The Best Sprinkler: How to Water Your Garden Without Effort (2023 Update)

To have a beautiful and healthy lawn, you have to distribute water over it reasonably. While manual methods are ineffective and time-consuming, the best sprinkler will help you finish the job effectively and effortlessly.

However, before you can pick the right product, learn which one is the most suitable solution for your thirsty yard and how to know that first!

Take away key points:

• Various above ground sprinklers are available for more or less square feet, depending on your needs
• They may have a different spray pattern, a circular pattern, a rotating head, and other features, so choose according to your needs
• Always check their quality and maneuverability to choose the best model for your needs

The best lawn sprinkler for you in 2023

These are the best lawn sprinklers for your ideal irrigation system. These sprinkler systems will wow you, and you can adjust them to your large yards. So, let’s see their benefits for your large lawn.

$ – Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler

Best oscillating sprinklers with a huge coverage pattern and large yards. The best sprinklers are ideal for garden beds, a vegetable garden, and another water usage for scheduled watering of your established lawn. The spray pattern is also adjustable.

But, the lawn sprinklers have problematic end pieces.

$ – HUNTER PGP-ADJ-B 4″ Pop-Up Rotor Sprinkler

Best sprinkler system for your entire lawn as the spay patterns use different maneuverable features. The water pressure is also adjustable and you can control the water flow for your lawn size.

Still, the stationary sprinkler system is difficult to use.

$ – Nelson 818653-1001 Traveling Sprinkler

Best watering patterns with a flow-through design to cover your whole area. The compact sprinkler travels around your large or small lawns and covers your whole outdoor space easily. The gentle spray keeps your lawns optimal.

However, some parts of the sprinkler system are flimsy.

$$ – Orbit 56667Z Zinc Impact Sprinkler

Best impact sprinkler for different settings and higher water pressure to keep your lawn optimal and evenly watered without flood and excess water. The design is also sturdy and reliable for more robust applications.

Nevertheless, it’s prone to leakage.

$ – Dramm 15024 Metal Base

Best durability and sturdiness, with multiple spraying patterns, and different adjustable functions. The rotary sprinklers are durable and reliable for more robust and heavy-duty applications. The impulse sprinklers have adjustable sprinkler heads and you can easily attach them to the underground sprinkler system.

Anyhow, you cannot find the on-off switch of the rotating sprinklers.

$ – BAQICK Sprinklers for Yard and Lawn

Best for larger areas and lawn coverage, with upgraded system versions, and different circular pattern units for your needs. The rotary sprinkler offers more or less coverage, based on your settings. The rotating sprinkler is also valuable for its 5-in-1 design, making it an ideal rotating sprinkler for various applications.

$$ – Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Best for advanced technology and performance. It’s ideal to spray water evenly without flooding any areas and is easy to adjust to the garden hose. The water pressure is also manageable, and you can easily set the watering standards.

It can waste too much water, which is a huge drawback.

$$ – Raigro 360 Degree Pulsating Lawn and Garden Sprinkler

Best for pulsating standards. The impulse sprinklers are ideal sprinkler types for the in-ground sprinkler system but the water hose as well. You can adjust them to rotating sprinklers, oscillating, and other sprinklers to match your requirements. The impact sprinkler systems offer a huge coverage pattern and you can use them for large or small lawns.

Nonetheless, the out and in-ground sprinkler systems are too slow.

$$$ – Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler

The best spot sprinkler to spray water on a large coverage area and protect your lawn from pests and other intruders. The coverage pattern includes more square feet and you can attach it to the in-ground system for the best performance. These sprinkler types are more durable and reliable than regular sprinkler heads.

These sprinkler heads come too pricey but they are worth the investment.

#1. Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler – The best-oscillating sprinkler

• Brand: Aqua Joe
• Material: Metal
• Style: oscillating
• Best for: overall performance

While it stays in a stationary position and this oscillating offers an impressive coverage range of up to 3600 square feet, which is sufficient for any average garden.

To conserve water effectively, the manufacturer Aqua Joe integrated a patented leak-resistant design that hardly any other product can feature.

