2nd place, we are putting the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller mainly because of its ease of access as well as the long list of smart features. This is an 8 zone sprinkler controller which is decent for small to medium backyards. However, this is one of the few options in the market that supports the Apple HomeKit ecosystem which is great considering the exclusivity of Apple services with Apple devices.
Apart from that, the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller also supports Alexa smart AI for voice commands. There is also a Hyperlocal weather detection system installed on the controller that detects the surrounding weather for optimized settings. It can also skip the scheduled water supply session if it detects wind, rain, or snow which can hamper the water supply. You will also find a premium My Rachio application for your smartphone that allows direct control of the system from your smartphone.
Best Features
- Offers 8 zones zone support
- Smart features include Alexa and Apple HomeKit
- Comes with 2 years of warranty
- Can be controlled by My Rachio mobile app
Pros
- Offers schedule skip for wind, rain, or snow
- Hyperlocal weather detection system
- Sleek design
Cons
- Indoor installation should be preferred
2. Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart 12-Zone Sprinkler Controller
Orbit is the most popular brand in the market when it comes to smart household accessories such as sprinklers, controllers, timers, etc. Therefore, we are including a couple of options from orbit on our list today.
In The 1st position, we are putting the Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller. This is the only suitable choice for you if you have a large backyard with 10 or more zones. This is a 12-zone sprinkler controller that will surely cover your backyard easily. As for the smart features, this sprinkler controller offers complete remote access via the B-hyve app along with Alexa support for voice-activated commands.
Other smart features of the Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller include timing functions and scheduling for automating the process. The app also includes a weather-based algorithm that allows automated parameter settings as per the surrounding weather. Coming to the design, the Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler ControllerOrbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller offers a simple yet durable design along with onboard controls and a dedicated display.
Best Features
- Offers 12 zones zone support
- Smart features include Alexa and B-hyve mobile app
- Comes with a year of warranty
- Weathersense technology
Pros
- Can completely automate your sprinkling system
- Best option for large lawns
- Allows more than 50% water saving
Cons
- Not the best option for small backyards
3. Orbit B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller
We are back with yet another great choice designed by Orbit. This is also one of the highest-selling sprinkler controllers designed by Orbit.
We have yet another compact and stylish smart sprinkler controller designed by orbit. Similar to our last choice from Orbit, this smart sprinkler controller won’t cause a burden on your wallets and still offer you a range of smart features. Most importantly, it has WiFi support so that you can remotely access all the other smart features of the Netro Smart Sprinkler. Even if you don’t install the dedicated mobile app, you can use the web app right from your browser, further extending the list of compatible devices.
All the remote access features of the Netro Smart Sprinkler are available at no additional cost. Also, the built-in WeatherSense technology of the unit provides a smarter approach to the watering system based on the surrounding environment. It also factors in various other conditions like soil type, sunlight, weather forecast, etc. Even if your router malfunctions or your internet service is disconnected, the Netro Smart Sprinkler will continue to function as scheduled.
Best Features
- Offers 8 zones zone support
- Smart features include B-hyve App for Android and iOS, Wi-Fi connectivity
- Comes with a year of warranty
- WeatherSense technology supported
Pros
- Manual override is possible
- Built in safety features like surge and fault detection
- WaterSense and SWAT certified product
Cons
- There are no onboard buttons for quick access
4. RAINPOINT Smart Sprinkler Controller
RAINPOINT introduces its WiFi Sprinkler Timer, a cutting-edge tool designed to upgrade your garden’s irrigation system into a smart, app-controlled network. This timer, compatible with 2.4Ghz WiFi, allows you to effortlessly program your watering schedule from anywhere.
It intelligently adapts to local weather forecasts, automatically skipping unnecessary watering on rainy days, and integrates with a WiFi Soil Sensor to adjust watering based on soil moisture.
