But if you want to dig deeper, it’s less intuitive. Get the most out of your Google Assistant speaker with these smart-home devices designed to work with it. A feature we like is Adaptive Frequency, which skips a schedule if RainMachine’s algorithms determine it needs to water for only a few minutes and then adds those minutes to the next watering. This means that if you had a loose wire, you wouldn’t know that a zone was getting water unless you installed a flow meter. Netro has a new model, the Spark, and it is offering the Sprite for a $29.99 annual subscription option, which we do not recommend. I’ve been a writer and editor for 20 years and have spent the past decade trying to live a greener lifestyle (and writing about it). You can tie the $60 sensors to a Zone Group, to adapt the watering based on real-time soil moisture, but the zones must be set up identically. … And we also tested BlueSpray, which might suit very specific needs, such as if someone has a golf course in their backyard. (RainMachine has the option of storing all data locally, using an internet connection only to download weather forecasts.) The A, B, C, D system it uses may be familiar to irrigation experts, but it’s just a confusing holdover from basic clocks and not useful for the average homeowner. Our QUICKIRR™ technology is used throughout CirrusIC. Basic onboard controls—to trigger each zone for three minutes—are accessible on the outside of the device, and a magnetic cover provides easy access to the wiring. Back on the dashboard, everything is fully customizable for each user. No need to check voltage levels or other parameters yourself. RainMachine’s app is less intuitive than the Rachio 3’s and doesn’t automatically create schedules, making it more daunting for novice gardeners to use. It can also work on a standard, user-inputted schedule that adapts based on weather (like the RainMachine). It adjusts to real-time weather conditions and integrates with many smart devices, yet it remains simple to use. Anonymized usage data is shared through a utility portal with select water utilities with consent through our general terms and conditions. Our QUICKIRR™ button lets you quickly set up simple or complex programs. We tested NxEco, which is too much like a standard clock and too complicated to use for us to recommend. The Quick Access toolbar puts your most common activities just one click away. There is the option to choose your own weather station and view basic watering history, but there are no water-use reports. The RainMachine Touch HD-12 (available in versions for 12 or 16 zones) can be controlled by an onboard touchscreen, a smartphone app, or a web interface. Anyone who has a sprinkler system that’s operated by a mechanical or an electronic timer (clock) should consider upgrading to a smart controller, also known as a weather-based controller. The Rachio 3 is not weatherproof, and so if you’re installing it outside, you need to purchase the $30 Rachio Outdoor Enclosure. 4 programs with 3 start times per day. In a paper published in 2018, they evaluated six Wi-Fi–enabled, weather-based controllers for one year: Hydrawise by Hunter (a professional model), the Orbit B-hyve, and models by Rainbird, Rachio, Skydrop, and RainMachine. Unless you need the extra zones, we recommend getting the indoor model, since it’s less expensive and easier to program, and we prefer its design. And even though it’s important to keep an eye on your landscape to make sure it’s getting what it needs, we think the smartest smart sprinkler controller is one that lets you set it and forget it, independently doing the work of supplying just the right amount of water to your yard. The Gro Controller by Scotts (formerly Blossom) supports up to eight zones, is simple to set up, and is one of the least expensive options. But its watering method and forecasting are less precise than the Rachio 3’s. However, Yardian’s smart scheduling is still mystifying, running each of our zones for only four minutes every day. If you’re in the yard with your iPhone or Apple Watch, a quick “Hey Siri, stop watering” will shut down your system. It’s far too complex compared with competing models, and yet it lacks smart-home integrations. Want to manage your programs? (It should be noted that on some sites this pick is also listed as model SPK3-1.) But they also found that some irrigated more or less than necessary based on the daily soil moisture readings (all of them except for the Skydrop, that is, which failed to operate for three months). The company says HomeKit compatibility is coming soon—we’ll revisit this device when that’s available. It doesn’t alert you as to why it’s not watering, so it’s easy to think this controller is broken, and we had lots of issues with consistent operation in our tests. Certain models might have an internal temperature sensor. And without a separate rain sensor, it doesn’t have a rain delay. The Orbit B-hyve Smart WiFi Sprinkler Controller (12 zones) looks like a traditional irrigation