13 Best Lawn Sprinklers of 2020 | Review & Buyer’s Guide

It must have been a lot of work for estate owners and gardeners to water large lawns before sprinklers came into the picture.

And not just estate owners, everybody deserves a lush, green lawn that they can be proud of. Also, with weather fluctuations on the rise, you can’t just rely on mother nature to feed your grass with sufficient moisture and warmth. 

What you can do is get a high-function sprinkler that offers seamless performance and makes your garden look vibrant with all shades of green. Nevertheless, when you walk into a hardware store or shop online to buy the ideal sprinkler, you are bound to be bogged down with a ton of choices. 

You start wondering- “Where to start? What specific kind of sprinkler should you get for the variety of plants in your garden?”

Before you give up, and just reach for a standard hose and nozzle, cast a glance at our comprehensive guide. We have handpicked 13 best-value and highest-rated sprinklers available on the market right now.

Thus, without any further ado, let’s get to sprinkling right away!

 Top Lawn Sprinklers  

1. Nelson 8186653-1001 Sprinkler

Nelson is a renowned brand that does not require much of an introduction. Since 1965, Nelson Rain Train models have helped several homeowners to take care of their yard effortlessly. On that note, the first entrant on our list, the Nelson 818663-1001 continues to carry forward the brand’s legacy. 

It is one of the best traveling sprinklers with some of the most innovative features available today. 

Why Did We Like It?

Our first impression of the Nelson model was nothing short of admirable. And this is mainly because of its ability to water the entire lawn at a go. Since it travels, it can move a total of 200 feet and water an area of up to 13,500 sq ft, thus making sure it covers every nook and corner of the lawn along its way. 

As the name suggests, this model has been designed to water the lawn like the rain. This is mainly possible due to the shape of its arms. Apart from that, unlike its competitors, the arms of this sprinkler can be adjusted to the preferred curve or even aligned to the water’s angles. 

When it comes to construction, this 818663 model of Nelson is highly durable. It is built out of cast-iron, which makes it resistant to dents, scratches, and other forms of damage. Apart from that, it’s yellow powder-coated finish also makes it rust and weather-proof. 

Furthermore, it comes equipped with an automatic shut off feature that saves you the hassle of switching it immediately after use. Last but not the least, the unit has three-speed settings that give you ultimate control over the water speed  as per your lawn needs. 

What Could Have Been Better?

While this sprinkler is perfect in terms of high-functionality and durability, two things kept us from giving it a 5-star rating. First, some parts such as the gears are made of inferior plastic materials. Second, the product tends to be overpowered by high water pressure, which makes it a tad bit difficult for many to use it with ease. 

2. Rain Bird 32ETI Sprinkler System Kit

Rain Bird is one of the few companies that can offer you everything to set up a remarkable underground system. Likewise, their 32ETI model is one of their elite products in the world of lawn sprinklers. Designed to water an area of 3,000 sq ft in the most affordable price range, this model is our silver pick and one of the must-buy products on our list. 

Why Did We Like It?

After a series of tests and thorough scrutiny, we can say that for the ones who are looking for a remarkable model that delivers value for money- the Rain Bird 32 ETI can be your way to go. 

Coming to its core features, the kit comes with six retractable sprinkler heads to cover up to 3000 square feet of your lawn area. Each head is able to provide a 40-360- degree arc that allows the sprinkler to water up to 24 feet with simple adjustable features.

However, the cherry on the cake is the patented “Rain Curtain Watering technology.” This unique feature helps the machine to cover your entire lawn evenly and eliminate all brown spots, even those that are in the corners. 

Furthermore, it comes adorned with a big display 1ZEHTMR hose end timer that we found quite easy to program. All you need to do is enter the desired watering days of the week, start time , and duration. This advanced timer will do the rest all season for you. 

Last not the least, it also includes advanced features like “Water Now” or “Cancel Watering” that can make your life easier like never before. For its price, we honestly couldn’t have asked for more!

What Could Have Been Better?

While each feature of this unit is nothing short of perfect, the spray nozzles included with the sprinkler heads are too small to conserve pressure and water. Besides, while testing, we found the advanced timer to not work accurately, which created quite an inconvenient situation for us. 

3. Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler

For those concerned with critters wreaking havoc in your yard, this deterrent sprinkler with day and night detection options is worth giving a try. Orbit Irrigation comes with a massive experience of delivering irrigation products, which is why we tried their 62100 model.  And, this unit with a one-smart sensor and durable build simply left us impressed beyond expectation.

Why Did We Like It?

Let’s start with the unique advanced features we have mentioned before. This is a high-quality motion-activated sprinkler that is engineered to combine sound, motion, and ingenuity. It also drives away small critters and pests from your precious landscapes and garden. What we really liked is that it only squirts water with a pressure that will certainly not harm them. 

