Best Overall
Eden 4,973 sq. ft. Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler Set
Best Bang for the Buck
Orbit Pro Series 4,000 sq. ft. Oscillating Sprinkler
Best for Large Lawns
Aqua Joe 4,973 sq. ft. Oscillating Sprinkler
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Oscillating sprinklers are an ideal way to give your lawn the daily and weekly dose of water it postulate to thrive . Unlike standard models , these sprinkler mechanically waver in focussing while spray piss , make a fan approach pattern that can cover large area of grass . We recently quiz seven oscillating sprinkler at dissimilar terms points and with various insurance coverage kitchen range , construction , and adjustability features . To find top performers , we watered forage , manually measured the sprinkler ’s range and width , tried all fitting , and even cut down the sprinkler on concrete to try out for durability .
We rated theEden 4,973 sq . Ft . Turbo vacillate Sprinkler Setthe high due to its tough twist and easy - to - line up stage setting that countenance us to alter the range , water stream , and spray design . The Eden model was n’t the only sprinkler that clear our stamp of favorable reception , though . Read below to learn about some of the best oscillating sprinkler forlawn careon the market .
Our Top Picks
We chose our top plectrum establish on extensive research and thoroughgoing testing . These are some of the best oscillating sprinklers in their specific categories , and any of these manikin can be a worthy choice for irrigating a residential lawn or garden .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY product that shanghai us most in our actual - world examination and that illustrate core value of the Bob Vila steel , including craft , innovation , and note value for the dollar . Winners of this designation come urge by our professional brushup team and are personally approve by Bob Vila .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carries our brand ’s highest level of good word .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability5/5 ; Coverage4.7/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
long-lasting construction , wide range , and adjustability make this Eden mannequin one of the best oscillating sprinkler on the market place . Its 20 nozzles bluster insurance coverage of up to 4,973 straight feet . A dirt - resistant turbo drive motor ensures the sprinkler operates smoothly for even coverage , and a sturdy metal base provides durability and prevents the sprinkler from shifting while in use .
mark up this sprinkler was as easy as relate a water hose and aline the options .
Three adjustor allowed us to turn sets of nozzles off and on to control width , beseem yards and bloom bed of different size . Two independent slideway claims adjuster located on the size of it of thesprinkler headallowed us to set the range , and a menses - control knob allow for for adjustment of the size of it of the tearing domain .
This sprinkler claim to cover 4,973 substantial feet of lawn , but genuine reportage depends on your body of water pressure . With our spigot all the way on and a water atmospheric pressure of 90 pounds per square inch ( PSI ) , this sprinkler had a compass of about 51 fundament and a width of 48 feet , falling far below the promise 4,973 square ft . However , we found this to be reliable for all the sprinkler we tested , not just this one . With insurance coverage vary by hosepipe size of it and PSI , multiple sprinkler may be required to meet your lawn demand .
Get the Eden 4,973 - square - foot oscillating sprinkler atAmazon .
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability3/5 ; Coverage3.7/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
The Orbit Pro Series oscillating sprinkler is an inexpensive model that can plow areas up to 4,000 satisfying substructure . It features a sturdy , weatherproof metal groundwork that keeps the sprinkler from tipping . Its slue chit earmark for an easily adjust oscillating spray range .
After hooking up the Orbit Pro Series sprinkler , we immediately noticed that it produced a much downhearted pressure water stream than the other sprinklers , even with our spigot all the way of life on . The low force per unit area result in slightly uneven coverage . After let the sprinkler run on its maximal setting for 20 moment , we adjusted the oscillating image using the sliding yellow journalism . This allow us to change the convention in which the sprinkler sprayed , helping to avoid water obstacles like sidewalks , houses , and streets .
Photo: Katie Barton for Bob Vila
Our durability test involved drop the sprinkler on a concrete terrace and hook it back to our urine hose to check for damage , which was n’t apparent . While durable and cheap , the Orbit Pro Series wo n’t fit all needs . Since this sprinkler has no adjustable breadth , it ’s not the best selection for narrow area . alternatively , it ’s better suited for humble M or for big yards if you have strong weewee press .
Get the Orbit oscillating sprinkler atTractor Supply Co. ,Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability5/5 ; Coverage4.3/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value5/5
Photo: amazon.com
Maintaining a lush lawn may require supplementary watering during the hot months of the class . If you have a tumid lawn and do n’t desire to litter it with a dozen sprinklers , finding an option with effective coverage is crucial . The Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler sport coverage of up to 4,973 straight base and amount with an indestructible alloy base . It also had the greatest scope out of all the sprinklers we test .
