Photograph: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
A hose timer is a straightforward machine that connects straight between a hose and a water spigot. The hose timer’s place permits it to regulate water stream to the hose and the sprinkler (if one is related). Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice {that a} hose timer is totally different than a sprinkler controller, which is an digital machine designed particularly to work with an computerized sprinkler system.
We wished to know which of in the present day’s high hose timers actually ship on their claims of simplifying watering, so we examined them ourselves. We chosen the preferred and highest-rated fashions and tried them out in our yards and gardens.
To be efficient, a hose timer must be easy to make use of, permitting for fast and straightforward watering every time and wherever mandatory. Forward, be taught what to search for when purchasing for a hose timer and discover out why the next fashions earned a spot on this lineup of the perfect hose timers for many yards.
- BEST OVERALL: Melnor AquaTimer 2-Zone Digital Water Timer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Instapark PWT-07 Digital Programmable Water Timer
- BEST MECHANICAL: Gardena 31169 Mechanical Water Timer
- BEST EASE OF OPERATION: Orbit 62056 One Outlet Single-Dial Hose Faucet Timer
- BEST DUAL-HOSE: Gilmour 804014-1001 400GTD Digital Water Timer
- BEST COMPACT: RainPoint ITV105 1-Zone Mini Digital Sprinkler Timer
- BEST SMART: RainPoint Good Wi-Fi 2-Zone Sprinkler Timer
Photograph: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
How We Examined the Finest Hose Timers
Earlier than conducting hands-on testing of hose timers, we researched greater than two dozen manufacturers and fashions to determine those most extremely rated and beneficial by specialists and customers. We scoured on-line opinions and analyzed product specs and options to determine which timers to incorporate in our checks.
When testing hose timers, we began by attaching each to a spigot and connecting it to a hose (or two, if relevant). Then, we reviewed the programming options, testing the timer’s capability to set watering schedules and modify watering period and frequency. We additionally tried extra options, akin to rain delay or guide override, and assessed how straightforward the timer was to program and use.
We scored every timer utilizing a rubric. The higher a timer carried out in every take a look at, the extra factors it obtained. Total, our aim was to comprehensively consider every timer’s efficiency and options that will help you select a hose timer to your personal wants.
Our Prime Picks
A superb hose timer helps guarantee lawns and gardens don’t dry out or by chance flood. The next fashions range in sort, value, and commonplace capabilities, however every earned a spot on our lineup by performing effectively in our hands-on checks. We included the professionals and cons of every mannequin that will help you decide which one will finest fit your watering wants.
Photograph: amazon.com
Topping our lineup is the Melnor AquaTimer. It options two hose retailers and is a wonderful choice for watering greater than a single zone.
In testing, we connected the AquaTimer to an out of doors spigot and related two hoses to the underside retailers. The becoming that connects to the spigot twists independently of the timer, which makes it easy to connect.
We discovered programming the AquaTimer to be self-explanatory. A central button in the course of the management panel allowed us to scroll by the capabilities, and we used the plus and minus buttons to set the time in addition to choose when watering would start and the way lengthy it could final. Watering period is adjustable from 1 minute to six hours.
We created customized watering applications for every of the 2 zones. The primary zone ran to a sprinkler in a flower mattress, and we set the timer to water twice a day for half-hour every. For the second zone, we ran the hose to a big ingesting bowl in our canine’ play yard and programmed the water to return on twice a day for two minutes—simply lengthy sufficient to fill the bowl with contemporary water. Having twin zones shall be a boon for anybody with a number of watering wants, simply because it was for us in our checks.
As soon as set, the AquaTimer runs the identical watering schedule day by day, nevertheless it additionally has a rain-delay operate that permits you to pause the watering schedule when you don’t must water that day. It additionally contains a guide override operate that permits you to water anytime.
The AquaTimer runs on two AA batteries (not included) and options a big easy-to-read LCD display. Its main draw back is that stream power just isn’t adjustable per zone—if we wished full-blast water for Zone 1, we additionally had it for Zone 2. For a lot of, that doubtless gained’t be a giant difficulty. Total, this little hose timer saves time and ensures the backyard or pets at all times have a supply of contemporary water.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 2
- Watering period: 1 minute to six hours
- Digital or guide: Digital
Execs
- Simple to program and modify with a big digital show and intuitive buttons
- Rain-delay operate can pause watering for as much as 7 days
- Twin watering zones may be individually programmed—ultimate for these with differing watering wants
Cons
- Batteries aren’t included and should require frequent substitute
- Water stream just isn’t adjustable per zone—each zones may have the identical water strain
Get the Melnor hose timer at Amazon, Walmart, or Goal.
