Rachio 3: Smart Sprinkler Controller, 16-Zone (Simple Auto Scheduling + Local Weather Intelligence. Save Water w/ Rain, Freeze & Wind Skip), Fast & Easy Install

I finally replaced my RainBird system which worked well but was old and outdated. This system was recommended by friends and relatives and it is great! Right out of the box the instructions were very clear and easy to understand. I labeled all the old wires as I took the old system apart which definitely helped with the new installation. The controller is very easy to mount and the wiring is a simple push and lock mechanism. Since it connects to wifi it gathers weather data from numerous sources and seems even more accurate than the local forecast. I've already had it tell me it would "skip" watering and then as the forecast changed it deleted the skip and watered as required. The app is very intuitive and user friendly. Having access anywhere makes watering a breeze with the ability to control everything about all zones (we have 15). I highly recommend this system as a great value for the cost.

I replaced an existing controller with two 16 zone Rachio 3 units. The old controller handled all 20 zones but an expensive monthly subscription service and additional module are required to achieve remote access and weather data for the controller to use in modifying the watering schedule. It would have been nice if Rachio offered a 20+ zone option or a 12 zone option, but it is nice to know I can add up to 6 zones per controller in the future without upgrading the hardware. I'm very happy with the Rachio controllers and discovered I can operate two zones simultaneously (one on each controller) which reduces the total time required for watering. Initially I wished the app did not treat each controller separately, but this actually is a nice feature. Admittedly this might not work well in areas that don't have necessary water pressure. I located the Rachio units outside so I also purchased the weatherproof outdoor enclosures. The need for two controllers located outside complicated the installation, but once I had the wiring sorted and the outside enclosures mounted, the remaining installation was very easy. Connecting the zone wiring to the controller could not be easier and was completed in about five minutes for each controller. I don't doubt that replacement of an existing indoor controller or installation of a new indoor controller is as easy as Rachio and the many positive reviews indicate. The controllers fit perfectly in the outside enclosures and the provided holes in the enclosures worked perfectly with the 1" PVC that protects the zone wiring and the flexible conduit I used for the AC wiring. The enclosures are very sturdy and appear to be designed to properly block moisture. We haven't had any rain since the installation to confirm their effectiveness. The Rachio app is great and is reason enough to go with the Rachio product if everything else is equal. It is intuitive and very easy to use. Rachio also offers browser access to the controllers and I found it was a bit easier to set up the zones that way. One can use the default wide-area sourcing of relevant weather data, select a nearby weather reporting station or use a personal weather station. The nearest reporting station is nearly two miles from my home so I've ordered a Tempest unit to maximize the accuracy of the data used by the Rachio system to determine the watering requirements for each zone.

I have a Hunter sprinkler system that we had installed about a decade ago. It works great, but the controller had outlived its usefulness. I decided to upgrade. I wanted a controller that I could access from my iPhone. I wanted a controller that would be easy to program and easy to use. I wanted a controller that would take the guesswork out of when to water and for how long. My research led me to purchase the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and I am completely satisfied with my purchase! My purchase decision came down to the Rachio 3 and the Hunter HydraWise. I probably deliberated longer than I needed to ... but that was because I have a Hunter sprinkler system and I had a bit of anxiety about buying a controller not made by Hunter. I was ultimately swayed by Rachio's app capabilities ... and professional reviews. The Rachio 3 seems like a sprinkler controller reinvented. The Hunter HydraWise seems like an old fashioned sprinkler controller with an app. 21st century technology (Rachio 3) vs. 20th century (Hunter HydraWise). I am a futurist ... 21st century for me. The Rachio 3 is an app-based controller ... there are no programming buttons or knobs on the controller itself. The app is easy to navigate and simple to program. I opted to let the Rachio 3 determine when and how long to water. The app uses weather data from several resources to determine when to water my lawn. The app sets the duration using a creative method of alternating the watering time per zone to maximize water retention in the soil. I'm a gadget guy, so I had to give this a try ... though I was skeptical about the "intelligence" of this system. Well, I am convinced the app has the right approach. My grass looks fantastic! The soil is never dried out ... no brown patches ... no soggy soil from over-watering. The plants in our garden look great, too. The app set my sprinklers to come on overnight. In the morning I wake to a notice that the watering cycle is complete. If I want to see how long the sprinklers were active I merely have to look in the app ... all the data is there ... and I can access historical watering data, too. I have received alerts that the Rachio app is postponing watering due to rain and due to high winds. If I want to turn on the sprinklers all I have to do is open the app and tap the zone I want to water then set the duration. Simple. The Rachio app takes any manual watering per zone into account for future watering cycles. This app is so cool! The Rachio 3 was simple to install. It took me less than 30 minutes to disconnect my Hunter sprinkler controller and then install the Rachio 3. I powered up and connected to wifi without issue. Setting up the app took another 10 minutes ... over which about 5 minutes was me just exploring the app. So easy and simple. I consider myself technically adept at installs like but by no means an expert. That means I am confident I can do it ... but still need to follow the directions step-by-step. If I could install this controller, so can you. There is no charge for the Rachio 3 app. All that functionality is paid for upfront when you buy the controller. Seems like an incredible value to me. I am extremely pleased with my Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and highly recommend this unit to anyone with an in-ground sprinkler system. An enthusiastic five stars!

