10 Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers 2020: Reviews and Buying Guide

Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers

If you want to maintain a beautiful garden or lawn, you have to be very specific about watering it enough at the right intervals. However, manual watering of a garden is a herculean task. Most sprinklers available today also make you do at least some work. For busy homeowners, this is simply not a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, they should depend on WiFi sprinkler controllers. Not only are these little devices your best bet in making your lawn greener but also makes it easier for you to handle the tedious task of sprinkler control with relative ease.

Check out our list of the top 10 best smart sprinkler controllers that you can use at home.

Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers 2020 Reviews

Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers

Let’s take a look at 10 of the best Smart Sprinkler Controllers you can buy.

#1 Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller

Rachio Smart Sprinkler ControllerOne of the best sprinkler controllers in the market, the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller is a breeze to use and boasts of several 5-star reviews that only enhance the product’s authenticity and reliability. The perfect way to water your lawn or garden, the controller uses Weather Intelligence and uses local forecasts to decide when to spread a little trickle. It allows the use of a customized watering schedule depending on soil type, plant type, and even sun exposure. Users can start, stop or even skip watering in certain areas of the lawn if they wish. The device works equally well with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It works on schedule even if your WiFi isn’t working.

Advantages:

  • Uses Weather Intelligence
  • Comes with a 2-year warranty
  • Has a responsive app
  • Takes only 20 minutes to install
  • Waters even when WiFi is down
  • Work with Google Home and Amazon Alexa

Disadvantages:

  • Works better when you are aware of soil type and other input metrics

#2 Rainmachine Touch HD-12

Rainmachine Touch HD-12The Rainmachine Touch HD-12 is also a popular WiFi sprinkler that is very easy to install and brings weather controlled smart watering system to your lawn. It will take weather information from several reliable sources like NOAA.GOV and Forecast.io to plan a watering schedule for your garden. The device pays for itself in about 2 years, according to the manufacturer by saving up to 80% on water bills. It has a responsive app that works on both Android and iOS systems. The app is also accessible on any browser and provides detailed reports about watering history and weather forecast. It works even if your home WiFi isn’t working and if no recent historical weather stats are available, it will depend on historical stats.

Advantages:

  • Easy installation, can be done within 15 minutes
  • Works when WiFi is down
  • Comes with detailed reports
  • Intelligently uses weather forecasts
  • Comes with a responsive app
  • Comes with a 2-year warranty

Disadvantages:

  • App could malfunction at times

#3 Orbit 57946 B-Hyve

Orbit 57946 B-HyveEverybody who is searching for Wifi sprinklers knows about the Orbit 57946 B-Hyve. The product is not just loaded with features, but also comes at a reasonable price. It boasts of weather sense technology and just like other high-end options; it customized the watering schedule depending on soil type, slope and weather forecasts. The device also has a swing panel which provides you access to wiring with ease. However, it remains sufficiently protected from the elements when installed outdoors because of its weather-resistant case. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and allows a user to control the device from anywhere using an iOS or Android app as long as their home WiFi is running. It comes with a rain delay feature which stops watering if rain is expected.

Advantages:

  • Weather resistant casing
  • Customized watering schedules
  • Intelligent weather sensing
  • Rain delay feature
  • Reasonable price

Disadvantages:

  • Rain delay feature may cause problems
  • Only works with Amazon Alexa

#4 Rain Bird ST80- WiFi Smart Integration Controller

Rain Bird ST80- WiFi Smart Integration ControllerAesthetically, the Rain Bird ST80- WiFi Smart Integration Controller doesn’t have much to offer. However, when it comes to getting the work done, it is one of the best options you will have. It allows users to control their garden or lawn sprinkling system using their home WiFi, even when they are not at home. Users can create their own watering schedules for different areas of the garden. You can either control the operation via a mobile device, via your home WiFi or through the timer panel located on the device. Users can choose a watering schedule between 1 to 29 days, and they can also delay watering for up to 14 days if necessary. The system can adjust depending on the weather forecast.

Advantages:

  • Installs in just 30 minutes
  • Adjust watering according to weather
  • Allows customized water schedules
  • Can delay watering by up to 14 days

Disadvantages:

  • App isn’t too responsive
  • WiFi connection could be buggy

#5 Skydrop Halo Smart Sprinkler System Controller

Skydrop Halo Smart Sprinkler System ControllerWhile the Skydrop Halo Smart Sprinkler System Controller is a small device, it packs enough punch to give you a great WiFi sprinkler controller functionality. It can pull local weather information and checks important metrics like slope, wind, humidity, temperature and solar radiation. This device also has a unique feature- it can check to calculate moisture in the soil and water only specific areas that are becoming dry. It can connect to both Amazon Alexa and Google Home and can precisely monitor up to 8 zones. However, it doesn’t promise much water savings- it can save only 20% of water. The system can be accessed via apps or browser.