Photograph: amazon.com
These with smaller lawns or gardens that don’t want a number of watering zones would possibly need to contemplate this budget-friendly hose timer from Instapark. The Instapark hose timer has a variety of watering period settings, from 10 seconds to 360 minutes (6 hours). The timer may be additional programmed for watering frequency from simply as soon as each 7 days to as usually as each 10 seconds.
We put in two AA batteries (not included) and related the timer to a hose reel (sure, most timers will hook up with reels in addition to spigots). We then connected a hose to the outlet on the timer. We skilled a major leak the primary time we turned on the water—it sprayed forcefully out of the reel becoming. One way or the other the washer had fallen out of the becoming. We changed it, reattached the timer, and had no extra leaks.
As soon as we set the watering period and frequency, we selected a begin time, and the hose timer was able to take over watering. We preferred that the Instapark has a flip-down cowl to guard the LCD display, dial, and buttons from wind, rain, and harsh ultraviolet rays. It was straightforward to program by choosing a watering operate with the dial and fine-tuning the setting with plus and minus buttons.
This timer additionally comes with a guide override for on-demand watering and a rain-delay button, which pauses the watering cycle if it’s raining or going to rain. Whereas the Instapark has just one hose outlet, it affords the identical options as costlier manufacturers—at a discount value.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 1
- Watering period: 10 seconds to six hours
- Digital or guide: Digital
Execs
- Timer is simple to program utilizing a dial and choice buttons
- Comes with a guide override operate that permits watering with out utilizing the timer
- Schedule as much as 4 watering periods per day with durations of as much as 6 hours
Cons
- Having just one hose outlet could also be inadequate for these with a number of watering areas
Get the Instapark hose timer at Amazon, The House Depot, or Sears.
Photograph: amazon.com
Generally much less is extra. We didn’t have to fret about batteries operating down with the Gardena mechanical hose timer as a result of this mannequin is spring-loaded—no batteries are required.
Nothing could possibly be less complicated than turning the rotary dial to set the watering period between 5 and 120 minutes (2 hours). As quickly as we set the time, we heard a faint ticking sound from the timer—just like a kitchen timer that works on a spring-loaded system. The timer can be correct. We set it to fifteen minutes, and after quarter-hour of watering, it shut the water off.
We may additionally go away the timer on the spigot however go for guide operation by turning the dial to water-only mode. This allowed us to show the water on and off as we happy with out utilizing the timer operate.
The Gardena timer doesn’t include any bells and whistles, and it doesn’t supply preprogramming. Each time we wished to make use of the timer, we needed to set the dial manually, nevertheless it shuts the water off, and that’s its saving grace. These with busy existence who are inclined to activate sprinklers however overlook to show them off don’t have to fret about flooding the yard and operating up the water invoice. Once you set the Gardena timer, it’s OK to overlook.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 1
- Watering period: 5 minutes to 2 hours
- Digital or guide: Guide
Execs
- Tremendous easy to set the timer—simply flip the dial to the specified watering time
- No batteries required; the timer runs off an inner spring
- Price range-friendly and may be set to water for five to 120 minutes
Cons
- Strictly guide—can’t be preprogrammed to water on a schedule
Get the Gardena hose timer at Amazon, Ace {Hardware}, Wayfair, or Walmart.
Photograph: amazon.com
After popping in two AA batteries (not included), we related the Orbit timer to our outside spigot, connected a backyard hose, and began testing. We instantly seen how massive and clearly marked the dial capabilities have been—it was very straightforward to learn them.
Utilizing the dial, we may set the hose timer to water for as little as 1 minute to so long as 240 minutes (4 hours), and we have been in a position to change the watering frequency anyplace from as soon as each 6 hours to as soon as each 7 days. Programming was easy: The Orbit timer contains a six-function dial and plus and minus buttons for setting the clock and choosing how lengthy and when to water. The Orbit timer additionally features a rain-delay operate and a guide override.
Total, this hose timer is a wonderful performer, however we didn’t love its digital display. Whereas the dial is massive, the display is on the small facet, and it was difficult to see the readout in shiny daylight. Plus, it solely has one water outlet, which might not be sufficient for some yards and gardens. We really feel it’s finest suited to small gardens or maybe a drip irrigation system that runs off a single backyard hose.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 1
- Watering period: 1 minute to 4 hours
- Digital or guide: Digital
Execs
- Programming is easy—flip the dial to pick out the operate and use the buttons to fine-tune the settings
- Rain-delay choice permits you to pause the watering program
- Guide override makes it straightforward to show the water on or off when wanted
Cons
- Timer’s LCD display may be difficult to learn in shiny daylight
Get the Orbit hose timer at Amazon, The House Depot, Walmart, or Orbit.
