SoilDrops Smart Irrigation Starter Kit — WiFi Sprinkler Controller + Wireless Soil Moisture Sensors

This AI Smart Sprinkler Controller is a solid choice for managing lawn and garden watering. The installation process was straightforward, and the app interface is generally user-friendly. I like the flexibility of customizing schedules and controlling it remotely. However, the system can sometimes get a bit confusing or inconsistent. There are moments when schedules don’t run exactly as expected or settings seem to overlap, which can be frustrating. It doesn’t happen all the time, but enough to notice. Overall, it’s a convenient and smart solution, but the software could use some improvement for better reliability and consistency.

The sprinkler controller is very solid and the app is great. I had a Rachio controller before and the Solidrops App is easier to setup and making more sense. The way to install is about the same but Solidrops came with some labels so you can mark your zone wire before swapping the controller. Solidrops wifi is somewhat easier to setup than my Rachio one but they are both not hard and no issue.Though there is only 8 zones you can use from the Solidrops, you will need to combine zones together if you have 10 zones wire like me. Also, there is AI subscription for monthly or annually but I believe you will also need to buy the sensors so that can be used gathering information from the soil. This set doesn't come with the sensors so I don't have a chance to try it. It will be cool if they can automatically adjust the watering amount base on what you plant and soil status though I am also wondering if it's gonna work with my yard. My zone sprinkers combines many different plants and terrain and one sensor each zone might not be able to cover all the variation. It will be better if you have an organized plan and irrigation setup.Other than that, I am happy with the way to setup the schedule and not really ready to pay for the subscription on the sprinkler controller. The clear schedule on their app and good build quality is enough for me.

This is one of those items you wonder if you really need and now that I have it I definitely need it. We're out of town a lot during the summer and this is making it easy to manage our watering while we're gone. The installation was easy with clear instructions. It mounts with the two provided screws and wall anchors if you need them which I did use. They even give you labels to label you stations on your old system before installing the new controller. It connected easily to my WiFi without any issues. The app set up is easy to follow. It guides you through the whole process. It's easy to understand. You can even pick the specific plants you're watering. One downside is you have to purchase the water sensors separately. It would be nice at this price point if they included at least one. It works great without the sensors but some features aren't available without them. One other thing that I don't care for is that you have to pick which days of the week you want to water. On my old controller you could choose to water every third day. The app doesn't have that option so you're limited in that aspect. There is a subscription option that gives you more features. I have a 20+year old system and didn't have any compatibility issues.

I’m really glad I decided to upgrade to the Soildrops AI Smart Sprinkler Controller. My previous sprinkler control box was about 20 years old and had started glitching to the point where I wasn’t confident it was running properly. It was also a pain to configure based on my specific watering needs.One of the biggest frustrations with my old system was testing and repairs. Any time I needed to replace a sprinkler head, I had to call a family member to turn zones on and off while I stood outside — usually getting sprayed in the process. Being able to control everything directly from my phone is a huge improvement. Now I can stand off to the side, turn zones on and off instantly, and test adjustments without getting soaked in irrigation water.The controller itself looks great. I pay attention to product design, and this one feels thoughtfully built, not just functional but well-designed aesthetically.The companion app really stands out. It connected instantly to the Wi-Fi-enabled sprinkler control box. Set up walks you through roughly 20 clear, organized steps with helpful instructions, photos, and illustrations. Instead of fumbling through a clunky interface, the guided process makes configuration straightforward.It’s currently winter here in Idaho, so I can’t fully test it with live irrigation yet. However, I was able to install the unit, connect it to the app, and run system checks without issue.Overall, it feels like a major upgrade in convenience and usability. I’m looking forward to putting it through a full season.

I loved the idea of this smart irrigation system. I did not know the purchase required more equipment than what is included. In the marketing photos nothing was mentioned. If you read the details, it says a bit about the additional $$ sensors. I do like how the housing is sealed and how the latch is metal which is durable. The installation instructions are simple to follow. Though, we haven’t decided if we want to spend additional money for the sensors required. I think the value is a bit higher than I expected knowing now that it does not contain what is needed for it to function. If it came with at least one sensor to get you started with set up, it would be understandable.

