Rachio Named Wirecutter's Best Smart Sprinkler Controller for 10th Consecutive Year

DENVER, August 3, 2026 — For the tenth consecutive year , The New York Times Wirecutter has named the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller its Best Smart Sprinkler Controller , calling it "the most full-featured sprinkler controller," and "smart enough for a pro but great for beginners." Wirecutter praised Rachio's signature controller as combining "all of the most appealing connected-irrigation features into one easy-to-recommend device," with an app that's "by far the best-designed and easiest-to-use" in the category. Rachio's Smart Hose Timer was also named Best Smart Hose Timer for the third year in a row , with Wirecutter highlighting its design, straightforward scheduling, and weather intelligence that skips waterings based on local conditions. The decade of consecutive recognition started with Rachio's second-generation controller in 2017. Since then, the category has drawn entries from traditional irrigation manufacturers, smart home platforms, and low-cost challengers. However, Rachio continues to lead the way in connected irrigation. "Ten years means a lot to us," said Rob Denton, Rachio's Director of Marketing. "Winning once says you built a good product. Winning every year for a decade, while the category filled up with competitors, says you kept listening to the people using it." Rachio products are also top-rated by other reviewers, including USA Today's Reviewed , where the Rachio 3 continues to earn top marks. About Rachio Rachio develops outdoor smart home solutions that help homeowners and professionals manage outdoor water use and lighting more efficiently. By combining connected hardware, intelligent software, and data, Rachio delivers more precise, convenient, and sustainable landscape tech.