Technology has really revolutionized home gardening and landscaping. We have a lot of smart, Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation systems on the market to make gardening a more convenient affair. In this article, I would like to introduce you to the best Wi-Fi sprinkler controllers from the three famous innovators of the product – Hunter Vs Rain Bird Vs Orbit.
Smart Wi-Fi water irrigation systems are capable of completely transforming the way you have been nurturing home gardens and landscapes. You will be able to manage the whole process of watering on your smartphone or computer from anywhere, anytime.
You don’t always need to be in the locality to monitor the climate and manage the water flow into the gardens while letting them grow lush with no over- or under-watering.
THE BEST MODELS AT A GLANCE
Orbit B-hyve Smart 6-Zone Sprinkler Timer
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Rain Bird ARC8 8-Zone Sprinkler Controller
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BUY IT HERE |
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Hunter Pro-HC 12-Zone Sprinkler Timer
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BUY IT HERE |
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Orbit Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controllers
Orbit is a known innovator of smart watering systems. The brand is famous for its B-Hyve family of sprinkler controllers, hose watering systems, gardening accessories, and more. We would like to cover Orbit’s best-selling Wi-Fi-enabled smart sprinkler controllers in our take on Hunter vs. Rain Bird vs. Orbit smart sprinkler controllers.
1. Orbit B-Hyve Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller – 6 and 12 Zones
This is one of the best-selling smart Wi-Fi sprinkler controllers and is available with support for six and twelve stations.
Orbit B-Hyve is famous for its WeatherSense technology, which makes it smarter in delivering water to your gardens based on several key factors in the locality such as climatic conditions, soil type, slopeness, shade, sunlight, and more.
Key Features
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Thanks to its strong and weather-resistant case, you will be able to install the unit both indoors and outdoors with no worry about damage from rain or water splashes.
You can easily control the Orbit smart irrigation timer on your phone (both iOS and Android) or a computer, apart from the built-in timer control that boasts a super-intuitive interface.
The sprinkler controller is available individually and in various bundles with essential gardening accessories such as manifold poly pipe, faucet timer, poly adapter, and valve box base.
2. Orbit B-Hyve Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller – 4 and 6 Zones
This is a simple, sleek, and smart irrigation controller from Orbit for residential applications. As you see in the title, it is available in two zone options: four and eight.
Similar to the above Orbit model, it comes with a state-of-the-art mobile app for iOS and Android, as well as a web app, to give you total control of your garden watering from anywhere, anytime.
Key Features
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This model is fine for both new installations and replacing an existing one. You can easily install the device in your garden with no worry, as it is an easy-to-install sprinkler timer unit.
Thanks to the WeatherSense technology, it can adjust the flow of water based on local climatic conditions and avoid the wastage of water.
Besides the individual unit, the sprinkler controller comes in bundles with essential accessories like a 50-inch sprinkler wire, box cover, sprinkler valve, and garage control.
3. Orbit B-Hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Timer – 8 and 16 Zones
It is a more advanced smart Wi-Fi-enabled sprinkler controller from Orbit, and it is available with support for eight and sixteen zones. What makes this model special is its stronger dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, which can ensure a seamless setup experience.
The B-Hyve XR sprinkler timer features a weatherproof profile, so you don’t need an external box to safeguard it from any damage. It is also easy to install for anyone, as it features a clever built-in bubble level as well as push-fit wire terminals.
Key Features
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It integrates the brand’s much-touted WeatherSense technology to recognize the local weather with high precision and accordingly adjust the water flow, making you sit back and enjoy the results of gardening with an unparalleled experience.
You can buy the B-Hyve XR sprinkler alone or in bundles with accessories like sprinkler wire, manifold, poly adapter, valve box base, wires, and rain and freeze sensors.
Hunter Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers
Hunter Industries is a leading vendor of top-of-the-line solutions for gardening and landscaping. Since its foundation in 1981 as a family-owned business, the company has been selling a wide range of gardening technologies and accessories. The brand has on sale a number of incredible Wi-Fi smart sprinkler controllers compared to Rain Bird, Orbit, and many other innovators.
1. Hunter Pro-HC PHC-1200i – 12 Zones
It is a cool 12-zone smart Wi-Fi sprinkler timer from Hunter, and it is fine for both residential and light commercial applications.
The controller can perfectly monitor your local weather and adjust the watering schedules as per applicable climatic factors like rainfall, wind, humidity, and more to make sure your garden is not over or underwatered and your water sources are not wasted.
Key Features
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With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can fully control watering schedules on your phone, and it also features a touchscreen for direct control, by the way.
Some other key attractions are the included large terminal strips and the dedicated master valve or pump start. Design-wise, it is a highly durable and rugged sprinkler timer that is also available with support for six or 24 stations.
2. Hunter Pro-HC PHC-2400i – 24 Zones
This is the 24-zone variant of the Hunter Pro-HC sprinkler controller. Obviously, it has exactly the same features as its 12-zone variant above.
