About
Orbit B-hyve is a smart home irrigation platform designed to make lawn and garden watering effortless and efficient. The system combines Wi-Fi-enabled timers, hose faucet controllers, and leak detectors with a powerful mobile app that gives users full remote control over their irrigation from anywhere in the world. At the heart of B-hyve is WeatherSense technology, which continuously monitors live, hyper-local weather data and automatically triggers rain, freeze, and wind delays—so your sprinklers never run during a downpour or a frost. Smart Watering Programs go further by factoring in yard-specific attributes like soil type, sun exposure, and plant type to build an optimal, dynamic watering schedule tailored to your landscape. Users can choose their preferred level of automation: from fully manual control directly at the timer or via the app, to semi-automated programs, to completely hands-off smart scheduling. The large LCD screen on each device provides at-a-glance status including scheduled programs, rain delays, budgets, and Wi-Fi connectivity. All B-hyve smart watering devices are EPA WaterSense® certified, meaning they meet strict water-efficiency standards—helping households reduce water consumption and lower utility bills without sacrificing a healthy lawn. With over one million households already using the platform, B-hyve is a proven, scalable solution for residential smart irrigation. It is ideal for homeowners, property managers, and anyone looking to automate outdoor water management intelligently.
Key Features
- WeatherSense Auto-Adjustment: Pulls hyper-local live weather data to automatically trigger rain, freeze, and wind delays, preventing unnecessary watering.
- Remote Smartphone Control: Manage, program, and monitor your entire irrigation system from anywhere in the world using the B-hyve iOS or Android app.
- Smart Watering Programs: Creates fully dynamic, yard-specific watering schedules by factoring in soil type, sun exposure, plant type, and seasonal changes.
- Multi-Zone Management: Supports multiple custom watering zones, letting users independently schedule and control different areas of their property.
- EPA WaterSense Certified: All B-hyve devices meet EPA WaterSense efficiency standards, helping households reduce water usage and lower utility bills.
Use Cases
- Homeowners automating lawn and garden watering schedules to reduce manual effort and water waste.
- Property managers remotely monitoring and adjusting irrigation across multiple zones without on-site visits.
- Eco-conscious households using weather-based watering delays to conserve water and lower utility bills.
- Seasonal gardeners programming dynamic smart schedules that automatically adapt as weather patterns shift throughout the year.
- New homeowners setting up a smart irrigation system with no coding or technical background required.
Pros
- Fully Automated Weather-Based Watering: WeatherSense removes the need for manual schedule adjustments—the system intelligently responds to forecast and real-time conditions.
- Flexible Automation Levels: Users can opt for fully manual, semi-automated, or completely hands-off smart scheduling, making it accessible for all comfort levels.
- Water and Cost Savings: EPA WaterSense certification and weather-based delays mean less water waste and measurably lower water bills over time.
- Large Product Ecosystem: Covers hose timers, indoor/outdoor controllers, hybrid timers, and leak detectors—providing a unified smart irrigation solution.
Cons
- Hardware Purchase Required: Full functionality requires purchasing B-hyve branded hardware; the smart features are not accessible without the physical devices.
- Wi-Fi Dependency: Remote control and smart weather features rely on a stable Wi-Fi connection; limited connectivity can impact automation reliability.
- Limited to Orbit Ecosystem: Deepest features are tied to Orbit's proprietary hardware, which may limit integration with third-party smart home platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WeatherSense technology?
WeatherSense is B-hyve's proprietary technology that connects to hyper-local weather data feeds to automatically delay or adjust watering schedules when rain, frost, or high winds are detected or forecast.
Do I need Wi-Fi to use B-hyve?
Wi-Fi is required for remote app control and smart weather features. However, B-hyve devices also include manual controls on the timer itself, so basic watering functions still work without a connection.
Is the B-hyve app free to use?
Yes, the B-hyve app is free to download and use. Core smart features are included with your hardware purchase at no additional subscription cost.
How many watering zones can B-hyve support?
The number of zones depends on the specific B-hyve controller model. Multi-zone indoor/outdoor timers support several independent zones, each with custom programming and smart scheduling.
Is B-hyve compatible with other smart home systems?
B-hyve works with its own app ecosystem and supports some integrations. For the broadest smart home compatibility, check the B-hyve support site for current integration options with platforms like Amazon Alexa.
