Orbit
Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone)
$169.99
Released 2021
Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers · head-to-head
Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) vs RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) is cheaper at $169.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
RainMachine
RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller
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Released 2016
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) | RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $169.99 | — |
| Brand | Orbit | RainMachine |
| Released | 2021 | 2016 |
| Zones | 8 | 12 |
| Hub required | No | No |
| Weather intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor outdoor rating | indoor/outdoor (weatherproof enclosure) | indoor only |
| Works with alexa google | Yes | Yes |
| Works with homekit | No | Yes |
| Epa watersense | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Expandable zones | Yes | No |
Sources — Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone): orbitonline.com (verified 2026-06-20). RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller: rainmachine.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) and RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Zones: Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) 8 vs RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller 12
- Indoor outdoor rating: Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) indoor/outdoor (weatherproof enclosure) vs RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller indoor only
- Works with homekit: Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) false vs RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller true
- Expandable zones: Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Controller (8-Zone) true vs RainMachine Touch HD-12 Smart WiFi Irrigation Controller false