The device offers diverse timed watering modes for different needs and allows for manual watering through the app or directly on the device. With its user-friendly app, you can easily track water usage and share control with family members, making garden management both efficient and convenient, ultimately saving water and reducing costs.
Best Features
- Offers 7 zones zone support
- Remote irrigation system management via an app.
- Comes with 5 years of warranty
- Skips watering based on weather forecasts.
Pros
- Manage your garden from anywhere.
- Reduces unnecessary watering.
- Meets various gardening needs.
- Adjusts watering to soil conditions.
- Straightforward app control.
- Helps lower water bills.
Cons
- Soil sensor not included.
5. LinkTap Smart Sprinkler Controller
LinkTap introduces the G2S Automatic Water Timer, an innovative solution for smart garden irrigation. This cloud-controlled device allows you to manage your garden’s watering from anywhere, adjusting to weather conditions to save water.
It features automatic fault detection, sending real-time alerts for issues like leaks or valve failures, ensuring peace of mind. The G2S offers flexible watering options via its mobile or web apps, with 8 work modes for precise control.
Built to last, it’s weatherproof and operates on a reliable Zigbee protocol for superior wireless coverage. Simple to set up with QR code scanning, this device makes garden management efficient and hassle-free, ensuring your plants are always well-watered.
Best Features
- Offers 6 zones zone support.
- Flexible watering with mobile/web apps.
- Comes with 2 years of warranty.
- Superior wireless coverage.
- Precise timing for watering cycles.
Pros
- Manage garden watering from anywhere.
- Reliable System Monitoring.
- Adapts to weather conditions to conserve water.
- Customize to garden’s specific needs.
- Built for outdoor longevity.
Cons
- Zigbee Range Limitation.
6. Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 Smart Indoor WiFi Sprinkler
Rain Bird is also a brand that specifically deals with gardening products like sprinkler systems, timers, drip watering gadgets, etc. The smart sprinkler designed by Rain Bird is also a popular choice in the market right now.
Our 3rd pick for the best smart sprinkler controller is the Rain Bird ST8I-2.0. This is an indoor sprinkler controller that offers WiFi connectivity for smart integration and remote access. You will be able to customize the water supply within 8 different zones with this controller. Furthermore, it also offers a built-in timer function for a worry-free automated supply session. The Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 is also certified by WaterSense to ensure at least 20% saving on water supply.
As for the design, the Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 offers a classic design aspect with onboard controls in case you want to quickly change the parameters. It also has a digital display that will show you the real-time status of the system. The smart features on the Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 include Amazon’s Alexa support and WiFi support for remote access. Apart from the controller itself, you will find the necessary mounting accessories as well as a transformer and 2 AA batteries included with the package.
Best Features
- Offers 8 zones zone support
- Smart features include Alexa
- Offers timer functionality
- WaterSense certified
Pros
- Ensures at least 20% water saving
- Onboard controls for quick access
- All necessary accessories are included
Cons
- Design could have been better
7. Netro Smart Sprinkler Controller
If you are looking for a rather permanent solution for a smart sprinkler system, take a look at the following option designed by Netro. This is one of the most reliable options you can find in the market right now.
The Netro Smart Sprinkler is also a fully automatic smart sprinkler controller present on our list today. On top of that, the device is WaterSense certified and capable of automatically creating dynamic system settings based on your surrounding environment. If you install the dedicated smartphone app, you will be able to control the Netro Smart Sprinkler from anywhere, anytime. What’s best is Netro is offering you a lifetime cloud service subscription with the Netro Smart Sprinkler.
Talking about smart features, the Netro Smart Sprinkler has remote access powered by WiFi integration, as well as Alexa support for smart access. This eco-friendly smart sprinkler system can save about 50% water every year once you install the system. It can also be adjusted based on the water supply rules and restrictions in your local area. Even with all these features, the device itself is rather compact and can be installed anywhere.