What’s more, all of its 16 nozzles are engineered to be clog-free. You do not need to waste time supervising the activity of the lawn sprinkler or spend time removing debris or dirt that clogs up the nozzles.

When you want to change spray patterns, these intelligent nozzles permit you to do so without effort, too.

Since the product comes with a generous 2-year warranty, you can feel secure that the brand will take responsibility to tackle any hassles arising.

#2. Hunter PGP-ADJ-B 4″ Pop-Up Rotor Sprinkler – The best water patterns

• Brand: Hunter
• Material: Plastic
• Style: 360, adjustable, rotor
• Best for: adjustable functions

The second product on our list is a beast on ultra-large lawns.

The Hunter PGP-ADJ-B brings about a massive spraying range of as far as 20 feet at the maximum water pressure and settings. Plus, its well-balanced system will make sure water is distributed evenly all over that huge space.

A unique feature is that the incorporated gear drive is water-lubricated, which smoothens the lawn sprinkler operation all the time.

When it comes to using it, this garden sprinkler has an adjustment tool for gardeners to switch between orange, green, and blue nozzles to select various water patterns that suit their needs. The arc settings permit you to control the spraying angle from 40 to 360 degrees.

Nevertheless, we think that the installation process will be a bit tricky for non-technical users, and there is also no user manual included in the box.

#3. Nelson 818653-1001 Traveling Sprinkler – The best traveling sprinkler

• Brand: Nelson
• Material: Plastic, metal
• Style: traveling
• Best for: water flow

Apart from the chip-resistant hard paint outside, Nelson 818653-1001 has cast iron wheels, a frame, and a traveling sprinkler head that can endure extreme use and weather. These solid external parts are good compensation for the flimsy plastic gears inside the lawn sprinkler.

Most noteworthy, the Nelson garden sprinkler provides a significant coverage area of 13.500 square feet, which is dramatically larger than the majority of sprinklers available in the current market.

One more thing that interests us is the outstanding 200-foot travel distance and the exceptional 55-foot splash diameter. More fabulous, the lawn sprinkler provides users with different settings to adjust these specifications as well.

The traveling speed adjustment comes in handy in most cases.

There are models that move too rapidly and leave many spots in your garden unwatered, but Nelson 818653-1001 traveling sprinklers eliminate this matter easily with slower speed settings.

One last thing, owing to the auto-shutdown feature, you can completely rely on the ability to work alone on the lawn sprinkler rather than having to spend time supervising it.

#4. Orbit 56667Z Zinc Impact Sprinkler – Best for customizable settings

• Brand: Orbit
• Material: Zinc
• Style: adjustable
• Best for: shower-like patterns

The Orbit impact sprinkler is a great choice for anyone looking for an adjustable tripod sprinkler to water large areas. This sprinkler is made of quality zinc materials, making it both durable and reliable.

It can spray up to 85 feet in diameter, covering up to 5,670 square feet when set to a full circle. The adjustable tripod base allows you to easily adjust the coverage from a partial section to a full circle. It also features an uninterrupted water flow and a diffuser screw that creates a gentle rain-like shower.

This Orbit impact sprinkler has many great features that make it stand out from other options on the market. The 0.5-inch male threaded zinc impact head provides an uninterrupted water flow, while the diffuser screw creates a gentle rain-like shower.

Additionally, the adjustable tripod base allows you to easily adjust the height from 23 inches to 48 inches and retracts for easy storage.

The Orbit impact sprinkler will last longer, as its quality zinc construction makes it both durable and reliable, while its adjustable tripod base allows you to easily adjust the coverage from a partial section to a full circle.

#5. Dramm 15024 Metal Base – Best sprinkler for lawns

• Brand: Dramm
• Material: Plastic
• Style: Meta, ring
• Best for: nine water patterns

The Dramm 15024 features a sturdy metal base and an easy-to-use plastic turret that enables you to dial among nine different patterns:

– Half circle

– Small circle

– Big circle

– Half square

– Square

– Rounded square

– Narrow rectangle

– Rectangle

– Outer ring

We bet that you will surely find a suitable pattern for your weird lawn!