Photograph: amazon.com
With dual-hose connections, the Gilmour digital hose timer allowed us to regulate two separate watering zones mechanically. It runs off two AA batteries (not included) and comes with an easy-attach spigot connector. We ran one hose to a touring sprinkler and one other to a drip system in a perennial border.
Programming every zone was straightforward—the Gilmour timer options L (left) and R (proper) buttons for choosing every zone. We used the dial and the plus and minus buttons to set watering period, frequency, and a selected begin time for every zone. We may select watering durations between 1 and 360 minutes and a watering frequency of each 6 hours, 12 hours, or as much as 7 days.
This hose timer comes with a guide override for watering anytime and a rain-delay operate that disables the timer for as much as 72 hours. Nevertheless, the rain delay operate could possibly be slightly extra user-friendly. To interact it, you should first choose the “Run” characteristic on the dial after which press the plus button. It’s not intuitive, and we needed to learn the guide’s advantageous print to determine it out. As soon as discovered, nevertheless, it’s unlikely one thing you’ll overlook.
The digital display is on the small facet however remains to be straightforward to see and contains a battery-charge indicator, which we appreciated.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 2
- Watering period: 1 minute to six hours
- Digital or guide: Digital
Execs
- Can choose from a number of begin instances per day for every of the two zones
- Programming watering is easy due to the dial and buttons
- Options an override and rain-delay operate for versatility
Cons
- Rain-delay operate comes with a slight studying curve
Get the Gilmour hose timer at Amazon, Ace {Hardware}, or Walmart.
Photograph: amazon.com
One of many largest complaints from these with water spigots in hard-to-reach spots is that almost all commonplace hose timers are too massive to attach. There’s at all times the choice of attaching a brief chief hose to the spigot, then attaching a timer between the chief hose and one other backyard hose. Nevertheless, in order for you a compact timer to make use of in restricted areas, the RainPoint Mini timer is a superb choice.
The RainPoint Mini makes use of two AAA batteries (not included) and has the identical options as most bigger timers. As a mini unit, it does solely have one hose outlet, however for a lot of watering conditions, that’s sufficient. You’ll be able to select a watering period between 1 minute and three hours 59 minutes. You too can modify watering frequency to as usually as as soon as per hour or as little as as soon as each 7 days.
We discovered the phrases on the RainPoint Mini’s dial on the small facet, so slightly than connect the timer to a spigot the place we would battle to learn the dial, we opted to attach the unit between two hoses. This course of was fairly easy due to the RainPoint Mini’s easy-attach becoming. Sadly, this mannequin’s plus and minus buttons have been additionally small—it was simpler to easily memorize which was which slightly than attempting to learn them. Though this tiny timer has a small dial and buttons, its LCD display’s digital numbers are massive and straightforward to see, even in shiny daylight.
To realize the compact measurement, RainPoint does compromise on some options, akin to separate buttons for guide override and rain delay (as much as 72 hours). This small hose timer requires you to make use of the plus and minus buttons and set the dial to “On” to activate these options, whereas different timers have devoted buttons for these actions.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 1
- Watering period: 1 minute to three hours and 59 minutes
- Digital or guide: Digital
Execs
- Compact design; this small hose timer is designed to slot in tight areas
- Clear, easy-to-see LCD display with massive numerical show
- Gives guide override and rain-delay capabilities for versatility
Cons
- The phrases on the dial and the buttons are small and may be difficult to learn
- Compact measurement affords just one hose outlet, which limits use in bigger yards or gardens
Get the RainPoint Mini hose timer at Amazon, The House Depot, or RainPoint.
Photograph: amazon.com
These trying to program or modify a water timer remotely want look no additional than the RainPoint Good hose timer. We’ve examined dozens of good merchandise, syncing them to our Wi-Fi community and controlling them through smartphones, so we have been excited to check this timer.
Bodily set up begins identical to different timers—merely insert 4 AA batteries (not included) and fasten the dual-zone timer to an out of doors spigot. In testing, the RainPoint Good’s easy-twist connector made this a snap. We then related two hoses—one to a drip system and the opposite to a sprinkler in a flower mattress.
