The Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers of 2023

The Orbit B-Hyve XR has a useful app that optimizes performance and is one of the only controllers in our guide that can control a wired, multi-zone sprinkler system while being subjected to the elements, thanks to its built-in waterproof case. Plus, while this isn’t exactly a measurable feature, this thing just looks like it means business.

The app’s home screen shows your current scheduled programs, with buttons that allow you to set a rain delay (which temporarily pauses watering for a specified amount of time), and to immediately jumpstart a manual watering session. The B-Hyve also features WeatherSense Technology, which essentially means that the controller will tailor your watering schedule to the upcoming weather in your area. If your town experiences a significant rainfall, the B-Hyve will automatically shut off any zones that may have been running and instinctively recalculate the amount of watering your grass will need moving forward.

Perhaps the best aspect of the B-Hyve, aside from its compatibility with Alexa, is that none of the stellar features it offers are hidden behind a paid subscription plan. The automatic rain delays, smart scheduling, and more are all features that are included right out of the box. That, in conjunction with an easy-to-use app and a simple install bolstered by a true, weatherproof controller, is exactly why the B-Hyve stands tall as one of the best of the bunch.

The Wyze Sprinkler Controller is full of customizable and intuitive features that water your yard efficiently, helping to keep the grass green while saving you money. We spent nearly a year using the Wyze Sprinkler Controller before writing our review, and after nearly 365 days of hands-on experience, the device is one of the best smart sprinkler controllers you can buy if you want to automate your lawn care.

Controls for each of the eight watering zones can be set up in the Wyze app. This is where you can set fixed watering schedules or opt to automatically run the sprinklers on an as-needed basis (based on local weather data). You can also set certain weather conditions that prompt Wyze to skip watering, such as temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and saturation levels. During our tests, the water automation features went off without a hitch every time.

The downside is that some of these features, like smart schedules and weather skips, are only available with a Wyze Sprinkler Plus subscription. The plan is $10 annually, which is a small price to pay for automatic watering, but still an extra to consider.

We experienced one instance where the controller inexplicably lost power, but Wyze built in a fail safe that runs the sprinklers on the last recorded schedule before things went dark. This makes it easy to check in on the status of your yard—even during a Wi-Fi or power outage.

One other downside to consider: The controller is not weatherproof, so you need to purchase a Wyze Sprinkler Controller Outdoor Box or place it indoors to avoid damage from the elements.

Outside of its waterproofing deficiencies and its complete lack of smart assistant integration of any kind, the Wyze Sprinkler Controller stands out as an ideal component to automate your in-ground sprinkler system on the cheap.

Read our full review of the Wyze Sprinkler Controller.

Everything about the Hunter HC-600i, from its wildly simple setup to its elegantly-designed app, is meant to help you get the most out of your sprinkler system. Admittedly, some of the app’s adjustable settings may be a bit more involved than some folks may have bargained for. But for the most part, the HC-600i is filled to the brim with tools to help keep your grass green and your water bill low.

After getting the wiring squared away and going through the roughly five-minute (or less) installation process, the HC-600i’s accompanying app presents you with a robust, useful home dashboard. There are options to view your last run as well as your next, plus the ability to pause or play each of your zones. The dashboard is rounded out by an observation tab that shows recent temperatures and rainfall, as well as a tab displaying the overall status of the controller.

Elsewhere in the app, you can tap into multiple, more advanced features for the controller. Hunter’s Predictive Watering Adjustments let you manage your watering based on upcoming weather forecasts. The same adjustments as available for other weather characteristics, like wind speed and rainfall.

These are more intricate settings, of course, and they may not be worth tampering with for many lawns owners. But if you like to tinker, the HC-600i is more than willing to let you.

The HC-600i isn’t weatherproof and is meant to be mounted indoors. So, if your sprinkler controller is located on the outside of your house, you will need to invest in some sort of weatherproofing housing or materials.

