WHY WE LOVE IT: Rachio has been around for more than a decade, making it one of the more established brands in smart irrigation. We've been testing the third-generation system for two growing seasons now and have found it offers the best combination of value, ease of use, and precision performance. HOW IT WORKS: The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is a weather-based irrigation controller, meaning it uses local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules to your lawn and yard. EASE OF USE: If you're into gadgets and smart home tech, there are easy-to-use settings on the companion Rachio app. SMART HOME INTEGRATION: Through extensive field tests of the controller, our testers confirmed the accuracy of its water delivery.