Although the brass hose connector is quite sustainable, we found it somewhat challenging to grip and connect to a hose. Nonetheless, a huge bonus is a sieve and a washer inside this hose connector. They will protect moving parts from debris and dirt efficiently.

Selecting your desired spray pattern is simple, too. Just match the pattern you wish to apply with the arrow on top of the hose connector.

Beware that there is no on/off switch on the garden sprinkler, so users need to opt for the spray pattern before they turn on the faucet to avoid getting wet.

#6. BAQICK Sprinklers for Yard and Lawn – Best 5-in-1 system

• Brand: BAQICK
• Material: Plastic
• Style: Automatic
• Best for: advanced design technology

BAQICK sprinklers are the perfect addition to any yard or lawn. This 5-in-1 sprinkler system is designed with 360-degree rotation, allowing you to cover a large area of your lawn quickly and efficiently.

The adjustable arms can be set to spray in different directions, giving you the flexibility to water your entire lawn without having to move the sprinkler around.

The adjustable nozzle also allows you to control the amount of water being sprayed, ensuring that your lawn is getting just the right amount of water for optimal growth.

The BAQICK sprinklers are made from durable materials that will last for years, even in harsh weather conditions. The rust-proof design ensures that it will remain looking good and functioning properly for years to come.

Additionally, this BAQICK sprinkler system is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. You don’t have to worry about replacing parts or dealing with complicated installation instructions; all you need is a few basic tools and some time!

BAQICK sprinklers are ideal for anyone looking for an efficient way to keep their lawn healthy and green. It’s easy to use, durable, and provides great coverage over a large area. Plus, it’s affordable!

#7. Melnor XT4200-IN Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler – The best overall

• Brand: Melnor
• Material: Plastic
• Style: three-way adjustable
• Best for: coverage pattern and control

The Melnor XT4200-IN features smooth operating tabs that allow users to control the watering length from 10 to 75 feet, which is among the widest range oscillating sprinklers can deliver at the moment.

Besides, Melnor’s exclusive one-touch adjustment technology enables the watering width to range from 10 up to 53 feet. You can also adjust the pattern to move from the left, the right, or the center.

The built-in flow control dial permits minimum customizations to fit your needs and avoid wasting water.

Simultaneously, the heavy-duty tube will be full of water when in use to balance the oscillating sprinkler and offers a uniform water distribution smoothly.

Another feature that customers appreciate is the infinity turbo motor that stabilizes sprinkler operation at both high and low water pressures. That motor, combined with transmission gearing, will improve not only the capacity but also the longevity of the sprinkler.

Last but not least, the Melnor company provides a limited lifetime warranty on this product, so customers can totally spend their money with peace of mind.

#8. Raigro 360 Degree Pulsating Lawn and Garden Sprinkler – The best pulsating sprinkler

• Brand: Raigro
• Material: Metal
• Style: 360, Adjustable, Circular, Pulsating, Oscillating
• Best for: in-ground sprinkler system

The Raigro 360 Degree is built with rubber-coated metal to reinforce durability as well as stability. This perfect combination protects the lawn sprinkler from rust and other wear and tear over time.

Gardeners also benefit from the Raigro 360 Degree with its versatile water pattern options as well as the capability to cover a huge space.

Like the Gilmour 996D, this lawn sprinkler can be connected with a number of sprinklers to multiply the coverage area of 45 to 85 feet in diameter by many times.

A big plus for this is that it is compatible with all conventional garden hose threads. Also, the metal sprinkler head is rust-resistant and much more rugged than plastic models.

Using this tool might be rather tricky at first, but once you get how the mobile parts work, everything is not so complicated.

A noticeable downside that we found out during the testing session is the slow speed of the lawn sprinkler.

The water comes out at the speed of a snail, so you have to give the lawn sprinkler more time to water your lawn thoroughly.

