Watering timers are very useful devices that can help you control the irrigation process in your garden, yard, greenhouse, or other areas where plants are cultivated.
Moreover, if you’re a busy person you might’ve experienced forgetting to water your plants or forgetting if you did water them. This can result in over or underwatering and consequently cause them to die.
This is where watering timers come into play. They’re the ideal solution to assist in your garden upkeep and can take care of your watering needs.
There are different varieties of water timers sold in stores and on Amazon and it can become difficult to choose the right one for your garden.
But, don’t worry – we got you covered! Below, you can review the best watering timer we chose from Amazon and get the one that fits your needs best.
Keep on reading!
Top Pick
Our top pick watering timer is the Rain Bird SST400IN. It doesn’t require complicated programming instructions that allow you to set up a customized schedule for different areas of your garden.
The rain delay is a really great feature that can stop watering for up to 72 hours. Compared to its predecessors this is a new model with improved characteristics.
Rain Bird is one of the best manufacturers of gardening products, so you can be certain to have a top-notch product in your possession.
Budget Pick
Orbit’s watering timer 62034 is our budget pick. It comes at a very affordable price, doesn’t require extra batteries and it’s really easy to use.
Its oversized dial provides comfortable use and it can also help you save water. Moreover, it’s really easy to install to any type of faucet.
Also, it has a durable construction and ergonomic swivel made to last for many seasons.
Quick Navigation
Why’s a Watering Timer Important?
Taking care of a garden isn’t an easy task and it sometimes requires additional tools to be used to make things more efficient.
That’s why a watering timer can be essential to help you manage your garden and save water along the way.
You’ll never forget to turn on or off your sprinklers since the timer will be there to do this for you. If you have to take a longer trip away and don’t want to leave someone else in charge of your flowers the watering timer can also be your best friend and help with the watering while you’re away.
Moreover, it can work as a security system while you’re away. The sprinklers will still be running while you’re away on vacation and this can alert any thieves that you’re home so they won’t be showing up in your house.
Have in mind that this is just one more feature to add to your home security system, but can’t be the only protection you have.
Before choosing the right timer for your gardening needs take a look at our helpful buyer’s guide.
How to Choose The Right Watering Timer?
Number of outlets
One of the first things you have to think about is the number of outlets your garden will need. Having more outlets will allow you to control the water in different sprinklers around your garden.
There are different options that you can consider such as one or multiple outlet options and our review features some of them so it’s good to take a look.
Before deciding on how many outlets you need, make sure you understand your gardening needs. The size of the garden will tell you whether you need one or more outlets.
Rain delay
This is a very useful feature for all those days when you know there’ll be rain. Why wastewater and overwater your garden if you know mother nature will be taking care of them today.
The rain delay feature allows you to set up your timer to turn off when the rain’s coming – afterward the program comes back on automatically.
So, don’t forget to check for this feature when choosing a water timer, especially if you live in a rainy area.
Manual watering
Most of the timers we presented have the manual watering feature available. This feature lets you manually water your garden, but doesn’t interrupt the already programmed settings.
Displays
You can purchase a water timer with an LCD that shows all necessary information related to the timer’s activities. Having a display allows you to have the information available at any time.
The LCD watering timers are usually new, modern versions and can be a bit more expensive.
Nevertheless, if this feature is too much for you there are options that have a simple dial that you turn on and it starts working. This doesn’t create any confusion, it’s straightforward and easy to use.
Programming options
Some timers can allow you to program the irrigation cycles with different features. For instance, some will allow you to set up the frequency and duration depending on what you need.
Power source
This is another feature you need to consider when choosing the right timer. You can either purchase a battery-powered or mechanical timer depending on your preference.
When it comes to battery-powered options, have in mind that most of the products don’t include batteries so you’ll have to get a pair on your own.
What about Lawn Size?
Another thing to consider when choosing the right watering timer is the size of the area you need to water. As we mentioned earlier this can also help you choose between one or multiple outlets.
Whether you’re dealing with a huge lawn or flower beds make sure your investment is practical and worth the while.
These different areas have different watering needs so you need to consider them carefully before making the right decision.
It might take you some time and think but it will certainly save you a lot of trouble in the future to have everything set up from the very beginning.
