7 Best Smart Irrigation Controllers for Efficient Watering

We have explored different websites to find the best smart irrigation controllers, and in this article, the 7 best-selling products available on the market are gathered to help you save water and money, as well as keep your lawn or garden healthy and green.

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Top 7 Smart Irrigation Controllers Full Detailed Table

1. Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart Sprinkler Controller

Amazon 

The Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart irrigation system can support up to 8 zones. With real-time weather information, it adjusts the watering schedule. It has a user-friendly design with a mobile app allowing you to check and manage sprinkler systems at home. This product can be easily installed in 30 minutes, and no special tool is required. Its convenient installation and maintenance make this controller a highly rated product, with customers praising its ease of use, reliability, and ability to save water and money.

Table. Features of Rachio 8ZULW-C Smart Sprinkler Controller

Positive User Comments

1. Clear and straightforward instructions made installation a breeze, even for those not particularly tech-savvy. The sleek and modern design added an elegant touch.

2. One user reported that after using the product, their lawn looks better, and the plants grow properly. Due to the proper water cycles, no thatch build-up was observed. 

3. The mobile app is user-friendly and convenient, allowing the user to control and monitor the sprinkler system from anywhere.

4. The integration with the home assistant extends to voice control, providing the ability to activate specific zones or custom watering programs with simple voice commands.

5. According to comments, the rain, wind, and freeze sensors work flawlessly and avoid wasting water.

6. The instructions for setting up the device are straightforward to follow.

7. The user was very satisfied with the product since it was possible to adjust the sprinkler heads using controls on the phone.

Negative User Comments

1. The weather intelligence feature is criticized for its inaccuracies, with instances of false rain predictions and failure to skip watering when needed.

2. Lack of saturation skip on Flex Daily routines is mentioned as an issue.

3. The user expresses frustration with the controller's inconsistent and confusing watering schedules and difficulties in understanding and adjusting settings.

4. Two customers point out issues with the device's inability to connect to multiple weather devices and a lack of compatibility with leading weather stations.

5. The user found that the Rachio controller did not meet their expectations for automated watering and required more manual oversight than anticipated.

6. Two users reported that the product arrived damaged, and the package was already open.

7. According to the user’s experience, the customer service is terrible, and the user’s email or calls were not answered by the company.

2. Orbit 57950 B-Hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller

Amazon 

The Orbit 57950 B-Hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller is an 8-zone smart irrigation system that provides custom scheduling, duration, and weather-based watering for your garden and lawn. It allows you to easily monitor and manage your irrigation system via a smartphone app. It is well designed to save water, money, and your time by automatically adjusting watering based on weather conditions and user needs. It is available in both outdoor and indoor models, providing flexibility for installation.

Positive User Comments

1. The user is pleased with the "smart" system that monitors weather conditions and adjusts the irrigation schedule accordingly.

2. Installation and programming were straightforward for most of the users.

3. One customer expressed that each watering zone can be operated manually, which is very helpful in troubleshooting and adjusting sprinklers.

4. According to comments, the app lets you adjust all delay setting thresholds for rain, wind, and freeze. The WiFi range is also pretty good.

5. The product is highly recommended and praised for its great performance, ease of use, and affordability.

6. You can take a picture of each zone with the phone app, making it easy to program each zone on demand.

7. The device performs exactly as advertised, and the auto-rain delay feature is praised by the user.

Negative User Comments

1. The physical installation required drilling new holes in the case body wall due to misaligned screw holes.

2. The customer had to resort to manual programming to ensure proper watering, which defeats the purpose of the smart feature.

3. The app's functionality and reliability are criticized, particularly in regards to failure to record watering events and adding or saving zones. 

4. The system's reliability and accuracy are questioned, leading to concerns about plant health.

5. The lock feature is falsely advertised since the space inside the door does not accommodate any real lock.

6. The user delivered two devices. The first one was physically broken and the other one did not connect to wifi. The Orbit's technical support is described as unresponsive and unhelpful in resolving issues and providing guidance, leading to frustration.

7. The product is not reliable and does not consistently water all zones.

3. Orbit B-Hyve Smart Sprinkler Controller

Amazon 

The Orbit B-Hyve Smart irrigation controller is an 8-zone sprinkler controller that allows you to control your irrigation system from anywhere with the user-friendly Orbit B-Hyve app. It is very convenient to use, and by using the mobile app, you can set automated schedules to provide consistent moisture for your indoor plants. The product smartly waters your plants, based on each zone’s soil, plant type, and other factors without wasting water.

According to the search results, this product is an affordable and powerful smart watering controller that is easy to install and set up. It guarantees hassle-free operation and long-lasting use, due to its durable build and great design.

