Keep Your Lawn and Garden Looking Great With These Editor-Approved Sprinklers

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

If you’re tired of using a handheld hose nozzle to irrigate your grass, landscaping, or vegetable garden, consider investing in a sprinkler to do the job for you.

These handy contraptions are much more convenient than manual watering, and unlike underground sprinkler systems that require professional installation and digging, attach straight to your garden hose. Some are even designed to be daisy-chained together, so you can purchase multiple units to cover larger areas. To make your watering task even easier, we recommend purchasing an automatic timer that connects directly to your hose spigot.

Here are our best sprinkler recommendations, with reviews followed by expert buying advice on the most important things to consider while shopping.

The Best Sprinklers

• Best Overall: Aqua Joe Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

• Best Impact Model: Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base

• Most Versatile: Eden Adjustable Six-Pattern Garden Sprinkler

• Best for Well Water: Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

• Most Precise: Gardena Oscillating Sprinkler ZoomMaxx

How We Selected

When curating this list of sprinklers, we made sure to include a useful mix of options to choose from. This included bare-bones models for those who just want a hassle-free tool, to versatile sprinklers that allow for precise control and customization. Within these types, we also did our best to choose a mix of styles that we felt were most beneficial to the average homeowner, including rotating, oscillating, and impact sprinklers. We also tried to include a range of prices for all of our picks, so regardless of your budget, you should be able to find an option that works for you. Most of our selection costs $40 or less, and a few models are upwards of $65.

Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

The hose connection is the point where most sprinklers fail, which is why we appreciate the durable zinc fitting of this Aqua Joe model. It hooks up your garden hose securely, so you don’t have to worry about cracking or snapping off a plastic connection.

The brass nozzle heads are also a nice perk, and stand up to heavy use much better than plastic versions. If clogs or buildup appear, the included clean-out tool clears them out quickly.

Its heavy metal base—3.2 pounds—provides a nice and sturdy foundation, and helps prevent wobbly or uneven operation.

Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base

It’s not the cheapest option on our list, but the durable brass construction and stable tripod design of this sprinkler make it worth the price.

Its tripod extends to an impressive 48 inches high, and conveniently folds up to just 15 inches in length. Each of the legs adjusts independently, so you can place it on uneven ground or even a hillside.

The all-metal construction results in an especially durable piece of equipment, as well as a hefty 5-pound weight for extra stability. The hose attachment swivels to whichever position is best for your hose location, and the angled design makes it easy to connect.

Adjustable Six-Pattern Garden Sprinkler

We love the versatility of this Eden sprinkler, which features six different spray patterns to choose from, as well as an adjustable rotation range of 5 to 360 degrees.

With precise control over the range, size, and shape of the water output–not typically found in rotating sprinklers– this model is a great fit for a with a wide range of lawn shapes and sizes. A convenient filter inside the unit prevents dirt or other sediment from damaging or clogging the spray nozzles too.

If the 5026 square foot coverage isn’t sufficient, just use the twin connection ports to connect up to three additional models.

XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Despite the all-plastic construction, this oscillating sprinkler provides more durability than you might think. It's designed so even gritty well water flows through without issue, bypassing internal gears and ensuring consistent coverage.

The straightforward controls provide comprehensive, three-dimensional coverage too, so you can precisely dial in the range, width, and size of your preferred pattern.

We’re especially impressed with the dual-width controls, and their ability to adjust the left side, right side, or both. The quick-connect attachment system reduces time wasted screwing and unscrewing your hose, and combined with the lightweight and stable sled shape, allow you to start watering in seconds.

Oscillating Sprinkler ZoomMaxx

This German-made sprinkler prioritizes precision and accuracy, making it a great option for those with landscaping challenges or irregular-shaped gardens.

The oscillation, length, and water pressure controls are easy to use, and the weighted base reduces the chances of it falling over or shifting easily, adding to its overall accuracy.

Its connector is compatible with all hose brands, and if you prefer even more customization, you can purchase this model with a built-in timer. This way you won’t have to worry about your flowers or vegetables being overwatered. The entire unit is frost-proof and UV-resistant, and the 5-year warranty has you covered if any issues arise.

