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Best Water Timers in 2022 – Reviewed

No matter what time of year it is, there is always a day where the dry grass of your usually lush garden needs a sprinkle, and don’t get us started on summer! To stop it from suffering during the dry months, a water timer is a useful tool that many people use to give themselves peace of mind. Not only can it be set for when the user is away, but it can help save water, knowing there is a cut-off point.

This is only the case when using a reliable product from a top brand. Because of this, we have created the following list of the best water timers. With something for every budget and garden, there is no excuse for going without these useful devices.

Quick Summary of Best Water Timers

 Editor’s Choice 
Orbit 62061Z Single-Outlet Hose Watering Timer, 1, Green  (review)
 Best Budget 
Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Hose Timer, Colors may vary  (review)
 Best Value 
Gilmour Single Outlet Electronic Water Timer  (review)
 Best LCD Display 
Instapark PWT-07 Outdoor Waterproof Digital Programmable Single Outlet  (review)
 Best Solar Powered 
TACKLIFE Digital Water Timer  (review)
 Easiest To Use 
Raindrip R675CT Analog 3-Dial Water Timer, 1, Multi  (review)
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Reviews

Editor’s Choice: Orbit 62061Z Single-Outlet Hose Watering Timer, 1, Green

Orbit has made one of the most popular water timers on the market, and it is easy to see why it is so sought after. Not only does it have a rugged outer to protect it against the elements, but it has a run time from 1 minute to 4 hours and a manual override switch. There is a rain delay function that helps with water conservation and pauses the settings for 24, 48, or 72 hours at a time, making this a great product for saving money on bills.The easy-to-use dial features simple indicators for each setting and the LCD display helps to clearly show the time so getting the times right is easy. It can be set to water at intervals between every 6 hours and 7 days and is available in a 1, 2, or 3 outlet design.

PROS:

  • Has a run time between 1 minute to 4 hours
  • Easy to program
  • Rain delay function
  • Saves money on bills
CONS:

(none)

Best Budget: Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Hose Timer, Colors may vary

It is easy to find quality water timers for a reasonable price when Orbit is making products like the 62034. It can be set at times between 15 to 120 minutes which should be more than enough for most garden hoses and is easy to use since it can be set in the same way an egg timer is.Although it is not as technical as other products in that it cannot be set for different days, it allows the user to switch the hose on and go out safe in the knowledge that it will switch off at the designated time. Attaching it is easy thanks to the ergonomic dial and there is a manual water override that doesn’t require it to be detached.

PROS:

  • Can be set between 15 to 120 minutes
  • Easy to use
  • Oversized timer
  • Great value
CONS:

  • Cannot be programmed for different days

Best Value: Gilmour Single Outlet Electronic Water Timer

This is a single outlet water timer that offers good value considering the reasonable price and multiple functions. The duration of the watering can be amended between 1 minute to 360 so it has more flexibility than most and requires 2 x AA batteries to work.The clear settings are displayed on the large dial making it easy to program on the generous LCD display and there are programs for scheduling when the user is home or away. There is a rain delay feature to ensure the water cycle is skipped when not needed and when the battery is low, the water automatically shuts off. A durable product made from high impact plastic, Gilmour has created a quality water timer that is also available as a dual outlet.

PROS:

  • The duration can be amended between 1 to 360 minutes
  • Easy to use
  • Rain delay
  • Durable high impact plastic
CONS:

  • Does not come with batteries

Best LCD Display: Instapark PWT-07 Outdoor Waterproof Digital Programmable Single Outlet

A quality water timer from the people at Instapark, it is weatherproof and features a sturdy ABS construction. We like the large LCD display that makes it easy to ensure the settings are just right, this is also thanks to the dial with simple indicators on each section. The rain delay function can be changed between 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours so water is never wasted.Instapark estimates that two batteries last around 12 months and the water frequency can be set between every ten minutes to once a week making this one of the most versatile water timers available. To top it off there is a 1-year warranty included.

PROS:

  • Sturdy construction
  • Large LCD display
  • Rain delay function
  • Water frequency every ten minutes to once a week
CONS:

  • Batteries not included

Best Solar Powered: TACKLIFE Digital Water Timer

An intelligent digital water timer that uses solar power to charge itself. It only needs to be left in the sun for 10 hours to reach full charge. This is a neat feature but it’s the lengthy timer option that makes it possible to set the water to come on for 1 minute to 720 minutes, longer than most products in the niche.There is a 12-hour timer setting feature and the frequency can be set between 2 minutes to 7 days making it versatile and ideal for tailoring the water for different times of day when it is easily absorbed. We like that the rain delay feature can be changed between 12 hours and a day and that the LCD screen has more options than most.