Watering Timers Review
1. Rain Bird Watering Timer
Highlighted Features
- Easy to set up
- Simple settings
- Indoor installation design
- Rain delay option
- Sealed case
Rain Bird’s irrigation timer is easy to set up and it can help you customize your irrigation with no extra effort.
You can set up different watering schedules for different yard areas with the zone-by-zone option. The product is made for indoor installation, so you can set it up in your waterproof shed, home or garage.
It also features a one-touch adjustment for seasonal watering time increase in dry months or reduction during rainy days.
The program is automatically set up to stop watering when it rains and then it resumes on its own again.
You’ll love the design since the product has a durable sealed casing that protects it from outside influences such as moisture, dirt and insects.
Finally, the manufacturer is the #1 provider of watering services and products in the world, so you’ll have a professional product to help you handle your gardening activities.
2. Orbit 58910 Watering Timer
Highlighted Features
- 2 outlets
- Quick installation
- Durable materials
- Options for the rain delay
- 240-minutes cycles
This amazing product from Orbit can help you turn your hose into a professional sprinkler system.
You’ll no longer have to worry about destroying your plants because you were busy with something else. What’s more, you’ll see the improvements even on your watering bill since it uses water quite efficiently.
Furthermore, this timer is easy to install, program and use – it doesn’t require any additional tools for setting up. Also, when changing the battery, you won’t lose your data and you’ll have a big LCD screen to help you read the needed information.
You can be certain never to overwater or underwater your precious plants and you can also use the function for manual watering with no interruptions to the program you set up.
Lastly, the watering cycle duration can go up to 240 minutes with a watering frequency of up to 6 hours.
3. Watering Hose Timer by Orbit
Highlighted Features
- Easy to use
- Saves water
- Big dial
- Sturdy construction
- Manual override available
Another great watering timer by Orbit. You won’t be struggling with overwatered lawns anymore and you’ll see the improvements on your watering bill as well. This product doesn’t require a professional setup – it’s ready to use immediately.
Moreover, it doesn’t use batteries and has an ergonomic swivel and sturdy construction that guarantees long-term use.
For convenient use, the timer can be set up between 15 and 120 minutes and the oversized dial allows you to set it up quickly and easily.
Happy customers confirm that this product is affordable, can save you time and money and can help substitute expensive irrigation systems.
4. Instapark Outdoor Digital Watering Timer
Highlighted Features
- User-friendly set up
- Weather-resistant
- ABS premium construction
- Easy-to-read display
- Reduced power consumption
This digital watering timer by Instapark features a standard ¾ ″thread and provides amazing control of the watering frequency and duration. This is possible with the help of very straightforward, user-friendly and simple programming.
What’s more, the item is resistant to different weather conditions and is built with ABS premium construction with high impact resistance that fits perfectly in gardens, greenhouses, and yards.
The large display is bright and very easy to read – it shows the timer status as well as the current time.
Additionally, you can select the rain delay duration between 24, 48 and 72 hours. It has an option for manual control and it preserves water with no changes to the programming itself.
Last but not least, the product doesn’t spend too much power and it can work with 2 fresh batteries for up to 12 months.
5. Battery Powered Watering Timer by DIG
Highlighted Features
- Adjustable duration
- Easy programming
- Large display
- Easy to use
- ¾ ″FHT inlet & MHT outlet
DIG’s watering timer can give you precise control of all the devices that are connected to it. It features 6 programming buttons and it’s really easy to set up.
The button on the right is for manual on/off, the left one is the “rain off” function and the rest 4 buttons in the middle are the programming buttons.
Also, this product can be used with different types of sprinklers since it only allows for water to run through it i.e. what’s attached on the other end doesn’t make a difference.
According to happy customers, this product works flawlessly, without leaks and their programming is quite stable.
However, you should have in mind that this product contains some chemicals which, in the state of California, are rated as causing cancer or birth defects – so before purchasing take a look at the additional health information.
6. LinkTap Remote Hose Watering Timer
Highlighted Features
- Wireless controlled watering
- Auto fault detection
- Reduced water bills
- Durable construction
- Easy setup
If you’re looking to get a modern, smart product to control the watering in your garden, then this item will make you happy.
LinkTap’s remote hose timer can help you automate the watering process, provide precision and save your precious time.
Further, it features 6 different operating modes such as instant mode, calendar mode, month mode, interval mode, odd-even day mode and a weekly mode. All of these customizations can help you improve the watering process.
