Every gardener knows about the importance of proper watering. This essential activity guarantees adequate care for your vegetable garden, raised garden beds, and lawn.
Garden sprinklers are the best and most common method of garden irrigation. They’re effective, simple, provide quality maintenance, and don’t take up too much of your time.
However, when choosing a sprinkler for your garden, you need to consider some basics, such as coverage area and spraying pattern.
Although Amazon offers plenty of options, we’ve prepared our top recommendations to make your life easier.
Read on to get all the information you need on the best garden sprinklers.
Top Pick
Regarding the best sprinkler for your garden, we recommend the Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler. It has an adjustable watering pattern and covers a range of up to 3600 sq. ft.
It has 16 clog-resistant nozzles, so you’ll have proper comfort while watering your garden.
What’s more, the manufacturer offers a great Snow Joe & Sun Joe customer promise: a warranty for the next two years after the purchase.
This product will keep your garden lush and green at all times.
Budget Pick
Our second suggestion is the more affordable Gilmour circle pattern sprinkler, ideally for rectangular lawns.
It offers targeted watering with greater durability and a fountain spray perfected for small gardens. Plus, there’ll be no water waste.
The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty, so you can be sure you’re getting a quality product for a low price.
Quick Navigation
How do Water Sprinklers Work?
Garden and lawn sprinklers are amazing, affordable, and practical tools for watering gardens, compared to expensive irrigation systems.
Regular homeowners or gardeners want cheaper but still functional options. All different types of lawn sprinklers use water to control movement, but they can be quite different in design.
The inside of a sprinkler consists of an oscillating arm, the usual cam support for spray modification, a hose connector, and a mechanical motor.
The turbine starts spinning as soon as you turn on the water tap. This engages the gears and controls the strength and direction of water flow.
There are several functioning sprinkler styles which you can read about below:
- A plain and simple option doesn’t have internal moving parts. It relies on the sprinkler shape to disperse the water in a pattern that provides good coverage. These sprinklers are not customizable and work best with small lawns.
- Traveling sprinklers can move around the yard and follow the direction you set with the help of the hose. They use water power to move, and the compression pushes the inner arms to cause a rotation of the gear. Then, the gear starts the communication, and the rear wheels of the sprinkler start turning. Although they move rather slowly, they can be pretty effective.
- Motion sensor sprinklers can help you get rid of invaders in your yard. As soon as the motion system registers a movement, the sprinkler turns on, and any animals are scared off without injury.
How to Set Up a Sprinkler in a Garden?
Installing a garden sprinkler is easy! All the sprinklers we presented use a simple garden hose instead of underground water pipes, which can be costlier to maintain and install.
The regular ones are easy to attach. You only need to set up the spraying pattern and get the desired coverage.
If you want to set up seamless watering coverage, start with small and regular modifications until you get it right. Remember to be patient since it might take some time to get the perfect setting.
Although all the sprinklers we presented work great independently, you should ensure they work well before leaving. You might be left with a huge mess if the oscillation is not right.
Ideally, you should water the lawn first thing in the morning because there will be less evaporation and less water waste.
Moreover, the soil type in your garden is also essential for getting the proper moisture. For instance, sandy soil can drain water quickly than clay soil, requiring more frequent watering.
What Kind of Sprinkler Bodies are There?
The perfect garden sprinkler has to be made of quality materials to provide good performance and increase durability. Some of the most common materials you can find are the following:
- Metal sprinklers are a safe option because of their traditional construction, sturdiness, and dependability. However, they might be more expensive than other types and are less used because of the limited options they provide.
- Plastic sprinklers are cheaper than metal ones, and with all the modern advancements, they can perform as efficiently as metal ones.
- Hybrid sprinklers usually combine metal and plastic. For instance, their nozzles can be metal, and their bodies can be plastic. They’re a good option since the brass nozzles are long-lasting.
What Kind of Spray Patterns are There?
One feature to consider when buying a garden sprinkler is the spraying pattern.
The specific type you need mainly depends on the garden size and type of plants you have. Below, you can take a look at the most common types of spraying patterns:
Fixed Spray Pattern
The name of this pattern is quite explanatory. It’s essentially designed as a stationary/fixed sprinkler. Often, it can produce more thin streams of water that are sprayed out of the center of a round nozzle, and the water can reach up to 15 feet.
Optionally, the fixed spray can be set to cover a range between 40⁰ and 360⁰, depending on your needs.
For instance, if you want to place a sprinkler close to a paved path and water only the adjacent lawn, you need to set the tool to spin in a 180⁰ pattern.
Rotating; impact
Most impact rotating sprinklers are made of brass or bronze. Thanks to these sturdy materials, the impact motor mechanism is rather durable and can spray water at a great distance between 20 and 150 feet.
