The Best Sprinkler Timers and Controllers for Your Lawn and Garden

In order to maintain a lush, healthy lawn, you’re going to need to keep your grass properly watered with a dedicated lawn sprinkler, as well as a timer to control its operation. These handy sprinkler timers allow you to set up an automatic watering program that does nearly all the work for you, and eliminates the hassle of manually turning on and off your sprinkler every day. Plus, many can control several watering stations at once, so your grass, garden, or flower bed can each receive a customized watering schedule.These timers can either come as a controller that needs to be hardwired to your sprinkler system, or more straightforward models that screw directly into your garden hose spigot.

What to Consider

The first thing you should take into account when choosing a sprinkler timer or controller is how much functionality you’re looking to get from it. If you just need to turn your sprinklers on and off a couple times a day, then a basic timer should be fine. But if you want a little more customization and control—and you already have an irrigation system set up to connect to—you might want to opt for a dedicated sprinkler controller. Controllers can be mounted indoors, and some can even be controlled with a mobile app, making them even more convenient.

How We Selected

Although sprinkler timers and controllers work in different ways, they’re equally useful depending on the user, which is why we decided to include a variety of both kinds in our list. We also used our landscaping experience to select from brands that we have come to trust, which is why Orbit models take up so many spots. We also made sure to include a mechanical timer option, perfect for those who aren’t comfortable with programming digital tools or using Wi-Fi apps. Our picks cover a range of prices, so regardless of your budget, you should hopefully find an option that works for you.