No need to excavate an in-ground irrigation system once you install this fixture onto your home’s spigot—you just have to figure out how to use the connected app.Setting up the Aqua device between my faucet and hose was a straightforward process. I simply screwed the device onto each end. However, if you’re using drip tubing instead of a hose, you’ll need to use the adapter that comes with the Aqua to connect it to an irrigation line. The instructions provided are quite clear, but I encountered a problem when trying to create a tight seal on the faucet side of the Aqua. Despite using pliers, I couldn’t achieve a perfect seal due to the location of the handle, which made it impossible to fit a tool in to tighten the connection. This resulted in some water leakage from this area. A representative from Eve suggested using plumber’s tape to improve the seal or adding an angled adapter or hose extension to the setup to make the angle less awkward. However, I didn’t test either of these methods. On the other hand, it was easier to create a good seal on the lower connection that attaches to the hose, as there’s less hardware obstructing the underside of the Aqua.
Once the batteries are installed, you can connect the Aqua to your 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi network using the Eve app, or you can use HomeKit to connect directly to Apple’s iOS Home app. While you’ll need the Eve app for most of the advanced operations on the unit, such as child locks and water-consumption measures, the iOS Home app works fine for simple manual control and timer operations.
However, the Eve iOS app is a surprisingly complex piece of software that may frustrate even seasoned smart-home enthusiasts. It’s filled with a complicated array of scenes, timers, and rules that dictate how your watering schedule operates. While the intention is to provide flexibility and control over your watering schedule, the app feels overly complicated. The interface is cluttered with too much unnecessary information on each screen, making configuring a simple on/off timer feel like solving a logic puzzle. In my opinion, the Eve app could benefit from a complete redesign.
The Aqua could also benefit from better instructions. I was surprised to find that the unit only came with a spare and brief start guide. While the hardware is easy enough to handle, I believe most users will need more guidance or patience to master the app.
Once I had set up my schedules and no longer needed to make adjustments, I found the device to be quite reliable. It responded quickly to on-demand commands, and schedules were executed flawlessly. During several days of testing, the Aqua didn’t fail me once.
However, the Eve Aqua is one of the most expensive smart hose controllers on the market, significantly more costly than the Rachio Smart Hose Timer, which I found to be simpler but still effective when I tested it. Despite its high price, the Aqua is a reliable and efficient device that can help you manage your watering schedule with ease.
