Irrigreen Review: The Smart Sprinkler System That Waters Only Where You Need It
It is that time of year again—spring time! It is time to start getting the outside of your smart home ready for the warm weather. And an essential smart home device is a smart irrigation system or smart sprinkler controller. I have reviewed many of them over the years from companies like Rachio, Orbit's B-hyve, and Rain Bird. Today, I was lucky to get a demo kit of a new type of smart sprinkler controller, that can help keep your lawn looking green and conserve water. It's called Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System and check out this new innovative smart sprinkler controller system.-
What is Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System?
If you're looking for a smarter, more efficient way to keep your lawn green, the Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System is a game changer. Designed for homeowners who want to save water, lower their utility bills, and enjoy precise control over their irrigation, Irrigreen delivers a high-tech, eco-friendly solution that outperforms traditional sprinklers in nearly every way.
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Save Water. Save Money.
At the heart of the Irrigreen system is its ability to use up to 50% less water while still keeping your lawn healthy and vibrant. That efficiency can translate into up to 50% savings on your water bill—a big win for both your wallet and the environment.
Digitally Controlled, Precision Watering
Unlike conventional systems that spray indiscriminately, the Irrigreen sprinkler head rotates in a full 360-degree arc and uses digital mapping to control exactly where the water goes. This ensures every inch of your lawn is covered, and no water is wasted on driveways, sidewalks, or areas that don’t need it.
Easy Setup with Smart App Controls
Using the Irrigreen mobile app, homeowners can map out their yard, set exact spray distances, and even mark areas—like patios or flower beds—where less or no water is needed. It’s intuitive and fast, giving you full customization at your fingertips.
Fewer Parts, Full Coverage
The complete Irrigreen system includes in-ground hardware and digital sprinkler heads, but it actually requires less hardware than traditional systems—reducing both complexity and installation time. (For reviewers or those looking to test before digging in, we can arrange a version that doesn’t require the in-ground setup.)
Reliable Connectivity + Backup
Irrigreen connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, ensuring seamless communication with your app. And if your internet goes down? No worries—a built-in cellular backup mode kicks in, so your system keeps running without interruption.
Smart Scheduling & Weather Sync
With the app, you can schedule watering times, run manual sessions, or let the system tap into live weather data to adjust watering automatically. Whether it’s sunny or stormy, your lawn gets exactly what it needs—no more, no less.
For homeowners seeking a next-gen irrigation system that’s sustainable, intelligent, and surprisingly simple to manage, the Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System offers a compelling upgrade. Say goodbye to overwatering—and hello to a lush, efficiently watered lawn.
How to Install the Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler System is a smart, water-efficient irrigation solution designed to transform how homeowners manage lawn care. Before installing, it’s essential to prepare properly to ensure the best performance and system longevity. Below is a complete walkthrough of how to install the system, including all requirements, prep steps, and important safety checks.
System Requirements
Before installation, confirm that your system meets the following:
- 1" PVC or poly piping
- Strong internet connection (2.4GHz Wi-Fi)
- 110v AC power source
- Pressure/flow gauge and 5-gallon bucket for water testing.
- Tiop: Important to measure your water pressure and flow before placing any sprinkler heads. Inadequate flow or PSI can lead to poor performance. Refer to the PSI/distance chart to confirm your system meets the 8+ GPM (gallons per minute) at the sprinkler head.
Before You Begin
Follow these essential pre-installation checks:
- Call 811 to locate underground utilities.
- Check city, county, and HOA regulations for water use, digging, and licensing.
- Confirm you do not need a permit or professional license to install the system or trench on your property.
Step 1: Yard Layout and Planning
Use a tape measure to map out where each sprinkler head will go:
- Measure from the center of each zone to the farthest corner to ensure coverage.
- Avoid overlapping spray zones.
- Use one sprinkler head per zone for optimal digital mapping.
✅ Use spray paint to mark each sprinkler head location for trenching.
Step 2: Water Line and Trenching
Tap into your home’s main water line:
- Shut off water supply.
- Cut into the mainline underground.
- Glue in a 1" tee connector to divert water to your Irrigreen system.
⚠️ If installing a backflow preventer (recommended), some areas require a licensed plumber—check with your local water authority.
Trenching Instructions:
- Dig trenches 12” deep for 1” piping to each sprinkler location.
- Dig 15” deep holes for each Irrigreen sprinkler head and valve box.
⛏️ Do not bury piping or sprinklers until testing and wiring are complete.
Step 3: Connecting FlexPipes
- Connect FlexPipe to the PVC using Teflon tape only at the mainline connection.
- Do not use Teflon tape on the elbow fitting going into the Irrigreen head.
- Screw in FlexPipe until the nut is flush with the tee.
🌀 Flush all lines for at least 3 minutes before installing heads to remove debris. Run all valve zones to purge air pockets—trapped air can cause calibration errors.
Step 4: Mount the Irrigreen Smart Controller 2
This device is the brain of your system:
- Choose a location with strong Wi-Fi and access to a power outlet.
- Mount the top bracket level, screw it in, then slide the controller down onto it.
- Secure with screws on the bottom bracket.
- Install the antenna before connecting to Wi-Fi.
Wiring Instructions:
- Red wire → Digital 1–8
- White/Black wire → Common
- For additional heads (Sprinklers 9–16), connect to the next set of digital terminals.
- Tighten cable glands for added protection.
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Step 5: Internet Setup and Controller Update
- Connect your Smart Controller to your Wi-Fi.
- Smart Controller 2: Hold red + blue buttons for 10 seconds to force a firmware update. Wait 5 minutes before proceeding.
