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Following a new round of testing, we continue to recommend our existing picks. Our top pick remains the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. Pop Up Water Sprinkler
If you’ve found yourself dashing through a rainstorm to stop your in-ground irrigation system from running needlessly, consider a smart sprinkler timer, which can save you the hassle—and a ton of wasted water—while keeping your greenery and gardens thriving. (Note that these devices are variously referred to as smart sprinkler timers but also irrigation controllers and any combination of those.)
A smart timer also puts all of the standard features of a regular irrigation system on a smartphone app, and it automatically optimizes the frequency of waterings and the volume of water used based on your local forecast.
The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is the best of the four models we tested for this update. It offers an impressive variety of useful features, and its app is a delight to use. Because the Rachio 3 offers a wide range of zone options, it’s compatible with most residential yard sizes.
Though smart timers are DIY, they must be hardwired to zone valves. Some owners may want to hire a gardening pro to do the install.
Confirm that the timer you choose supports the same number of watering zones as in your current irrigation system. Models usually range from four to 16 zones.
These timers work only with in-ground sprinklers—they can’t connect to outdoor water spigots, hoses, or other above-ground systems.
To ensure that your timer will work correctly and receive updated forecasts, confirm that it’s in range of your Wi-Fi signal and that it can connect reliably.
The most full-featured model is smart enough for a pro but great for beginners thanks to its especially easy-to-use app.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The versatile Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller combines all of the most appealing connected-irrigation features into one easy-to-recommend device. It has by far the best-designed and easiest-to-use app of all the models we tested. And if your home has a Wi-Fi outage, the Rachio 3 will continue to run existing Schedules.
This smart timer is available in four-, eight- and 16-zone versions to accommodate yards of all sizes. It is meant to be installed indoors, but you can buy an optional weatherproof housing for outdoor use.
It works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, too, so you can enlist your voice assistant of choice to water the lawn for you.
This model is a full-featured timer with especially customizable zone controls, but its app can be finicky and confusing.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer offers dependable on/off control, scheduling, account sharing, and notifications through Orbit’s B-hyve app. Like the Rachio 3, the B-hyve XR relies on local weather data as well as detailed information about your yard to customize and optimize your watering routine.
The B-hyve XR has a weatherproof design and so can work indoors or outdoors—no need to buy additional accessories. Because it comes only in versions for eight or 16 watering zones, this model is intended for medium to large yards with a more extensive irrigation system.
In our testing, the B-hyve XR worked well with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home. We also liked the ability to use on-device buttons to handle the basics when a phone wasn’t nearby, such as pausing watering when people were in the yard.
This value-packed model doesn’t skimp on features but is suited for smaller yards or irrigation systems.
Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller is a fraction of the cost of our top pick, yet it provides the same solid feature set as the B-hyve XR does, and it uses the same app (which we don’t love). It also has a physical on/off button to start or stop watering and supports integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It is intended for smaller yards, as it is available only in four- and eight-zone versions.
Unlike the B-hyve XR, this B-hyve controller is designed for indoor-only installation, and since the optional outdoor-protection case typically costs about $40, or around half the price of the controller itself, you might consider the B-hyve XR instead if outdoor access is essential to you.
The most full-featured model is smart enough for a pro but great for beginners thanks to its especially easy-to-use app.
This model is a full-featured timer with especially customizable zone controls, but its app can be finicky and confusing.
This value-packed model doesn’t skimp on features but is suited for smaller yards or irrigation systems.
For a decade I covered smart-home technology at CNET. I’ve wrangled robot vacuums, jumped inside washing machines, hated on smart displays, and appeared in videos as a creepy electrician and Santa—for science.
These smart Wi-Fi–enabled devices replace existing irrigation-system timers and controllers and work exclusively with in-ground sprinkler systems. They’re a great upgrade from standard analog watering timers because they factor in details about your soil, the slope of your yard, and even the weather in your area to give your plants and grass custom care. Because they’re optimized to your needs, they can strike a balance between saving as much water as possible and giving your lawn what it needs to thrive.
