Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Take charge of your water bill with the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Watering your lawn tends to be surprisingly tricky business, what with the possibility of leaks, overwatering, or under watering. Luckily, there is a smart sprinkler company hoping to ensure that is no longer the case. Rachio, the company behind a smart sprinkler controller that allows you to control your watering system (and by extension, your water bill) from your smartphone, has now introduced the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller and Wireless Flow Meter.

The latest product debut comes alongside the company’s recent $10 million Series B funding round and promises even easier installation than its predecessors, along with 5GHz wireless compatibility, and a new long-range radio that will connect with its companion wireless flow meter. The new Rachio Wireless Flow Meter leverages Vortex technology in order to ascertain accurate water flow readings, and subsequently alerting homeowners should a leak be detected. Better still, the Flow Meter automatically shuts down water supply, thereby proactively protecting against damage and flooding in your carefully curated lawn or garden.

Recommended Videos

“Rachio is not only saving homeowners frustration, water, and money, we are helping communities conserve water on a much larger scale,” said Rachio co-founder and CEO Chris Klein. “Sixty percent of residential water waste in the United States happens outdoors. Our new products empower consumers to be smarter with water, so they don’t have to choose between conservation and easily maintaining a beautiful landscape.”

Like the other products in the Rachio lineup, the Rachio 3 Sprinkler Control allows users to operate their sprinkler system from anywhere at anytime, all from the convenience of their smartphone. The Rachio app recommends both days and times for optimal watering based on your location, vegetation, and soil type. Thanks to Rachio Weather Intelligence, your system will automatically adjust watering needs based on local weather forecasts. And this feature doesn’t just take rain into consideration — rather, the Rachio system keeps wind, freezing temperatures, and more in mind, with hopes of saving you money. Plus, Rachio works with Amazon Alexa, so you can really control your whole sprinkler system with your voice.

Rachio claims to have saved customers more than 22.7 billion gallons of water since launching in 2014, and thus far, the company has seen some pretty substantial demand for its product — the team tells Digital Trends that as a result of incredible demand on pre-sale units,” the Rachio 3 will see a price reduction of $30. That means you can now purchase the eight-zone system for $229, and the 16-zone system for $279.

Updated on April 23: The Rachio 3’s price has been reduced by $30. 

Lulu Chang
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Tineco’s docking vacuum has a special Prime Day price, but you can get it cheaper
A Tineco Pure One next to its charging base.

Vacuums feel like they're getting more and more expensive, and not just robot vacuum and mop combos, but ordinary hand vacs. You can go to Walmart and see bagged, corded vacuums that cost hundreds of dollars. It doesn't have to be that way. Tineco's Pure One vacuum brings power and convenience for the same price that other vacuums have, but with new features instead of going backwards into the world of cords and bags. Usually $459, it is down to $319 for Prime Day (that's a savings of $140 already) and we're happy to report you can get an extra 5% off with the code TIN25PDPR on Amazon. Tap the button below to see the vacuum yourself and snag this great deal, or keep reading for what makes this vacuum truly unique.

BUY NOW

Read more
This AI mower finally got a discount — grab it before it’s gone
m800 doing work on the lawn

If you’ve been holding off on getting a robot mower because you can’t stand the idea of burying boundary wires or babysitting your lawn from a clunky app, Prime Day is delivering for you once again. The Yardcare M800 Plus is one of the most intelligent, user-friendly smart mowers you can buy and now it's on sale. Pick-up the M800 Plus for $719.99, a savings of $180 (regular price $899.99).

A smarter way to mow

Read more
This Beatbot robotic pool cleaner gets all the leaves — 47% off for Prime Day
The Beatbot iSkim Ultra in the swimming pool.

Are you growing tired of gathering the leaves that are floating around in your swimming pool? Then you shouldn't miss this chance to get the Beatbot iSkim Ultra with a huge discount from Amazon's Prime Day. From $1,499 originally, it's on sale at 47% off for a lowered price of only $799. That $700 in savings are among the largest that you can get from the offers for Beatbot robotic pool cleaners during the shopping event -- act now and complete your purchase immediately to make sure that you get this device at nearly half-price.

BUY NOW

Read more