Revitalizing your lawn or garden during warmer seasons is made effortless with the help of a smart sprinkler controller. This clever device makes your existing in-ground irrigation system easier to use by automating it. The best smart Sprinkler controllers uses local weather conditions to make sure that your grass always gets the right amount of water. You have even more ways to take care of your garden with extra features like remote access through a companion app and compatibility with popular smart assistants like Alexa and Google.
After putting different remote irrigation systems through their paces, we found that the Rachio 3 is the best smart sprinkler controller. It costs $199.00 on Amazon, and its easy-to-use interface and many useful watering features make it stand out. If you want a cheaper option, the Netro Sprite Smart Sprinkler Controller, which you can get on Amazon, is a great choice. But our list also has a number of other best smart sprinkler controllers for you to think about.
Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers Comparison Table
| Sprinkler Controller | Netro Sprite | Hunter Hydrawise HC-600i | Wyze Sprinkler Controller | Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller | Orbit B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Sprinkler Controller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Zones | 6, 12, 18, or 24 | 6, 12, 18, or 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Weather-based Watering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control (Integration) | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | None | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Watering Schedules | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Watering History | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flow Monitoring | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Rain Sensor Integration | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Freeze Sensor Integration | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Netro Sprite
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Works with iOS and Android devices |
| Zones Supported | Up to 12 zones |
| Weather Forecast | Uses real-time weather data for watering adjustments |
| Watering Schedules | Customizable schedules and duration |
| Watering Restrictions | Compliance with local water regulations |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) |
Most other systems require you to use one of the six or twelve stations (control zones) for a master valve. This is not the case with the Sprite. If you use one of your stations for the master valve, you’ll have one less station for watering, so we’re glad you gave us an extra station for this. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control your sprinkler system with your voice instead of using your hands. Overall, it is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that you can buy.
Like most of the controllers we tested, the Sprite gets local weather information from sources like Weather Underground, NOAA, and The Weather Channel. It also asks you for information about your lawn as you set up the app, such as the type of soil, plants, and amount of sun and shade. The information about the yard and the weather in the area make it a very smart little controller that will make a custom schedule based on rain that has already fallen and rain that is expected to fall.
Pros
- Easy installation and setup process
- Intuitive mobile app for convenient control
- Customizable schedules for tailored watering
- Compliant with local water regulations
Cons
- Limited support for zones (up to 12)
- Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance
Hunter Hydrawise HC-600i
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Works with iOS, Android, and web browsers |
| Zones Supported | Up to 36 zones |
| Watering Programs | Advanced programming options for flexible scheduling |
| Flow Meter | Optional flow meter for water usage monitoring |
| Watering Restrictions | Compliance with local water regulations |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) |
Everything about the Hunter HC-600i is made to help you get the most out of your sprinkler system, from how easy it is to set up to how well its app is made. Some of the app’s settings might be a little more complicated than some people were expecting. But most of the time, the HC-600i is full of tools that will help you keep your grass green and your water bill low.
After you set up the wiring and install the HC-600i, which takes about five minutes or less, the app that comes with it gives you a powerful and useful home dashboard. You can look at both your last run and your next one, and you can pause or play each of your zones. A tab called “Observation” shows recent temperatures and rainfall, and another tab shows the status of the controller as a whole. Thus, it is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that you can buy.
Pros
- High zone support (up to 36)
- User-friendly interface accessible from various devices
- Optional flow meter for better water management
- Adheres to local water regulations
Cons
- Setup and configuration may be complex for some users
- Requires a reliable Wi-Fi connection for seamless operation
Wyze Sprinkler Controller
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Works with iOS and Android devices |
| Zones Supported | Up to 8 zones |
| Weather-Based Watering | Adjusts watering based on real-time weather data |
| Watering Schedules | Customizable schedules and duration |
| Integration | Works with Wyze app and other Wyze smart devices |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) |
The Wyze Sprinkler Controller has a lot of easy-to-use and customizable features that help you water your yard in a way that saves you money and keeps your grass green. Before writing our review, we used the Wyze Sprinkler Controller for almost a year. After that much time, we can say that it is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers you can buy if you want to automate your lawn care.