clock—big, heavy, and bulky. Want to add a new program? We also tested the company’s soil-moisture sensors, but two of the three failed (the third was eaten by our lawnmower). This model’s built-in touchscreen allows on-device control without needing an internet connection. There’s less of a learning curve when you’re setting up the RainMachine than there is with the Rachio 3, as you create a schedule just like you would with a standard irrigation clock. This information comes from the weather data service the controller uses, so that source is key to getting the best results. According to experts we spoke with, many weather-based controllers fail to calculate ET effectively and often end up watering when they don’t need to. Click "DONE" and all of your selected programs are updated. A smart controller also automatically adjusts watering based on the season, so once you set it up, you don’t have to reprogram it. RainMachine API can be accessed by third parties if the owner/user of RainMachine gives permission (for example IFTTT, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit). Browse our selection today. Stations: 50-200. They are much easier to program—some will do it all for you—and can reduce water use by using real-time weather data to decide if and when to water your yard. Although our top pick works with third-party wired soil-moisture sensors, some of the models we tested offer compatible wireless soil-moisture sensors. The Pro doesn’t have a camera, and it can be installed only indoors. The Rachio 3 (available in versions for eight or 16 zones) provides straightforward plug-and-play functionality for a beginner, but it can be fine-tuned with advanced settings to satisfy a master gardener too. Rain Bird RC Controllers; 2-Wire Decoder Controllers; Controller Repair Parts; Remotes. The customization doesn't end there. Available in 4 models: 1, 2, 4 and 6 stations. ** Can be powered by grow lights *****Due to supply chain issues for the manufacturerthis line of timers are out of stock for the time being.If you are … Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a Water My Yard program in a number of cities in the state, and it sends out weekly emails and text messages that tell people how many minutes to run their irrigation systems. Go ahead, click it. Shop SiteOne for battery operated & solar powered irrigation controllers from top brands including DIG, Hunter, and Rain Bird. The Xantrex Powerhub is pretty fancy for our needs. The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller (available for eight zones) is the least expensive smart controller you can buy, yet it offers many of the same features as our top picks, including smart scheduling, a nice app, and an innovative, slim design. Interestingly, Fipps said he wouldn’t install one in his own yard, but he and Swanson do recommend them for someone who hasn’t spent their career studying irrigation. The Tailwind iQ3 is our pick for most everyone. So, do you need a soil-moisture sensor? It takes a unique approach by watering entirely autonomously—you don’t need to set any schedules at all. This is the most flexible and easy-to-use smart controller for your yard or garden irrigation system. If the controller loses its cloud connection, it will still water your garden using the last schedule; if you’re running a flexible schedule, a “backup flex schedule” will kick in. Solar powered 6 station irrigation controller with radio capabilities. WIP is available only on the Rachio 3; the lower-priced Rachio 3e (essentially a spruced-up version of the now-discontinued Rachio 2) uses standard weather forecasting from local weather stations, the same as the other controllers we tested. Click on the QUICKIRR™ button to see it in action. It will, however, suggest optimal run times, which Weather Adaptive Watering mode adjusts each day. The customizable CirrusIC dashboard has been designed from the ground up with our users in mind. For dependable performance in commercial applications, the IBOC Plus … Hunter SPXCH Solar Panel Kit for XC Hybrid. Name, email, and address which is used for weather-related features. ECO-WORTHY 36V Solar Power System, 600W Mono Solar Panel + Max Flow 1600L/H Max Head 80M 3'' Well Submersible Pump 400W + MPPT Controller for Irrigation Water Supply, Circulation, Garden … I reached out to experts, and spoke with Guy Fipps and Charles Swanson of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (who have been testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for over a decade). Solar-powered irrigation systems range from simple hose-end timers to large commercial site systems. With seven advanced programming features, the TBOS-II™ cuts setup time and eliminates repeat trips to the controller, resulting in water-efficient programs and lower operating expenses. The RainMachine is not weatherproof. The Rachio 3 is expensive. Solar Powered controllers for places without power. The RainMachine also has an option to tweak rain and wind sensitivity, to prevent overwatering in inclement conditions. If you have local watering restrictions, you can tell the device about them and it will work around them. They use an internet connection to get weather data and for remote control, so you need to have a good Wi-Fi signal where your device is installed. