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Easy and efficient watering solutions for gardens of all sizes.
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To find the best lawn sprinklers, we personally tested several models on our own lawns.
You may need more than one unit for a large yard.
The sprinkler comes with adjustable tripod legs that were initially set to the shortest height.
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Plus, adjusting the height was quite intuitive.
Unlike other models, this pulsating sprinkler doesnt need to be staked into the ground.
The radius of the water spray reaches about 30 feet.
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However, it can be set to a stream, which will reach a touch further.
Overall, the pulsating action of the sprinkler blankets the lawn effectively when spraying from the tripods maximum height.
Theres only one spray pattern.
TheGrowGreen Sprinkleris a powerful unit thats less expensive than other options we tested.
We found it to be efficient and easy to use, and its ideal for medium-sized yards.
During testing, the lawn sprinkler provided wide coverage without us having to move it around frequently.
We were pleased to note that there were no drips, leaks, or clogs.
While it seems durable enough, we recommend storing it between uses to increase longevity.
Luckily, its compact size means it wont take up much storage space either.
It has a lower water pressure than other sprinklers.
If you have a small yard, the best lawn sprinkler is theDramm Premium Turret Sprinkler.
The unit was easy to set up and we found that it was very efficient during testing.
This heavy sprinkler is made from metal and designed to withstand outdoor conditions and regular use.
It cant be staked in the ground, so would likely not withstand inclement weather.
TheOrbit Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Baseis a great option for those with larger yards.
The sprinkler comes fully set up and ready to go straight out of the box.
During testing, we only had to move the sprinkler once to sufficiently cover every square inch of lawn.
The spray nozzle has various configs to turn the head or choose the spray pattern.
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Adjusting the height of the tripod will also increase or decrease the coverage.
Despite the sprinkler not being staked into the ground, it didnt topple over in windy weather.
However, we wouldnt leave it out when not in use, in the event of stronger gales.
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Theres no on/off valve at the sprinkler and theres limited spray adjustment.
To set up this pick, all we had to do was attach the hose to it.
The lawn sprinkler offered great coverage thanks to its water-powered turbo drive motor.
We liked that it has an adjustable head that changes the direction of the water.
To modify the pressure, we had to do it at the water source, or move the sprinkler.
We noted that it did not leak during the whole testing period.
We were impressed with the wide spray coverage but would have appreciated an on/off valve at the sprinkler.
This unit was lightweight yet suitably heavy to stay where we put it.
Its well-made, and we feel like its durable enough to be left outside in all types of weather.
Its about 19 pounds, which may be difficult for some people to move on their own.
The instructions were straightforward, no special tools were needed, and the hose attached effortlessly.
The tractor moves slowly to ensure proper watering and distribution, hydrating every inch of grass.
Setup is a little complex, and the parts are mostly plastic.
Once we figured assembly out, setup was surprisingly easy.
It doesnt have any special features but it is completely customizable, which we liked.
The spray from each sprinkler is intentionally tiny, making it great for flower beds and vegetable patches.
There is a dial on each of the red sprinkler heads to adjust the pressure.
The direction of the spray can only be adjusted by physically maneuvering it.
Adjusting its height was intuitive, and moving it around the garden to reach other areas was a breeze.
Each lawn sprinkler was evaluated on its setup, effectiveness, features, and durability.
They can then be broken down into sub-types, like rotating, oscillating, and pulsating.
TheOrbit Traveling Sprinkler, for instance, has an impressive spray coverage of 13,500 square feet.
For newly seeded lawns, consider oscillating or wobbler sprinklers, which throw a more gentle spray.
As well as coverage, you may want to consider coverage patterns as well.
Always check the sprinkler hose connection size, Cosby advises.
Most work with a standard 58-inch hose, but some may require 34-inch.
Note that many of the thinner 12-inch hoses can’t move enough water to keep the sprinklers working.
Water Pressure
Water pressure is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch.
The same goes for the main water valves or shut-off valves.
Sprinkler piping systems are often made from steel.
Many sprinkler heads are constructed from hard-wearing and durable ABS plastic or metals such as brass or stainless steel.
Plastic is less prone to rusting but could crack in too much direct sunlight.
I prefer metal sprinklers for the most part, Cosby tells us.
They are much more durable than high-impact plastics.
Although far-reaching, the spray was hard to control.
The arms can be somewhat adjusted, but the pressure has to be managed from the faucet.
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It also moved quite slowly (so much so that we wondered if it was actually working).
Its well-made, with a sturdy metal construction, and brass arms.
The height is adjustable, but there are no options for spray intensity or direction.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja
While lacking in adjustable configs, it’s a durable and effective option for medium-sized lawns and gardens.
Your Questions, Answered
How often should you run your lawn sprinklers?
Typically, it depends on the time of year and your areas climate.
On average, lawns should be watered around once a week unless there was a good amount of rain.
However, in the summer, you should bewatering your lawntwo to three times per week.
According to Cosby, lawns inareas with very hot and dry climatesmay need to be watered twice a day.
What is the best way to water a large lawn?
Lawn sprinklers are the best way to keep a large lawn watered.
Traveling sprinklers can also access more of the yard than stationary types.
What is the most efficient lawn watering system?
Most water sprinklers will save you time, energy, and water, making them a worthwhile purchase.
Again, the most efficient lawn watering system for you depends mainly on the size of your garden.
The way youmow your lawn in each seasoncould also have an impact on how well it gets watered.
Khandker advises that, in hot weather, you shouldleave your grass a little bit longerwhen you mow it.
This encourages the grass to develop deeper roots to access more water and stay safe from the summer heat.
She has been writing for Dotdash Meredith since 2019, and atBHGsince 2021.
Kat is also the editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
For this article, she evaluated testing insights on lawn sprinklers we tried at home.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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