Positive User Comments

1. The user found the installation process to be easy, and the availability of the app for remote control and monitoring is appreciated.

2. The customer found the system easy to use, and operate, and appreciated the convenience of being able to control the watering system remotely and from anywhere.

3. The product is praised for its effectiveness in saving water and preventing water runoff, thanks to the smart watering feature.

4. According to comments, the product is much more affordable than other brands on the market.

5. The product was praised by the user for its weather sensor capability, programmability, and small compact size.

6. After 6 months, the buyer expressed satisfaction with the device’s reliability and great watering process.

7. One customer reported that the app is very intuitive, and stops watering when it is raining.

Negative User Comments

1. Despite loving the product, the lack of response from Orbit's customer support has led to frustration and disappointment.

2. The product arrived in an open box, it was scratched and seemed to have been used before.

3. The smart features of the controller have been praised, but its durability and reliability have been criticized, with one user experiencing a failure after only two months of use.

4. Two customers have reported difficulties with the smart watering feature, requiring significant time and effort to properly program the device.

5. There have been reports of the controller losing its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability after 2 years, preventing it from connecting to the user's phone and causing functionality to cease.

6. The customer reported that the electricity got lost, and the internal clock of the device reset. The time could not then be set correctly.

7. The smart app was criticized by users, and was reported that it is not intuitive.

4. RAINPOINT Smart Sprinkler Controller

Amazon 

The RAINPOINT Smart sprinkler irrigation system is a programmable irrigation controller system that controls watering according to soil moisture. This product is also compatible with 2-zone WiFi sprinkler timers to expand your irrigation system. The RAINPOINT website offers a smart plus garden watering system, which allows you to easily control two different irrigation areas. The RainPoint APP UI 2.0 is simple and intuitive and can be used from your phone to water your plants. The wifi water timer uses voice commands that allows you to turn the watering timer on. When it is raining or the soil moisture is high, the WiFi hose timer will automatically delay watering. The device includes three different watering plans including start time, duration, and watering frequency, and two watering modes including irrigation mode (suitable for lawn and pool) and mist mode. (suitable for misting system, summer outdoor cooling, and dust reduction).

Positive User Comments

1. The hub display provides a wealth of information and has useful backlight settings to change the brightness day /night.

2. Installation is very straightforward and instructions are easy to follow, and videos are available for guidance if needed.

3. According to comments, the company is very responsive and has great and helpful customer service.

4. The app is intuitive and user-friendly, it is easy to operate and provides control from anywhere.

5. The ability to check the weather and set rain delays manually is a valuable feature. It is also designed to send notifications to the phone each time the irrigation turns on and off

6. The system is well-sealed and can handle water pressure without leaks.

7. The customer reported that the units arrived well-packaged. The devices are sturdy, well-made, and look good.

Negative User Comments

1. The irrigation hub had trouble connecting to the router, even when placed right beside it.

2. The wifi water timer went offline for 2 weeks without any notification, and attempts to reset the irrigation hub were unsuccessful.

3. The setup process was not seamless, taking 2 hours, and differentiating between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks was frustrating.

4. Setting a schedule was difficult, and the timer displayed the wrong date. the date-stamp preferences were not changeable.

5. The battery port is not waterproof and the user experienced rusting.

6. Two users criticized the device, since it reduces the water pressure, and water does not reach the garden. 

7. Three customers reported leaking after using it for a few months. The product is not durable and long-lasting.

5. Melnor 65128-AMZ 4-Zone Smart Water Timer

Amazon 

The Melnor 65128-AMZ 4-Zone Smart Water Timer can be controlled by using a smartphone app via Bluetooth, allowing you to manage your watering needs from your phone. It has 4 high flow valves to water multiple areas and can be scheduled easily and conveniently from your smart device through the app within a range of 30 feet. Manual watering is easily accessible through the app. The Melnor 65128-AMZ 4-Zone Smart Water Timer can be set to change modes by week day, allowing for customizable watering schedules. Five stainless steel filter washers are included in the package to prevent clogging and ensure smooth water flow. If it starts to rain or the ground is already wet, the device pauses the watering schedule. According to the users’ reviews, the Smart Water Timer is easy to set up and use and is highly regarded for its convenience and affordability.

Table. Features of Melnor 65128-AMZ 4-Zone Smart Water Timer

Positive User Comments

1. The app is simple yet robust, making it easy to create various timer settings and control the device.

2. Unlike a previous timer with a limited LCD, the Melnor timer provides a user-friendly experience. It is easy to read, simple and robust. 

3. According to the user’s comment, a Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet is sufficient for the device to function as described.

