We've Found the Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers to Water Your Lawn (2024)

Updated on 02/22/24

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

The Rachio 3 is an ideal choice for most smart sprinkler shoppers for several reasons. First off, though it is available in a more substantial 16-zone version, this eight-zone version sits at a reasonable price point. And with that price, you get all the smart control your existing irrigation system will need without a bloated price tag.

The Rachio 3’s scheduling interface is intuitive. It builds in a seasonally tailored watering algorithm to ensure your plants and lawn are only getting the water they need for that time of year and avoiding over-watering. On top of that, the Rachio app interfaces with hundreds of thousands of local weather stations to offer rain, freeze, and wind skip functions, so you won’t need to watch your app like a hawk with the weather patterns.

There’s a wide variety of scheduling functions if you want to set up your irrigation system to water on your specific terms. And thanks to Alexa and Google Home integration, you have many options for coordinating the system with other smart home functions.

Rachio promises a 30-minute, app-guided installation, though reviews do seem to point toward installation taking a bit longer. And because it doesn’t feature water resistance on its own, you’ll need to find a waterproof installation box if you want to place the panel outside. But once it’s in and set up with the app, it’s a dream to use.

_{Power Source: AC power | Zones: 8 | Controls: App and onboard buttons | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: No}

Wyze is a brand built by and for DIYers and offers affordable products in several smart home categories. The Wyze Smart Sprinkler Controller provides eight zones of sprinkler control, automatic weather-based functionality, and a sleek, easy-to-use design at a reasonable price. When most sprinklers of this price point limit your use to just four zones, the added segmentation could be welcome for those with larger, more intricate lawns.

However, that automatic weather adjustment functionality requires a Wyze Sprinkler Plus subscription (though Wyze includes an entire year with your purchase of the Smart Sprinkler). And though Wyze has gotten better over the years at developing app walk-throughs, wiring this up to your existing sprinkler controller will take some patience—think of it like wiring a smart thermostat. Overall, the Wyze ecosystem is a great choice if you want to dip your toes into the smart sprinkler landscape without dropping a few hundred bucks.

_{Power Source: AC power | Zones: 8 | Controls: App and onboard buttons | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: No}

While many top controllers require you to purchase a separate outdoor mounting box to install your controller outside, the Orbit B-hyve XR gives you that weather-safe operation right out of the box. The sleek, honeycomb-patterned device will be just at home inside your garage or mounted near your electric meter, making it one of the most versatile options on the list from an installation standpoint. Though it’s important to note that Orbit promises easy installation if your existing sprinkler controller is inside, you’ll need to route those wires outdoors if that’s where you want it installed.

The B-hyve XR comes with top-tier specs, including smart app functionality and automatic weather adjustments (without the need for a subscription). This model also has dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it works with both standard-speed and faster Wi-Fi channels. The controller is a bit pricey, and while the app is solid, it’s not quite as modern and intuitive as some other options on the market.

_{Power Source: AC power | Zones: 8 | Controls: App and LED wheel | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: Yes}

A smart hose spigot is an excellent option if you want some smart control for watering your lawn, but don’t have a yard or a budget to install a full-on irrigation system. The Eve Aqua is an impressive option, especially for those in the Apple ecosystem, because it’s HomeKit enabled—meaning you can connect to the device via Apple’s HomePod-controlled Thread network to fold the sprinkler into your existing Apple smart home.

There’s also Bluetooth connectivity to control with a simple app locally, but to unlock the full scheduling and smart functionality, Apple’s Thread network usage is advised. Of course, a hose-based smart sprinkler controller comes with its own set of limitations—there’s no zone control, and there aren’t any fancy Eve-specific smart functions like weather integration. But you do get a fairly plug-and-play option that’ll likely work with the existing hose sprinkler setup you’ve already got.

_{Power Source: AA batteries | Zones: 1 | Controls: App and HomeKit | Connectivity: Bluetooth and Thread network | Weather Resistance: Yes}

The Rachio 3 8-Zone controller earned our Best Overall slot for price-to-feature ratio. If you want to go all-in with ultimate compatibility for any situation, the 16-Zone version is the epitome of control. You get all the features of the Rachio 3 8-Zone—including automatic weather adjustment, excellent app infrastructure, and easy installation with an existing system—plus a total of 16 zones of control. Even those with the most complex yard on the block will have customization on tap.

