Our choice
Rachio 3
This is the most flexible and easy-to-use intelligent controller for your garden or garden irrigation system.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
The Rachio 3 (available in eight or 16 zone versions as well as an exclusive 12 zone version from Costco) offers simple plug-and-play functionality for a novice gardener, but also offers enough fine-tuning and advanced settings to meet all needs meet master gardeners. The Weather Intelligence Plus feature enables hyper-local forecasting, making irrigation more efficient. We like the option to use the basic (if not comprehensive) onboard controls for quick watering, and we appreciate that the controller works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, among others.
runner up
RainMachine Touch HD
The touchscreen gives you complete control, so you don’t have to rely on the app and the device doesn’t need an internet connection. It supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. But its watering method and prediction are less accurate than that of the Rachio 3.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant
The RainMachine Touch HD (available in 12 and 16 zone versions) offers control via an integrated touchscreen, a smartphone app and a web interface. Unlike all of the other models we tested, this RainMachine controller doesn’t need to connect to the cloud to function and it only relies on the internet for weather updates so some owners could use it without its smart features. RainMachine also offers a wide range of optional weather services and provides deep, granular control over your irrigation. RainMachine’s app is less intuitive than Rachio’s and doesn’t automatically create schedules, making it more daunting for inexperienced gardeners to use.
Also great
Orbit B-hyve XR
As a rugged device with on-device and local control, the B-hyve XR can tackle bigger yards for less money than our picks, but its app isn’t as easy to use as others.
Purchase options
* At the time of publication, the price was $ 180.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Designed to be installed outdoors without a separate housing, the Orbit B-hyve XR uses its intelligent WeatherSense algorithms to effectively care for your garden and has three small full-color displays for extensive (if not extensive) control on the device. Its Bluetooth radio has a long range and can communicate with other B-hyve devices (such as. It also allows you to control the system with your phone, even if the internet goes down. The B-hyve XR is WaterSense certified and can You also choose your weather station, but it lacks some features we like and its app isn’t as good as our pick, the Rachio 3.
Budget selection
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller (available for four and eight zones) is the cheapest smart sprinkler controller you can buy, but it has many of the same features as our top picks, including smart auto-scheduling and a decent app , and an innovative, slim design. It’s also WaterSense certified and has basic controls on the device and lets you choose your weather station. However, it doesn’t offer 5 GHz WiFi (like all of our other picks) and works with the same, not-as-easy-to-use app as the Orbit B-hyve XR.
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