It can be a hard decision to pick the right smart sprinkler system for your yard. While there are many options that you can find on stores like Amazon, two popular brands that offer these products are Orbit B Hyve and Rachio.
One of these brands is more suitable for budget-conscious owners, while the other brand will complement owners with a more flexible budget.
If you’re only aiming for quality, then Rachio is the only reasonable option. However, if you’re aiming for an affordable price tag, try out B Hyve.
The decision is usually not that straightforward, and there are a ton of other factors to consider.
Each irrigation system brings a unique requirement to the table, and you will be able to realize different results when sticking with either one of these brands.
With that said, many users often get confused between the two options as they both manage to deliver great quality.
In case you are also someone who is having a hard time comparing B Hyve VS Rachio, then here are some of the things that you will need to know about both these products in detail:
B Hyve vs Rachio:
| Specifics | B Hyve | Rachio |
| Control | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Application | Cluttered | Optimized |
| Efficiency | Moderate | Exceptional |
| Features | Extensive | Extensive |
| Pricing | Affordable | Premium |
All of the minor specifics can be a bit overwhelming for the owners to manage as you go about extending the irrigation system to different sections.
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to develop the whole irrigation control system for most owners.
However, one thing that you can do to maintain the efficiency of the irrigation system while still avoiding all the hassle is to hire a local contractor for help.
These professionals maintain years, if not decades, of professional experience and will be more than happy to install the system.
You will have to spare a few more bucks, but the substantial boost in performance, as well as the time saved, will more than make up for these saved bucks.
For this reason, you need to also rely on an expert to help you with the situation.
There is no point in going at it alone. You will be able to ensure that the yard is irrigated properly.
So, be sure to keep that in mind if you are not aware of how to set up smart irrigation control in your house. It all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation.
You can’t really go wrong with Rachio or B Hyve as far as the basic scheduling features are concerned.
So, if you just want a basic system that will water the plants at the designated intervals, then going with either one of these options will serve you well.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an advanced system that will last you for years, then going with Rachio is much better.
There is no metric except the price point where Rachio will underperform the B Hyve system. So, if you just want top-tier quality, just test out the Rachio system.
Here are some more specifics that will help you pick the right option:
- Build Quality and Installation
The first thing you will notice about both these devices is how easy it is to install either one of them.
The process is as simple as switching the old controller and plugging your wires into the newer controller. As soon as the controller has been successfully installed, it should sync with the app on your phone.
The Orbit B Hyve seems to come with dedicated buttons and dials, which is why you can easily use the device without the app, and it features an LCD screen.
Compared to it, you will get limited physical buttons on the Rachio with no built-in screen.
At the same time, you will get to set 6-12 zones on the Orbit B Hyve, whereas the Rachio should be able to feature anywhere around 8-12 zones.
The B Hyve seems to go more towards a simplistic design in contrast to the advanced smart look that Rachio offers.
- App
In terms of the app, both B-Hyve and Rachio feature a great application that runs on both iOS and Android devices.
Most of the people that have been using these apps seem to find them quite easy to use and extremely helpful, as they allow them to control their sprinklers however they want.
But when it comes to the use of the application, we found Rachio to be a much better fit as it is way more user-friendly. While this does not mean that the B-Hyve app is bad by any means, the added features on the Rachio are certainly better.
Some of these features include getting notified both when your sprinkler starts watering as well as when it’s done. Besides this, you will also get to have far more detailed charts about the water and its savings.
- Efficiency
An interesting fact about both these smart sprinkler systems is that they make use of forecasts and local data to make any changes or delays in the schedule.
You can also choose a specific weather station that you can find nearby using both of these.
Similarly, both controllers have a similar watering feature that helps them delay the watering process based on the current weather conditions. Apart from that, Rachio and B-Hyve are compatible with most external rain sensors, which can help in the process.
As a result, whenever you notice that it’s about to rain, the sprinklers should automatically make the required adjustments.
- Features
You’d be delighted to know that both these products are fully compatible with Amazon’s Alexa as well as Google Voice Assistant. This means that you can use either device through voice commands.
It is also worth mentioning how Rachio has certain other smart feature integration.
For instance, you can use your Google Nest to determine things like water view usage. Likewise, in case the Nest smoke detector finds any smoke, Rachio will automatically drench the lawn.
- Pricing
This might just be the most important metric for most owners, as no one wants to go over budget.
This is especially true for owners that just want a basic system to get through the irrigation requirements of their yard. So, if you’re in the same boat, Rachio might not be the right option.
There is no debate that the phenomenal system brought forward by Rachio is far better than anything that you can find on the market, but you will have to pay a huge budget here.
On the other hand, the B Hyve system is more suited for the budget.
This simpler system is more than enough for most owners. However, if you’re looking for a future-proof system, then Rachio will serve you better.
There is no point in going with a system that will have to be replaced in the near future. So, to avoid that, you should spare a bit more cash and try to get Rachio.
- Warranty
As far as the dealer support and the warranty status is concerned, Rachio and B Hyve both offer a decent value.
You can’t say that one brand is superior to the other, and the customer support experts will have you covered with the best support on the market.
These experts will make sure that you won’t have to deal with any issues, and you can reach out to them directly if you get stuck on the setup. So, be sure to keep this in mind and help these experts to get a decent response from the system.
Similarly, if you find that any of these systems got damaged during delivery, you can demand a replacement from the dealer. You’re not liable for any delivery issues, and claiming the warranty should help you secure a fresh piece in no time.
Hopefully, these details will improve your confidence in both systems.
The Bottom Line:
Comparing B-Hyve VS Rachio, both these products are great as they manage to offer plenty of benefits. However, if you are still having a hard time choosing between the two products, then we strongly advise that you first determine your use.
There is no such thing as one perfect product for all use cases. Instead, you will have to adjust the performance of your system by keeping track of the features, controls, and irrigation requirements.
Otherwise, you will just be wasting your money on a more expensive unit that doesn’t add any value.
Similarly, if you only look at the price point and don’t go to Rachio because of the budget requirements here, then you might run into performance complications down the road.
It all comes down to how you’re planning to adjust the situation with the irrigation system.
Either one of these units can serve you well as long as you’re sure about what requirements you’re aiming for.
So, be sure to also inform the dealer about your requirements before making the final purchase decision. His input will help you get a better grasp of the situation.