The Rachio 3 offers compatibility with all major smart home providers, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, Samsung’s SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit. This integration is crucial for those who want the most robust control with the setup they’re currently loving. All of this control will come at a price, and because it’s a system that requires an existing irrigation setup, it’s not the most plug-and-play model. But if compatibility is your top priority, this is a great option.

_{Power Source: AC Power | Zones: 16 | Controls: App and onboard buttons | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: No}

Netro, another big name in the smart sprinkler space, offers a unique take on the smart functionality of this product category. The Netro 12-zone controller looks limited without onboard controls and no weather resistance. Installation is also simple: just mount the slim white box on your wall and use the companion app to set it up. But when you pair it with a Netro Whisperer remote weather sensor, the smart functions get hyper-specific to your needs.

While the Whisperer sensor requires a separate purchase, it offers more targeted monitoring of your outdoor space. Sprite gives you the option to interface with the Netro Whisperer in your specific yard to measure sunlight, moisture, and temperature and tailor your sprinkler system output to your needs. This connection to a personalized sensor can be helpful if you're too far from a local weather station, but it’s also a way to get very specific about the schedules and smart triggers you prefer. There’s also Alexa and Google compatibility, plus 12 zones of adjustment for mid-sized yards.

_{Power Source: AC power | Zones: 12 | Controls: App and onboard buttons | Connectivity: Wi-Fi and external weather sensors | Weather Resistance: No}

Most smart sprinkler controllers work with fully installed, in-ground irrigation systems. The Netro Pixie, like other automatic hose timers, is designed to provide a subset of the controls you’ll find in permanent systems in a quick, easy, screw-on design. The Pixie affixes to most standard home water spigots and provides many app-based smart functions without the need to wire anything up or dig into your lawn for an underground system.

You get timer controls, water usage monitoring, and even some weather forecasting options using the Netro app. And, because the Pixie comes with a rechargeable battery that pulls its power from the built-in solar panel, you won’t even need to go out and swap the batteries actively. It’s the easiest way to install a smart sprinkler system—but it won’t work with an in-ground irrigation system and does lack some of the features of a more permanent unit.

_{Power Source: Lithium battery | Zones: 1 | Controls: App | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Weather Resistance: Yes}

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for the most functionality for the price, we think the sweet spot for hardwired smart sprinkler controllers is the Rachio 3 8-zone system, our best overall choice. For the best budget option, we're into the system from Wyze, a brand built by and for DIYers. The Wyze Smart Sprinkler Controller provides eight zones of sprinkler control, automatic weather-based functionality, and an easy-to-use design.

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FAQ

• How do you install a smart sprinkler controller?

  A smart sprinkler controller calls for a two-stage installation process. First, you need to ensure that you have the right existing sprinkler infrastructure for the controller. If you want a multi-zone hardwired system, be sure you have an in-ground irrigation system. If you want a hose-based controller, you need to have standard hose-connected sprinklers ready to control. To install a hardwired system, you need to either convert an existing controller installed with your irrigation system or contact an electrician or irrigation installation professional to add the wiring and functionality.

• How do sprinkler controllers work?

  A hardwired sprinkler controller is wired into your home similarly to a thermostat. It sends signals to your in-ground irrigation setup about when to water your lawn, what zones to water, and how much water to use. A standard sprinkler controller has controls on the panel itself, while a smart controller typically has onboard controls and an app to customize functions. Some hose-based smart controllers simply turn a standard hose spigot on and off via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and your phone.
  

• How do I convert to a smart sprinkler controller?

  If you’ve already installed an in-ground irrigation system, it likely has a standard control panel with buttons, dials, and scheduling functions. If you want to convert that control panel into a smart controller, it’s crucial to ensure that your system is compatible. Many manufacturers have compatibility checkers on their websites to verify compatibility before purchasing.

  Then turn off the power to your system, remove the panel to expose the wires, and connect those wires to the same terminals on the new smart controller system. Most smart controllers give you walkthrough instructions via the app. If you have any questions about connecting the wiring for your system or whether your system is even compatible, contact a local electrician or irrigation installation professional.