Sprinklers have this amazing capacity of being both extremely useful and a delight for your family and pets alike. Whether you want to water the lawn or have your kids running wild underneath the water droplets and cooling down under the summer sun’s heat, a sprinkler has become a very practical home item for every yard owner across the globe. However, with the variety of available models, you may sometimes end up being puzzled, not knowing which type are the best sprinkler head reviews to trust. As always, we’re here to help.

5 Best Sprinkler Heads Comparison Table

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MODEL

FEATURES

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Oscillating sprinkler

Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

  • Dimensions: 6.7 x 17.3 x 3.5 inches
  • Weight: 1.12 pounds
  • Sprinkler Type: oscillating sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler

Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Sprinkler Head

  • Dimensions: 3.8 x 7.5 x 3.8 inches
  • Weight: 10.2 ounces
  • Sprinkler Type: rotor sprinkler spray head

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Oscillating sprinkler

Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler

  • Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Sprinkler Type: impact sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler

DTC Lawn Sprinkler

  • Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 2.4 inches
  • Weight: 1.45 pounds
  • Sprinkler Type: rotating sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler

Gilmour 167SMB Heavy-Duty Sprinkler

  • Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 1.76 pounds
  • Sprinkler Type: pulsating sprinkler

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Types of Sprinkler Heads

Depending on the size of your lawn, your irrigation system may need to be divided into several watering areas. As each yard is different, your sprinkler need will also vary, so in order to choose the one that’s best for you, it’s important to understand the differences between the main types of sprinkler head currently available on the market.

Row of sprinkler heads watering the grass

Spray Heads

Typically, spray heads are a common choice amongst medium-sized yard owners, because they are efficient at operating with water pressure that’s ranged between 20 and 30 PSI. since water pressure is low, the distance at which the head can disperse water won’t normally exceed 15 feet. This automatically means that the distance between the sprinkler heads should take into account that a small overlap is needed, to avoid any dry spots in the grass. If there are patches of your yard that the water droplets won’t cover, the grass won’t grow healthy.

The main benefit of a spray head is it provides a higher water output in a smaller amount of time. Since it doesn't have any rotating or moving parts, it is also more resistant to mechanical failure. They can be installed on fixed risers or spray bodies.

Depending on the model chosen, the spray head can have a variety of patterns and some manufacturers even throw in special nozzles for corners or narrow strips of grass. Since spray heads are characterized by the fine water mist output, windy days can be a hassle. That’s because the fine mist can easily be blown away by the wind, resulting in dry spots. If you live in a windy area, spray heads may not be the best choice for watering your lawn.

Rotor Heads

Often referred to as sprinkler rotors, rotor heads are ideal for medium to large yards. However, it’s important for the water system to have a pressure that exceeds 30 PSI for rotor heads to be efficient. A small rotor head should do a good job in spraying water at a distance between 15 to 50 feet. The main characteristic of rotor heads is that they spray water slower, which makes them more suitable for yards or gardens with slow-draining soil.

Because their output is a stream of water rather than a fine mist, chances of the water output being blown away by wind are minimal. But a very important thing to keep in mind is to measure the distance between each rotor head to make it smaller than the PSI supplied for that specific area. For example, if a specific rotor head is set to spray at a distance of 40 feet, the PSI supplied should be at least 41.

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Oscillating sprinkler

Oscillating

An oscillating sprinkler consists of a tube with multiple holes punctured on its surface, aimed to cover a wider area of your lawn. The sprinkler is activated once water pressure is detected. As water is sprayed through the holes, the pressure will push the sprinkler tube to move back and forth. Oscillating sprinklers are, without a doubt, the most popular type of sprinklers preferred by children and pets.

The tricky thing with the sprinkler is that you need just the right amount of water pressure indicated by the manufacturer if you want the product to operate at optimal levels. When the water pressure is too low, the sprinkler will not spray far enough, but if the pressure is too high, it will spray too far. Nevertheless, they are perfect for rectangular areas and, with a little bit of meddling, you can find the perfect adjustment.

