Comparison: Best Soil Moisture Sensor Based Automated Irrigation System (Updated | Oct 14th)
Maintaining optimal soil moisture is key to healthy plant growth and efficient water use. Automated irrigation systems with soil moisture sensors help reduce waste, save time, and promote sustainable gardening. This comparison explores top-rated systems, evaluating factors like accuracy, ease of installation, compatibility, and durability to help you choose a solution that balances performance and practicality for your garden or farm. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional grower, understanding these systems can lead to smarter watering decisions and thriving plants.
(Word count: 85)
Let me know if you’d like any refinements!
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
-
Best for wifi integration:
RAINPOINT WiFi Soil Moisture Sensor – Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor – Must be Used with TTV103WRF or TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub (Only Include Soil Tester) -
Best for outdoor durable:
RAINPOINT Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor – Requied with TTV103WRF/TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub -
Best for best overall:
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer with Brass Inlet -
Best for zigbee compatibility:
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensor -
Best for 3-pack value:
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensor 3Pack -
Best for accurate readings:
ECOWITT WH51L Soil Moisture Sensor with 1m/3.28ft PVC Wire Probe -
Best for diy kit:
WayinTop Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit Self Watering System with Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 1 Channel 5V Relay Module and Water Pump + 1M Vinyl Tubing for Garden Plant Flower Herb Potted -
Best for budget pick:
AEDIKO Upgrade Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit Self Watering System with Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 5V Relay Module and Water Pump + 50cm Silicone Tubing for Garden Plant Flower Watering DIY -
Best for smart automation:
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose -
Best for premium build:
Moen Smart Wireless Soil Sensor
Product Comparison: Best Soil Moisture Sensor Based Automated Irrigation System
WiFi integration
RAINPOINT WiFi Soil Moisture Sensor – Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor – Must be Used with TTV103WRF or TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub (Only Include Soil Tester)
RAINPOINT
- Build Automated Irrigation Systems: Single WiFi Moisture Sensor works as an add on only. It rmust be used with TTV103WRF/TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer (not included) and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub (not included). Only ONE WiFi Moisture Sensor can be used per zone of WiFi water timer.To ensure the stability of data transmission, please install it within 10 meters of the WiFi water timer hub.
- Smart Control WiFi Sprinkler Timer: Automatically turn off or on the paired WiFi sprinkler timers (not included) based on soil temperature and humidity to control exactly when and how much to water. No more worrying about forgetting to water or overwatering your plants or lawn. (commende bury the sensor probe deep into the soil, leaving only 3 cm exposed)
- APP Monitor Soil Moisture & Temperature: Track and record 10-day soil moisture and temperature history and graphs via the RainPoint APP. The soil data is sent back to the APP every 5 minutes for update. Soil Moisture Range: 0% ~ 100%, Soil Temperature Range: 14℉~122℉.
- 3-Probe Professional Home Soil Tester: Using three-probe detection technology, it can measure a larger area of soil, with faster detection speed and higher accuracy. Moisture Accuracy: 5% (from 0%~50% RH) or 10% (from 51%~100% RH).
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: The soil meter is IPX5 waterproof, and the three probes are made of 304 stainless steel. Rainproof and resistant to soil acid and alkali, the design is lightweight and portable, suitable for outdoor use. An ideal soil test tool for home plants, gardens, lawns and farm kits.
Outdoor durable
RAINPOINT Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor – Requied with TTV103WRF/TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub, WiFi Soil Moisture Sensor
RAINPOINT
- Build Automated Irrigation Systems: Single WiFi Moisture Sensor works as an add on only. It rmust be used with TTV103WRF/TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer (not included) and TWG004WRF WiFi Hub (not included). Only ONE WiFi Moisture Sensor can be used per zone of WiFi water timer.To ensure the stability of data transmission, please install it within 10 meters of the WiFi water timer hub.
- Smart Control WiFi Sprinkler Timer: Automatically turn off or on the paired WiFi sprinkler timers (not included) based on soil temperature and humidity to control exactly when and how much to water. No more worrying about forgetting to water or overwatering your plants or lawn. (commende bury the sensor probe deep into the soil, leaving only 3 cm exposed)
- Indoor & Outdoor Use: The soil meter is IPX5 waterproof, and the three probes are made of 304 stainless steel. Rainproof and resistant to soil acid and alkali, the design is lightweight and portable, suitable for outdoor use. An ideal soil test tool for home plants, gardens, lawns and farm kits.
