I’ve always been a bit of a lawn enthusiast, spending weekends tweaking sprinkler heads and chasing that perfect green carpet. When I decided to upgrade my irrigation game with a smart controller, I found myself torn between Orbit’s B-hyve and B-hyve XR.
Both promise to make watering smarter, but which one’s the real champ for my yard? In this article, I’ll break down their features, weigh their pros and cons, and share my hands-on insights to help you choose the right one for your lawn.
Let’s get into it and find the best fit for keeping your yard lush.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Orbit B-hyve (Indoor) | Orbit B-hyve XR (Indoor/Outdoor) |
| Zone Support | 4 or 8 zones | 8 or 16 zones |
| Installation | Indoor only | Indoor or outdoor |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | 2.4 GHz | Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Display | Basic LCD | Three small color LCD screens |
| Manual Controls | Physical buttons and dial | Single button, complex controls |
| WeatherSense Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Price (8-zone model) | ~$80–$100 | ~$150–$180 |
| Weatherproofing | No | IP65-rated, weather-resistant |
| Wiring Terminals | Screw-based | Push-and-go clips |
| EPA WaterSense Certified | Yes | Yes |
My Journey With Smart Sprinkler Controllers
Picture this: it’s a scorching summer day, and I’m sprinting to my garage to shut off the sprinklers because a surprise rainstorm just rolled in. Sound familiar? That was my life before I discovered smart sprinkler controllers.
These gadgets take the guesswork out of watering, adjusting schedules based on weather, soil, and plant needs. After years of wrestling with a clunky manual timer, I decided it was time to go smart.
Orbit’s B-hyve lineup caught my eye for its affordability and features, but the choice between the standard B-hyve and the XR model wasn’t straightforward. I’ve spent weeks testing both, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned.
Understanding The Orbit B-hyve
The Orbit B-hyve (often called the Indoor model) is the budget-friendly option in Orbit’s smart irrigation lineup.
It’s designed for folks like me who need a reliable controller without breaking the bank.
Available in 4- or 8-zone versions, it’s perfect for small to medium yards. I installed mine in my garage, where it replaced an ancient timer that required me to manually tweak settings every time the weather changed.
The B-hyve connects to your home’s 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, letting you control it via the B-hyve app. The app is a game-changer—intuitive and packed with options to customize watering schedules.
I could input details about my lawn’s soil type (loamy, in my case), plant types (mostly grass with some shrubs), and sun exposure. The controller’s WeatherSense technology uses local weather data to adjust watering, skipping cycles during rain or windy days.
It’s EPA WaterSense certified, which means it’s designed to save water and might even score you a rebate from your local utility.
The onboard controls are a highlight. A dial and buttons let me adjust settings without my phone, which came in handy when I was troubleshooting a sprinkler head. The LCD screen is basic but clear, showing the time, watering status, and weather updates.
Installation was a breeze—I swapped out my old controller’s wires in about 20 minutes, though the screw-based terminals were a bit fiddly.
Key Features of The Orbit B-hyve
Let’s break down what makes the standard B-hyve tick. First, its affordability is hard to beat. At $80–$100 for an 8-zone model, it’s one of the cheapest smart controllers out there.
The app is user-friendly, letting you create custom watering programs or let the system decide based on your yard’s specifics. I loved naming my zones (like “Front Lawn” and “Rose Garden”) and snapping photos in the app to keep track of what’s what.
The WeatherSense feature is a standout, pulling hyper-local weather data to skip watering during rain or adjust for drought conditions. It’s not perfect—sometimes it misjudged my area’s rainfall—but it’s better than my old manual timer.
The manual controls are a lifesaver when Wi-Fi goes down, and the ability to override schedules for quick spot-watering is handy for tweaking sprinkler heads.
Smart home integration is solid. I linked mine to Google Assistant and could start a watering cycle from my couch. The B-hyve also supports up to four custom programs, which was enough for my mixed lawn and garden setup.
It’s indoor-only, so if your controller lives in a garage or basement, you’re set. If you need outdoor installation, you’ll need to look elsewhere—or pony up for a weatherproof enclosure.
Pros of The Orbit B-hyve
The B-hyve’s biggest strength is its price. At roughly half the cost of premium competitors, it delivers a robust feature set. The app is intuitive, and setting up custom schedules or letting WeatherSense take the wheel is straightforward.
I appreciated the manual controls—when my Wi-Fi flaked out during a storm, I could still adjust settings on the device.
