Smart garden devices are making everything from mowing the lawn to keeping it perfectly watered and maintained easier than ever before. In this guide, we’ve taken a look at the best smart garden tools and devices to make taking care of your yard or garden as simple as setting a schedule or speaking a command.
| RATING | FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller | 9.4/10 |
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 | GreenIQ Smart Sprinkler Controller | 7.4/10 |
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 | Parrot Pot | 6.8/10 |
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 | Husqvarna 315 Automower | 6.8/10 |
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 | WORX Landroid WG794 Robotic Lawn Mower | 8.2/10 |
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 | Robomow RS622 | 7.8/10 |
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 | BloomSky Outdoor Weather Station | 6.8/10 |
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 | Netatmo Weather Station | 8.0/10 |
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 | Ilumi Color Changing Outdoor Smart Bulb | 6.6/10 |
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 | SYLVANIA SMART+ ZigBee Outdoor Colored Gardenspot Starter Kit | 7.0/10 |
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 | AeroGarden Ultra | 8.8/10 |
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 | Click & Grow Indoor Smart Garden | 7.8/10 |
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Whether mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, or raking the leaves, it seems that whatever the time of year, there’s always more work to be done outside of the house.
As interconnected devices become smarter and more autonomous, the task of yard-work is becoming increasingly less of a chore. From robotic lawn mowers that keep your grass in perfect condition, to automated smart irrigation systems that deliver the right amount of water whatever the time of year, the outdoor tech revolution is definitely in full bloom and continues to grow with the best smart garden tools leading the way.
Whether you own acres or a few square feet, our guide to the best smart garden tools will help you cultivate the ultimate smart garden and the perfect yard with minimal effort.
The Best Smart Garden Devices and Smart Garden Tools
Imagine a situation where you wake up in the morning and get an instant personalized weather report for the conditions exactly where you live, delivered as an audio report in the first instance before going downstairs and viewing the precipitation, wind speed, and temperature, all before your coffee has even finished brewing.
The conditions are going to be hot today and that means two things. Firstly, your smart sprinkler system will know exactly how much water your lawn is going to need given the temperature and secondly, your robot lawnmower (which was programmed to get to work in the afternoon anyway) won’t call off it’s job due to rain.
The best smart garden devices and smart garden tools have made this scenario – as well as many more which we’ll cover in this guide – a reality.
With sensors measuring everything from moisture through to soil PH levels and an array of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth optimized devices allowing syncing and interaction between multiple platforms and systems, the dream of complete home automation has moved outdoors and the gardening experience is undoubtedly becoming smarter and more connected than ever before.
The Best Robot Lawnmowers
Of all of the best smart garden tools out there today, perhaps the one that truly takes the heavy lifting out of regular yard work the most is the robotic lawnmower.
By totally automating the task of cutting the grass, the best robot lawnmowers can be programmed to get to work on a predetermined schedule and will then proceed to manage and maintain the length of your lawn on a regular basis.
Find out more about robot lawnmowers in our definitive guide to the best automated smart mowers here
Similarly to their indoor counterparts robot vacuum cleaners, robot mowers will get to work either automatically or in response to a command and will work until told to stop or when about to run out power.
Most of the top robot lawnmowers also include some form of on-board rain sensors which will similarly tell the device to return to base if it detects imminent precipitation.
Robomow RS622 Robotic Lawnmower
When it comes to the best smart garden tools, there’s just something liberating about the idea of setting an automated mower off to take care of the lawn while you get on with other stuff.
The Robomow RS622 is an awesome example of a smart garden device that once setup, will get to work and automatically return to its base station when done (or when the device detects inbound rain) to recharge for the next job.
With a whole host of in-built safety features including child safety precautions and a blade that stops spinning the moment the mower is lifted, the RS622 Robotic Lawnmower can be left to get on with the job without the need to constantly check up on progress.
Covering areas up to an acre in size, the Robomow is also designed to tackled sloped with an incline up to 36% meaning it’s well suited to larger outdoor spaces with undulating terrain.
Learn More About the Robomow RS622 Robotic Lawnmower Here
Husqvarna 315 Automower
Husqvarna hold an almost celebrity status in the world of high performance lawn mowers, and the 315 Automower is the perfect translation of the brand’s reputation into the arena of smart garden tools.
If you’re looking for one of the best smart mowers for your garden that combines functionality and feature set with reliably high performance, then you’ll be hard pushed to find a better candidate than the 315 which is designed to operate at any time of the day or night, no matter the weather.
The smart functionality of the 315 Automower includes the usual features you’d expect from a robot mower in its class (auto recharge, anti-theft system etc) as well as a unique system of ‘smart blades’ which allow the device to adjust its work time in relation to the growth rate of your lawn and the level of rain saturation.
One feature we also really like with the Husqvarna are the way its blades operate, cutting the grass in a way which makes the clippings perfect as a natural fertilizer.
