Do I need a smart timer or will a cheap mechanical one do?

For simple, set-it-and-forget-it watering, basic mechanical and digital timers are inexpensive and extremely popular, with tens of thousands of verified-purchase reviews. Smart timers add remote control, automatic weather-based skips, and multi-zone scheduling. If you travel, run drip irrigation across several beds, or want to avoid overwatering, the smart features can pay off; otherwise a dial timer is the budget-safe choice.