That’s all we may do from the unit itself. To complete set up and set the watering applications for every zone, we then plugged within the included hub, downloaded the app on our smartphone (which required scanning a QR code on the packaging), and adopted the directions to sync the timer to our router. The sync course of was simpler than anticipated because the app walked us by the settings.
That is fairly the hose timer! We may preprogram every of the 2 zones for particular durations from 1 minute to 11 hours 59 minutes and choose explicit days of the week for watering. As well as, we may program as much as three separate watering plans for any given day. The app related with native climate forecasts and notified us if rain was on the way in which so we may pause watering for as much as 72 hours. As if that wasn’t sufficient, we may set watering modes by the quantity of water we wished to dispense—from 1 gallon to 2,641 gallons.
The progressive options on this hose timer add a lot versatility. The RainPoint Good will also be used with a soil sensor that registers when the soil is dry or saturated and notifies you to regulate the watering applications. Nevertheless, we didn’t have that sensor, so we couldn’t take a look at that operate.
That is the Cadillac of hose timers, however there’s nonetheless one guide operate: If you wish to water with out the timer, merely push the unit’s left or proper button to show the water on or off.
Product Specs
- Variety of hose retailers: 2
- Watering period: 1 minute to 11 hours and 59 minutes
- Digital or guide: Digital (on smartphone)
Execs
- Wi-Fi enabled and may be managed remotely from an app
- Watering applications are straightforward to set and alter utilizing intuitive controls
- 2 watering zones that may be individually programmed for versatility
Cons
- Prices about twice as a lot as a non-smart digital model
- You should have a house Wi-Fi community and smartphone to make use of the related options
Get the RainPoint Good hose timer at Amazon, The House Depot, or RainPoint.
What to Take into account When Selecting a Hose Timer
Earlier than selecting the perfect hose timer for a garden, backyard, or irrigation system, it’s essential to find out the kind of hose timer wanted, the ability supply (if mandatory), and whether or not you need to join it to a smart-home system. Additionally contemplate whether or not you need a hose timer that permits for a number of hoses and totally different zones to get whole management over watering. These wanting to stop flooding of vegetation with decrease water necessities however nonetheless give the grass a superb drink will particularly need to search for such options.
Photograph: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Mechanical vs. Computerized
The primary issue to determine on is whether or not the hose timer must be mechanical or if the garden and backyard would profit extra from an computerized hose timer.
- Mechanical hose timers get pleasure from simplicity. They don’t use electrical energy, so that they gained’t run out of battery energy throughout a watering cycle. These choices usually have a management dial that’s straightforward to make use of and perceive. Nevertheless, they don’t supply the identical preprogramming advantages as computerized hose timers.
- Computerized hose timers are designed for the set-it-and-forget-it life-style. They’ll usually be programmed with a primary watering schedule that permits the timer to function by itself, watering a couple of times a day as scheduled. These hose timers even have clear digital screens and should hook up with smartphones or smart-home units by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Nevertheless, not all digital hose timers are able to these superior capabilities.
Digital vs. Photo voltaic
Powered hose timers range on the place they supply the electrical energy, splitting them into digital (battery) and photo voltaic classes.
- Digital hose timers are designed to be used with a battery. Most of those merchandise will function on one or two AA batteries, although some good hose timers could require extra batteries for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication. The disadvantage with these hose timers is that the batteries will finally run down and want changing.
- Photo voltaic hose timers characteristic a digital display and should even have some programmable capabilities outdoors of merely setting the timer. Because the title suggests, the sort of hose timer will get power from the solar. Photo voltaic timers aren’t as frequent as battery-powered timers, and we didn’t take a look at any, however for these with spigots on the south facet of the home, they provide an alternative choice for watering.
Good Know-how
Good expertise is a quickly rising pattern amongst those that need to outfit their houses with interconnected methods that automate home equipment. Even hose timers can harness this expertise to be accessible by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
- WiFi-enabled good hose timers hook up with a smartphone or smart-home machine utilizing the house’s Wi-Fi. This permits them to speak with digital units so you’ll be able to set or modify watering schedules by your cellphone, pill, or through voice instructions with a appropriate smart-home machine.
- Bluetooth-enabled good hose timers additionally operate by a reference to a digital machine. Utilizing Bluetooth, you’ll be able to talk with an app to regulate the watering schedule from a smartphone or desk. Nevertheless, this expertise usually requires the machine to be inside about 150 ft of the timer.