Its compact size fits neatly in tight spaces like my garage, and the 4- or 8-zone options cover most small to medium yards. The EPA WaterSense certification is a nice touch, potentially saving you money via rebates.
Bluetooth connectivity is a bonus for quick tweaks without Wi-Fi, and the screw-based wiring, while not perfect, is standard for most DIY installations.
Cons of The Orbit B-hyve
The B-hyve isn’t flawless. Its indoor-only design limits flexibility—if your setup is outside, you’re out of luck without a costly enclosure. The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi can be finicky, especially if your router is far from the controller.
I had to tweak my network settings to maintain a stable connection, which was a hassle.
The app, while generally good, occasionally lagged, and the weather data wasn’t always spot-on. I noticed it sometimes overestimated rainfall, leaving my lawn thirstier than I’d like.
The screw-based terminals required more effort than I expected, and if you’re not handy with a screwdriver, you might struggle. Lastly, the 8-zone cap means it’s not ideal for larger properties.
Exploring The Orbit B-hyve XR
The B-hyve XR is Orbit’s premium offering, and it feels like a step up the moment you unbox it.
Available in 8- or 16-zone models, it’s built for larger yards or more complex irrigation setups.
Unlike the standard B-hyve, the XR is weather-resistant with an IP65 rating, meaning it can handle rain and dust without needing a separate enclosure.
I mounted mine outside near my garden beds, and it’s held up through Texas storms without a hiccup.
The XR supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which gave me a more stable connection compared to the standard B-hyve. It also has Bluetooth for local control, a feature both models share.
The standout design element is the three small color LCD screens on the front, displaying weather, time, and watering status. They’re cool but not game-changing—I found myself relying on the app more than the screens.
Setting up the XR was straightforward, thanks to push-and-go wiring terminals that required less effort than the B-hyve’s screws. However, the single-button manual control was a letdown.
Navigating settings with short and long presses felt like decoding Morse code, and I often resorted to the app to avoid the hassle. Like the B-hyve, the XR uses WeatherSense technology and integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, letting me bark commands like, “Alexa, water zone 3 for 10 minutes.”
Key Features of The Orbit B-hyve XR
The B-hyve XR feels like the B-hyve’s older, more sophisticated sibling. Its dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) ensures a stronger connection, which was noticeable in my tests—fewer dropouts compared to the standard model.
The weather-resistant design is a big win for outdoor setups, and the built-in transformer means no external power brick cluttering your space.
The XR’s three LCD screens add a futuristic vibe, showing real-time weather and watering info. They’re neat but not essential, especially since the app does most of the heavy lifting.
The push-and-go wiring terminals made installation a snap, though I had to trim and re-strip some wires to ensure a secure connection. The app experience mirrors the standard B-hyve, with the same WeatherSense tech and smart home integrations.
One unique feature is the digital lock-out in the app, which prevents tampering if the controller is outside. I didn’t need this, but I can see it being useful for public-facing setups.
The XR also supports up to 16 zones, making it ideal for larger properties or complex irrigation systems like drip lines for gardens.
Pros of The Orbit B-hyve XR
The XR steps up where the B-hyve falls short.
Its weather-resistant design is a game-changer for outdoor installations, and the dual-band Wi-Fi ensures a rock-solid connection.
I tested it through rain and heat, and it never faltered.
The 8- or 16-zone options make it versatile for bigger yards or intricate setups like mine, which includes both lawn sprinklers and a drip system.
The push-and-go wiring terminals are a DIY dream, cutting installation time significantly. The app’s digital lock-out feature adds peace of mind for outdoor units, and the sleek design with LCD screens feels modern, even if they’re more aesthetic than functional.
Like the B-hyve, it’s EPA WaterSense certified, and the smart home integrations worked seamlessly in my tests.
Cons of The Orbit B-hyve XR
The XR’s price—$150–$180 for an 8-zone model—is a big jump from the standard B-hyve. The single-button manual control is a head-scratcher; navigating it felt like solving a puzzle, and I gave up after a few tries.
The app, while solid, shares the same occasional lag and weather inaccuracies as the B-hyve’s.
The XR’s bulkier size (nearly four pounds) and industrial look might not blend into every setting.
Wiring, while easier than the B-hyve, still required some force to secure, and I had to re-strip a few leads to get it right. If you don’t need outdoor installation or extra zones, the price might feel hard to justify.
