For those that don’t have an irrigation system, a great lawn sprinkler can be the only way to keep your grass thriving through the summer. Even those that have an irrigation system sometimes need the extra help of a sprinkler in certain areas. The best lawn sprinklers are those that make watering the lawn easy on the homeowner and healthy for the lawn.
If you know you need a new lawn sprinkler in 2021, you are certainly in the right place. Let’s look at some of the best lawn sprinklers on the market; there is an option on this list for all budgets and lawn sizes.
Things To Consider When Purchasing A Lawn Sprinkler
Coverage Area
How big is the area you are trying to water with your sprinkler? You will notice that each lawn sprinkler is capable of covering a different amount of space. Not only is this calculation vital if you have a large lawn, but it’s important if your property is small as well.
When you use a lawn sprinkler, you will not want the water to hit your house, deck, or even your neighbor’s house. Ensure you know the size of the property and the size of the sprinkler you will need to cover the area. If you can hook up multiple sprinklers at once, this is another option to cover a large area.
Material
The best lawn sprinklers are made of metal and or plastic. The plastic must be durable and long-lasting as sprinklers are exposed to lots of water, dirt, sand, and mud. Over time a cheaper plastic material could start to get brittle and break down.
Metal is a good material because it has more weight to it. It is also very sturdy and stable, especially if you have good water pressure. Always make sure that the metal you are choosing for your lawn sprinkler is anti-corrosive. Metal can rust when exposed to too much water.
Rotation
Depending on the sprinkler that you purchase, the rotation will vary. Some sprinklers will go in a back and forth motion; others will spin water around your property. There are lawn sprinklers that are adjustable and can be changed to work for your specific property needs.
In addition to the rotation, pay attention to the overall adjustability of the sprinkler. If you can change the width, the length of the rotation of the sprinkler, it may be a better value for you. Adjustability in products usually gives us more versatility and oppotunites for long term use.
Top 10 Best Lawn Sprinklers in 2021
Best Overall
1. GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler
Key Features
High-quality ABS Plastic base
360 Rotation
32 feet spray distance
Long lasting
Works with 80 PSI water pressure
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Our Take
The GrowGreen Sprinkler is the best overall lawn sprinkler on the market. This durable and powerful model has a very large spray distance of almost 33 feet. You can fully adjust each of the nozzles to spray in any direction and get the watering you need.
One of our favorite features of the GrowGreen Sprinkler is that it features water conservation technology. The GrowGreen will help to make sure that you don’t waste water, but you still get lots of great coverage for your lawn.
Another great thing about the GrowGreen is that it is fully adjustable. You can change the way each nozzle sprays so that you can get water in the areas where you need it. Overall this GrowGreen offers a great value and very easy setup and use.
Best Value
2. WOVUU Lawn Sprinkler
Key Features
Three adjustable spray patterns
360 degree rotating
Made with ABS engineering plastic
Quick connector
Broad coverage
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Our Take
Lawn sprinklers are not the most expensive thing you will have to buy for your property. However, any time you can find a deal on a great product, it is worth considering. THe Wovuu Lawn Sprinker is a very affordable but high functioning model that will keep your lawn in great shape.
The Wovuu lawn sprinkler has a 360 degree rotating head that will help to make sure it covers a large area. The fact that there are three adjustable spray patterns per arm allows you quite a few different configurations. You can use this for watering your lawn or keeping the kids entertained for a few minutes!
Like any lawn sprinkler, the amount of water pressure you have will play into how successful this sprinkler is in watering your garden. The Wovuu is compatible with most hoses and comes with a quick connector fitting to ensure that you get a fit that will not leak. With the price that this Wovuu is offered, it’s a good model if you need more than one lawn sprinkler.
Best Premium
3. Orbit 58308Z Brass Impact Sprinkler
Key Features
Sprays up to 90 feet in diameter
Covers large areas
Easy to connect to other units
Anti backsplash arm
Resists clogs
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Our Take
The Orbit 58308Z is a premium lawn sprinkler that can spray a large area at once. Premium sprinklers differ from the standard lawn sprinklers in that they are made with higher quality material. A sprinkler made with brass and built on a metal tripod will last longer than a plastic model.
The Orbit stands on a stable tripod base that is made of metal. This is an excellent option if you are trying to broadcast water over a large area of plants. The tripod is adjustable and can go as high as 48 inches tall. The orbit is one of the best lawn sprinklers for growing plants as well as keeping your lawn green.