- Smart Controller 3: Allow 10 minutes on Wi-Fi to update.
Step 6: Install Sprinkler Heads
Only after the controller is updated:
- Mount heads to FlexPipe at marked locations.
- Never cut or splice wires.
- Calibrate heads via the app using your lawn map.
Step 7: Final Setup and Calibration
Using the Irrigreen app:
- Add and assign sprinkler heads.
- Map spray areas and obstacles.
- Set watering schedules, or let the system adjust automatically using live weather data.
What’s in the Box
- Irrigreen Digital Sprinkler Head(s)
- Smart Controller 2 or 3
- 50’ Controller Cable
- 60’ Sprinkler Cable
- FlexPipe(s)
- Optional 3’ Cable Tee
What You’ll Need
- 1" PVC/poly piping, tees, elbows, connectors, caps
- Pipe cutter, shovel, gloves
- PVC primer and glue
- Teflon tape
- 6" valve box
Need Help?
- Product Support
- Installation Wizard in App
- Spring Startup Guide
By following this step-by-step process and using the Irrigreen app’s built-in installation wizard, you’ll have your smart sprinkler system up and running in no time—with smarter coverage, less hardware, and significantly less water waste.
How much does Irrigreen cost?
The cost of an Irrigreen system is based on the components you add to your system, including the controller, as well as the size of the area you want to water. It's important to know that one sprinkler head can water up to 2,000 square feet. So, if you have a small lawn, a Irrigreen small system will be the one you want to get. It comes with one sprinkler which can water up to 2,450 square feet If you have a larger area, like 6000 square feet, a Irrigreen medium system serves 7,350 square feet and a large system can service 14,700 square feet since this system comes with six sprinkler heads. Here is a breakdown of each system's costs:
- Small system with Controller 3, one sprinkler head, standard Precision Upgrade, cost is $1,953
- Medium system with Controller 3, three sprinkler heads, standard Precision Upgrade, cost is $2,674
- Large System with Controller 3, three sprinkler heads, standard Precision Upgrade, cost is $3,658
What I Learned from Testing the Irrigreen Smart Sprinkler System
After testing a demo kit of the Irrigreen Smart Sprinkler System, I came away impressed with its innovative technology—but also aware that it's not your typical plug-and-play smart sprinkler controller. Unlike other smart irrigation solutions that simply replace your old controller (like Rachio), Irrigreen is a full-system replacement that includes proprietary sprinkler heads and requires wiring from each sprinkler head back to the controller. This makes the installation more involved and may not be ideal for every homeowner—especially those unfamiliar with outdoor wiring, digging, or irrigation hardware.
Installation Complexity: Not for Everyone
To be clear, this is not the easiest DIY system out there. It requires trenching, running wires, and mounting sprinkler heads, which makes it more of a landscaping project than a gadget swap. If you're planning to water a large or complex lawn, I would strongly recommend hiring a professional installer.
That said, Irrigreen provides excellent DIY installation videos that walk you through each part of the process. These resources are a great starting point to help you determine whether you're comfortable taking it on yourself or if it makes more sense to bring in a pro.
Cost Considerations
To put the cost into perspective, here’s the average installation cost of a standard, non-smart sprinkler system for a 2,500 sq ft area:
| Cost Factor | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Per square foot | $0.60 – $1.30 |
| System installation (total) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Labor | $500 – $1,500 |
| Materials | $800 – $2,000 |
| Timer/controller (optional) | $100 – $300 |
| Drip irrigation add-on | +$300 – $800 |
Going the DIY route could save $1,000 or more, but the tradeoff is time, effort, and some technical know-how. Compared to just upgrading your controller to something smart (like Rachio), Irrigreen is a bigger commitment—but it offers far more control and water efficiency.
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Where Irrigreen Stands Out
What sets Irrigreen apart is how precisely it waters your lawn. Using the companion app, you can digitally map your property and tell each sprinkler exactly where to water and where to avoid—such as driveways, sidewalks, or parts of your yard that don’t need it.
In my testing, I was able to water only the grass, skipping over pavement and minimizing waste. This is a huge advantage for oddly shaped lawns, or homes with a mix of flower beds, turf, and landscape zones.
The sprinkler heads themselves are remarkably smart and unique—rotating in 360-degree arcs and adjusting spray distances on the fly based on your custom map. I haven’t seen anything quite like them on the market.
Who Should Consider Irrigreen?
Here’s who I think would benefit most from the Irrigreen system:
- New home builders looking to offer premium smart irrigation solutions
- Homeowners without an existing sprinkler system (install from scratch)
- Homes with complex, irregular lawn shapes or mixed-use planting areas
- Eco-conscious buyers looking to reduce water waste
- People who want more precise control over their watering zones
If you already have a sprinkler system and want to upgrade, Irrigreen could still be an option, especially if your existing piping layout is compatible. However, consult with an irrigation specialist before diving in to assess the feasibility and cost.
Summary
Irrigreen’s smart sprinkler system is not the simplest to install, but it’s one of the most precise and efficient irrigation systems available. It can dramatically reduce water usage and tailor your watering to exactly what your yard needs. And while the current smart home integrations include Alexa, I’d love to see broader compatibility in the future—Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, and premium platforms like Control4, Crestron, and Savant would be great additions.
If you're serious about water conservation, have a challenging lawn layout, or are starting fresh with a new home, Irrigreen is absolutely worth considering. Just be sure to factor in the installation requirements and determine whether DIY or professional help makes the most sense for you.
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Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine, to find other smart sprinkler controller compatible with your existing smart home devices, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