Managing multiple garden beds with different watering needs can quickly turn into guesswork. This 8-zone smart controller brings structure to that process. Setup was straightforward as long as the router’s 2.4GHz band was enabled. The app walks you through zone configuration clearly, and adding multiple zones feels intuitive.Most of the value shows up in the app. When paired with the optional soil sensors that are sold separately, it displays real-time moisture data and enables AI-driven watering decisions. To be clear, each zone requires its own sensor to use the AI features for that zone. A single sensor will only provide AI automation for the zone it’s assigned to. Without sensors, the system still functions as a reliable scheduling controller, but the adaptive features are limited.With sensors in place, the system adjusts watering based on soil conditions, forecast data, and seasonal changes, which helps prevent overwatering. The plant database is a useful reference, offering general guidance on water needs for different plant types.Performance has been stable, with no lag and quick response to changes made in the app. WiFi connectivity remains consistent, and there are no overheating concerns. One thing to note is the subscription required after the 30-day AI trial to continue using advanced automation. Basic scheduling remains available without it, but the smarter adjustments depend on that upgrade. This is one thing I don't like about this product.For households managing up to eight zones and looking for more precision than a basic timer, this offers good value, particularly for those aiming to reduce water waste through targeted, data-driven watering, but definitely not the right fit for those not like subscription models.

I manage several properties and have started putting these in all of them. It saves me from having to drive around to adjust timers every spring and fall. The interface is very straightforward, even for my maintenance guys. I appreciate that the wiring terminals are clearly labeled and sturdy. The weather skip feature has probably saved me hundreds of dollars across all the properties. It's a fantastic investment for anyone with landscaping responsibilities.

I've been dealing with a poorly designed yard for years. Half of it is in direct sunlight and bakes in the summer, while the other half is shaded and constantly soggy. I bought this starter kit to try and balance things out. The installation of the main panel in the garage was very straightforward--just swapped the wires from my old Hunter unit. Then, I placed the moisture stakes in my problem areas. The autopilot feature now reads the exact moisture level from the ground and adjusts the watering times perfectly. My water bill dropped immediately, and I have zero soggy patches.

I am very impressed with the overall simplicity of this device. You take it out of the box, link it to your controller, and shove it straight into the ground without needing any tools at all. It provides continuous, real-time data on how wet the soil actually is. I find myself checking the app frequently just to see the moisture trends. By combining the local weather forecast with the actual ground moisture, it manages to create perfect schedules for my grass. It’s a smart way to conserve water without sacrificing a green lawn.

I wanted a simple add-on for my outdoor faucet. This is exactly what I needed for the newly seeded patch in the backyard. I've gone through several cheap plastic ones that always break. I attached my standard garden hose to the bottom and it held pressure perfectly. The instructions for setting the clock and start times were clear. I love the manual override so I can still fill up a watering can. The LCD screen is bright and easy to read even in direct sunlight. It feels very heavy duty and the waterproof seal looks solid. Being able to set specific duration and frequency gives me total control.

This integrates flawlessly with the 8-zone smart controller. I placed it in a notoriously dry part of my lawn. Now, the system uses that exact data to create schedules that keep that specific area green. Very easy installation without any digging or wiring required.

I never knew if I was overwatering or underwatering, I was just guessing. After installing Soildrops, I can literally see the moisture level for each zone, and the system only waters when it drops below the threshold. My plants look healthier and I’m not wasting water anymore. It feels like cheating in the best way.

It sits low enough that my mower safely passes right over it without any issues. It really takes the guesswork out of my watering routine.

The sensor paired quickly to the hub and sits completely flush with the grass. The soil readings have been highly accurate for me.

Getting this moisture sensor hooked up to my main 8-zone controller was incredibly straightforward. I literally just pushed it right into the soil in the front yard where the sun hits the hardest. It's really interesting to watch the real-time moisture data update on the app. The best part is how the system uses this information to create watering schedules automatically, rather than me just guessing when the grass is thirsty. It sits low enough in the grass that I can run my mower right over it without any fear of clipping it.

I bought four of these wireless moisture stakes to complement my controller, and they are the missing piece to the perfect irrigation puzzle. Traditional weather-based controllers guess the moisture based on algorithms, but these give you the ground truth. Installation couldn't be simpler. You literally pull the tab, scan it in the app, and shove it in the ground. They are completely flush with the soil, so my landscaping crew mows right over them without any issues. The app provides a beautiful graph showing the moisture level over time.

I am using the controller to do all 7 zones in my yard. I have them connected to soil moisture sensors for all 7 zones. It works exactly as I expected and waters only the zones that really need it based upon the settings that I set in the moisture percentage. If you can ID the specific grass in your yard and understand or search for the type of grass then it will give you a specific value to set or used the recommended one in the app. It was a very easy setup with a good guide. If you have soil sensors then I would setup the zones and skip adding the sensors right away and add them after you have completed the setup of the zones. It is less of a hassle of one of the sensors does not connect to the controller.