After unbox this oscillating lawn sprinkler , we hooked it to our hosepipe and put it to put to work . It covered our yard evenly , providing extensive coverage . We then aline the width using the push buttons , which leave us to pass over a much more narrow-minded space , ideal for in - between houses . We also changed the oscillating pattern by sliding the tabs and used the water menstruation knob to shorten the range that the water system spray . All adjustable features worked smoothly and allowed for preciseness .
There was n’t much we did n’t like about this sprinkler . The durable metal stand did n’t go against when we dropped it on a hard surface , and the adjustability was sensitive enough to gather many need . The exact insurance coverage will count on your water pressure and the sprinkler configurations . However , this is a good multiuse model .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Aqua Joe oscillate sprinkler atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best for Small Lawns
Gardena ZoomMaxx 2,300 sq. ft. Oscillating Sprinkler
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability5/5 ; Coverage4.3/5 ; Durability3/5 ; Value5/5
By predate the traditional longsighted and narrow-minded intent of most oscillate sprinkler in favour of a compact sprinkler head with multiple rows of beak , Gardena ’s ZoomMaxx is worthy for irrigate small space . With its 2,300 hearty feet of coverage on 16 nozzles , it offers about half the coverage of other sprinkler in this family . However , the design has a smaller minimal coverage area — as piddling as 97 hearty feet — than a distinctive oscillating sprinkler . This small footprint allows it to water pocket-size yard , garden , and efflorescence bed without wasteful overspray .
We appreciate the easy - to - conform mount on this garden sprinkler , which let us change the cooking stove between 10 and 60 fundament and a width up to 40 feet . We used the maximum options to cover the lawn and narrowed down the coverage country to keep our flower seam well watered .
Photo: amazon.com
To see if it could resist the normal wear and tear of everyday animation , we dropped the sprinkler on our concrete patio . While no pieces break off , we comment a minor leak after hooking it back up . Overall , it ’s durable for a plastic oscillating sprinkler , but it did n’t make out as well as the metal options .
Get the Gardena oscillating sprinkler atAmazonorWalmart .
Best Adjustable
Rocky Mountain Goods 4,100 sq. ft. Oscillating Sprinkler
Our evaluation : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability5/5 ; Coverage4.3/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
Adjustable railyard sprinkler tolerate for multiple use . you’re able to utilize them to irrigate heavy freshly seeded lawn , narrow their insurance coverage for newly set bloom beds , or use them as a garden water sprinkler . One great option for tackling these different occupation is the Rocky Mountain Goods oscillating sprinkler . It feature skid tablet to adjust the oscillating shape , a piddle flow knob to check the range , and bear on buttons to adjust the width .
We specify up this sprinkler by connect it to our hosepipe and then turned on our tap to irrigate the lawn . The coverage was even . We then adjusted the spray for our peak bottom by using the pushing buttons to exchange the width and the menstruation control knob to minify the range . All adjustable features worked well , allowing us to customize the watering area to preclude overspray .
Photo: amazon.com
The Rocky Mountain Goods sprinkler also fared well in our durability mental test , hold out several drop-off to the primer . With a maximal reporting of 4,100 satisfying feet and a courteous selection of adjustable feature of speech , it ’s a solid option for lawn of all sizes .
Get the Rocky Mount Goods oscillate sprinkler atAmazon .
Best All-Metal
Dramm ColorStorm 3,036 sq. ft. Oscillating Sprinkler
Our Ratings : Ease of Use5/5 ; Adjustability3/5 ; Coverage4/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
The Dramm oscillating sprinkler has coverage that maxes out at 3,036 satisfying feet . It include options for adjusting the oscillating nebulizer design and a stream - ascendance knob that adjust the mountain chain . There are also built - in pins at the close of the spray vacuum tube for cleaning out the brass super C . This sprinkler is available in six colors . view run with dark-green so it blends into the thou or pick shining orange to avoid accidentally carry over it with the lawn mower .
Right out of the boxful , the Dramm sprinkler ’s all - metal grammatical construction felt long-lasting , and it came out of our drib tests whole . We used it towater the lawnand then adjusted the options so that the pee atomiser boil down on the bloom beds on the side of our household . The coverage was even , and the sprinkler was a zephyr to adjust .
Photo: amazon.com
Although well built , this sprinkler did n’t do well with small water pressure . We used a pee pressure gage to adjust our hose to 30 PSI and then attached this sprinkler . regrettably , the mountain range was n’t more than a dyad of invertebrate foot , rendering it pretty useless . That said , it ’s a proficient water sprinkler if you have high pee pressure and value lastingness .
Get the Dramm oscillating sprinkler atAmazon , Ace Hardware , orWalmart .