Advantages:

  • System is easy to install
  • Has a responsive app
  • Checks weather forecasts
  • Checks soil moisture levels

Disadvantages:

  • Narrow viewing angle
  • Doesn’t offer big water bill savings

#6 JMPhone Smart Sprinkler Controller

JMPhone Smart Sprinkler ControllerIf you are looking for a smart and simplified way to manage your lawn sprinkling system over WiFi, buy the JMPhone Smart Sprinkler Controller. It connects easily with Amazon Alexa and Google assistant to ensure that you retain full control over the sprinkler’s operations. The settings of the device can be adjusted easily with the help of an app. Just like its counterparts, this device can also adapt to the weather forecast and make changes to the watering schedule accordingly. The activities of the device can be monitored using the Ama Home app as well. It can also be used to remotely controller your sprinkler system from anywhere in the world.

Advantages:

  • Easy to install
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
  • Adapts to weather forecasts

Disadvantages:

  • The Ama Home App isn’t designed well

#7 Netro Smart Sprinkler Controller

Netro Smart Sprinkler ControllerAnother great pick that can easily be paired with Amazon Alexa, the Netro Smart Sprinkler Controller is a breeze to install and use. The app of the controller is fantastic and very intuitive which makes the user experience very enjoyable on both iOS and Android. It can be powered using any existing 24VAC power adapter, which is found in most old sprinkler controller. It is a fully automatic device that can easily adjust watering schedules for your lawn. The system also ensures that you save 50% on your outdoor water use with its advanced water saving technology. It can pull weather forecasts as well as historical weather stats for an area and automatically compiled watering rules in your area.

Advantages:

  • Can be installed within 15 minutes
  • Remote Access features
  • Can be controlled via iOS and Android devices
  • Makes adjustment in sprinkler settings depending on weather

Disadvantages:

  • May have problem connecting with some routers

#8 Yardian Multi-functional smart sprinkler controller

Yardian Multi-functional smart sprinkler controllerIf you are looking for modem design, sleek looks and powerful sprinkler control, look no further than the Yardian Multi-functional smart sprinkler controller. The unique system comes with weather sensing technology and a beautiful, highly intuitive interface that can even work as a security system with a built-in camera. It can be installed very easily and connected to Amazon Alexa which makes it easy to operate using voice commands as well. It also comes with EPA WaterSense and Apple MFi certificate that guarantee safe operation of the device. It is available in two variants- the 8-zone device and the 12-zone device.

Advantages:

  • Connects with Amazon Alexa
  • Doubles up as a security system
  • Easy to install, has an in-built camera
  • Weather sensing technology

Disadvantages:

  • The camera sensor isn’t too robust

#9 NxEco Smart Irrigation Sprinkler Controller

NxEco Smart Irrigation Sprinkler ControllerIf you have a fairly large yard, then ordinary sprinkler controller systems won’t work for you. You need a powerful device like the NxEco Smart Irrigation Sprinkler Controller. Not only it is a feature-rich device but also allows you to program as many as 36 different zones, all of which can be controlled from one centralized hub. You can create individual smart watering schedules for each of these zones. It can be operated remotely as it connects very easily with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. You can control the device using the NxEco Knob. It also comes with EPA WaterSense to help you save more water.

Advantages:

  • Next-generation sprinkler system for large yards
  • Easy installation
  • Can be accessed via a smartphone, web portal or smart home devices
  • Includes 36 programmable zones
  • Runs all functions on NxEco Knob.

Disadvantages:

  • The casing is not fully waterproof

#10 GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub

GreenIQ Smart Garden HubThe unique design of the GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub makes it look beautiful and pleasing. It will only add to the aesthetic appeal to the location where it is placed. Though it is not very easy to install and the app could have a learning curve, the functionality of this device compensates for everything. It can manage 16 irrigation zones at once. It is entirely different from other top-of-the-line products as it has screw-in terminals, not the push-pin ones. However, once installed, all you will need is an iOS or Android device to use the system. It gives you a plethora of customization options, and you can even adjust watering schedules for every month. It doesn’t have a smart watering feature.

Advantages:

  • 16 irrigation zones
  • Watering schedule adjustable for each month of the year
  • Looks unique and sleek

Disadvantages:

  • Doesn’t feature smart watering systems
  • Needs third-party installation
  • App could have a learning curve

Why are WiFi sprinkler controllers so popular?

You must have noted a steady rise in the number of people who are installing a wifi sprinkler controller for their lawns and gardens. It is because these controllers help in saving time, energy and water. Loaded with several smart features, these devices bring the best of technology to you. Controlling when and how your lawn will be watered using a smartphone app was only a dream a few years ago.

But now, thanks to these nifty devices, you can get this job done with ease. No more manual work, no more checking the weather for deciding the right watering schedule. Most of the top products take the headache away. What makes them even more popular is the fact that you can configure different zones in the garden. You can decide whether your lawn needs more or less watering than the flower bed and so on.

Conclusion

Getting the best Wifi sprinkler controllers is now mandatory for modern homes. These smartphone-based controllers can easily be connected to your smart home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to ensure that your lawn always stays green and well hydrated. The controllers are usually very easy to install. If you stay away from home for long periods of time, frequently forget to water the lawn or don’t want to hire a gardener to take care of a simple task like keeping the lawn hydrated, depend on these handy devices and forget the rest.

Ganesh Kolekar is a graduate and geek. He is the man behind keeping the quality of the posts and manages the content part on the website.