Rain Bird
Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module
- Native integration
- Local control
- Wi-Fi
Prices verified November 2026
Our verdict
This is not a controller, it is a small Wi-Fi module that plugs into a compatible Rain Bird controller you already have (or buy separately), which is the cheap way to make a conventional wired sprinkler system smart. The integration is local, which is a real advantage over the cloud-only rivals in this guide. The catches are the price (about 185 pounds inc VAT from a UK trade distributor, a lot for a module), 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi, and that the module handles only one request at a time, so commands can fail while someone has the Rain Bird app open.
What can Home Assistant control on the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module?
Built into Core as rainbird (local polling: zones fetched once, valve state every minute, the schedule calendar every 15 minutes). Entities: one switch per zone, a Run program button per controller program, a Rain Delay number and schedule calendars where the controller supports them, an optional rain-sensor binary sensor, and a rainbird.start_irrigation action. You authenticate with the controller password (4-8 characters, or the 6-digit PIN if set up in the Rain Bird 2.0 app), not your Rain Bird account password. Controllers on newer 2.x-app firmware use HTTPS and need Home Assistant 2026.3.1 or later. Note the Home Assistant docs name the 'LNK WiFi Module' and do not mention LNK2 explicitly.
Specs
| note | Rain Bird says Alexa/Google Assistant integration is North America only |
|---|---|
| wifi | 2.4 GHz only, WEP or WPA (Rain Bird) |
| power | 24 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 55 mA max |
| dimensions | 2.87 x 4.65 x 1.22 cm |
| certifications | CE listed (Rain Bird) |
| operating temperature | -10 to 65 C |
| compatible controllers | ESP-ME, ESP-ME3, ESP-TM2, ESP-2Wire, RZXe, LXME2, ESP-LXIVM (Rain Bird); UK distributor lists ESP RZX, TM-2 and ESP-ME3 |
How does the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module (this product) | £185.16 | Wi-Fi | Yes | Native |
| Aqara Valve Controller T1 | £69.99 | Zigbee | Yes | Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA |
| FrankEver Smart Water Valve (powered by Shelly) | £107.8 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Yes | Native |
| Gardena Smart Irrigation Control (19032-20) | £251.69 | Bluetooth | Yes | Works with HA |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module work with Home Assistant locally?
- Yes. The Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module is controlled locally in Home Assistant through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (rainbird), so it keeps working if your internet connection or the Rain Bird cloud goes down. Control and state updates stay on your own network.
- Which protocol does the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module use, and do I need a hub?
- The Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module uses Wi-Fi. To pair it with Home Assistant you need no hub — it joins your Wi-Fi network directly. Rain Bird's own hub is not required when you integrate through a built-in Home Assistant core integration (rainbird).
- How much does the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module cost in the UK?
- The lowest price we have listed for the Rain Bird LNK2 WiFi Module is £185.16 at Bosta UK. Prices were last checked in November 2026 and change often, so confirm on the retailer's page before buying.