Whether you are a gardener by profession or just enjoy taking care of your lawn as a hobby, the pain-staking task of watering and mowing your grounds to keep them green and clean should be all too familiar. Sprinkler heads solve this problem by doing the dirty work for you while saving both your time and money in the process.
To help you figure out which sprinkler head is perfect for you, we’ve put together a list of the best sprinkler heads available on the market in 2023.
A picture-perfect green lawn is every home-owners dream, but the lawn care that comes along with making this into a reality can be a real challenge.To keep the inner gardening enthusiast in you satisfied, we are here to help you choose the best sprinkler heads in 2021.
Sprinkler heads are a useful gardening gadget that helps save both time and money. An essential part of any automated watering system, sprinkler heads come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and versions, each design performing its task differently. However, figuring out which sprinkler head to invest in can be a confusing task- which is why we have prepared this buying guide to help you make your decision with confidence.
There are many benefits to installing sprinkler heads, all of which provide more reason to invest in them. Firstly, it saves time and money. With a sprinkler system installed, the sprinkler heads will do the watering for you regardless of how large your lawn is. These systems are often timed which will also reduce your water bill as the watering will only be done when necessary.
Another benefit of sprinkler heads is the safety they provide. Alternative options like garden hoses can carry the risk of small children tripping over them and facing injury. Sprinkler heads are both safe and discreet, especially if they are pop-up ones that disappear back into the ground. Lastly, sprinkler heads have the benefit of being automated, so they water your grounds even in your absence. This saves both time and personal effort.
There are a number of different types of sprinkler heads available on the market, and it can be easy to get lost in the many features if you don’t know what you’re looking for. For the best experience, make sure your chosen sprinkler head fits all your necessary requirements.
One of the most popular choices when it comes to sprinkler heads, the pop-up feature can be very attractive for those who place great emphasis on lawn aesthetics. Pop-up models are designed in such a way that they pop up when in use and retract into the ground when dormant. This is useful in protecting the sprinkler head from any impact or damage.
Also known as rotary nozzles, rotary sprinklers have the unique feature of having a small rotor attached to the sprinkler. This allows for streams of water to rotate over the area to be irrigated. Usually operating at a higher pressure, these are great for those areas where a large space needs to be watered evenly.
Gear-driven sprinklers are the most common choice in most households, as they are affordable and low maintenance yet get the job done. These sprinkler heads come with adjustable gear drives which have a number of different spray patterns and pressures. If you are a homeowner looking for an easy first sprinkler head investment, then a gear-driven sprinkler head is your best choice.
Every lawn area is different, and thus has a different ideal sprinkler head that is best suited for it. When searching for sprinkler heads, make sure to take into consideration the space that it will be watering, the type of terrain that is on the turf, and what kind of activities the space is often used for. All these factors will affect your ideal sprinkler head.
For smaller areas, pop-up sprinklers with spray patterns that are fixed are the best option. These sprinkler heads have limited spray distance, but that is fine for a small area. Pop-up sprinkler heads are more aesthetically pleasing, and with a fixed stream, they will function well in a small space. Pop-up sprinkler heads are also ideal for spaces that are used for recreational activities like sports, as they can be out of the way and allow for better utilization of space. Larger areas should opt for gear-driven rotary sprinkler heads due to their large throw distance and multiple spray pattern functionality. Rotary sprinkler heads come in different forms according to yard shape as well, so make sure to keep that in mind when making your final purchase.
On the topic of installation, here’s a short yet informative video on how to replace your sprinkler head.
There are two main parts to a sprinkler head. One is the body and the other is the nozzle. Depending on the number of features the sprinkler head has, these parts are complex or simple. Often the sprinkler head body is adjusted onto a platform that is connected to the garden hose. In this way, once water passes through the hose, the nozzle will distribute the water as well.
Systems that are in-ground are built a bit differently but still function in a simple manner. For underground systems, the shape of the sprinkler head makes a difference in the overall construction. For example, pop-up sprinklers may require a wider base so that the head can easily retract and reappear. Other factors that may affect how a sprinkler head is built are water pressure, spray pattern versatility, and whether it has any rotary function.
