There are several different types of lawn sprinklers available, including traveling, stationary, and telescoping, and some have the ability to rotate and oscillate for a better water distribution around the lawn. Sean Khandker, owner of InsideOut Gardening Services, suggests that the best lawn sprinkler for a medium- to large-sized yard is an irrigation system with pop-up sprinklers. “These sprinklers will, as the name suggests, pop up and water the grass when you set them, then tuck neatly away and out of sight when not in use,” he says. Our overall top pick for the best lawn sprinkler is the Rain Bird 32ETI In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit, which consists of 32 pop-up sprinklers and 125 feet of hose to cover lawns up to 3,000 square feet. It’s easy to set up, durable, and an extremely good value for the money. Here are the best lawn sprinklers. Keep in Mind: The tubing needs to be buried under the soil, so you’ll have to get the shovel out and put in a little elbow grease (or call in a gardener or handyman to do it for you). For a complete irrigation system that is easy to install in minimal time and comes with all the pieces required for setup, look no further than the Rain Bird 32ETI In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit. Getting a professional irrigation system installed can cost anywhere up to $3,000 (or more), but this affordable system is a bargain in comparison. You might need to call in a little help when setting it up as some digging needs to be done to put the tubing underground, but, once it’s installed, you won’t need to adjust any hoses or sprinklers in your yard again. This system will do all the work for you. The pop-up sprinklers are designed to come up when the water is turned on and retract when not in use, so you can mow the lawn without any obstructions. Included in the kit are six professional grade pop-up rotary sprinklers, a timer, 125 feet of tubing, extra nozzles for the sprinklers, drain valves, and all the fittings. Each pop-up sprinkler has a 24-foot watering range, and, when set up correctly, the whole system can cover medium-sized lawns of up to 3,000 square feet. The best part about the set is that it comes with an automatic timer that you can pre-program to water the lawn at the best time of day, whichever day of the week you prefer. The timer has a large display, and it allows you to override a watering session at the touch of a button if it happens to rain on a particular day. Price at time of publish: $129 Type: In-ground pop-up | Spray Coverage: Up to 3,000 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Rain curtain watering technology | Hose Size: ½-inch, 125 feet long | Water Pressure: 45–75 PSI | Material: ABS plastic Keep in Mind: It’s best for small lawns and doesn’t come with an automatic timer. If you don’t want to spend money on a top-class irrigation kit—perhaps you’re on a budget, might be moving soon, planning to change your yard’s layout, or saving up for a professionally installed system—then this Petuol Sprinkler is the perfect, wallet-friendly interim solution. With a remarkably low price, the set comes with over 130 pieces to fully equip your lawn with its own irrigation system. It can keep not only your lawn watered but also tend to your flower beds and vegetable patches. There is 100 feet of hose and connections with three- and four-way interfaces that provide accurate watering. As a drip irrigation system, the set delivers hydration directly to plants’ roots and, therefore, is also an ideal solution for those with greenhouses. Setup is extremely simple, taking around half an hour to complete. The system works best with lower pressures, and its drip system allows you to slowly add water to some of the more delicate plants that don’t do well with force. Keep in mind that as a budget watering system, it’s not made to last many years; you’ll probably get two to three years out of this kit before signs of wear and tear show up. It also doesn’t come with a timer, so you’ll have to operate it manually. But as a budget option, it gets the job done and is discreet enough to go unnoticed in even the most manicured lawns. Price at time of publish: $32 Type: In-ground, pop-up | Spray Coverage: 430 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Sprinkle | Hose Size: 5/16-inch and 5/32-inch hoses, 100 feet long | Water Pressure: 25–45 PSI | Material: ABS plastic Keep in Mind: It could veer off course or tip over on uneven terrain. Requiring none of the installation process of a lawn irrigation sprinkler system, this Melnor Traveling Sprinkler is one of the easiest ways to get the whole lawn watered, and you can practically get started as soon as you take it out of the box. It reminds