Not every client needs a Rachio Pro or Hunter Hydrawise. For budget-conscious residential clients and straightforward residential installs, the B-hyve XR and Yardian Pro deliver smart scheduling at a more accessible price point — while still meeting the requirements of most North American water restriction ordinances. Here is how they compare and where each fits in a contractor’s toolkit.
B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller
The Orbit B-hyve XR supports 12 zones, connects via Wi-Fi, and uses Watersense-based scheduling to skip watering after rain and during freeze risk. It covers both indoor and outdoor mounting, comes in at a lower price than Rachio or Hydrawise, and is a solid choice for straightforward residential residential installs where a client’s primary goal is convenience and basic water savings.
- Wi-Fi connected, Alexa and Google Home compatible
- Weather-based skip: skips irrigation when rain is forecast or post-rain
- Smart watering schedules with soak cycles
- App control from anywhere
- Best for: standard residential 4–12 zone installs on a budget
Yardian Pro Smart Sprinkler Controller
The Yardian Pro adds a built-in camera and motion sensor to the smart irrigation controller — a unique feature set that creates a dual-purpose security and irrigation device. Available in 8-zone and 12-zone configurations, the Yardian Pro is particularly well-suited for clients who want to monitor their yard remotely and have a single smart hub for both irrigation and basic surveillance.
- Built-in camera with motion alerts
- Weather intelligence: ET-based skip and rain delay
- IFTTT, Alexa, Google Home integration
- Outdoor weatherproof housing
- Best for: tech-forward residential clients who want camera + irrigation in one
When to Recommend B-hyve or Yardian vs. Rachio or Hydrawise
- Choose B-hyve or Yardian: Straightforward residential, no flow meter required, client is price-sensitive, 12 zones or under.
- Choose Rachio Pro or Hydrawise: Commercial, HOA, compliance reporting required, flow monitoring needed, or 4-year warranty is important.
Shop Hunter Hydrawise and Wi-Fi controllers at Big Irrigation. Free shipping on every order. Contact us for contractor pricing.