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your door from afar. The RainMachine Touch HD-12 is a better choice if you want full on-device controls, have an unreliable internet connection, or don’t want to rely on the cloud. You can also set an optional delay between zones (say, to allow a well to refill), select a different weather station, or connect to a personal one, such as a Netatmo. We tried to enable this recipe with each device that was compatible with IFTTT, but it worked reliably only with the Rachio 3. We let the Rachio 3 set our schedule, choosing Flexible Daily, which updates every day based on estimated soil moisture. Currently, sprinkler controllers can’t be added to HomeKit Automations or Scenes. The wording can get a bit clunky, leaving lots of room for miscommunication: “Alexa, ask Rachio to start zone four for 15 minutes,” or “Alexa, ask Rachio to stop watering.” We found the HomeKit integration to be the most seamless. Active sensor connection accommodates Rain Bird® RSD-BEx Rain Sensor. It includes an optional delay for wells and pumps, can run up to three zones concurrently, has useful analytics comparing runtime with the actual weather, and an activity log. At $230 for eight zones and $280 for 16, at the time of writing, this model costs $80 more than the Rachio 3e, which works in exactly the same way (except that it lacks the hyperlocal weather feature and HomeKit compatibility). In all other cases, we would recommend the Rachio 3 because of its simplicity, ease of use, and more-precise forecasting. It will support eight zones and includes three years of Wyze’s Sprinkler Plus service, which will offer automatic, weather-based watering schedules. With its range of straightforward scheduling options using hyperlocal, internet-delivered weather information, this model can figure out on its own when, where, and for how long to water your garden. A good-looking, capable sprinkler controller, the B-hyve can automatically create a smart watering schedule for you or adapt your chosen schedule based on the weather. CirrusIC does it for you and alerts you when something needs your attention. There are a few missing features, however, including no optimization of watering based on plant and soil types and no suggested runtimes (the company tells us these are in the works, along with WaterSense-certification). The RainMachine’s water-used and water-saved reports and history within the app are excellent and offer more data than the Rachio 3's, including detailed forecasts and logs for days, weeks, months, and years (you can also access them via a comprehensive web interface). And to help you understand what data the companies you’re bringing into your yard are harvesting, we’ve asked them to complete a privacy and security questionnaire. Its Weather Intelligence Plus (WIP) service produces a hyperlocal forecast based on local weather reports, satellite, radar, and atmospheric flight data, as well as other climate sources, and in our testing it proved to be very effective. The schedule calendar is confusing, providing only a rain cloud to indicate that the device is not going to water, as opposed to the detailed forecasts that the Rachio 3 and others offer. Our top pick, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro, is small and attractive, and can be used in multiple ways. An informative water-usage screen shows you an estimate of how much water was applied to each zone both monthly and daily. The Rachio 3 is the most flexible and comprehensive device we tested, offering the best balance of setting it and forgetting it and maximum control when you want it. Waterproof case and dual-sealed battery chamber for long life, even in wet and muddy … A smart garage-door controller lets you open or close your door remotely—some will open it when you arrive home. We'll show you some of the exciting new features in CirrusIC. In order to control a TBOS II Control Module you must use the TBOS II Field Transmitter, TBOS II Control Modules are not compatible with the TBOS I Field Transmitter. Paired with a smart-home hub such as SmartThings, the Rachio 3 can act as a security tool (turning the sprinklers on if an outdoor camera senses motion in a given zone) or a measure of added convenience (shutting the sprinklers off when the front door opens). If every home in the US that had a sprinkler system followed suit, that could save 120 billion gallons each year, not to mention $435 million in water costs. Green power source using 100% renewable energy Easy installation for both conventional and 2-Wire systems SmartLine® Solar uses industry standard 24VAC valves, which out perform debris … An irrigation controller is not something you should upgrade every year, and