Smart irrigation controllers also add a measure of convenience by moving most of the setup and control options to a smartphone app, which generally streamlines the process of managing your lawn and garden. From the app you can start and stop your sprinklers, view and modify existing Schedules or create new ones, share access with your family, neighbors, friends, or gardener (if you’re fancy like that), and get alerts about the status of your system.
These smart timers can integrate with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to give you even more ways to control your sprinklers. Unfortunately, none of the models we tested are currently compatible with Apple HomeKit (the Rachio 3 was originally but dropped support).
The smart sprinkler controllers we tested are all WaterSense-certified by the Environmental Protection Agency; this label indicates that they use at least 20% less water than non-smart irrigation timers do.
Though these devices are intended to be DIY friendly, you should always enlist help from a professional installer if you have questions, especially concerning electricity. These devices must be hardwired. If you have an existing irrigation system—and aren’t installing your sprinklers fresh with a smart controller—the wiring works the same way.
To replace an analog timer with a smart timer, you should get a model with the same number of watering zones as you already have, typically four, eight, or 16 zones (sometimes called “stations”). You then need to connect the wires from each zone valve to the correct terminal on the controller, along with a common wire (“C wire”). Some models also require you to hardwire the power adapter.
Depending on your current system and setup, some irrigation controllers can tolerate being mounted outside, while others require installation in a garage or utility room. Some companies sell weatherproof housings separately.
Like many other smart-home devices, most of these controllers support only a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Always check the quality of your Wi-Fi network where you plan to install your controller to confirm that the connection is reliable. No matter how good a device is, a spotty Wi-Fi connection will leave you with less-than-desirable performance.
Note that these devices will still continue to function should they lose connection to the internet; however, in that situation they won’t be able to get real-time weather data and thus won’t be able to optimize settings or skip watering during rain.
If you don’t have an in-ground irrigation system but still want a way to automate your sprinklers, smart hose timers are an excellent alternative. Designed for above-ground hoses and sprinkler setups, these simple Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi–enabled devices give you a lot of the same functionality as smart sprinkler controllers do, with a much simpler (wire-free) installation. You can even buy a version with multiple valves to create zones for different parts of your yard.
We consulted both professional reviews and owner reviews in refining our list of the most important features of a smart sprinkler timer. Any model we decided to test had to offer the following:
In addition to that list of must-haves, we sought other useful features, including:
And when we tested smart sprinkler timers and controllers, we considered a number of factors:
To test smart sprinkler timers, I first had to build a makeshift irrigation system since I didn’t already have one. I used the Orbit Preassembled Sprinkler Manifold (I got the three-valve model, though I used only two valves for testing) and the Orbit All-In-One Sprinkler Kit to rig a working, if slightly janky-looking, setup (my dogs certainly didn’t know what to make of it).
Then, I connected each smart controller individually and noted how easy it was to install, including the wiring and the initial configuration in the app.
With two functioning zones with sprinkler heads attached in different sections of my yard, I tested whether the app would let me start and stop the zones on demand, individually and as a pair. I also created Schedules for the zones, individually and as a pair.
I tried each smart sprinkler timer with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to see what additional capabilities, if any, voice control offered.
I considered how consistently each device maintained a strong Wi-Fi connection, how quickly I received notifications, how accurately the history log tracked activity, and whether the app was intuitive and useful (or, as in some cases, whether it was a pain).
Factors that will require long-term testing include the general durability of the hardware and the effectiveness of each model’s claims to accurately skip, delay, or otherwise adjust a watering Schedule based on the local weather report.
The most full-featured model is smart enough for a pro but great for beginners thanks to its especially easy-to-use app.
A well-designed app, an unrivaled list of features, and versatile hardware make the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller the easy favorite of the models we tested.
The Rachio app is simple to use right from the initial configuration. In addition to receiving prompt, reliable alerts from the app, you can easily start and stop the sprinklers, share access with others, and set Schedules—or let the app design a Schedule for you via its Flex Daily mode.