Head-to-Head Comparison of Orbit B-hyve And XR
Choosing between the B-hyve and XR comes down to your yard’s needs and your budget. If you’re like me, with a modest lawn and an indoor setup, the standard B-hyve is a no-brainer.
Its affordability and feature set make it a steal, especially for first-time smart controller users. The manual controls are more intuitive than the XR’s, and unless you need outdoor mounting or more zones, it’s hard to beat the value.
The XR shines for larger properties or outdoor installations. Its dual-band Wi-Fi and weatherproofing make it more reliable in challenging environments, and the 16-zone option is a boon for complex systems.
However, the higher price and clunky manual controls are drawbacks. I found the XR’s app experience nearly identical to the B-hyve’s, so you’re not gaining much there unless you need the extra connectivity or zones.
In my tests, both controllers saved water compared to my old manual timer. The B-hyve cut my water usage by about 15%, while the XR, with its finer-tuned schedules for my drip system, saved closer to 20%.
The XR’s weatherproofing gave me confidence during storms, but the B-hyve’s simplicity won me over for daily use. If your controller lives indoors and your yard isn’t massive, the B-hyve is likely all you need. For outdoor setups or bigger properties, the XR’s worth the splurge.
My Experience With Orbit B-hyve And XR
I installed the B-hyve in my garage first, swapping out my old Rain Bird controller. The process took about 20 minutes, though I cursed the screw terminals a few times. Once connected, the app walked me through setup, and I was tweaking zones in no time.
The WeatherSense feature skipped watering during a rainy week, saving me from overwatering my already-soggy lawn. I did notice the app occasionally froze when switching between zones, but a quick restart fixed it.
The XR went outside near my garden beds. Installation was faster thanks to the push-and-go terminals, but I had to re-strip some wires to ensure a tight fit. The dual-band Wi-Fi connected effortlessly to my 5 GHz network, and I had no dropouts, unlike the B-hyve’s occasional hiccups.
The LCD screens were a nice touch, but I rarely used them since the app was more convenient. The single-button control frustrated me—trying to manually start a zone without my phone was a nightmare.
Both controllers integrated well with my Google Assistant, letting me control watering with voice commands. The XR’s weatherproofing held up through a humid Texas summer, while the B-hyve stayed safe in my garage.
Ultimately, the B-hyve’s simplicity and lower cost made it my go-to, but the XR’s robustness impressed me for outdoor use.
Who Should Choose The Orbit B-hyve?
The standard B-hyve is perfect for budget-conscious homeowners with small to medium yards. If your controller is indoors and you don’t need more than 8 zones, this model delivers all the smart features you need without the premium price tag.
It’s ideal for DIYers who want easy setup and manual controls for occasional tweaks. If you’re new to smart irrigation or don’t want to spend a fortune, the B-hyve’s a solid pick.
Who Should Choose The Orbit B-hyve XR?
The XR is for those with larger yards, outdoor installations, or complex irrigation needs. If you’ve got more than 8 zones or want a controller that can handle rain and dust, the XR’s your guy.
The dual-band Wi-Fi is a boon for spotty connections, and the weatherproof design saves you from buying an enclosure. It’s pricier, but if you need the extra zones or outdoor durability, it’s worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The B-hyve XR is Orbit’s premium smart sprinkler controller, supporting 8 or 16 zones. It’s weather-resistant, offers dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and uses the B-hyve app for remote control and weather-based watering.
The B-hyve is a consumer-focused controller for home use, while the B-hyve Pro is designed for professionals, offering advanced features like flow monitoring and contractor management. The Pro version often requires a subscription for full functionality.
Yes, both B-hyve and XR connect via Wi-Fi, letting you control them over the internet through the B-hyve app. Bluetooth is also available for local control without Wi-Fi.
The Orbit B-hyve (Indoor) is a top Bluetooth retic controller due to its affordability, easy app setup, and reliable local control via Bluetooth, ideal for smaller yards.
Conclusion: Making The Right Choice For Your Lawn
So, which Orbit controller should you pick? If you’re watching your wallet and have an indoor setup with a small to medium yard, the standard B-hyve is your best bet. It’s affordable, easy to use, and packs enough smarts to keep your lawn happy.
If you’ve got a bigger property, need outdoor installation, or want a more robust connection, the B-hyve XR’s extra features justify the higher price. Both will save you water and hassle, but your choice depends on your yard’s size and setup.
Whichever you choose, you’ll be one step closer to a lush lawn with less effort.