Best Features
- Offers 6 zones zone support
- Smart features include Alexa, WiFi, Remote access
- Comes with 2 years of warranty
- Complies with local water supply restrictions
Pros
- Sleek and compact water sprinkler controller
- Features lifetime cloud service subscription bundled with the product
- Ensures nearly 50% water saving
Cons
- Only 6 zone customization is supported
8. Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller
A lot of users prefer a small and stylish design, especially for indoor accessories like a smart sprinkler controller. Therefore, we are including the following option from Wyze on our list.
Up next, we have the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller which is one of the most attractive options on our list in terms of design. It is quite compact and still features 4 control buttons for quick access to the controlling options of the system. You will also get an LED-backlit zone status update right on the device for clarity of the performance. This is also an 8 zone smart sprinkler controller designed for small to medium backyards.
Once you buy the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller, you will be eligible to claim a year’s subscription to the smart weather detection system supported by the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller. This controller has passed the WaterSense standard test and ensures significant water saving every year. Since the system is quite easy to install, you will be able to set up this control within 20 minutes after unboxing it.
Best Features
- Offers 8 zones zone support
- Smart features include Wyze app and WiFi connectivity
- Comes with 2 years of warranty
- Comes with 1 year subscription of intelligent weather detection system
Pros
- One of the compact and stylish options
- Cheapest option for a smart sprinkler system
- Easy to install and set up
Cons
- Limited time intelligent weather detection feature
9. Imolaza Smart Sprinkler Controller
ImoLaza introduces its Smart Weather Genius, an innovative irrigation controller designed to revolutionize garden care with advanced technology.
Utilizing hyperlocal weather data, it intelligently adjusts watering schedules to prevent waste, automatically skipping during rain, wind, or freeze. Its smart system, controllable via a user-friendly app, tailors watering to specific garden needs, adjusting for soil type, plant type, and sunlight.
Offering up to 24 start times for high-frequency watering, it’s adaptable to seasonal changes. With its cutting-edge 2.4GHz Wi-Fi chip, ImoLaza ensures superior wireless coverage. This advanced controller self-updates through OTA technology, continually enhancing efficiency and making it a pioneering solution in smart irrigation.
Best Features
- Offers 7 zones zone support
- Offers extensive start times via app.
- Comes with 5 years of warranty
- Ensures robust wireless coverage.
Pros
- Reduces unnecessary usage.
- Adapts to garden’s unique needs.
- Conveniently controlled via app.
- Automatically adjusts to climatic changes.
- Self-updating for improved performance.
- Encourages sustainable watering.
Cons
- Regular battery maintenance needed.
Buying Guide For The Best Smart Sprinkler Controller
When it comes to smart home accessories such as a sprinkler controller, there are a lot of things that you will have to check before you make your decision. And since these units aren’t exactly cheap, you need to pay a lot of attention before you decide which option you are going to install. To help you with that, we are presenting the following buying guide for the best smart sprinkler controller. Here, we will talk about some major features and qualities of a smart sprinkler controller so that you can prefer the qualities you want in your selection.
1. Zones
Before you check any other features, you should first verify if the smart water sprinkler you are looking at is suitable for your lawn or not. It depends upon the size of your lawn as well as the capacity of the smart sprinkler controller you are going to buy. The capacity of a smart sprinkler controller is usually provided as a rating of various zones which will give you an idea about its compatibility with your lawn. Not only does it tell you about the overall coverage area of the sprinkler controller, but also allows you to customize the watering area for each zone. Therefore, you will be able to minimize the supply in a zone where there’s just grass and use the sprinkler to reach areas that actually need more water supply.
2. Smart Features
Smart features are something you will find in almost every electronic device nowadays. Basically, a device can be considered smart if it can automate the process and allows operation without requiring manual input every time. Also, a truly smart system can automatically collect the feedback from the results and make adjustments in the process to optimize even further.
Such features are available in most options available on our list of the best smart sprinkler controllers. In the majority of the options, you will find features like wireless connectivity that allows you to remote control the system directly via your smartphone. Apart from that, you can also use voice commands and scheduling features to automate the process as per your requirement. One more important smart feature of a smart sprinkler controller is weather detection. This allows the system to detect the surrounding weather conditions and control the water supply to avoid wastage of water.
