Rachio is known for its smart watering solutions for any backyard or garden. The company’s smart sprinkler controllers can work with wireless weather stations to further elevate their capabilities. This is how you can create a custom ecosystem that ensures the best care for your plants and lawns.
However, when choosing the best weather station for a Rachio smart sprinkler controller, Rachio compatibility is only one of a number of concerns. I’ve created a list of some of the best Rachio-compatible weather stations.
Let’s start with a few quick words about Rachio-compatible weather stations and the key features to look for.
What Is a Weather Station for Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller?
In general, all you need is a Wi-Fi capable weather station to connect to a Rachio smart sprinkler controller.
Once both devices are online and connected, it is quite simple to program the Rachio to pull weather information from the weather station for a more optimal sprinkling schedule. All three generations of Rachio smart sprinkler controller work with internet-enabled weather stations.
What to Consider When Buying a Weather Station for Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller?
The following are some of the important features to consider in order to make an informed purchase decision.
Connectivity
As mentioned, internet connectivity is a requirement for Rachio compatibility. Luckily, you do not need to look far and wide before you can find the proper weather station that can get online. In most cases, these weather stations are also quite affordable. In fact, there’s probably a station for every budget.
Alexa Compatibility
Rachio is proud of the fact that its devices work really well with a lot of smart home devices. While Amazon Alexa compatibility is not a crucial feature to have, it is always nice to have voice-activated controls for a Rachio sprinkler controller and/or a home weather station.
Rachio Generation
The general rule of thumb is to get the latest and greatest Rachio controller. Currently, it is the Rachio 3 which is only a fraction more expensive than the previous. This generation improves on the Rachio 2 and the company has conveniently moved all of the controls to the front. The Rachio 3 also comes with more fine-tuning options for the irrigation system to meet the demands of professional gardeners.
Reviews
Ambient Weather WS-2902B
- Allows you to monitor your home and backyard weather conditions with brilliant, easy-to-read LCD color display
- Wireless all-in-one integrated sensor array measures wind speed/direction, temperature, humidity, rainfall, UV and solar radiation.
- Supports both imperial and metric units of measure with calibration available
- Enhanced Wi-Fi connectability option that enables your station to transmit its data wirelessly to the worlds largest personal weather station network
- Pole Mount and 3 x AAA batteries not included
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Ambient Weather WS-2902B is a professional-grade Wi-Fi enabled weather station. In terms of connectivity, this weather station allows users to wirelessly transmit data to Weather Underground – the biggest weather station network in the world.
The WS-2902B weather station comes with a dedicated app for quick and easy monitoring of all the weather parameters on a computer or mobile device. The Ambient Weather measures precise UV and solar radiation levels, humidity, temperature, rainfall, and wind direction and speed.
Using the measurements, it can also calculate dew point, heat index, and wind chill. The indoor console is able to provide accurate barometric pressure information as well. To top it all off, the unit comes with a large color-coordinated LCD display.
Adding to the professional-grade features, the WS-2902B sports 16-second wind speed updates. The 330-ft. wireless range should be more than enough for a home-based Rachio smart sprinkler controller.
Specifications
- •Professional-grade weather station
- Enhanced weather parameter monitoring
- Excellent console design
- 330-feet wireless range
- Wi-Fi-enabled
- Durable external sensor unit
Netatmo Weather Station
- Made for iPhone Weather Station: access to its sensors from anywhere, at any time.
- Temperature, Humidity, Barometric Pressure, indoor CO2 concentration and Sound Meter
- Real time Notifications & Graphs for data history (record frequency: every 5 min.)
- Connect multiple Stations to your iPhone and multiple iPhones to a Station.
- Lifetime free personal account for your data.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As a forward-thinking French company, Netatmo makes cutting-edge home weather stations, all of which are compatible with Rachio smart sprinkler controllers. Don’t expect hefty prices either. Considering the advanced design and features, the Netatmo provides the best value for your money.
What I like about this weather station is the fact that it can measure environmental conditions like air quality and indoor noise levels. The standard readings include humidity, outdoor and indoor temperatures, and barometric pressure, to name but a few. More demanding users can go for an extra indoor module and the optional wind gauge and rain gauge.
The well-designed Netatmo app allows you to monitor all of the parameters on your smartphone. In addition, the Netatmo weather station features a weekly forecast which allows users to stay on top of and prepare for weather changes.
Another plus is the Alexa compatibility. Once both the Rachio and Netatmo are connected and online, you are only a voice command away from activating the sprinkler system whenever the need arises.
Specifications
- Advanced sensors
- Alexa compatibility
- Extra modules available
- Measures air quality and noise levels
- Great value for your money
AcuRite 01151M HD
- Monitor actual weather conditions in your own backyard, from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet or computer
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa - Just Ask Alexa, Ask My AcuRite about my backyard weather
- Create custom alerts to get notifications sent directly to your phone when changing conditions need your attention
- Includes high definition TFT screen, all-in-one weather sensor and AcuRite Access for My AcuRite remote monitoring
- Expandable; monitor and protect more things you care about in and around your home, connecting up to seven (7) compatible devices to my AcuRite using AcuRite Access
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The AcuRite 01151M HD is probably the most well-rounded weather station that works with the Rachio smart sprinkler controller. This particular model is actually a remote weather monitoring bundle which includes an outdoor weather sensor, AcuRite access point, and full-color HD screen.
This thing is Alexa-compatible but that’s just the start. Using the AcuRite access point, this weather station can connect up to 7 devices, including of course any of the Rachio sprinkler controllers.
This weather station measures with accuracy all the key weather elements like wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and rainfall. The AcuRite software can issue custom alerts and notifications in the event of severe weather.
In addition, the 01151M HD runs on 5-minute weather change intervals for an entire month to ease the spotting and analyzing of weather patterns. The weather station also has a set of backup batteries that keep it running for an additional 12-hour period in case of a blackout.
Specifications
- Weather monitoring bundle
- Includes AcuRite access point
- Connects up to 7 devices
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- Full-color TFT display
- One-month memory
Conclusion
If you want to get the best weather station for Rachio smart sprinkler controller, Rachio-friendly features are what to look for. Luckily, Rachio-compatible weather stations are not hard to find. However, there is one unit that stands above the rest.
The AcuRite 01151M HD has it all. It features Alexa compatibility, unparalleled connectivity, and most importantly accurate weather readings and useful forecast.