#9. Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler – The best motion-activated sprinkler

• Brand: Orbit
• Material: Plastic, zinc
• Style: Yard enforcer
• Best for: lawn protection

This is the only lawn sprinkler among the best sprinklers for gardens that can deter insects with 24-hour detection options, allowing you to have various settings for different times of the day.

The 120-degree arc motion sensor can be set to operate only at night/ only during the day or all the time. In other words, you will have control over how and when your garden is watered.

Thanks to the smart sensing technology, you will manage to save both battery and water while still keeping your flower bed fresh, healthy, and safe from unwanted pests.

With solely 4 AA batteries or more than 7.500 activation cycles, the Orbit 62100 impact sprinkler can reach as far as 35 feet with a half-hour timed watering option.

Furthermore, the heavy-duty construction with brass hose connection and metal dual-step spike ensures maximum sustainability. So if you do not intend to buy new sprinklers frequently, this one is for you.

Buyer’s guide: How to choose a good sprinkler

Choosing the best lawn sprinklers for your watering system might be challenging. Luckily, we will help you with our comprehensive guide. You can choose the best lawn sprinkler system easily.

1. Types of sprinklers

Stationary sprinklers

As its name suggests, this type of sprinkler stays in a fixed position and sprays water over your garden depending on its capacity. If you have a smaller garden and a tight budget, it is for you.

Oscillating sprinkler

Oscillating sprinklers rotate and sprinkles water at the same time, thus covering a wider area of from 1500 to 4000 square feet.

So, if you have a medium-sized garden in this range, you should use them.

Pulsating lawn sprinklers (impact sprinklers)

These pulsating sprinklers come in two styles, namely spiked and rolling. Their sprinkling pattern is round-shaped, creating a water gush bursting all over the yard.

They are ideal for irrigating massive areas of up to 4000 – 7000 square feet.

Rotary-type lawn sprinklers

Rotary-type lawn sprinklers water your garden in a rotating manner. Nonetheless, they manage to water not only flat gardens but also curved yards efficiently.

If you require high pressure to satisfy your enormous lawn that is around 5k to 7k square feet, you should buy this type.

Traveling lawn sprinklers

A traveling sprinkler will travel around vast yards and distribute water uniformly on its path. Hence, they are often used in ultra-wide golf courses or parks.

Yet, if your garden is larger than 5000 square feet, you can invest in them.

2. Settings

Best lawn sprinklers feature various settings for spraying patterns, water pressure, timing, and so on. Depending on your needs, select products that have corresponding settings.

For instance, purchase sprinklers that have night settings if you want to water your garden at night. Or, if you are living in an area that has water restrictions, opt for something that can save your water, such as a garden sprinkler with an automatic shut-off feature.

3. Range

Each lawn sprinkler for gardening comes with different water pressure and range. Therefore, you should measure your lawn’s dimensions and check the capacity of the garden sprinkler to make sure its range and water pressure are neither excessive nor insufficient.

Otherwise, you can go for smart sprinklers with adjustable capacity.

4. Hose end coupling

Ensure the connector between your hose and your sprinkler can fit tight. A bigger coupling with a slip-resistant surface or knobs is more straightforward to use.

Besides, there ought to be a washer, a strainer, or a sieve inside the connector to prevent debris from clogging up the nozzles.

Although plastic couplings are prevalent, you should invest in metal ones because their threads are more durable, and thus, leaks are less prone to happen.

And search for a connector that swivels when connected; this will help the sprinkler be flat without fighting with the hose.

To keep your lawn sprinkler lay flat without hassle, seek connectors that swivel when connected to your hose.

5. Materials

We recommend a sprinkler with all parts from the nozzles, hose, connection points, and moving parts made from metal.

Although it is heavier a bit, it will not require you too much effort to move or adjust, and it is much more durable in comparison with plastic models.

FAQs

What is a good sprinkler?

If you want to have a general criterion to assess whether a sprinkler system is good enough or not, here it is:

– Materials: It is best to be made of 100% rust-resistant metal or at least high-quality plastics.

– Capacity: A good lawn sprinkler should have a decent range and water pressure.

