The Best Sprinklers
Imagine a summer morning where your garden sparkles with dew, each blade of grass perfectly hydrated. Living this picturesque scene begins with selecting the best sprinkler.
With the huge number of options, finding the best sprinklers tailored to your needs couldn’t be more difficult. Dive into our guide to discover the best sprinklers on the market and make sure your garden gets the care it deserves.
It’s Key to Consider…
When purchasing a sprinkler, several key factors should be considered to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs.
First, evaluate the size and shape of your lawn or garden. Different sprinklers are designed for different coverage areas and shapes; for example, oscillating sprinklers are ideal for rectangular areas, while rotary or circular sprinklers are better suited for circular lawns.
Next, consider water pressure and flow rate. Sprinklers have varying requirements for water pressure to function optimally. Ensure your home’s water pressure meets the specifications of the sprinkler you are considering to avoid performance issues.
If your water pressure is low, look for sprinklers that are specifically designed to operate efficiently under such conditions.
Adjustability is another important factor. Some sprinklers offer adjustable settings for spray patterns, distance, and coverage area. This flexibility allows you to customize the watering to suit different parts of your garden.
Durability and materials are crucial as well. Sprinklers are typically made from plastic or metal. Metal sprinklers, while often more durable, can be heavier and more expensive. Plastic sprinklers are lighter and more affordable but may not last as long.
Ease of use and installation should not be overlooked. A sprinkler that is easy to set up and adjust will save you time and frustration. Look for models that offer straightforward controls and clear instructions.
Eden 96213 Water Sprinkler
Dimensions | 5.11 x 15.74 x 2.36 inches |
Material | Plastic |
Style | Oscillating |
Range | 3,315 sq. ft. |
- you have a large lawn.
- you want easy range adjustments.
- you need a stable sprinkler.
- you seek smooth, long-lasting operation.
- you require precise watering control.
- you have a very small yard.
- you prefer manual watering methods.
- you need a lightweight sprinkler.
The Eden 96213 water sprinkler is equipped with 16 precision nozzles, providing maximum coverage for large lawns or gardens. Its sliding tab range controls make coverage adjustments simple, ensuring you can tailor the watering area to your specific needs.
This sprinkler features a patented sealed turbo drive motor, offering smooth operation and a longer gear life.
A weighted base helps stabilize the sprinkler, ensuring it remains in place during use. The built-in cleaning tool makes maintaining the nozzles effortless, ensuring consistent performance.
Eden’s watering tools are crafted with innovative features to cater to every garden type. Whether you have fresh vegetable gardens or flourishing flower beds, Eden’s products aim to provide effortless, precise watering.
The Eden 96213 is ideal for creating a lush, healthy lawn and vibrant, colorful gardens you can be proud of.
Enhance your lawn and garden watering regimen with the Eden 96213 water sprinkler. This efficient system promotes lush, vibrant lawns throughout the season.
You can easily adjust the tabs to customize your watering coverage, modifying the rectangular spray pattern for optimal watering of up to 3,315 sq. ft. For those seeking the best sprinkler for their lawn, the Eden 96213 is an excellent choice.
The Eden 96213 is ideal for medium to large lawns or smaller garden areas. Equipped with a turbo drive motor and 16 clog-resistant nozzles, it ensures seamless operation and noticeable results.
Its durable, weighted metal base ensures lasting performance and unmatched stability, making it one of the best sprinklers available.
This sprinkler is designed to help gardeners care for their own personal gardens of Eden with reliability and precision. You can also pair this sprinkler with some of the options in our article about sprinkler controllers.
Eden 96213 Water Sprinkler Reviews
- Smooth operation: Turbo drive motor ensures a seamless and efficient watering experience.
- Stable: Weighted base keeps the sprinkler firmly in place, preventing it from tipping over.
- Potential leaks: Some users reported leaks at connection points, which may require additional sealing.
- Wind sensitivity: Coverage fluctuates significantly in windy conditions, affecting water distribution.
Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler
Dimensions | 10 x 3 x 2 inches |
Material | Metal |
Style | Sprinkler on spike |
Range | 5,026 square feet |
- you have a large lawn.
- you need adjustable spray patterns.
- you want easy installation.
- you prefer whisper-quiet operation.
- you want durable construction.
- you need versatile watering options.
- you prefer metal sprinklers.
- you need high water pressure.
- you have very small gardens.
The Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive sprinkler is a versatile and user-friendly irrigation solution. This sprinkler requires no tools for setup, making it simple to operate right out of the box.
It features large-area coverage, capable of spraying up to 80 feet in diameter and covering 5,026 square feet when set to a full circle.
Adjustable spray coverage is easy with the collar tabs, allowing you to switch from partial to full circle coverage.
The sprinkler offers 12 different spray patterns, including small, medium, large, shower, vertical, and flat, to suit various watering needs. Its four-position diffuser lets you customize the spray to distribute water in drops or small jets.
The Orbit 58573N is designed for ease of use, with a simple twist-and-click mechanism for selecting patterns. Its innovative gear drive ensures whisper-quiet operation, adding to its appeal for residential use.
Constructed from strong, durable plastic, this sprinkler is built to last from season to season without rust or corrosion. For those seeking the best sprinklers on the market, this model is an excellent option.
A flow-through outlet feature allows you to use it as a single sprinkler or connect multiple units in a series for expanded coverage.
Positioning the sprinkler is straightforward—just push the spike into soft turf or soil and reposition as needed. It operates efficiently with water pressure ranging from 15 to 65 psi.
In short, the Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive sprinkler stands out as one of the best sprinklers for its easy setup, versatile spray options, and durable construction.
Its whisper-quiet operation and adjustable coverage make it a reliable choice for maintaining lush and healthy lawns and gardens.
Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler Reviews
- Quiet operation: The gear drive is noted for its whisper-quiet performance, enhancing user experience.
- Durable: Made from strong plastic, it lasts multiple seasons without rust or corrosion.
- Large coverage: Effective in covering up to 5,026 square feet, ideal for big lawns.
- Fragile materials: The use of plastic parts is seen as less durable compared to metal alternatives.
Melnor XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Dimensions | 6.25 x 18.18 x 2.79 inches |
Material | Aluminum |
Style | Oscillating |
Range | 4000 sq. ft. |
- you have a large lawn.
- you need adjustable watering patterns.
- you prefer durable metal construction.
- you want precise water control.
- you seek an easy setup.
- you need wide coverage.
- you prefer plastic sprinklers.
- you need battery-operated devices.
- you have a very small garden.
The Melnor XT Metal Turbo sprinkler is an excellent choice for maintaining a lush, healthy lawn. This sprinkler features smooth operating tabs that control the watering pattern’s length, ranging from 10 feet to 75 feet.
This sprinkler allows you to adjust the pattern’s position to the left, right, or center, offering flexibility for different lawn sizes.
An integrated flow control dial enables precise micro-adjustments, optimizing the watering pattern to avoid wasting water on driveways or sidewalks. This feature ensures that every drop of water is used efficiently, making it one of the best sprinklers for water conservation.
The large volume tube of the Melnor XT fills with water during use, stabilizing the sprinkler and providing a smooth, even flow to its 18 nozzles. This design maximizes coverage and ensures an even distribution of water across your lawn.
Backed by a Melnor Lifetime Limited warranty, this product is built to last, reflecting the company’s long-standing commitment to quality since introducing the first successful oscillating sprinkler in 1946.
Melnor’s range of watering tools includes durable nozzles and wands, allowing you to tackle various watering chores effortlessly. Their water timers help prevent over or under-watering, offering an easy solution to keep your garden healthy while conserving water.
In simpler terms, the Melnor XT Metal Turbo sprinkler stands out for its durability, ease of use, and efficient water management.
It’s one of the best sprinklers for those who need reliable and extensive lawn coverage. Whether you have a small garden or a large lawn, this sprinkler provides the versatility and performance to meet your watering needs.