us a little of a robot lawn mower since it moves along on its own with the power of the water from the hose alone. To direct this traveling sprinkler on where to go, simply create a path for it using your garden hose. The sprinkler will follow the hose, watering the lawn as it goes with a maximum spraying distance of 50 feet. It has large non-slip wheels that provide a lot of traction, enabling it to keep going forward, even on slopes. When it reaches the end of its course, the sprinkler will automatically switch off. Though its self-propelled operation means you can technically leave the sprinkler unmanned and go about your day, the device could veer off course or tip over on uneven terrain. Therefore, we recommend sticking around while it’s in operation—but you can comfortably enjoy an iced coffee in your lawn chair while keeping an eye on it. A touch pricier than some other options, this durable little machine is made from cast iron and is sure to last you a long time. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty, too, making it a sound investment. Price at time of publish: $90 Type: Wheel-base/self-propelled | Spray Coverage: 13,500 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Rotary spray, variable speed control, adjustable spray arms | Hose Size: Hose not included; requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Up to 120 PSI | Material: Cast iron Keep in Mind: Despite the name, it’s not truly indestructible (for instance, if you have a big dog that likes to chew, the plastic nozzle housing could, in fact, be destroyed). For lawns of up to 3,600 square feet, this oscillating sprinkler by Aqua Joe is a great pick. Not only is it made of a super-sturdy, durable, and hard-wearing stainless steel, but it also has clog-resistant nozzles so that the water output is always consistently strong. The row of nozzles is housed in a strong plastic that can withstand all weather-related issues, too. The connection is leak-resistant (so as to eliminate water waste), and it’s compatible with any regular garden hose. It’s ready to use straight from the box and provides customizable coverage patterns, so you can adjust the spray pattern and oscillation, which is very easy to do. Even with a high pressure flow, the sprinkler is heavy enough not to move around on the ground, and it provides a nice wide water spray. While it does an excellent job of watering the lawn, this oscillating sprinkler can also spray water very high up if you set the nozzles upwards, making for some great outdoor fun for kids to run through on warmer days. There’s a two-year manufacturer warranty, and it comes with a built-in tool for cleaning the nozzles to ensure the product lasts you as long as possible. This is the 16-inch model, which has a maximum spray width of 37.8 feet, but it also comes in a larger 20-inch version with a wider spray swath of an impressive 63 feet. Price at time of publish: $20 Type: Oscillating | Spray Coverage: 3,600 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Customizable coverage patterns | Hose Size: Hose not included, requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Up to 120 PSI | Material: Stainless steel Keep in Mind: For smaller areas, you have to use less water pressure, because the spray is quite strong and goes far. For hassle-free lawn watering at an affordable price, the GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler is extremely easy to use and set up. Just connect it to the hose, place it in the middle of your yard, and turn the water on. The sprinkler is made of a sturdy ABS plastic, which is rust-proof and impact resistant. The mechanism is designed to provide an even layer of water on the lawn with a powerful spray of up to 3,600 square feet, which means that you don’t have to move it around constantly to get the whole yard watered. You can control the water pressure with the amount you release from the spigot. For a longer spray, increase the water pressure, and for smaller lawns, you’ll have to keep the water flow rather low. This device features three spraying arms, which rotate on the central device at 360 degrees for maximum spraying coverage. The sprinkler’s arms have four nozzles that each spray in a different direction to make sure all areas of the lawn are watered. The arms themselves are also adjustable for an even more customized lawn watering experience. Price at time of publish: $20 Type: Rotating | Spray Coverage: 3,600 square feet | Coverage Pattern: 360 degrees | Hose Size: Hose not included, requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Up to 80 PSI | Material: ABS plastic Keep in Mind: It has preset patterns but isn’t customizable. The circular shape of this stationary sprinkler by Gilmour