– Hose compatibility: Make sure that it is not too picky to fit standard hoses 

– Features: Although a sprinkler can be considered to be good without extra features, we recommend ones with adjustable spraying patterns/water pressure/range, on/off timer, etc.

– Warranty: Of course, a fine product should come with a minimum warranty of one year or longer.

What sprinkler covers the most area?

As we explained about traveling sprinklers in the “Types of Sprinklers” section above, a traveling sprinkler has the widest coverage areas. It can travel anywhere your hose system is installed.

Therefore, theoretically, a traveling sprinkler has no restricted coverage area.

What is the best oscillating sprinkler?

Coverage area

As we mentioned above, oscillating sprinklers are intended for medium-sized yards, and the largest coverage area you can achieve is 4000 square feet.

Number of holes

Try to buy an oscillating sprinkler that has the most holes if you need to water a massive area. If you have a little garden and want to save a lot of water, go for one with fewer holes.

In general, the standard number of holes should be 18.

Durability

It is a good idea to invest in an oscillating sprinkler that is made out of metal, such as cast iron or aluminum, instead of plastic.

These materials make up the best garden sprinklers that have the capability to stand up against the wear and tear of external impacts.

Ease of use

The most easy-to-use oscillating sprinklers only require you to connect the hose to, reposition, and switch it on.

Besides, a timer that automatically turns on/off the garden sprinkler will also ease your burden.

Warranty

It goes without saying that the best sprinklers for lawns must come with an excellent warranty. You should purchase an oscillating sprinkler with 2-3 years of warranty.

How long should you water your lawn with an oscillating sprinkler?

The majority of grasses require around 2 inches of water weekly.

Nonetheless, you had better supply this amount of water at once to facilitate their roots to develop more deeply. So, we have a simple formula as follows:

If your watering tool sprays 2 inches of water hourly, you should water your lawn for a consecutive hour once per week.

If its capacity is one inch or three inches or so on, you can multiply or divide the watering duration as long as the sprinkler system can provide enough water to moisturize the first two inches under the ground.

You can inspect whether the water has seeped into the underground as deep as 2 inches or not by using a soil sampling probe or tube.

You can start with an hour of watering per week for two to three weeks. If your lawn is green and fresh, the current watering schedule works perfectly for you.

Depending on the weather, you can tweak the operation duration of the sprinkler. For example, if it is hot, give your grass more water.

Vice versa, if it is often rainy, you can reduce the amount of time the sprinkler runs.

What is the most water-efficient sprinkler?

The most water-efficient sprinkler is the Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler, as it has different watering schedules and you can adjust the pressure and spraying patterns easily.

What is the best type of garden sprinkler?

For small yards, an oscillating or traveling sprinkler is a great option.

Oscillating sprinklers provide even coverage for rectangular-shaped yards while traveling sprinklers are ideal for larger areas with curved edges. If you have a large yard, a tractor or tripod sprinkler is the way to go. These types of sprinklers cover more ground and can be adjusted to reach different areas of your lawn.

When is the best time for sprinklers?

The best time to use a sprinkler is typically early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler and evaporation rates are lower. This helps ensure that your lawn gets the most out of the water it receives.

Additionally, watering your lawn during these times can help reduce water waste due to evaporation and runoff.

What is the best sprinkler for a small garden?

The best one is the HUNTER PGP-ADJ-B 4″ Pop-Up Rotor Sprinkler, as you can manage the pressure and water flow for different users and applications without flooring.

So, what is the best lawn sprinkler system?

The best sprinkler system is the Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler.

The Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler offers the best performance, adjustability, and versatility for different yard sizes, and higher coverage areas, too. The coverage pattern and the spray distance are also easy to manage and you can use these above-the-ground sprinklers for heavy-duty tasks.

Conclusion 

You can find various spot sprinkler systems for your garden beds and similar jobs. All the sprinklers included will help you finish your tasks easily, and you can easily attach them to the underground sprinkler system.

Forget about flimsy sprinklers, as our choices won’t let you down!