Complete coverage
Sprinkler Controllers
Smart irrigation controllers ranked on weather intelligence, zone count, and EPA WaterSense savings.
A smart sprinkler controller pays for itself in skipped waterings: rain skips, freeze skips, and seasonal adjustments that a dumb timer never makes. The features that separate the field are weather data quality, how zones are tuned by soil and slope, and whether the intelligence lives in a free app or behind a subscription and a dealer login.
The ten controllers below span 4 to 16 zones across Rachio, Orbit, Rain Bird, Hunter Hydrawise, Wyze, Netro, and RainMachine, plus a hose-timer answer from LinkTap for gardens without in-ground systems. Zone counts and WaterSense status are manufacturer figures, and EPA WaterSense-labeled models are flagged because many water districts rebate exactly that label.
Every guide on sprinkler controllers
11 guides
Best of
The Best Sprinkler Controllers (2027)
The best smart sprinkler controllers for 2027, ranked on weather intelligence, zone tuning, WaterSense savings, and app quality.
Read guide
For maximum water savings
The Best Sprinkler Controllers for Water Savings (2027)
The best water-saving sprinkler controllers for 2027: soil modeling, forecast skips, and flow alerts that cut bills.
Read guide
For large yards and estates
The Best Sprinkler Controllers for Large Yards (2027)
The best controllers for large yards in 2027: 16 to 24 zones, flow monitoring, and outdoor enclosures.
Read guide
For drip and garden watering
The Best Sprinkler Controllers for Drip Irrigation (2027)
The best controllers for drip and garden watering in 2027: long low-volume cycles, volumetric hose timers, and bed-specific zones.
Read guide
Review
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller Review (2027)
Rachio Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller · The benchmark smart controller: hyperlocal weather skips and the friendliest app in irrigation.
Read guide
Review
Orbit B-hyve XR Review (2027)
Orbit B-hyve XR · Orbit flagship with a weatherproof metal-look enclosure and 8 or 16 zones, indoor or out.
Read guide
Review
Hunter Pro-HC Hydrawise Review (2027)
Hunter Pro-HC Hydrawise · The contractor-grade Hydrawise controller with flow monitoring and Predictive Watering.
Read guide
Head to head
Rachio 3 vs Orbit B-hyve XR (2027)
Head-to-head: Rachio 3 versus Orbit B-hyve XR on weather intelligence, enclosure, app quality, and value per zone.
Read guide
Head to head
Rachio 3 vs Hunter Pro-HC Hydrawise (2027)
Head-to-head: Rachio 3 versus Hunter Pro-HC on flow monitoring, scale, contractor features, and DIY friendliness.
Read guide
Buying guide
Sprinkler Controllers Buying Guide (2027)
How to choose a smart sprinkler controller in 2027: zone counting, weather intelligence tiers, WaterSense rebates, and enclosure placement.
Read guide
Fix it
Sprinkler Zone Not Watering? Controller Fixes (2027)
Why one zone or all zones stop watering: master valve wiring, rain skips, solenoids, and Wi-Fi offline schedules diagnosed.
Read guide