Best overall
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer with Brass Inlet, 2 Outlets Sprinkler Timer,Automatic Irrigation System Controller, APP & Voice Control, Irrigation by Weather/Quantity/Soil Moisture
RAINPOINT
- Durable Pure Brass Inlet:Pure brass inlet with 360° metal thread ensures durability. WiFi water timer has 2 valves, each with 3 programmable schedules via RainPoint APP.
- Weather-Based Watering:WiFi hose timer adjusts watering based on weather, skipping unnecessary waterings. Manual 24/48/72-hour rain delay available.
- Quantity-Based Watering:WiFi faucet timer zones have built-in flow meters, measuring water use for 10 days. Irrigate by quantity for plant needs.
- Soil-Based Watering:WiFi water valve pairs with soil sensor (not included) for moisture-based watering. One WiFi hub connects up to 4 sprinkler timers.
- Time-Based Watering & Manual Control:WiFi irrigation controller offers 6 plans, 2 modes (Irrigation & Mist). Customize start time, duration (1-11h59min), and frequency (Mon-Sun). Manual watering time per zone: 1-59 minutes, controlled via APP, button, or Alexa/Google Assistant.
Zigbee compatibility
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensor,Zigbee hub Needed,Accurate Measure,Capacitive Probe,Moisture/Temperature Meter for Garden Planting,Compatible with Homey,Hubitat, SmartThings,Home Assistant
THIRDREALITY
- Zigbee Hub Required: Compatible with standard Zigbee 3.0, including Home Assistant (ZHA & Z2M), Hubitat and SmartThings Aeotec. A Zigbee Hub is needed for optimal performance. NOTE: Not compatible with Alexa Echo Devices.
- Remote Monitoring and Automation: Receive real-time alerts on your smartphone, allowing you to take action anytime, anywhere, ensuring your plants get the right care. Integrated with smart home systems, these sensors enable automated watering schedules, so you can manage and control your garden's irrigation remotely, saving both time and effort.
- Reliable and Accurate: Equipped with a sensing probe for instant and accurate moisture readings, this meter is suitable for most environments, ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water. Consider Zigbee's signal range, better for indoor using.
- Capacitive Monitoring: Unlike traditional probes, capacitive sensors are less affected by soil salinity and pH, offering greater durability and a longer lifespan in various soil types. Suitable for various gardening places including farms, greenhouses, nurseries, gardens, and potted plants.
- More Smart Assistant Supported: With the Smart Bridge MZ1 (sold separately), integrate with Apple Home and Google Home to monitor plants and create automation routines via an app. Additionally, it supports software OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, allowing for effortless firmware upgrades.
3-pack value
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensor 3Pack,Zigbee hub Needed,Capacitive Probe,Moisture/Temperature Meter for Garden Planting,Compatible with Homey,Hubitat, SmartThings,Home Assistant
THIRDREALITY
- Zigbee Hub Required: Compatible with standard Zigbee 3.0, including Home Assistant (ZHA & Z2M), Hubitat and SmartThings Aeotec. A Zigbee Hub is needed for optimal performance. NOTE: Not compatible with Alexa Echo Devices.
- Remote Monitoring and Automation: Receive real-time alerts on your smartphone, allowing you to take action anytime, anywhere, ensuring your plants get the right care. Integrated with smart home systems, these sensors enable automated watering schedules, so you can manage and control your garden's irrigation remotely, saving both time and effort.
- Reliable and Accurate: Equipped with a sensing probe for instant and accurate moisture readings, this meter is suitable for most environments, ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water. Consider Zigbee's signal range, better for indoor using.
- Capacitive Monitoring: Unlike traditional probes, capacitive sensors are less affected by soil salinity and pH, offering greater durability and a longer lifespan in various soil types. Suitable for various gardening places including farms, greenhouses, nurseries, gardens, and potted plants.