Learn More About the Husqvarna 315 Automower HereWORX Landroid WG794 Robotic Lawn Mower
With the ability to cover an area of up to 0.25 acres while handling inclines of 20 degrees means the WORX Landroid is well suited to tackling most outdoor areas with ease.
The Landroid is pre-programmed to hit the ground rolling straight out of the box and utilizes an advanced intelligence algorithm which allows the device to effortlessly handle narrow and intricate patches of grass.
Rain sensors ensure that if the device detects that rain is on the way, it will automatically return to its charging base until the weather clears.
If you’re looking for one of the best automated smart garden tools which will help you take the weight out of various yard work responsibilities, then the Landroid is a great choice for managing your regular lawn care routine.
Learn More About the Worx Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower Here
Smart Irrigation Systems
The best smart sprinkler systems and connected irrigation solutions look to take the guesswork out of maintaining the perfect lawn while striking the ideal balance between economical and environmentally friendly usage.
Rachio Smart Sprinkler System
The days of manually turning on the sprinkler or waiting for the rain are over.
Not only does the Rachio Smart Sprinkler System allow you full control over your sprinkler setup from your smartphone or tablet, it can also slash your water bills in the process.
With a connection to your integrated network, Rachio will adjust your sprinklers based on the conditions outside, from levels of sun and soil type.
When nature arrives to keep the lawn green for you, Rachio will turn itself off while the rain does its thing – now that’s smart watering.
The second generation Rachio system integrates seamlessly with both Nest and Amazon Echo devices meaning you can utilize the voice recognition capabilities of Alexa to let your smart home know it’s time to start or stop watering using your voice alone.
Learn More About the Rachio Smart Sprinkler System HereGreenIQ Smart Sprinkler Controller
The Smart Sprinkler Controller from GreenIQ is a intelligent and adaptive smart garden tool that knows exactly when (and how much) to water outdoors.
With the ability to connect to local weather reports, the hub can then use this information to determine exactly how much to water your garden meaning if it forecasts precipitation, it will automatically skip the watering cycle until the weather situation changes.
As you might expect, the Smart Sprinkler Controller is IP55 certified waterproof so it can operate outdoors as a weatherproof hub for connected smart outdoor devices such as lighting as well as your watering system.
An accompanying mobile app gives full control over your irrigation system which is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, Nest, Control4, Davis Instruments, and Netatmo. If this level of smart home integration doesn’t cover your requirements, fear not – there are also more than a few IFTT recipes available for the device mean you’ll continually be finding ways to smarten-up your outdoor watering regime.
Learn More About the GreenIQ Smart Sprinkler Controller Here
Smart Garden Sensors
Edyn Smart Garden Sensor
From measuring the pH level of your soil to nutrients, temperature, humidity and light level, the Edyn Garden Sensor is a gardeners new best friend.
Place the Edyn into your soil bed and it will begin sending data back to the mobile app on your smartphone, providing you with a full rundown analysis of the conditions of your backyard.
Solar power means the Edyn Garden Sensor is good to go without the need for an external power source meaning you can focus on what really matters.
With a databank of over 5000 plants, Edyn provides you with the specific advice needed to know what to grow and where to grow it.
Learn More About the Edyn Garden Sensor HereParrot Pot Smart Connected Flower Pot
In the first instance, this connected ‘smart pot’ from Parrot provides an automatic watering system for any plant it holds, measuring out the perfect amount of hydration for thirsty plants precisely when needed.
This automated watering feature is optimized so the system can offer up to one month of unattended watering before it requires any human input.
The smart credentials of this pot however, come from 4 in-built sensors which allow the Parrot Pot to measure real-time date on the crucial levels your plant requires for good health – temperature, sunlight, soil moisture, and fertilizer levels.
Learn More About the Parrot Pot Smart Connected Flower Pot Here
Smart Home Weather Stations
The ability to be able to track, monitor, and forecast the local weather where you live is an absolute godsend if you spend much time outdoors.
While home weather stations themselves have been around for a few years now, the integration of smart technology such as app control, inter-device communication, and voice activation through platforms such as Amazon Alexa have transformed home weather monitors into an essential element of any smart home automation setup that includes an outdoor space or backyard.
Netatmo Weather Station
The Netatmo Weather Station is an Alexa compatible smart home weather monitoring system able to provide a wide range of details on the local conditions where you live.
From temperature and humidity, to barometric pressure, the Netatmo weather station is also fully weatherproof and UV resistant making it perfect for positioning outside of your house from where it will provide real time notifications and monitoring on a compatible iOS or android device.
If you’re looking to extend the functionality of the Netatmo base station even further, add-on modules are also available for measuring rain and wind conditions to give you the full picture of your outdoor environment.
Learn More About the Netatmo Weather Station HereBloomSky Outdoor Weather Station
If knowledge is power and preparation is key, then being up to speed on the weather changes is an invaluable tool at the disposal of every avid gardener.
The BloomSky Weather Station is filled to the brim with sensors and equipment to measure pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation and UV levels while alongside a wide-angle high definition camera which provides you with a real-time, first-person view of the sky (and garden) outside your home to really get a visual sense of conditions.
