For some, gardening is a fun hobby. For others, it is a tiring chore. But either way, everyone can benefit from a hose timer, which can automate some of the work and help to save water. The best hose timer is designed to provide an automated watering system that is easy to program. In this Best Hose Timer Reviews & Buyers Guide, we will cover some of the top hose timers available on the market today.
Best Hose Timer Reviews
Best Overall – Rain Bird Hose Timer
The Rain Bird is undoubtedly the most expensive hose timer on this list. Of course, the reason for that expensive nature is a fairly large list of features. For one, this is another of those rare WiFi compatible timers, meaning you can control it from your phone from anywhere.
With its intelligent watering schedules, this device effortlessly adapts its program to align with the season, humidity, local weather, and temperature, taking the hassle out of garden management and streamlining your life.
The rain delay function of this high-priced device allows you to effortlessly postpone its program for a maximum of 14 days in case of rain, with the added convenience of receiving timely alerts through the accompanying app for your garden.
The most noteworthy feature is how detailed you can get when it comes to programming. Unlike a lot of competition, you can set the program to water only on specific days, which is great for those that have watering restrictions placed on them where they live.
The expensive price results in greater durability and construction as well.
Some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the customer service, which is only available on weekdays, but aside from that complaints are limited.
Pros
- Can be programmed and operated through WiFi
- Rain delay function
- Very durable and long-lasting
Cons
- One of the most expensive timers out there
- Customer supports availability isn’t the best
Best Affordable Smart Water Timer – CROSOFMI Sprinkler Timer
This product fits the description of the best smart hose timer because it is a fine balance of complexity and affordability.
It’s a nice middle ground between price and features. Most notably, this timer has a very precise range of customization when it comes to watering frequency and duration, with watering duration ranging from a second to 300 minutes, at a frequency of once every hour or every fifteen days.
You also get rain delay functions, manual override, and a very intuitive screen that tells you all the important details, such as the current program, which features are active, and how much power the device has left.
Further cementing its place as a contender for the best garden hose timer is a child lock feature so children can’t mess with the settings, reinforced nylon material that is tougher than plastic, and is waterproof with an IP65 rating.
Customer feedback regarding this product is overwhelmingly positive, with little in the way of complaints to be seen. All in all, it is definitely one of the best hose timers available, especially for its price and rich features.
Pros
- Made of more durable material than most timers
- Very customizable range of watering frequency and time
- Has many special features like a rain delay function, child lock, and battery meter
Cons
- Not the cheapest hose timer our there
Best Timer for Multiple Watering Zones – Melnor Water Timer
This four zone water timer is unique in the fact that it can water four separate areas of your garden. Because it has four different valves, you can program it through its LCD screen to water four sections of the garden at various times and for various lengths of time.
That kind of versatility makes it one of the best hose timers on this list. You can program each valve to operate individually: you can make each of them water as frequently as you want, from a minute to six hours at intervals ranging from every hour to once a week, as needed.
On the other hand, the presence of four valves means there is more to break mechanically, and the programming can get more complex than usual. For mechanical issues, the warranty and customer service are reportedly excellent, with replacements easy to get.
Despite all the complexity, this digital timer may be the most durable product on the market, and it is serviceable enough to last a long time if properly cared for.
Pros
- Waters 4 zones at different times and intervals
- Customer service is outstanding and very responsive
- Easy watering schedules
Cons
- Cannot be fine tuned to extremely precise watering times
Best Programmable Water Timer – Raindrip R675CT Analog 3-Dial Water Timer
This easy to program water timer is desirable for its intuitive design: it easily connects to any drip tube, hose, or faucet, and the valve for controlling this faucet timer is a solenoid, so it is reliable.
It has a fail safe that automatically turns off the water timer when the battery is low and has a low battery warning indicator.
Most notably, if the batteries are replaced within fifteen seconds of being removed, the Raindrip programmable hose faucet will keep whatever program you set it to use, which removes some of the hassles from its operation.