This sprinkler head is a great option due to its versatility and ease of use. The product boasts large-area coverage, spraying up to 80 feet in diameter and covering 5,026 square feet at its fullest setting. The coverage is also adjustable, with collar tabs attached to shift spray from partial to full coverage as needed. The most unique selling point of this product is its versatility, featuring 7 different spray patterns in a variety of showers and angles.
The only downside to the product is that it is not very heavy duty, and does not last longer than a few months. If you are looking for something more long-term, then this may not be your best option.
Different from other sprinkler heads available on the market, the Rain-bird 5000 sprinkler head features a pop-up rotary irrigation system designed for even and consistent spray. This is a great option for those looking for a self-sufficient model that can water from upto 50 feet, perfect for medium to large sized lawns. The product’s easy installation is also another plus, due to its slip-clutch mechanism.
The sprinkler head is a great product for the most part, but is can be quite slippery to keep propped up with your hands. This can be an inconvenience when you need to adjust it for any reason after installation
The HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads 4 pack is a great choice for those looking for a product that is long lasting and well built. This product comes with 4 sprinkler heads with a #7 nozzle pre-installed, which saves time as there is no added assembly required. In addition, the heads are full-circle adjustable and easy to replace. Overall, the product is made with high quality materials and will easily last a decade before wearing down.
One limitation to this product is that the nozzles are preset with a set flow rate. Although this is fine for most spaces, it can be a bit limiting if you are looking for a product that allows different spray patterns. The product is also pricey, but the longevity makes it worth it!
If you’re searching for a larger high pressure sprinkler head that is easy to operate, then the Gilmour 167H Pulsating Sprinkler Head is your best choice. This sprinkler head has a water coverage of up to 5,800 square feet, and has the option of both partial or full coverage. The product features a water-saving impulse arm which reduces back and side splash as well as a diffuser screw for easy water stream adjustment.
This sprinkler head is well made and well built, with exceptional performance over long distances. The only downside would be that it is a bit more expensive, but the performance makes it worth the extra money.
The Bosch Garden and Watering 967HGT Impulse Sprinkler Head is a good buy for those looking for a product with more spray strength and longevity. Made of metal, this is an impulse sprinkler head that provides up to 5,800 square feet in coverage. It measures about ½ inch tall and does a full circle spray which is great for large areas.
The only issue is that it is difficult to adjust the spray with the current side screw design, which can be a minor inconvenience. It is also a bit more expensive than other options on the market.
A: Whenever you are installing any sprinkler head be sure to see what height the overall structure is at and if it is suitable both aesthetically and functionality-wise to your choosing. You should take notice of the soil level rather than the height of any vegetation. This will reduce the risk of people tripping over the sprinkler head as well as make it have a more even spray.
A: A well-watered lawn not only depends on the kind of sprinkler head it has installed but whether they are enough and evenly distributed throughout the area. To determine the number of sprinkler heads that will work best for you, you need to be aware of a few extra things. First, take note of your water supply. Over-installation of sprinkler heads can result in neither one functioning as it should, which will ultimately be detrimental to your garden’s health. Check your water supply’s pressure and through that make an assumption on your system’s gallons per minute. Then after installation check to see if head-to-head coverage is being achieved by the system and if all parts of the lawn are receiving even amounts of water.
A: For best coverage across your lawn area, make sure to place your sprinkler heads in a suitable pattern according to your area’s shape. For large rectangular spaces, placing sprinkler heads in squares is your best best. For smaller spaces, triangular positioning will also suffice. For any space, however, make sure the sprinkler heads are placed in all corners for even watering.
A: There is no particular sprinkler head that is the better choice than the other objectively. Whatever suits your lawn area is what you should focus on when making any purchase. As for rotary sprinklers, they are best for large wide areas that are mostly empty and require maximum coverage. A good estimate is that if your lawn is larger than 15 feet from one corner to the next and you have a decent water supply, then you should opt for rotary sprinklers. For spaces that are more curved or less conventionally shaped, then pop-up sprinkler heads are the better option.
