Keeping your lawn watered always can sometimes be challenging but ensuring your backyard has enough water will keep it looking fresh and bright all year round.
Walking around the lawn while dragging the garden hose isn’t a daunting task if it’s done once a week but watering it every other day can be tiring and time-consuming.
That’s why choosing the best soaker hose timer is a wise decision to ensure your plants get the hydration they need every time.
However, choosing the best soaker hose timer can be challenging since the market is flooded with several options. However, we’ve reviewed the 5 best hose timers along with a handy buying guide to help you choose a device that will suit all your watering needs.
| Hose Timer | Brand | Batteries Required | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Hose Timer | Orbit | No | View |
| Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Timer | Orbit | Yes | View |
| Instapark PWT-07 Water Hose Timer | Instapark | Yes | View |
| 1ZEHTMR Digital Hose End Timer | Rain Bird | Yes | View |
| R675CT Analog 3-Dial Water Timer | Raindrip | Yes | View |
Best Soaker Hose Timer Reviews
The best soaker hose timers are designed to create a long-lasting moisture supply for your garden, using a soaker hose that can be run throughout your yard.
Soaker hose timers are great for those who want to set and forget, providing water for your garden as you sleep, work or play.
You can easily set your soaker hose timer to deliver water in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can also set it to water on specific days of the week, so you can schedule your watering needs down to the hour.
The following are some of the best hose timers you should consider;
Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Hose Timer
If you’re looking for a high-quality hose timer but don’t want to spend much money, this is a good bet. The Orbit 62034 Mechanical Watering Hose Timer is extremely cheap and is a device you can order if you never had a water system before. In fact, it’s the simplest single outlet hose timer out there.
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However, this timer lacks features like a rain delay, LCD screen and not a programmable device.
It comes with a comfortable grip dial that is easy to twist. The best hose timer comes with an easy swivel for effective manual override and attaches to appropriate connections. The best part about this timer is that it has no complicated programs making it easy to manage and set the timer.
Features
- 2 color options
- Comfortable grip dial
- Ergonomic swivel
Pros
- Can run from 15 to 120 minutes
- No batteries needed
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- It does not have any special feature
Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer
This is one of the most high-tech hose timers available and is ideal for those who are not operating on a budget. The best part about this timer is the ability to control it from any place with Wi-Fi. This programmable water timer comes with an app that can be controlled with an iOS or Android phone.
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The best water hose timer comes with advanced features and settings, including rain delay. It can change its watering process based on the sun, soil type, and more. With this timer, you can easily track water usage and gauge the water consumption of your garden. Additionally, this timer has a simple setup.
Features
- B-hyve app
- Weather Sense technology
- Built-in flow meter
Pros
- Compatible with Alexa
- Durable construction
- Easy to use and install
- Perfect for many applications
Cons
- Expensive
- The app used isn’t very intuitive
Instapark PWT-07 Outdoor Waterproof Faucet Hose Timer
This programmable water timer comes with a large LCD screen that’s easy to use and read. The Instapark PWT-07 is a simple, inexpensive, and effective device and has a single outlet timer that helps you control your watering cycles.
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The best garden hose timer has several features that help you customize the way your garden receives water. You can easily select the frequency, start time, and watering duration with easy-operate controls.
Features
- Automatic on and off
- Impulse solenoid valve
- Premium ABS construction
- LED display
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Good battery life
- Tough and durable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Couplings are plastic
- Valve restricts pressure and flow
Rain Bird 1ZEHTMR Professional Grade Electronic Digital Hose End Timer
This digital hose timer comes with a perfect combination of extra rugged design and sophisticated programming flexibility that offers season-long outdoor use.
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The Rain Bird 1ZEHTMR has a high-flow design that allows up to 5 sprinklers depending on water pressure. Additionally, you can use this timer on soaker hoses, hose-end sprinklers, and drip irrigation systems.
Features
- Extra-large dial
- Large readout screen
- 2 AA batteries
Pros
- Easy to use
- High flow rate
- Battery operated
Cons
- Poor design
- Some users may find it hard to connect
Raindrip R675CT Analog 3-Dial Water Timer
If you’re looking for a water timer that comes with an easy way to program, this is a good bet. This hose timer is easy to attach to any outdoor spigot and garden hose. It also comes with a low battery indicator that shows you when to replace the two AA batteries.