Water Supply
Residential hose timers are made to hook up with commonplace outside spigots. Regardless of the diameter of the particular hose, akin to ½ inch or ⅝ inch, the valves and fittings ought to all be appropriate. Until the hose timer specifies that it solely matches a bigger or smaller connector, there’s no want to fret about it becoming your own home’s spigot.
Likewise, water strain—measured as kilos per sq. inch (psi)—normally isn’t a limiting issue, as hose timers are designed to resist strain exceeding most residential water-delivery methods. To be protected, it’s good to test the product particulars and the producer’s data to find out whether or not the hose timer has a most psi. Additionally notice that business water strain could also be an excessive amount of for a residential hose timer.
Zones
Grass, roses, daffodils, bushes, and extra can occupy the identical yard. Since not each plant requires the identical quantity of water, some hose timers are designed to work with a couple of hose to separate the yard into watering zones. This type of categorization and particular person management can permit the hose timer to water one space for half-hour, one other space for 1 hour, a 3rd space for two hours, and generally even a fourth zone for 3 hours, relying on what number of retailers the timer affords.
The power to regulate a couple of watering zone can be a superb characteristic for bigger yards the place a part of the garden is within the shade whereas one other half dries out shortly because of direct solar. In an occasion like this, you may use a dual-zone hose timer to shorten the watering time for the shaded space and preserve water.
Programmability
Most hose timers that run on electrical energy—no matter whether or not they’re battery- or solar-powered—may be programmed for a couple of watering cycle. In distinction, mechanical or spring-loaded timers can solely be set for a single time. Programmability permits you to arrange the watering schedule for the whole week and should prolong as much as a month or longer, relying on the particular product.
It is a useful characteristic for people who dwell in drought-prone areas as a result of the hose timer may be set to a exact watering schedule abiding by water-conservation laws for the world.
Rain Know-how
Whereas computerized hose timers are nice for programming a hands-off watering schedule, mechanically turning the sprinklers on whereas it’s raining is pointless. Fortuitously, producers have devised options to this difficulty, together with rain delay, rain sensing, and climate forecasting.
- Rain-delay capabilities are easy instructions constructed into the hose timer that let you skip the watering cycle for the day. This operate may be activated remotely if the hose timer connects by an app or smart-home machine. In any other case, you should manually skip the watering cycle on the hose timer.
- Rain-sensing capabilities are far more intuitive. A moisture sensor is embedded within the soil and related to the hose timer. If the sensor detects saturated soil, the watering cycle is mechanically canceled.
- Climate forecasting is restricted to WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled units. This characteristic considers the native forecast and adjusts the hose timer’s motion based mostly on the climate for the day. Nevertheless, that is solely as correct because the native climate forecast, so it might not be dependable 100% of the time.
FAQs
Nonetheless have questions on how hose timers work or easy methods to preserve them correctly? Learn on to seek out the solutions to a few of the commonest questions on these helpful lawn-care instruments.
Q. Are all hose timers waterproof?
All hose timers are waterproof, however they aren’t all absolutely waterproof. Nevertheless, do not forget that waterproof typically refers back to the capability to be solely submerged underneath a number of ft of water, a top quality {that a} hose timer doesn’t really want. Hose timers solely want to withstand harm from a sprinkler, hose, rain, or water dripping out of your arms.
Q. Do I would like to keep up my hose timers?
Hose timers must be inspected weekly or month-to-month, relying on the watering frequency, and changed if leaks or cracks happen. Past this straightforward inspection, hose timers must also be eliminated earlier than chilly climate begins to keep away from freezing and cracking.
Q. How lengthy do hose timers final?
If a hose timer is correctly maintained, it could possibly final from 1 to three years earlier than needing to get replaced.
Why Belief Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. Because the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV collection together with “This Previous Home” and “Bob Vila’s House Once more,” he popularized and have become synonymous with “do-it-yourself” house enchancment.
Over the course of his decades-long profession, Bob Vila has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals construct, renovate, restore, and dwell higher every day—a practice that continues in the present day with skilled but accessible house recommendation. The Bob Vila group distills need-to-know data into mission tutorials, upkeep guides, device 101s, and extra. These house and backyard specialists then totally analysis, vet, and suggest merchandise that assist householders, renters, DIYers, and professionals of their to-do lists.
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and author specializing within the building, reworking, and actual property industries. She and her husband personal a normal contracting firm, and Taylor is skilled in each residential and business constructing purposes. She checks a variety of energy instruments in addition to different house enchancment, family, and lawn-and-garden merchandise.
Extra analysis supplied by Timothy Dale.
