Best Sprinkler Heads 2023 Reviews (Top 10 Picks)

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of sprinkler heads available in the market and we have dug out the 10 best sprinkler heads for you!

Sprinkler heads are a vital component of watering arrangement in your garden, no matter the size of the lawn.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, varying in ranges as well as angles.

These heads are small that spray a fan-shaped pattern of water. It has nozzles, just like your bathroom shower does, that determines the radius of water throw from it. 

Best Sprinkler Heads (Top 10 Picks):

1. Orbit 55200 Pulse Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler Head

 Let’s check out some of the features of this leading brand in sprinkler heads:

• Preinstalled 35-foot spray distance muzzle
• Works within 20-80 psi and operates with low-pressure conditions as well.
• Adjustable spray pattern
• Multiple inlets of 0.5 pinch at bottom or side
• Weighs .75 pounds
• Dimensions are 5 x 8 x 13 inches

This sprinkler head was a great purchase for me in terms of money; I compared it with other brands with the same features as this and found this one cheaper.

I have a relatively large area that needs to be watered and this head provided the coverage very well and dispersed water evenly with a 360-degree turn.

The sprinkler heads proved reliable and durable over a long period of time and lasted longer than I initially expected them to. It saves you the cost of regular replacement.

The downside is that they are a bit difficult to install. It takes time to adjust them and get them running.

Pros

• Good coverage
• Durable
• Good value for money

Cons

• Difficult to install

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2. GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler

Gogreen specializes in products such as sprinkler head heads and thus, it needs to be on the list.

• 80 psi water pressure
• 32.8 feet spray distance
• Adjustable sprinkler with a weighted base to make sure the unit doesn’t move around
• Made with high-quality ABS plastic and rust-proof polymer
• Has a water conservation technology
• Can be used by children to play in the garden

Although I have been using sprinklers for long enough, this one is super fast!

Once you turn it on, you might not even get the chance to get out of the way fast enough.

The head sits nicely in the grass. Because of the weighted base, I no longer have to worry about the hose tilting away when I am not present.

The nozzles adjusted exactly the way I wanted them to; you can set it upright for maximum reach or horizontal for maximum coverage; it depends on you. 

Keep in mind that the nozzles may come off and undoubtedly that’s trouble, but it can be reattached. You can use tape if it happens too often.

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Pros

• Highly efficient
• Adjusts well on the ground
• Adjustable nozzle

Cons

• Sometimes the nozzle detaches

Also Read: Best String Trimmer

3. HUNTER PGP-ADJ-B 4″ Pop-Up Rotor Sprinkler

• Includes blue nozzle rack
• Preinstalled rubber cover
• Water lubricated gear-drive
• Arc adjustment of through-the-top
• Arc has a setting ranging from 40 to 360 degrees

This sprinkler head worked like it was supposed to; all the parts were present with a manual to make it easy to put it together.

Also, it was convenient to replace; those of you who take your gardening business seriously know how relieved you are when the replacement process is hassle-free.

Adjustment of the arc and the distance of the spray was simple and quick, as it came with adjustment tools to assist you. 

However, I found PGP rotors difficult to replace and install; they required technical knowledge and some level of expertise that I didn’t have.

Pros

• Hassle-free replacement process
• No assembly needed
• Full-circle adjustable nozzle heads

Cons

• Installation of extras is a bit technical

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4. Rain Bird 1804VAN – 4″ Professional Pop-up Sprinkler – 5 Pack

Rain Bird is the name most heard of in the sprinkler head market. The name carries with itself reliability and years of trust by its customers.

• 5 spray heads
• Preinstalled adjustable nozzle in head
• 4-inch pop-up height
• Exposure surface diameter of 5.7 cm
• Dimensions are 9.5 x 2.5 x 6 inches

These sprinklers popped up higher and went down consistently when I turned them off, causing no issues whatsoever.

My garden has tall grass, which is usually an issue with sprinklers, but these pop-ups had no problem getting over those and worked as advertised.

Rain bird makes replacing sprinkler heads convenient; it took me minutes to unscrew the older heads and screw the new ones.

The flat screw-on top controls the flow of water while the sprinkler shoots out water.

However, make sure all the heads work properly and if they don’t, you can reach out to the seller because and they handle complaints well.

Pros

• Features 5 different spray heads
• A pop-up height of 4 inches
• Easy to replace sprinkler heads

Cons

• Pricier than other heads

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5. Toro 53814 4-Inch Pop-Up Fixed-Spray

• 15 feet spray radius
• Fixed-spray sprinkler for medium lawns
• Dimensions are 2.06 x 2.06 x 6.83 inches
• Weighs 3.2 ounces

After using it for over a decade, I faced no leakages from the pop-ups. They work completely fine and you can change nozzles if you face pressure issues.