You can set up a variety of watering options based on your needs. I especially like how the app offers the choice of Fixed, Flex Monthly, or Flex Daily watering. Fixed watering, according to Rachio, is best for gardens, newly planted grass, and other needs that call for a set routine; the Fixed option sticks to a specific Schedule without modifying anything based on the weather or the time of year.
Rachio’s Flex Monthly mode automatically adjusts how often and how long your sprinklers run based on the time of year. It’s the middle-of-the-road option, as it best balances a reliable watering frequency with savings of both water and money.
Flex Daily adjusts the Schedule for you according to the weather and changes on a daily basis. This option, the mode most customized to your yard and local weather, gives you the best possible chance of savings. When using Flex Daily during testing, I noticed that the Rachio 3 controller skipped watering on a rainy day without any additional input on my part.
In addition to automatically skipping cycles, as necessary, based on the local forecast, this smart sprinkler timer worked consistently with Amazon Alexa and Google Home in my tests. You can control things manually on the device itself if you don’t have your phone.
If you experience a Wi-Fi outage, this sprinkler timer will continue to run Schedules; without that connection, however, it won’t be able to adjust your watering, including during rain or a heat wave.
Sold in four-, eight- and 16-zone configurations, this Rachio controller works just as well on small lawns with a handful of zones as it does on properties with more ground to cover. Install it inside or buy the optional weatherproof housing separately for use outside.
The app is best-in-class. The Rachio app takes its software-design cues from modern, minimal smart-home apps. It holds a ton of information and options for customizability but never feels cluttered or difficult to navigate.
Given that most of your interactions with the Rachio 3 are bound to happen in the app, this is a pretty significant positive in the Rachio app’s favor, especially stacked up against Orbit’s comparatively cluttered B-hyve app (more on that below).
After you download the app and create an account, the initial configuration starts when you tap the plus sign at the bottom-right corner of the home screen; you then select Sprinkler Controller from the list of options and follow the steps to get your controller online. I took screenshots as I went through this process, and I can confirm that only three minutes elapsed from when I tapped the plus sign to when the app confirmed that my Rachio 3 was online.
From there, the app asks you to name your controller and set up your zones. Depending on how many zones you have, the time this process takes will vary, but it’s simple. It asks you questions about the type of vegetation, sprinklers, and soil you have, as well as the amount of sun or shade the area gets and how flat or hilly it is.
That simplicity thankfully continues once you start using your controller to start and stop the sprinklers, set Schedules, share account access with others, and receive alerts.
It comes in multiple versions to accommodate a wide range of system and yard sizes. Available in four-, eight-, and 16-zone configurations, the Rachio 3 suits a lot of different yards and watering needs. No other smart sprinkler controller we tested offered a similar range of options.
Though Rachio sells the controller as an indoor-only device, you can buy an optional weatherproof housing for an additional $30. If you’re installing your timer in the garage, you don’t have to pay extra for a weatherproof case. This accessory gets the controller mostly, but not entirely, ready for outside use, as Rachio says that you also need an “electrical pigtail” for the housing, so keep that in mind if you plan to install your smart sprinkler timer outside. Again, hire an electrician to handle this step if you have questions or concerns.
Review Rachio’s privacy statement and a related support article for more information.
It’s pricey. The Rachio 3 typically costs $150 for a four-zone system, $200 for an eight-zone model, and $250 for a 16-zone version. The Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer usually costs $30 less for an eight-zone system and $50 less for a 16-zone system, while the Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller saves you $70 on a four-zone system or $100 on an eight-zone system. However, the Rachio 3’s performance, features, and ease of use make it worth the extra investment.
This model is a full-featured timer with especially customizable zone controls, but its app can be finicky and confusing.
The Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer is a solid runner-up to the Rachio 3 thanks to its durable hardware and its support for deeply customized Schedules for each zone.
