7 Smart Irrigation Systems TESTED: Buyers Guide
7 Smart Irrigation Systems TESTED: Buyers Guide
In this video I tested 7 of the most popular smart automatic sprinkler systems from Rachio, Orbit BHyve, Scotts Gro, OpenSprinkler, Rainbird and Skydrop to find the BEST system for your needs. This video is sponsored by PCBWay (http://www.pcbway.com), new customers will get their first order of 10 PCBs free.
🔥 Amazon US Links (Top Picks) 🔥
1. (Best Overall) Orbit BHyve Indoor 8: https://amzn.to/3mF9qAw
2. (Best Outdoor) Orbit XR: https://amzn.to/3hOG9zB
3. (Best Integrations) Rachio 3: https://amzn.to/3mG3fMD
🔥 Amazon US Links (Top Picks) 🔥
1. (Best Overall) Orbit BHyve Indoor 8: https://amzn.to/35XSeR4
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Just installed an OpenSprinkler this year. Went with it because I have 18 zones and it’s $150 for the base unit and an additional $50 for the zone expander. So it must of went down in price. A lot of the other smart options were more expensive or just didn’t allow expanding the system as much as I needed. Making cost way more if I needed to buy more than one of the main unit.
I can see not recommending it for ease of use reasons, but to leave it at that is simply not a quality review of the product. I currently have mine set up to use my own cloud setup and don’t rely on opensprinklers cloud at all. It’s free though, so I may try it out at some point. Not only that, but it allows you so much more flexibility that no other controller can even compare to. It definitely requires more of a power user to max out it’s potential, but I would consider myself just a casual user at this point and I’m very pleased I went with it.
Fantastic video. Concise and to the point. I am going out tomorrow to buy the Orbit B-hive. Cheers!
I have not been able to find a system that lets you add other sensors like soil moisture, pH and temp. I’m currently building a PLC to control my garden. Are there any controllers out there that let you run additional sensors on a 4-20 mA scale?
Great review. I chose the Rachio originally because my homey pro hub contains the API, but I don’ treally think I need to add it to my home automation network, as I can probably control it from my phone when I am travelling and feel like I need to make changes. I find it pretty entertaining the length to which people are willing to nerd out on home automation, and yard irrigation automation. Hats off to those who are willing to write code and create bitchen stuff though.
Another well done and relevant video- thanks. One big differentiator between Rachio and BHyve is not just setting up the app as you mentioned but in how well the app tells you what you want to know about ongoing system operations. I rarely buy Orbit brands anymore (too many quality problems) but on my prior BHyve system I did find the BHyve app much easier to routinely use than the Rachio app used for my current Rachio 3 setup. Rachio app has some nice features but ultimately is a pain to determine basic stuff like, “what’s running right now?”
For the front garden, we went with a BHyve 8 and put it in a $40 wall-mounted outdoor enclosure.
My system is only 4 zone is the 8 zone orbit still the way to go?
I watched this in May 2023. I’ve used my original Rachio for probably 10+ years. They have consistently improved the service and it doesn’t cost money. Even if it did, I would probably pay. I don’t understand the heartburn of paying companies for a product. For crying out loud, their employees deserve a paycheck. How much does it cost to install a lawn, mow the lawn, fertilize it, and water it? A good service can help you save water and maximize fertilizer. A couple of extra bucks shouldn’t create heartburn.
Thank you
Thank you for the review especially the factors considered are very practical!
great reviews as always. Thank you. A 2024 update would be great if you have the time. Moen has a new controller as well, although I understand it doesn’t communicate with the Moen Flow whole home water monitoring which is too bad. The customer service rep said it may in the future.
I have raised garden beds and a giant greenhouse with multiple counters and overhead misting system. The Rachio is awesome because you can keep track of the plants you have in each zone and connect it to things like humidity and temperature sensors meaning so it is dynamic and tied to other dynamic measurement tools. Sad to see they lost HomeKit Integration but that is because Apple has been slow to roll out features for HomeKit that these companies have native to their apps.
Would love to see an update to see what you used long term and how it’s working out. I’m curious why you said the Rachio 3 was best if your hooking into home assistant, looks like there is a bhyve integration so maybe that playing field has been leveled?
Any options for drip? I don’t have sprinkler valves right now..
It seems that BHyve has some HA integration now..
What about the Hose Faucet models? I only have hoses running around home and one outside water outlet.
Have you tried the "Orbit NNNN B-hyve Bluetooth Hose Faucet Timer"?
