Best drip irrigation systems for Arizona yards
The drip kits, controllers, filters and repair parts that work in Arizona: hard water, high pressure and desert plants that want deep, slow water.
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Drip irrigation is the standard for Arizona landscapes because desert plants do best with deep, slow, infrequent watering. A good system is more than a kit: Arizona's hard water clogs emitters and high city pressure blows fittings apart, so a filter and pressure regulator belong on every drip zone.
Below are our picks for each part of a drip system, from the starter kit to the controller that runs it.
Our picks
Rain Bird drip irrigation kit (LNDDRIPKIT)
Converting desert beds to deep, slow drip watering
View on AmazonMIXC 230 ft quick-connect drip irrigation kit
Small beds, pots and a budget first drip system
View on AmazonRain Bird ESP-TM2 Wi-Fi irrigation controller
Easy seasonal schedule changes from your phone
View on AmazonComparison
| Product | Best for | Key features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Bird drip irrigation kit (LNDDRIPKIT) | Converting desert beds to deep, slow drip watering | Drip starter kit | View on Amazon |
| MIXC 230 ft quick-connect drip irrigation kit | Small beds, pots and a budget first drip system | 230 feet of tubing, Quick-connect fittings | View on Amazon |
| Rain Bird ESP-TM2 Wi-Fi irrigation controller | Easy seasonal schedule changes from your phone | Wi-Fi, Indoor/outdoor | View on Amazon |
| Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller | Weather-based watering that adjusts itself | Wi-Fi, In-ground systems | View on Amazon |
| Rain Bird PRS drip filter with pressure regulator | Protecting drip lines from hard water debris and high pressure | Filter and regulator in one | View on Amazon |
| Senninger 25 PSI pressure regulator | Stopping blown fittings on high city water pressure | 25 PSI | View on Amazon |
| Orbit 92-piece drip irrigation repair kit | Fixing sun-cracked tubing and lost emitters | 92 pieces | View on Amazon |
| Rain Bird micro-bubblers (4-pack) | Flooding tree wells and larger shrubs | 4-pack | View on Amazon |
| Rain Bird drip emitters (30-pack) | Replacement emitters for shrubs and cactus | 30-pack | View on Amazon |
| Orbit single-dial hose faucet timer | Automating drip from a hose bib with no wiring | One outlet, Single dial | View on Amazon |
The picks in detail
Rain Bird drip irrigation kit (LNDDRIPKIT)
Rain Bird · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Converting desert beds to deep, slow drip watering.
- Trusted irrigation brand
- Good starting point for a small zone
- Larger yards will need extra tubing and emitters
MIXC 230 ft quick-connect drip irrigation kit
MIXC · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Small beds, pots and a budget first drip system.
- Lots of tubing for the price
- Quick-connect fittings
- Less well-known brand than Rain Bird or Orbit
Rain Bird ESP-TM2 Wi-Fi irrigation controller
Rain Bird · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Easy seasonal schedule changes from your phone.
- Change schedules by season without opening the box
- Trusted irrigation brand
- Check your city's smart-controller rebate rules before you buy
Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller
Rachio · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Weather-based watering that adjusts itself.
- Adjusts to weather automatically
- App-based setup
- Check your city's smart-controller rebate rules before you buy
Rain Bird PRS drip filter with pressure regulator
Rain Bird · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Protecting drip lines from hard water debris and high pressure.
- Fixes the two most common drip problems at once
- Trusted irrigation brand
- Clean the filter screen every few months
Senninger 25 PSI pressure regulator
Senninger · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Stopping blown fittings on high city water pressure.
- Low cost insurance for drip lines
- Regulator only; add a filter separately
Orbit 92-piece drip irrigation repair kit
Orbit · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Fixing sun-cracked tubing and lost emitters.
- Assorted fittings for common repairs
- Low cost
- Check that fittings match your tubing size
Rain Bird micro-bubblers (4-pack)
Rain Bird · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Flooding tree wells and larger shrubs.
- Good for trees and big shrubs
- Low cost
- Bubblers put out more water than drip emitters; size zones to match
Rain Bird drip emitters (30-pack)
Rain Bird · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Replacement emitters for shrubs and cactus.
- Lots of spares
- Trusted irrigation brand
- Match emitter flow to the plant
Orbit single-dial hose faucet timer
Orbit · Irrigation & Watering
Best for: Automating drip from a hose bib with no wiring.
- No wiring or controller needed
- Simple dial setup
- Runs one hose line; bigger yards need a controller
Arizona drip tips
- Filter and regulate every zone. Most drip problems in the Valley come from clogged emitters and blown fittings.
- Water deep, not often. Our desert watering guide covers the 1-2-3 depth rule and run times.
- Change the schedule with the seasons. A Wi-Fi controller makes this a one-minute job.
- Check for rebates. Some Arizona cities offer rebates for smart controllers and grass removal. See our rebate guide before you buy.
FAQ
What is the best drip irrigation kit for Arizona?
For most yards, a Rain Bird drip kit plus a Rain Bird filter and pressure regulator is a reliable starting point. The MIXC kit is a lower-cost option for small beds and pots.
Do I need a pressure regulator for drip irrigation?
Yes. Drip parts are designed for low pressure, and city water pressure is often higher, which can pop fittings and emitters off the line. A 25 PSI regulator or a combined filter-regulator solves it.
Should I use a smart controller or a hose timer?
A hose timer is fine for one drip line off a hose bib. For an in-ground system with several zones, a Wi-Fi controller like the Rain Bird ESP-TM2 or Rachio 3 makes seasonal changes much easier.
Related
- How to water desert trees, shrubs and cacti
- Arizona grass removal and smart irrigation controller rebates by city
- Desert plants and grass for Arizona yards
- Essential yard tools for new Arizona homeowners
- Best patio shade products for Phoenix summers
- Best tools for installing decorative rock
- Best weed control tools for Arizona yards
How we pick: products are chosen for Arizona conditions from established brands with strong, long-running Amazon buyer feedback and clear specs. We have not hands-on tested every product. Check current price, size and specs on Amazon before buying.