As one of the best sprinklers available, it combines innovative features with robust construction to deliver outstanding results.
Melnor XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler Reviews
- Consistent performance: Provides even water distribution across the lawn.
- Versatile adjustments: Users appreciate the adjustable spray patterns and flow control for precise watering.
- Large coverage: Effectively covers large areas, meeting the needs of extensive lawns.
- Leaking issues: Reports of leaks, particularly around the base, are common.
Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Oscillating Sprinkler
Dimensions | 15.86 x 5.24 x 2.44 inches |
Material | Metal |
Style | Oscillating |
Range | 3600 sq. ft. |
- you need a durable sprinkler.
- you want precise water control.
- you prefer a lightweight option.
- you seek clog-resistant nozzles.
- you need a leak-resistant connection.
- you prefer plastic sprinklers.
- you need battery-operated devices.
- you have a very small garden.
The Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible sprinkler is an excellent choice for those looking to efficiently water large areas. This sprinkler boasts an indestructible metal base that resists breaking, cracking, and bending, ensuring long-term durability.
Its sealed turbo gear-driven unit provides reliable performance, and the durable metal fitting ensures leak-resistant connections with standard garden hoses.
One of the key features of the Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 is its impressive spray distance, which reaches up to 70 feet. Despite its robust construction, the sprinkler is lightweight, weighing under 2 pounds, making it easy to move and position.
The 16 clog-resistant nozzles ensure consistent water flow, allowing you to control the width and range of the spray effectively.
The sprinkler offers superior range, covering up to 3,600 square feet, making it ideal for large lawns and gardens.
Its adjustable range control, managed by easy-to-use sliding tabs, allows you to precisely direct water where it is needed most. This feature prevents water wastage and ensures efficient irrigation.
Aqua Joe has designed this sprinkler to be one of the best sprinklers on the market, combining durability, performance, and ease of use.
The indestructible metal base and clog-resistant nozzles provide a reliable watering solution, while the adjustable range control offers flexibility in managing different lawn sizes and shapes.
In short, the Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible sprinkler stands out for its durability and performance.
Its lightweight design, combined with robust features, makes it one of the best sprinklers for maintaining a healthy, green lawn. Whether you need to water a large lawn or a specific garden area, this sprinkler delivers consistent, efficient coverage.
Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Oscillating Sprinkler Reviews
- Durable construction: Many users praised the metal base for being sturdy and resisting damage over time.
- Wide coverage: Reviewers consistently highlighted its ability to cover large areas, up to 3,600 square feet, making it ideal for big lawns.
- Adjustable settings: Customers appreciated the easy-to-use sliding tabs for adjusting the spray range and pattern.
- Consistent water flow: The 16 clog-resistant nozzles received positive feedback for maintaining even water distribution.
Kadaon Garden Sprinkler
Dimensions | 1.58 x 5.8 x 9 inches |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Plastic |
Style | Rotary |
Range | 3000 sq. ft. |
- you have a medium to large yard.
- you want adjustable water settings.
- you seek a durable plastic sprinkler.
- you want water-saving features.
- you need versatile spray directions.
- you need metal construction.
- you have a very small garden.
- you require a high-pressure system.
The Kadaon garden sprinkler offers a versatile and efficient watering solution for medium to large yards. It features a three-arm rotary design made from premium ABS plastic, ensuring durability and longevity.
The sprinkler can be set to spray water directly or at a 45-degree angle, allowing you to customize the watering pattern to suit your garden’s needs.
This sprinkler’s effective irrigation system is designed to save water. The patented water-saving device adjusts water density, size, and scope, ensuring optimal water usage. This makes it one of the best sprinklers for environmentally conscious gardeners.
Setting up the Kadaon garden sprinkler is straightforward. Simply connect the water joint to your garden hose and secure the sprinkler to the grass. Its easy installation process makes it convenient for anyone to use without the need for additional tools or complicated instructions.
Covering an area of up to 3,000 square feet, this sprinkler is perfect for watering medium to large-sized yards.