Moreover, the watering cycles can be set up to 100 per day and the duration can vary from 1 minute to 23 hours and 59 minutes.
It operates with a pressure range between 2.9 to 116 PSI and it has auto fault detection so anytime there’s an issue in the system you’ll know immediately.
The remote control allows you to have peace of mind when traveling or to set it up in your weekend house.
7. Orbit Single-Dial Watering Timer
Highlighted Features
- Auto operation
- Saves water
- Easy to use
- Multiple settings options
- Single-dial control
You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to water your garden with the help of Orbit’s automatic timer.
It has a large single-dial that can be manually set up to water every day, every 2nd, or every 3rd day, depending on what your garden needs.
What’s more, it’s really easy to set up and it fits any standard garden hose or hose faucet, plus there are 16 options for the duration of the watering and they range between 2 to 90 minutes.
Have in mind that the product requires 3 AA batteries however, they’re not included in the package, so make sure you get a pair before installing.
Customers love its simplicity and the fact that you don’t need to go through a complicated instruction manual to set it up.
8. Gideon Digital Gardening System
Highlighted Features
- Up to 240-minutes duration
- Easy & quick connection
- Manual options available
- Easy skip option
- Solid construction
Garden irrigation has never been easier. With the help of Gideon’s irrigation water timer, you’ll experience simple, easy and flexible watering that can meet all your gardening needs.
The product can be set up with a precise duration and frequency – it knows when to start and when to stop the watering plus, you can adjust the watering sessions for up to 240 minutes, with no limitations on how many times per day.
Thanks to the rotation coupling you won’t need any additional tools for installation. The large LCD screen provides detailed info related to the watering cycle start, remaining time and others.
Additionally, on rainy days you can skip the watering sessions but not interrupt the already programmed watering schedule. You just need to select the hours or days you want to skip watering and they’ll be paused.
Most importantly, your garden will be greener than ever and optimally watered.
9. Analog Water Timer by Raindip
Highlighted Features
- Easy to set up
- Fits different connections
- Indicator for low battery
- Requires minimum PSI
- 3 dial
The Raindip analog water timer is easy to set up and can be connected to different types of garden hoses or outdoor faucets.
It also features an on/off control for the solenoid and diaphragm valve and the setup program won’t get erased while replacing the batteries.
When it comes to the batteries, make sure you purchase a pair of 2 AA alkaline since they’re not included.
This product requires the minimum PSI to work properly, so have your water pressure on the needed level when using it.
Satisfied gardeners confirm that this product works well and it’s easy to set up with no complicated instructions.
Some of them have even used it season after season and it still works great and provides great value for money.
10. Electronic Watering Timer by Gilmour
Highlighted Features
- Dual outlets
- Easy to install
- 2-year warranty
- Rain delay
- Auto shut off
Choosing a watering timer for your garden can help you with your gardening activities by saving you time and money.
This amazing product by Gilmour can prevent overwatering and it can be set up any way you please. As soon as you do this – just sit back, relax and watch it do all the hard work for you.
Moreover, the product’s easy to program and set up. Its big display allows you to read the numbers and text easily and it also features an auto shut off when the batteries are low.
Additionally, it has the rain delay option available and you can set it up for 24, 48 or 72 hours. You can be certain to use this product for years since it’s made of durable plastic material that won’t break easily.
Lastly, the manufacturer has been on the market for more than 50 years providing its customers with improvements and innovations in the watering business. They constantly improve their products so you can be certain to deal with a top-quality timer.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen by now, watering is one of the essential tasks when it comes to garden upkeep. You have to make sure your garden is properly watered to keep your plants alive and strong throughout the entire year.
Nowadays, there are many different types of tools that can make your gardening life easier and one of them is the watering timer.
Instead of standing in the scorching hot weather to water your garden, you’ll have this tool to do this for you.
The products we reviewed are some of the best watering timers which is easy to install and can be used with a regular sprinkler or hose.
If you’re struggling to choose one option, we recommend the Rain Bird SST400IN. it’s easy to set up and provides customized settings for different garden zones.
It has a rain delay feature and it’s an improved version of its predecessors.
Nevertheless, if you need a cheaper variant you’ll love Orbit’s 62034 watering timer. Its great options and affordable price makes it a great product.
It’s easy to set up, made of durable materials and provides comfortable use.
Happy gardening!