UPDATE MAY19 2021: Still the best way to wet your plants :-) Rachio works the way my mind works. Visual, simple, yet complex under hood is there if you want to get into it deep. It has become my favorite automation tool for my home, and after years of cussing and swearing at my previous WiFi controller with a Bird in it's name, I smile every day that Rachio "GETS IT". Buy this now. You want WiFi controller for easy software and this is it. Not affiliated or endorsed or paid, just a fan of a fine product. Update 24SEP2020: I've been working with Rachio3 for an entire season and am MORE pleased than ever. Rachio delivers an entire watering system control for yards and lawns, instead of being just a switch box that turns water on at specific times. Intuitive, smart, works the way humans think, not the way engineers think (opposite of R___bird). If Steve Jobs were alive he would be impressed with this. Yes, the software is that good. The electronics themselves aI installed and have never looked at it again. My iPhone app does it all. IMHO-- BUY THIS, at least try it first before you drop down to just timer/switches. Rachio was the BEST DECISION for my sanity and blood pressure, and my yard is green. I don't work there, just a fan. What a breath of fresh air this Rachio SOFTWARE and controller is. AMAZING that I endured several years of suffering with Rainbird's Wifi (ESP-ME) epic fail. This is night and day difference. Rachio box at first seemed light, and almost cheap compared to Rainbird's heavy plastic, modular upgrades, and great name. But five minutes after installing Rachio I would NEVER EVER go back to Rainbird's controller, no matter what they paid me. Rachio software is YEARS ahead in functionality. It drove me crazy to set up all the detail for my 16 zones (took a bout an hour) but when done... amazing. It works the way my head thinks, is simple, very visual, uncluttered and NICE. Love it. THIS product is a joy after enduring years of over complexity, zero product support, and frustration given Rainbird hiring the wrong person to write their software. It was difficult to toss my entire Rainbird controller and wifi module in the trash, but best decision ever. TRUST ME when I say this... We buy Wifi Controllers for the SOFTWARE. And Rachio software is what I really wanted to experience with any Wifi sprinkler controller. They get it, did it, and it works well. Bravo to them. The controller unit itself is light, clean, and just works. Nothing more to say. Easy install. Too easy which scared me. No screw lugs, modules or fancy options. It just is what it is. I cannot comment on whatever the Thrive stuff is or conditional watering, I just use the specific settings outright, and so far it has been a delight. Thank you Rachio engineering staff and management. My blood pressure is way down now. My lawn is green. I'm a happy boy.

Awesome product! Extremely easy to set up. The fact that it doesn't require 2.4 ghz is great. Wifi connection was easy! Setting up the schedule and zones simple. Bought the Hunter X2 before and couldn't get it connected to the internet after 30+ attempts. Rachio is definitely a technology company.

I replaced my Rainbird controller. I was tired of the WiFi disconnecting because it only works with 3G. The Rainbird app is very antiquated and runs more like an old DOS program. I setup the Rachio in about a half hour. Very easy. Please note that wiring from an existing system might be difficult to stretch along the much wider Rachio panel. I love the App, and it is real WiFi, not a manual box connected to the internet like Rainbird. My only issue was after walking around and setting up each zone, it calculated watering for over 9 hours. We’d water for 3, maybe 4 hours when we set each station manually. So, I had to go back and manually adjust. So far so good. Rachio is a much more advanced system and technology, and you can also manually water from the box if you choose. It’s also the better value for the price.

