If you’ve read our Ultimate 2025 Irrigation Controller Guide, you already know smart controllers can save water, protect plants, and make seasonal adjustments a breeze. Here, we go deep on the three Wi‑Fi ecosystems we recommend most: Hunter Hydrawise, Rain Bird ESP with LNK2, and Orbit B‑Hyve to help you choose the right fit for your garden, budget and future plans.
Quick takeaway
- Best overall (features, reliability, scalability): Hunter Hydrawise (Pro‑HC or HPC)
- Best mid‑range value and familiarity: Rain Bird ESP‑TM2 or ESP‑ME3 with LNK2
- Best low-cost smart controller: Orbit B‑Hyve (6/12 zone)
Why Wi‑Fi Irrigation Controllers are the best choice
- Control from anywhere: Start/stop zones, pause for rain, edit runtimes on the fly
- Weather‑based watering: Adjusts schedules to actual conditions to reduce waste
- Alerts and diagnostics: Catch problems early (e.g., flow spikes/leaks, wiring faults)
- Shared access: Let family, strata, or contractors help manage your system
The contenders at a glance
Hunter Hydrawise (Pro‑HC, HPC modular, X2 with WAND + Commercial options)
- Core strength: Pro‑level smarts with Predictive Watering, strong weather data (The Weather Company + Virtual Weather Stations), robust reporting and alerting
- Typical users: Homeowners who want premium app control and landscapers managing multiple sites
- Available Controllers:
- Hunter Pro‑HC: 6/12/24 zones in an outdoor enclosure
- Hunter HPC: Modular, 4 zones base up to 32; great for upgrading existing Hunter Pro‑C installs, EZ‑Decoder options for larger sites
- Hunter X2 with WAND: Affordably brings Hydrawise to X2 controllers
- Standout features:
- Predictive Watering: Adjusts for rain, temperature, wind, ET to save up to 50% water
- Detailed event transparency: See why a run did or didn’t occur
- Flow and electrical monitoring alerts when paired with compatible sensors
Summary: With Hydrawise, you get best‑in‑class weather logic, strong app UX, growth path from residential to light/commercial
Rain Bird ESP + LNK2 (ESP‑TM2, ESP‑ME3; plus RC2)
- Core strength: Familiar, reliable hardware with sensible smart features via LNK2; straightforward programming and great price/performance
- Typical users: Homeowners who want an easy app experience from a trusted brand; installers who love Rain Bird’s ESP interface
- Available Controllers:
- ESP‑TM2 + LNK2: 4–12 stations, Wi‑Fi ready; bundles available with LNK2 included
- ESP‑ME3 + LNK2: Modular to 22 stations, excellent as gardens grow
- RC2: 8 station, app‑first controller (no LNK2 required for Wi‑Fi)
- Standout features:
- Daily Automatic Seasonal Adjust
- Cycle+Soak to prevent runoff on slopes/compacted soils
- Live flow gauge with wired flow sensor (ESP‑ME3)
- Smart home integrations (region‑dependent; available in AU)
Summary: With the Rain Bird ESP range connected with LNK2, you get a familiar dial‑and‑buttons experience with reliable app control across their whole ecosystem, meaning added controllers are all controlled in the one app.
Orbit B‑Hyve (6/12 zone outdoor + Tap Timer Options)
- Core strength: Smart watering at a sharp price; clean app; great entry into Wi‑Fi irrigation
- Typical users: Budget‑conscious homeowners who want the essentials of smart watering without the premium price tag
- Hardware to consider:
- B‑Hyve Smart Wi‑Fi Controller: 6 or 12 zone outdoor
- B‑Hyve XD Tap Timers + Hub for hose‑end watering (alternative path)
- Standout features:
- Smart watering with weather‑based adjustments
- Simple setup and app control
- Wide B‑Hyve ecosystem for taps and accessories
Summary: Orbit’s B-Hyve range is incredibly well designed for the domestic DIY market. Lowest upfront cost for an in‑ground Wi‑Fi controller with a friendly app & tap timer options can all be managed together.