The ability to connect multiple units in a series allows for even larger coverage, making it highly adaptable to various lawn sizes. This feature positions it as one of the best sprinklers for expansive garden spaces.
In addition to its practical benefits, the Kadaon garden sprinkler also offers a fun outdoor activity for children. Kids can enjoy playing in the water spray, making it a multifunctional addition to your garden.
In short, the Kadaon garden sprinkler combines durability, efficiency, and ease of use, making it one of the best sprinklers for anyone seeking an effective and reliable watering solution for their garden.
Kadaon Garden Sprinkler Reviews
- Easy setup: Many users found the sprinkler easy to connect and use without needing extra tools.
- Fun for kids: Reviewers mention that children enjoy playing in the water spray, adding value to the product.
- Water-saving: The sprinkler’s water-saving device receives praise for minimizing water wastage.
- Fragile parts: There are complaints about the sprinkler’s plastic parts breaking under stress.
Melnor 65131AMZ Mini Oscillator Sprinkler Bundle
Dimensions | 10.43 x 9.68 x 6.69 inches |
Material | Plastic |
Style | Oscillating |
Range | 4000 sq. ft. |
- you need full-size coverage.
- you have a large yard.
- you want precision watering.
- you use well water.
- you prefer easy setup.
- you need durable sprinklers.
- you need high-pressure sprinklers.
- you prefer heavy metal sprinklers.
- you have a very small garden.
The Melnor 65131AMZ mini oscillator sprinkler is designed to provide efficient and reliable watering for large areas. Despite its mini size, it offers full-size coverage up to 4,000 square feet, making it perfect for larger lawns and gardens.
The four-way adjustment feature ensures precision watering exactly where it’s needed, preventing water waste and ensuring that every part of your yard gets the right amount of water.
This sprinkler’s Flo-thru base allows for unit-to-unit connections, enabling the setup of multiple sprinklers throughout the yard. This feature is particularly useful for expansive gardens that require extensive coverage.
Melnor’s Dirt-Resistant Drive works smoothly with well water, ensuring the sprinkler operates efficiently even in challenging conditions, making it one of the best sprinklers for well water users.
Melnor stands behind the quality of their products with a Lifetime Limited Warranty, reflecting their confidence in the durability and longevity of their sprinklers.
The Melnor 65131AMZ is backed by this warranty, providing peace of mind to users. This commitment to quality is part of Melnor’s legacy, as they introduced the first successful oscillating sprinkler in 1946 and have continued to innovate since.
In addition to the mini oscillator sprinkler, Melnor offers a range of watering tools, including durable nozzles and wands that help tackle all your watering chores. Their water timers are designed to prevent over or under-watering.
With its comprehensive features and reliable performance, the Melnor 65131AMZ mini oscillator sprinkler is considered one of the best sprinklers for maintaining lush, vibrant lawns and gardens.
Melnor 65131AMZ Mini Oscillator Sprinkler Bundle Reviews
- Effective coverage: Many reviewers highlight the sprinkler’s ability to cover large areas up to 4,000 square feet.
- Durability: The Dirt-Resistant Drive and overall build quality are praised for longevity and reliable performance.
- Water control: The ability to connect multiple units for larger areas is frequently mentioned as a major benefit.
- Water pressure dependency: The sprinkler may not perform optimally under low water pressure conditions.
Gilmour Circular Sprinkler
Dimensions | 12 x 10.75 x 6.75 inches |
Material | Polymer |
Style | Adjustable, Circular, Ring, Sled |
Range | 5800 sq. ft. |
- you have a large yard.
- you need adjustable spray distance.
- you prefer circular watering.
- you want easy setup.
- you seek durable construction.
- you need versatile coverage.
- you have a small garden.
- you need rectangular coverage.
- you use low water pressure.
The Gilmour circular sprinkler is an excellent choice for efficiently watering large circular lawns. This sprinkler features Shape Control, allowing users to set the sprinkler to water any part of a circle by adjusting the collars.
When the lever is pushed down, the sprinkler can be set for partial circle watering, while flipping the lever up enables a full 360-degree rotation, perfect for large open areas.
