8-zone sprinkler controller

The eight-zone Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller represents an inexpensive way to make your irrigation system smarterand because its a WaterSense-certified device, you may also qualify for an EPA rebate. Here are the results, to help you determine whether youre comfortable with purchasing these devices. With the Rachio 3, in contrast, 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. Although the controllers in the study have all responded appropriately to rainfall, the authors speculate that adding a rain sensor could help prevent smart controllers from possibly overwatering. Its also missing a few features found on most other devices we tested, and it wasnt that easy to set up or use in the slightly cumbersome Wyze app. The Rachio 3e, which is $80 less, works in exactly the same way except that it lacks the hyperlocal weather feature and HomeKit compatibility. The RainMachine Touch HD is a better choice if you want full on-device controls, have an unreliable internet connection, or dont want to depend on the cloud. Its also WaterSense-certified, and it has basic controls on the device and lets you choose your weather station. Theres less of a learning curve when youre setting up the RainMachine than there is with the Rachio 3, as on this model you create a schedule just as you would with a standard irrigation clock. However, in our testing its smart watering feature failed to water our yard sufficiently. For this guide she reached out to experts in the irrigation field, and she spoke with Guy Fipps and Charles Swanson of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (who have been testing and researching weather-based irrigation controllers for over a decade). Its also the smallest device we tested, able to fit neatly in the palm of a persons hand. Weve observed several instances when other controllers set rain delays due to forecasted events that didnt actually happen, and in every case the Rachio 3 wasnt similarly fooled by the meteorologist. In our testing, we found that some of these integrations offered real value and werent just gimmicks. The half-acre test yard was equipped with a six-zone underground sprinkler system, and it featured sandy soil, a vegetable garden with drip irrigation, a variety of sprinkler heads, and different types of vegetation (grass, trees, shrubs). Soil-moisture sensors, flow meters, catch cups, and other add-ons commonly offered with a smart controller can all help fine-tune how the system reacts, but they are not essential to the core functionality of the controllers. In addition, RainMachines app cant automatically create a custom schedule for you, as Rachios app can. The Tailwind iQ3 is our pick for most everyone. *At the time of publishing, the price was $270. In our tests, installing the Rachio 3 using our systems existing wires and three mounting screws was straightforward. Unlike all of the other models we tested, this RainMachine controller doesnt need to connect to the cloud to function, and it depends on the internet only to receive weather updates, so some owners could choose to use it without its smart features. Basic onboard controlsto trigger each zone for three minutesare accessible on the outside of the device, and a magnetic cover provides easy access to the wiring. The Orbit B-hyve Smart Indoor/Outdoor Irrigation Controller (12 zones) looks like a traditional irrigation clockbig, heavy, and bulky. For example, voice control through Amazon Alexa, Apples Siri, or Google Assistant lets you turn the sprinklers on and off or start a zone for a certain number of minutes with your voicea real convenience when your hands are covered in mud. If you live in an area that has fairly predictable weather patterns or you have a personal weather station, you can safely choose the Rachio 3e. We took about 30 minutes on setup, including having the app walk us through taking pictures and answering questions about each zone that covered everything from the types of plants and soil to the slope, sun exposure, and nozzle-head types. Keeping that concern in mind, we evaluated how each controller responded to changes in weather during testing and whether it allowed us to select a weather station versus a data source chosen by the controller. In a paper published in 2018, they evaluated six Wi-Fienabled, weather-based controllers for one year: Hydrawise by Hunter (a professional model), the Orbit B-hyve, and models by Rachio, Rainbird, RainMachine, and Skydrop. Smart sprinkler controllers determine when and for how long to water your yard by assessing local weather conditionsideally, rainfall accumulation, solar radiation, wind, relative humidity, and temperatureand applying them to estimate evapotranspiration, or ET, which is the sum of evaporation and plant water use. The Pro model has a separate master-valve terminal, so that model is a better fit if you need 16 zones. We let the Rachio 3 set our schedule, choosing the Flexible Daily option, which updates every day based on the estimated soil moisture. We like the option to use the basic (if not comprehensive) onboard controls for a quick watering, and we appreciate that the controller works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, among other smart-home platforms. Smart controllers are for use only with underground sprinkler systems that have wired controllers. You can also share access with a landscape tech using a temporary access PIN, and you can choose from a variety of weather services, including private weather stations. (Orbit also sells a model that comes with an enclosure, a 12-zone smart controller thats weatherproof and equipped with full on-device controls; that model, however, is also utilitarian in design and unintuitive in its control scheme.). The company says its looking into the new certification for soil-moisture-sensor controllers, as that would be a better fit for its device. We really like the B-hyve indoor controllers simple on-device controlit works similarly to the B-hyve XRs one button, but its sparsity is more fitting on this smaller device. The RainMachine Touch HD uses one of the zone terminals as the connection for a master valve, so if you have one, you get only 11 or 15 zones of coverage. Its worth considering only if you are looking for a cheaper way to integrate your sprinklers into your HomeKit setup than our top picks, and if you dont plan on using its smart scheduling. Although our top pick works with third-party wired soil-moisture sensors, some of the other models we tested offer compatible wireless soil-moisture sensors. Ultimately, the Rachio 3 and the RainMachine Touch HD end up applying a similar amount of waterthey just use different methods to get there. Weve confirmed and continue to recommend our existing picks, and added What to know when buying. The touchscreen provides complete control, so you dont have to rely on the app, and the unit doesnt require an internet connection. It also provides a handy Quick Run button, and a pause button appears whenever a zone is runningwhich is useful when you want to take a shower and you need more water pressure, for example, or when youre dining al fresco and you definitely dont want a shower. As for smart-home integrations, you can control