4. Manual watering buttons on the timer are a convenient feature, which allows users to manually set up the watering time.

5. According to a comment, the company is very responsive and has great and helpful customer service.

6. The timer's installation and programming are straightforward, and the app provides useful instructions.

7. The timer is well-built and provides a solid structure. The product does not leak after installation.

Negative User Comments

1. The 4-zone timers are unreliable; they sometimes fail to stop the watering process, which may cause scheduling issues.

2. One user reported that the product lasted for about 2 years and then stopped working and was rusted since it was not waterproof.

3. Three customers have reported issues with the Melnor app, which made the product useless and hard to use.

4. Bluetooth range is extremely limited, causing difficulty in connecting to the timer.

5. After 2 months the device was no longer connected to Bluetooth, and the support team was not very helpful for the user.

6. App design is poor, making it confusing and non-intuitive for users.

7. According to the user’s experience, the product broke and water sprayed everywhere, due to its poor quality.

6. Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 Smart Indoor Irrigation System Controller

Walmart 

The Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 smart sprinkler/irrigation system controller is very easy to program and allows access to timer functions from anywhere. The timer function is accessible via an in-range mobile device, wireless network, and control panel. This product is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple iOS 8 or greater, and Android 4.4 or greater. You can customize your watering schedule due to the weather, humidity, and temperature of your region. EPA WaterSense is certified to provide at least 20% water-saving over non-certified timers. This product helps you to control your sprinkler system as well as saving time, water, and money.

Table. Features of Rain Bird ST8I-2.0 smart irrigation controller 

Positive User Comments

1. The product is highly recommended and praised for its affordability and compatibility.

2. Installation was straightforward for most of the users. The product was also very easy to use with clear directions.

3. The customer is pleased with the easy wiring. They also expressed that Wifi connected easily and never disconnected.

4. One user appreciated the convenience of being able to turn off the entire system, or just turn on a single zone via the iPhone app.

5. According to comments, the product stops watering when it is raining and starts irrigating when it is very dry. The auto-rain delay feature is praised by the customers.

6. The device performs exactly as advertised, and it is well made at this affordable price.

7. The product is compatible with most sprinklers, and the user appreciated the app’s customizability.

Negative User Comments

1. This product is slow in terms of connecting with WiFi. it sometimes fails to connect to the Wifi.

2. Two buyers criticized the device, since it did not turn off while raining, and kept watering.

3. Three customers reported that it is very slow to load the app as it takes too long to discover and sync with the controller.

4. According to the user’s experience, the controller weighs more than advertised, the buttons do not work, and the Wifi needs to be reset daily.

5. The customer service is worthless, and they do not have a specific email address to contact with.

6. Some of the users have reported issues with the delay scheduling and mentioned it does not work properly. One user set the water delay for 3 days, but the next day the watering happened anyway and the delay was erased.

7. The customer criticized the product for not being able to set the run times automatically. The user found that it only works properly if it is set manually.

7. FRANKEVER FK-WT03W Automatic Smart Water Timer Irrigation Controller

eBay

This smart watering controller allows you to control on your mobile phone via the Tuya smart app from anywhere. When it is raining, this product will automatically delay the watering schedule to 24/48/72 hours. The battery lasts for 6 months, and the hose water timer alerts and auto turns off when the battery is lower than 5%. It is equipped with intelligent voice control, and you can control the water timer via Alexa or Google Assistant. You will experience no leakage due to its reliable quality and stable performance.

Table. Features of FRANKEVER FK-WT03W irrigation system water timer

Conclusion

Fortunately, smart irrigation controllers can help homeowners, farmers, landscapers, and municipalities save up to 50% on water bills, and reduce water waste by up to 90% . Traditional irrigation systems are often inefficient, leading to water waste and high utility bills. This can be solved by using smart irrigation controllers, which use advanced technology to deliver accurate, customized watering schedules that optimize water consumption (Bwambale et al. 2022). Smart irrigation systems are advanced devices that use weather data and soil moisture sensors to optimize the watering schedule of your landscape  and can save water and money in several ways (Touil et al. 2022).

Smart irrigation controllers are an excellent investment for homeowners and farmers. By optimizing water consumption and reducing water bills, smart irrigation systems not only save money but also help to conserve water and reduce the environmental impact of excessive water usage. To choose the right product, you can use the above list. Alongside these different products, we have explained all their specifications and features, so you will be able to choose the best smart irrigation system due to your budget, purpose, etc. The Rachio 8ZULW-C smart sprinkler controller and Orbit 57950 B-Hyve smart sprinkler controller are the two best products for people who want to find the best mix of features, style, and price.