Depending on the manufacturer of the sprinkler, you will hear the anti backsplash technology described in a few different ways. Essentially you won’t have to worry about this sprinkler randomly spraying an area that does not need it.
4. Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Key Features
Rubber nozzles
Can control the width of the pattern
Smooth operation
Quick connect
Limited lifetime warranty
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The Melnor Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler is a unique and high performing choice that will get you the results you need to improve the health and wellness of your lawn. Our favorite thing about the Melnor are the rubber nozzles that it uses to disperse water. These rubber nozzles do not rust, and they don’t get clogged.
You can cover up to 4500 sq ft with one Melnor sprinkler. This is also a model that will connect to the hose within a matter of seconds, using the Quick Connect Adapter. Trust us on this one; you won’t want to have to rig a way for your hose and sprinkler to connect. These Quick Connect Adapters are worth having.
On the side of the Melnor Turbo Oscillating Sprinker, you will notice there is some adjustability. You can change the width of the watering pattern. This is a nice feature to have if you are working on watering one trouble spot in your lawn.
5. Melnor 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler
Key Features
Covers 5600 sq ft
Rustproof design
Heavy base won’t tip
Easy to connect and disconnect
Pulsating sprinkler
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Our Take
When you are shopping for lawn sprinklers, you will notice that the two main materials to choose from are metal and plastic. Melnor makes some plastic lawn sprinklers, but they also make metal base sprinklers as well. If you have high water pressure, you may find that the metal base is a better choice.
Metal lawn sprinklers tend to hold up a bit better over time. They also handle higher water pressure without flipping over and sending you running after a sprinkler that is out of control. The Melnor Pulsating Sprinkler can cover up to an 85 food diameter with its wide spray.
This is yet another Melnor model that uses the Quick Connect Adapter. We love this feature, but you have to be prepared to purchase it separately. The Quick Connect Adapter is worth having. Although many of the best lawn sprinklers on this list are fairly priced, this Melnor Pulsating is truly a great deal.
6. Melnor 65003-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Key Features
Four-way adjustment
Up to 4000 sq ft
Smooth operation
Quick Connect Adapter eligible
Durable plastic design
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Our Take
If you thought we were done talking about Melnor sprinklers, think again! This company has all types of sprinklers to fit the needs of a wide range of homeowners. The Mini Max Turbo is an oscillating sprinkler that gives you lots of adjustability in the spray and design.
The Mini Max is a bit smaller than some of the other Melnor sprinklers on the market. The full size coverage with this model will be about 4000 sq ft. What sets this model apart is the four-way adjustment.
You can choose how you want your water to spray and get it so that it hits just the right area. It also helps to change the water pattern that you use on your lawn. If your turf is subject to puddling, you may be able to avoid that by alternating the spray that you use. When we tested the Melnor, we were very pleased with the results that it had. We found that once you found the proper setting for your turf, it was a very effective lawn sprinkler.
7. Brizer Oscillating Lawn Sprinkler
Key Features
Traditional looking sprinkler
Easy to remove sprinkler and clean it
Adjustable dial
3000 sq foot of coverage
Gentle spray
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Our Take
The Brizer Oscillating Lawn Sprinker is what you would think of as a typical lawn sprinkler. The water pattern is going to travel back and forth to cover your turf completely. This model is capable of covering about 3000 sq ft of lawn.
The plastic nozzles on the Brizer can sometimes can be clogged with dirt or mud. However, the Brizer comes with a nozzle cleaner attached to the end of the sprinkler. Overall it is not a complicated model to clean, and you can clear up a clog rather quickly.
The best feature of this Brizer is the ability to adjust the spray that you get. You can choose between a left, right, narrow or full spray. This helps to make sure that you are not overwatering an area. Any type of adjustability on a lawn sprinkler is an essential feature for homeowners to consider. Overall this is an easy sprinkler to maneuver and makes watering your yard a bit more manageable.
8. Signature Garden Three-Arm Sprinkler
Key Features
3600 sq ft coverage
360-degree motion
Can adjust 15-45 degrees spray
Thick ABS Material
Stable and durable
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Our Take
The Signature Garden Three Arm Sprinkler has quite a few spray nozzles and plenty of coverage. This is a rotating arm sprinkler so that you will get a very natural waterfall for your turf. As long as you have 80 PSI water pressure, the Signature Garden is a great choice.
