

Its primary downside is that flow strength is not adjustable per zone-if we wanted full-blast water for Zone 1, we also had it for Zone 2. The AquaTimer runs on two AA batteries (not included) and features a large easy-to-read LCD screen.
Hose smart timer manual#
It also features a manual override function that allows you to water anytime. Once set, the AquaTimer runs the same watering schedule daily, but it also has a rain-delay function that allows you to pause the watering schedule if you don’t need to water that day. Having dual zones will be a boon for anyone with multiple watering needs, just as it was for us in our tests. For the second zone, we ran the hose to a large drinking bowl in our dogs’ play yard and programmed the water to come on twice a day for 2 minutes-just long enough to fill the bowl with fresh water. The first zone ran to a sprinkler in a flower bed, and we set the timer to water twice a day for 30 minutes each. We created custom watering programs for each of the two zones. Watering duration is adjustable from 1 minute to 6 hours.
Hose smart timer plus#
A central button in the middle of the control panel allowed us to scroll through the functions, and we used the plus and minus buttons to set the time as well as select when watering would begin and how long it would last.

We found programming the AquaTimer to be self-explanatory. The fitting that connects to the spigot twists independently of the timer, which makes it simple to attach. In testing, we attached the AquaTimer to an outdoor spigot and connected two hoses to the bottom outlets. It features two hose outlets and is an excellent option for watering more than a single zone. Topping our lineup is the Melnor AquaTimer. We included the pros and cons of each model to help you determine which one will best suit your watering needs.

The following models vary in type, price, and standard functions, but each earned a spot on our lineup by performing well in our hands-on tests. Our Top PicksĪ good hose timer helps ensure lawns and gardens don’t dry out or accidentally flood. Overall, our goal was to comprehensively evaluate each timer’s performance and features to help you choose a hose timer for your own needs. The better a timer performed in each test, the more points it received. We also tried additional features, such as rain delay or manual override, and assessed how easy the timer was to program and use. Then, we reviewed the programming features, testing the timer’s ability to set watering schedules and adjust watering duration and frequency. When testing hose timers, we started by attaching each one to a spigot and connecting it to a hose (or two, if applicable). We scoured online reviews and analyzed product specifications and features to decide which timers to include in our tests. Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila How We Tested the Best Hose Timersīefore conducting hands-on testing of hose timers, we researched more than two dozen brands and models to identify the ones most highly rated and recommended by experts and consumers. BEST SMART: RainPoint Smart Wi-Fi 2-Zone Sprinkler Timer.