The built-in programming disc provides precise distance control, enabling users to adjust the spray distance to match their yard’s unique shape. The disc is a flexible pattern ring with 12 adjustment points.
For maximum spray distance, push the ring flat from the top. To reduce the spray distance, push the red ring up from underneath. This flexibility makes the Gilmour circular sprinkler one of the best sprinklers for customized watering patterns.
Covering up to 5,800 square feet, this sprinkler is ideal for large circular lawns. It has an 86-feet diameter circular spray, providing a 43-feet spray distance.
The adjustable collar allows for easy switching between partial and full-circle coverage, ensuring efficient water use. Its durable construction ensures long-lasting performance, backed by a lifetime warranty.
The Gilmour circular sprinkler is designed for ease of use and versatility. It offers simple setup and reliable operation, making it a practical choice for homeowners.
With its comprehensive coverage and precise control, it stands out as one of the best sprinklers available for large lawns.
Whether you need to water a vast open area or a specific section of your yard, this sprinkler provides the flexibility and performance required for effective lawn care.
Gilmour Circular Sprinkler Reviews
- Adjustable settings: Customers appreciate the adjustable spray distance and pattern control, allowing for customized watering.
- Versatile use: Suitable for various lawn sizes and shapes, providing flexibility in watering different areas.
- Effective coverage: Many users highlight the sprinkler’s ability to cover large areas, up to 5,800 square feet.
- Inconsistent performance: Some reviewers experienced uneven water distribution over time, which affected the overall performance.
Selecting the best sprinkler head depends on the specific needs of your landscape and irrigation system. Here are key types of sprinkler heads, along with their ideal applications and advantages:
Rotary Sprinkler Heads
- Best for: Large lawns and areas with uniform watering needs.
- Advantages: These heads rotate, delivering water in a stream rather than a spray. They are efficient for larger areas because they can cover a significant radius (15-50 feet) and reduce water runoff.
Fixed Spray Heads
- Best for: Small to medium-sized lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.
- Advantages: They provide a consistent spray pattern, making them ideal for watering specific zones. They have a shorter range (5-15 feet) but are precise in their coverage.
Impact Sprinkler Heads
- Best for: Agricultural or large turf areas.
- Advantages: Known for their durability and ability to cover large distances (up to 80 feet). They can handle dirty water better and are less likely to clog.
Bubbler Sprinkler Heads
- Best for: Trees, shrubs, and flower beds.
- Advantages: They release water directly at the base of plants, reducing water waste and evaporation. Ideal for deep root watering.
Drip Irrigation Emitters
- Best for: Individual plants, vegetable gardens, and potted plants.
- Advantages: Highly efficient, delivering water slowly and directly to the plant roots. Minimizes evaporation and runoff.
Calculating the number of sprinklers you need involves several steps to ensure efficient and even coverage of your landscape. Here’s a detailed guide to help you determine the correct number of sprinklers for your irrigation system:
Measure Your Lawn
- Determine the Total Area: Measure the length and width of your lawn or garden area in feet. Multiply these dimensions to get the total area in square feet.
- Example: If your lawn is 50 feet by 30 feet, the total area is 50 x 30 = 1,500 square feet.
Determine Sprinkler Coverage
- Sprinkler Coverage Radius: Check the specifications of the sprinkler heads you intend to use to find their coverage radius. This is typically given in feet.
- Example: A sprinkler head with a 15-foot radius covers a circular area with a diameter of 30 feet.
Calculate Individual Sprinkler Coverage Area
- Formula: Use the formula for the area of a circle (πr²), where r is the radius.
- Example: For a 15-foot radius sprinkler, the coverage area is π * 15² ≈ 706.5 square feet.
Determine the Number of Sprinklers Needed
- Total Sprinklers: Divide the total lawn area by the coverage area of one sprinkler.
- Example: For a 1,500 square foot lawn with sprinklers covering 706.5 square feet each, you need approximately 1,500 / 706.5 ≈ 2.12 sprinklers. Since you can’t have a fraction of a sprinkler, you’ll need 3 sprinklers to cover the area adequately.
