Smart irrigation controllers bring convenience and water efficiency to your garden, offering precise control over when and how much water your plants receive. By connecting one to Homey, they can ensure your lawn and garden stay healthy while conserving resources.
In this Best Buy Guide, we explore several top picks for irrigation controllers, highlighting models that integrate seamlessly with Homey and offer the best features.
Choosing an irrigation controller
Smart irrigation controllers come with various features that can greatly impact their performance and compatibility with your garden and existing watering system. To select the right model, consider these five key points:
Number of Zones
The number of irrigation zones the controller supports will determine how effectively it can manage different areas of your garden. Controllers with more zones are suitable for larger, more complex setups, while fewer zones may suffice for smaller spaces.
Ease of Installation
Some controllers are designed for straightforward, DIY installation, while others may require professional setup. Make sure to choose a model that aligns with your technical comfort level and the existing infrastructure of your irrigation system.
Power Source and Backup
Consider whether the controller runs on mains power, batteries, or solar energy. Additionally, models with backup power options ensure your irrigation system continues working during power outages, protecting your garden even in emergencies.
Advanced Features
Look for controllers with advanced features such as flow monitoring, soil moisture sensors compatibility, and customized watering schedules. Features such as rain delay or freeze skip, automatically adjust watering schedules based on local weather conditions.
Price
Consider the price to features ratio highlighted in our Best Buy Guide. Balance your budget with the controller's long-term savings in water efficiency, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.
| Brand | Model | Protocol | Zones | IP Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gardena | Smart Irrigation Control |  Wi-Fi | 1 - 6 | IPX4 | €197.45 |
 Hunter | Hydrawise Irrigation Controllers | Wi-Fi | 6 - 54 | IP55 | €310.85 |
 LinkTap | Wireless Water Timers |  Zigbee | 1 - 4 | IP66 | €112.00 |
 POPP | Flow Stop 2 |  Z-Wave | 1 | IP64 | €89.99 |
 Rain Bird | Irrigation Controllers | Wi-Fi | 4 - 22 | IP24 | €119.95 |
 Royal Gardineer | Irrigation Controller | Zigbee | 1 | IP54 | €55.99 |
Gardena Smart Irrigation Control
- Up to 6 valves
- Splashproof
- Adjusts to garden needs
- Requires Gardena Smart Gateway
The Gardena Smart Irrigation Control is a versatile solution for automating and optimizing garden watering. It allows control of up to six irrigation valves, making it suitable for medium to larger gardens.
This intelligent control unit is meant to replace the control system of an existing irrigation setup, bringing advanced features for more efficient water management. One of its standout features is the Auto-Schedule Assistant, which helps customize and optimize irrigation times based on the specific needs of the garden. The system adjusts automatically, responding to real-time weather data. For instance, if rain is predicted or a dry spell has just ended, the app will adjust the schedule accordingly, ensuring plants receive the right amount of water.
The Gardena Smart Irrigation Control can be combined with the Gardena Smart Sensor, which measures soil moisture and temperature for even more precise watering. It’s compatible with any standard 24V valve, giving users flexibility in integrating it into existing setups. Designed with a slim and robust form, the unit is splash-proof, making it ideal for outdoor installation without concerns about weather conditions.
The Gardena Smart Irrigation Control system can be integrated in both Homey and Homey Pro. It uses the Gardena Smart Gateway to form this connection over Wi-Fi, allowing the users to control all irrigation valves individually and monitor their status.
Hunter Hydrawise Irrigation Controllers
- Up to 54 zones
- High-quality build
- Integrated local weather data
- Expensive
Hunter Hydrawise offers a range of irrigation controllers, with models capable of managing anywhere from 4 to 54 zones, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications.
Among their premium offerings is the HCC model, which is designed for larger residential or commercial landscapes. It is expandable in increments of 4, 8, 22, and 54 stations, making it versatile for growing needs. The HCC model includes a plastic or metal wall mount with an IP55 rating, suitable for outdoor installations.
The controller’s 3 full-color touchscreen display simplifies programming, allowing easy control from the unit itself. Additionally, the HCC has a built-in milliamp sensor that detects wire faults and provides alerts, ensuring system reliability.
Hunter's Pro-HC model is another option aimed at residential use, available in 6, 12, and 24-zone configurations. Like the HCC, the Pro-HC uses Hydrawise’s Predictive Watering® technology, which automatically adjusts irrigation schedules based on local weather conditions.
Each controller uses Wi-Fi out of the box and can be integrated in Homey Pro. Users can create irrigation schedules, control each zone individually and change watering duration. It’s worth noting that the extensive feature set, modular design and high-quality build of Hunter irrigation controllers come at a price, as their models are more expensive than comparable devices.
