Smart sprinkler systems are helpful, but know your hard and irrigation needs before buying.
Initial cost
Smart sprinklers can save you money over time, when used wisely. But you also have to factor in initial costs and how long it will take to pay off a smart upgrade when you buy it. These sprinklers and controls can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the type you get, so it’s important to think about your budget.
Zone controls
Zone controls won’t be a problem for most homes, since these smart sprinklers typically support over 8 zones with their wiring, more than enough for almost any residential property. But if you have specific needs for lots of irrigation zones, it’s worthwhile to take a look at what wiring the controllers support.
Voice assistants
I’m not going to rate voice assistants as a particularly high priority for smart sprinklers, but if you like using voice commands, check to see if the sprinkler controller offers the version you like. Many of my picks work with at least Alexa, which tends to have the most smart home support.
Rachio’s app is packed with features and automations, like a very cool weather tie in.
Automation with weather and more
Today’s smart sprinklers can often tap into local weather reports if you provide them with your address. The value of this feature can vary according to your location (my high desert town is notoriously unpredictable even for official weather forecasts), but it’s often very useful for saving money and time by pausing irrigation when it’s raining. Look for this feature when you’re buying.
Extra features for new grass and more
Smart irrigation controls may also come with guides for watering new grass patches, recommendations for watering depending on season or grass species and other little tricks that you may find useful — or prefer to ignore. If you’re doing a lot of new landscaping, you may want to watch for features like this that could make irrigation easier.
Wi-Fi range
Depending on your home, your sprinkler controller may not be near enough to your Wi-Fi router for a stable connection. In that case, you may need a Wi-Fi extended or similar option to help things work out.
Rain skips and weather detection can be valuable features in a smart controller.
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