The Best Lawn Sprinklers
Some lawn sprinklers require pulling a hose across the lawn to reach all the little corners and nooks. Others can be programmed to move around the yard watering the grass while you tend to other matters. An underground sprinkler system with a sprinkler pump can run on a timer, and it will water all reaches of the yard.
Keep reading to better understand what type of lawn sprinkler can help meet the watering needs in your yard and to find out how each of the following sprinklers performed in our hands-on testing.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Lawn Sprinkler
Lawn sprinklers are straightforward yard helpers. They disperse water in various spray patterns, and they're powered by the pressure of the water in the hose. When looking for the best sprinkler for a lawn or garden, one of the most important things to think about is how much water each plant needs.
Type
The watering needs for a newly seeded lawn differ from those of a vegetable garden or an established lawn. Lawn sprinklers fall into six primary categories, ranging from immobile to roaming. When choosing a sprinkler, think about the weather in your area and whether you want to save water.
- Fixed or stationary sprinklers vary in design and reach but spray water in the same pattern over the same area until relocated. This sort of sprinkler can only cover 5 to 15 feet, so it's great for tiny yards and gardens.
- Oscillating sprinklers spray water in a semicircular pattern. The sprinkler head and water fan move side to side, so they cover more area than stationary ones.
- Rotating sprinklers release water while spinning 360 degrees. The former has two or more spinning arms, while the latter (an impulse or pulsing sprinkler) spews water from a single jet, clicking as it revolves. An impact sprinkler has the widest range of water distribution.
- Sprinkler hoses are rubber hoses with perforations that spray a fine mist. Because these models are long and flexible, they are perfect for watering grass that is long, narrow, and curved in odd ways.
- Traveling sprinklers roll through the yard with a garden hose. Also called "lawn tractors," they work like a small lawn mower.
- In-ground sprinkler systems water the yard on a fixed schedule, eliminating guesswork. Map out the watering system, dig trenches for water lines, and connect a new ground sprinkler system to the water main. The strategically placed sprinkler heads can be programmed to water the lawn at preset times. Many sprinkler system controllers may be programmed using a smart device. The number of zones and water pressure determine the best in-ground sprinkler pump.
Material
Some lawn sprinklers are made of rubber and silicone, in addition to plastic and metal. Some plastics are hefty, fade-resistant, and durable. Some cheaper models may be thin, fade quickly, and crack after two seasons. Stainless steel and chrome sprinklers are rust-proof.
Coverage Area
The pressure of the majority of home sprinklers is between 30 and 60 pounds per square inch (psi). Most sprinklers perform optimally with a minimum water pressure of 30 psi. A distance-type impact sprinkler may be capable of projecting a stream 30 yards in length. If the hose's water pressure is low, the coverage area will be diminished.
Water Conservation
The process of watering the lawn takes a great volume of water. If the diameter of the hose is half an inch and the water pressure is sixty pounds per square inch, the average water usage per hour will be around 630 gallons. As the diameter of the garden hose rises, so does water consumption. At the same water pressure, a 58-inch hose provides roughly 1,020 gallons. Some lawn sprinklers are equipped with systems that monitor and restrict water consumption.
The Best Lawn Sprinklers
Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler
The Dramm sprinkler has a sturdy metal base that weighs 14.4 ounces and is available in a range of vibrant hues. It is equipped with a dial head that can be turned to select one of nine different spray patterns. Users can water long, narrow, circular, and almost any other part of their yard or garden without watering their neighbors' yards.
Gilmour's Spot Sprinkler
The Gilmore Spot Sprinkler is not perfect for watering large lawns, but it is ideal for watering small nooks and crannies. It sprays in a circular pattern that can only be adjusted by adjusting the water pressure at the faucet. At full water pressure, it emitted an almost 45-foot-diameter circle. The body is made of metal, and a spray insert made of metal is securely affixed to the top.
Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
The strong construction and broad base of the Melnor Turbo sprinkler kept it firmly in place. Using the two sets of levers in the sprinkler's middle, I was able to modify the spray pattern's breadth from 10 to 20 feet. The unit includes a nozzle-cleaning tool for rapidly removing obstructions. The Turbo's hose fitting includes a metal filter washer for capturing particles.
Oscillating Sprinkler GARDENA ZoomMaxx
The Gardena ZoomMaxx is an excellent, compact sprinkler that can be adjusted to water square and rectangular regions of varying sizes. It has sixteen rubber nozzles on an oscillating head that rotates in response to the water pressure. The sprinkler also has a removable, washable filter that keeps dirt from getting into the parts that make it work.
Melnor 65083-AMZ Multi-Adjustable Sprinkler
Multi-adjustable sprinklers from Melnor provide a viable solution. Each sprinkler is equipped with an adjustable head that allows the user to choose between a 360-degree circular pattern and a tiny trickle of water. Connecting two or more of these spike sets could save a great deal of watering time for gardeners with big or intricate plots.
Verdict
As water conservation becomes a national issue, it makes sense to acquire the appropriate sprinkler(s) for individual yards and gardens. The Dramm Duty Metal Base 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler is superior to the competition. Sprinklers that move back and forth can cover a large area, while rotary and spot sprinklers can be used to water smaller parts of the lawn.
FAQs
When choosing a lawn sprinkler, consider the lawn or garden's water needs. Lawn sprinkler quality, pricing, and water pattern vary widely. Some yards need more than one sprinkler. Here are some questions about lawn sprinklers.
What should I look for in a sprinkler system?
Make sure the sprinkler can be adjusted to the area's size and shape.
What is the best kind of garden sprinkler?
A good garden sprinkler can reach all sections of the flower or vegetable garden without being hindered by tall plants. Using a small rotating sprinkler and relocating it as needed, or a group of linked sprinklers, like the Melnor Multi-Adjustable Sprinkler Set, can cover all the plants at once.
What kind of sprinkler covers the most area?
Oscillating sprinklers cover large lawns. A tractor-type sprinkler, like the Nelson Traveling Rain Train, can be placed at one end of a big lawn and will water a large swath along the way.
For how many minutes should you water your lawn?
Because sprinklers dispense water at variable rates, the general rule is to water enough so the lawn gets 1 inch of water every week.
