The Rachio sprinklers have established themselves as the only option for owners that don’t want to compromise on quality. The products from this brand are nothing short of awesome, and you will enjoy many innovative features with this brand. So, if you’re not that concerned with the price point and need a sprinkler system that will last you for decades, then the Rachio portfolio will cater to these requirements.
Some owners have recently raised questions on the performance differences between Rachio 3 and 3E. Both of these are phenomenal options and primarily differ in terms of covered regions. The following details on the differences between Rachio 3 and 3E will further give you a clear idea of which unit you should purchase.
Difference Between Rachio 3 vs Rachio 3E
Rachio 3
The Rachio 3 can be considered as a comprehensive gen 3 package from Rachio that offers complete features and accessibility options to the owners. It brings all the features that are not accessible in Rachio 3E, and you can consider it as the more expensive option that is perfect for larger regions. You won’t be limited to only eight zones with the Rachio 3 units, and it brings all the wireless integrations that you can expect in a smart sprinkler setup.
When compared with the Rachio 3E, the Rachio 3 presents a far better value. Even though you will have to pay a substantial amount of money for this sprinkler setup, it is far better suited for convenience and accessibility features. The Rachio 3E is only a budget lineup from Rachio that doesn’t offer any exclusive features to the owners. So, you will just be stuck with a device that can’t be improved as you upgrade the existing smart system.
If you’re not dealing with money problems, then there is no point in going with Rachio 3E. The eight-zone limit on the Rachio 3E is just not enough to match the requirements of most gardens. So, you should make the final decision based on the size of your yard and the features that you’re looking for in a smart sprinkler setup.
All things considered, Rachio 3 offers HomeKit integration, access to premium features, wireless integration, and much more when compared with the Rachio 3E. It is not superior to the standard Rachio 3, and if you have a large yard, going with the Rachio 3 is the only real option. So, just check the irrigation demands of your yard and then make the final decision accordingly. Otherwise, you will just be wasting your money on a unit that doesn’t perform as well in your yard.
Rachio 3E
The Rachio 3E is the budget variant that brings a variety of utility features to the owners. The primary thing that differentiates Rachio 3E from Rachio 3 is that it is only limited to 8 zones. You can’t add more zones to the 3E variant if you have a larger yard. So, keep that in mind if you’re trying to save money and don’t really want to invest in a new Rachio 3 unit for your garden.
If your garden is not that massive, then there is no harm in going with the Rachio 3E. Even though you won’t get the Flex Daily schedules and the Weather Intelligence features with this option, it is more than enough to manage the irrigation needs of a smaller yard. So, you will still enjoy a decent performance as far as the basic irrigation needs are concerned.
Other than that, you will also be missing the yard mapping features while sticking with the Rachio 3E feature. The only good thing about the Rachio 3E is the price point brought forward by this unit. There are no additional features that you can realize with this option. So, you should only purchase the Rachio 3E if you’re short on budget and don’t want to go overboard.
Overall, Rachio 3E is an inferior unit that lacks the majority of smart features that you can expect in a Rachio smart device. It is better suited for owners trying to benefit from an affordable price tag. Other than that, it doesn’t bring any additional value to your gardening system. So, make sure to evaluate your fishing