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Head-to-head · Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone) vs Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone Irrigation Remote Control)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone) is best for: homeowners who want detailed zone-by-zone watering control from a weatherproof wired timer. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone)
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone)
1 source$170as of Oct 17

The Orbit B-hyve XR is an eight-zone smart sprinkler timer in an IP65 indoor/outdoor housing, with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, four programs and Alexa and Google Assistant support. GearBrain scored it 8.5/10 after a month of use, finding setup and wiring easier than Orbit's earlier B-hyve and the zone-by-zone smart watering more guided than most rivals. The Gadgeteer found it ran its zones exactly as programmed once a Wi-Fi setup snag was solved, but wanted a second button and a proper manual. It suits homeowners replacing an old wired timer who want detailed per-zone watering control; anyone who wants the app to report water savings should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Push-button wire terminals make swapping out an old controller easier
  • — Connects on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth for setup
  • — Alexa and Google Assistant voice control worked as expected and was quick to set up
Watch-outs
  • — App does not track how much water is actually used
  • — Single front button makes manual control on the unit fiddly
  • — Advanced watering settings come with little documentation
$170 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone Irrigation Remote Control)
Ranked #2 in Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone Irrigation Remote Control)
2 sources$199as of Oct 11

The Rachio 3 is the default recommendation in smart irrigation, and the app is why: PCMag scored it 4.5 out of 5, with its reviewer calling it the best designed and easiest to use of the controllers he tested. Weather Intelligence Plus handles rain, wind and freeze skips with no subscription, it ties into Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and SmartThings, and schedules keep running locally when Wi-Fi drops. CNET's take on the same hardware was more measured at 7.5 out of 10. The catches are practical: it needs the supplied AC adapter, it mounts indoors unless you buy the weatherproof housing, and it wants reliable Wi-Fi where the valve wiring is.

Strengths
  • — Automatically adjusts watering schedules based on local weather conditions
  • — Easy installation taking 30 minutes or less with no special tools required
  • — Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Siri Shortcuts for voice control
Watch-outs
  • — Caps out at 16 zones, so large or commercial properties need a different controller
$199 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone)

Like the Rachio 8-Zone, the B-hyve XR handles up to eight zones with weather-based scheduling, and it adds an IP65 housing rated for outdoor mounting. It is the newer, redesigned sibling of the Orbit B-hyve Indoor controller on this page, which GearBrain says it improves on for setup and wiring, and it covers two more zones than the six-zone Netro Sprite.

Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone Irrigation Remote Control)

The Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller's app carries a 4.9 App Store rating, where the app for the Orbit B-hyve Indoor Smart Sprinkler Controller is described as finicky and confusing. Both run eight zones and mount indoors unless a weatherproof housing is bought, against six zones for the Rain Bird ARC6 Smart WiFi Sprinkler Timer. The Rachio costs more than the Orbit and the Rain Bird.

Specs side-by-side

SpecOrbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer (8-Zone)Rachio WiFi Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone Irrigation Remote Control)
Zones88-zone
Connectivity2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi
Programs4—
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant—
Weather RatingIP65 (indoor/outdoor)—
Power120V AC input, 24V AC output—
Dimensions4 x 9 x 11 inches9.1" x 5.5" x 1.4"
Warranty2 years—
Smart Home Integration—Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Alarm.com, SmartThings
App Compatibility—iOS 10.3+ and Android 4.4+
Installation Type—Indoor (optional weatherproof housing for outdoor)
Weather Integration—Weather Intelligence Plus
Power Input—AC power adapter included
Voltage—120 Volts
Material—Plastic
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