Since the motor can be loud, these sprinklers are more suitable for commercial use than for the average landowner.
As we said before, the best time to water the lawn is in the morning, and with a loud machine like this, your family won’t be able to sleep in on Sunday mornings.
Rotating; gear-driven
Gear-driven rotating heads are made of plastic, which encloses the internal parts of the sprinkler. They can cover between 40-360⁰ and are ideal for large lawns and commercial use. Unlike the impact rotor, this sprinkler is not as loud or expensive.
Rotating, large turf rotor
There’s also the large turf rotor, which is used for larger areas such as golf courts, where there is a lot of grass surface that needs to be watered. One of the sprinkler heads can have a flow radius of 100 feet.
Micro-misting sprinklers
Some flowers and plants require more delicate spraying, and that’s where micro or misting spraying comes into play. It’s cost-efficient and works great in small gardens and clay soils.
What are the Benefits of Using Sprinkler Heads?
In today’s world, we are constantly searching for ways to save money and time. This also refers to garden upkeep, where quality garden sprinklers come into play. There are a few benefits you can take into account when purchasing a sprinkler:
- They offer automatic use, which saves time and effort and increases efficiency simultaneously. You don’t have to calculate and think about how much water your plants need since the automated sprinkler will do it on its own.
- Further, with their help, you won’t need to carry the water by yourself, and this will reduce your efforts to a minimum. The only thing you need to do is check their activity sporadically.
- Unlike manual watering, garden sprinklers provide a systematic water supply that ensures proper coverage and water preservation.
- They’re a safe option compared to manual watering, and you can also use them for backyard summer fun with your kids.
- The plastic options are affordable, so you won’t strain your budget too much and still receive good value and quality products.
Best Garden Sprinklers Reviews
1. Aqua Joe Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- Customizable
- Superior range
- Clog-resistant
- Durable material
- Sun Joe warranty
When you use the Aqua Joe sprinkler, you can water your lawn with fantastic precision and manage the water width and range with 16 clog-resistant nozzles.
With this lightweight oscillating sprinkler, your garden will be greener than ever. There will be no more wasted water or overspray, as you can manage the water however you want.
Thanks to its great metal construction and leak-resistant connection, it’s a durable product that you can use for years to come.
Finally, the manufacturer offers the Snow Joe &Sun Joe warranty, which lasts up to 2 years after purchase. You can always rely on customer service for additional assistance.
2. Gilmour Circle Pattern Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- Ideal for rectangular lawns
- Circle pattern
- 30 ft. diameter
- 3-year warranty
- Works in low water pressure
The Gilmour circle pattern sprinkler provides targeted watering and greater durability.
It’s spray resembles a perfect fountain spray for the spot-irrigation of smaller gardens with no extra water waste.
As you’ll see, the sprinkler works well with low water pressure and provides accurate coverage.
Lastly, heavy-duty construction with metal material guarantees stability and long-term use. The 3-year warranty adds even more to its value, so you can be sure you’re getting the right product.
3. GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- Powerful & versatile
- Fully adjustable
- Durable constructions
- Saves time & water
- Easy setup
The GrowGreen turbo sprinkler will become your favorite garden tool!
With the 360⁰ rotating action, you won’t have to drag the sprinkler from one side of your garden to the other.
Besides, the manufacturer is dedicated to producing high-quality products with a long-lasting construction so that they can be used for years.
In terms of material, this sprinkler is made with excellent ABS plastic and rustproof polymer; thus, durable performance is guaranteed.
It’s a fully adjustable sprinkler, so you can customize it to sprinkle in any direction. Moreover, it uses water preservation expertise, which delivers equal watering and prevents overspraying and waste.
4. Nelson Traveling Sprinkler RainTrain
Highlighted Features
- Cast-iron body
- 13,500 sq. ft. coverage
- Adjustable spray arms
- Automatic shut-off
- 3-speed settings
Without a reliable sprinkler, quality garden maintenance isn’t possible. Hence, all you need is the Rain Train traveling sprinkler by Nelson, which uses water power to move while following a custom-made hose path.
The manufacturer has been active on the market since 1965, providing homeowners with products for easy yard care.
Moreover, it travels up to 200 ft. and can cover 13,500 sq. ft. of lawn. The 3-speed setting allows you to set the water capacity level depending on the lawn’s needs, while the automatic shut-off decreases excess water waste.
One of the best features is the 2-year limited warranty, under which any faulty product will be repaired or replaced with a new or different one of the same value.
5. BOBOO Garden Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- 3-arm rotary sprinkler
- Easy to use
- Efficient & water saving
- Different sprinkling modes
- Fun for kids
The BOBOO super sprinkler is great for lawn irrigation and garden watering. Its three rotary arms provide a 360⁰ rotation.
You get extra water exposure for your lawn, up to 3600 square feet of coverage.
