Lawn & Garden Tech · Rachio
Rachio 3
The easiest smart sprinkler controller to live with.
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Rachio 3 at a glance
What we like
- Available in 4-, 8- and 16-zone versions
- Weather-aware scheduling, rain skip and seasonal shift
- Described by the maker as no monthly fees (some premium features are optional)
Trade-offs
- Needs Wi-Fi coverage where the controller is mounted
- Outdoor installs need a separate weatherproof enclosure
- Best for
- Anyone with an in-ground system who wants easy remote control.
- Skip it if
- You don't have Wi-Fi where the controller mounts, or you don't want to buy a weatherproof enclosure for an outdoor install.
Specs on this page were checked against the maker's own product page; the date is shown beside the buy buttons. This is research-based, not a hands-on review. See how we pick products.
Where it appears in our guides
Best overall
Rachio vs. Orbit B-hyve
The easiest smart controller to live with. Rachio 3 comes in 4-, 8- and 16-zone versions with weather-aware scheduling, rain skip and seasonal shift, and the maker describes it as having no monthly fees, with some premium features optional. It needs Wi-Fi where it is mounted, and an outdoor install needs a separate weatherproof enclosure.
Guide updated · Read the full guide
Best overall
Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers
The Rachio 3 comes in 4-, 8- and 16-zone versions, offers weather-aware scheduling with rain skip and seasonal shift, and — per Rachio — has no monthly fees for the app, with some premium features optional. It needs Wi-Fi where it's mounted, and an outdoor installation requires a separate weatherproof enclosure.
Guide updated · Read the full guide
Compare with
Other products that show up alongside it in our guides.
Hunter Hydrawise
A pro-grade smart controller favored by irrigation installers.
Price tier 3 of 4:$500–$1,500Orbit B-hyve XR
A capable, lower-cost alternative to Rachio.
Price tier 2 of 4:$150–$500