Comparison
Rachio 3 vs Rain Bird ARC8 vs Orbit B-hyve XR
Side-by-side specs from each manufacturer. No rankings: pick on price, brand and app.
Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t change what we list.
Specs side by side
| Rachio 3 (8-zone) | Rain Bird ARC8 | Orbit B-hyve XR (8-zone) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zones | 4-, 8- and 16-zone models | 8 stations | 8 or 16 zones |
| Mounting | Indoor; outdoor needs Rachio’s Weatherproof Enclosure | Indoor/outdoor | Indoor or outdoor |
| Wi-Fi | Strong Wi-Fi needed at the controller | 2.4 GHz | Bluetooth + 2.4/5 GHz dual-band |
| Weather adjusting | Adjusts for weather and season, incl. rain and wind | Skips or adjusts from local weather and forecast; seasonal adjust 5%–200% | Hyperlocal weather sets when and how long to water |
| Programs | App-based schedules | 3 programs (A, B, C), 4 start times each | 4 program slots (A–D), multiple start times |
| Pump start / master valve | Pump start relay may need extra parts | Master valve/pump start terminal | Can power a pump start relay and one valve at once |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings and more | Alexa, Google Assistant | Google, Alexa |
| Source | Rachio product page | Rain Bird product page | Orbit product page |
| Buy | Amazon ↗ | Amazon ↗ | Amazon ↗ |
Every row comes from the linked manufacturer page (checked 2026-10-18). All three are on the EPA WaterSense product list as standalone controllers. A WaterSense label doesn’t guarantee a rebate, so check your program’s rules before you buy.
Related
Can I install a smart controller myself? · Smart controller rebates · Controller guide and program rules · Indexing valve conversion