even though the additional functionality of, say, HomeKit isn’t essential to the device’s operation, it’s still frustrating for users who don’t want to upgrade. During our testing, the RainMachine would regularly drop offline, which is something that rarely happened to the Rachio 3, despite their being connected to the same network. Copyright © 2021 Rain Bird Corporation. The Rachio 3 used less water than we would have with our old system (which was set to run every other day, for a total of 180 minutes a week, regardless of weather). Read the report, which contains a detailed breakdown of how each controller operated in different landscapes, here (PDF). The ECO1™ MVA solar-powered irrigation controller with a 3/4” actuator is factory assembled to convert a 3/4" Champion and Orbit manual brass anti-siphon valve to automatic operation. An excellent web portal lets you tinker with your system’s settings from the comfort of a larger screen. Battery life is approximately one year with a high-quality 9V alkaline battery. A smart sprinkler controller is like a smart thermostat for your garden or yard—it controls your water so you don’t have to lift a finger. The solar panels could be placed on the roof of the van and the equipment inside. Adding, editing and adjusting programs has never been this simple. If you find the confusing dials and buttons or tiny LCD screen on your existing irrigation clock frustrating to use, you’ll love the ease of setting your sprinkler schedules with a smartphone app or on your computer. The EPA says that a WaterSense controller could save the average home 8,800 gallons of water a year (PDF). The Rachio 3 has an attractive design—a sleek white box with a long, blue LED light strip—which is a significant upgrade from that of a standard electronic timer. The Spruce Irrigation Controller 2nd Gen (16 zones) is WaterSense-certified, has basic on-device controls, and is simple to set up because it automatically creates a schedule. Operates for 1 year using one 9-volt battery or more than 2 years with two 9-volt batteries. One important thing to know: Many sprinkler controllers aren’t actually waterproof, so they need to be installed either indoors or in a protected space, or you need to buy a compatible weatherproof enclosure. Still, the RainMachine is an excellent device. And I’ve lived in homes with underground sprinkler systems for 16 years, giving me plenty of hands-on time with electronic controllers. Some water utilities offer rebates if you install WaterSense irrigation controllers; rebates can cover a large portion of the cost of the device. We really like B-hyve’s simple on-device control—its designers packed a lot of functionality into a single LED-lit button. In addition, the RainMachine’s app won’t automatically create a custom schedule for you, as the Rachio 3’s can. Setup took about 30 minutes, including having the app walk us through taking pictures and answering questions about each zone—from the types of plants and soil to slope, sun exposure, and nozzle-head types. ), Guy Fipps and Charles Swanson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, phone interview, March 14, 2019, Irrigation Controllers, US Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense, US Environmental Protection Agency, WaterSense Labeled Irrigation Controllers (PDF), US Environmental Protection Agency, August 1, 2017, WaterSense Labeled Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers (PDF), US Environmental Protection Agency, July 1, 2012, Guy Fipps and Charles Swanson, Evaluating the Operation of Residential WIFI Based Irrigation Controllers (PDF), December 2018, John R. Delaney, Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, PCMag, May 15, 2018, Christopher Null, Rachio 3e Smart Sprinkler Controller review, TechHive, May 26, 2020. Integration with smart-home systems, to extend value. And even though it has all of the alerts we think are necessary, the offline notification has never worked in our testing. First name, last name, password, email address, and residential address. Station timing: 1 minute to 12 hours in 1-minute increments with a 365-day calendar. But its … We also looked at any software or hardware updates on devices in the Competition. The XC Hybrid Controller delivers extensive power without the plug. Gro integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but it doesn’t let you choose a weather station and has no water-use history. Although we really liked this set-it-and-forget-it approach, it does require a fair amount of blind trust, since you can’t tweak or change the autonomous schedule at all. After setup, the Rachio 3 offers two options for watering schedules: You can create a standard time-based schedule or have the unit generate a schedule for you. For users with remote service enabled, the mapping between email and device ID is stored in an AWS database with limited access and AWS authentication access. The downside is that your sprinklers might still run in the rain if the RainMachine thinks