The Netro Spark 8 is a sleek smart sprinkler controller with impressive features to match. It offers several different control zones (eight), smart scheduling that takes into account local weather, and the ability to adjust each setting on the fly from your smartphone. Unlike many of its competitors, though, the Netro Spark offers compatibility with smart assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as IFTTT.

While it does look sharp, the Spark 8 doesn’t feel quite as exquisite to the touch. In fact, it’s closer to the cheap side of things than not. That doesn’t stop it from having a perfectly functional display, with an analog clock-style display up top and three icons across the bottom. Through those buttons, you can select a zone, how long you’d like to water that zone, and the on/off switch for your sprinklers.

The home screen of the app delivers a pleasant snapshot of your yard and the environment it’s in. You can see current weather conditions, a five-day forecast of the week ahead, and a recap of your last water cycle alongside a look at when your sprinklers are set to spring into action again.

The Netro 8’s Smartzone functionality is dependent on not just your local weather, but local watering regulations as well. Depending on how much you need to water your lawn to keep things lush, this may or may not be an issue. The same goes for the optional Netro Whisperer, a plant sensor that will boost the Netro Spark's capabilities but is an additional cost. Still, even without the add-on and the inherited local oversight of your watering practices, the Netro Spark 8 packs a unique feature set with solid performance to boot.

Of all the smart sprinkler controllers in our guide, the Rain Bird ST-8 is the one that most resembles the current controller overseeing your sprinkler system. But don’t let the rather mundane, retro aesthetic fool you. The ST-8 has a plethora of modern features that gives it a seat at the smart controller table, including oft-coveted support for Alexa. More notably, it offers automatic adjustments that adapt your sprinkler schedule based on factors such as the season you’re in, the local weather, temperature and current humidity.

Other somewhat standard, but essential features include the ST-8’s ability to operate up to eight zones individually or altogether, as well as manual control over when and how long you want to run your sprinklers from just about anywhere in the world, as long as you have Wi-Fi. Rain Bird was also thoughtful enough to include a battery-operated manual backup interface in case you lose power or Wi-Fi, allowing your sprinkler controller to keep an eye on things without skipping a beat.

The Achilles Heel of the Rain Bird ST-8, at least in the minds of some prospective buyers, is that it doesn’t stand out in one particular category. It has all the tools needed to competently run the show when it comes to your yard. It just doesn’t have a particular “it” factor that makes it a must-have compared to other selections throughout this roundup.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro smart watering controller is basically a rebranded Blossom Smart Watering controller. However, Miracle-Gro is very much its own product. Unlike the original Blossom, the casing on this device isn't made to withstand the harsh outdoors, nor does it offer the additional power line feature. Also, the power brick that's included in this particular kit is so bulky, we had to track down an extender to plug it into the outdoor outlet.

Nevertheless, the Miracle-Gro controller is easy enough for anyone to install, provided your wires are properly labeled—and if they’re not, Scotts includes a sheet of stickers precisely for labeling your sprinkler wires. Once you place the sprinkler wires in the appropriately marked spots, launch the Scotts Gro smartphone app for iOS or Android.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro smart watering controller is a cinch to use, though a bit limited in functionality. You can choose between fixed- or interval-day watering schedules, and then select whether to manually set up a custom schedule or entrust the smart watering system to determine how long to water. There's also a feature that lets you "hibernate" the sprinkler system, in case there are months where you live when there's no use in watering at all. The big caveat is that the Gro Connect app doesn’t send push notifications after the system finishes watering, which makes it difficult to track whether the plants are being properly nurtured without physically checking the soil.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro smart sprinkler controller is also too barebones, even if you decide to spring the extra money for additional accessories, like the individual sensors. Its smart home skills are also limited to a few Alexa commands, which can leave home automation junkies feeling unsatisfied.

If all you need is to turn the water off and on from your smartphone, the Scotts Miracle-Gro smart sprinkler controller is worth it only if you’re a budget-conscious buyer.