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Having a dense and colorful lawn starts with owning a quality sprinkler. However, sprinklers can vary significantly in price and performance, so there are several things you need to consider before finding the best one for your home, such as your law’s size, the type of climate you live in, and your hose setup.
You can find a high-quality sprinkler for as little as $10 for smaller lawns, but more heavy-duty sprinklers that cover large lawns and have adjustable settings can typically range from $30 to over $100. Overall, we recommend the Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler for its heavy-duty bass, large coverage area, and adjustable settings. Read our guide below for more of our top picks
Top 5 Sprinklers
- Best Overall: Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler
- Best for Large Lawns: GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
- Best for Small Lawns: Gilmour Spot Sprinkle
- Best Traveling: Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain
- Best Heavy-Duty: Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler
Compare Top Sprinklers
| Product | Coverage | Style | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler | 6,360 square feet | Brass impact | 5 pounds | 15 x 9 x 8 inches |
| Melnor Mini Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler | 4,000 square feet | Adjustable stake | 1.5 pounds | 2.75 x 14.2 x 4.9 inches |
| GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler | 3,600 square feet | Rotating, adjustable | 1.6 pounds | 9.9 x 8.1 x 4.4 inches |
| Gilmour Spot Sprinkler | 450 square feet | Rectangular | 0.24 pounds | 5.8 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches |
| Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain | 13,000 square feet | Traveling | 17 pounds | 20.1 x 9.4 x 8.1 inches |
| Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler | 575 square feet | Rotary | 0.9 pounds | 12 x 12 x 12 inches |
| Product | Coverage | Style | Weight | Dimensions |
Best Overall
Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler
- $44.88
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Those who need to cover a large lawn and appreciate easy adjustability.
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 Are People Saying About the Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler?
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 was not as sturdy as they were expecting.
“This is the lawn sprinkler that I have been searching for. Solid construction with fabulous range, I ended up buying a second one after testing out this one. Gone are the days of moving an oscillating sprinkler around; this one covers it all and more. Highly recommended.” — David via Amazon
“I was expecting something a lot more sturdy. I have to be really careful when setting the sprinkler up to make sure it is balanced perfectly or it will tip over from the hose pressure. The sprinkler itself is also rather flimsy.” — Amazon Customer via Amazon
Best Sprinkler for Large Lawns
GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
- $8.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Those who need extra coverage for dry spots on medium or 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 Are People Saying About the GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler?
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.
“For me, this sprinkler worked best compared to others. I have a pretty small yard. Rotating sprinklers would keep getting stuck and stop rotating. It was also hard to dial them in and keep the water in my yard. This style sprinkler would easily work for a larger yard also, but for me I can dial down the water flow and keep the water where I need it.” — Gello via Amazon
“I ordered this sprinkler because I thought it would give me a better watering radius than the sprinkler I currently have. I was wrong – I tried upping the water pressure, but all I really got was basically a decorative fountain in my backyard. It was covering maybe a 7-8 foot radius, not nearly what I need. It also feels really cheap and will crack at the slightest of hits.” — Kerry via Amazon
Best Sprinkler for Small Lawns
Gilmour Spot Sprinkler
- $5.94
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Homeowners who only need minimal coverage for a small surface area.
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 Are People Saying About the Gilmour Spot Sprinkler?
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, and other felt it used too much water.
“This sprinkler is convenient for watering small portions of the garden. It has a low price, seems sturdy, all metal, and is simple to use. Can adjust range of sprinkler my adjusting the hose bib for pressure. This is a convenient simple yard tool. Recommended.” — Dad in Texas via Amazon
“I wanted a rectangular-shaped sprinkler pattern with no moving parts to break, and this fit the criteria. I want to love this thing, but as others have stated, it’s very light, so you have to finesse your hose in just the right way to ensure it’s laying flat and stays that way (or use a stake to pin it). The pattern is definitely rectangular-ish in my experience, and the coverage adjusts depending on the volume of water just fine.” — BRuiz via Amazon
Best Traveling Sprinkler System
Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain
- $64.99
- $69.99
- 7% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Those who need a sprinkler for commercial use or extra-large yards.
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 Are People Saying About the Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain?
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. Others said that it was ineffective on uneven grass.
“Best sprinkler I’ve ever had for the lawn, and I’ve tried them all in the past 30 years. Sturdy, stable and reliable. Goes over uneven parts of the yard and is able to easily adjust from grass to cement sidewalk and back to grass. At first I kept an eye on it but now I can put it out and be confident it will cover everything. It takes about the same amount of time on the fast setting as a regular sprinkler except you do not have to move it around.” — Trish via Amazon
“This is a decent enough tractor sprinkler. It’s able to handle up to 200 feet of hose before the weight of the hose is too great. It isn’t the right choice for gardens or uneven lawns or tall thick grass. If the ground is uneven or the grass is too tall, it will push on the sensitive cutoff plunger on the bottom of the sprinkler. The plunger is made to cut off water when the sprinkler runs over the included ramp, which fits on the hose. Even though our grass is mowed, I have to occasionally restart my sprinkler because our yard is uneven and has thick knots of grass.” — bk via Amazon
Best Heavy-Duty Sprinkler
Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler
- $30.06
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Customers looking for a durable sprinkler that’s easy to store.
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 Are People Saying About the Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler?
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.
“This is not your ordinary plastic sprinkler. It is made using metal parts and it is extremely strong and durable. Be aware, however, that this sprinkler does not cover a great deal of area. It is better to think of it as a versatile small-area sprinkler. It is perfect for small areas, and it has numerous settings to customize the pattern of the flow of water.” — Stephen K. via Amazon
“Well-made metal sprinkler and works nicely in the very small areas of my yard, but the overall coverage is very weak. It sprays in about a 6-7 feet diameter. I even had my engineer son take a look at it because I thought something was wrong, but all the settings produce similar coverage. I’m keeping it for use in my side yards, but trying to use it to water the rest of my 30-by-75 yard would take hours, so I’m looking for yet another sprinkler to do that job.” — Stephen K. via Amazon
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
After you understand the differences between types of sprinklers, there are a few other important factors to consider before deciding on what lawn sprinkler to choose. First, look at the size of your lawn and enusre you’re finding a sprinkler with a large enough coverage area to treat each section. From there, you can consider other factors such as the design of the sprinkler, the adjustability of the settings, and how much water is uses. Read our buying guide below for more information on choosing the best sprinkler.
What should you look for in the design of a sprinkler?
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.
How does lawn size affect which sprinkler you should buy?
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.
How is the range of a sprinkler determined?
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.
What are some common settings of a lawn sprinkler?
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.
Are there ways in which sprinklers reduce their 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.
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