The 7 Best Lawn Sprinklers, Tested by BHG | Lanzhou Fire Sprinklers Inc.

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Better Homes & Gardens / Alan Schultz

When thinking about lawn care, perhaps one of the most important tools to hydrate your lawn with is a reliable lawn sprinkler. However, with so many styles out there, it can be difficult to decide which is best suited for your needs.

The first thing to consider when shopping around for the perfect lawn sprinkler for your yard, according to Coleman Cosby, the in-house construction expert at Yardzen, is “the size and shape of your lawn, plus how often and how much time you have to spend watering.”

To find the best lawn sprinklers, we personally tested several models on our own lawns. In addition to Cosby, we also consulted Sean Khandker, the owner of InsideOut, and Wesley Stanton, the owner of Sierra Madre Landscape Co., for more information on what to look for when shopping for a lawn sprinkler.

We evaluated 12 lawn sprinklers on their setup, effectiveness, features, and durability. For more information on how we tested lawn sprinklers, check out our testing process below.

It offers easy setup, adjustable tripod legs, effective coverage with pulsating action, and a sturdy construction with metal parts.

You may need more than one unit for a large yard.

The Melnor Deluxe Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Tripod impressed us in more ways than one, which is why it nabbed the top spot on our list of the best lawn sprinklers. To start, we like that aside from setting the turning range and connecting the hose, no assembly was required.

The sprinkler comes with adjustable tripod legs that were initially set to the shortest height. However, these can be extended to allow the sprinkler to sit higher in the air for a longer watering range. Plus, adjusting the height was quite intuitive.

Unlike other models, this pulsating sprinkler doesn’t need to be staked into the ground. During testing, we found this tripod sprinkler to be very effective and easy to use across the yard in various positions.

The sprinkler base has handy tabs that set the range of the side-to-side oscillations and allow you to control the coverage area. These are easy to adjust, but note that to avoid getting wet, the hose must be turned off when you do so.

The radius of the water spray reaches about 30 feet. 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 tripod’s maximum height. The water intensity can’t be adjusted directly from the sprinkler, but can be swiftly controlled by the hose bib.

This lawn sprinkler has a supportive base that is not easily tipped over, even when it’s extended all the way in fairly strong winds. For larger yards, you might want to opt for more than one of these units, but you can cover the whole lawn with one because it’s light enough to move around.

It has a weighted base to keep it in place, a wide spray coverage, and is fun for pets and kids to play in.

There’s only one spray pattern.

The GrowGreen Sprinkler is a powerful unit that’s less expensive than other options we tested. We found it to be efficient and easy to use, and it’s ideal for medium-sized yards.

During testing, the lawn sprinkler provided wide coverage without us having to move it around frequently. This sprinkler was simple to set up—it came in two pieces and all we had to do was screw the top on.

We were pleased to note that there were no drips, leaks, or clogs. While it only has one spray pattern that some may find limiting, it has an impressively wide spray, reaching almost all of the lawn without us having to manually reposition it.

This unit is made from a lightweight ABS plastic and has weights attached to the bottom, so it won’t blow away in the wind. While it seems durable enough, we recommend storing it between uses to increase longevity. Luckily, it’s compact size means it won’t take up much storage space either.

It has nine different spray patterns, customizable coverage, and a durable build.

It has a lower water pressure than other sprinklers.

If you have a small yard, the best lawn sprinkler is the Dramm Premium Turret Sprinkler. The unit was easy to set up and we found that it was very efficient during testing.

We liked that this model features nine spray patterns, so you can choose which suits your needs best. While the distance is not specifically adjustable, selecting a different pattern can result in a wider or smaller spray area.

We tested this sprinkler on an irregular-sized yard and were able to set it to spray only the specific areas that required watering. The sprinkler fit into the water source perfectly, and we did not notice any leaks, drips, or clogs. This pick has a lower water pressure than other picks and there’s no water pressure setting, so to adjust this, we simply turned the faucet to the desired flow.

This heavy sprinkler is made from metal and designed to withstand outdoor conditions and regular use. We also like that it also comes in six colors, allowing you to choose between either a vibrant or muted hue.

