Best Irrigation Controllers In 2023

Irrigation controllers are essential for maintaining a healthy and vibrant lawn or garden.

These devices automate the watering process, ensuring that your plants receive the right amount of water at the right time.

The best irrigation controllers on the market offer a range of features that make watering your lawn or garden a breeze.

When it comes to selecting the best irrigation controller for your needs, there are several factors to consider. The first is the type of controller you need.

There are two main types of irrigation controllers: smart controllers and traditional controllers. Smart controllers use weather data and other information to adjust watering schedules automatically, while traditional controllers require manual adjustments.

Another important factor to consider is the number of zones your irrigation system has. Zones refer to the number of areas in your lawn or garden that require watering. The more zones your system has, the more complex your irrigation controller needs to be.

Finally, it's important to consider the ease of installation and use of the irrigation controller. The best controllers are intuitive and easy to set up, with clear instructions and user-friendly interfaces.

Best Irrigation Controllers: Full Analysis (Updated for 2023)

We understand the importance of keeping your lawn and garden well-maintained, especially during the hot summer months. That's why we've compiled a list of the best irrigation controllers on the market to help you keep your plants healthy and hydrated.

These controllers are designed to make watering your lawn and garden a breeze, with features that allow you to set schedules, adjust watering times, and even control your system remotely.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these controllers will help you achieve the lush green lawn and vibrant garden you've always wanted.

So without further ado, let's dive into our top picks for the best irrigation controllers.

Pros

• Programming is a breeze, and you won't need the instructions.
• Customized watering schedules for each area of your yard.
• Designed for indoor installation within a garage, home, or waterproof shed.

Cons

Pros

• The B-hyve app makes it easy to control your sprinklers from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
• WeatherSense technology ensures that your plants get the right amount of water based on site conditions and live weather feeds.
• The controller is easy to install and use, with convenient wiring terminals and a plug-and-go line cord.

Cons

Pros

• Tailors watering schedules to your yard's specific needs, ensuring a beautiful yard and lower water bill.
• Exclusive Weather Intelligence automatically skips unnecessary watering with features like rain skip, wind skip, and freeze skip.
• Easy-to-use app allows you to manage your watering from anywhere.

Cons

The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is a game-changer when it comes to watering your lawn. Its Weather Intelligence feature ensures that you're not wasting water on unnecessary watering, while also tailoring schedules to your yard's specific needs.

The app is easy to use and allows you to control your watering from anywhere, which is perfect for those who travel frequently or have multiple properties.

Installation is straightforward and can be done in 30 minutes or less, although it may take longer if you have a more complex system. While some users have reported connectivity issues with the app, we haven't experienced any problems during our testing.

Overall, the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is a fantastic investment for anyone looking to upgrade their irrigation system. Its features are top-notch, and it's incredibly easy to use. We highly recommend it!

Pros

• The X-Core 6-station indoor controller is user-friendly and easy to install.
• It provides essential water management features to ensure beautiful, healthy landscapes for up to 6 stations.
• The controller offers convenient Seasonal Adjust capabilities for quick schedule updates throughout the year without changing run times.

Cons

We recently installed the Hunter Sprinkler Irrigation XC600i X-Core 6-Station Indoor Controller in our backyard, and we're impressed with its performance. The controller is compact, easy to install, and provides essential water management features to ensure healthy landscapes.

One of the things we love about this controller is its Seasonal Adjust capabilities. It allows us to make quick schedule updates throughout the year without changing run times, which is perfect for our busy lifestyle.

The controller also offers three flexible programs with four start times each and run times up to 4 hours to accommodate most residential and light commercial irrigation system needs. We found this feature very helpful as we have different watering needs for different parts of our backyard.

However, we did find the programming instructions a bit confusing at first. It took us a while to figure out how to program the controller, but once we got the hang of it, it was easy to use.

One thing to note is that the controller is not compatible with all types of irrigation systems. We had to make some adjustments to our irrigation system to make it work with the controller.

Overall, we think the Hunter Sprinkler Irrigation XC600i X-Core 6-Station Indoor Controller is a great investment for anyone looking for a reliable irrigation controller for their residential landscape.

It may be a bit pricey compared to other controllers in the market, but its features and performance make it worth the investment.

Pros

• The Orbit 4 zone indoor sprinkler timer is easy to set up and customize your watering schedule.
• It allows you to tailor your irrigation needs to your specific requirements with various features like the rain delay, water budgeting, and dual watering programs.
• With its reputation as a top brand in the sprinkler controller market, Orbit ensures you're getting a reliable product that will stand the test of time.

Cons

We recently used the Orbit 4 zone indoor sprinkler timer for our lawn and garden, and we were impressed with how easy it was to set up and customize our watering schedule. The flexible watering options allowed us to set the water duration for each station between 1-240 minutes, ensuring our lawn received the right amount of water every time.

We also appreciated the efficient watering schedule, which reduced water runoff and saved us money by having up to 8 start times per day. The rain delay feature was also a great addition, allowing us to easily pause our watering schedule during rainy weather conditions.

The water budgeting feature was another highlight, which allowed us to adjust our watering schedule with ease based on seasonal changes. The dual watering programs provided independent watering programs, letting us customize watering intervals, days of the week, and even or odd watering days.

Overall, the Orbit 4 zone indoor sprinkler timer is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and user-friendly irrigation controller. It's a great value for its price and provides peace of mind knowing that you have a high-quality sprinkler timer from a trusted and reputable brand like Orbit.

