10 Best Lawn Sprinkler Systems

It might seem that creating and maintaining a green lawn is impossible, but it does not have to be. The first move toward a perfectly green lawn is to invest in a lawn sprinkler that can do all of the work for you. Perhaps you want a compact system that you may move to the areas that need the most watering, or perhaps you’ve established roots and are ready to install a permanent system. Perhaps what you want to do is plug in a tool’s head and let it take care of the rest. 

Half the fight of having the lawn of your imagination is having a decent sprinkler system. Knowing where and how far to water is the other half of the equation. When the blades curl in the evening, begin to transform a bluish-gray color, or footsteps leave a permanent indent, your lawn might be ready for a beer. Early in the morning, water a couple of inches deep to enable the soil to absorb the moisture without evaporation from the midday sun.

Now that you know what to look for in a thirsty lawn, all you have to do is flip on one of these highly regarded lawn sprinklers and let it take care of the rest. Check the following comparison table and buying guide when shopping for premium lawn sprinkler systems. 

Orbit 62120 Garden Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler – the best for repelling animals!

The metal tripod that can stretch the unit up to 54 inches is the most distinguishing feature of this Orbit lawn sprinkler system. This is a useful function in locations where there is dense grass or where the stake can’t be inserted into the soil for any purpose. This Orbit sprinkler can be over 32 inches tall when fitted with the tripod.

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Both at night and throughout the day, this motion-activated sprinkler performs admirably. It even fits in all seasons. It has intelligent sensor technology that only turns on when motion is detected, saving both battery power and water.

It features a 120-degree sensor that may identify animals and birds from a distance of up to 40 feet. It can also differentiate between animal activity and tree branches waving in the wind. For smaller or larger species, the sensing angle may often be increased or decreased.

It also has a 30-minute irrigation period, so it can double as an animal repellent as well as a sprinkler for your garden or yard. It is powered by 4 AA batteries.

This model is identical to the 62100 model that has all of the same functionality, but it is mounted on a concrete tripod rather than a stake in the dirt. This allows it to “see” through dense bushes, allowing it to fend off deer and other big animals.

Pros

Pros

• A 120-degree sensor with different 3 modes;
• 40-foot sensing range to detect animals;
• 30-minute watering cycle;
• Preserves water;
• Stable tripod;
• The good coverage;

Cons

Cons

• May not detect the small animals;
• May stuck when turned off;

This Orbit sprinkler has a 1,600-square-foot coverage range. The gadget also includes a 120-degree sensor, smart sensing tech, and timed watering settings.

Orbit 56667N Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod – the best for the coverage area!

When set to a full loop, the Orbit 56667N sprinkler on tripod sprays up to 85 feet in diameter. The system covers 5,670 sq. ft. The Orbit 56667N device comes with a tripod for fast transport and positioning. It’s made of sturdy zinc alloy.

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The deflector and anti-backsplash arm on this sprinkler ensure fast, quiet, and smooth rotation while distributing water where it is most required.

Watering with a sprinkler may be performed in a complete circle or segments. It’s all up to you.

This sprinkler is supported by 3 legs for better stability. The tripod’s height can be adjusted from 16 to 37.5 inches. This contributes to a broader coverage. One of the most significant benefits of using a 3-legged sprinkler is the flexibility with which you can change the height of the legs.

Orbit is popular for making tools and accessories that work with accessories and tools. You may also buy a programmable hose faucet timer, for example, which will function well with this sprinkler. Also, it is compatible with a hose faucet timer, garden hose or hose-Y adapter.

Pros

Pros

• Durable;
• Adjustable coverage;
• Anti-backsplash arm;
• The tripod can be easily adjusted;
• Has a deflector shield;

Cons

Cons

• The tripod may be unstable;
• The sprinkler head may stop randomly;
• Not suitable for a high water pressure;

The planting can be much easier with this sprinkler. With this sprinkler, you can easily accomplish effective and reliable watering. This is the most effective method for ensuring beautiful green lawns.

Melnor 3900H Impact Lawn Sprinkler – the best for low water pressure!

Consider this impulse sprinkler from the Melnor Heritage lineup if you’re searching for a serious sprinkler that will last for years. It’s made of all-metal components that are rugged and non-corrosive, and the Melnor backs that up with a 7-year warranty.

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The foundation is made of sturdy zinc that has been extensively coated and covered in green enamel. In a circle form, this model occupies an overall radius of 42.5 feet. The sprinkler may be adjusted to water from 20 degrees to 360 degrees. For smaller watering work, you may lower the stream to reduce the spray radius.

If you don’t know what all of the moving parts do, adjusting the parts of a pulsating sprinkler can be a little overwhelming.

Pros

Pros

• The coverage angle can be adjusted from 20 to 360 degrees;
• Partial or full circle watering;
• Non-corrosive;
• Can spray gentle mist or powerful jet of water;
• Limited 7-year warranty;
• Works as a pulsating/impact sprinkler;
• Has a daisy-chain for larger areas;
• Good for odd-shaped or tight square places;

Cons

Cons

• Hard to adjust;
• Diffuser pin problems are possible;
• Inconsistent coverage with different levels of water distribution;

It’s tough, simple to use. The system works well at 20-psi water pressure (many impact sprinklers don’t work properly at 22 psi).

GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler – the best for spraying in any direction!

With 80-psi water pressure, the GrowGreen rotary sprinkler is a strong sprinkling system. To adjust your lawn irrigation, you can change the sprinkler nozzles to spray in either direction. The sprinkler base is weighted to hold the device firmly in position to prevent it from moving.

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These sprinklers are constructed of high-quality ABS material and a rust-resistant rubber, so they can last a long time and have worry-free service.

This water sprinkler is very simple to use and set up. It also employs water-saving equipment that sprays an even coating of water without overdoing it.

This sprinkler’s three arms enable it to rotate 360 degrees and cover a distance of up to 32.8 feet. This sprinkler’s relatively quiet activity is a hallmark advantage, enabling you to use it even in the early morning hours without causing a disruption.

Pros

Pros

• Sprays in any directions;
• Spins and preserves water;
• Rustproof;
• Quiet;
• Water pressure is 80 psi;
• Covers a large area;
• Weights for the secure placement;
• Kid-friendly;

Cons

Cons

• Flimsy plastic components;
• The nozzles may clog;
• Too active for small lawns;
• One-year warranty only;

On hot and sunny days, this powerful sprinkler can be used as a friendly sprinkler set for the kids to play in and cool off.

Melnor XT Mini-Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler – the best for an adjustment!

The Melnor XT Mini-Turbo sprinkler with one-touch width and flow control may water up to 3,900 sq. ft. The Melnor XT Minimax Turbo water sprinkler is unusual in that it allows controlling the movement of water, from a large to a very small flow. It can be ordered with a sled base or a phase spike.

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The whole head of the sprinkler can be turned 360 degrees, unlike most oscillating sprinklers, which ensures you don’t have to shift the whole sprinkler to water through a particular direction.

The sled foundation is made of plastic, but it is quite solid, and the sprinkler didn’t shift during service.

Within the stage where it attaches to the hose, most sprinklers have a washer and (generally) a strainer/sieve of some kind. The sieve that prevents soil and sediment from accessing the water stream is located within the sprinkler head, which makes this sprinkler special.

You can do it with this sprinkler, which covers 4,000 sq. ft. and is up to 75 inches long x 53 inches tall, almost the size of a basketball court. Through slipping the range control levers, you will reduce the coverage from 15 to 75 inches.

Pros

Pros

• Easy to adjust;
• Compact;
• Smooth operation;
• In-built flow control;
• Limited lifetime warranty;

Cons

Cons

• Doesn’t have on/off switch;
• Pricey;

This sprinkler is of the same high standard as the Melnor 4100, and it also has a mechanical timer that switches off the water after 1-120 minutes.

The Buyer’s Guide

Types

1) Fixed or stationary sprinklers. The design and scope of such systems vary, but they all connect to the hose and spray water in the pattern over the same region before they’re pushed. This style of sprinkler is ideally designed for small yards and gardens since it can only reach a radius of five to fifteen feet at a time.

2) Oscillating sprinklers. To spread water in a semi-circular spray, the systems use a row of several openings. The sprinkler head, as well as the accompanying water fan, then travels from side to side, covering a wider region than other stationary irrigation systems.

3) Rotating/rotary and impact sprinklers. When they emit water, all systems rotate 360 degrees. The former usually has two or three spinning arms, while the latter devices (also classified as an impulse sprinkler) sprays water from a single jet and clicks as it rotates. These pulsating sprinklers frequently provide the greatest water delivery. Sprinkler hoses are mostly rubber hoses with tiny perforations lined along the top. They produce a powered spray. Since they reach out over your property like a plant, the duration and width of these models are ideal for watering large, short, and sometimes abnormally curved patches of grass.

4) Travelers/traveling sprinklers. They ride around your yard in a pre-programmed fashion, just like a tiny lawn mower – except that instead of clipping your grass, they water it.

5) In-ground sprinklers. By following a fixed routine, they plan when to water your lawn. While the initial effort to plan, dig up your house, and connect a new system to your water main is more time-consuming, the conveniently positioned sprinkler heads can be configured to rise from the field and water your lawn at predetermined times.

Tripod sprinklers help to adjust the height and width of the spraying distance. But these models have to be installed on even ground.

Water conservation

The best sprinklers have features that enable you to control how much water is used. Automatic timers let you arrange exact watering schedules in advance on in-ground sprinkler systems.

Flow timers (which track and restrict the used amount of water) and automatic shutoff are the most comparable features to search for in aboveground sprinklers.

The coverage area

The amount of lawn you have and the lawn shape are perhaps the most significant factors to acknowledge. If you have a wide area to water, you might want to consider an in-ground system with a sprinkler controller – particularly if warm, dry days are the rule in your area. If you just have a small suburban yard to maintain, an oscillating sprinkler or a moving option for longer yards (although they may function in place) might be more efficient.