- More Smart Assistant Supported: With the Smart Bridge MZ1 (sold separately), integrate with Apple Home and Google Home to monitor plants and create automation routines via an app. Additionally, it supports software OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, allowing for effortless firmware upgrades.
Accurate readings
ECOWITT WH51L Soil Moisture Sensor with 1m/3.28ft PVC Wire Probe, LCD Display, Needs to Pair with Wi-Fi Gateway, 915 MHz
ECOWITT
- 【ECOWITT 2024 Newest Soil Moisture Meter】Ecowitt WH51L soil moisture sensor with 1m/3.28ft PVC sensor wire could measure soil moisture. The LCD screen could display the real-time data. The data can be streamed by Ecowitt Wi-Fi Gateway (sold separately) and they can be viewed on the Ecowitt APP after the Wi-Fi configuration is done. A display console(sold separately) also can be used to display the received sensor value and submit it to the Internet.
- 【Difference between WH51 and WH51L】Both of them are designed to measure soil moisture. However, WH51L with an LCD screen could display the real-time data while WH51 does not. Besides, the 1m/3.28ft PVC cord of WH51L enables you to measure deeper soil moisture up to almost 80cm while WH51 can measure shallow soil moisture. What's more, the sensor probe of WH51L's waterproof lever is up to IP68 while WH51 is IP66.
- 【When Pairing with Ecowitt Gateway】: The Ecowitt gateway(sold separately), such as GW1100/GW2000/GW1200, supports up to 8 channels of WH51L soil moisture sensors and displays the data on Ecowitt app after WI-Fi configuration. Channel names can be edited on the app.
- 【When Pairing with Ecowitt Consoles】: When pairing with a display console(sold separately), such as HP2550/HP2560/HP3500/WN1820/WN1821, up to 8 channels of WH51L sensors are supported and you can view soil moisture data in real-time on the Display and the console will upload the data to the Internet. Other consoles, such as WN1900/WN1910/WN1980/WN1920/WS3800/WS3900/WS6006, could be a gateway to pair with the WH51L but NOT display the data on the screen. When paired with WH0291, you only can view soil moisture data in real-time on the Display, and the WH0291 could NOT upload the data to the Internet.
- 【Custom Mode】: When the WH51L sensor is inside soil with different humidity levels, it will generate electrical signals of different intensities. The sensor will convert the electrical signals into AD values. The higher the humidity, the greater the AD value. Please refer to the user manual to get the details about how to calibrate the WH51L.
- 【Note Before Purchase】: WH51L and WH51 share the same 8 channels of Soil on the Ecowitt system. When placing the WH51L, it is highly recommended that the WH51L's body had better be placed at least 20cm higher than the surface of the soil. If the device's body is very close to the surface, RF would decline, which might affect the transmission of the data.
DIY kit
WayinTop Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit Self Watering System with Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 1 Channel 5V Relay Module and Water Pump + 1M Vinyl Tubing for Garden Plant Flower Herb Potted
WayinTop
- 【Easy to Use】This automated watering DIY Kit has become extremely popular since it automatically waters your plants and flowers according to monitor the soil moisture in a very efficient way.
- 【Automatic Watering System】Combine Pump, Tubing, Soil Moisture Sensor and 1Channel 5V Relay Module in one plant watering system, including kits for a whole for Arduino DIY drip irrigating system.
- 【Capacitive Sensor】Insert it in to the soil around your plants and With a screen and a motherboard, you can talk to your plants. To see if your plants is thirsty, do they need more water to moisten it?
- 【Take Care of Your Plants Anytime】 You can have the system to water your plant automatically. Whenever your soil becomes too dry, the pump is set into motion and water flows up the tube and into the pot. You don’t have to worry about your plants while going for vacations.
- 【Reliable Support】We have prepared detailed automatic self watering e-book, includes: guidance manual, demo code, burning tools, necessary class libraries. You can contact us on Amazon, we will send PDF Document to you at any time.