This pop-up is also suitable if you have an uneven garden that needs to be watered.

The adjustments are more than standard settings; they go beyond the 90, 180 and 360 degrees standard turns.

They are easy to install; there was no issue with replacement and since they are durable, I don’t have to worry about replacing them again for years.

The throw of the spray may not be as you would have thought and if your garden is huge, it may not be enough for your suitability. 

Pros

• No leakage
• Works on uneven landscapes too
• Easy installation

Cons

• Not good for large spaces
• Some find the spray unsatisfactory

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6. Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional 4″ Adjustable

Listed below are some of the most prominent features of this head, along with its advantages and disadvantages:

• Dimensions are 20 x 12 x 8 inches
• Inlet connection of National Pipe Tapered
• Spray adjustments range from 25-52 feet radius
• Compatible with most rotor sprinklers
• Ideal for medium to large lawns
• A key is provided to adjust spray coverage

The orbit sprinklers are best for the irrigation system. With other brands, the sprinkler heads suffered sun damage and thus, their life was cut short drastically. I don’t have to worry about that with this one.

If any part is defective, it will be replaced by the company within days of delivery so one does not have to worry about poor customer service and delayed deliveries.

One tip that I would like to give to the users of this product that if the head is an area where it can be run over by a car or mowers then you should put them on a flex pipe. Trust me; you would save yourself from a lot of hassle.

Also, all the details about the size of the inlet are mentioned explicitly on the product and website.

The size is very important if you are replacing old sprinkler heads with new ones. 

However, I faced some difficulty turning off the sprinkler heads individually.

If you usually do turn them on and off regularly, reconsider the purchase.

Pros

• Reliable and durable
• The company guarantees replacement
• Detailed specs are mentioned in the guide
• Easy to adjust

Cons

• Turning off the sprinkler heads is a hassle

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7. HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads

Hunter is a known name in the marker for sprinkler heads. It has been around long enough to build credibility. Following are some of the features of this product:

• Dimensions are 10.5 x 3 x 8 inches
• Material is plastic
• Each pack contains an adjustment tool
• 4 PGP heads and preinstalled nozzle.
• Full circle adjustment from 50 to 360 degrees
• Dirt-water tolerance

One of the upsides of this brand is that there is a replacement tool available in the market at half the cost.

This means that you don’t have to replace the entire sprinkler head, saving you the cost and the effort.

My area has hard water running, which usually damages the rubber seal in heads and damages them. However, with this sprinkler head, I did not face that issue; it was durable.

The variety of head nozzles makes this purchase all the more worthwhile. At this price, one would otherwise get only a single nozzle head.

I would like to point out that you would have to manually attach nozzles to heads by yourself; they don’t come attached as shown in the picture.

Pros

• Easy to adjust
• Many nozzles are available to adjust the GPM and range.
• Includes a tough rubber cover

Cons

• Requires tool to adjust the head

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8. Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Melnor has outdone itself with this advanced sprinkler. Let us find out some of its prominent characteristics:

• 20 rubber nozzles to provide coverage of up to 4500 square feet
• The width of the watering pattern can be controlled by twin touch adjustment
• Infinity turbo drive
• Comes with Quick connect product adapter to easily connect and disconnect sprinkler
• Lifetime warranty

This sprinkler is very sturdy; it was convenient to adjust the directional jets and set the rotation of the nozzles.

It is lightweight but nevertheless, durable, a combination I thought I would not come across. The material is plastic, but it gets the job done!

The directions to put it together are fairly straightforward; I faced no difficulty in assembling the product and took very little time.

One of the distinct features is that the water stream is of the right density so that the water is not lost in the air as a fine mist. The grass is well watered with this one!

However, it sometimes gets hung up or gets stuck; it gets back to working soon, but there is a glitch that makes it lag.

Pros

• A broad foundation with a sturdy design
• Flexible spray
• Includes a nozzle-cleaning tool

Cons

• Not best for narrower lawns

Hose filter requires regular maintenance

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9. Melnor 65113-AMZ Pulsating Sprinklers

• Covers a distance of 85 inches(diameter)
• Has unit-to-unit connections
• Has metal spikes
• Contains quick connect adapter
• 2 years warranty

This sprinkler head moves very smoothly with zero interruption; I have used many of these, and most of them got stuck every now and then, but by far, this one has been smooth.