LinkTap Wireless Water Timers
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Excellent Homey integration
- Requires gateway
LinkTap’s Wireless Water Timers provide an efficient and user-friendly solution for garden irrigation. The G2S, a single-zone timer, runs on 4xAA batteries and includes an integrated flow meter that enables precise monitoring of water usage.
Its IP66 waterproof rating ensures reliable performance in outdoor conditions, while the manual on/off button with a digital lockout feature enhances control and prevents unintentional changes. With a high flow rate of 30 liters per minute, the G2S is ideal for garden areas that need a significant amount of water delivered quickly.
The G2S is nearly identical to the two-zone D1 version, with the primary differences being shape, size, and zone control. Both models feature the same advanced capabilities, making them adaptable for a variety of home irrigation needs.
For example, the Rain Skip function prevents unnecessary watering by using weather forecasts to automatically skip scheduled irrigation if rain is predicted or has recently occurred. This feature ensures water conservation and protects plants from overwatering.
For larger setups, LinkTap’s 4-zone water timer offers a unique two-part design: the ValveLinker, a 4-zone wireless valve controller, and the Q1, a 4-zone valve and flow meter unit. This model integrates all the features of the G2S and D1 while managing four zones, effectively replacing multiple single-zone devices, which saves users money and streamlines garden management.
Though LinkTap timers use Zigbee, they require their proprietary gateway to connect with platforms like Homey. With the LinkTap gateway, users can seamlessly integrate the system into Homey or Homey Pro, allowing full control over individual irrigation zones, schedules, and status monitoring of sensors and alarms.
POPP Flow Stop 2
- Affordable
- Local connectivity
- Can be used with water and gas valves
- Limited compatibility
POPP Flow Stop 2 is a motor-operated shut-off controller designed to automatically stop the flow of water and gas in pipes. This device mechanically turns the existing ball valve, which is frequently used in domestic irrigation systems.
The Flow Stop 2 is powered by a 12V motor that delivers high torque, enabling it to close a ball valve in just 10 seconds. Despite the motor's low voltage requirement, it offers impressive power output, ensuring dependable operation.
In case of a power failure, the valve can also be manually closed, thanks to the clutch release bearing, providing peace of mind during emergencies. Installation is straightforward but requires mounting the unit directly onto the ball valve handle, which may limit compatibility with some types of valves and handles. The device measures 74 x 120 x 195 millimeters and is IP64 rated, meaning it is protected against dust and splashing water.
POPP Flow Stop communicates via Z-Wave, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with Homey Bridge and Homey Pro. Users can toggle the controller on or off, quickly starting or stopping garden irrigation.
Rain Bird Irrigation Controllers
- Up to 22 zones
- Backlit LCD screen
- Supports internet weather data
- Requires separate Wi-Fi module
Rain Bird offers a range of irrigation controllers tailored to different needs, with the ESP-ME3 being the top-tier model designed for both residential and commercial use. The ESP-ME3 stands out due to its flexibility, allowing users to start with 4 zones and expand up to 22, depending on their irrigation needs.
The ESP-ME3 supports internet-based weather data, adjusting the irrigation schedule based on real-time conditions, helping save water while keeping landscapes healthy. Its large, back-lit LCD display makes it easy to navigate, even in low-light or direct sun conditions, ensuring usability in various environments.
Designed for both indoor and outdoor installation, this model offers simple dial programming, allowing users to manage schedules efficiently without needing extensive technical knowledge. The ESP-ME3 also features built-in flow sensing capabilities, enhancing its ability to track water usage and detect issues.
The Rain Bird ESP-ME3 is compatible with Homey Pro, but it does require the LNK2 WiFi module to be purchased separately. Once integrated, users can control irrigation zones individually, set timers, and monitor each zone's status from Homey.
If you need a simpler yet capable model, the ESP-TM2 is more suitable for smaller domestic projects. The TM2 is available in 4, 6, 8 or 12 zone versions and is also compatible with Rain Bird’s Wi-Fi module and Homey Pro.
Royal Gardineer Irrigation Controller
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Manual control button
- Unreliable flow meter
If you need simple 1-zone irrigation control, consider the Royal Gardineer Irrigation Controller. This affordable model offers a slim design that fits easily next to other valves on a valve manifold, making it convenient for compact installations.
It’s compatible with all standard taps that have 1/2" and 3/4" threads, providing versatility for different setups. The controller features a built-in water consumption meter, enabling users to monitor water usage. Manual irrigation can be activated with a single touch directly on the valve, allowing quick and straightforward control.
The device is designed for outdoor use, with a splash-proof housing rated at IP54, ensuring protection from water exposure. It operates at temperatures between 0°C and 50°C, meaning it may not perform well in freezing conditions.
The Royal Gardineer Irrigation Controller uses Zigbee to communicate and pair with Homey Pro. Once integrated, users can toggle the valve, create schedules and monitor battery levels. It’s worth noting that the flow meter of this device is deemed unreliable by many users, so it may not be dependable for accurate water usage monitoring.
