The best smart sprinkler controllers allow you to program your sprinklers to water your lawn when needed so that it doesn’t become overgrown with weeds or grass.
If you have a yard and love having plants, you probably already know the value of greenery.
Having a lush green lawn or garden is just one of the many benefits of having a lush green yard.
There are others, too, such as reducing property damage from storms and preventing erosion. With that being said, most people don’t have green yards.
Fortunately for those who don’t, smart sprinklers can help. This post will look at some of the best smart sprinkler controllers on the market today.
1. Rachio’s Smart Sprinkler Controller
Rachio is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that allows you to automate sprinkler irrigation and monitor your system from anywhere with a web browser or the Rachio app.
It has three components – the controller, a Hub, and a Wireless Gateway.
The controller is the brain of the operation and runs on a ZigBee mesh network.
You can access the irrigation schedule, water flow, and sensor data from the controller or the Rachio app.
You can control up to 40 zones to water multiple areas at once. The app also lets you create zones with precise watering times, so you can water your plants when they need it most.
Rachio also provides irrigation scheduling software for commercial and agricultural irrigation.
2. Hunter Rain Sensor Controller
Hunter’s rain sensor is a simple device that screws into the bottom of your Hunter sprinkler system.
It has a wireless signal that relays information to a hub and creates a smart irrigation system.
A smartphone app can control the hub, or you can log into the website to view and adjust settings.
The hub has a schedule and zones that can be set up to water-specific areas at a certain time.
The hub can also be programmed to automatically turn sprinklers on and off based on sensor data, so you can set it up to water your lawn only when needed.
The device can be connected to your Hunter smart irrigation controller or used as a standalone controller.
3. Honeywell Smart WiFi Controller
Honeywell’s smart WiFi irrigation controller is compatible with Irrigation Controller Systems from Hunter, Hunter Pro, and Rain Bird. It is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers as it can wirelessly communicate with your Hunter WiFi Controller or Rain Bird WiFi Controller.
The hub is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can create virtual zones to water multiple areas with a single controller and change the program with the Honeywell app.
The hub also has Smart Sensor technology that can create a schedule based on rain, temperature, or humidity data. The hub has a built-in battery that lasts up to three months on a single charge. It comes with an 18-month warranty.
4. Rain Bird DS Wizard
Rain Bird DS Wizard is a smart WiFi controller made specifically for Rain Bird smart irrigation systems. It can be used with Hunter and Hunter Pro products and works with Rain Bird Wi-FI Smart controllers and WiFi Smart controllers.
It has a seven-day programmable schedule for automated irrigation and syncs with your mobile device for advanced irrigation control. You can create virtual zones and program the controller to water-specific areas.
Data from the sensors are collected and analyzed on the hub, which can be controlled with your mobile device. It can be customized to fit your preferences and needs, and you can set it up to notify you when it’s time to water.
5. Rain Machine Smart Rainfall Controller
Rain Machine is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that measure rainfall and estimate watering needs for your yard. The device sits on your outdoor spigot and uses an internal sensor and app to determine the amount of water needed to water your yard.
The device is weatherproof and can be used in any climate. It can be powered by a battery or plugged into a power outlet. Rain Machine can be controlled with the Rain Machine app or with Amazon Alexa.
The app has automated irrigation scheduling, so you can set it up to water your lawn in a specific pattern based on the amount of rainfall that has been recorded.
It also has a rain report feature that will let you know how much rain has fallen in your area so that you can see how much water to expect. For flood insurance protection, you can pair the Rain Machine with a Flood Sensor.
6. 868 MHz Wireless Smart Controller
868 MHz wireless controller technology is becoming more and more popular. These controllers are compatible with Rain Bird, Hunter, and HunterPro products. They connect wirelessly to your smart irrigation system and can be controlled with the Rain Bird app or Amazon Alexa.
The wireless technology provides more reliable connectivity and is less likely to fall out of the range of your hub than traditional WiFi systems. It can also be used for future expansion since you don’t have to run wires through your home.
The controller can be powered using a battery or plugged into a power outlet. It can also be used with Rain Bird’s Flood Sensor for flood insurance protection. This is undoubtedly one of the best smart sprinkler controllers to buy.
7. Rain Bird’s Elite 616 Connect
Rain Bird’s Elite 616 Connect is a wireless controller controlled by the Rain Bird app or Amazon Alexa. A Rain Bird wireless controller can also control it. It has a seven-day programmable schedule for automated irrigation.
It can be used with a Flood Sensor for flood insurance protection. The hub is compatible with Hunter, Hunter Pro, and Rain Bird WiFi Smart controllers and WiFi Smart controllers.
The hub can be powered using a battery or plugged into a power outlet. It can be used with Rain Bird’s Elite 616 Connect Sensors for more accurate irrigation.
8. Hunter’s iHunter 624i
Hunter’s iHunter 624i is a wireless irrigation controller that allows you to water your yard like a pro. The Rain Bird app or Amazon Alexa can control it. The hub is compatible with Hunter WiFi Smart controllers and Hunter Pro products.
It can be powered using a battery or plugged into a power outlet. It can be used with Rain Bird’s Elite 616 Connect Sensors for more accurate irrigation. The iHunter 624i has a built-in battery that lasts up to three months on a single charge.
It doesn’t require complicated installation or wiring and can be installed on your Hunter smart irrigation controller. It also doesn’t require an expensive hub or subscription service. This is undoubtedly among the best smart sprinkler controllers.
9. D Link DS-1688G-2 Manual Override Controller
D Link manual override controller can be controlled via RF signal up to 1,000 feet away. It can be used with Hunter and Hunter Pro products and works with Rain Bird products.
The hub is compatible with Rain Bird WiFi and WiFi Smart controllers and can be powered by a battery or plugged into a power outlet. The controller has a seven-day programmable schedule that can be adjusted with the D Link Controller app.
It has a built-in battery that lasts up to three months on a single charge. This controller doesn’t require complicated installation or wiring and can be installed on your outdoor spigot. It is among the best smart sprinkler controllers that don’t require an expensive subscription service or hub.
10. Netgear Universal Remote NETWO222v4
Netgear’s 868 MHz wireless controller is compatible with Rain Bird, Hunter, and Hunter Pro products. It is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers that the Netgear Universal Remote app or Amazon Alexa can control.
The controller is powered by a rechargeable battery and can be powered using a battery or plugged into a power outlet. It has a seven-day programmable schedule that can be adjusted with the Netgear Universal Remote app.
Netgear’s 868 MHz wireless controller has a built-in battery that lasts up to three months on a single charge. It doesn’t require complicated installation or wiring and can be installed on your outdoor spigot.
11. Rain Machine’s Smart Remote
Rain Machine’s Smart Remote is a weatherproof Bluetooth controller that can be used to control your Rain Machine hub and Smart Rainfall Controller. It can be controlled through Bluetooth or by the Rain Machine app.
It has a seven-day programmable schedule for automated irrigation and syncs with your mobile device for advanced irrigation control. This is undoubtedly one of the best smart sprinkler controllers.