The automatic irrigation controller regulates the water supply to the plants in the garden, on the balconies, or in the irrigation systems of large green areas. We find internal or external control units on the market, from simple timers to sophisticated computers, with different functions and purposes.
Let’s see the most reliable types, prices, and the best automatic irrigation controller to buy today.
The automatic irrigation controller or computer for irrigation, connected to the centralized irrigation system, allows us to monitor and regulate the water according to our needs.
These irrigation programmers are useful when we are away from home for a few days or on vacation or if we want to plan the irrigation of our green spaces to keep them lush without the danger of forgetting to do so.
The advantage of using an automatic irrigation controller also concerns water consumption, which is optimized with great savings on the bill. We also save time and energy because we avoid dealing with manual irrigation.
The irrigation devices allow you to set customized programs to manage the days you want to activate the water, the activation time, the irrigation duration, and the areas to activate.
Table of Contents
How to choose an automatic irrigation controller: Types and Characteristics
To correctly choose which automatic irrigation controller to buy, these are the most important parameters to evaluate.
The internal automatic irrigation controller
The internal automatic irrigation controller is made of non-weatherproof materials designed to be installed indoors, such as in a garage, covered patio, shed, or tool cupboard.
The external automatic irrigation controller
On the other hand, the external automatic irrigation controller is made of water-repellent materials resistant to atmospheric agents, is designed to last a long time, and is to be installed in open spaces.
Many of these automatic irrigation controllers must be wired because they cannot connect directly to a socket, as the transformer must be covered and protected from the weather.
Supply
As for the power supply, we can have an electric or battery-powered automatic irrigation controller. The latter is equipped with warning lights that warn when to replace the battery in most cases. Other automatic irrigation controllers, often indoor ones, are powered by electricity and connected to the socket.
Timer and Programming
An automatic irrigation controller’s main functions are the automation of irrigation and the management of the departure, the days, the times, and the irrigation cycle duration. For example, we can decide to activate irrigation every day, every two days, once a week, etc.
By purchasing an automatic irrigation controller for professional irrigation, we have access to more detailed programming, for example: divided by seasons to better manage the supply of water needed.
Sectors and stations
The automatic irrigation controller can be connected to several stations or water supply points, with the advantage of separately managing the different areas of the garden or regulating entire irrigation systems independently.
For example, one of these areas may be exposed to the sun and need more water, while another remains in the shade and needs less water.
Or we can have a part of the garden with plants that, by nature, need daily irrigation and another area with trees and plants that occasionally require water. Then, the automatic irrigation controller can be equipped with 4-6-12 stations.
Rain and humidity sensors
The sensors, available with the automatic irrigation controller or separately, depending on the case, offer optimal irrigation system management.
On a rainy day, normal irrigation programming may not be enough. If it rains and the regulator is activated while we are at work or on vacation, we have wasted water unnecessarily, and in the worst case, we have ruined the most delicate plants that fear the excess of water.
The rain and humidity sensor interrupts the programming and prevents the water supply while maintaining the programming already set (for example, once a day) that can restart normally.
Display and Controls
The automatic irrigation controller display must be large enough to include all the data and be easily read. In the automatic irrigation controller’s best models, we have the touch screen display, or we can find the normal buttons below the display.
The most efficient displays are backlit, even in poor visibility conditions such as night or early morning.
WiFi connectivity
The WiFi automatic irrigation controller is used to manage the irrigation system remotely. This feature allows us total control, even several kilometers away from home.
The control unit will be easily adjustable through dedicated applications to set the ignition and the various programs and switch off using smartphones and tablets.
Furthermore, this model of automatic irrigation controller gives us an additional advantage. Through Wi-Fi, our device can connect with a compatible weather station. The information will self-adjust the various irrigation cycles and schedule an entire week based on possible precipitation.
As we have seen, the programming functions are varied and very useful. Yet, the Wi-Fi connection allows us to control the entire system manually. Moreover, continuous monitoring allows us to intervene at any time, even remotely, to activate, switch off, or change our liking programs.
The best automatic irrigation controller to buy
Below is the complete selection of the recommended automatic irrigation controllers with their respective technical characteristics, functions, and prices.
- WORRY-FREE WATERING - Our app helps tailor your watering schedule to the specific needs of...
- EXCLUSIVE WEATHER TECHNOLOGY - Patented Weather Intelligence automatically skips...
- SAVE MONEY & WATER - Rachio's intelligent app helps provide the right amount of water at...
- Familiar, easy to navigate user interface
- Rain sensor input with bypass capability
- Master valve/pump start circuit
- EFFICIENT WATERING SOLUTION - The smart sprinkler controller ensures automatic watering...
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PLACEMENT - This automatic watering system can be placed indoors or...
- EASY-TO-USE DRIP IRRIGATION - The drip irrigation timer allows for hassle-free management...
- This timer is so easy to program you won't need the instructions
- Simple zone-by-zone settings allow customized watering schedules for each area of your...
- Designed for indoor installation within a garage, home, or waterproof shed
- SMART SPRINKLER CONTROLLER - Rachio invented the smart sprinkler category and continues to...
- WORRY-FREE WATERING - Rachio tailors your watering schedule to the specific needs of your...
- NO MONTHLY FEES - Rachio comes complete and ready to use, without any extra charges or app...
- Wi-Fi capable controller — simply plug in a WAND module to maximize water savings by...
- Easy-to-read backlit display provides optimal visibility in any light
- 3 flexible programs with 4 start times each and run times up to 6 hours
- Provides essential water management features in a user-friendly outdoor controller to...
- 3 flexible programs with 4 start times each and run times up to 4 hours to accommodate...
- Compatible with Hunter weather sensors to halt irrigation during rain, freeze, and wind...
- Flexible Watering Options: With the Orbit 4 zone indoor sprinkler timer, you can easily...
- Efficient Watering Schedule: Reduce water runoff and save money by having up to 8 start...
- Rain Delay Feature: The Orbit sprinkler controller features a rain delay setting of 24, 48...
- Quick to Install. Suitable for indoor or outdoor installations. Factory installed 6’...
- Simple to Program. Quickly program a schedule in just 3 steps. NEW large back-lit LCD...
- Advanced Features. Contractor Default allows you to easily save and restore your custom...
- Comes with a power cord for quick plug-in indoor or outdoor installations. Cord can be...
- Comes with 4 zones and expandable to 22 zones with optional modules.
- Non-volatile memory saves controller settings indefinitely, even after long power outages
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.