2024 update?
I would only buy from well established lawn-care companies, like Orbit etc… They will more likely to stand behind their products for many years.
Other, unique products might work very well initially, but what happens when their servers are not available, or they stop updating their app? Can I install them, and just use it for 20 years like the non-smart products?
the Scotts Gro may have failed wifi setup if you are running dual 2.47ghz and 5ghz SSID (IE: both share the same network name) or if you are running 5ghz only (not uncommon these days) – Some routers allow you to split these radios so that you have a 2.4ghz SSID and a 5ghz SSID. I would guess its simply outdated hardware, since the Connect to Wifi window says "Please ensure you are using 2.47ghz frequency" – That was archaic 10 years ago!
Thanks going with the bhyve I really appreciate the help
Can we get a 2023 update?
would like to so an update on this topic as their are so many newer smart controllers out now.
How about a review on a self docking solar powered mower?
What about a non permanent sprinkler system?
I’m a renter but I want my lawn to be healthy. I have a bunch of hose with sprinklers in series and a few timers.
I have the Rachio and it’s nice but I think you should look into and review the Irrigreen system. You can replace multiple heads with just one and it waters exactly where you need it. Kinda expensive but it looks premium and an engineer’s dream.
where is the hunter pro HC?
Rain machine is best
not recommending OpenSprinker due to open free and functional cloud connectivity…. oh boy… Someone missed the entire point of "open-source" here. Let’s say their cloud solution, which you’re not obligate to use btw, totally blew up… You can still use your own cloud solution in that case. Whether that be via homekit or home assistant, or via VPN, or any number of other options…
Regarding weather information, plant species and all that… OpenSprinkler has offered this as a service. Not only are there ways for you to pull that information in yourself using other sites and services, but you may actually benefit from doing that instead… Nobody wants manufacturer lock-in. If you’re using Home Assistant for example, you can check your local weather station and use your own lawn moisture sensors if you want. Their service is there as an option, but most importantly, the device functions 100% if it’s not connected to their service, or the internet at all. The same cannot be said for the other devices.
I know most people aren’t going to want to do all that work, especially right off the bat to get up and running. But it baffles me that you came to the conclusion that OpenSprinkler "no good" because of a cloud service that you don’t need to use. Your verbage saying "all of them rely on" at least some cloud services is technically inaccurate. This would lead a less-technical user to conclude that if the OpenSprinkler didn’t have cloud access, they couldn’t use it at all, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Point being, OpenSprinkler is the LOWEST risk for the exact feature that you mentioned. No other manufacturer on your list leaves with options if and when that company goes belly-up. OpenSprinkler could stop existing, and the hardware would be yours to use and modify as desired.
"I just want to install once and never think about again." You want a plain timer then, because that’s the only technology that’s going to do that for you. Saying that OpenSprinkler is the worst here… ugh man… Ok, so when their source of data moved (out of their control,) you still were left with options. That can and will absolutely happen with other irrigation manufacturers as they try and save you money by pulling data from free sources, and then those free sources start to see dollar signs, and charge. Those manufacturers absolutely will be left with hard decisions, and OpenSprinkler has left their customers in a position to help themselves while the dust settles.
Irrigreen is still too expensive
Everytime I need a smart home device I come across your videos. Great recommendation, B-hyve 8 was just what I was looking for.
Hi,
Do I have to pay a monthly fee for use of the app for the B-Hyve Indor timer controller?
What about the Wyze ?
Did any of them allow for the use of two controllers on a system ?.
Hi, do you accept business cooperation? We can send you a smart sprinkler controller, and you test it and make a video for us.
Good info here! Any additional yard automation? Soil moisture sensor or anything else to add on to the system… if that is even needed?
B-Hyve customer service is the absolute worst. I had a problem installing the timer and instead of calling me back, as an email from them told me they would, they refused to call and instead texted me … at no faster than a 45-min. response time. After sending them photos of how I wired the timer, a representative finally said he had a team run a double-check (which he said was fine even though it wasn’t) and after reviewing the data and looking at the problem again, they decided the unit was defective and that I should return it for another one. I brought in a professional installer who explained that neither the manual nor the few texts that I received from the company addressed the obvious problem. He rewired it correctly and now it works. Despite several requests to Orbit to speak with a manager (and the promise that if I had not heard from them, I would post on social media), no one has gotten back to me. Worst. Service. Ever.
Hunter not included?
