6 Best Sprinklers (2023 Guide)

Having a dense and colorful lawn starts with owning a quality sprinkler. Sprinklers come in several shapes and sizes, each offering various coverage areas, sprinkling methods, and settings to fit your yard’s needs.

To help you find the best lawn sprinkler that can help your yard flourish, the This Old House Reviews team looked into the best sprinklers on the market today. Here are our top recommendations.

Top 6 Sprinklers

• Best Oscillating: Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator
• Best for Large Lawns: GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
• Best for Small Lawns: Gilmour Spot Sprinkler
• Best for Gardens: Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler
• Best Traveling: Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain
• Best Heavy-Duty: Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler

Best Oscillating Sprinkler

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes zoom control that allows you to adjust the watering area
✔ Features an adjustable spray pattern
✔ Hose connector is easy to grip and turn

✘ Has a limited spray width
✘ Adjustment marking can be difficult to see and read

What Customers Are Saying

Our research showed us that satisfied customers were impressed with this sprinkler’s lightweight design, wide range of motion, and numerous adjustable features. On the other hand, our team also learned that some customers said the material was flimsy and didn’t hold up well in heat, while others said that it leaked easily.

Best Sprinkler for Large Lawns

Pros and Cons

✔ Operates quietly
✔ Is made from durable materials
✔ Has adjustable spray nozzles that allow you to spray in any direction

✘ Nozzles can get clogged
✘ Has plastic inner rings, which some customers say damaged easily

What Customers Are Saying

Our research indicated that the majority of customers liked this sprinkler’s versatile design and its ability to cover large areas. It also earned rave reviews for its colorful, stylish design. However, we also found that some customers felt this sprinkler wasn’t as durable as some competing models, and others had issues with it spraying in an uneven pattern.

Best Sprinkler for Small Lawns

Pros and Cons

✔ Hose attachment is built into the frame for a simple water connection
✔ Features gentle, fountain-like spraying
✔ Comes at an affordable price point

✘ Not ideal for large lawns
✘ Not as heavy-duty as some other models

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers who left positive reviews for this product liked that it was well-designed, had a light weight, and worked excellently on small lawns. However, our team also learned that a few critical customers said it was actually too light to work effectively and needed to be weighed down when in use.

Best Sprinkler for Gardens

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a large coverage area
✔ Includes a flow-through design that helps resist clogs
✔ Has a heavy-duty, rust-resistant brass base

✘ The tripod can be unstable
✘ Gooseneck tube that connects hoses can be somewhat flimsy

What Customers Are Saying

According to our research, customers who gave this product positive reviews liked that it was highly maneuverable, excellent for large areas, and had a sturdy design. However, some customers who left mixed or negative reviews said that this product had difficult-to-follow instructions, while others felt it required an excessively high amount of water pressure to work properly.

Best Traveling Sprinkler System

Pros and Cons

✔ Large coverage area
✔ Has a durable cast-iron body
✔ Includes adjustable aluminum spray arms

✘ Is ineffective when used with low water pressure
✘ Has a high price point

What Customers Are Saying

Our team learned that positive customer reviews often praised the RainTrain for its heavy-duty construction and the option to fine-tune its motion settings. However, our research also revealed that a couple of buyers were dissatisfied with the coating, which they stated failed to prevent rust from forming after prolonged use.

Best Heavy-Duty Sprinkler

Pros and Cons

✔ Features nine water patterns
✔ Has a heavy-duty metal base
✔ Includes a built-in loop for easy storage

✘ Not the best choice for narrow spaces
✘ Has less coverage than some other models

What Customers Are Saying

We learned that customers who gave positive reviews to this product liked that it had a sturdy base, came in a variety of colors, and had several water patterns to choose from. On the other hand, others felt that it had lackluster spray coverage, and others found the settings difficult to understand.

Types of Sprinklers

Sprinklers come in a variety of designs to match the shape, density, and size of your lawn. Here’s a brief introduction to all you need to know about sprinklers.

Impact Sprinklers

Impact sprinklers are powerful models that rotate while distributing a constant stream of water and covering a large area of your yard. Impact sprinklers are known for their rain-like water distribution and convenient sprinkler stands that raise their elevation. Some models, including the Orbit Impact Sprinkler, are compatible with stands that fold for simple storage.

In-ground Sprinkler Systems

In-ground sprinklers, or irrigation systems, consisting of multiple sprinkler heads positioned across your lawn are connected to the main water source. In-ground sprinkler systems can turn on and off automatically, and they’re a convenient choice for homeowners looking for a hands-free way to water their lawn, though knowing how to raise sprinkler heads will come in handy for this type of system.

Installing lawn sprinklers requires extensive manual labor, which causes these models to be more expensive than their hose-connected counterparts. You can save on costs by installing the lawn sprinklers yourself.

Oscillating Sprinklers

Oscillating sprinklers feature fine nozzles scattered across the surface of the central control arm that spins back and forth to cover the grass in soft droplets. Oscillating sprinklers like the Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator are a great way to water a large, rectangular section of your yard.

