Now that the summer season has finally started, it has brought a number of changes along with it. For one thing, the weather is now warm and sunny most days. People can enjoy going outside in t-shirts and shorts and will be spending more of their time out in their yards and gardens. These are all good things, and they are reasons why people often look forward to the summer. However, this season also brings dry periods, and sometimes the grass does not receive enough water. This can cause it to dry out and become brittle. Nobody wants a dry and brownish lawn, so this is a problem. Luckily, you can solve this problem with the help of an oscillating sprinkler! You can get a bit more information about the best oscillating lawn sprinkler in the article below, which will hopefully help you restore your lawn to its former beauty!
You might also enjoy our look at the best sprinklers heads for any type of watering job.
Table of Contents
5 Best Oscillating Sprinkler Comparisons
| IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Gardena 1975 Aquazoom |
| CHECK THE PRICE |
 | Green Thumb 4200MGT |
| CHECK THE PRICE |
 | Melnor XT Metal |
| CHECK THE PRICE |
 | Dramm 15004 ColorStorm |
| CHECK THE PRICE |
 | Orbit 56133 Easy-Click |
| CHECK THE PRICE |
What is an Oscillating Sprinkler?
An oscillating sprinkler is portable and sprays out a fan of water up to a certain distance. The exact distance will depend on the size of the sprinkler, but it is typically 20 feet by 30 feet in area. On this type of sprinkler, the metal arm will oscillate (move back and forth at a fixed speed) so that the area of grass is thoroughly covered. Oscillating sprinklers are among the most commonly used. They are popular because they are able to be relocated so simply and easily. All you have to do is pick them up and move them to a new location in your yard. These types of sprinklers are great for children to play in, as they provide a refreshing reprieve from the hot summer sun. Even adults have been known to enjoy splashing around in a sprinkler once in a while!
Specific Benefits of Using an Oscillating Sprinkler
Sometimes, it can be difficult to decide between different types of sprinklers. They all seem similar, so why would it matter if you choose one over the other? The fact of the matter is that sprinklers are not all the same, and it is definitely worth doing some research to make sure that you are purchasing the best one for your home. Oscillating sprinklers are completely portable and are not attached to the ground with a spike. It is simply placed on top of the ground. This can be safer for you if you have young children running through the yard. They might accidentally step on an overturned spike or trip on a small hole made by the spike. With an oscillating sprinkler, it is mostly water efficient if used in a large yard. This is because it can cover a section of grass, and then easily be transferred to a different spot. If you are using your sprinkler just for the purpose of watering your lawn, try to run them only in the mornings for a few hours. Early in the morning is the time when the best absorption occurs. Another great thing is that the water covers the ground evenly, so you do not need to worry about large patches of grass being brown and withering, while others flourish.
Common Questions Related to Oscillating Sprinklers
As with most household items, oscillating sprinklers will require a bit of care and maintenance. The best way to take care of them is by educating yourself about common issues that people have with them, and how they have been solved. One such problem is when people find that the sprinkler moves very slowly, or erratically. The distribution bar on the sprinkler might be having trouble, and not operating in the manner it should. A common solution to this problem is by either decreasing or increasing the amount of water flow that is being released. If there is not enough water being sent through the tap, it might be preventing the sprinkler arm from moving past the pivot point. If there is too much water, the gears on the sprinkler might be forced to operate past their capacity. This can cause everything to move out of alignment and stop working properly. Another problem that may occur is interference with the sprinkler.
If there is something caught in the gears, or in the way of any mechanism, it will likely stop functioning. This interference will cause an added weight to the sprinkler bar, which it was not made to handle. Hopefully, the sprinkler will not try to free itself from the obstruction, which could cause damage if the force is too strong. Try to keep an eye out; if the sprinkler seems to be struggling, you can usually easily help it out. Some people might also get confused because their sprinkler is not functioning properly when placed on a hill in their yard. This is perfectly normal, as oscillating sprinklers are not meant to run when they are placed on a tilt.
It will not adjust to the elevated ground, and it will not run as it was intended. If you have a hilly backyard, there is a solution to this problem! You can build a small, level platform for the sprinkler to sit upon. By making this as level as possible, the sprinkler should be able to spray its wall of water as per usual. Another thing that you should remember when using an oscillating sprinkler is to pay attention to when you are running it. If the weather is very windy, it is probably not the best time to set up your sprinkler. This is because the wind will throw the water off course, and the water’s consistency will be altered. If you are aiming for a perfectly green lawn with equal exposure to the water, the wind will not be your friend. Oscillating sprinklers are fairly simple and easy to understand. They do not require a huge amount of extra work, which is always nice. All you have to do is look out for a few common issues that might spring up. Luckily, you now have the knowledge needed to solve these dilemmas, so you can get right back to enjoying your sprinkler!