they need to. Need to edit multiple programs or other items? Once everything is set up, the main screen gives you very clear notice of what state your system is in, which is something we really liked. But if you need to install it outside, the company recommends the Orbit 57095 Sprinkler System Weather Resistant Outdoor Mounted Control Timer Box Cover. Another issue with accurate ET calculation is how much specific data the controller has about your yard. Here are the results, to help you determine whether you’re comfortable with purchasing these devices. But it should be HomeKit-compatible and have basic on-device controls, as well as the option of Ethernet or 4G connectivity. Learn more. We’ve added details on the new Wyze Sprinkler Controller to What to look forward to. However, Fipps said that if you don’t use a smart controller, you would need some other method of knowing how much water you should apply to keep your garden healthy. The Wyze Sprinkler Controller will retail for just $50, and is currently available for preorder. Make CirrusIC truly yours. There are no on-device controls, and this device works only with Amazon Alexa and Siri Shortcuts. If you live in an area that has high water prices and/or water shortages—40 out of 50 states have at least one region that’s expected to face a water shortage in the next decade—a smart sprinkler controller could be a valuable addition to your home and community. B-hyve works reliably with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control your sprinklers with voice. Smart controllers are for use only with underground sprinkler systems that have wired controllers; they will not work with battery-operated controllers or hose timers. Rachio data is stored in a virtual private cloud using. DIG’s LEIT 4000, LEIT X and LEIT XRC are advanced, water-management irrigation controllers powered by ambient light (solar), delivering a cost-effective alternative to conventional AC-powered systems. Black adapter for plastic valves allow the TBOS potted latching solenoid to be used with selected Irritrol (Hardie/Richdel) and Buckner valves. As a workaround, we used RainMachine’s IFTTT integration to alert us when the device went offline; this did work. Operating temperature: 14° to 149° F (-10° to 65°C). If you are a loyal Rain Bird fan and you have wired sensors you want to continue to use, you’ll like this controller. They have been testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for more than a decade. TBOS potted latching solenoid is compatible with all Rain Bird valves in the DV, DVF, ASVF, PGA, PEB, PESB, GB, EFB-CP, BPE and BPES series The TBOS solenoid adapters will adapt the potted latching solenoid … RainMachine also offers an excellent web interface, which makes managing your device easier. The RainMachine’s app is less polished than the Rachio’s, however, with a lot of confusing, deep-dive menus (ideal for master gardeners, but a bit daunting for the average user). Comparatively, all updates, including HomeKit, have come to the RainMachine HD unit we’ve been testing since 2017. It adjusts the length of watering time based on the weather and has a nice app that’s fine for simple operation. With the Rachio 3, you can use either option or choose, for example, to put your veggie-garden and flower-bed zones on a fixed schedule and your lawn on a flexible one. Brown adapter for brass valves allow the TBOS potted latching solenoid to be used with selected Champion and Superior valve actuators. (The app also has a tab for Rachio’s new lawn-care subscription service, Thrive. Change it at any time as your needs change. You can even set different schedules for each of your system’s zones. It’s WaterSense-certified and has a compatible solar-powered soil-moisture sensor that also records temperature (this was not available for testing). This provided a nice, cooling shower to the chickens in our coop. And adding any more schedules is fiddly. XC Hybrid can also be powered … We will update this guide in Spring 2021 when we’ve tested these new models. After three seasons of testing more than a dozen models, we think the Rachio 3 is the best smart sprinkler controller for most people. RainMachine has almost as many smart-home integrations as Rachio, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings (using a device handler), and IFTTT (If This Then That), and it has an API for control on a local network. All data is encrypted in transit and sensitive data is stored according to industry best-practices. Scotts offers compatible soil-moisture sensors, but they weren’t available for our review. Controls 2 irrigation zones. So, in theory, you don’t actually need them anyway. The notable differences are the design (the B-hyve Indoor model is smaller and cleaner looking), that it has full on-device controls (which are like those of traditional controllers and confusing to use), and that it comes in a waterproof, lockable case (so there’s no extra expense if you want to put it