0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases Discover it Student Cash Back Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Buy a Smart Sprinkler Controller

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Smart Sprinkler Controller

Get your lawn dialed in before watering bans hit with a smart sprinkler setup and a solid payment plan.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $350 before anything else
Across the 0% window $19.44/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $350 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A whole-home smart sprinkler controller and soil sensor setup keeps your lawn green without wasting water or running afoul of early summer restrictions. You want a unit with metal-reinforced valve terminals and a weather-sealed enclosure so you only have to buy it once instead of replacing a fried board in three years.

Hardware brands usually drop new models in early spring, which means right now is the best time to look for last year's version on clearance. Older models run the exact same software updates as the new ones, but they cost a lot less.

That 0% intro window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when the 18 months are up, deferred interest or standard rates will kick in on what you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Check your zone count

    Count the physical wires coming out of your current dumb timer before you buy anything. Smart controllers come in fixed sizes like 8 or 16 zones, and you do not want to run out of ports halfway through your yard.

  2. 02

    Hunt for last year's model

    Look for older stock of popular controllers right before the spring retail push. The specs are nearly identical, and retailers love to clear shelf space for newly announced hardware.

  3. 03

    Map out your soil sensors

    Decide if you need a wireless moisture sensor to stop the system from watering after rain. Placing them in full sun zones gives you the most accurate data.

  4. 04

    Spread out the cost

    We can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. Spreading the $350 cost across that window comes out to $19.44 per month.

  5. 05

    Set up your automation rules

    Connect the controller to your local weather feed and set strict watering windows. Do this before the heat wave hits so your grass does not stress out during the transition.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Do I need an electrician to install a smart sprinkler controller?

Usually no. Most units swap directly with your old indoor timer using the existing low-voltage AC transformer plug.

Will soil sensors actually save me money?

Yes, by stopping scheduled cycles when your dirt is already damp. They pay for themselves in water bills over a couple of dry seasons.

What happens if my Wi-Fi goes down?

Most smart controllers store a backup schedule on the physical device itself. They will keep running basic watering cycles even if your internet drops out.

Is an older model missing critical features?

Hardly ever. Manufacturers mostly just tweak the plastic housing or add minor app integrations while keeping the core valve control identical.