Feature‑by‑feature Comparison Chart
| Hunter Hydrawise | Rain Bird with LNK2 | Orbit B-Hyve | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather Intelligence | Leading Predictive Watering with high‑resolution local data; very granular control over weather sources and behavior | Nightly Automatic Seasonal Adjust + features like Cycle+Soak; sensible, effective water savings for typical residential needs | Smart watering with forecasts and seasonal adjustments; simpler than Hydrawise, sufficient for most home systems |
| Zones & Scalability | Pro‑HC up to 24 zones; HPC modular up to 32; X2 with WAND 4–14; clear upgrade paths to larger commercial hardware (HCC up to 54) | ESP‑TM2 4–12; ESP‑ME3 modular up to 22; RC2 fixed 8; strong mid‑range scalability | 6 or 12 zones fixed; no modular expansion for in‑ground B‑Hyve models, but Tap Timer options available. |
| Flow Monitoring & Alerts | Excellent with Hunter HC Flow Meter; app alerts for flow/electrical issues; superb visibility for leak detection and diagnostics | ESP‑ME3 supports wired flow sensor with live flow gauge in the app; practical alerting | Basic fault/alert capabilities; flow monitoring not a native option |
| App Experience | Feature‑rich without feeling complex; deep logs, “why it watered/didn’t water” explanations, powerful remote tools | Modernised interface; remote manual watering, delay, calendar view, notifications; integrates well with LNK2 | Clean, approachable; ideal for first‑time smart irrigation users |
| Installation & Retrofits | Hydrawise HPC is a standout for replacing/upgrading existing Hunter Pro‑C installs, preserving wiring and expanding later | Rain Bird ESP‑TM2 is Wi‑Fi‑ready when you add the LNK2; ME3 expands with modules as gardens grow | Orbit B‑Hyve is a simple, cost‑effective install for new small to mid‑size systems |
| Pricing & Value | Premium pricing that reflects pro‑level software and hardware; worth it when you value deep weather logic, alerts and scalability | Excellent value, especially TM2 + LNK2 bundles or the modular ME3 kits with LNK2 | Strong budget option for getting into Wi‑Fi control with minimal spend |
Recommended SunshowerOnline picks
Premium smart control (residential to light commercial)
- Hunter Pro‑HC: Outdoor Wi‑Fi controller in 6/12/24 stations; robust enclosure and Hydrawise smarts
- Hunter HPC Modular: Start at 4 zones, expand up to 32; ideal for upgrades of existing Hunter Pro‑C; optional EZ‑Decoder kits for larger sites
Best mid‑range value and growth
- Rain Bird ESP‑TM2 with LNK2: A Wi‑Fi‑ready workhorse; friendly programming, bundles available with LNK2
- Rain Bird ESP‑ME3 with LNK2: Modular growth up to 22 zones; add a wired flow sensor for live flow gauge and better diagnostics
Best budget Wi‑Fi controller
- Orbit B‑Hyve: 6 or 12 zone outdoor controller; app‑driven smart watering at a great price
Pro tips for choosing and setup
When it comes time to nail down a controller for your project, just be sure to take into account the following:
- Count zones for both now, and later: If future expansion is likely, favour Hunter HPC or Rain Bird ESP‑ME3
- Add sensors: A rain sensor is smart (and in some states mandatory); flow sensors pay for themselves by catching leaks
- Pumps and master valves: Confirm your controller supports pump start relay/master valve requirements
- Wi‑Fi strength: Ensure stable signal at the controller or add a mesh node nearby for reliable remote control
Match an option to your application
- Small metro courtyard (4–6 zones): Orbit B‑Hyve is a tidy, low‑cost fit; Rain Bird ESP‑TM2 + LNK2 adds nicer scheduling tools if you want more control
- Family suburban block (6–12 zones with lawn + drip): Rain Bird ESP‑TM2/ME3 + LNK2 is the sweet spot for features vs price; Hydrawise Pro‑HC brings top‑tier weather logic and better leak diagnostics if you add a flow sensor
- Acreage or complex landscaping (12–24+ zones, pump/flow): Hunter Hydrawise (HPC or Pro‑HC, and HCC if you scale further) gives you the most headroom, the clearest logs/alerts, and advanced flow protection
- Retrofitting an older Hunter Pro‑C: Hunter HPC facepack is almost always the neatest path — keep the cabinet and wiring, gain Hydrawise smarts and future expansion
Next steps
- Browse our Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers category for current availability, bundles, and accessories
- Not sure what fits? Tell us how many zones you have today, any future expansion, whether you have a pump/master valve, and if you’d like to add rain/flow sensing — we’ll recommend the best match and a clean install path.
Installation and support from SunshowerOnline
At SunshowerOnline, we understanding that the purchase & sale of an irrigation controller isn’t the end of the story. So while we have click and collect or fast shipping Australia‑wide, we’re there to help from start to finish. We have phone, chat & email support to help match controllers, sensors, and accessories to your garden. If you’re upgrading an older unit, send us a photo of your current controller and valve wiring, we’ll recommend the cleanest swap with minimal rewiring.
Prefer set‑and‑forget? We can help you configure smart schedules, seasonal adjust, Cycle+Soak, master valve/pump settings, and rain/flow sensors.
Sources for deeper reading and product details
- Our buyer’s guide: The Ultimate 2025 Irrigation Controller Guide (overview, selection tips and setup best practices)
- Hunter Hydrawise: platform features, controller range (Pro‑HC, HPC, X2/WAND), Predictive Watering, flow monitoring
- Rain Bird WiFi: ESP‑TM2 and ESP‑ME3 controllers, LNK2 Wi‑Fi module, scheduling features like Cycle+Soak and Seasonal Adjust
- Orbit B‑Hyve: smart watering platform, Wi‑Fi controllers and ecosystem