What’s more, this product is really easy to use. You only need to combine the rotary triple arm nozzle and connector with the base. Once this is done, connect it to your tap, and voila, the sprinkler is ready and set.
Efficiency and water conservation are also important, and this product meets all of these criteria. It’s made with quality ABS plastic that’s resistant to corrosion, easy to move around, and water-saving.
All of the different sprinkling modes can help you customize your watering; thus, you can set up an angle of 90⁰ or 45⁰ in any direction, depending on your needs.
6. Dramm Metal Base Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- 9 water patterns
- Superior design
- Lifetime guarantee
- Heavy-duty metal base
- Molded hook
For over 75 years, Dramm has been creating professional watering tools for greenhouses, nurseries, and passionate gardeners like yourself.
Their products are famous for saving time and energy while providing top-quality, lifelong products.
One of their products is the metal-base sprinkler with nine water patterns, ideal for lawn and garden care. It comes in six lovely colors and has a robust metal base with a molded hook, so it can be easily stored away when not in use.
Your lawn will be decorated with this incredible design and receive quality watering guaranteed by the lifetime warranty.
7. Orbit Tripod Base with Brass Impact
Highlighted Features
- Large coverage
- Heavy-duty brass
- Customizable settings
- Stable tripod base
- Clogs resistant
This is the perfect product if you’re looking for ultimate flexibility and adjustable watering options.
The all-metal construction will withstand the usual wear and tear and provide reliable usage for years to come.
Interestingly, the Orbit sprinkler has a tripod base that stands tall over your flowers and plants and sprays up to 100 ft. It’s ideal for watering lawns and growing gardens.
As an experienced gardener, you know that all gardens have a dynamic growing pace, and that’s why it’s important to find a sprinkler that can adjust to different settings.
Hence, this sprinkler can be adjusted from 0⁰ to 360⁰ °, providing fantastic coverage near and far.
8. Kadaon 360-Degree Rotating Garden Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- Premium quality
- Easy to use
- Different spray directions
- 3 arms
- ABS Plastic material
Manual lawn watering on scorching summer days can be rather overwhelming, so a good garden sprinkler is a must.
The Kadaon water sprinkler will be your best buddy when watering your lawn, flowers, plants, vegetables, and other garden plants.
Its 360⁰ rotation system assists in covering more square feet. Additionally, it’s quiet and produces a peaceful, rainfall sound, which is quite soothing.
Regarding the technical features, it has premium-quality 3-arm sprinklers and is made of quality ABS plastic.
Last but not least, it can be used as an inexpensive toy to play with your kids in summer, and if you’re not satisfied with the product, you can get a refund from the manufacturer, no questions asked.
9. Wovuu Garden Automatic Sprinkler
Highlighted Features
- 36 units of spray nozzles
- 3 adjustable rotating arms
- Large coverage
- Kids’ entertainment
- Easy to use
If you’re looking for a durable, efficient, professional watering tool that also saves time, the Wovuu automatic sprinkler is the ideal purchase.
It comes with three types of adaptable rotating arms and 36-degree spray spouts. Each arm has 3/4/5 nozzles and can be combined, providing 24 more nozzles than the regular versions.
This sprinkler can spray a distance range between 32.8 ft. and 49.2 ft. while providing watering for your entire garden.
Although it’s user-friendly and easy to install, keep in mind that the spraying distance can vary depending on the nozzle style and water pressure.
10. Fireor Automatic Sprinklers for Garden
Highlighted Features
- Full coverage
- 3 adjustable arms
- Infinite pattern adjustment
- Durable & sturdy
- Versatile application
The Fireor automatic sprinkler nozzles are completely adaptable and can spray in any direction with different water outputs, giving you complete control over water distribution.
Moreover, this excellent tool can help you save water by regulating water density.
Because two heavy-duty stabilizers weigh its base, the sprinkler will stay secure and immobile during activity.
It’s made with durable, top-notch ABS plastic for guaranteed longevity and easy cleaning. Installation is effortless and convenient, so you’ll have no problem.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned, taking care of your home garden includes using a quality sprinkler system, making things easy.
Many options are available on Amazon, so you can choose one of the best garden sprinklers, make a good purchase, and treat your backyard right.
Based on our research, we presented some of the best options, which vary in both type and price but are of great quality.
The Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler has adjustable coverage patterns and 16 nozzles made of durable, sturdy material for the best performance.
Also, the manufacturer offers the great Snow Joe & Sun Joe customer promise, a warranty for the next 2 years after the purchase.
However, the Gilmour circle pattern sprinkler will cover your rectangular garden quite nicely if you want something cheaper.
This sprinkler offers a fountain spray with superior quality, and it works great in small gardens and lawns.
The 3-year warranty is another excellent feature that brings even more value to this item.
Happy gardening and watch out for the sprinklers!