Every gardener knows about the importance of proper watering. This essential activity guarantees proper care for your vegetable garden, raised garden beds, and lawn.
Garden sprinklers are the best and most common way for garden irrigation. They’re effective, simple, provide quality maintenance, and won’t take up too much of your time.
However, when choosing a sprinkler for your garden there are some basics you need to consider such as coverage area and spraying pattern.
Although, Amazon offers plenty of options, in an attempt to make your life easier we’ve prepared our top recommendations.
Read on to get all the info you need on the best garden sprinklers for your needs.
Top Pick
When it comes to 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’s equipped with 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 i.e. a warranty for the next 2 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 made for rectangular lawns.
It offers targeted watering with greater durability and fountain spray perfected for small gardens. Plus, there’ll be no water waste.
The manufacturer offers a 3-year valuable 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 to use for garden watering 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 when it comes to the 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.
As soon as you turn on the water tap, the turbine starts spinning. Further, 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 &simple option doesn’t have internal moving parts and 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 the 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 will be scared off without any injury.
How to Set Up a Sprinkler in a Garden?
Installing a garden sprinkler is easy! All of 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 and you only need to set up the spraying pattern and get the wanted coverage.
If you want to set up a seamless watering coverage start with small and regular modifications until you get it right. Don’t forget to be patient since it might take some time to get the perfect setting.
Although all of the sprinklers we presented work great on their own, you should ensure they work well before you leave. If the oscillation is not right, you might be left with a huge mess.
Ideally, you should water the lawn first thing in the morning, because there’ll be less evaporation and less water waste.
Moreover, the type of soil you have in your garden is also important to get the right moisture. For instance, sandy soil can drain water quicker than clay soil and therefore it requires watering more often.
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 to use because of their traditional construction, sturdiness, and dependability. 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 efficiently as metal ones.
- Hybrid sprinklers usually combine both metal and plastic. For instance, their nozzles can be metal and body plastic. They’re a good option since the brass nozzles are long-lasting.
What kind of Spray Patterns are There?
One of the features you’d need to take into consideration 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 and 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 so that it covers a range between 40⁰ and 360⁰ depending on what you need.
For instance, if you want to place a sprinkler close to a paved path and water only the adjacent lawn, you need to set up the tool to spin with a 180⁰ pattern.
Rotating; impact
Most impact rotating sprinklers are made of brass or bronze and thanks to the sturdy materials the impact motor mechanism is rather durable and can spray water at a great distance between 20 to 150 feet.
Since the motor can be quite loud, these sprinklers are more suitable for commercial use and not 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’s not as loud and expensive.
Rotating; large turf rotor
There’s also the large turf rotor which is used for larger areas such as golf courts where there’s a lot of grass surface that needs to be watered. One of the sprinkler’s heads can have a flow radius of 100 feet.
Micro-misting sprinklers
Some flowers and plants require more delicate spraying and that’s where the micro or misting spraying comes into play. It’s cost-efficient and works great in a small garden and clay soils.
What are the Benefits of Using Sprinkler Heads?
In today’s time, we constantly search for ways to save money and time. This also refers to garden upkeep and that’s 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 your time and effort and increases efficiency in parallel. You don’t have to calculate and think about how much watering 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 the 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 when compared to manual watering and you can also use them for backyard summer fun with your kids.
- The plastic options are quite 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
As soon as you start using the Aqua Joe sprinkler, you can water your lawn with amazing precision and manage the water width and range with 16 clog-resistant nozzles.
Your garden will be greener than ever with this lightweight oscillating sprinkler. No more wasted water or over spraying since you can manage the water however you want.
It’s a durable product that you can use for years to come thanks to the great metal construction as well as leak-resistant connection.
Finally, the manufacturer offers the Snow Joe &Sun Joe warranty which lasts up to 2 years after purchase and 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.
Its spraying resembles a perfect fountain spray for the spot-irrigation of smaller gardens with no extra water waste.
As you’ll be able to see, the sprinkler works well with low water pressure and it 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 certain 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’s dedicated to producing high-quality products with a long-lasting construction – so you can use them for years to come.
In terms of material, this sprinkler is made with excellent ABS plastic, as well as rustproof polymer; thus, durable performance is guaranteed.
It’s a fully adjustable sprinkler so you can customize it to sprinkle in any direction. What’s more, it uses water preservation expertise which delivers equal watering and makes sure there’s no over-spraying 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 that uses the power of water 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 speeds setting allows setting 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 years limited warranty and any faulty product will be repaired or replaced by a new or different one with 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. It has three rotary arms that provide a 360⁰ rotation.
This means you get extra water exposure for your lawn which goes up to 3600 Sq. ft. coverage.
What’s more, this product is really easy to use and you only need to combine the rotary triple arm nozzle and connector to the base. Once this is done, connect it to your tap and voila the sprinkler is ready and set.
Efficiency and water-saving are also important and this product covers all of these features. It’s made with quality ABS plastic that’s resistant to corrosion, easy to move around, and saves water.
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 what you need.
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’s been creating professional watering tools for greenhouses, nurseries, and passionate gardeners like yourself.
Their products are famous for saving time and energy whilst providing top-quality and lifelong products.
One of their products is the metal base sprinkler with 9 water patterns ideal for lawn and garden care. They come in six lovely colors and are made of a robust metal base with a molded hook so you can easily store it away when not in use.
Your lawn will be decorated with this cool 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
If you’re looking for ultimate flexibility and adjustable watering options this is the perfect product for you.
The all-metal construction will withstand the usual wear & tear and provide you with 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 must know that all gardens have a very 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 and provide fantastic coverage both 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 is rather overwhelming and that’s why a good garden sprinkler is a must.
The Kadaon water sprinkler will be your best buddy when it comes to 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.
As far as the technical features go, it has premium quality 3-arm sprinklers and is made of quality ABS plastic.
Last but not least, you can use it 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 watering tool that’s efficient, professional, and saves time- the Wovuu automatic sprinkler is the ideal purchase.
It comes with 3 types of adaptable rotating arms and 36-angle spray spouts. Further, each arm has 3/4/5 nozzles and can be combined which provides 24 more nozzles than regular versions.
This sprinkler can spray a distance range between 32.8 ft. to 49.2 ft. while providing watering for your entire garden.
Although, it’s user-friendly and easy to install have in mind that the spraying distance can vary 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 which gives you complete control over water distribution.
Moreover, this amazing tool can help you save water by regulating water density.
Because its base is weighted by 2 heavy-duty stabilizers, the sprinkler will stay secure and immobile during activity.
It’s made with durable, top-notch ABS plastic for guaranteed longevity and easy cleaning. You’ll have no problem with its installation since it’s really simple and convenient.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned previously, taking care of your home garden includes using a quality sprinkler system which will make things easy for you.
There are many options 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 have great quality.
The Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler has adjustable coverage patterns and is equipped with 16 nozzles made of durable and sturdy material for the best performance.
Also, the manufacturer offers the great Snow Joe & Sun Joe customer promise which is a warranty for the next 2 years after the purchase.
However, if you want something cheaper, the Gilmour circle pattern sprinkler will cover your rectangular garden quite nicely.
This sprinkler offers a fountain spray with superior quality and it works great in small gardens and lawns.
The 3-year warranty is another great feature that brings even more value to this item.
Happy gardening and watch out for the sprinklers!