Top 5 Best Oscillating Sprinkler Reviews
Gardena 1975 Aquazoom 3900-Square Foot Oscillating Sprinkler with Fully Adjustable Width Control
- Spray maximum width: 55 feet
- Spray maximum length: 69 feet
- Maximum coverage: 3767.4 square feet
- Shape coverage: rectangular areas
- Material: Plastic
- Material: Plastic
This sprinkler is great if you need to adjust the area that the water will be spraying. Gardena is a reliable garden equipment manufacturer who has been around for many years. They create all sorts of equipment for the garden, so you can be assured that they understand what your needs and requirements are. The sprinkler has an adjustable width of spray that spans from 13 feet to 55 feet. This means that you can make your ‘wall of water’ go just as far as you want it to. The length that these sprinkler covers is a range between 23 feet to 69 feet. So overall, the adjustable area that can be covered in 301.4 to 3767.4 square feet!
PROS
- Expensive compared to similar models
- Warranty – the manufacturers offer a 12-month warranty to repair or replace any malfunctioning part
- The radius of water is adjustable
CONS
- Materials are questionable quality
- No timer to set when you want the sprinkler to go off
Green Thumb 4200MGT Green Thumb Heavy Duty Metal Oscillating Sprinkler
- Maximum spray coverage: 3900 square feet Shape coverage: rectangular areas
- Material: the base is metal (aluminum) and the rest is made out of plastic
- Weight: 2.10 pounds
This Taiwanese-made product could be a great option as an oscillating sprinkler for you! This model does not have an adjustable area coverage, but it is clog resistant. This means that you do not have to waste your time digging around in the parts trying to locate whatever is clogged up. It can also be controlled with just one touch, which makes it simplistic and easy to use.
PROS
- Quite affordable
- One touch width control
- The base is very sturdy and durable
CONS
- No reliable warranty information available
Melnor XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler: Waters up to 4000 Sq. Ft.
- Maximum spray length: 75 feet
- Shape coverage: rectangular areas
- Material: rubber, brass, and metal
- Weight: 1.39 pounds
This Melnor product will provide you with a consistent experience for all your gardening needs! The water flow is not too heavy, so it can be used for lawns as well as vegetable and flower gardens without fear of harming the plants. This sprinkler has a turbo drive motor and is able to withstand most weather conditions.
PROS
- Quite affordable
- Has a lifetime limited warranty in case of any malfunctions or certain damages
- Microflow adjustments are available to be used
CONS
- The model does not come with complete instructions on how to use
Dramm 15004 ColorStorm Premium Metal Oscillating Sprinkler with Brass Nozzle Jets, Green
- Maximum spray coverage: 3036 square feet
- Shape coverage: variable
- Material: mostly metal
- Weight: 1.50 pounds
This cute and colorful sprinkler is excellent for either lawn care or for children to play with. It is easy to care for because it comes equipped with a needle-plug to clean any clogged nozzles. It has 18 nozzles that are durably built, which makes its water spray consistent and uniform. It also has an adjustable water pattern, so you can choose what settings you prefer the most.
PROS
- Has a mid-range price
- Has a lifetime limited warranty in case of any malfunctions or certain damages
- Solid frame to hold the unit steady
CONS
- Does not work well with very high water pressure
Orbit 56133 Easy-Click Oscillating Sprinkler – Waters up to 2600 Sq. Ft.
- Shape coverage: rectangular
- Material: plastic
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
This is a smaller sprinkler, but it still has a lot of power! You can easily click the adjustments into place so as to control the distance that the water sprays. This model has 15 spray nozzles and provides an even flow of water. The base is plastic and is designed to avoid tipping over too easily.
PROS
- This is the cheapest option
- Very quiet as it works
- Very light to carry and reposition on your lawn
CONS
- No warranty information
- Made entirely of plastic
Conclusion
Deciding on a sprinkler for your lawn is a big deal! It is important to get one that fits the size of your yard, and is not too powerful, as this would waste water unnecessarily. As well, you need to be sure of everything that you want the sprinkler to do. Will it just be watering the grass, or are you going to rely on it to water your vegetable garden as well? A good option to choose if you are still not sure is the Melnor XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler. This model is well equipped to deal with lots of grass as well as delicate plant gardens. You can also easily adjust the spray so that your children can have fun playing in it. It is also reasonably priced and comes with a warranty just in case you ever need it. We hope this post was informative to you, and we wish you all the best with your new oscillating sprinkler!