your sprinklers using your voice with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The only other reliable way to get this type of accurate hyperlocal forecasting is by buying and installing a personal weather station; these range in price from $150 to several thousand dollars and require careful maintenance to remain accurate, according to experts we spoke with. When rain was in the forecast, it would skip waterings for two to three days around the rain event, depending on how much rain was predicted. These integrations let you use your voice assistant of choice to start or stop watering or to start or stop a specific zone (so, for example, you can turn the sprinklers on whenever the neighbors dog wanders over to wee in your garden). The Netro Sprite (six or 12 zones) is well built and easy to install, and it configures a watering schedule for you. The Aeon Matrix Yardian (eight or 12 zones) has a built-in security camera with motion detection and 24 hours of free cloud recording. And this B-hyve controller is not weatherproof, so you need to install it indoors or in a covered area, though you can find compatible enclosures. For example, you can turn the sprinklers off when you send the dog out for a break, or when you arrive home early and theyre spraying your driveway, or if you want to pop out to do yard work on a Sunday morning. A good-looking, capable sprinkler controller, the B-hyve indoor controller can automatically create a smart watering schedule for you or adapt your chosen schedule based on the weather. The three small LED screens are a disappointment: Although they do show extra information such as the next start time, the days weather, and useful info like which zone the unit is controlling and the length of time itll run, the honeycomb layout of the screens just isnt easy to read and feels gimmicky. A smart controller intelligently optimizes your in-ground irrigation system by automatically adjusting to weather conditions, making it easier for you to maintain a healthy landscape while cutting water use. The B-hyve XR is WaterSense-certified and lets you choose your weather station, too, but it lacks some features we like, and its app isnt as good as that of our pick, the Rachio 3. Pressing the button, you can tell it to water an individual zone or all zones simultaneously for up to 10 minutes, to cancel watering, or to turn the system on or off. We do like the Conditional Programming feature, which can trigger a schedule based on the temperature (perfect for our chickens), and this feature and the manual scheduling with weather skips did work consistently in our testing. The wording can get a bit clunky (for instance, Alexa, ask Rachio to start zone four for 15 minutes or Alexa, ask Rachio to stop watering), leaving lots of room for miscommunication. Their study is ongoing, and they havent singled out a specific controller yet, though their testing does indicate that some models are better for certain landscapes than others. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings, and its compatible wireless soil-moisture sensors are Zigbee-based. As with most devices we tested, the Rachio 3 requires an internet connection for changing schedules or controlling the system remotely. (In contrast, since we began this guide, Rachio has launched four different models, only one of which is HomeKit-compatible. (RainMachine offers the option of storing all your data locally, using an internet connection only to download weather forecasts.) Plaid Systemss second-generation Spruce controller (16 zones) is a solid model with basic on-device controls and a simple setup that automatically creates a smart schedule for you. Installation and setup are straightforward. 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 weather station, such as a Netatmo. And it is one of only two models we tested that have an Ethernet port, so you can run a cable to it if you dont have strong Wi-Fi where your controller is located. It also tested that each zone was workinga useful feature for people who arent experts at programming sprinkler systems. According to experts we spoke with, these sensors are also not effective in a residential setting because topsoil isnt deep enough for accurate readings. One feature we like is Adaptive Frequency, which skips a schedule if RainMachines algorithms determine that it needs to water for only a few minutes and then adds those minutes to the next watering. Alternatively, you can create your own schedules, up to four different schedules for different zones, and have the same weather adjustments apply, including customizable rain, wind-speed, and temperature delays. Do smart controllers actually work? Also, its super fun. If you have local watering restrictions, you can tell the device about them, and it works around them. RainMachine offers almost as many smart-home integrations as Rachio, including support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings (using a device handler), and it has an API for control on a local network. In all other cases, we recommend the Rachio 3 because of its simplicity, ease of use, and more-precise forecasting. Also, it has a big plus: We are still testing the original review unit we received in 2017, and all of the features and upgrades RainMachine has issued in the interim, including HomeKit compatibility, have come to this device. Only buy if you have or will install a wired, underground irrigation system. We found great ones for the backyard and garage. Once everything is up and running, the main screen gives you clear notice of what state your system is in, a trait we really liked. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). If Rachio were to go out of businessas other sprinkler controller companies haveyour device would eventually stop working. RainMachines app is less intuitive than Rachios and doesnt automatically create schedules, making it more daunting for novice gardeners to use. ), A tiny device with a nice, responsive touchscreen display to access controls, the RainMachine Touch HD is a WaterSense-certified controller that comes in 12- and 16-zone versions. A rugged device with on-device and local control, the B-hyve XR can handle larger yards for less money than our picks, but its app isnt as easy to use as others. You can also turn on features such as zone delay and Cycle and Soak, and you can prevent the device from watering if rain exceeds a certain depth. The Orbit B-hyve XR (available in versions for eight or 16 zones) is a slick, higher-end version of our budget pick that can handle larger yards, for less money than our top picks. But if you want to dig deeper, its less intuitive. In our long-term testing this accuracy has continued to make the Rachio 3 the most effective controller weve tested. All of the models we tested are WaterSense certified; similar to the Energy Star program for home appliances, the WaterSense program involves testing products to the EPAs specifications for water efficiency and performance. A hidden LED on the top of the unit shows which zone the controller is watering and displays a D when the controller is in a rain delaya nice touch that none of the other models with basic on-device controls have.

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