It was a relief to find out that it does not make noise as compared to other brands, which produce a ton of noise. It glides back and forth with minimal noise.

The number of adjustments one can make according to your need is commendable; you can customize it for diffusion, distance, and spray angle among other things.

The sprinkler is made with metal which improves its quality drastically as compared to other plastic-made sprinklers. The price is still, however, competitive.

Bear in mind that the rotation limiters are hard to move, and the rotors may sometimes get stuck as well.

Pros

• Good spray power
• High coverage of the lawn
• Made with robust materials

Cons

• Rotation limiters are hard to move
• Rotors get stuck sometimes

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 10. Gilmour 167H Pulsating Sprinkler Head

• Provides water coverage for up to 5800 square feet
• It comes with impulse arm
• Diffuser screw allows for easy adjustments
• Base is 0.5 inches
• Impulse head is constructed with brass and zinc
• Dimensions are 6 x 6 x 2 inches

For the best performance of this product, use a larger Bose hole and short length with minimum restrictive fittings. They work really well with good water pressure. 

The reach of this head is beyond expectation; usually, the distance mentioned on the product that it will cover is not what it actually is but this one delivered on its promise.

It keeps the area wet, and my grass came out pretty good. The water was evenly dispersed with good pressure to cover my entire big lawn.

Also, the wire tab that lets you select whether you want the spray in an arc or full circle is easy to operate.

If you end up getting the product that you did not order, you can have it exchanged, as this has happened to a couple of people. 

Pros

• Watering is done at high intensity.
• Water coverage is good for extended areas.
• Adjusting the water flow is simple.

Cons

• Relatively expensive compared to other heads

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Things to consider when buying a sprinkler head:

• Type of head: pop-ups are best suited for watering flowerbeds. The extended size gives you a better reach deeper into the bed. On the other hand, the fixed sprinkler heads are best for shrubs and smaller flowerbeds that don’t require as much reach. They are not the best choice for your lawn.
• If the area you live in faces low water pressure, say less than 40 PSI, then you should opt for rotary nozzles or sprays.
• If the area you want to water is big, rotors may be your best bet!
• If you are willing to spend money, go for metal sprinkler heads as they are more durable and tough. However, plastic ones are very well-engineered as well and will perform almost as well as metal ones.

How We Tested

Every garden enthusiast desires a picture-perfect manicured lawn, but the lawn maintenance required to make this a reality may be difficult. To keep your inner gardening geek happy, we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider before you get your hands on a sprinkler head!

Sprinkler Head Type

• Oscillating – features either a single row of openings or two rows that distribute water in one way. A base supports the top and typically moves gently from side to side, creating a swirl of water spray that covers the area.
• Fixed – consists of the main body and a ring-shaped tip that sprays water in all directions. The heads may be used without moving. However, they are not appropriate for vast areas.
• Impact – provides the greatest water distribution reach, making them ideal for vast fields.
• Pop-up – provides a flexible radius of reach, and automatic operation is possible by connecting them to sprinkler controls. Before returning to the bottom, where they are out of the path of the foot, the tops emerge and irrigate the field.
• Rotating – features two or three spinning arms and can revolve 360 degrees. To thoroughly moisten the lawn, shoot water via the spinning arms. Additionally, some versions include arms that can be adjusted to modify the spray’s direction.
• Gear-driven – Most homeowners choose gear-driven sprinklers because they are reliable, cost-effective, and need little upkeep. These sprinkler heads feature gear drives that are movable and offer a variety of spray styles and intensities. A gear-driven sprinkler head is your best option if you’re a user trying to save money on your first sprinkler head purchase.
• Sprinkler hose – Sprinkler hoses are rubber hoses with tiny holes aligned at the front that releases a precise, regulated mist. These types’ lengths and versatility make them ideal for spraying lengthy, tight, and even unevenly shaped sections of grass.
• Traveling – With a garden hose following them, traveling sprinklers move across the lawn according to a set pattern. They operate like toy lawnmowers while spraying the grass and are also known as “lawn tractors.”
• In-ground – Because they run on a predetermined schedule, in-ground sprinkler systems eliminate the risk of error in spraying the lawn. The new ground sprinkler system requires more work upfront to lay out the irrigation process, but the sprinklers can be regulated to rise from the soil and hydrate the grass at set periods.
• Bubblers – With this irrigation method, water is quickly delivered in large quantities, where it collects in ground cover and narrow areas around plants and trees. However, Lawns are not watered best with bubblers. Bubblers shouldn’t be utilized in uneven terrain or soils that don’t drain well (like clay) since the water will flow and swamp nearby places.
• Drip irrigation – A drip watering system is advised for large gardens instead of having several bubblers. Drip irrigation is substantially more effective for big fields since it feeds water slowly to plant roots. Plants and flowerbeds benefit from drip irrigation.

