Smart Home · Head-to-head
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller vs Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full Smart Sprinkler Controllers: Which to Buy and Which to Skip comparison.
The Rachio 3 has the most refined scheduling and the widest integrations, and installs indoors in about 30 minutes. The B-hyve XR costs less, can mount outdoors without an extra enclosure and adds Bluetooth control and on-device displays.
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
Buy itThe most polished smart controller, with weather-based Flex schedules and no monthly fee for core features.
- It comes in 4, 8 and 16 zone models, and Rachio says most users can install it in 30 minutes or less without special tools.
- Fixed, Flex and overseeding schedules plus Rain Skip and Seasonal Shift adjustments, with the Rachio app carrying no monthly fees for core use.
- It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Alarm.com and SmartThings, and can pull data from a Tempest backyard weather station.
- Rachio labels some features, such as Heat Wave Boost and Valve Monitoring, as premium.
- Outdoor installation needs a separately sold Weatherproof Enclosure, and it must use the included AC adapter; DC transformers are not supported.
- Rachio says you need a strong Wi-Fi signal at the controller, and pump start relays may need extra parts.
Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer
Buy itAn 8 or 16 station controller built for indoor or outdoor mounting, with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the WaterSense label.
- Orbit says it is engineered for indoor or outdoor locations with exposure to the elements, so no separate enclosure is needed.
- It connects over Bluetooth and dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi, and carries the EPA WaterSense label for rebates in many districts.
- It can power a pump start relay and one valve solenoid at once, and three color displays show weather and watering status by zone.
- Scheduling is limited to four programs (A, B, C and D), which can be tight on a 16 zone yard.
- Smart home support is listed as Google and Alexa only.
- Orbit's product page does not publish an IP rating or a safety listing for the outdoor housing.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller Our pick | Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Most homeowners with an indoor or garage-mounted controller who want the best app and integrations. | Homeowners who want to mount the controller outside, or whose router is far away, at a lower price than Rachio. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$ · mid-range |
| Zones | 4, 8 or 16 | 8 or 16 |
| Connection | Wi-Fi | 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Mounting | Indoor; enclosure sold separately | Indoor or outdoor |
| WaterSense | Not stated on product page | EPA WaterSense labeled |
| Safety listing named | Not stated on product page | Not stated on product page |
| On-device control | Not detailed on page | Three color displays, manual mode |
| Programs | Fixed, Flex, overseeding | 4 (A to D) |
| Warranty | Not stated on product page | Not stated on product page |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller if
most homeowners with an indoor or garage-mounted controller who want the best app and integrations.
Know before buying: rachio labels some features, such as Heat Wave Boost and Valve Monitoring, as premium.
Pick the Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer if
homeowners who want to mount the controller outside, or whose router is far away, at a lower price than Rachio.
Know before buying: scheduling is limited to four programs (A, B, C and D), which can be tight on a 16 zone yard.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller - The most polished smart controller, with weather-based Flex schedules and no monthly fee for core features. Choose the Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Indoor/Outdoor Sprinkler Timer instead if homeowners who want to mount the controller outside, or whose router is far away, at a lower price than Rachio.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete Smart Sprinkler Controllers: Which to Buy and Which to Skip.