While this is an easy to use timer, it isn’t particularly over-complicated. It doesn’t come with too many advanced features. You will likely need to buy a pressure regulator to go along with it. However, it isn’t particularly expensive either.
All things considered, it is a cheap water timer option that will probably last you quite a few seasons if you take good care of it. But for a more advanced and sophisticated option, you may want to continue searching for other products.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Easy to program and retains programming under the right circumstances
- Has a rain delay feature to save water
Cons
- May not have the quality to last several years
Best Budget-Friendly Watering Hose Timer – Orbit Mechanical Watering Timer
As you may have surmised by now, there will be a few Orbit products on this list as Orbit is one of the most popular and respected brand in the garden watering product range.
This particular model is extremely inexpensive, meaning it is more of a basic product you would get if you never had a watering system before and also don’t want to spend much money.
In fact, this single outlet water hose faucet timer is one of the simplest and most straightforward options out there.
That is to say that it lacks special features like an LCD screen or the ability to delay for rain, and it is not a programmable hose faucet. But if all you need is a water timer that turns off the water hose after a certain time, this is one of the cheapest ways to achieve that.
Basically, this product is an egg timer for the hose. The comfort grip dial is twisted until the timer is where you wish it to be, at which point it runs down like any other mechanical timer.
It has an easy swivel to attach to appropriate connections and a manual override ability when needed.
The timer can be set anywhere from 15 to 120 minutes. The fact that there are no complicated timing programs makes this faucet timer as easy to manage as attaching it to a hose and setting the timer.
But of course, simplicity means you don’t get any nice features. Moreover, being inexpensive, the materials used aren’t fantastic, so don’t expect it to last a long time without proper care.
On the plus side, a lack of digital parts means there is less to break.
Pros
- Extremely simple to manage, no programming involved
- One of the most inexpensive models out there
- Can run from 15 to 120 minutes
Cons
- Materials involved aren’t particularly durable or high quality
- Doesn’t have any special features like rain delay
Best WiFi Hose Timer – Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wifi
Undoubtedly one of the more high-tech hose timers on this list, and apparently one of the most expensive.
The main appeal of this product is the ability to access it from anywhere with Wifi. Using an app with this programmable hose faucet timer, you can control it through both Android and iOS cell phones.
A piece of tech this advanced has a great array of features and settings, including rain delay and the ability to let the app make watering programs for you based on the weather.
This programmable hose faucet timer can alter its watering process based on soil type, slope, sun, and even more.
The app tracks water usage so you can see what’s happening in your garden at all times.
Unfortunately, many reviewers have mentioned that the app isn’t intuitive, and it is hard to get used to it at first. But for the hardware, the water timer is made of reliable materials that will last a long time.
Ultimately, this product from Orbit has many special features and the hardware is reliable, but the software used to operate it is a little tedious, and the product itself is pretty expensive. All in all, if you like gadgets and tech, this garden watering controller is for you.
Pros
- Has many settings to modify watering programs
- Can be controlled and accessed from a distance
- Create a watering schedule based on the weather
Cons
- The app used with the device isn’t very intuitive
- One of the most expensive options
Best Bluetooth Hose Timer – Orbit 21005 B-hyve
This programmable hose faucet timer is essentially the same product as the one before it on this list. The only difference is that it doesn’t include the necessary components to be controlled by WiFi.
That said it has all the same features, you just have to utilize those features through Bluetooth instead of WiFI, meaning you have to be within a certain range of the water timer to operate it from the phone.
Aside from that, it’s all the same notes. It’s a more expensive option than some of the competition, with an app that can help you make watering programs based on all sorts of factors.
The orbit B-hyve will let you track water usage and is made of lasting quality materials that should serve you for a pretty long time if the hose timer is properly taken care of.
It’s worth noting that you can upgrade this hose timer to being compatible with WiFi simply by buying the component that came with its predecessor.