enables it to spray all around the lawn for greater coverage. Though it doesn’t rotate, it still provides a 35-foot spray distance, and it has eight different spray settings, too. It’s best for use in smaller lawns, although you can also use it for large yards. You’ll just have to move it around to cover more ground. To change the spray patterns, all you have to do is rotate the central plastic piece with the aqua-colored band to one of the clearly marked spray settings, which are each depicted with a little diagram. The swivel connection is made of metal, and it has an ergonomic-grip for easy adjusting. Despite its low price, the unit is powerful, doesn’t leak, and features a heavy, durable die-cast metal base to keep it in place, even in windy weather. The sprinkler is weatherproof and will last through the seasons. There’s also a lifetime warranty. Price at time of publish: $10 Type: Stationary | Spray Coverage: 1,225 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Eight different settings, including circular, semi-circle, triangular, square, and half square | Hose Size: Hose not included, requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Up to 60 PSI | Material: Die-cast metal Keep in Mind: The spray is gentle and rain-like, rather than high pressure. Not all lawns consist solely of low-lying trimmed grass of just a few inches. Some have tall reeds like bamboo to tend to as well as an array of hedges, not to mention those overgrown yards that still require a good watering. This telescoping high-rise sprinkler by Orbit adjusts from a height of 23 to 35 inches to reach heights that other ground-lying sprinklers may not be able to. Its tall height means that even your higher planters and hanging baskets can get thoroughly hydrated. One of these units is enough for a small to medium-sized yard, but you can get more of them to spread around a larger lawn if needed. The sprinkler can cover a yard of up to 1,960 square feet, and each of its three twirling brass arms can spray a 360-degree diameter of up to 50 feet. Though not many sprinklers work well with low pressure, this one does a great job of it. This telescoping sprinkler is designed to be stuck in the ground like a stake (you have to step on it to make sure it gets deep enough). The garden hose can then be attached to it using the easy connection. Though the water pressure is adjustable by the spigot, this is not the watering unit for anyone who wants their sprinkler to emit a powerful water pressure. Rather, it’s best for those who need a softer, rain-like spray with a consistent stream for watering lawns, shrubbery, and more delicate flower beds and vegetable patches. Price at time of publish: $20 Type: Telescoping, rotary | Spray Coverage: 1,960 square feet | Coverage Pattern: 360-degree water coverage | Hose Size: Hose not included, requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Up to 80 PSI | Material: Brass Keep in Mind: It doesn’t perform as well in low water pressure. Similar to its sister model above, in addition to low-lying lawns, the Orbit 56667Z Zinc Impact Sprinkler is designed to water foliage and greenery that is a little higher off the ground. In contrast to the Orbit 58288 3-Arm High-Rise Sprinkler, however, this tripod model is an impact sprinkler, which means it shoots out water at quite an impressive pressure. Another difference is that this sprinkler can be moved around to wherever you need it, as opposed to being staked into the ground. This lawn sprinkler can spray a full 360-degree angle at a distance of up to 85 feet in diameter thanks to its rotating head, and it’s ideal for larger-sized yards, too, as it can cover an area of 5,670 square feet. The sprinkler’s tripod base can adjust from 16 to 37.5 inches in height to allow you more flexibility for all your watering needs. This is not a one-season product; it’s made from a durable and hard-wearing zinc that’ll last you a long time. The spray on this sprinkler is adjustable, too. You can place it in the middle of your yard for full coverage all around or put it towards the side of your yard and set the spray at a semi-circle to reach all around. The spray is consistent and precise, and there’s a diffuser screw that allows you to change the water stream and spray distance. Price at time of publish: $40 Type: Tripod | Spray Coverage: 5,670 square feet | Coverage Pattern: Adjustable from a partial section to full 360-degree watering | Hose Size: Hose not included, requires ⅝-inch fitting for a standard garden hose | Water Pressure: Not listed but works with average home water pressure (30–60 PSI) | Material: Zinc
What to Know About Lawn Sprinklers Before Shopping
Sprinkler Type
There are a variety of sprinkler types to know about.