One of our favorite features of this particular model is the fact that you can adjust the angle of the spray. Although the lower angle will help you reach a further area, it is nice to have the adjustability with this model.
The Signature Garden is made from an ABS material that will hold up for quite some time. If you are a person that uses your lawn sprinkler quite often, this is a choice that you must consider. You won’t have to worry about corrosion or longevity with the Signature Garden lawn sprinkler.
9. Melnor 65031-AMZ MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
Key Features
On Step Spike
Four way adjustment
Cover 3900 sq ft
Zoom control for zeroing in on an area
Metal and plastic design
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Our Take
Here we are with another Melnor sprinkler. This is very similar to the Mini Max on Base that we have reviewed prior; however, this model is on a step spike. If you have had trouble with a sprinkler staying in place, the metal spike can sometimes be a better choice.
One of the things we like about the metal spike is that it seems easier to move when it is time to change the sprinkler’s location. Another nice benefit is that the sprinkler itself won’t block a portion of your lawn from getting water. When you leave a large plastic sprinkler out on your lawn for an extended period, it could certainly start to burn out the grass a bit.
This Melnor with Metal Spike is four way adjustable and allows you to get the exact setup you need for your lawn or garden. Being able to cover 3900 sq ft with a compact lawn sprinkler like this one makes it a great choice.
10. Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler
Key Features
Customizable patterns
3600 sq ft range
Leak resistant connection
Clog resistant
Steel base for less rust long term
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Our Take
Last but not least on our list is the Aqua Joe Oscillating Sprinkler. The Aqua Joe is a great choice to consider if you want something easy to use and durable. As far as adjustability and performance go, the Aqua Joe won’t be quite like our top choices.
The Aqua Joe Sprinkler has a range of about 3600 sq feet, which is quite large for the price you pay for this sprinkler. There are 16 nozzles on the Aqua Joe that do an excellent job of resisting clogs.
Potentially our favorite feature of the Aqua Joe is the base. The base is made from virtually indestructible metal. A lawn sprinkler base will often sit in a moist area for so long that it will start to break down. With the Aqua Joe, you won’t have to worry about that. The only real downside of this model is that you won’t change the water flow pattern.
Lawn Sprinkler Buyers Guide
Now that you have a better idea of the options out there for lawn sprinklers. You can start to narrow down the decisions you will have to make when you purchase. Luckily purchasing a lawn sprinkler should be reasonably straightforward. There are however, some basic characteristics that you will have to look for to find the best lawn sprinkler.
Metal vs. Plastic
As you probably noticed, sprinklers are available in both metal and plastic. There are some positives and negatives to both materials. Some of the best sprinkler options are going to be a mix of metal and plastic. The metal base mixed with plastic at the top seems to be the best combination for longevity.
When you purchase a metal lawn sprinkler, you have to make sure that it is an anti corrosion metal. The last thing you will want is the sprinkler to rust and cause some of the nozzles to clog or spray water inconsistently.
Another issue with a rusted sprinkler is that the rust and water will ix and create a runoff that could cause issues with your turf or even your sidewalk if the sprinkler is placed close by. Many people opt to go with plastic as it is easier to take care of long term.
The downside to plastic is that sometimes it is very lightweight. If you have higher water pressure and you run it through the sprinkler sometimes the plastic units will move or tip over. If you go with something that is plastic, make sure it is a heavy duty, durable plastic.
Coverage Area
Potentially the most critical factor to consider when purchasing the best lawn sprinkler is the size of the area that you need to cover. Many homeowners purchase a sprinkler without first thinking about this, and they end up causing themselves more work which is a less efficient way to water your garden.
If you can afford it, it is ideal to have both a long reach lawn sprinkler and one for a more compact area. You will want to have different types of lawn sprinklers to make it easier to get the coverage that you need for your turf.
Some sprinklers will give you a diameter that they can cover, and others will give you the total square feet. For most homeowners, it is essential to water your entire lawn. If you choose a sprinkler with a smaller coverage area, you will probably need to move the lawn sprinkler quire often.
This adds some time and responsibility to your day, and it’s most likely not worth it. Choose something large enough that you will only have to move it once or twice. You can also adjust the water pressure going into the sprinkler if you need it to water a smaller area.
Price
When taking care of your lawn and garden, you can expect to spend a fair bit of money on products and supplies. The good news is that a lawn sprinkler is not all that expensive. In addition to the low cost of the initial product, the lawn sprinkler can help you conserve water as well.
