SPW has been building reliable irrigation controllers for years, but the X2-400 is their first real step into smart home territory. The key upgrade is the WAND module, which plugs directly into the controller and adds WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. That means you can adjust watering schedules from your phone without walking outside to a plastic box.

The controller supports up to four stations, which covers most residential yards and small commercial spaces. The 3-inch screen is clear enough to read in direct sunlight, and the 18 programmable settings give you granular control over start times, duration, and frequency. Setup through the Hydrawise app is straightforward: you name each zone, set the soil type and plant material, and the system adjusts automatically based on local weather data. It won’t overwater after a rainstorm.

The plastic housing feels durable enough for outdoor mounting, but the real value is in the remote access. You can pause watering during a party, run a manual cycle while you’re at the hardware store, or check if the lawn got its Tuesday morning soak from the couch. Battery life on the controller itself is fine since it’s hardwired, but the Bluetooth range is about 100 feet through walls. That’s enough for most homes.