With WiFi connectivity, the BloomSky Outdoor Weather Station is able to transmit climate data and real-time images to your smartphone or tablet wherever you are and whatever the time of day.
Learn More About the BloomSky Weather Station Here
Outdoor Smart Lighting
Smart lightbulbs and lighting solutions are probably one of the best ways to get started when building a fully connected home automation system and if you’ve ever used a smart bulb, lamp, or smart light switch, you’ll know exactly how awesome they are when it comes to controlling, automating, and syncing the illumination in your home.
Outdoor smart lighting effectively takes the functionality of connected home lighting and adds durability to the design and construction of the bulbs in the form of weatherproofing and waterproofing. What this means is you end up with an outdoor extension to your smart home lighting setup which can operate independently or in addition to any existing lighting and offers all of the connected features that make smart lighting so useful whether that’s voice or app control, motion activation, inter-device syncing, or just pre-programmed scheduling.
Ilumi Color Changing Outdoor Smart Bulb
The Ilumi is a color changing smart bulb with a difference and while we normally wouldn’t include a standalone smart light bulb in a rundown of the best smart garden tools, we’ve made an exception for this excellent outdoor smart light.
Outdoor rated and IP67 waterproofing certified, this exterior smart bulb is built to withstand the elements whether that’s wind, rain or powerful sprinklers.
Both scheduling and vacation mode mean this outdoor smart bulb can be utilized as an excellent security deterrent, activating either at random or on a preset schedule depending on your requirements.
The Ilumi smart bulb utilizes Bluetooth to enable app control from a connected smartphone or tablet and with a range of up to 50 meters, is ideal if you’re entertaining outdoors and want to easily change the color of your lighting. As well as offering this level of remote control, the bulb can also sync your lighting to your music, again making it a solid choice if you’re hosting an outdoor party or get together.
Learn More About the Ilumi Color Changing Outdoor Smart Bulb HereSylvania Lightify Outdoor Colored Gardenspot Starter Kit
The Gardenspot Starter Kit from Sylvania utilizes the ZigBee wireless protocol, allowing you to build a fully customizable color light scene in your backyard with the strategic placement of the 9 lights included in the set.
Wet-rated for outdoor use, the Gardespot Starter Kit contains everything you need to get started and provides up to 14 feet of coverage across your outdoor space.
Voice control of these outdoor smart lights using Alexa is possible if you own an Amazon Echo Plus (which has a smart hub built-in) or through a standard Echo if you also own a compatible standalone ZigBee hub.
Learn More About the Sylvania Lightify Outdoor Colored Gardenspot Starter Kit Here
Indoor Smart Gardens
If you live in an apartment, the chance are that you may not have access to a garden or outdoor space. The great news is that growing plants using smart technology isn’t the preserve of those with a yard and the latest generations of automated indoor smart gardens are combining the plants with IoT connectivity to bring the outdoors into kitchens, living rooms, and windowsills in every part of the world.
The latest smart indoor gardens and planters integrate a perfectly balanced combination of self-watering hydroponic systems with scheduled grow lights and app-based monitoring to let you grow an incredible variety of plants from salad greens and fresh herbs through to flowers and fruit, without ever setting foot outside or providing continual maintenance of your plants.
If you’re looking for the best smart garden tools which bring the outdoors, indoors, then the top indoor smart garden systems and devices are what you’ve been waiting for.
AeroGarden Ultra
One of the most amazing features of the AeroGarden Ultra is the capacity of the device which provides enough space for you to grow up to seven plants at a time when the system is setup.
The AeroGarden Ultra features an LCD screen for monitoring and controlling the system while an advanced 20 watt LED grow light system and hydroponics for watering ensure that your plants are healthy, grow rapidly, and provide a plentiful bounty when it’s time to harvest.
Providing plenty of room for planting means that even if you don’t have access to any outdoor space of your own, you’ll still be able to grow multiple varieties of small kitchen fruits and vegetables inside your home utilizing the tried and tested automatic growing process that the AeroGarden range of smart indoor gardens are known for.
Learn More About the AeroGarden Ultra HereClick & Grow Indoor Smart Garden
If you’re looking for an indoor smart garden that combines both a smaller footprint with an ability to effortlessly grow herbs, plants, and small vegetables, then the Click & Grow indoor garden system is a great way to go.
Even if you have access to a backyard or other outdoor space, the Click & Grow system allows you to have access to ‘pick and use’ kitchen crops such as herbs and small vegetables (think chili or tomato plants) conveniently from the counter top.
A system which combines what the company calls ‘smart soil’ alongside adjustable grow lights and an intelligent watering system make the Click & Grow a solid choice if you’re after an indoor smart garden that blends compact size with high performance growing.
The best smart garden tools are those which help you automate as many elements of your everyday gardening activity as possible and the Click & Grow does a great job of this all from the convenience of your counter-top.
Learn More About the Click & Grow Indoor Smart Garden Here