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Features
- Solenoid and diaphragm valve
- Timed rain delay
- Two AAA alkaline batteries
Pros
- Battery operated
- Simple to program, install, and use
- Low battery indicator
Cons
- It lacks some flashier features
What is a Hose Timer?
A water timer or hose timer is a gadget that automates garden hose watering. You can use a timer to water your yard on a set schedule. It can be set to work in the nighttime or daytime, and you don’t need to be near to run it.
Why Use a Hose Timer?
Even if you like watering your garden physically, there are several reasons why a timer can be helpful. First, they can help you conserve and manage water. With a hose timer, there’s no chance of forgetting to turn the sprinkler off and leaving it to run all day by mistake.
Similarly, there are zero chances of forgetting to water your lawn and only realizing when you have a garden full of dead plants. Another reason why you need a timer might be if your area has restrictions and you’re only allowed to water at certain times or days. Even if you’re away from home, a timer will sort you out.
Furthermore, a timer is a great solution if you need a device to take care of your garden when you’re on vacation. You won’t need to worry about hiring a person to run the sprinkler while you’re away.
How to Install a Hose Timer?
Installing a hose timer is a straightforward process that can be done in a few minutes, even if you’re new to one. However, the installation process is dependent on whether you have a digital or manual product, but it’s all very simple.
You should start by removing your hose from the faucet outside. Join the input end of your timer to the faucet and screw it firmly. Then, attach your house tightly to the output end of the timer.
If you have a digital timer, choose the program with the right button. This opens up a zoning setting used when you have different garden sections on separate timers.
You should set the schedule of one block before proceeding to the next. Key in the correct date and time by either moving the dial or entering the digits. Next, enter your preferred schedule into the timer’s system. You should be keen when entering the frequency entry, so you under- or over-water your plants.
At this point, your time is ready. You can test it to be sure everything is set correctly.
How Do You Use a Hose Timer?
Using a water timer is as easy as programming how long you want the water to run. It’s usually made easier by a digital screen, a mechanical timer, or a mobile app. When choosing the time to water and how long, there are some things you should keep in mind.
If your area has water restrictions, you need to determine how much water you’re supposed to use and when, and set the gadget accordingly.
If you have a timer that’s weather considerate, that’s great, but if not, be cautious about the weather. You can change the watering program to accommodate all factors; some timers are automated.
Best Soaker Hose Timer Buying Guide
Although soaker hose timers are doubtlessly great gadgets that can handle all your watering needs, there are tons of options available out there, and it may be hard to know the best. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best soaker hose timer.
Digital Vs. Manual
A digital timer comes with a screen that displays information, but you’ll use buttons to create programs. A manual timer comes with a simple design like a dial that helps you create your settings. Generally, a manual timer is easier and simpler to use, but a digital one gives you access to more information and features.
Number of Outlets
A hose timer with more outlets means it has more areas to water individually. A gadget with four outlets can water four different zones. So if you’re looking for a timer to water several areas with different settings, you’ll have to go for the multiple single outlet models.
Rain Delay feature
Many hose timers come with a rain delay feature. Sometimes rain takes care of our gardens, and it will be a waste of water if you continue watering your plants. With this feature, you can easily set your timer to pause watering for a certain period of time; then, the program will resume automatically once it stops raining.
Manual Override
Most timers come with this feature, but some don’t, so you should be keen on this. Manual override helps you to water your garden when you want without messing up the timer’s settings. Most digital timers have this feature.
Water Compatibility
The type of timer you choose will depend heavily on the water source. If your water system comes with an AC valve, then you need a hose timer with an AC controller. The same applies to water sources with DC valves. Always take your time to check the details concerning water sources to help save you money and time.
Conclusion
When looking for the best soaker hose timer, you’ll note that they do not have a huge difference from each other.
They are designed with mild differences but function in a similar way. Ultimately, the product you choose will depend on how much you’re willing to pay and the features you want.
Happy shopping!