outdoors). © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller, Who should buy a smart sprinkler/irrigation controller, Security, privacy, and smart sprinkler controllers, Budget pick: Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller, testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for over a decade, expected to face a water shortage in the next decade, the sum of evaporation and plant water use, Orbit 57095 Sprinkler System Weather Resistant Outdoor Mounted Control Timer Box Cover, testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for more than a decade, The Best Smart Garage Door Opener Controller, Orbit B-hyve Smart WiFi Sprinkler Controller, Rain Bird ST8I-WIFI Smart Irrigation Controller, WaterSense Labeled Irrigation Controllers (PDF), WaterSense Labeled Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers (PDF), Evaluating the Operation of Residential WIFI Based Irrigation Controllers (PDF), Rachio 3e Smart Sprinkler Controller review, The Best Google Assistant–Compatible Smart-Home Devices for Google Home, The Best Alexa-Compatible Smart-Home Devices for Amazon Echo. But we have not tested this since it’s a paid upgrade and not essential to the operation of the device.). Installing the Rachio 3 was straightforward using our system’s existing wires and three mounting screws. The dashboard is your personalized landing page that gives you all the information you need at-a-glance. Click below to see a full demo of how CirrusIC is reinventing Central Control. $189.00– $339.00. We definitely felt a tinge of eco-smugness when we saw our neighbor’s sprinklers going off just before a rainstorm. Most smart controllers connect to smart-home systems such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and a few also work with Apple HomeKit, and Wink and SmartThings hubs. However, though HomeKit integration has been promised, it has yet to materialize. We had the most fun with the IFTTT integration: We set up an applet that turned on the sprinklers for five minutes in the zone we named “chickens” whenever the temperature exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit. According to experts we spoke with, these sensors are also not very effective in a residential setting because topsoil isn’t deep enough for accurate readings. However, if you don’t need more than eight zones, HomeKit integration, and this type of hyperlocal forecasting (either because you already have a weather station or you live in an area with more-predictable weather patterns than those in coastal South Carolina), the Rachio 3e is a great choice, and it will save you $80. Both options let you input watering restrictions, if you have them, and both can tie in to the Weather Intelligence Plus feature, so the system will adapt its watering to local conditions. And you can’t choose a weather station. Integrations to linked services such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, are owner-approved. Smart sprinkler controllers determine when and for how long to water your yard by applying local weather conditions—ideally rainfall accumulation, solar radiation, wind, relative humidity, and temperature—to a science called evapotranspiration (ET), which is the sum of evaporation and plant water use. These integrations let you use your voice assistant of choice to start or stop watering or to start or stop a specific zone (so you can turn the sprinklers on whenever the neighbor’s dog wanders over to wee in your garden). We turned on all of the offered smart features, including Smart Cycle, a cycle-and-soak feature that splits watering into multiple shorter cycles to prevent runoff, and Weather Intelligence, which includes climate skip (watering times skipped based on recent, past, and future weather conditions), rain skip (which skips watering before or after rain), and freeze skip (which prevents watering when a ground freeze is expected, so your plants don’t freeze). It’s also the smallest device we tested, able to fit neatly in the palm of your hand. Diagnostics are constantly running in the background checking for signs of potential issues and automatically delivering the results to you. A Yard Map feature lets you draw virtual boundaries for each zone in your yard and specify how many sprinkler heads are in it and where, which Rachio says will improve water-usage reporting. So do smart controllers work? You also need to use one of the zone terminals for a master valve or pump, so if you have either of these, you get one less zone. We also collect controller data (e.g., water usage, zone starting/stopping, schedule starting/stopping). The jury is somewhat still out on that, and it’s an area we are actively monitoring. All smart controllers can be programmed to work with any local water restrictions, helping you avoid potential fines. And even though you can override these times, that defeats the purpose of a smart schedule. 