Impact

Impact sprinklers have a very specific output sound, so you really can’t miss them. This sound is caused by the impact hammer which knocks on a fixed plate. Originally designed by RainBird, impact sprinkler function based on the water pressure that accumulates inside the head and triggers the hammer to move aside. When the impact hammer slides, water is released through the head and sprayed on your lawn. The main downside of owning an impact sprinkler is that they are basically useless if you have low water pressure. It’s also not a suitable choice for gardens with fresh seeds, because of the high-pressure water spray output.

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Oscillating sprinkler

Pulsating

Just as the name suggests it, this type of device will deliver a pulsating water output for lawn watering. There are some cheap models available, that feature a metal spike that sticks into the ground rather than some of the best underground sprinkler heads available. They are really efficient in watering large areas, especially yards that don’t have a regular square or rectangular shape. Because of their spraying output, they rarely cause any overwatering or puddles. However, they won’t do a very good job under low water pressure and they are very noisy. It’s best to choose a pulsating sprinkler that is made with brass of long-lasting zinc. Also look for sprinkler heads with adjustable screws that allow you to fiddle with the spray output.

Top 5 Best Sprinkler Head Reviews

Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler
  • Dimensions: 6.7 x 17.3 x 3.5 inches
  • Weight: 1.12 pounds
  • Maximum PSI: 100
  • Sprinkler Type: oscillating sprinkler

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The Melnor XT Turbo is probably one of the best oscillating sprinklers currently available on the market. It features twenty precision nozzles that provide a maximum coverage as high as 4,200 feet. Thanks to its operating tabs, you can set up the sprinkler to fully control the watering pattern’s length and make it range from 10 to 75 feet. There is also the option of controlling the pattern’s position from right to left and center. The two main features that stand out are the TwinTouch control and Zoom control. The former feature allows the customer to adjust the width in order to cover a wider or a narrower patch of lawn. The latter feature allows the spraying adjustment for smaller or larger grass patches.

Pros:

  • TwinTouch features allow you to adjust the spraying width of the model.
  • The zoom control facilitates spraying output over larger or smaller patches of lawn.
  • It’s extremely affordable.
  • Is lightweight and easy to move around.

Cons:

  • Doesn’t cover 4,200 feet if you have low water pressure in your system.

Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Sprinkler Head

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Oscillating sprinkler
  • Dimensions: 3.8 x 7.5 x 3.8 inches
  • Weight: 10.2 ounces
  • Maximum PSI: N/A
  • Sprinkler Type: rotor sprinkler spray head

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The Voyager II has been highly praised for being a silent and efficient sprinkler head. It’s ideal for medium to large sized lawn, because of its spraying diameter which can cover distances that vary between 40 to 80 feet. The sprinkler head is delivered together with a set of eight different nozzles that allow you to choose your desired flow rate and spray pattern. The diameter of the spraying radius is adjustable, but there’s also an included key that goes in a special slot on top of the sprinkler. This key allows you to make fine adjustments on the spot, switching between 40 to 360 degrees.

Due to its improved precipitation rate, the Voyager II sprinkler head does a fairly good job in helping you reduce water waste. This feature is ideal for lawns with clay soil, but also for those in sloped areas. The Voyages II comes with a filter that's meant to keep debris away from the nozzle. The filter can be removed by twisting the upper side of the head and can easily be cleaned and put back into place. This avoids getting the system clogged and helps the sprinkler run at maximum efficiency. Sadly, the manufacturer doesn’t provide any information about the maximum PSI compatible with the Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional sprinkler head.

Pros:

  • Comes with a debris filter that can easily be removed and cleaned.
  • Features an adjustable key.
  • Sold together with eight different nozzles.
  • Suitable for medium to large lawns.

Cons:

  • Can’t be installed at the end of a hose.

Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler
  • Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Maximum PSI: 50
  • Sprinkler Type: impact sprinkler

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If you fancy a good brass impact sprinkler, the Rain Bird 25PJDAC promises to deliver just what you need. Even with its fierce look, the sprinkler is pretty easy to install and adjust to best fit your gardening or lawn needs. You can set up the sprinkler to spray at a full circle rotation, or you can opt for a part circle, adjusting the arc between 20 and 340 degrees. The diffused screw allows you to adjust the droplets output to a smaller or larger stream. The spray radius of the sprinkler head varies between 20 and 41 feet, but it’s highly dependent on the highest pressure level of your home water system.

