Smart Sprinklers for the Modern Home

Spring is around the corner, and with it comes the need for efficient watering solutions. One brand stepping up to the plate is Meross, which has been busy adding to its lineup of HomeKit-compatible products. Their latest offering is a smart sprinkler timer, designed to make outdoor watering a breeze. This device is a WiFi-enabled controller for garden irrigation and drip systems. It integrates seamlessly with HomeKit, allowing users to manage watering schedules through the Home app, Siri, or automated routines based on time or weather conditions. This level of control is particularly useful for those who want to ensure their plants and lawns stay hydrated, even when they're not at home. One of the standout features of the Meross Smart Sprinkler is its flexibility. It can be installed at the faucet and hose, controlling the water flow through the system. This makes it a versatile addition to any non-smart sprinkler setup, offering the potential for future upgrades. The Meross Smart Sprinkler comes with several smart features. It can automatically skip watering based on local weather conditions, track water usage, and shut off to prevent overwatering or flooding. It also has a built-in battery backup, ensuring it continues to operate even if the power goes out. Another key feature is the ability to set schedules directly in the HomeKit or Meross app. This means that even if the device loses its internet or Wi-Fi connection, the watering schedules will still run as planned. However, weather-based adjustments will require an active connection. When comparing the Meross Smart Sprinkler to its main competitor, the Eve Aqua, there are some notable differences. The Eve Aqua uses Thread for low-power, direct connectivity, resulting in faster response times in the Home app. On the other hand, the Meross Smart Sprinkler relies on Wi-Fi and a hub, but it supports up to 24 timers, making it a better option for larger or more complex watering setups. The Meross Smart Sprinkler also offers water usage tracking and hyper-local weather-based watering skips, features that the Eve Aqua lacks. These features help optimize watering, making the Meross Smart Sprinkler a more efficient choice for some users. With HomeKit automations, the Meross Smart Sprinkler can be set to come on at sunrise for optimal watering. It can also be paired with a HomeKit weather station to avoid watering when it rains. For a bit of fun, it can even be linked to an outdoor motion sensor to scare away pests from the garden. For those looking to upgrade their sprinkler setup to HomeKit, the Meross Smart Sprinkler is a great option. It offers a range of features that make it a strong competitor to the Eve Aqua, especially for those with larger or more complex watering needs. It is also more affordable, making it a more accessible choice for many homeowners.