Pros

• The B-hyve XR smart controller is a CES Innovation Award-winning product that fully functional with Android, iOS, or web app for total control, wherever you need it. It is easy to pair using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Technology.
• The B-hyve App is free and easy to use. You can program it in both Android and iOS platforms with no subscription or hidden fees.
• The WeatherSense technology provides smart watering based on site conditions such as slope, soil type, sun/shade, and historical ET.

Cons

The Orbit B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller is a compact and well-suited product for any irrigation system. The installation process is straightforward, and the app is easy to use. The B-hyve App provides live weather feeds, so you don't have to worry about watering your lawn or plants during droughts or rainy days.

This irrigation controller is a great investment for anyone looking to save time and money. The WeatherSense technology ensures that your plants and lawn get the right amount of water, which can save you money on your water bill. The B-hyve XR smart controller is also Wi-Fi capable, so you can control your irrigation system from anywhere in the world.

In conclusion, the Orbit B-hyve 8-Zone Smart Indoor Sprinkler Controller is an excellent product that is worth the investment. It is reliable, efficient, and easy to use. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smart irrigation controller.

Note: this is not an irrigation controller. It's an extension to an existing irrigation system.

Pros

• The Hunter Wand Wi-Fi Module is a simple plug-in device that enables online irrigation management capabilities for any Hunter X2 controller, providing maximum water savings.
• The controller status updates and faulty wiring alerts signify the need for maintenance before costly landscape damage occurs.
• The Hydrawise scheduling allows for full schedule setup in seconds, making it easy to use.

Cons

We've used the Hunter Wand Wi-Fi Module for X2 Outdoor Irrigation Controller and found it to be a great addition to our irrigation system. The device is easy to install, and the plug-in feature makes it simple to use. The Hydrawise scheduling feature is a great way to save water, and the controller status updates and faulty wiring alerts are helpful in preventing costly landscape damage.

The network installation process can be a bit tricky, as the device is not immediately recognized on dual-band Wi-Fi. However, once you get past this hurdle, the device is easy to use. The system is not intuitive, so it may take some time to learn how to use it properly. However, once you get the hang of it, you'll find that it's a great addition to your irrigation system.



Overall, we would recommend the Hunter Wand Wi-Fi Module for X2 Outdoor Irrigation Controller to anyone looking for an easy-to-use irrigation controller that provides online management capabilities. It's a great investment that will help you save water and prevent costly landscape damage.

Pros

• The timer is engineered for indoor or outdoor locations with exposure to weather, and comes with a locking cabinet with two keys and a swing panel display for easy access.
• The A, B, and C program slots allow you to set up to three unique watering schedules, each with up to four different start times for cycle and soak windows.
• The manual mode allows you to run one zone, multiple zones, or all zones, and the rain delay feature allows you to skip watering of zones during rain or freeze.

Cons

The Orbit 57894 4-Station Outdoor Swing Panel Sprinkler System Timer is an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a reliable and user-friendly irrigation controller. The timer is designed to be installed in an indoor or outdoor location, and the locking cabinet with two keys ensures that it is protected from the elements and unauthorized access.

One of the standout features of this timer is the A, B, and C program slots, which allow you to set up to three unique watering schedules tailored to different types of zones in your yard.

Each program has space for four different start times, which allows you to create cycle and soak windows that encourage water infiltration into the soil. The timer will automatically “stack” overlapping runtimes from different programs so that only one solenoid is running at any given time, which saves water and energy.

The manual run feature allows you to run one zone, select zones, or all zones for a specified length of time, which is very convenient for zone testing or supplemental watering. The rain delay feature allows you to skip watering of zones for a configurable time when Mother Nature is taking care of the watering, and a relay switch for adding an automatic rain and freeze sensor (sold separately) ensures that your system is always operating efficiently.

Overall, the Orbit 57894 4-Station Outdoor Swing Panel Sprinkler System Timer is an excellent investment for homeowners looking to automate their irrigation system and save time and money. While the installation process may be tricky, the user-friendly interface and advanced features make it a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient irrigation controller.

Irrigation Controller Buying Guide

When it comes to buying an irrigation controller, there are a few features to consider to ensure you get the best product for your needs. Here are some factors to consider:

Number of Zones

The number of zones refers to the number of areas in your yard that require irrigation. Make sure to choose a controller with enough zones to cover all the areas you need to water.

Programming Options

Look for a controller with a variety of programming options, including the ability to set different watering schedules for different zones, adjust watering times based on weather conditions, and set up manual overrides.

Connectivity

Some irrigation controllers offer connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allow you to control your system remotely using a smartphone app. This can be especially helpful if you're away from home and need to adjust your watering schedule. Some irrigation controllers can hook right up to your smart home systems making it even easier to water your garden or lawn.

Weather Sensing

Consider a controller with weather sensing capabilities, which can automatically adjust watering schedules based on current weather conditions. This can help save water and ensure your yard is not over or under-watered.

Durability

Look for a controller that is built to last and can withstand outdoor elements, such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. A durable controller will save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for frequent replacements.

By considering these features, you can choose the best irrigation controller for your yard's specific needs.

Local Watering Restrictions

It would be a good idea to make sure there are now water restrictions in your area. No need to set up smart sprinkler systems if you can't utilize the water how you need to.

Final Say On The Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers of 2023

Picking out the best smart sprinkler controller can pretty difficult. Hopefully this guide has helped guide you so that you can have a controller for your existing sprinkler system.

Best Irrigation Controller FAQs

Before you go...

Before you go, be sure to head over to our best drip irrigation systems round up so you can prepare your garden for a productive spring. Let's get gardening!