Skydrop Halo Vs Rachio 3: Which One Is Worth Buying?

If you are a home gardener, then a smart sprinkler system is definitely in your top featuring list. There are many intelligent controller systems on the market, offering similar features. But, some are smarter or more durable than others. Skydrop and Rachio are highly-respected brands in this industry. In this review, we will be comparing No products found. and Rachio 3.

Our Verdict

Both the products have many similar features making it difficult to choose between them. But comparing the products, we conclude that Rachio 3 is the perfect buy for you. It is a bit expensive as compared to Skydrop Halo, but it is worth it. In terms of home integration, it is more flexible than No products found..

Skydrop Halo Vs Rachio 3: Comparison Chart

Differences

1. Zone Control

Both the systems offer 8 and 16 zones, but both the products differ in the implementation of zone control/

No products found. comes with an 8-zone model by default. The zone can be expanded to 16 zones with a Skydrop Expansion. This enables you to begin with a low system and so grow it to fit your wants. In Rachio 3, on the opposite hand, you have to choose between 8 and 16 zones.

2. Sensors

Looking at the sensors that expand the sprinkler system, Rachio 3 has the edge. Rachio 3 provides support for rain sensors like RAIN BIRD WR2 Wireless rain sensor, Hunter Rain-Click Wireless Rain Sensor, Irritrol Wireless Rain Sensor, and Toro Wireless Rain Sensor. These sensors help avoid overwatering and water wastage. Rachio 3 is best known for its advanced weather monitoring with hyper-local accuracy. It makes sure that sprinkler is watering the lawn only when needed

Skydrop Halo, on the other hand, does not support rain sensors. However, the weather monitoring system of this system is very far-reaching. 

3. Smart Home Integration

In this case, Rachio 3 has the upper hand as it supports SmartThings and Wink.

No products found., on the other hand, does not support SmartThings. Also, Wink support is not available by default. Skydrop Halo sprinkler can only be integrated by IFTTT.

4. Wi-Fi Connection

Both systems support the connection of 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n. But Rachio 3 has the upper hand as it additionally supports 5 GHz frequencies.

5. Size and Weight

Skydrop Halo is more massive than Rachio 3. Dimensions of Skydrop are also more significant than that of Rachio 3; hence it has a disadvantage in narrow areas.

Similarities

1. Zone Control

Both the sprinklers have the option of either 8-zone or 16-zone control. With this, you can easily keep track of all your zones, watering schedules.

2. On-Unit Manual Control

Both the No products found. and Rachio 3 offer options for on-unit manual control. With this feature, one can control the system through the smartphone app.

3. Cloud Sync

Both the sprinklers have a feature of cloud sync. This feature ensures that your device is always up to date. Based on current environmental conditions, prescheduled functioning and weather intelligence is offered by both systems for control over your watering.

4. App Support

Both the systems support Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

5. IFTT, Wing, and Nest

Both systems support Wing, Nest, and IFTT. It becomes easier to control the systems with the support of Wing, Nest, and IFTT.

6. Warranty

Both systems come with a guarantee of two years.

Features And Technical Specifications of Rachio 3

Ease Of Work: Rachio 3 is a superb sprinkler system that makes irrigation of your lawn very easy.  With this, you don’t have to guess how often you should water your yard, or how much water is required.

Premium Weather Intelligence Plus: It makes use of Premium Weather Intelligence Plus. This technology has access to at least 3,00,000 weather stations, radars, and satellite sources. It has a feature to delay watering your lawns, depending on weather conditions.

Connectivity: It supports 2.4GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. It uses voice commands to start Rachio watering with Amazon Alexa or google assistant.  It also supports IFTTT and has a feature of sending an email when it finishes watering your garden.

Scheduling: can schedule for watering your plants, or you can let Rachio 3 do that. For that, you just need to input the type of plant you have in your garden or other relevant information.

 Features And Technical Specifications Of Skydrop Halo

No products found.

Features: SkyDrop makes use of hyper-local weather information from native weather stations to be told what proportion water your yard wants. Period precipitation, humidity, temperature, wind, radiation, slope, and soil condition are all thought of. Therefore there’s a saving of your time, water, and money.

Compatibility: SkyDrop systems are easily connected to Alexa, Google Home, Ecobee, Nest, etc. You just need to ask Alexa to turn on SkyDrop, and your lawn will be watered without your efforts.

Installation: SkyDrop controller is the next development in the digital household. With quick installation and wireless local area network connected intelligence, you’ll pay less cash and less time tending to your garden, and longer enjoying them.

What’s In The Box?

Rachio 3

Since Rachio 3 widely supports sensors so you may show interest in buying Wireless Flow Meter or a Wireless Rain and Freeze Sensor. If you are interested in installing your system on the exterior of your home, then you can pick up a Weatherproof Outdoor Enclosure.

Skydrop Halo

Skydrop Halo does not need extra accessories, but one might need Skydrop Expansion for turning an 8-zone setup into a 16-zone structure. For installing the system on the exterior, you need Skydrop Enclosure.

Overview Of Rachio 3

Rachio 3 comes with the top-performing and highly rated controller. With access to weathering data, it accurately predicts the weather changes and adjusts your watering schedule for the right amount of water.

It operates at the temperature of range from -4 F to 140 F. It supports Dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It can be controlled with a mobile app as well as through a web app. It supports voice commands for Alexa and the Google assistant. To trigger other applications, it features an in-built IFTT channel that allows you to create your applets. Following are the pros and cons of Rachio 3.

Overview Of Skydrop Halo

No products found.

No products found. by default, supports eight zones, and as mentioned above, one can use Skydrop Expansion to expand it to 16 zones. It has an extensive weather monitoring system that keeps track of metrics like precipitation. All the information is updated on an hourly basis to adjust the watering schedule. It has a feature of on-unit manual control. It also supports voice commands for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It works in temperature ranges from -4°F to 185°F. Here are the pros and cons of Skydrop Halo.

FAQs

Bottom Line

Both the products offer exciting features, but looking at the features and technical specifications, Rachio 3 has the upper hand. No products found. is very comprehensive in terms of weather monitoring, but it falls behind Rachio 3 when it comes to home integration. To see, more of Sky Drop, you should also check out, Skydrop Halo vs. Rain machine.

Rachio 3 is more flexible than Skydrop Halo and supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and Wink integrations. Rachio 3 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. These features make it a perfect buy for you. If you don’t like rachio 3 check out which is better Rachio 1 or rachio 2.