Top 5 Water Hose Timers for Drip Irrigation
Oct 26th 2023
A hose timer is a great device that can help you maintain your garden, lawn, or yard with little effort, and it helps you simplify your garden care. You no longer have to be concerned about water waste or soggy lawns. With hose timers, you can set the time and carry on with your work because the timer will handle the rest. They automatically turn on and off the irrigation system without needing to do it manually. The helpful features and settings of these timers ensure that they run and stop at a designated time and your plants get the right amount of water when they need it. Additionally, they are easy to install and simple to use, and they give you the freedom to stop watering the yard by hand.
Hose timers are excellent for everyday use and much better for vacations or whenever you're away from home. When you choose a hose timer for your drip irrigation system, you should pick the one that best suits your watering requirements. However, it can be overwhelming to choose the best from so many available options.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the top 5 water hose timers for drip irrigation. When attached to a drip system, these smart timers will save you time as well as water. So, let's begin and explore these best options!
The Galcon Bluetooth Flip Open Hose End Timer is a potent device that is designed with solid material to use with a drip irrigation system. With this advanced unit, you will never worry about keeping your garden hydrated. It offers a nice collection of programmable features. The timer has a flip-open front panel to protect the controller.
You can use the Galcon BT app to program the irrigation remotely or use buttons on the controller. The Galcon BT app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Using the controller, you can set the watering duration between 1 minute and 12 hours. Additionally, the device is easy to program, contains a convenient display, and is an affordable yet effective solution for smaller areas.
Key Features:
- Solid compact body
- Flip open front panel
- Manual operation setting
- Rain delay
- Compatible with mobile phone
- FHT inlet and MHT outlet
The Galcon 7001d High Flow Timer with Inline Valve is a high-flow and water-resistant hose timer that features numerous handy functions to take care of your watering needs. The timer has a removable LCD controller, a 1" built-in high-flow valve, and a low battery indicator for your convenience. The indicator allows you to replace the batteries in the device at a suitable time without interrupting your work. The 1” valve allows for higher flow within the irrigation system compared to the ¾” Female hose thread options.
Moreover, the device comes with a protective cover that shields the display from weather, UV rays, and accidental damage. With this timer, you can set the watering duration from 1 minute to 12 hours.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant body
- Easy programming
- Manual operation
- Built-in high-flow valve with FPT inlet and outlet
The Orbit B-hyve Smart Hose Timer is the most versatile and sophisticated unit that elevates user comfort to the next level. With this timer, you can water your lawn easily with all the programming functions available to you on your mobile phone.
The brilliance of Orbit B-hyve allows you to connect your timer to your phone through a Wi-Fi connection and make customized watering schedules for your landscape remotely from the B-hyve mobile app. In addition, the timer is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. You can program the device from the application or web browser. It requires a 2.0 hub to activate Smart functions. Its extra-large dial and easy-to-read screen make it perfect to use for a drip irrigation system.
Key Features:
- Smart capabilities
- Easy installation
- Versatile
- Compatible with Android and iOS devices
- Rain delay function to prevent overwatering.
The Orbit Multi-valve LCD Timer offers the perfect combination of user-friendliness and innovation to develop a powerful tool. This hose timer can control up to four hose-mounted valves. The device has a 4-outlet manifold, a timer, and two valves. Its programming is simple, and you get a maximum runtime of up to 240 minutes.
With its durable yet lightweight design, the timer offers ease and precision to your watering needs. Attach its standard female hose thread (FHT) inlet to a water source and male hose thread (MHT) outlet to your drip irrigation system for easy setup.
Key Features:
- Easy programming
- FHT inlet and MHT inlet
- Easy to install
- Able to control 4 watering zones
DIG LEIT Solar Timer is an excellent alternative to battery or electricity-powered timers. These timers don't need a battery or AC power. Instead, they run entirely on solar light, so they are an eco-friendly irrigation timer. They allow you to choose your desired watering time duration from 1 minute all the way up to 6 hours. This simple and easy-to-use device can undoubtedly revolutionize the way you maintain your garden or lawn.
At DripWorks, we have different types of DIG solar timers, which differ in the size of valves. You can explore the collection of these sustainable timers here!
Key Features:
- Power-saving large LCD screen
- No direct sunlight needed
- Manual process
- Rain sensor
- Seasonal adjustment per month (0-200%)
- No power source or battery required
- Includes flow adjustment handle on valve
- No wiring required
- Pre-installed valve
Crucial Things to Consider Before Buying Hose Timers
Hose timers are an invaluable tool for busy gardeners. These useful devices make it simple to keep plants healthy and hydrated without having to remember to manually turn on the drip irrigation system.
Gardeners and landscapers can maintain a lush, healthy garden with hose timers. However, it's important to consider some factors before buying the best hose timer for your drip irrigation system. These factors will help you make an informed buying decision and get the timer that best suits your drip system layout and budget.
Type of Hose Timer
The type of hose timer you require for your irrigation system is the first and foremost factor to consider. The types of hose timers include Mechanical or Automatic timers and Electronic or Solar timers. Mechanical hose timer timers are cost-effective, simple, and run without any electricity. On the other hand, automatic hose timers are programmable and offer smart features such as transparent digital screens and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi options to connect. These timers require a power supply either from batteries or electrical outlets.
Moreover, mechanical hose timers run on a battery, usually on one or two AA batteries. Further, solar hose timers get energy from the sun. They contain a digital screen and may have some programmable functions in addition to setting the timer. Therefore, determine your needs and choose the type that fulfills them all.
Durability and Warranty
Buying a hose timer is an investment that will pay out in the long run. Therefore, your device must be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. The hose timer will have to water various areas, so only high-quality materials must be used for its construction to ensure it does not break down.
Check the material used to build the hose timer, the brand's warranty offered, and reliability. Choose a model from a reputable brand that provides an excellent warranty so that you can get the tool repaired or replaced in case of any issue or damage.
Watering Duration and Scheduling
Next, choose an automatic hose timer for a drip irrigation system with flexible water scheduling and duration. Some timers have a 24-hour schedule, 48 hours, or weekly. Also, make sure the timer has the right watering duration to meet your garden's needs.
Hose Timer Features
Last but not least, get the hose timer that offers all the features you need for your garden or lawn. Hose timers for a drip system come with a variety of features, from the most basic to the most advanced.
Some common and crucial features you should consider are rain delay functions, rain-sensing functions, multiple outlets, programmability, and remote control. Choose the timer that best fits the watering needs of your plants.
The Bottom Line
Hose timers are excellent tools for anyone who wants to maintain their garden while on vacation, who is often away from home, or who forgets to turn on and off the irrigation system daily. The best hose timer can take your irrigation and gardening efforts to the next level by allowing you to control the water flow and supply a precise amount of water to each area.
In the above list, we have picked the finest ones with the most advanced features that can accommodate all your garden or lawn needs. No matter which model you use, your timer will automatically turn on/off the water when you want, saving you time and water and helping your garden thrive while you're away.
You can explore the high-quality selection of hose timers for a drip irrigation system here!
In case of any queries, feel free to contact our team at 1-800-522-3747. Our irrigation experts are always here to help you find the best option for your garden needs.