Climate change is a thing, and it is impacting the amount of water we have to keep our gardens and yards looking fresh and beautiful. Smart sprinkler controllers help regulate your water usage and can even make sure the weather is right for sprinkling. We've put together a list of our favorites right here
Orbit's B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer is a great option to add watering capabilities to anything that attaches to a hose. Connecting directly to a hose spigot that you may already have means it can control traditional sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and more in just a few minutes. With rugged housing designed for outdoor use, this smart sprinkler controller will stand the test of time.
The B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and works with Orbit's Weather Sense Technology to prevent your schedule from running on a day where it is going to rain. Orbit's hardware also includes mesh networking technology which can expand your coverage if multiple controllers are set up around your home. This controller can also integrate with Amazon Alexa to enable voice control for watering your landscape with just a shout.
Additional features include the ability to monitor water consumption, and it can even be set to run by volume, and not just via a timer. Orbit's extensive history with irrigation also enables completely customizable schedules that take into account your type of soil, the slope of your yard, and sun exposure.
The Rachio 3 Sprinkler Controller is a traditional in-ground irrigation device that is designed to replace an existing timer. Easy Press connectors make wiring the controller a snap, and installation can take less than 30 minutes with no special tools needed.
Rachio's controller utilizes Hyperlocal Weather Intelligence to determine the optimum schedule for your needs. This prevents your system from running while it is raining. It also takes into account other conditions such as wind speeds and directions, ensuring that your garden will receive the water it requires.
Rainmachine's Pro 8 Irrigation Controller takes the place of an existing in-ground system set up. The sleek design with a color TFT display definitely provides a modern touch for the traditional sprinkler controller. Easy to install wire management means you can be up and running within 15 minutes.
The Rainmachine Pro 8 is also cloud independent. All your data stays local and not in the cloud, and your schedules will still run even if your Wi-Fi is down. Local weather data can also integrate with your schedules to determine the best times to water your lawn or flowers.
Backed by lawn care experts, Scotts, the Gro Irrigation Controller is a low-cost way to enable smart control for your sprinkler system. This smart sprinkler controller supports up to seven different zones and works with optional water sensors that measure the moisture in your soil to determine the ideal schedule.
Even without the optional water sensors, Gro uses local weather forecasts to adjust schedules automatically, based on the chance of rain. Controlling the system happens entirely through the Gro App, with the device featuring a clean look without any confusing buttons, knobs, or screens.
Rainbird, a company synonymous with irrigation, has designed a smart irrigation controller that works both indoors or out. Wi-Fi connectivity enables it to function anywhere there is a signal, and it can integrate with Amazon's Alexa for voice control.
The Rainbird Smart Indoor/Outdoor Irrigation Controller works with an iOS or Android App to build a watering schedule and uses local forecasts to pause and resume accordingly. Notifications provided by the Rainbird App keep you informed of the status of your watering, allowing you to make adjustments as needed.
Green thumbs, wet heads
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Installing a smart sprinkler controller is a great way to ensure that your flowers or lawn are getting the attention that they deserve. Being able to water your garden with a simple tap or via voice control makes the noble, but often forgotten, the task of watering so much easier. Schedules can be made to run in the background, letting mother nature and artificial intelligence work together to determine when to water.
The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer is the best sprinkler controller for most due to its low cost and ability to connect directly to a hose spigot. This allows the controller to work with hoses, sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, and more with a package that is compact and easy to install. Intelligent weather monitoring and custom schedules mean that your plants will receive the right amount of water for their needs, and will skip watering if rain is in the forecast.