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Rain Bird smart sprinkler controllers

Rain Bird / 7 models / 2019

Last checked

Which Rain Bird smart sprinkler controller should I buy?

Rain Bird sells the ARC with Wi-Fi built in, the RC2 and ST8-2.0 as Wi-Fi controllers, and the TRU, ESP-TM2 and ESP-ME3 as controllers that need an LNK2 WiFi Module for Wi-Fi.

The ARC has 4, 6 and 8 station versions, the ST8-2.0 and RC2 have 8, and the ESP-TM2 and ESP-ME3 reach 12 and 22. Rain Bird lists Alexa and Google Assistant for the ARC and the LNK2 module, and Alexa for the ST8, ESP-TM2 and ESP-ME3. The LNK2 is sold separately.

Currently sold

Newest first in each series.

Models sold now, newest in each series

7 modelsHow facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
SeriesModelReleasedZonesConnectivityMountingNewest
Sprinkler controller6 models
ESP-ME3ESP-ME3[1]announced4, expandable to 22[2]Wi-Fi with the LNK2 WiFi Module, sold separately[2]Indoor (ESP4MEI) or indoor/outdoor (ESP4ME3)[2]only model in its series
ARC SeriesARC Seriesunknown4, 6 or 8 by model[3]Wi-Fi built in, 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n[3]Indoor (ARC4I, ARC6I) or indoor/outdoor (ARC8O)[3]only model in its series
ST8-2.0ST8-2.0unknown8[4]Wi-Fi, through the LNK2 WiFi Module[4]Indoor (ST8I) or outdoor (ST8O)[4]only model in its series
RC2RC2unknown8 (4 and 6 on international indoor models)[5]Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz[5]Outdoor (US model)[5]only model in its series
TRU SeriesTRU Seriesunknown4, 6 or 8 by model[6]Wi-Fi with the LNK2 WiFi Module, sold separately[6]Indoor (TRU4I, TRU6I, TRU8IW) or indoor/outdoor (TRU8O)[6]only model in its series
ESP-TM2ESP-TM2unknown4, 6, 8 or 12 by model[7]Wi-Fi with the LNK2 WiFi Module, sold separately[7]unknownonly model in its series
Wi-Fi module1 model
LNK2 WiFi ModuleLNK2 WiFi ModuleunknownunknownWi-Fi, 2.4 GHz only[8]Plugs into the controller[8]only model in its series

At a glance

Every product at a glance

7 product familiesHow facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
ProductGenerationReleasedTypeStatus
ARC SeriesunknownunknownSprinkler controller[3]Current[3]
ST8-2.0unknownunknownSprinkler controller[4]Current[4]
RC2unknownunknownSprinkler controller[5]Current[5]
TRU SeriesunknownunknownSprinkler controller[6]Current[6]
ESP-TM2unknownunknownSprinkler controller[7]Current[7]
ESP-ME3unknown[1]Sprinkler controller[2]Current[2]
LNK2 WiFi ModuleunknownunknownWi-Fi module[8]Current[8]

Lineup

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Rain Bird smart sprinkler controllers lineup

7 models, 2019How facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
ProductTypeZonesConnectivityMountingWorks withStatusHome AssistantHomeyRetailers
Sprinkler controller6 models
ARC SeriesARC4I, ARC6I, ARC8O, ARC6I-230V, ARC6O-AUSSprinkler controller[3]4, 6 or 8 by model[3]Wi-Fi built in, 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n[3]Indoor (ARC4I, ARC6I) or indoor/outdoor (ARC8O)[3]Alexa, Google Assistant[3]Current[3]unknown
ST8-2.0ST8I-2.0 WIFI, ST8O-2.0, ST8I WIFISprinkler controller[4]8[4]Wi-Fi, through the LNK2 WiFi Module[4]Indoor (ST8I) or outdoor (ST8O)[4]Alexa[9]Current[4]unknown
RC2RC2-120V, RC2-230V, RC2I4-230V, RC2I6-230VSprinkler controller[5]8 (4 and 6 on international indoor models)[5]Wi-Fi, 2.4 GHz[5]Outdoor (US model)[5]unknownCurrent[5]unknown
TRU SeriesTRU4I, TRU6I, TRU8IW, TRU8O, TRU6I-230V, TRU6O-AUSSprinkler controller[6]4, 6 or 8 by model[6]see note 1[6]Indoor (TRU4I, TRU6I, TRU8IW) or indoor/outdoor (TRU8O)[6]unknownCurrent[6]unknown
ESP-TM2TM2-4-120V, TM2-6-120V, TM2-8-120V, TM2-12-120V, TM2-4-230V, TM2-6-230VSprinkler controller[7]4, 6, 8 or 12 by model[7]see note 1[7]unknownAlexa[9]Current[7]unknown
ESP-ME3ESP4MEI, ESP4ME3, ESP4ME3EUR, ESP4ME3AUSSprinkler controller[2]4, expandable to 22[2]see note 1[2]Indoor (ESP4MEI) or indoor/outdoor (ESP4ME3)[2]Alexa[9]Current[2]unknown
Wi-Fi module1 model
LNK2 WiFi ModuleLNK2WIFIWi-Fi module[8]unknownWi-Fi, 2.4 GHz only[8]Plugs into the controller[8]Alexa, Google Assistant[8]Current[8]unknown
  1. Wi-Fi with the LNK2 WiFi Module, sold separately

Timeline

1 dated event across the line, each with its own source. Products with the same date, event and source share one entry.

  1. 2019
    1. ESP-ME3: Announced [1]

Identify a model

Rain Bird's model numbers for these products.

Identifying clues

How facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
ProductModel numbers
ARC SeriesARC4I, ARC6I, ARC8O
ST8-2.0ST8I-2.0 WIFI, ST8O-2.0
RC2RC2-120V
TRU SeriesTRU4I, TRU6I, TRU8IW, TRU8O
ESP-TM2TM2-4-120V, TM2-6-120V, TM2-8-120V, TM2-12-120V
ESP-ME3ESP4MEI, ESP4ME3
LNK2 WiFi ModuleLNK2WIFI

A 230V or AUS ending marks the model for markets outside the US.

Cite this page

Rain Bird smart sprinkler controllers. Smart Home Canon. https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/rain-bird-smart-sprinkler-controllers. Last checked 2026-10-20.

Sources

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    MFRrainbird.com / ESP-ME3 Series Controllers - Rain Bird
    Accessed Back to text
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
    MFRrainbird.com / RC2 Smart Controller - Rain Bird
    Accessed Back to text
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
    MFRrainbird.com / ESP-TM2 Series Controllers - Rain Bird
    Accessed Back to text
  8. [8]
    MFRrainbird.com / LNK2 Enhanced Control - Rain Bird
    Accessed Back to text
  9. [9]