If you use bubbler and drip irrigation, ensure they are in separate zones and not linked to the same irrigation valve system that drives spray heads or rotating heads. If everything is set to one zone, some trees will be excessively watered while others will be inadequately watered due to various water applications.

Ease of installation

Look for sprinkler head styles that are simple to install while buying. Some kinds, such as oscillating, stationary, impact, and revolving, need no work because they just attach to a hose and rest on the lawn. Setup is necessary for pop-up spray head types.

However, this kind of water system has the longest life after the connections are made, and the unit is fixed, with regular maintenance—such as replacing damaged tops.

Water Conservation

Water is used up significantly when spraying the grass. The typical amount of water used during an hour of irrigation is around 630 gallons if the nozzle is 12 inches wide and the water pressure is 60 psi.

The amount of water used rises with the garden hose size. At the same water pressure, a 5/8-inch hose produces around 1,020 gallons, and a 3/4-inch hose produces 1,860 gallons.

Lawn Dimensions

When choosing a sprinkler spray head, keep the grass area in mind. Pick stationary or pop-up sprinkler heads if your yard is modest. Go for rotating, pop-up, and oscillating sprinkler head versions if your lawn is a reasonable size.

Moreover, pop-up and impact sprinkler head types are appropriate for vast lawns because of their excessive water force delivery.

Material        

Typically, sprinklers are built of metal, plastic, or a mix of the two. The item is quite strong and unlikely to shatter or split when made of metal. But they have lower flexibility and are more likely to leak.

In contrast, plastic materials are often thin and water-resistant and permit freely rotating sprinklers to do their thing. Additionally, hybrid sprinkler heads blend the sturdiness of metal with the adaptability of plastic for movable elements to assist the water flow.

Additional Features

Check whether a sprinkler head has extras like flexible spray nozzles, tripods, timers, grass spikes, and inbuilt flow control when shopping for one.

Flexible spray heads

Usually, the flow rate is adjusted in both angle and direction so that the spray trends may be personalized to the field.

Tripods

Hold the spray heads typically. To extend the sprinkler head’s reach, tripods are spaced 2 to 4 feet away. While driving the grass spike into the grass, watch out that the shower won’t blow over or lose water pressure.

Timer

By managing when the water is switched on and off, it is possible to have the system operate automatically.

FAQS

What should the height of my sprinkler head be?

When setting up any sprinkler head, consider the total height of the item and if it is visually and functionally appropriate for your needs. You should be more concerned with the soil line than any plant’s elevation.

It reduces the possibility of people stumbling over the sprinkler head and provides an equal spray.

How many sprinkler heads will I require?

A well-irrigated lawn is determined not only by the type of sprinkler head positioned but also by how many are placed and how uniformly they are dispersed over the space.

You should know a few more factors while choosing the number of sprinkler heads that would perform best for you. Firstly, assess your supply of water.

Too many sprinkler heads might lead to neither working well, which is eventually harmful to the health of your landscape. Check the pressure of your water system and estimate the gallons per minute of your installation.

Then, following installation, check to verify if the setup provides full coverage and if all portions of the grass are getting an equal quantity of water.

How should I place my sprinkler heads?

Ensure that you appropriately place your sprinkler heads based on the layout of your grass area for optimum distribution. Sprinkler heads placed in squares are ideal for big rectangular expanses. A Triangle arrangement is also suitable for a smaller area.

Nevertheless, for any area, ensure that sprinkler heads are set at all edges for even irrigation.

Is it preferable to use rotating sprinklers?

There is no sprinkler head that is superior to the others. You should consider what is best for your ground when making any investment. Rotary sprinklers work well in broad, open areas that are generally unoccupied and require total exposure.

Rotational sprinklers are a good choice if your grass is more than 15 feet from one end to the other and you have a reliable water supply. Pop-up sprinkler heads are a better solution for curvier or irregularly shaped locations.

How long should you irrigate your grass?

Sprinklers spray water at varied rates, so instead of a specific length of time, the usual guideline is to spray the grass enough such that it gets 1 inch of water every week.

Final Words

The right sprinkler head will make maintaining your lawns and gardens hassle-free and fun!You can learn the basics like loading Ryobi string trimmer

With the advancement in technology, ease of using the product has been prioritized. Thus, the above-mentioned sprinklers make your life trouble-free.