A sprinkler timer turns your hose into an automatic watering system. Set the schedule and it waters whether you remember or not. It is the simplest upgrade you can make to your lawn and garden routine. Here are the 7 best sprinkler timers for every need.
Our Top 7 Sprinkler Timers
| # | Timer | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melnor AquaTimer | Digital single-zone | Best overall hose timer |
| 2 | Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Timer | WiFi smart timer | Best WiFi hose timer |
| 3 | Orbit 62034 Mechanical | Mechanical dial | Best simple mechanical timer |
| 4 | Melnor HydroLogic 4-Zone | Digital multi-zone | Best multi-zone timer |
| 5 | Rain Bird 1ZEHTMR | Digital single-zone | Best for drip systems |
| 6 | Orbit 2-Outlet Digital Timer | Digital dual-zone | Best for two areas on one spigot |
| 7 | Gilmour Mechanical Timer | Mechanical single-zone | Best ultra-budget timer |
1. Melnor AquaTimer — Best Overall Hose Timer
I have used the Melnor AquaTimer for two seasons. It does exactly what you expect. Program up to 4 watering cycles per day. Each from 1 to 240 minutes. Water every day, every few days, or on specific days of the week. The LCD screen shows battery level and program status.
Two AA batteries last a full season. The rain delay button skips watering for 1 to 7 days. The manual override lets you water now without messing up the program. For around $30 to $40, this is the sweet spot of features and price.
2. Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Timer — Best WiFi Timer
The Orbit B-hyve connects to your home WiFi. You control it from your phone using the B-hyve app. Set schedules. Check status. Get notifications. The app pulls weather data and can skip watering automatically when rain is forecast.
This is the closest you can get to an in-ground smart controller without installing one. It runs on batteries so there is no wiring. It screws onto your spigot just like any hose timer. Around $60 to $75.
3. Orbit 62034 Mechanical — Best Simple No-Battery Timer
Sometimes you just want a timer that works without batteries, programming, or apps. The Orbit 62034 is a mechanical dial timer. Twist the dial to the duration you want. It counts down and shuts off. That is it.
Great for filling pools, watering new seed, or any situation where you need timed water without setting a schedule. Runs entirely on water pressure. No batteries. No electronics. Nothing to fail. Around $12 to $15.
4. Melnor HydroLogic 4-Zone — Best Multi-Zone Timer
If you need to water different areas on different schedules from one spigot, the Melnor HydroLogic 4-zone is the answer. Four independent outlets. Four independent schedules. You can water the lawn on one schedule, the flower beds on another, and the vegetable garden on a third.
The digital display makes programming each zone straightforward. Bluetooth connectivity lets you use the Melnor app. Battery powered with long life. Around $65 to $75.
5. Rain Bird 1ZEHTMR — Best for Drip Systems
Rain Bird designed this timer specifically for low-flow drip irrigation systems. It handles the low flow rates of drip without the valve sticking. Many standard timers need a minimum flow to operate. The 1ZEHTMR works with flows as low as 0.5 gallons per minute.
Single zone. Digital programming. Multiple start times. Manual override. The build quality is typical Rain Bird. Solid and reliable. Around $40.
6. Orbit 2-Outlet Digital — Best Dual Zone on One Spigot
Two outlets from one timer. Each can be programmed independently. This is the simplest way to run two different watering zones from a single spigot. One outlet for the lawn sprinkler. One for the drip system in the garden beds.
Digital display. Battery powered. Manual override for each outlet. Less expensive than a 4-zone timer but more flexible than a single outlet. Around $35 to $45.
7. Gilmour Mechanical Timer — Best Ultra-Budget
At around $8 to $10, the Gilmour mechanical timer is the cheapest way to add timed watering. Twist the dial to set the duration up to 120 minutes. It counts down and shuts off. No batteries. No programming. No features at all.
It works. It is cheap. It will not last forever. But for occasional use or as a backup timer, you cannot beat the price.
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