Product Details: Type: Pulsating | Spray Coverage: Up to 1,200 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Square, rounded square, half square, small circle, large circle, half circle, rectangle, narrow rectangle, and outer ring | Hose Size: Compatible with ⅝-inch standard garden hose | Water Pressure: 90 PSI | Material: Plastic, metal

It offers great range, has adjustable height and hose spray settings, and a sturdy metal construction.

It can’t be staked in the ground, so would likely not withstand inclement weather.

The Orbit Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base is a great option for those with larger yards. We tested this sprinkler out on a quarter-acre lot with new sod and found that it provided great coverage of around 80 feet in diameter.

The sprinkler comes fully set up and ready to go straight out of the box. It’s perched atop an adjustable tripod that can be set to various different heights based on individual needs—the higher the setting, the larger the radius coverage. The hose, which connects securely and doesn’t leak, has different spray settings that allow you to pick the most effective option for your yard.

During testing, we only had to move the sprinkler once to sufficiently cover every square inch of lawn. We were also able to cover the front yard in two positions; one on each side of the driveway.

There is a setting that can either limit the rotation, or allow it to go a full 360 degrees. The spray nozzle has various settings to turn the head or choose the spray pattern. Adjusting the height of the tripod will also increase or decrease the coverage.

Despite the sprinkler not being staked into the ground, it didn’t topple over in windy weather. However, we wouldn’t leave it out when not in use, in the event of stronger gales.

It offers great coverage, has a sturdy build, and is light enough to move if needed but heavy enough to stay put.

There’s no on/off valve at the sprinkler and there’s limited spray adjustment.

The Aqua Joe Oscillating Sprinkler is a flat model with inline nozzles and an upwards spray to gently water your blooms, bushes, and vegetation. 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. Instead, we had to return to the faucet each time we wanted to open and close the water supply.

This unit was lightweight yet suitably heavy to stay where we put it. It’s well-made, and we feel like it’s durable enough to be left outside in all types of weather.

We appreciated that this lawn sprinkler also comes with a built-in cleaning tool to clear out any clogs and keep the nozzles in their best shape, although we didn’t have to use this at all during testing.

It gives you great control over the watering area and speed, has a sturdy construction, and effective coverage.

It’s about 19 pounds, which may be difficult for some people to move on their own.

The Orbit Traveling Sprinkler might be more expensive than other options, but it will travel around the garden by itself thanks to its two spiked back wheels, and a front wheel that is designed to crawl along your hose. This lawn sprinkler comes in handy especially if you have irregular shaped gardens, as it can even go around bends.

This lawn sprinkler comes in three pieces: the metal tractor base, an attachment for the sprinkler arms, and the arms themselves. The instructions were straightforward, no special tools were needed, and the hose attached effortlessly. We tested this mini watering tractor on a large 2-acre yard, and it provided a thorough watering with minimal effort on our part to use it.

The tractor moves slowly to ensure proper watering and distribution, hydrating every inch of grass. We loved its hands-off approach, the ability to guide its direction and speed, and the fact that it didn’t leak at all.

At just under 20 pounds, this is quite a heavy machine, so it may be difficult for some people to move it. Having said that, its robust construction makes it quite durable; we left it out during a heavy rainstorm and it didn't budge.

It’s customizable, effective, and the black piping hides away in the soil.

Setup is a little complex, and the parts are mostly plastic.

The Flantor Drip Irrigation Kit is a versatile sprinkler set that has many setup options, and comes with more than enough accessories to cover all watering needs. As this is a whole irrigation system, it took a little studying of the instructions to understand the many different parts and accessories.

Once we figured assembly out, setup was surprisingly easy. We didn’t have to use any tools, other than a pair of scissors to cut the tubing into the exact sizes we needed. It doesn’t have any special features but it is completely customizable, which we liked.

This sprinkler comes with over 100 accessories, including 20 mist nozzles and 20 dripper nozzles, and 70 feet of irrigation tubing in total to water areas of up to 110 square feet. The spray from each sprinkler is intentionally tiny, making it great for flower beds and vegetable patches.