Best Heavy-Duty
Eden 4,300 sq. ft. Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler Set
Our Ratings : easiness of Use5/5 ; Adjustability3/5 ; Coverage3.7/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.7/5
This oscillating sprinkler has a metal root word and sprinkler bar , so it can endure harsh weather condition and revilement . Its seal crusade prevents dirt and dust from step in with its oscillating movement . This Eden alloy oscillating sprinkler has a broad coverage area of up to 4,300 straight base and amount with quick - connection fittings that make it easy to attach and detach the sprinkler from a garden hose . There ’s also a built - in cleaning putz for remove the nozzles .
The classic design of this oscillating sprinkler was comfortable to set up and adjust . The slide tabs correct the vibrate range , and an easy - to - turn pommel controlled the water flow . It equally watered diminished and large space . Unfortunately , there were no control condition for correct the width , which prevented us from using it on more narrow blank .
Photo: amazon.com
To see to it this sprinkler exist up to its sound - duty report , we strike down it on a concrete patio four times and then hooked it back up to insure for flaw . There were no visible score , and the sprinkler worked like new , with no wetting .
Get the Eden 4,300 - square - foot oscillating sprinkler atAmazon .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Oscillating Sprinklers
An oscillating sprinkler has a sled radical that supports a farsighted sprinkler chief fitted with up to 20 nozzles that dissipate piss . These sprinkler can water up to 5,000 square understructure of grass at once but are adjustable for more accurate watering needs .
To find the salutary , we seem for oscillating sprinklers that could irrigate large , pocket-sized , and minute yards to touch the demand of unlike lawn sizes . We also chose some adjustable options that puzzle out in all type of scenario .
We test the sprinklers by water our lawn on the maximum width and grasp and then using all adjustable context . We used tag rouge and a mag tape measuring rod to calculate each sprinkler ’s range of mountains and width . We also performed a durability test , which included dropping the sprinklers on concrete and then hook them back up to insure for damage or leaks . We compiled all examination information in a rubric , which we tallied and used to assign each sprinkler a rating .
Photo: amazon.com
What to Consider When Choosing an Oscillating Sprinkler
Lawn size , the adjustability of the spray pattern , water pressure demands , and sprinkler grammatical construction are some of the important factors to consider when pick out the good oscillating pee sprinkler for lawn and gardens . Keep reading to learn more about these and other factors to consider when shopping for the best oscillating sprinkler .
Lawn Size
Lawn size will facilitate determine the best sprinkler , as it ’s helpful to buy a sprinkler that will minimize the number of prison term it must be moved to cross the entire yard . It ’s also good to choose a sprinkler with a spray that ’s not too big so you’re able to avoid uneconomical overspray .
To determine the straight footage of the G or garden , breed its length by its width . Then apply this number — the area — to snitch for the appropriately sized sprinkler . For instance , a lawn that is 75 foot long by 50 feet broad would require a sprinkler that can cover at least 3,750 square foundation .
Since oscillating sprinklers have a square - shape coverage domain , nonrectangular yards will require multiple sprinklers or a rotating sprinkler for full reportage . A larger yard also may want multiple sprinklers to cover the entire surface area in one watering academic session . Keep in creative thinker that plate with pee insistence below the stock 30 PSI wo n’t have enough pressure to meet the sprinkler ’s maximum reportage touchstone .
Material
Oscillating sprinklers for lawn watering consist of either credit card or metal parts , and each material has its professional and cons .
Oscillating sprinklers use a mechanics that move the head back and away easy . Sprinklers that keep this mechanism in an enclosed chamber are more durable than fashion model that have a drive expose to the element .
Though this innovation is less expensive , the gears in an exposed parkway can clog with dirt and debris , preventing the sprinkler from oscillating . With that in mind , a sprinkler with an open drive require to be stored during inclement weather to protect these moving office .
Sled Base
Unlike otherlawn sprinkler types , sled bases are not rooted to the earth by a stake , which can damage the grounds . This aim also makes it loose to maneuver them around the grounds to cover multiple lacrimation zones , much like a portable sprinkler system . Most sled bases are made of metal or plastic with an attachment for a received garden hose and controls that aline the orbit on one end .
Most oscillatory irrigation sprinkler have a long sled theme that is about 15 to 17 inches foresightful and 5 to 6 inches full , although some oscillating sprinklers apply a sled base with a orbitual design that is about a foot in diam . This orotund theme provides a unchanging foundation that keeps the sprinkler steady as the head oscillates back and forth .
Spray and Adjustability
Oscillating sprinklers have a serial of jets typically set in a line across an oscillate streak that sprays irrigate up into the strain . The jets are set at dissimilar angles to cover the watering country evenly . Most sprinklers have between 16 and 20 jets , with the latter providing the greatest amount of reporting . These jets vacillate back and forth at a consistent amphetamine to permit for even water across the entire coverage surface area .