To make it even better, the model comes equipped with a passive motion sensor that can detect all animals from up to 40 feet away. Meaning, no longer you need to stress over protecting your beautiful lawn. 

Also, it’s impressive how the model has been engineered to provide an adjustable line of sight. This made it possible for us to position the sensor and the sprinkler in a specific direction. While we concentrated on growing new veggies, the sprinkler chased away any intrusion from critters.

It also uses 4AA batteries, which is enough to last for 7500 cycles, an aspect that is sure to make your life easier. 

What Could Have Been Better?

As brilliant and unique as this sprinkler is, it is not flawless. The only gripe we have with it is related to its night detection mode. Despite being set to “always-on” mode, it stopped working during the night, which became quite a bummer for us.

4. Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Nobody understands the essentials of a lawn sprinkler better than Melnor. The brand has launched its XT turbo oscillating sprinkler, which is already competing with major players in the market. So, what makes this product so demanding these days?

Why Did We Like It? 

As we have mentioned before, Melanor is competing head to head  with its rivals when it comes to delivering versatile products. And, it’s XT Turbo oscillating sprinkler is no different. With its unique clog-resistant design, this sprinkler ensures the uphill task of removing and resisting clog as easy as a breeze. 

We appreciated the fact that unlike the majority of sprinklers available today, this one comes with a patented one-touch adjustment feature. It helps not only in the irrigation of more than one area up to 3900 sqft but also in controlling the width of the watering pattern that is exclusive to Melnor.

Speaking of advanced features, this model comes equipped with an advanced even flow control technology that not only helps the sprinkler to throw  the water in narrow areas but also to distribute the flow evenly. 

Not to forget, given the price, the product offers 18 precision nozzles made of rubber, among which six of them have a positive shutoff. These rubber nozzles help you control the width, length,and even the coverage of the water flow with proficiency. 

What Could Have Been Better?

Though this oscillating lawn sprinkler is quite efficient at what it does, we were disheartened with one major issue. Though this model promises an ideal coverage of 3900 sqft, we found it to be not suitable for coverage of wider areas of our lawn. 

5. Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler

While talking about reputed manufacturers who deliver only top-notch lawn sprinklers, we cannot afford to miss out on one of the most reliable brands, Gardena. Its highly versatile ZoomMaxx oscillating sprinkler is one of the most compact and sturdy models we have tested so far. Let’s dive deep into its nitty-gritty and find out why we are so thrilled with this product. 

Why Did We Like It?

To begin with, the goodwill of Gardena itself speaks for the quality of this sprinkler. Likewise, the ZoomMaxx model sets higher standards for oscillating sprinklers for small spaces and strange dimensions. 

Speaking of spaces, unlike most of its rival oscillating models, the Zoomaxx comes with a modest coverage of 2,300 square feet and a range of up to 30 feet. This makes it suitable for covering the many needs for all kinds of yards, from small to medium. 

As per reviews, we found this model to be a popular choice among countless buyers due to its built of high-grade materials like metal, rubber, and plastic amalgam. This allows it to withstand the wear and tear caused by continuous use. What’s more, there’s also a unique metal spike design that can help you to set the sprinkler even on slanted topographies. 

All in all, from functionality to price, you can consider this model as your next sprinkling BFF. 

What Could Have Been Better?

Like other models, this unit also comes with its fair share of setbacks. The largest being the absence of a number of indicators on adjustment dials and levers. This means it is essential to memorize their position, which can be frustrating, especially for beginners. Plus, it causes severe blockage due to the absence of a cleaning kit for unclogging the nozzle. 

6. Rain Bird P5RLSP Plastic Impact Sprinkler

Rain Bird has bagged another position on our list with one of its bestselling models in the market- the PRLSP plastic lawn impact sprinkler. When it comes to premium features, it’s quite a task to find a top-value product like the P5RLSP that offers such seamless performance and impressive durability. 

Why Did We Like It?

As soon as we saw the raving reviews of this product online, we knew we had to give it a try. And frankly, we weren’t disappointed a bit. 

Now, although this sprinkler is made of plastic, the majority of its reviews are for its supreme performance. Mounted on a robust metal stake with a portable hose-end, this model is made of the finest of plastic that seems to hold up well over the duration of its life. 

Apart from that, it also has a double brass-weighted arm for a slower rotation. This ensures you have better water coverage and even spread for even the most delicate orchids and precious African violet in your garden. 

Not only that, this brass weighted PJ spray guide arm operates well to prevent side splash onto your sidewalk and drive water. And, thus contributing greatly in saving water resources.

Also, the infinite pattern adjustment helps the sprinkler rotate part-circle or 360 degrees with ease, hence, making this model a top contender on the list. 