Budget pick
AEDIKO Upgrade Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit Self Watering System with Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 5V Relay Module and Water Pump + 50cm Silicone Tubing for Garden Plant Flower Watering DIY
AEDIKO
- Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit: LM393 Soil Moisture Detect Sensor,Mini Water Pump, Tubing, Battery Case,One Channel 5V Relay Module and Jumper Wires in One Plant Watering System, It Can Water Plants and Flowers Automatically ,According to Monitor the Soil Moisture
- LM393 Soil Moisture Detect Sensor: Used LM393 Chip and Stabilizes. Operating Voltage: 3.3V to 5V; PCB Size: 32mm x 14mm/ 1.26 inch x 0.55 inch; Equipped with a Fixed Bolt Hole that is Easy to Install
- 1 Channel 5V Relay Module: Maximum Load: AC 250V/10A, DC 30V/10A; Operating Voltage 12V; Power Indicator (Green), Relay Status Indicator (Red)
- Mini Water Pump: Rated Voltage: DC 3V or 4.5V; No Load of Water Discharge Capacity: 100L / H ; Load Rated Current: 0.18A; Use: Diving Type
- Wide Application: This Submersible Pump Can be Used for Small Size Aquarium, Fish Tank, Pond, Tabletop Fountains, Water Gardens and Hydroponic Systems
Smart automation
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose, with Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor,Build Automated Irrigation Systems
RAINPOINT
- Build Automated Irrigation Systems: Single WiFi Moisture Sensor works as an add on only. Used with TTV103WRF/TTV203WRF WiFi Sprinkler Timer.
- Easy App Control: The user-friendly app and guide enable you to quickly connect the sprinkler timer to 2.4Ghz WiFi, making your sprinkler timer smart and you can control it from your smartphone anytime, anywhere.Brass water inlet is adopted to reduce the wear of the water timer and faucet thread, which can withstand greater water pressure and is more durable
- Volume And Soil Based Watering: The 3rd GEN WiFi Watering Timer allows you to water by volume, so you can water as many gallons as you want. For example, when your vegetable patch only needs 8 gallons of water, the timer will only water 8 gallons. In addition,it is paired with the WiFi soil sensor (not included), it can automatically adjust the watering schedule according to the detected soil moisture, keeping your soil moist but not soggy and avoid overwatering
Premium build
Moen Smart Wireless Soil Sensor, Automatic Moisture Meter Measurement for Lawn, Plant Water Meter for Exterior Enclosures, WISNS002G1USA,Black
Moen
- MONITORING: Soil moisture and temperature monitoring at 1-, 3- and 5-inch depths to determine if the soil dampness is above or below the set thresholds
- REDUCE WASTE: Automatic measurement communication to the Moen Smart Sprinkler Controller to automatically adjust watering schedules as needed – and only in the zones required – ensuring a healthy and well-kept yard, while reducing water waste
- EASY INSTALLATION: The sensors are wireless for easy and flexible installation, unlike other soil sensors which need to be plugged in with buried electrical cables
- STAY CONNECTED: Soil moisture sensor displays lawn moisture readings on your smartphone with the Moen Smart Water Network App
- WARRANTY: Backed by Moen’s 1-year limited warranty to cover any manufacturer defects
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
Which system supports WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring?
RAINPOINT WiFi Soil Moisture Sensor (B0CQQ7S4G6) and RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer (B09WHPQ9N6) support WiFi connectivity.
Do any systems require a Zigbee hub?
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensors (B0DH25W72N and B0F32Q49MY) require a Zigbee hub.
Which product includes a built-in water timer?
RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer with Brass Inlet (B09WHPQ9N6) and RAINPOINT WiFi Water Timer for Garden Hose (B0F53N82SP) include built-in timers.
Are there kits with pre-assembled components?
WayinTop Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit (B07TLRYGT1) and AEDIKO Upgrade Automatic Irrigation DIY Kit (B0D3GY2WRL) are pre-assembled kits.
Which sensor provides an LCD display for local readings?
ECOWITT WH51L Soil Moisture Sensor (B0CN6PSKB5) includes an LCD display.
Do any systems offer multiple sensors in a pack?
THIRDREALITY Smart Soil Moisture Sensor 3Pack (B0F32Q49MY) includes three sensors.
Which systems use capacitive probes for accurate measurements?
WayinTop (B07TLRYGT1), AEDIKO (B0D3GY2WRL), and THIRDREALITY (B0F32Q49MY) use capacitive probes.