The spray is also adjustable . Most oscillating sprinkler have an claims adjuster that controls how far the sprinkler head oscillates in either direction . Higher - conclusion sprinklers ordinarily countenance the substance abuser to adjust the insurance coverage area ’s width , and some admit a rapid climb knob that hold in the size of the reporting area ’s footprint .
Water Pressure
Most oscillating sprinklers base their maximal reporting on 30 PSI of water pressure , which suits a typical city water standard of about 30 to 50 pounds per square inch that most homes employ . If the available urine pressure is less , the sprinkler wo n’t be capable to attain the stated maximum reportage . If the water system pressure is too low-down , the pee may not generate enough forcefulness to turn the oscillating sprinkler head . Those with habitation with water supply pressure that falls below this 30 PSI verge may want to consider a sprinkler design for low pressure .
High water pressure also can have a negative impact on lawn sprinkler oscillating performance , causing the water system to mist as it exits the schnoz . A pressure governor attached between thegarden hoseand the sprinkler can reduce this pressure . The best direction to learn a home ’s body of water atmospheric pressure is to employ a piss gauge or flowing metre .
Water Conservation
Since an oscillating sprinkler can use about 17 gallons of water per minute , it ’s important to look for lineament that help mastermind as much of that pee to nourish the lawn as possible . vibrate sprinkler cover a fairly accurate area , micturate it gentle to put them to water - desire arena and only those arena . This helps economize weewee and prevents wasteful watering of driveways and sidewalks . Those utilizing H2O from a pond or brook may postulate asprinkler pumpto facilitate proper water flow .
Some sprinklers admit a built - in mechanical timekeeper . A sprinkler with a timer allow the substance abuser to set the sprinkler to shut out off after a prepare amount of time , clear it a slap-up solution for preventing overwatering for those who do n’t have asprinkler control system .
Convenience
Some oscillating sprinkler models admit feature that make them more convenient to practice . This includes adapters that attach to the hose ending , which make attaching and come off the sprinkler easier . They eliminate the need to sleep with and unscrew the connection when it ’s clock time to store the hosiery or the sprinkler .
Most oscillating sprinkler also admit built - in strainers , which forestall debris from come in the sprinkler and clogging the nozzle . Higher - end oscillating sprinkler also have menstruation controls that allow the substance abuser to adjust water yield . Some sprinklers let in built - in timers , which will shut off the sprinkler after a predetermined period of meter , preventing overwatering .
When present with expensivesprinkler repair costs , the gizmo and downcast cost of vacillate sprinklers can get you by until stamping ground to your permanent organization are made .
FAQs
If you ’re wondering how to intimately utilize an oscillating sprinkler , then understand on for resolution to some of the most commonly ask questions about these watering devices .
With its power to shroud 4,973 square feet , theEden 4,973 - square - groundwork oscillating sprinklerprovides some of the broadest reporting of this sprinkler type , making it idealistic for large yards . This sprinkler is also versatile . you may aline it to cover a much lowly footprint to avoid overspray onto private road and sidewalks . Another self-coloured choice is theMelnor sprinkler , which can incubate 4,500 straightforward human foot .
Most oscillating sprinklers will create about 1 in of piddle per time of day . At that rate , you ’ll want to water your lawn for 1 60 minutes , once a week , as most lawn take between 1 and 2 inches of water per workweek to stay salubrious . When coming up with a weekly architectural plan forhow long to water your lawn , be certain to report for any rainfall and line up the amount of time you run your oscillating sprinkler consequently .
Oscillating sprinkler have claims adjuster that allow you to set how far the sprinkler head oscillates back and forth . After locating the adjusters on the sprinkler , skid the adjuster toward the sprinkler read/write head to shorten the range or farther aside from the head to broaden the range . Some sprinkler also have buttons or slide adjusters on the sprinkler bar that allow you to specialize or extend the spray convention .
oscillate sprinklers can use up to 17 gallons of water per minute , depending on water pressing , hosiery size of it , and sprinkler configurations .
Meet the Tester
Katie Barton has over 10 age of experience in production writing , has tested dozens of cleaning product , and has authored hundreds of articles for major media outlet . Her cleansing and organizing advice has been have on GOBankingRates , Realtor.com , Yahoo ! , Cabin Life , and more . She take an unbiased approach shot to intersection examination , using each mathematical product multiple times or for several days / weeks to determine efficacy . Her destination is to aid reader adjudicate which products are deserving their hard - earned money and which fall flat .
extra research provided by Tony Carrick .
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