These days everything comes with an app, so it is of no surprise that even watering your garden can be controlled by your phone, from anywhere in the world. It is compatible with both IOS and Android, ideal for if you are on holiday or there are sudden weather changes when you are away from home.

This Kit comes with the Cloud Controller and the Cloud Controller hub: the hub stays in your home connected to the internet - an immediate downside is that it needs a wired connection which limits where it can be placed in the house. The included cable can support up to four different tap units but is only 60cm long. The Cloud Controller unit requires two AA batteries and lives outside on your tap and is simple to attach. There is a button on this unit that also allows you to use your tap without having to reach for your phone. Once installed you will need to download the app and from here you can create watering schedules/set pause and adjust settings.

The Cloud controller can operate up to 10 times in one day. You can set up unique schedules to create optimum watering patterns suitable for different seasons or areas of the garden, and you can adjust and pause schedules if the weather changes. For example, you can pause up to 14 days or in hot weather increase the watering by 50% for up to 14 days. The Weather Update feature links to a weather service provider to keep you up to date with local information and provides notifications to alert you to changing weather patterns. You can also use the app to water outside of the schedules by using the ‘Water Now’ feature and it will water you garden for either 10, 30 or 60 minutes (cancel at any time).

The Hub is meant to have a radius of 50m, but this is only accurate when the signal isn’t being passed through walls and doors. This, along with the non-wireless connection, can make set-up difficult for some people. The tap unit had 3 LED lights to indicate the battery life - due to it being powered by just two AA batteries, you may want to buy a bumper multi pack beforehand, as you will need them. The Cloud Controller can be used with Garden Sprinklers up to 10 Bar, low pressure micro irrigation watering (1.5 Bar) or Water Butts (0.1 Bar).

The idea behind the Cloud controller is good, however there are a few changes needed before its perfect. Let’s make it wireless and change the power supply to something that will last longer. It’s also showing signs of being unreliable due to hit and miss pairing, which renders the whole thing slightly pointless if you can’t guarantee it will water your garden when you can’t get to it! RRP £142.99

2 out of 5

Buy now

Pros

Solid constructions

Easy to use buttons

Set schedules to water the garden

Link up to four tap units to one hub

Cons

Unreliable