Your sprinklers, on autopilot.
No schedule to set. A sensor in each zone, and Autopilot plans when to water and for how long.
No schedule to set. A sensor in each zone, and Autopilot plans when to water and for how long.
A timer runs on the clock. SoilDrops runs on what the soil says.
- —A timer can't feel wet soil, so it waters after rain.
- —It runs the same minutes in a cool week as a hot one, so one zone goes soggy while another browns.
- —Up to half of outdoor water is wasted that way. You see it on the July bill.
Set up once. Simple on purpose.
No subscription for any of this.
Every controller, sensors or not. Others sell two of these as $29.99 add-ons.
Never set a schedule again.
A sensor in each zone tells the controller what the forecast can't: how wet the ground really is. Autopilot turns that into the plan — when each zone waters, and for how long — and keeps adjusting it.
- ✓Measures moisture 6 inches down, in every zone
- ✓Plans when each zone waters and for how long — you set nothing
- ✓Replans as the soil and the forecast change: rain, heat, a dry spell
- ✓Lawn, beds and trees each get their own plan
Never set a schedule again.
Autopilot reads the soil in each zone and plans when and how long to water, then keeps adjusting.
- ✓Measures moisture 6 inches down, in every zone
- ✓Plans when each zone waters and for how long — you set nothing
- ✓Replans as the soil and the forecast change: rain, heat, a dry spell
Rain, sun, sprinklers. Fine.
IP65 weatherproof. Mount it where the old timer was, garage or garden wall, with no extra box.
One controller. A sensor per zone.
Not sure how many zones you have? Count the numbered wires on your current timer.
How it compares
| 8-zone controller | SoilDrops | A typical weather-based controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price (8 zones) | $149 | Often $199 and up |
| Waters based on | Soil moisture in each zone | Zip-code weather forecast |
| Soil moisture sensors | Wireless, $30 each | Not supported |
| Heat-wave adjustment | Included | Often a paid add-on |
| Valve monitoring | Included | Often a paid add-on |
| Outdoor mounting | IP65 weatherproof, no box | Often needs a separate outdoor box |
| Setup | Bluetooth — stays on your Wi-Fi | Join the controller's own hotspot |
Real yards. Real savings.
"Before SoilDrops our water bill was $220+ per month … after, in the low $100."
"Easy setup, and I like the control — or lack of needing to control it."
"The installation was easy with clear instructions."
Before you buy
Will it work with my sprinkler system?
Yes, if your current timer plugs into a wall outlet and each zone has its own wire plus a shared common wire. That's a standard 24 VAC system. SoilDrops runs up to 8 zones, plus a master valve or a pump-start relay. Not sure? Text a photo of your timer to 626-657-3580.
How many sensors do I need?
One for each zone you want on Autopilot. Count the numbered wires on your current timer. Start with the lawn zones and add more any time.
What about zones without a sensor?
They run on free weather-smart schedules, with rain, freeze and wind skips and heat-wave adjustment. Add a sensor later and the zone switches to Autopilot.
Is there a subscription?
Only for Autopilot, which plans your watering and watches for leaks: 30 days free, then $60 a year (about $5 a month) for every zone on the controller. It's billed through the App Store or Google Play, so you cancel there any time. Everything else is free: app control, schedules, weather skips, heat-wave adjustment, valve monitoring, wiring and battery alerts, and live soil readings.
Does it work with Alexa, Google Home or HomeKit?
Not yet. Everything runs from the SoilDrops app, and with Autopilot on there's rarely anything to ask for.
What if it's not for me?
Tell us within 30 days of delivery and we'll email you a prepaid label. You get a full refund, even if you've already installed it. After that, the 1-year warranty covers defects.