You can manage the sprinkler timer away from the device via the Hydrawise web application or a mobile app on both Android and iOS, thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity.
Key Features
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The Pro-HC sprinkler controller integrates technology to continuously track the local climate and accordingly adjust the flow of irrigation in order to keep your greens and landscapes safe and save water in a diligent way.
It comes with large terminal strips and a dedicated master valve. You can easily install this highly durable and rugged controller to make sure your gardens get a sufficient quantity of water to keep your surroundings green.
3. Hunter Hydrawise HC-1200i – 12 Zones
It is a 12-zone Wi-Fi indoor sprinkler controller for residential and light commercial applications. It notably features a pair of general-purpose sensor ports that you can use for various functions.
Like the other Hunter sprinkler controllers, it features Hydrawise Predictive Watering technology to let you manage the flow of water in accordance with the local climatic conditions. Factors like rainfall, temperature, and humidity are analyzed when adjusting the water flow.
Key Features
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Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, you can manage irrigation from anywhere in the world via the Hydrawise application on either your smart device or a web browser. If you are nearby, you can directly manage the water on its touchscreen, by the way.
4. Hunter Hydrawise HCC-800-PL – 8 to 38 Zones
This is Hunter’s 8-zone Wi-Fi smart sprinkler controller, but this model is expandable up to a 38-zone timer using optional ICM modules, which you need to buy separately.
The sprinkler controller is designed for use in top-end residential, commercial, and public-sector applications.
It is a Wi-Fi-enabled system, so you can manage the irrigation via the Hydrawise application on your browser or mobile phone.
Key Features
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The Hunter sprinkler timer comes with a pre-wired SmartPort, which makes it compatible with the brand’s ROAM and ROAM XL remote controllers. Thus, you can manage irrigation from long-range distances without the need for a smartphone.
As it sports an inbuilt milliamp sensor, it is very easy to troubleshoot the timer. You can set up an HC Flow Meter to perfectly track the water flow and avoid leakage.
Rain Bird Wi-Fi Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Rain Bird is one of the premier makers of irrigation equipment and accessories. The company is known for its collection of sprinkler controllers in many variants.
Along with a few dedicated Wi-Fi-enabled models, it has also put on sale many sprinkler timers with Wi-Fi compatibility with its much-touted LNK Wi-Fi module. Read on to see some of the best Wi-Fi-friendly Rain Bird smart sprinklers below.
1. Rain Bird ARC8 8-Station Sprinkler Controller
This is the full-fledged Wi-Fi-enabled smart sprinkler controller from Rain Bird. As you can see, it is an 8-zone timer that you can simply manage on your mobile phone or a web browser.
It features self-adjusting technology to help you save water and automatically manage and adjust watering based on historical weather averages in the locality.
Key Features
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The Rain Bird controller comes with powerful water features that help you comply smartly with local watering restrictions. The watering delay feature, by the way, helps suspend watering for a couple of weeks if it rains in the locality, even without a rain sensor.
The controller has a rugged and durable design, and it comes in an industrial-grade case to resist tough climatic conditions.
Thanks to its Wi-Fi connectivity, you can manage its operation through simple voice commands by connecting it to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
2. Rain Bird ESP-TM2 8-Station Sprinkler Controller
Here is the 8-zone variant of Rain Bird’s Wi-Fi-compatible sprinkler controller.
It doesn’t integrate a Wi-Fi module like the above Rain Bird model, but you can use the brand’s LNK Wi-Fi module to make it run on Wi-Fi. Well, you need to buy the module separately, as that doesn’t come in the package.
Key Features
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This model is indeed ideal for both residential and light commercial applications. You can simply set up and program the controller to run your garden’s watering in an automated way.
Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity, you can manage the flow of the water in accordance with the local climatic conditions from anywhere in the world, which also results in significant conservation of water.
3. Rain-Bird ESP-TM2 12-Zone Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller
This is a 12-zone indoor and outdoor sprinkler controller that comes with the brand’s LNK Wi-Fi module. That is, you don’t need to buy the module separately, as you do with its 8-zone variant.
It is perfect for residential and light commercial applications. Thanks to its smart use of water, you can save water and, at the same time, ensure enough watering for your gardens.
Key Features
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It is easy to install and program the sprinkler controller. It comes with a factory-installed 6-inch outdoor-friendly power cord to make installation a rather easier thing.
Thanks to its large LCD display, you can have better visibility of the information. The controller is capable of smartly adjusting the flow of water as per the local weather.
Final Thoughts
That has been our take on the Hunter Vs Rain Bird Vs Orbit smart irrigation controllers. In our comparison, we have looked at all the best-selling models from these three brands. Hopefully, it will help you find the best model that matches your needs for keeping your green landscapes lush and flourishing. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Liam Eck is a full-time blogger who is passionate about green and sustainable lifestyle inventions and products. At PureInvents, he covers the topics of green technology, alternative energy, solar energy storage systems, smart home gardens, and other smart and green inventions. #Contact Liam at liameck@pureinvents.com – Twitter – Reddit