Oscillating: This type of sprinkler is typically rectangular with holes along the body, and it sprays out water in a fan shape, covering large areas of lawn at a time.Rotating: Also known as rotary sprinklers, rotating models usually have two to four water spouting arms that turn, spraying water around in a circular pattern. Impact sprinklers are another type of rotating sprinkler and are usually great at spraying at a higher pressure.Stationary: These are typically round devices with water holes that can spray water out in a fixed pattern. They stay in one place on the lawn (unless you move them) and are better suited to small yards.Traveling: A traveling sprinkler has wheels and is almost like a little robot that moves around the yard by itself watering all the areas. Instead of advanced AI, however, the power of the water alone moves the sprinkler along. Pop-Up: These types of sprinklers are fixed into the ground. They “pop up” when you turn the system on and then go back down when you turn it off, neatly tucking away out of sight.Telescoping: The telescoping sprinkler is a type of pop-up sprinkler, but it extends up much higher than the typical pop-up types, making it ideal for watering shrubbery, too.
Spray Coverage
Depending on the sprinkler type and model, sprinklers can have a spray coverage of anywhere from 400 square feet all the way to a massive 5,000 square feet or more. Each sprinkler comes with a predefined spray coverage, so you’ll be able to choose the best lawn sprinkler for your lawn’s size. 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. Although a traveling sprinkler offers a smaller spray coverage than a stationary model, it can cover more area thanks to its ability to move around the yard.
Hose Size
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 inches. Many of the skinnier ½-inch hoses can’t move enough water to keep the sprinklers working.
Water Pressure
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. This is because some water sprinklers won’t work if the water pressure is not at a certain level. If you have a good home water pressure and find that the sprinklers are not performing as they should be and 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. Also, ensure that there isn’t a water link break, 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.
Material
Sprinklers can come in many different materials, but the most common are steel and plastic, which is typically less expensive. Steel is the most common type of material for a sprinkler piping system. Many sprinkler heads are made 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.
Your Questions, Answered
How often should you run your lawn sprinklers?
“How often you should water your lawn mainly depends on the time of the year,” Khandker says. On average, lawns should be watered around once a week. If it’s rained a good amount, you can give the sprinklers a rest for a week. In particularly hot and dry weather, you should be watering your lawn two to three times per week. “During growing season, you’ll be watering the lawn right after mowing, which should be once every seven to 10 days,” he says. How long you should be running the sprinklers for “depends on many factors, such as the climate where you live, the type of grass you have, the type of sprinkler you have, and the size of your lawn,” Khandker says. 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 ranges from one to two inches of water for most types of grass. Once you know how much water your lawn’s grass type needs to thrive, you then need to work out how much water output your sprinklers can offer and run the water for a coordinating amount of time. Sprinkler run times are usually suggested at 20 to 40 minutes so that the area can fully soak. Many professionals suggest that the best way to water a lawn to maximize efficiency 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. “If you have pets who do their business freely in the yard, you might want to run the sprinklers a little more often,” Khandker suggests. Water dilutes urine, reducing its potential to damage your lawn.
What is the best way to water a large lawn?
Lawn sprinklers are the best way to keep a large lawn watered. While many sprinklers have their perks, Khandker recommends a pop-up sprinkler system. “The underground, pop-up water sprinklers are helpful as they hide away under the soil when you’ve finished using them, so they’re not in the way and not left out on display either,” Khandker says. In addition, the way you mow your lawn in each season could 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.
Who We Are
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce writing experience. 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, Kat reviewed multiple lawn sprinklers and researched factors such as each lawn sprinkler’s type, spray pattern, coverage, size, water pressure, material, and value for money. She also spoke to Sean Khandker, owner of InsideOut Gardening, Landscaping, and Maintenance Services.
