Hunter Rain Clik Wireless Rain Sensor Review – Is It Worth It?

Quick Verdict

The Hunter Rain Clik wireless rain sensor is a solid, no-fuss addition to any residential irrigation setup. It automatically shuts off your sprinkler system the moment rain arrives, and the freeze shutoff is a genuine bonus for anyone dealing with unpredictable temperatures. After running it through two months of real Dutch weather — because yes, we have plenty of that — I'd recommend it to any homeowner tired of watching their sprinklers battle the sky. Score: 4.2 out of 5.

What Is the Hunter Rain Clik?

The Hunter Rain Clik is a wireless rain sensor that talks directly to your sprinkler controller. When rain hits its hygroscopic disk, it sends a signal to cut irrigation immediately. When the disk dries out, your schedule resumes automatically. It's designed by Hunter Industries — a name that's been in irrigation hardware for decades — and it slots into most 24VAC systems without much drama.

I picked one up after a particularly embarrassing afternoon last autumn: standing in the garden watching my sprinkler running while fat raindrops hit my face. The neighbour gave me a look I'll never forget. Two months in, the Rain Clik has saved me from that particular humiliation at least four times.

Key Features

• Wireless signal cuts sprinkler power the moment rain is detected
• Freeze shutoff prevents system damage when temperatures drop near zero
• No batteries required — hygroscopic disk handles everything mechanically
• Mounts on gutters, eaves, walls or flat vertical surfaces
• Compatible with most 24VAC irrigation controllers on the market
• Adjustable rain sensitivity via built-in dial
• Durable UV-resistant housing handles year-round outdoor exposure

Hands-On Review

Installation was easier than I expected. I mounted it on the edge of my gutter using the standard bracket — took about 15 minutes, mostly spent figuring out which way round the bracket went. The wiring connection to my controller was straightforward: two terminals, done. No special tools, no crawling under the house.

What surprised me was the wireless range. My controller sits in the garage, about 20 metres from where I mounted the sensor with a couple of walls in between. Signal held perfectly. I'd read a few reviews worrying about range, but in a typical suburban property you shouldn't have issues.

After the first proper downpour, I checked the controller display — sure enough, irrigation had been suspended. By early evening, the sky cleared, and roughly three hours later the system reset itself and ran the evening cycle as normal. That ease of operation is exactly what you want from a device like this: set it and largely forget it.

The freeze shutoff feature kicked in twice during a cold snap in November. I didn't witness it firsthand, but the controller logs confirmed it had blocked the scheduled run both times. For someone who genuinely forgets to winterise their irrigation, that peace of mind alone is worth the purchase price.

My only real frustration: the reset after heavy, prolonged rain took longer than the advertised window — closer to five hours in one case. Fine in practice, but worth knowing if you're expecting the system to snap back quickly.

Who Should Buy It?

This is a good fit if you have an automatic irrigation system and live somewhere with regular rain (so: most of the Netherlands, realistically). It's especially useful if you're home during the day — you see the sprinklers running in the rain yourself, which wastes both water and money.

Skip this if your sprinkler system is already integrated with a smart weather-aware controller that adjusts schedules automatically. Some modern controllers handle rain skip natively, making a separate sensor redundant. And if you're renting, bear in mind this requires a wired connection to your controller — check with your landlord first.

Also worth considering: if your garden is very small and you manually monitor your irrigation, you might not need the wireless convenience. A basic wired rain sensor would do the job for less.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If the Hunter Rain Clik feels like overkill, the Rossi Wireless Rain Sensor offers similar core functionality at a lower price point, though with fewer mounting options and no freeze shutoff.

For smart-home enthusiasts, the Rain Bird WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor integrates with Wi-Fi-enabled controllers and lets you monitor status via an app — worth it if you want full visibility without walking to the garage.

On a tighter budget, the Orbit 57060 Hydrosense Wire-In Rain Sensor is a reliable wired option that skips the wireless setup entirely and costs noticeably less — ideal if your controller is in an accessible location.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Hunter Rain Clik wireless rain sensor does exactly what it promises: it stops your sprinklers from running when it's raining, and it does so reliably without demanding much attention. Build quality feels robust enough to survive multiple Dutch winters, and the freeze protection is a feature I'd personally consider essential rather than a bonus. At its price point, it's competitive with similar sensors from Rain Bird and Orbit, and the no-battery mechanical design gives it a longevity edge. Would I keep using it? Absolutely. Buy it if you want to cut your water waste without babysitting your irrigation schedule.