If you do, keep the zones separate. “Many irrigation controllers also support both sprinkler and drip zones, making it easy to manage both systems on a single timer,” says Russo.

Learn more. Below you’ll find ratings and reviews of the best smart sprinkler controllers from our tests. One crucial factor sets these top performers apart from the rest of the pack.

A program in Utah is paying farmers to make their irrigation equipment more efficient, but researchers say it may not be saving as much water as it appears.