In the Wyze app, you can set up controls for each of the eight watering zones. Here is where you can set fixed watering times or choose to have the sprinklers run automatically based on local weather data when they need to. You can also tell Wyze not to water if certain weather conditions are met, like a certain temperature, wind speed, amount of rain, or level of soil saturation. During our tests, all of the water automation features worked perfectly.
Pros
- Affordable option with basic functionality
- Easy setup and user-friendly app interface
- Weather-based adjustments for efficient watering
- Integration with other Wyze smart devices
- Customizable watering schedules
Cons
- Limited support for zones (up to 8)
- May lack advanced features compared to other controllers
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Works with iOS, Android, and web browsers |
| Zones Supported | Up to 16 zones |
| Weather Intelligence | Utilizes hyperlocal weather data for smart watering |
| Watering Schedules | Customizable schedules and duration |
| Watering Restrictions | Compliance with local water regulations |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
The Rachio 3 is a great choice for most people who want to buy a smart sprinkler for a number of reasons. First of all, even though it comes in a more powerful 16-zone version, this eight-zone version is priced reasonably. And for that price, you get all the smart control your current irrigation system needs, without having to pay a lot more. Overall, it is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that you can buy.
The Rachio 3’s interface for scheduling is easy to use. It has a seasonal watering algorithm that makes sure your plants and lawn only get the water they need for that time of year. This keeps them from getting too much water. On top of that, the Rachio app works with hundreds of thousands of local weather stations to offer rain, freeze, and wind skip functions, so you won’t have to watch your app like a hawk when it comes to weather patterns.
Pros
- Wide compatibility across devices and platforms
- Supports up to 16 zones for larger properties
- Smart watering based on hyperlocal weather data
- Customizable schedules for personalized control
- Adheres to local water regulations
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some alternatives
- Dual-band Wi-Fi requirement may limit connectivity for some users
Orbit B-hyve XR Smart 8-Zone Sprinkler Controller
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Zones | 8 zones |
| Smart Technology | B-hyve XR Smart |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular |
| Weather Tracking | Yes |
| Scheduling Options | Customizable schedules |
| Watering Restrictions | Adheres to local water regulations |
| Mobile App Control | Yes |
| Voice Control | Compatible with voice assistants |
| Rain Sensor | Optional (not included) |
| Installation | Easy DIY installation |
With many top controllers, you have to buy a separate outdoor mounting box if you want to put your controller outside. With the Orbit B-hyve XR, you don’t have to buy anything extra to make it weatherproof. The sleek, honeycomb-shaped device can be mounted in your garage or near your electric meter. This makes it one of the most flexible options on the list when it comes to installation. Even though Orbit says it will be easy to install if your existing sprinkler controller is inside, you will have to run the wires outside if you want it to be installed there.
The B-hyve XR has top-notch features, like the ability to use smart apps and automatically adjust the temperature (without a subscription). This model also works with both standard-speed and faster Wi-Fi channels because it has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. The controller is a bit pricey, and while the app is good, it’s not as modern and easy to use as some other options on the market. Still, it is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that you can buy.
Pros
- Supports voice control for convenient operation
- Complies with water regulations for responsible usage
- User-friendly DIY installation process
Cons
- Rain sensor not included; needs to be purchased separately
- Reliance on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity may be subject to network stability
FAQs
A smart sprinkler controller, also called a smart irrigation controller, is a device that connects to your existing sprinkler system and lets you use advanced technology and data to control and automate your irrigation schedule. It can be controlled from afar using an app on a smartphone or linked to other smart home devices or weather sensors.
Smart sprinkler controllers use data from weather forecasts, local weather stations, or soil moisture sensors along with advanced algorithms to figure out the best time to water. They can change how long and how often they water based on things like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and the amount of water in the soil. This smart watering plan keeps you from watering too much and keeps you from watering when it’s raining or very humid. This saves water.
Yes, most smart sprinkler controllers need to be connected to the internet so they can get weather data, get updates, and let you control them from your phone. But some controllers may only work in a limited way when they can’t connect to the internet, letting you set a basic schedule that will be followed until the connection is back.