Just like that predecessor, the app that is used in conjunction with this device isn’t very intuitive and has a bit of a learning curve.
Pros
- Very detailed watering programs with the app
- Can easily be upgraded to WiFi compatibility by purchasing an extra component
- Programmed and controlled by Bluetooth
Cons
- The app used with the hose timer is not easy to use
- Still a more expensive option than most other hose timers
Best Single Outlet Electronic Water Timer – Gilmour
Back to the cheaper options available, this Gilmour product competes for the best water timer for a pretty straightforward reason: namely, it’s simple and easy to use.
First of all, it is a single outlet. Second, it doesn’t require any tools to set up. Simply take the metal swivel coupling and attach it to the spigot and water hose of your choice.
Once that’s done, it’s as easy as turning a dial to the settings you prefer and setting the timer for when you want to water to commence and how.
Of course, simplicity isn’t conducive to many features. You can program the start time, frequency, and watering duration with this timer, but not much else.
While you can edit that range to be from 1 to 360 minutes across multiple days, don’t expect features like a rain delay.
A small number of customers have expressed how quickly it is ruined by direct sunlight exposure, and a few more have mentioned minor things like leaking around the gasket.
These problems can be mitigated but it would be better not to have them. You might just as well purchase a few spare units of this cheap product to have replacements.
That said, this Gilmour product fits the description of the best garden water timer simply for its affordability and ease of use.
Pros
- Extremely simple and easy to use
- Programmable start time, frequency, and duration of watering
- A very inexpensive option for watering the garden
Cons
- Isn’t the most durable timer, may be vulnerable to direct sunlight
- Doesn’t have special features outside the typical watering timer
Best Automatic Water Timer – Orbit Single Outlet Hose Watering Timer
This option from Orbit has many features that make it desirable at a relatively reasonable price. Moreover, it is a heavy duty weatherproof device that is designed to handle a wide variety of adverse weather conditions, so it has a bit more durability than some of its competitors.
As for its features, the most notable is the rain delay feature, programmable intervals ranging from six hours to seven days, an adjustable run time ranging from 1 to 240 minutes, and manual override for when you want to water the garden at your own discretion.
Unfortunately, the product isn’t all good. It is mostly a lot of plastic. If you are careful, this water timer could last a few years, but even so, it could get damaged before that.
It is also a single outlet unit, which isn’t as versatile as having two ports. It is easy to program and the digital timer is reliable, but the product may suffer from mechanical problems over time. Thankfully, many of those mechanical problems can be repaired with relative ease. It’s generally pretty good for its price.
Pros
- Programmable to operate at intervals from 6 hours to 7 days
- Can operate from 1 to 240 minutes at a time
- Manual override lets you water at your discretion
Cons
- Single outlet
- The connector is plastic and may break easily
Best Smart Hose Timer – Instapark Outdoor Two-Port Timer
This digital hose timer is one of the few with two separate faucets, each of which can be programmed to function separately from one other.
It has a large LCD screen that makes it easy to read and use, a rain delay option that can run from one to three days, and boasts low power consumption, allegedly managing up to 4,000 on/off cycles on one pair of batteries.
However, this product isn’t particularly special in any other way. It fits right in with other hose timers of this price, with durable materials and longevity.
When considering a smart hose timer, the ability to water multiple zones is a notable feature to look for. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this particular timer does not allow you to set specific watering days. Therefore, if you live in an area with restrictions on watering during certain times of the week, you will need to handle those adjustments manually, despite the presence of multiple watering zones.
Other than that, customers have expressed satisfaction with the durability and reliable nature of this timer.
Pros
- Has two separately programmable faucets
- The bright LCD screen is very easy to see
- Very durable construction
Cons
- Cannot be programmed to operate only on specific days
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve covered some of the best hose timers out there, it’s about time we talk about how you should go about choosing one for yourself. This guide includes discussing what a water timer is, why you need one, and how you would use it for your garden or yard.
