Rachio’s controller proved relatively easy to DIY install, and has the most complete app I’ve seen for smart irrigation. You can even list the slope of your lawn and how much sun it gets for customized recommendations, but I stick with weather automation and zone scheduling for the most part. Quick runs, heat/drought boosts and similar extra round this controller off nicely.

With app controls and adaptive scheduling, there’s not much need to use onboard buttons for the Rachio 3rd-gen controller, which is good because it only has a few aside from the glowing LED light that shows when zones are active.

Keep in mind, if your controller is outdoors you will need a protective enclosure for this hub, a relatively cheap add-on that shouldn’t interfere with functionality.

Unlike Rachio’s ultra-smart controller, Orbit’s is ready for outdoor use right out of the box, imbued with IPX-5 waterproofing and tamper-proofing with an optional stealth mode so you don’t have to worry about vandalism or unintended use.

The B-Hyve XR also taps into weather reports for automation, as well as drought warnings, although it doesn’t have the boosting feature that Rachio offers. However, it’s a bit more affordable, making this a good choice if you want to minimize your initial costs, too. Also I like the updated design, which provides more useful on-board info than older modes.

Rain Bird’s compact model is one of the most affordable on my list while also provided excellent smart home support, compatible with Alexa, Google and Apple devices and their respective voice assistants.

The Rain Bird app offers full scheduling, plus the ability to share passes with friends or landscape professionals so they can control irrigation to. It also has weather automation based on your general postal code. I’m not a huge fan of the somewhat less durable design compared to my other picks, but at least it’s outdoor-ready and includes familiar controls if you don't want to use the app.

What if you don’t have built-in sprinklers? I haven’t forgotten about you, and neither has Aiper with its standalone IrriSense 2 irrigation system, which only needs a water and power connection, plus the right placement to overlook your lawn.

When ready, you can create your own irrigation maps to control the sprinkler’s behavior, set up multiple schedules and make sure that certain areas like flower beds get extra attention if needed. The water pressure, rated at about 45 psi according to Aiper tests, can reach up to 40 feet, enough for most small to medium yards. The sprinkler system can also sense rain and provide weather predictions.

For all these features, you’ll have to pay -- this is by far the most expensive pick on my list. But it’s a highly capable solution if you don’t have any built-in sprinklers but still want smart irrigation. Just make sure you have a nearby outdoor plug or are willing to install one when choosing the right place.

They can, but it will depend how much water they use. You’ll want to enable systems like weather detection and schedule only the water use you need to see the biggest impact. Smart irrigation companies say these devices can save 30% to 40% of previous water use. My tests didn’t show that much of an impact, but savings are definitely possible.

Yes, in almost every case, this is a DIY setup. You’ll want to take a picture of your old wiring so you know which wires go to which zones. Also, choose a sunny day with the garage open if you’re installing indoors, since the power will be off when you hook up the new controller. You may have to test your zones and switch some wiring, based on how your old system was set up.

Yes. I’ve never encountered any safety issues with using these devices, aside from the possibility of accidentally leaving sprinklers on for too long. The apps will need some information from you, including your address or general postal area to track weather. But with such a tight focus, there’s not much activity the apps can track aside from your watering habits, so it’s not a major privacy concern. If you use a voice assistant for irrigation, that voice assistant will also be able to track the commands you give.

WaterSense is a program made available through the EPA. Brands that qualify get a blue label for their products that means the product is very efficient at using water. It's a good sign in a smart sprinkler.

Yes, in general smart sprinklers will always need Wi-Fi connections to enable their apps, automation features like getting weather, and more. The controllers will still work with their onboard controls if a Wi-Fi connection is lost. Some can also connect via Bluetooth over shorter ranges.