PROS:

  • Solar-powered
  • The timer can be set for 1 to 720 minutes
  • Rain delay from 12 hours to a day
  • Large LCD screen
CONS:

  • Takes a little getting used to

Easiest To Use: Raindrip R675CT Analog 3-Dial Water Timer, 1, Multi

There’s plenty to like about this water timer as it has 3 dials that make it easy to separate the functions. There is a dial for water frequency that can be set between 1 hour to once a week as well as one for run time. This can be set between 3 minutes to 120 and another dial for different functions such as the rain delay timer.It switches to off as soon as the battery gets low and it uses 2 x AA batteries although these are not included. The device itself is waterproof and although some people will prefer a product with an LCD display, it offers a good option for anyone looking for a simple water timer.

PROS:

  • 3 x dials are easy to use
  • Water time between 3 to 120 minutes
  • Auto switch off when the battery is low
CONS:

  • No LCD display

Water Timer Guide

It doesn’t matter how hard you try, it can be almost impossible to stay on top of watering your garden. Not only does it need attention when you’re not even at home, but any type of neglect and your lawn can start to dry out, which is bad news for those plush greens. Some people call them smart sprinklers but whatever you want to label these products, anyone who has used one seems to be unable to live without them.

To help you get this purchase right, we have created the following buyer’s guide.

What To Look For In A Water Timer

Multiple Outlets

Connecting a sprinkler or hose to a timer is great as you can spray your lawn at different intervals, but being able to connect multiple sprinklers is even better.

This is why we recommend looking for a product that can accommodate more. The bigger your garden or lawn, the more important this will be. Some brands will even allow you to operate different sprinklers independently.

Rain Delay

This isn’t the most common feature for a water timer, but it is a useful one. Basic products do not know when to stop but if the product has a rain delay system, you won’t waste water.

Multiple Settings

With some brands, you can set the water timer to be different depending on the day and can adjust the frequency that it comes on. Being able to anticipate a particularly hot day and up the length of the release of water is going to help save your plants from dying.

LCD Screen

A lot of the ease of the product is going to come down to the LCD screen. This not only makes things simpler but it makes it easier to set the time. This is where you will need a reliable battery life to make sure it doesn’t switch off when you need it the most.

Smartphone Connectivity

The best of modern technology has made its way into a water timer. This is only with certain models but being able to control a sprinkler or hose no matter where you are is going to make life a lot easier. Sometimes, you can even connect it to Google Assistant or Alexa and control it with your voice.

Because of this, you can receive notifications for when the water has finished its cycle to help put your mind at rest.

Mounting System

Some controls can be mounted inside or outside. If it is the latter, it will need to come in a weather-resistant casing. This can make it easier to use if the sprinkler is at a distance.

Manual Bypass

This is a useful feature as it means you can use the hose without interrupting the automatic settings. Otherwise, you might have to deprogram the water timer and reset it after.

Warranty

Because we are talking about products that will need to be set up outside, it is not uncommon for accidents to happen. This is why you want to protect your purchase with a warranty. Not all water timers come with one but if you can find a product with a warranty for a year or two, it is always a sensible idea.

How Does A Water Timer Work?

As the name suggests, a water timer is a system that can set your hose or sprinkler to activate at a chosen time. This means that even if you go away for a holiday, your lawn and plant life will still get water.

Some can be plugged into your mains whilst others are battery operated. A timer system is activated once you have set up your schedule for your set-time throughout the week and turns off once the cycle is complete.

Do I Really Need A Water Timer?

This depends on your lifestyle. If you are home throughout the day, you might not need one so much. However, if you are home for work then if you want to keep your garden looking lush throughout the summer, you are going to have to water it manually.

For a lot of people, a water timer is a useful addition to their outdoor space as it takes the hassle out of remembering to give your plant life the water it needs to thrive.

They are also useful because when you are away, a water timer can act as a deterrent to a would-be thief who sees the sprinklers on throughout the week.

What To Consider When Buying A Water Timer

Local Law

To stay on the right side, make sure you know the ins and outs of the laws of watering your outdoor. area. Some states will not permit you to use water at certain times, particularly during a drought.

The Weather

Keeping an eye on what the week has in store can be useful as you can save yourself from using water when you don’t need to. If you see that rain is expected, you can switch the timer off on that day.

Does A Water Timer Save Money?

When used properly, a water timer can help to save money. on your water bills. When you don’t have to leave a sprinkler on when you go out, you can set them up to come on for the ideal time frame.

The best brands are those with multiple settings so you can ensure you aren’t using too much too often.

How Much Does A Water Timer Cost?

Various factors influence the price of a water timer. The number of outlets will be a significant one so only buy as many as you need.

The good news is that you can pick up a decent water timer for around $25. This will not get you as many useful features but it will still ensure you get a product that works.

For a product that has all the latest features and settings, you might have to pay closer to $50 but since these products can help to save money on water bills, it doesn’t take long for them to pay for themselves.

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