Without a sprinkler, the water you use to take care of your lawn will flow out of your hose at a very fast rate. The fast rate will end up watering your grass too quickly and create floods and puddles that are not necessary. Water conservation is essential, and the best lawn sprinklers will undoubtedly help with that.
The great thing about a lawn sprinkler is that it will be much more reasonable than installing a sprinkler system. Although you will have to add some manual labor with a lawn sprinkler, you will likely find that it is money well spent.
Try not to choose your lawn sprinkler based on price alone. They are all within the same general price range. Look more for features and functionality than price.
Water Pressure
Some lawn sprinklers are going to need a certain amount of water pressure to function. Without the proper water pressure, the sprinkler will not be able to turn and rotate to water your lawn correctly. You will see that the water pools up near the unit’s base and only saturates a specific area.
If you know that your water pressure will be an issue, look for a very lightweight sprinkler. The lighter the sprinkler is, the easier it will be for it to turn without causing the water to pool up or flood out the base of the sprinkler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you have a list of the best sprinklers and the qualifications for choosing the right one for your yard, here are some helpful tips on using a lawn sprinkler properly. Knowing how to use a sprinkler will undoubtedly help make sure you keep your lawn looking great for years to come.
When Should I Use My Lawn Sprinkler
Lawn sprinklers are designed to give your grass extra water that it is not getting from the rain. Whenever you use your lawn sprinkler, you want to make sure that you are getting the most out of the time spent running your water. After all, running water costs you money.
If you water in the heat of the day, the water is going to evaporate from the lawn very quickly. This makes your efforts much less effective and will likely cause you to need to water longer and distribute more water.
It is best to water your lawn before 9 am. Most people will set their sprinklers to run around 4 or 5 am. This gives the grass time to soak in all of the water before the sun comes up and starts to evaporate it. Running your sprinklers very early in the morning also allows some time for the grass to dry before you walk out into it.
How Many Minutes Should You Use Your Lawn Sprinkler
Your lawn may need varying amounts of water depending on how dry it is. If you are going through a drought, you would need to water for longer periods than just doing maintenance to your grass.
We recommend watering about 20 to thirty minutes three times a week. You should be keeping a close eye on your grass to know if this is enough or not enough watering time. When you are watering too much, your grass may get fungus or burn out in certain spots.
If however, you are not watering enough, you will notice that the turf looks browned out or brittle. When you walk on the grass, you will see that it is very dry, and there may even be dirt coming up as you walk.
The watering needs for your turf are going to vary based on the climate you are in and also the layout of your yard. Generally, speaking yards with lots of coverage from trees will need less water than those that bake in the sun.
The best thing you can do is closely watch your lawn and the weather to make sure you are giving it what it needs.
Is A Sprinkler Good For Grass
The best thing for grass is rain. Let’s face it; we all need rain to survive. However, a sprinkler is an excellent substitute for times when there is not enough rain. Overall a sprinkler is considered to be suitable for the grass.
You will need to learn to use the sprinkler properly, or you could end up with issues starting in your turf. Overwatering is one of the most common factors leading to the fungus in turf. Most likely, your grass does not need to be watered every day. A few days a week should be plenty.
Does The Height Of A Lawn Sprinkler Matter
As you may have noticed, our choice for the best premium lawn sprinkler is one that is raised from the ground. When you purchase a lawn sprinkler, you may want something that will also take care of plants and shrubs in your garden.
Although when watering your lawn, the height of the lawn sprinkler is not going to matter all that much, it will matter when dealing with certain shrubs and plants. Ideally, when you water plants, you are going to need the water to get to the roots.
If the water is not capable of reaching the roots, the plant will not benefit as much. When the water sprays the leaves of the plants without the capabilities of traveling down to the roots you will notice that you have to water much more to get the same results. Purchasing a sprinkler with a tripod or a stand certainly gives you more versatility. When the stand is adjustable, you have many choices in how you will take care of your lawn.
Are Rotary or Oscillating Lawn Sprinklers Better?
The rotary sprinklers are going to spin around, and the oscillating sprinklers will travel up and down, creating a pattern very similar to rain. Although both of these sprinklers can work to do an excellent job for your lawn, we tend to lean towards the oscillating design.
Rotary is good for a small area or when using a powerful head in a sprinkler system. However, the oscillating lawn sprinklers most closely replicate the natural pattern of rainfall. This helps to make sure that no pooling occurs. In turn, you will have much fewer issues with your lawn when the water does not pool up.