As advertised, the Rain Bird 25PJDAC should be able to cover a maximum area of 5,200 square feet, which is an indicator of how suitable the sprinkler would be for gardening purposes. Another feature that sets this system apart from the crowd is the classic impact sound. While it doesn’t seem like much, some people love the traditional impact sound of a sprinkler, letting them know it's doing its job.

Pros:

  • Very sturdy construction.
  • Provides the traditional impact sound.
  • Deflector allows the adjustment of the stream’s length.
  • Can be set up to spray at a full circle or part circle radius.

Cons:

  • The most frequent complaint is related to the sprinkler not covering the advertised area.
  • Setting the sprinkler to the optimal mode requires trial and error.

DTC Lawn Sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler
  • Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 2.4 inches
  • Weight: 1.45 pounds
  • Maximum PSI: 80
  • Sprinkler Type: rotating sprinkler

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Here is yet another sprinkler that will pull your kids out of the house and into the yard on those hot summer days, to enjoy jumping underneath the generous water output. The three arms rotate at a 360 degrees angle, being able to cover a full circle worth of yard. The angle of the rotating arms can be adjusted at an angle that varies between 45 and 90 degrees. This helps you control the speed and the direction of the water output. A setup closer to 45 degrees will guarantee a larger area watering, while a setup closer to 90 degrees will ensure more compact watering.

The brass construction will prevent any water leaks. This, in turns, helps stabilize water pressure to make sure your lawn receives just the right amount of water. The sprinkler head itself is made from a combination of ABS and TRP plastic, thus creating a durable and stable product. The installation process is fairly simple: just connect the sprinkler to a garden hose, turn on the water and your lawn is ready to be watered. Because of its design, the sprinkler head can cover distances that vary between 26 to 33 feet. Upon ordering the DTC lawn sprinkler, you will receive the sprinkler head itself, along with a leak-proof fitting, a hose connector, and a butterfly rotary sprinkler.

Pros:

  • Comes with an additional butterfly sprinkler head, for more spraying variety.
  • Three arm construction can cover spraying at a 360 degrees angle.
  • Can easily be installed by connecting it to a garden hose.
  • Brass construction prevents water leaks.

Cons:

  • Pretty light, can be easily knocked over.

Gilmour 167SMB Heavy-Duty Sprinkler

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Oscillating sprinkler
  • Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 1.76 pounds
  • Maximum PSI: 60
  • Sprinkler Type: pulsating sprinkler

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With more than 100 years of experience in manufacturing and selling lawn and garden equipment, Gilmour has created this sturdy head for everyone who wants reassurance that their lawn is being watered with the utmost efficiency. The all metal construction of the sprinkler makes it both durable and stable, features which are important if there’s any chance of the sprinkler every being knocked over by accident.

The integrated dial allows you to control the spraying distance of the sprinkler, while the adjustable collar control adjusts the rotation of the head. In order to perform the latter adjustment, you can push the lever down in order to set a partial circle coverage and, by sliding the lever all the way up, you can ensure a full rotation. Thanks to the integrated diffuser screw, you can adjust the water output into either a fine mist or a high-pressure stream. To have the sprinkler up and running, all you have to do is connect it to a garden hose.

Pros:

  • Promises a coverage of up to 5,800 square feet.
  • Distance control disc allows the setup for the best spray distance.
  • Included adjustable collar for setting the sprinkler head rotation.
  • Diffuser allows shifting between high-pressure water stream and fine mist.

Cons:

  • Using a very long hose significantly reduces the water pressure.

The Bottom Line

The optimal sprinkler head needs to adjust to your current water pressure, but also to your lawn’s needs. In order to make sure that every inch of your garden or yard is watered, you might need to divide the area into specific zones and make sure you install sprinklers at the correct distance from one another, as to avoid too much overlap or none at all. Overwatering, as well as underwatering, leads to unhealthy grass. Choosing the best sprinkler head also depends on the shape of your yard. If you choose a rectangular sprinkler head for a round or oval part of your yard, you will most likely end up watering the driveway, the walls or the fence.