Rotating Sprinklers

Rotating sprinklers sit low to the ground and have multiple arms that rotate to distribute water in all directions. Rotating sprinklers like the GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler provide solid coverage to small areas of your yard. Additionally, these models typically have a compact and lightweight frame that’s easy to move around your yard.

Spot Sprinklers

Spot sprinklers are the most basic watering tool available to homeowners. These devices don’t have moving parts, causing them to spray water in a small, circular area. Spot sprinklers, including the Gilmour Spot Sprinkler, are a great choice for homeowners who want to water a small patch of grass or a particular spot in their garden. While spot sprinklers can’t spray large volumes of water, they use less water and are easier to manage than their mechanical counterparts.

Traveling Sprinklers

A traveling sprinkler uses the water pressure from a hose to rotate gears located on its base, which moves the sprinkler across your lawn. Traveling sprinklers are typically preferred by homeowners because of their convenience and large range. Some traveling sprinklers, including the Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain, can save you money and water by automatically turning off after completing a cycle.

Factors To Consider Before Buying a Sprinkler

Before deciding on what lawn sprinkler to choose, it’s important to understand how each model’s settings and construction impact its performance. Here are three considerations to think about when buying a sprinkler.

Design

While the design of a sprinkler is less important than how well it functions, finding a sprinkler that looks good on your lawn is also something worth considering. Certain sprinklers have a variety of color choices to choose from, while others have unique head shapes that make them stand out from standard sprinklers.

Lawn size

The sprinkler you purchase should match your lawn’s watering needs. For example, if you own acres of land, consider purchasing an in-ground sprinkler system that has the power and coverage to keep your yard hydrated. If you have a smaller lawn or garden bed, consider a compact sprinkler like the Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator.

Range

A sprinkler’s range is typically expressed in the square footage it covers, which can vary from 200 to over 10,000 square feet. Long-range sprinklers, including the Orbit Sprinkler and Nelson Traveling Sprinkler, offer over 5,000 square feet of coverage. More basic models like the GrowGreen Sprinkler and Melnor Oscillator cover under 5,000 square feet.

Settings

Most sprinklers contain settings like automatic timers and rotating heads that let you adjust the device’s water pressure, coverage, and spray pattern. If you’re looking for a versatile sprinkler, consider a model like the Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler, which comes with a rotating head and a distance adjustment of up to 100 feet. If you’re looking for an easy-to-manage sprinkler that requires little adjustment, the Gilmour Spot Sprinkler is a solid choice.

Water Usage

Sprinklers can use a lot of water, but some include features that help conserve water as much as possible. For example, some models have automatic timers that turn the sprinklers off after a set amount of time, while others come with adjustment capabilities that allow you to control the water pressure that is being released.

Lawn Watering Tips

When watering your lawn, it’s important to consider the time of day and choose grass seeds that are hardy to ensure that you conserve water and can properly nourish your yard.

• The best time to water your grass is in the morning, as the cool air reduces water evaporation while still giving your lawn a chance to dry throughout the day.
• Most lawns need about 1.5 inches of water every week for healthy growth, though cool-season grasses like fescue or ryegrass may need additional watering during the fall. Warm-season grasses, including centipedegrass and zoysiagrass, may need more frequent watering in late spring.
• If you’re growing the new grass on a bare spot in your lawn, water the seedlings at least once a day. Once the growing seeds germinate and you’re able to see the heads of the stalks, you can water the growing grass on the same schedule as the rest of your yard.
• For more information on how to best choose and use a lawn sprinkler, check out the video below from our very own Roger Cook.

Sprinkler FAQ

Are sprinklers good to use in a garden?

Yes. Purchasing a garden sprinkler is a convenient way to keep your fruits, vegetables, and plants looking healthy. A compact sprinkler like the Gilmour Spot Sprinkler is a great option for watering a small garden because of its 450-square-foot coverage that comes at an affordable price. For large lawns and gardens that need more water flow, consider investing in the Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator to ensure all corners are covered.

How long should I water my lawn?

A healthy lawn needs about 1.5 inches of water per week. If you live in an area that receives little rainfall, this comes out to about a 30-minute watering three times per week. If your yard receives heavy rainfall once a week, you should decrease the amount of water and the frequency of watering.

Can you overwater grass?

Yes. An oversaturated lawn suffocates because of the washed-out silt and sand that restricts its airflow. Signs of an overwatered lawn include fungus growth, an increase in insects, and puddles of standing water.

Who This Sprinkler Guide Is For

Whether you’re a budding DIYer, a longtime homeowner, or somewhere in between, a quality sprinkler can be key to transforming your outdoor space into an oasis. Our team considered a variety of sprinklers, including an oscillating sprinkler, a traveling sprinkler, and more.

How We Selected the Best Sprinklers

To provide our readers with the best sprinkler recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of sprinklers with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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