Finally figured out annoying zone Fault error for master valve operation when multiple master valve connected to the M terminal along with the regular zones Operation for about less than $20 wiring work, Really simple wiring and thanks to amazon for selling such simple devices to help rescue in this matter. It’s shame that rachio engineers didn’t design enough power for each channel especially when there is M terminal available for use. Customer should not need to buy anything else to make it work all together. At least they should have allowed up to 5 Amps of power usage for simultaneous multiple zones operations and multiple master valve operation. Which is very common these days. Anyways. I highly recommend, using individual master valves for front and back if you have multiple pipes feeding irrigation at your home, to save on leaks, and protect your irrigation and extend valve life using these available master valve terminals on Rachio 3. It is very simple, to wire up. I got all links for the product and wiring diagram shown below that has been tested and work prefectly. This is all you need. I have got 2 Master valves (1 for front yard, 1 for back yard), hooked up to external power source of 24VAC plugin type, using this simple DIN mount $10 24vac contactor, https://amzn.to/46q988x And this power supply, 24VAC, https://amzn.to/3I0UI6B wired externally to power up these master valve it works flawlessly, I am using these master valves https://amzn.to/4mck5QJ which shows 5W power consumption which is great for the application, however always have higher rated power supply purchased, to be safe to handle inrush (higher current for start up) current of valves when they open initially. I was able to simplify the circuit and use these externally powered master valve with any zones without any zone fault error or compatibility issues with Rachio 3. The product I shared above have been tested by myself, and I guarantee it works as long as you wire them correctly. if you have any questions then please let me know. If you use my link to purchase, it would tremendously help me provide support for your need, feel free to text me here if you have any questions. Hopefully, these photos with wiring diagram helps you out. If not just shoot me question here. The wiring for external pump would be very similar, but I can help you with that if you have unique situations for your case. Just ping me here and be happy to prepare your circuit diagram.

I am overwhelmingly satisfied with this product. Not only is it a smart system (keeps me from running my sprinkler system in the middle of a rain storm) but it also allows me to water a specific area and control that from a comfortable seat on my deck without having to run down to my basement where the controller is mounted and then run back up to see if I started the right zone. My neighbor told me about this product (and he helped me install it). I don’t often write product reviews and they are typically negative. But I would feel bad if I didn’t give praise where praise is absolutely warranted.

Works as intended, however setup is understandably difficult if you want to set advanced settings up. The garden/zone setup is limited 7 types of plants. With the smarts, app should be able to set zones to specific plant type ( blueberries, cherries, or any of the common fruit and vegetables ) The flex schedules are problematic, often going 2-5 weeks between waterings. Rachio claims it will adjust significantly over first few weeks.

Overall, I like the system and the app. Easy to install and operate. What bothers me is the added 45 cost they charge in the alp for valve monitoring, which is a feature included in the Orbit B-hyve system (albeit in a less robust manner) and should be a baseline feature in the Rachio app. The fact they don't tell you of this added charge before you buy makes it more frustrating.

Delivery took a week since it is coming from California. Setup I had trouble to add my unit on to Rachio server. Rachio Service was quick, responsive and friendly. After installation is done, schedule setup is easy. Weather Intelligence Plus does not work well in my area (Mississauga, Ontario) as the weather forecast by the stations in Rachio database is mostly from the American network of Weather Underground and it is not accurate. I had to move around (trial and errors) with different stations in order to get a close reading of rain forecast and rainfall level as this will determine whether the unit will skip a scheduled water time.

Best money I've spent in a long time. Replaced 2 older Hunter 8 station electronic controllers with one 16 station Rachio. (Hunter units were quite good for their day but Rachio was better recommended online and also doesn't seem 'dealer' oriented, a business model I preferred to avoid.) Software takes a while to get used to and we're not using too much of the weather station stuff yet, but just the smartphone access and overall flexibility makes it easily worth the money IMO. Not perfect, but really good. Super glad I did this. Dead simple to install too, with no network or connectivity issues and programming only took a few minutes.

Easy to install and program. Looks good on the wall too. Very minimalist appearance for a 16 zone water timer. Would be nice to have a choice for a 12 zone timer as I did not need 16 zones but for the small size it’s a great unit.