The 10 Best Irrigation Controllers
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in February of 2019. Whether you live in a drought-stricken region and wish to conserve resources or you need a way to automate the sprinkler system around your property, look no further than one of these nifty irrigation controllers. Our choices offer easy-to-use programming interfaces and an ability to use real-time weather data to deliver the proper amount of water to plants at the right time. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. RainMachine Touch HD-16
2. Rachio 3
3. Aeon Matrix Yardian
Editor's Notes
March 15, 2019:
Convenience, automation, zone control, and savings are all ideas I kept in the back of my mind when working on this topic. These WiFi-enabled devices have the ability to leverage real-time weather data to create dynamic schedules that ensure plenty of water gets delivered to various forms of vegetation without wasting resources. The RainMachine Touch HD-16, for example, offers nearly all of these values, thanks to its use of NOAA data to calculate water output levels. It's also compatible with Amazon Alexa. I thought the Rachio 3 was an intuitive option because of its ability to interpret plant types and overall sun exposure as a means of determining optimal irrigation time. Also added the Aeon Matrix Yardian for its integrated security camera, surge protection, and motion detection functionality. Included the Rain Bird ESP-Me for the 14-day activation delay feature. Although it might not be as high-tech as some of the other options, the valet key feature built into the design of the NxEco HWN12-200 makes it perfect for use when professional gardeners and other non-family members may be on the property. I also thought the Netro Sprite was a worthy contender, thanks to its internal database of over 1,000 common plant species, which makes it easy to create customized schedules based on the contents of a particular garden. Also added the Hunter I-Core, as it can monitor flow patterns and automatically shut off specific zones that don't conform to predetermined water delivery levels. Added the Blossom 7 for its ease of installation and lightweight design. Finally, I included the Rain Bird SST900IN for its convenient dial-based operation.
4. Rain Bird ESP-Me
5. NxEco HWN12-200
6. Netro Sprite
7. Hunter I-Core
8. Orbit B-Hyve
9. Blossom 7
10. Rain Bird SST900IN
Jeff is a dedicated writer and communications professional from San Francisco with a bachelor of arts in anthropology from UC Berkeley. He began his career in computer consulting and later branched out into customer service. Jeff focuses on making complex topics easy to understand. With over 10 years' experience in research, his relentless curiosity fuels a love of writing and learning how things work, and has helped to build expertise in categories such as heavy-duty power tools and computer equipment. Jeff's passion for animals affords him a strong understanding of pet products, including dog houses, beds, and grain-free foods. When he's not writing, he prefers spending time with his family and three dogs, while kicking back and relaxing with a nice glass of red wine.