Lawns are great to have and are a treat to look at every day, but managing one can be a huge pain in the bum, especially for those that lack the tools to do so efficiently. From watering the lawn to mowing it when it gets too tall, to even the process of picking the right type of grass – all of this can be quite difficult without specialized tools to do the job for you. And while there are certain tools that can definitely help, such as the best smart sprinkler controllers, they aren’t cheap, either. Lawnmowers are a sizable investment, for example, especially if you’re getting one that’s large enough for a wide property.
Fortunately, this is a different story when we talk about sprinkling. Now, quite a few of you already have sprinkler systems for your lawn – no doubt that they’ve saved you hours of manual watering work. However, what if you could water your lawn without having to actually go outside to do it? That’s where smart sprinkler controllers come in. Making use of modern wireless technology, these devices make lawn management far easier and hands-free. Here are the five best ones in the market today.
Despite the smartphone market being incredibly saturated in recent years, Apple still somehow manages to stay on top with their devices. If you do happen to be the owner of one such Apple device, such as an iPhone or iPad, then you’d be pleased to know that with Eve Aqua, you can activate your sprinklers through a dedicated phone app. The device can be connected to your phone, and can even be accessed through Siri or the button found on its surface.
One of the key features of this controller is that it has a function known as auto shut-off. As the name suggests, this feature automatically stops the sprinklers from activating for too long and flooding your garden. The device works with popular hose systems such as Kärcher or Gardena, making it especially great for homeowners with such systems already installed.
One of the most popular additions to the modern home in recent years is Alexa. As a virtual assistant, she handles plenty of things, from Google searches to friendly reminders for the next few days. However, where she really shines is in her compatibility with a plethora of devices and systems, allowing you to control every aspect of your home through voice commands. This sprinkler controller allows you to start and stop your sprinklers simply by telling Alexa to do so.
The system works through the use of a WiFi network. As such, not only does it work with Alexa, but it also works on phones and other devices, too. The controller also claims to have “advanced water-saving technologies”, making it a great eco-friendly choice to boot. With easy installation, you can have this device set up at home in a matter of minutes.
This sprinkler controller has all the bells and whistles found in other controllers. It’s compatible with WiFi, allowing you to control your sprinklers virtually anywhere, and you can even connect it to Alexa if you have one at home. There’s even a way for you to access your sprinklers through mobile devices. So, with standard features such as this, how does this sprinkler stand out? Look no further than the controller itself.
Unlike other sprinkler controllers, which are more in-depth on the app rather than the actual controller interface, this controller boasts a surprisingly detailed and comprehensive layout that gives you full control of your sprinklers without having to pull out your phone. It can be great if you don’t have your phone with you or if you simply prefer to use more traditional interfaces instead. It’s a sprinkler controller that has something for everyone.
One of the problems that automatic sprinklers have is that they really can’t tell whether or not the environmental conditions are ideal for sprinkling. So, if it happens to rain around the time of your scheduled sprinkling, then it’ll activate regardless, flooding your garden and wasting your water at the same time. This can be catastrophic if left unchecked, but fortunately, even sprinkler controllers can tell the weather these days.
This device is capable of detecting whether it’s raining or not, as well as other conditions, such as wind, freezing temperatures, and the like. You can set the sprinkler to skip sprinkling in said occasions, saving you the hassle of manually changing the schedule to suit the sudden change in environment. The added features do come at a price, but for its convenience, it’s well worth it.
The sprinkler controllers we’ve covered so far were ideal for large estates and lawns. They had plenty of zone support and other fancy features that were perfect for those who owned lots of land and needed a tool to manage it all. But what if you prefer something a little smaller? This controller may only support up to six stations, but it’s got a great layout and comes with features that make it great for the average household.
The controller itself is quite easy to install. It’s got a weather-resistant case, allowing you to install it right beside your garden and out of your inner chambers. It’s also designed to save you water with up to 50% more water saved than other controllers. It’s also relatively affordable, making it a great controller for those interested in trying the technology out for themselves. It supports Alexa, too, which is always a plus.
Smart sprinkler controllers may make lawn management easy, but choosing one for your lawn is anything but. Here’s what you need to know to make buying one a cinch.
A smart sprinkler controller is a device that controls the sprinkler systems in your home in an intuitive manner. Unlike traditional sprinkler controllers, smart sprinkler controllers also have features that make them less hands-on, such as automatic shut-off and weather detection.
Watering your lawn manually can be a pain, especially if your yard’s quite big. You’d have to spend a good amount of time every single day keeping your grass nice and hydrated, which is never ideal in the long run. Of course, you could install a sprinkler system to help make things easier, but you’d still have to supervise the sprinklers to make sure that they don’t flood up your lawn or water the grass too little.
With a smart sprinkler controller, however, watering your grass is incredibly simple. Just set up as scheduled, activate features such as automatic shut-off or weather detection, and let technology do its thing. And, if you ever want to intervene, you simply need to press a button or inform Alexa. It’s far more efficient than using the sprinkler yourself.
While smart sprinkler controllers themselves cost quite a bit of money, the return on investment is pretty substantial. You’d be surprised by how much money you’re potentially wasting by using sprinklers manually. Unless you’re experienced with watering lawns, you’re probably wasting a good amount of water every day using the sprinklers manually, which adds up over time.
A smart sprinkler controller removes all human error, however. It knows how much water is enough water, and you’ll find that you’ll save a good amount of money the more and more you use them. With computers and technology handling all the calculations, you don’t need to rack your brain around for the ideal amount of water to use every day.
As soon as you get your hands on a smart sprinkler controller, get ready to set up a sprinkling or watering schedule. This will allow you to control when and where your sprinkler water. Sure, you could still make use of the fancy auto shut-off feature by activating the controller every day, but setting up a schedule will make the experience truly hands-free, allowing you to focus on more pressing matters. It’s a timesaver, and you’ll find yourself with more freedom in your day with a schedule set up.
Smart sprinkler controllers come with features that make them incredibly useful for any lawn. Weather detection is great for places that see a lot of rain or weather changes, whereas auto shut-off is great if you want to save water. These features can be turned off, but it’s recommended that you leave them on so that you can really maximize the effectiveness of the controller.
When it comes to using smart sprinkler controllers, Alexa is your friend. She’s basically a virtual assistant, and you’re probably using her services already, but be sure to connect her to your smart sprinkler controller system if you can. Many sprinkler controller systems have Alexa support, as do many household tech systems these days. Connecting Alexa to these systems will make the experience even more intuitive for you.
If you don’t have your phone with you, or you can’t be bothered to go to the actual sprinkler controller, you can simply tell Alexa to activate or deactivate the sprinklers. This is useful if you’re busy doing something else, such as cooking, and you can’t leave your current area. Of course, you’re probably going to be limited to some basic controls, as there’s only so much you can do through voice commands, but if you’ve set everything up right beforehand, you should be fine.
Smart sprinkler controllers vary in price, with some costing twice or more than others. Generally, you can get your hands on a smart sprinkler controller for around $99 at the very least. These come with standard features such as WiFi compatibility and app support. Other controllers, however, feature more advanced technologies, such as weather detection. Such controllers can go for $200 or more depending on the brand.
A: If you have a large lawn or area that you water every day and you’d rather not manually supervise it every day, a smart sprinkler controller can save you both time and money in the long run.
A: Smart sprinkler controllers work by allowing you to access the system through modern means, such as voice commands or apps.
A: While some smart sprinkler controllers do work with most systems, others are compatible with some of the more popular systems out there with extensive support.