The water source and pressure

Another factor to remember is the origins and pressure of the water. Your water source or pressure capabilities might not be able to accommodate all in-ground systems. For aboveground options, you must also consider the position of your facets. If they’re a long way from where you require water, try running a different facet similar to your needs to stop running to run long hose distances.

FAQ

When to water the lawn? 

Before 10 AM it is the best time to water the lawn. It’s time to switch on the sprinklers if your lawn starts to look a little gray.

What is the most cost-effective lawn sprinkler? 

What kind of lawn you own and where you reside can determine which sprinkler is the most powerful for your property. Auto sprinkler systems, in most situations, can guarantee that the lawn is sprayed on a daily basis even though you are not at home.

Do lawn sprinklers preserve water? 

The best sprinklers are designed and configured in such a way that the volume of water fed to each device through the hose is maximized. Above-ground sprinklers are normally less effective than automatic systems.

Are rain sensors necessary? 

Rain sensors may be used along with automated sprinkler systems. When it rains, these sensors warn the sprinklers, allowing for maximum water conservation.

How should you increase the water pressure in a lawn sprinkler? 

You might do a few different items to boost the water pressure in a sprinkler. If your home’s water pressure is also poor or falling, make sure the mainline regulator is working properly to rule out this as a trigger.

If this is ruled out as a cause and your system’s water pressure remains poor, have a trained plumber inspect your pipes for blockages. They may also be able to mount a boost pump on the line if required to improve the water flow from the faucet.

If your home’s water pressure is as strong as it can be, there’re a few things you can do for your sprinkler system to try to boost it. First, make sure the sprinkler is set lower than the waterline. It’s still a smart strategy to use gravity to your advantage.

You may eliminate or obstruct any of the individual nozzles depending on the kind of sprinkler system you have. This would increase the pressure by forcing more water into the remaining nozzles.

To let further water in, you might be able to change the water flow and pattern of individual nozzles. It’s important to note that whilst this will increase the volume of water at the particular nozzle, it will not boost the overall pressure in the system.

Video Tutorial: How to Fix Broken Sprinkler Heads

Recently I’ve had a task to choose a good automatic lawn sprinkling system for my father-in-law. The choice was quite challenging. Though, a few days of research and tests resulted in this review for my favorite side-project – Grass-Killer.Com.

What to look for in an automatic lawn sprinkler?

An automatic lawn irrigation system is a special mechanism that can be used to irrigate a lawn. During the irrigation process, you may not even be present and control it. All below-mentioned devices are set up fully automatically.

There are 3 types of automatic lawn sprinkler:

• Rain irrigation sprinklers;
• Drip irrigation sprinklers;
• Subsurface irrigation sprinklers;

A rain irrigation system pours like real rain. It sprinkles water from above. It is best to use this automatic system for watering flower beds, lawns, and fields. Just like manual spreaders, such lawn sprinklers provide automatic watering. Water, which comes through pipes, is cleaned with the help of special filters. A special controller ensures correct and timely sprinkling.

A drip system is used for the irrigation of plants that do not need rain and water from above. For this purpose, special equipment is laid out right next to the roots of plants. When such a system is used, the stems and leaves of plants remain dry. This method is used if necessary for watering shrubs, greenhouses or gardens. This drip irrigation system is economically efficient and smart. During its use, almost all water reaches its destination. In addition, drip irrigation systems are considered the most durable and reliable
Subsurface irrigation systems resemble a rain drip device. Their components are placed underground. They look like a drip line placed in the ground at a certain depth. The very process of this automatic irrigation takes place under the lawn. It is mostly used in greenhouses with perennial plants. The main advantage of such automatic watering systems is economic efficiency.

What lawn sprinklers to choose: 5 best automatic systems

1. Garden Enforcer is equipped with a 120-degree sensor, 4 AA alkaline batteries, that weighs about 5.3 pounds;
2. Zinc Impact Sprinkler is adjustable for full-circle sprinkling, with a threaded impact head, lightweight;
3. Impact Lawn Sprinkler offers the sprinkling range up to 85d, with a metal head;
4. GrowGreen Sprinkler includes a 360 rotation range for irrigation of your lawn;
5. Melnor XT Mini-Turbo can moisten the lawn with a 53 feet range, has 4-way ultimate adjustment;

In addition to these brands, I also offer such lawn sprinkling systems made by U.S. and European brands: XT Metal Oscillating, Mini-Turbo Oscillating, Kadaon, Spot Sprinkler.

I recommend using the full cycle sprinkling systems for your lawns, with rain irrigation functions. What do you think about my choice? I would like to discuss your options in this category.

Final thoughts 

Lawn sprinklers come in a range of styles that can help you water the lawn as it grows. The experts looked at the best sprinklers to help you find one that can keep your grass healthy all year. Many online retailers offer the items listed in this post.