The system hose fit securely on the hose end, and didn’t leak, drip, or clog during testing. There is a dial on each of the red sprinkler heads to adjust the pressure. It is recommended to dial down the pressure on the red irrigator caps at the beginning of the chain so that there is enough pressure to sustain the sprinkler at the end. The direction of the spray can only be adjusted by physically maneuvering it.

For the most part, the parts, which are all plastic with rubber tubing, felt well-made and sturdy. However, you’ll want to be careful around the red spray heads, as we think they may be prone to cracking if they stepped on.

The Melnor Deluxe Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Tripod is our top pick of the best lawn sprinkler thanks to its adjustable tripod legs, sturdy and durable metal construction, and pulsating action that provided effective coverage. Adjusting its height was intuitive, and moving it around the garden to reach other areas was a breeze.

To find the best lawn sprinklers, we spent 168 hours over a two-week period testing out 12 different models on our lawns. Each lawn sprinkler was evaluated on its setup, effectiveness, features, and durability.

We began by setting up each sprinkler according to the manufacturer’s instructions and connecting it to a water source (noting how easy it was to do so), if any special tools were required, and how clear and helpful the instructions were.

Next, we looked for and tried out any special features like pressure regulators, adjustable flow direction and intensity, range, and pattern options to accommodate different lawn sizes and shapes, and minimize water waste.

We paid special attention to whether the sprinklers leaked, dripped, or became clogged, and if so, whether we were easily able to solve the issues. For traveling sprinklers, we assessed how efficiently they moved around the yard, and whether they ever got stuck.

Finally, we evaluated each sprinkler’s construction (body and components), durability (whether they could withstand outdoor conditions and regular use), and overall value to determine if we’d recommend it.

Better Homes & Gardens / Michelle Ehrich

According to Cosby, stationary sprinklers and self-propelled styles are the two main types of lawn sprinklers you’ll find while shopping. They can then be broken down into sub-types, like rotating, oscillating, and pulsating.

Depending on the sprinkler type and model, sprinklers can have a spray coverage of anywhere from 400 square feet all the way to 6,000 square feet, or more. The Orbit Traveling Sprinkler, for instance, has an impressive spray coverage of 13,500 square feet.

Although some traveling sprinklers might offer a smaller spray coverage than a stationary model, it can cover more area thanks to its ability to move around the yard.

“Impact sprinklers are good for long spray throws, while rotary sprinklers are more efficient and less affected by wind,” says Cosby. “For newly seeded lawns, consider oscillating or wobbler sprinklers, which throw a more gentle spray.”

You might find that just one sprinkler is enough if you have a small- to medium-sized lawn, whereas a larger lawn might need various sprinklers spread throughout the grass, or an irrigation kit with several sprinklers, like the Flantor Drip Irrigation Kit.

As well as coverage, you may want to consider coverage patterns as well. “Stationary sprinklers will typically throw an adjustable circular pattern, oscillating sprinklers a rectangular fan-like pattern, while self-propelling models move in a circular pattern,” says Cosby.

Each sprinkler will state the suitable hose size needed to operate, but the typical size used for tasks requiring high water pressure (such as water sprinklers) is ⅝ inch.

“Always check the sprinkler hose connection size,” Cosby advises. “Most work with a standard ⅝-inch hose, but some may require ¾-inch.” Note that many of the thinner ½-inch hoses can't move enough water to keep the sprinklers working.

Water pressure is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch. While most sprinklers are designed to be used with a minimum water pressure of approximately 30 PSI, you have to know the water pressure at your home before you buy the best lawn sprinkler for you.

According to Cosby, “Rotary and wobbler-type sprinklers require less water pressure, while impact sprinklers require the most.”

If you have good home water pressure and find that the sprinklers are not performing as they should be or that the water pressure is low, there are many things you can try. For starters, you can check the backflow preventer valve to make sure it's completely open. The same goes for the main water valves or shut-off valves.

You’ll also want to ensure that there isn't a water link break, a leak in the system, or some kind of obstruction in the head, such as dirt, that has caused the sprinkler to clog. If you still find that your sprinklers aren't putting out a lot of pressure, you might want to call in an irrigation specialist.