3. Reliability
Since smart water sprinklers are electronic devices with a lot of sensors and other critical internal components, there is no telling what might cause damage to the system. And since there is a lot of water contact in this system, there are also chances of water damage caused by the water supply.
But to assure the user about the overall build quality of the device and its resistance against such anomalies, brands offer a warranty period on smart sprinkler controllers. Within this warranty period, the sprinkler controller will be covered against any problems occurring within the device. If there is a problem, you will be able to claim free-of-cost services from the brand. Thus, you can rest assured that you will be having a fully functioning device until the warranty period is over, one way or the other.
4. Connectivity Options
Lastly, we will suggest you check the connectivity options available on your smart sprinkler controller. Usually, the best features are available with the units that offer remote access to the system. And the remote access mostly includes a dedicated smartphone application. Thus, you will be able to manually adjust the parameters of the system right from your car or your office.
Since the system is connected to your home’s WiFi, you can remotely control the system as long as you have an active internet connection, in both your smartphone as well as your home. The mobile app support also includes 3rd party control via smart AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, etc. Apart from that, you should check which smart home systems are supported by the smart sprinkler controller. If you have a smart ecosystem in your homes like Apple HomeKit or a customized network designed with the help of IFTTT, you should check if the same ecosystems are supported by the sprinkler controller or not.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: Once you have installed the smart sprinkler controller and connected the system with your sprinkler heads, you will have to adjust the water supply according to the zones on your lawn. For that, you will have to double-check the instructions included with the smart sprinkler controller. Since different brands use different methods to adjust the flow rate, there cannot be a method that is applicable for all units.
Ans: The general rule of thumb is to set up the sprinklers a couple of feet away from the boundary of your house. This is because of the fact that water sprinklers cover a 360-degree area around each sprinkler head and might end up splashing water on your walls’ exterior and windows. While it may not feel like a problem, in the beginning. But, it can certainly get on your nerves if you constantly have to clean your windows after every sprinkling session.
Ans: Surprisingly, most smart sprinkler controllers you will find in the market are not completely weatherproof. If that’s the case with your unit, you will have to install it indoors and keep it secure from external factors like rain, snow, sunlight, etc. However, if the manufacturer has specified the weather resistance with the smart sprinkler controller and offered the necessary IP rating, you don’t have anything to worry about.
Conclusion:
Today, we have discussed some of the best smart sprinkler controllers present in the market right now. These options are shortlisted based on many important factors which we have discussed in our buying guide for the best smart sprinkler controllers. If you carefully read the description and list of the best features provided with each of our picks as well as the buying guide, you can easily find out the perfect option for your application. In case you are confused between 2 or more options, here are some recommendations that you might find helpful.
- If you have a small backyard and are just getting started with an automated watering system, it would be wise to start with a basic and affordable option like the Wyze WSPRK1 Smart Controller. This is the cheapest smart sprinkler controller present on our list today. Still, you will find many important features with this unit such as dedicated mobile app support along with WiFi connectivity. It allows water supply adjustment for up to 8 zones along with manual override with onboard control buttons.
- However, if you are a lawn enthusiast and have already divided your lawn into more than 10 zones, the Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller is the only suitable option for you from this selection. This controller offers support for up to 12 zones which seems to be missing from most other options in the market. Along with that, you will also have Alexa support on this device for voice-activated commands. In terms of design, the Orbit 57950 B-hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller is a fairly simplistic unit with a compact digital display that will show you the status of the system.
- The RAINPOINT Smart Sprinkler Controller is a game-changer for lawn care. Its weather-based automation and remote control features take the guesswork out of watering, ensuring your plants thrive while saving you water and money. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a busy homeowner, the RAINPOINT controller makes maintaining a beautiful lawn effortless.