What is a Garden Hose Timer?
The idea behind these timers is pretty straightforward. It’s a device that you attach to a spigot that you can program to turn the water on and off when you wish, without having to do it yourself.
If the hose timer was attached to a sprinkler, you could program it to water the garden every few hours, days, or even only once a week.
More advanced timers may have the ability to alter programs based on the weather and humidity, but the basic premise is the same.
Why do you Need a Hose Timer?
The main purpose of a hose timer is to automate the watering process, whether that is for your yard, garden, raised beds, or anything else. If you are going away on a long trip, a water timer can ensure that all of your plants stay alive in your absence.
At the same time, if you have state restrictions on water usage, a suitable timer can ensure only using water that is allowed and nothing more.
Finally, a timer just takes the tedium out of watering, as you don’t have to do it manually if you have such a device.
How do you use a Hose Timer?
Using a hose timer is as simple as programming when you want the water to run and for how long. It is usually facilitated through a mechanical timer, a digital screen, or a mobile app.
When it comes to choosing which times to water and how long, there are some other things to consider.
If you live in water restriction areas, you’ll need to find out how much water you are allowed to utilize and when and program the device accordingly.
If you have a timer that takes the weather into account of its own accord, that’s great, but if not, you’ll have to take the weather into consideration yourself. That includes rain, overall humidity, and temperature. While you would need to manually adjust the watering schedule to accommodate these factors with this device, it is worth considering that some timers offer the convenience of automatic adjustment, saving you the effort of making those changes yourself.
In some cases, a hose timer can be used with a metal garden hose as well, although the most efficient way to connect it to a rubber or plastic irrigation hose system.
How to Choose a Hose Timer?
When shopping for smart hose timers, there are several key features to consider to ensure you make the right choice for your needs.
Digital vs. Manual
A digital timer has a screen that shows you information, and you’ll often use buttons to create your program. A manual timer usually involves something simple like a dial that you use to create your settings.
Generally, a manual timer is simpler and easier to use as well as lasts longer, but a digital timer gives you more information and has more features.
Number of Outlets
This part is straightforward: the more outlets a timer has, the more areas it can water individually.
A device with four outlets can control water flow to four different zones. So if you need to water multiple areas with different settings, you’ll need a timer with the same number of outlets, or you’ll have to buy multiple single outlet models.
Rain Delay Capability
A rain delay is a feature that allows a timer to postpone its watering program when it rains to avoid over-watering the garden or your lawn, as well as save you water and money.
Needless to say, there aren’t too many scenarios in which you wouldn’t want this. Unless you live in an area where rain is an unnatural phenomenon, you probably want a timer with this feature.
Manual Override
Nearly every timer has this ability, but some don’t, so you should still take it into consideration. Manual override means you can water from your hose when you want, preferably without messing up the timer’s program. Most digital timers will allow you to do this.
Durability and Being Waterproof
One would think a device centered around water usage would be waterproof, but some timers aren’t made with this consideration in mind or of the best materials.
Try to avoid anything suspicious in regard to materials. Cheap plastic generally isn’t the best. That’s true for durability as well: the tougher the materials, the longer your device is going to last, so look for nylon and metal when appropriate.
Finally, consider whether you are going to use this device indoors or outdoors. Outdoor timers will need to be resistant to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and the weather.
Programming
How you program a timer plays a role in what kind you should get. Some can be programmed through mechanical means, while others use a digital screen with buttons for this purpose. The most advanced timers will even let to program using a phone through Bluetooth or WiFi.
Based on your personal preference, you should purchase a timer that fits your desire for programming methods.
Conclusion
When it comes to watering timers, the range of products is not all that different from each other. They have mild differences but function in a similar manner regardless. Ultimately it comes down to how much you are willing to pay and what features you want simply for their convenience.