Sprinklers can come in many different materials, but the most common are metal, and plastic, which is typically less expensive. 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. If you opt for a metal version and plan on having it for a long time, ensure that it's rust-proof, resistant to corrosion, and can withstand the elements. “I prefer metal sprinklers for the most part,” Cosby tells us. “They are much more durable than high-impact plastics.”

Better Homes & Gardens / Jordan Provost

The Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Oscillating Sprinkler is a smaller version of our pick for the best sprinkler for flower beds, the Aqua Joe Oscillating Sprinkler. It’s easy to set up, with clear instructions, and offers adequate coverage, albeit with a limited range.

During testing, we found that this sprinkler would be better for use on specific areas or projects rather than the whole lawn as, in addition to its small range, there aren’t many spray adjustments. Other than the two levers that control how far left and right the sprinkler oscillates, there are no special features, and you cannot adjust the pattern or intensity of the spray.

The Melnor 4501 Traveling Sprinkler Lawn Rescue, is an easy-to-assemble unit with high-quality parts, including a brass fitting for the hose connection. 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. It also moved quite slowly (so much so that we wondered if it was actually working).

The Orbit 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler has a telescoping pole and three-arm sprinkler head that offers an even and wide coverage of about a 50-foot diameter. It’s well-made, with a sturdy metal construction, and brass arms.

The height is adjustable, but there are no settings for spray intensity or direction. We particularly liked the two specific hose slots on either side of the unit that allows you to daisy-chain more than one sprinkler together. While lacking in adjustable settings, it's a durable and effective option for medium-sized lawns and gardens.

Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Schaubroeck

Whether you’re a new homeowner or you’re new to lawn care, knowing how often to run your lawn sprinklers takes some practice. Typically, it depends on the time of year and your area’s 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 be watering your lawn two to three times per week. According to Cosby, lawns in areas with very hot and dry climates may need to be watered twice a day.

In addition to the climate where you live, Khandker says that how long you should be running the sprinklers for depends on "the type of grass you have, the type of sprinkler you have, and the size of your lawn."

For instance, warm-season grass needs less watering than cool-season grass, so check with your gardener or lawn specialist to make sure you know how much you should be watering your particular type of grass. As a reference point, the amount you should be watering your lawn usually averages 1 to 2 inches of water for most types of grass.

Lawn sprinklers are the best way to keep a large lawn watered. “For really big lawns, consider a sprinkler cart with an impact sprayer, or self-propelled sprinkler,” says Cosby. Impact sprayers, such as the Orbit Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base, can reach more area quicker than other types thanks to the high water pressure. Traveling sprinklers can also access more of the yard than stationary types.

Many professionals suggest that the best way to efficiently water a lawn is to operate the sprinklers for half of the suggested watering time, wait about 20 to 30 minutes for the water to fully penetrate the surface, and then resume watering for the remaining amount of time. To further maximize watering efficiency and save water on a large lawn, Cosby advises watering your lawn “in the morning or evening to avoid fast evaporation in the midday sun.”

Most water sprinklers will save you time, energy, and water, making them a worthwhile purchase. “Rotary sprinklers will be the most water-efficient, while self-propelled sprinklers will often save the most time and effort,” says Cosby.

Again, the most efficient lawn watering system for you depends mainly on the size of your garden. To efficiently water a small garden, a stationary, rotating model, like the Dramm Premium Turret Sprinkler, will suffice, whereas larger gardens should opt for traveling or impact sprinklers. Flower beds need a gentler spray, so something like the Aqua Joe SJI-OMS20 Oscillating Sprinkler or the Flantor Drip Irrigation Kit would be best.

The way you mow your lawn in each season could also have an impact on how well it gets watered. Khandker advises that, in hot weather, you should leave your grass a little bit longer when you mow it. This encourages the grass to develop deeper roots to access more water and stay safe from the summer heat.

This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 11 years of commerce-writing experience. She has been writing for Dotdash Meredith since 2019, and at BHG since 2021. Kat is also the commerce 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. Kat also spoke to Sean Khandker, the owner of InsideOut Gardening, Coleman Cosby, the in-house construction expert at Yardzen, and Wesley Stanton, the owner of Sierra Madre Landscape Co.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

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