What Could Have Been Better?

Although the robust construction enhances the unit’s durability, it comes at the cost of reduced versatility. If some reviews are to be believed, this unique impact sprinkler fails to do its job of watering a garden with more extensive coverage. Also, the manufacturers should consider providing an easy to follow instruction manual for the convenience of its customers. 

7. Watex WX044 Travelling Sprinkler

Although Watex is comparably a new entrant in the lawn sprinkler industry, this brand has been creating waves since 2016 with its innovations. Watex’s slogan says, “Gardening is not just a hobby; it is a way of life”, and they truly achieved that with their WXO44 model. 

Designed with a heavy-duty cast iron body, this self-propelled sprinkler can be one of your favorite allies with its supreme functionality and durability.

Why Did We Like It?

To start with, we want to draw your attention to the unique looks of this sprinkler. This highly-reliable model comes with a tractor look that is extremely fun to watch. All you need to do is switch the unit on and enjoy it going around watering your garden, making it lush green.

Speaking of durable construction, this compact tractor sprinkler is built of heavy-duty cast iron and made to stand the test of time. Although some of the internal parts are made of plastic, it provides the provision of replacing them if required. 

We also need to mention that this self-propelled model comes equipped with a 2-speed internal gearbox. This means it can easily traverse a 200-foot hose path, while evenly distributing water across a total coverage area of up to 11,900 sqft. Thus, it can be one of the best options for the irrigation of your extra-large backyard. 

The cherry on the top is the automatic shut-off feature. This means you no longer have to remember to stop the sprinkler when you could be doing something else.

What Could’ve Been Better? 

Although Watex did an amazing job of bringing something new to the table, it could not get everything right. We found it to be a tad bit heavy and extremely slow for our liking. Also, it can get stuck in a wet spot, so you have to be extra cautious about that. 

8. GrowGreen Rotating Lawn Sprinkler

GrowGreen is one of those global brands that we cannot have enough of when it comes to choosing sprinklers with optimum performance. Out of the box, this 360-degree rotation model of GrowGreen stands out to be one of the most versatile sprinklers available. Not only is it highly durable, but also can give some popular brands a tight run for their money with its advanced water conservation technology.

Why Did We Like It?

While testing, we’ve observed that though it may lack the bells and whistles that come with our top-ranked models, this unit does not compromise on performance. 

Speaking of performance, this model comes with an 80 PSI water pressure and a 32.8-foot spray distance that helps it to cover all small to medium-sized lawns. Apart from that, it also boasts of a 360-degree rotation feature. This can provide you with the much-needed relief from the worry of parched patches by evenly watering the grass.

When it comes to conservation of water, GrowGreen has also engineered this model with an advanced water conservation technology that ensures the minimization of water resources and prevents overwatering. 

What Could’ve Been Better?

To be honest, while testing, we found that this product would drench you while it is moving. Unless you like to get wet while sprinkling your lawn (which nobody does), this bug can cause an inconvenient situation for you. Furthermore, the manufacturers should provide a cleaning kit for the nozzles of sprinkler, as it often tends to get clogged with debris. 

9. Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler

Yeah, we can’t get over the high-efficiency and convenience of traveling sprinklers. Thus right after the Watex model, we thought of giving this innovative 58322 model from  Orbit a try. While there are ample other brands of best traveling lawn sprinklers, this Orbit model with its unique features is a class of its own. Let’s check what this device has to offer in detail. 

Why Did We Like It?

If you are thinking of making an investment in a decent lawn sprinkler, one of the most crucial factors you should look for is its durability. And, in this aspect, Orbit truly beats the game. The 58322 model has been designed with a rust proof cast iron body, providing it the necessary durability and weight required for reliable water delivery to medium and large lawns.

Speaking of movement, this model also features a unique and functional design that allows it to travel along the designated path without stalling. Not only that, it also comes with a spiked rear wheel that ensures a secure grip on the soil for smooth maneuverability.

Another aspect worth mentioning is this model comes with three advanced speed controls: high, neutral, and low-speed gears. These gears will help you determine the speed of the movement of the sprinkler and the quantity of water it will spray perfectly. 

What Could’ve Been Better?

Everything was going fine with this sprinkler until we came across some user reviews saying that the speed options it comes with are slower in operation. Also, we’ve found that unlike most of our recommendations, this model isn’t quite efficient in watering overgrown lawns, limiting its efficiency to some extent. 

10. Dramm 15026 ColorStorm Sprinkler

The next top-value product we want you to consider is a heavy-duty turret sprinkler from the reputed brand Dramm Watering tools. You can take your pick from six vibrant colors -red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and berry. Unlike all the other recommendations on our list, this sprinkler comes with 9-pattern dials that can help you water your lawn of any shape and size.