The B-hyve app doesn’t approach the excellent Rachio one, and we found it clunky and sometimes confusing to use. However, it does provide all the standard features we expect, plus a rain-skip function that relies on local weather data along with detailed information about the soil and other conditions for each individual zone.
Available in eight-zone and 16-zone versions, the B-hyve XR is suitable for a larger yard or irrigation system. Because of its weatherproof design, you can install it anywhere without having to buy a separate enclosure, and it works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
It offers a ton of customization options. Orbit’s B-hyve app asks many of the same questions about your property as Rachio’s app does but expands on them with a particularly in-depth Advanced Details section that allows you to get even more specific.
When you set up each zone, the B-hyve app asks you about the type of soil, the grass, and the sprinkler head. It also asks how much sunlight and rainfall the area gets, how flat or hilly it is, and how many sprinklers are in the zone.
For example, your basic choices for soil include sand, sandy loam, loam, clay loam, clay, and unknown. Depending on the selection you make, the app estimates the intake rate in inches per hour. If you select loam, for instance, the default intake rate is 0.35 inch per hour, but you can adjust that number anywhere from 0.10 to 0.60 inch per hour.
How you adjust these settings can have a major impact on how the app determines the current water-saturation level of any given zone and how often you might need to water.
The B-hyve app even has a spot for you to note the drought conditions in your area and another where you can specify whether your locale has any restrictions on water usage.
The app needs work. Though the B-hyve app allows you to deeply customize each of your irrigation zones, it is in need of a design refresh to make it more user-friendly.
The main layout consists of tabs, labeled Calendar, Program, Home, Zones, and My B-hyve, at the bottom of the screen. Confusingly, they contain a lot of the same information; they could easily be reduced to fewer tabs or at least offer different enough details to better justify their existence. For example, the Calendar, Program, Home, and Zones tab all tell you when your controller will run next. Surely, this information could be condensed and simplified to avoid redundancy.
Review Orbit’s privacy statement for more information.
This value-packed model doesn’t skimp on features but is suited for smaller yards or irrigation systems.
The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller is your best choice if you have a small yard or budget and don’t mind installing the device indoors. (An optional weatherproof enclosure is available, but it costs nearly $40.)
It’s functionally the same as the more expensive Orbit B-hyve XR. This lower-priced model works with all of the same advanced settings in the B-hyve app as the B-hyve XR does, and it includes the ability to automatically adjust how much and how often it waters based on rainfall and the temperature outside.
The cost savings of this B-hyve model versus the B-hyve XR largely come from this model’s lack of weatherproofing, its omission of the XR’s small status displays, and its limitation to four or eight zones. This model also requires you to take additional steps to wire the included power adapter into 24-volt ports (the B-hyve XR’s adapter comes preinstalled).
Still, in our tests this model performed just as well as the pricier B-hyve XR, so if you need only four or eight zones, it’s worth considering.
It offers excellent value at a great price. The four-zone system we tested is just $80, and the $100 eight-zone system is half the cost of our top pick, the Rachio 3.
The app needs work. The same issues with the B-hyve app that I noted above for the B-hyve XR are true for this model, too: The app’s redundant info can make it confusing and frustrating to use.
The Moen Smart Sprinkler Controller (a rebrand of the Sprinkl Control) has a lot of potential, and I like that you can pair it with the company’s Smart Wireless Soil Sensor and Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff. However, it lacks family sharing, on-device controls, and Google Home support, and currently Moen doesn’t offer accessories such as a weatherproof housing (though that's on the way.) We will revisit this model should it get updated.
For previous versions of this guide, we tested and dismissed several other smart sprinkler timers and controllers for a variety of reasons; some models have been discontinued. This group includes the following:
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
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Megan Wollerton is a product tester and an award-winning feature writer. Previously she spent a decade at CNET reviewing all manner of gear and writing long stories about nature. Before that, she blogged for NBC’s SYFY Channel. In her spare time, she tries to convince her family to move to a remote cabin in the woods, and she eats much more dessert than is socially acceptable.
Plastic Impulse Sprinkler Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).