This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rachio. All opinions are my own.
Did you know that about half of the average household’s water use occurs outdoors, and up to 50% of that can be wasted? That means many families are spending hundreds of dollars each month watering their lawn and outdoor landscaping. It doesn’t have to be this way—the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller makes it possible to maintain a healthy lawn while using only the water it needs. We inherited a neglected lawn from the previous owners—full of weeds and bare patches—and our sprinkler system and controller were outdated. Since we use smart devices throughout our home, upgrading the irrigation system with the Rachio 3 made sense.
The Rachio 3 Sprinkler Controller is a smarter way to water your lawn. It’s controlled by a smartphone app that lets you create intelligent schedules that adjust for current and forecasted weather, preventing overwatering and reducing your water bill. You no longer need to worry about manually changing schedules for rain—you can adjust settings anytime from the app to increase or decrease watering as needed.
The Rachio 3 acts like a personal watering assistant, recommending days and times to water based on your location, grass type, and soil conditions. It can help revive dead or patchy grass quickly by applying the right amount of water at the right times. Installation was straightforward and took us less than an hour; most of the time was spent organizing wires from the old controller. Our system has six zones, so the eight-zone Rachio model was ideal. Rachio also offers a 16-zone unit for larger yards.
A key feature that makes the Rachio 3 intelligent is Weather Intelligence Plus. This system combines data from national and personal weather stations, satellite and radar information, and other sources to produce hyperlocal forecasts with accuracy down to roughly a 36-foot radius. That level of precision ensures your lawn receives the exact amount of water it needs. In regions where weather conditions can change hourly, Weather Intelligence Plus is especially valuable.
The Rachio 3 integrates with common smart-home platforms: we use Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and both work seamlessly with Rachio for convenient voice control. The app keeps you connected to your system no matter where you are. Rachio 3 is also compatible with Nest, SmartThings, and IFTTT, enabling broader automation and smart-home workflows.
The optional Rachio wireless flow meter is a useful accessory designed to detect leaks and abnormal flow. We experienced an underground pipe failure that went unnoticed for days until we found a puddle; a flow meter would have alerted us immediately and allowed us to shut the system off before wasting water and money. Living in drought-prone southern California, monitoring water use is essential—unexpected high usage during peak times can dramatically increase the water bill.
The Rachio 3 is EPA WaterSense certified, meaning it meets EPA criteria for water efficiency—an important validation of the product’s performance. Because it can conserve water, Rachio products may also qualify for rebates from local water utilities. In some parts of Southern California, rebates can range from about $80 up to the full purchase price of the controller.
Beyond convenience, the Rachio 3 can reduce water waste and lower your bill, making it a practical smart-home upgrade. The eight-zone unit is priced at $229.99 and the 16-zone unit at $279.99; the wireless flow meter is available for an additional $99.99. All products are sold directly through Rachio’s website.