Impact Sprinkler

If you prefer the convenience and small footprint of an impact sprinkler, consider this Orbit model. It features a zinc spike for plunging into your lawn or turf, ensuring that it won’t shift or flop over like other models.

This sprinkler doesn’t offer any additional spray settings, but it does allow you to easily adjust its coverage range with a deflector shield and diffuser screw mechanism.

You can use this sprinkler alone, or combine it with multiple units to cover an extra-large area. The spike design makes it less convenient to move around the yard though, so keep that in mind.

GG-LS001 Sprinkler

If you’re looking for a basic 360-degree sprinkler at a rock-bottom price, this GrowGreen model is a perfect fit. It doesn’t have as many functions or settings as some of our other choices, but its straightforward design and operation makes it a hassle-free option.

The spray reaches 32.8 feet, and a weighted base keep the unit upright and in position. Plus, its 360-degree spray makes it great for cooling down youngsters on hot summer days.

It’s not the most durable option out there, but if you’re just looking for a no-frills sprinkler, this model is a fine choice.

96216 Oscillating Sprinkler

This Eden sprinkler is the updated version of our previous runner-up, the Eden 94112, and features two additional stainless steel filter washers for extra leak protection, as well as sliding-tab range controls. Just like its predecessor, this sprinkler includes a quick-connecter for hassle-free compatibility with your garden hose, as well as three adapters to fit other Eden tools, like hose nozzles and wands.

The water-stop feature also cuts down on water waste, letting you keep the faucet open while switching between tools without water spraying everywhere. This sprinkler also features three switches on each side of the unit, providing precise control over the spray size and strength of its 18 nozzles, making it suitable for both small and large yards.

ColorStorm Sprinkler

This durable workhorse is designed to take a licking and keep on ticking, thanks to its metal base, rotating impeller, and hose connection. It also offers 9 water patterns to choose from, including a narrow rectangle for precision watering tasks. This spray variety, combined with the vibrant color selection, make this sprinkler well-suited for those looking for an option to cool down their kids on a hot summer day–and not worry about it snapping in half if accidentally stepped on. We also appreciate the flat shape and molded hook hole, making it easy to hang on the wall when you’re finished.

58322 Traveling Sprinkler

The tractor shape of this rotating sprinkler isn’t just for show, it actually drives around your yard as it sprays, covering large areas of land without requiring you to reposition it. Simply arrange your hose in the pathway you want it to take, and place the ramp-stop at the position you want it to stop. As the water pressure rotates the rear wheels, the recessed front wheel guides the sprinkler along the hose path, and automatically shuts of when it reaches the ramp. Speed settings control the amount of water applied, and the spiked rear wheels ensure it doesn’t slip or slide in place.

What to Consider When Buying Sprinklers

Type

Start your search familiarizing yourself with the different types of sprinklers. Here's a rundown of the most common.

Stationary

These no-frills options typically spray water in a single, fixed pattern—though some offer multiple options—and are best for watering smaller areas. They’re simple to set up—just toss them on the ground—but must be monitored and manually adjusted to avoid over-watering.

Oscillating

These sprinklers position their nozzle jets along a long metal arm, which fans water out in a large semi-circle. This bar oscillates back and forth, covering wide swaths of yard with each pass.

Rotating

Rotating sprinklers have multiple spray arms extending from the center—each with a nozzle at the end—that spin around when water pressure is turned on, flinging water in a complete circle. They great for coverage of large, open areas, but aren’t practical for precision watering.

Impact

Easily identified by their signature “clicking” sound, impact sprinklers launch a focused stream of water in partial or complete circles as they spin. This high-pressure stream travels long-distances, making impact sprinklers perfect for extra-large yards or properties.

Surface Area

After choosing the type of sprinkler that makes the most sense The most important thing to take into account when choosing a sprinkler is the size of the area being watered. Most options provide an approximate idea of the distance they can reach, so take the time to figure out these measurements before you make your purchase.

Spray Shape

You should also consider if you need to customize the shape, width or strength of the sprinklers spray path. If you only want to target a specific part of your garden, like an area of newly seeded grass, make sure to choose a sprinkler that can focus the stream on that area.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?