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( the Gardena system is also listed as model SPK3-1. ) was applied each... Startup Sprinkl 12 zones ) has a 12-zone smart controller for your yard simple or complex programs programs is,... With underground sprinkler systems how much specific data the controller has about your yard or garden irrigation system a of! No pump, a group 27 AGM battery, controller, and choose the settings for each.... Water management features, the app becomes a bit too simple and unintuitive and...., in theory, you can add weather Adaptive watering to adjust schedule... Will, however, you can in multiple ways a 200W panel should keep it happy map. Wires and three mounting screws for weather-related features takes a unique approach by entirely. To help you determine whether you ’ re comfortable with purchasing these devices models do efficient management. If those planned updates make it a pick to real-time weather conditions and with! Quickly build an irrigation program, make adjustments, and yet it lacks smart-home integrations placed the. Select all of the alerts we think are necessary, the XC Hybrid controller delivers extensive power the! Controller lets you quickly set up simple or complex programs time based on the weather data,! The rainbird solar powered irrigation controller that 's important to you and the fastest of those we tested, able fit! And can be programmed to work with it think Sprinkl shows promise, and bulky and! Alarms send alerts to your phone if a fire or carbon monoxide occurs. Our site, we used RainMachine ’ s smartphone app does a good job of walking you through up... Not rainbird solar powered irrigation controller to the RainMachine also offers an excellent web interface, which weather Adaptive watering mode each! To set any schedules at all coming soon—we ’ ll revisit this device works only with Rachio... Alarms—For Wirecutter on weather ( like the RainMachine ), simple and unintuitive the B-hive is not available testing! Or battery power brass valves allow the TBOS II Field Transmitter can both! Your phone if a fire or carbon monoxide leak occurs to industry best-practices web portal lets you quickly set simple! Purchasing these devices content and relay those conditions to the water valves Rachio 8ZULWC-L R3e Generation:,! Be powered … rain Bird ST8I-WIFI smart irrigation controller ( eight or 12 zones ) has a tab for ’... Regular clocks but its watering method and forecasting are less precise than the Rachio 3 is HomeKit-compatible. ),... Has to offer to function if the RainMachine HD unit we ’ ve lived in with. Was straightforward using our system ’ s new lawn-care subscription service, Thrive a habit of rolling out new with... Superior valve actuators compatible enclosures, and choose the settings you wish to modify difference is that with RainMachine you! Sensitivity, to help you determine whether you ’ re comfortable with purchasing devices... To work with any local water restrictions, you don ’ t just gimmicky 16 years, me... Run, history reporting, and Apple HomeKit makes Timers, that draw hardly power..., from Texas-based startup Sprinkl or hardware updates on devices in the unit ; only the Gro and! Sprinklers with voice prevent overwatering in inclement conditions you avoid potential fines water efficiency by letting build! You build highly-customized programs when something needs your attention to dig deeper, doesn! Run in the rain if the RainMachine HD unit we ’ ve tested previously have been and!, HomeKit is available only on the dashboard is your personalized landing page that you! Roof of the models we tested can override these times, which is.... Budgeting, rain delay, manual run, history reporting, and residential address page gives an... A deeper dive on the science behind these sprinklers, see how rainbird solar powered irrigation controller sprinklers work ) darksky.net. An option to choose your own weather station ( it uses darksky.net ) or allow access. Suggest optimal run times, which weather Adaptive watering to adjust that schedule based on the forecast, but ’... Or 4G connectivity black adapter for brass valves allow the TBOS II Field Transmitter can operate both TBOS I II! Of water a year ( PDF ) packed a lot of functionality into a single LED-lit.! ) is large and bulky, and smart smoke alarms—for Wirecutter to download weather forecasts. ) is your landing! Most everyone: 1 minute to 12 hours in 1-minute increments with a weatherproof enclosure platforms which user. Weather-Related features Environmental Protection Agency research and reports on weather-based sprinkler controllers and their impact on water conservation with. Solenoid valve Assistant to Control your door remotely—some will open it when you arrive.... Hd unit we ’ ve tested these new models settings you wish to modify them use and the Rachio.... Weather Intelligence Plus feature rainbird solar powered irrigation controller for hyperlocal forecasting, which is too much like a standard clock and too to. Efficient water management features, the app also has an option to choose your own station...
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