Adjust for Overlap
- Overlap Requirement: Sprinklers should overlap slightly to ensure complete coverage without dry spots. Typically, 50% overlap is recommended.
- Overlap Calculation: Multiply the radius by the overlap percentage and use this adjusted radius to recalculate the coverage area.
- Example: For a 15-foot radius with 50% overlap, use a 7.5-foot effective radius. The coverage area is then π * 7.5² ≈ 176.7 square feet. Recalculate the number of sprinklers based on this new coverage area.
- New Calculation: 1,500 / 176.7 ≈ 8.49 sprinklers. You will need 9 sprinklers to ensure proper coverage with overlap.
Layout and Zoning
- Plan Sprinkler Layout: Sketch your lawn and plot the position of each sprinkler, ensuring they cover the entire area with the necessary overlap.
- Zoning: Divide your sprinklers into zones based on your water pressure and flow rate. Too many sprinklers in one zone can reduce efficiency. Each zone should match your system’s capacity to deliver adequate water pressure and volume to each sprinkler.
Water Pressure and Flow Rate Considerations
Ensure your water supply can support the number of sprinklers running simultaneously. You do this by multiplying the flow rate of each sprinkler by the number of sprinklers in a zone. Compare this to your system’s capacity.
If each sprinkler uses 2 gallons per minute (GPM) and you have 5 sprinklers in a zone, you need 2 GPM x 5 = 10 GPM available from your water source.
Sizing a sprinkler system involves several key steps to ensure efficient and effective irrigation. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Determine Water Supply Characteristics
First, measure the water pressure at your outdoor faucet using a pressure gauge to find the static water pressure, typically measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
Next, determine the water flow rate by timing how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket. Convert this time to gallons per minute (GPM) by dividing 5 by the number of seconds it took, then multiplying by 60.
For example, if it takes 30 seconds to fill the bucket, the flow rate is (5 / 30) * 60 = 10 GPM.
Map Out the Area to Be Irrigated
Measure the length and width of each irrigation zone to determine the total area. Note any irregular shapes and break them into smaller, manageable sections.
For instance, a rectangular lawn measuring 50 feet by 30 feet has a total area of 1,500 square feet.
Select the Right Sprinkler Heads
Choose the appropriate types of sprinkler heads based on the area and plant types. Rotary sprinklers are ideal for large areas (15-50 feet radius), spray heads suit small to medium areas (5-15 feet radius), and drip emitters are best for individual plants, flower beds, or shrubs.
Check the radius of coverage for each sprinkler head and ensure an overlap of about 50% to avoid dry spots.
Design the System Layout
Place sprinklers to achieve even coverage, ensuring that each sprinkler’s radius overlaps with its neighbors by about 50%. Create a detailed sketch showing the placement of each sprinkler head to help with the installation process.
Calculate Zones
Divide your irrigation system into zones based on your water supply’s flow rate and pressure. Each zone should not exceed the available flow rate.
For example, if you have a flow rate of 10 GPM and each sprinkler head uses 2 GPM, you can have up to 5 sprinkler heads per zone.
Pipe Sizing
Determine the appropriate diameter for the main and lateral lines using a pipe sizing chart based on flow rate and pressure requirements.
The main line carries water from the source to the valves and needs to handle the total flow of the system, while lateral lines distribute water from the valves to the sprinkler heads.
Generally, 3/4-inch to 1-inch diameter pipes are common for residential systems.
Valve and Controller Selection
Choose control valves that can handle the flow rate and pressure for each zone, typically electric solenoid valves. Additionally, select an irrigation controller that can manage all the zones in your system and offers programmability for different watering schedules.
Installation and Testing
Lay the pipes according to your layout, ensuring proper connections and fittings. Position and secure each sprinkler head as per the design. Test the system for leaks and ensure all connections are secure by performing a pressure test.
Finally, run each zone to check for even water distribution and make adjustments as necessary.