Best Sprinkler Controllers

Watering your lawn or garden is a tedious, thankless job, which is why many of us invest in a proper sprinkler system.

Sprinklers and irrigation systems have made home watering much easier for many years. Yet there is always the issue of forgetting to turn off the sprinklers or of them running while it is raining, which can take a bite out of your pocket when you get your water bill at the end of the day, not to mention wasting water.

The best sprinkler controllers have been around for quite a few years, and they might not be the most elegant devices, but they help you feel confident in saving water and money on your water bill.

What is a Sprinkler Controller and How Does it Work

Sprinkler or irrigation controllers automate watering schedules, supporting smart technology to help homeowners feel responsible and confident in conserving water and saving money effortlessly.

The Sprinkler controller lets you set schedules for your sprinklers or irrigation systems to start and stop. Many also have weather sensors that switch off the sprinklers when it starts to rain.

You can control your sprinklers directly from the device or via an app, empowering gardeners to manage watering with confidence and ease.

Benefits of a Sprinkler Controller

There are so many benefits to having a proper sprinkler controller. Here are only a few; knowing these features can help you feel assured in making the right choice.

• Environmental Benefits – Water irrigation systems and sprinklers with proper controllers and timers actually control the amount of water used for your garden and have sensors that detect when water is needed and when not. This saves plenty of water, which is wasted and can harm the environment. Some areas also have water restrictions, and a proper sprinkler controller system will help significantly.
• Financial benefits – Well-cared-for, beautiful gardens cost a lot, take time, and water can also become expensive, especially when wasted. The sprinkler controller allows just the right amounts of water to be used at the right times, saving you on your water bill at the end of the month. Trust me, youwill notice a difference in your water bill when you invest in a good sprinkler controller.
• Aesthetic Benefits – For those of us who are reluctant to turn the sprinklers on because of water limits, costs, or other reasons, sacrificing the beauty of our gardens, the Sprinkler controller is just the answer. You can enjoy a beautiful, well-watered garden with much less water and added costs.

Features of a Good Sprinkler Controller

• On Device Controls – There are two basic water sprinkler controllers, one with an on-device control and display, and one that you can operate with an app on your phone. So you will need to decide which of the two works best for you.
• Smart Home Hub Support – If you have smart home hub support, you can tie your sprinkler system to that if compatible, although few of them connect to anything today. However, Amazon’s Alexa is quite compatible. Smart-home hub support: Want to tie your sprinkler system into your smart-home hub? Sounds great, but the reality is that most smart sprinklers exist as islands today: Only a few connect to anything at all, though Amazon’s Alexa has a fraction of support. Expect this to change as these products mature. Choose a sprinkler controller with smart scheduling that lets you set and easily adjust watering times and dates, ensuring your garden gets the right amount of water at the right times.
• Notifications – Some devices will send you a notification when your sprinkler is running, when it stops, or when there are other issues.
• Number of Zones – Every sprinkler controller has a certain number of zones or areas that it can cover, so make sure that you get a device that covers the number of zones that match your garden’s size and layout to ensure proper watering.
• Indoor and Outdoor Mounting – Controller comes in indoor and outdoor mounting devices. You will need some coverage for the outdoor devices when it rains.

Reviews: The Best Sprinkler Controllers

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• The Orbit 12 zone is the largest in the Orbit range of sprinkler controllers.
• It has Wi-Fi and timer control via the free, easy-to-use B-Hyve app.
• It uses WaterSense smart technology to water based on the site’s conditions, sun, shade, and area.
• The WaterSense technology is extremely easy to install and use, helping you feel confident in managing your watering system efficiently.
• The B-Hyve technology is EPA WaterSense approved to save water and money on water bills.

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• The Rachio 3 is an 8-zone smart sprinkler controller.
• It will save you plenty of water and money on water bills.
• With this smart water-sensing technology, you can now avoid watering in the rain.
• The installation is quick and easy, and it is compatible with Alexa and Apple.
• The app is very easy to use and allows for plenty of options.
• You can also choose your package and what you need from a few available options.

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• The Orbit XR smart is ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
• It is easily programmed with the free B-Hyve app to create watering schedules and alerts.
• The device will automatically adjust to the weather and provide more water during dryer periods.
• It has a quick control, multi-color LED light ring, and three full-color digital displays.

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• The Netro Smart Sprinkler control features weather-aware technology that stops sprinklers when it rains.
• The Lifetime cloud service connects to your wifi and monitors and controls all your sprinkler systems.
• It is an eco-friendly device that reduces your outdoor water use and lowers your water bill.
• This model from Orbit installs in 15 minutes with no tools required and is compatible with most smart systems, making setup straightforward and accessible for homeowners.

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• This model from orbit offers the ultimate Wi-Fi and timer control with the B-have app, which is compatible with most smart systems.
• It is extremely easy to install and use with a swing panel for easy operation.
• You will save tons of water and money, and it is EPA WaterSense approved.
• The device can also work with Alexa voice control.

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• The Rainbird is a Wi-Fi sprinkler and irrigation controller system.
• The system is operated wirelessly with Wi-Fi.
• It is quick and easy to install outdoors.
• There are easy-to-use advanced features.

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• The Wyze is a smart controller for your sprinkler system.
• It allows you to water from anywhere manually.
• There is also a smart schedule that ensures every zone is watered on time.
• Easy DIY installation with a full manual.

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• This is the four-zone controller from Orbit.
• It is a WiFi-capable controller.
• Provides live weather feeds and includes a manual override function.
• Multifunctional and can operate with or without Wi-Fi.

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• The Hunter Sprinkler Controller is a six-station controller.
• It provides better water management and is user-friendly.
• An indoor device with memory for storing programs.
• Can water up to size stations.

Index Table: Top Rated Sprinkler Controllers

No.	Product	Image	Features	Brand	Score
1	Orbit 12 Zone - Sprinkler Controller		Alexa Compatible Certified Easy Installation	Orbit	98.3
2	Rachio 3 8 Zone - Smart Sprinkler Controller		Weather Intelligent Smart Technology 8 Zone Design	Rachio 3	97.9
3	Orbit XR Smart - Smart Technology Sprinkler Controller		Alexa Compatible 8-Zone Technology Easy installation	Orbit	97.7
4	Netro Smart Weather Aware - Wifi Sprinkler Controller		Wifi Controlled Weather Aware Remote Access	Netro Smart	97.7
5	Orbit B-hyve - Smart Sprinkler Controllers		Alexa Compatible Smart technology Easy installation	Orbit	97
6	Rain Bird ESP-TM2 - Sprinkler Controllers		Outdoor Controller Wifi Controlled	Rain Bird	97.5
7	Wyze Smart - Sprinkler Controllers		Weather-Based Automatic Wifi	Wyze	97.2
8	Orbit 4 Zone - Sprinkler Controllers		Indoor Smart Technology	Orbit	97
9	Hunter X-Core - Sprinkler Controllers		Sprinkler and Irrigation System 6 Station Controller	Hunter	97