Comparison
Rain Bird ARC8 vs Rachio 3 vs Orbit B-hyve XR
Side-by-side specs from each manufacturer. No rankings: pick on price, brand and app.
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Rachio 3 (8-zone)
Check price on Amazon ↗Check rebates for your ZIP →Orbit B-hyve XR (8-zone)
Check price on Amazon ↗Check rebates for your ZIP →Specs side by side
| Rain Bird ARC8 | Rachio 3 (8-zone) | Orbit B-hyve XR (8-zone) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zones | 8 stations | 4-, 8- and 16-zone models | 8 or 16 zones |
| Mounting | Indoor/outdoor | Indoor; outdoor needs Rachio’s Weatherproof Enclosure | Indoor or outdoor |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz | Strong Wi-Fi needed at the controller | Bluetooth + 2.4/5 GHz dual-band |
| Weather adjusting | Skips or adjusts from local weather and forecast; seasonal adjust 5%–200% | Adjusts for weather and season, incl. rain and wind | Hyperlocal weather sets when and how long to water |
| Programs | 3 programs (A, B, C), 4 start times each | App-based schedules | 4 program slots (A–D), multiple start times |
| Pump start / master valve | Master valve/pump start terminal | Pump start relay may need extra parts | Can power a pump start relay and one valve at once |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings and more | Google, Alexa |
| Source | Rain Bird product page | Rachio product page | Orbit product page |
| Buy | Amazon ↗Check rebates for your ZIP → | Amazon ↗Check rebates for your ZIP → | Amazon ↗Check rebates for your ZIP → |
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.
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Can I install a smart controller myself? · Smart controller rebates · Controller guide and program rules · Indexing valve conversion