Watched your video, and when you said OpenSprinkler was opensource, i looked into the project. Realized your were biased or uninformed in your review. It’s mature and stable. So I Installed it on a raspberry pi (Zero 2) with an 8 channel relay board for $25 and it’s awesome!
You may want to look into what opensource means. If it ever stops working and the developer is no longer working on it, either the community will update it, or i can.
Mounted a full 10" touchscreen on it, and stuck it in a waterproof box. Now want to add remote controlled valves without a wire running to them, so looking at wifi controlling the valves, or RF. And add a weatherstation that i can both push the data out to weatherservices, and pull the data from for OpenSprinkler to change my watering times.
B-hyve is garbage
Look at the wyze one
if for whatever reason we loose wifi and phone service, can the Rachio be manually programed as well like the Rain bird?
Awesome review, thank you!
I really wish i saw this before I bought. It is spot on. The open sprinkler took more effort to install with making a box for it and all. When I went looking for how to set things like soil type I found your video. Couldn’t agree more. The app does not seem to have any settings for the flow rate of each zone, or soil type or anything. It has one number for ETo baseline. You click a button and it picks a number. Where does this number come from? how does it work? It is a slightly different number every day I click it. I have zero confidence it is doing the calculation right.
Man this video is the most thorough exploration of this topic I can find. Thank you for all the effort you put into it.
The main reason I’m looking for one is because app navigation is much easier and more intuitive than some of the device controls to set things up. I don’t need the device to think for me but it’s nice to be able to change settings more easily. Is there a way to turn off the calculating features to reduce lag and improve reliability? Are there any charges for those cloud functions anyway? Also, would love to see an updated video with the Waze smart timer, as they are maybe not top dogs in irrigation but definitely up there with smart home devices.
I cut this part for time (and because I thought it was boring), but you might be interested in my thoughts on continued cloud service, particularly regarding OpenSprinkler:
How do you protect yourself from being extorted for a monthly fee, or being left with an expensive paperweight attached to your sprinkler system? My advice to you is to go with company reputation, size and market share. Rachio, which was SkyDrop’s initial opponent in the early smart sprinkler system market has earned a huge market share, meaning the company is healthy, products will continue to be sold, and the cloud service will likely remain free and operational for the foreseeable future.
Orbit, is a major player in all types of irrigation systems and has invested significantly in their BHyve line of controllers. The parent company, Orbit, is massive compared to startups like Rachio and Skydrop is not going out of business any time soon. Their significant investment in the BHyve line indicates a commitment to this future technology and that their cloud will continue to be functional and free.
Rainbird is another huge player in the irrigation world, and while I can’t imagine Rainbird pulling the plug on their cloud servers since it would be a PR nightmare, I don’t think the Rainbird product is on par with Rachio and BHyve.
Scotts is a huge company within the fertilizer industry. Due to their size they could easily shoulder the burden of keeping a failing cloud service alive, but their line of sprinklers: Gro, is actually just another startup like Skydrop that needed to be acquired by a larger company to help with ongoing costs. Scotts has no other market share in irrigation, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them cut their losses as sales of the Gro controller line stagnate and costs of maintaining the cloud remain constant.
OpenSprinker seems like the safest option since it’s open source, but unfortunately I think it’s actually one of the worst. OpenSprinkler relies on free cloud services for weather, and as these services inevitably shut down or change their free APIs because they don’t make them any money. Originally the OpensSrinkler used Weather Underground data for weather based adjustments and when that service went away they switched to DarkSky. DarkSky was recently acquired by apple, meaning another modification will soon be needed to keep the open sprinkler functional. I love the concept of open sprinkler, but after using it and doing more research, I think any benefits that are gained by local control, smart home integration and open source software are far outweighed by the need to constantly troubleshoot a system that I just want to install once and never think about again.
What about LinkTap? Their’s probably has the easiest install and I haven’t seen any other system that can tell you how MUCH water your using and you can tell it to water specific quantities of water rather than just the duration. I’ve had one for a while and love the controle. I assumed all the new smart watering systems had that ability but I guess they don’t.
Moen has a new system with bury sensors
Thanks for giving your recommendation at the beginning of the video. I still watched all the way. It helped me make a buying decision. Looking forward to upgrading from the old Hunter system with the clumsy rotating dual to the bHyve.
I liked and commented immediately because you told me what i wanted to hear 30 sexonds into the video. I watched until the end but i appreciate someone not trying to force me to watch the full video.
Hey dude,
Definitely the BEST video on choosing a sprinkler controller system! Thanks so much!
Do those systems work for lan sprinkler systems and drip also?