Sprinklers keep your lawn looking great when you’re away and your property needs water. They keep the garden green and simultaneously help to save money and time. Selecting the best sprinkler heads for your landscape requires careful consideration. If you’re unfamiliar with the basic types, it will not be easy to choose the right one as there are so many sizes, styles, models, and labels available on the market.
Watering a lawn has come a long way in the last few years. It is a good practice to choose an efficient sprinkler to help water your yard in a more effective manner and with a lesser volume of water.
Types of Sprinkler Heads
Sprinkler heads come in a variety of designs and styles. Understanding the functions and how sprinklers operate is important when selecting the most efficient sprinkler heads for your lawn.
- Spray Head Sprinklers
Spray heads are a popular option among medium-sized yard owners because they effectively work with water pressures ranging from 20 to 30 PSI. Because of the low water pressure, the distance that the head will spread water is usually limited to 15 feet. The biggest advantage of a spray head is that it produces more water in a shorter period of time. If you stay in a windy area, spray heads may be necessary.
The spray head may have a number of patterns varying by model, and some manufacturers may have special nozzles for corners.
- Oscillating Sprinklers
An oscillating sprinkler is made up of a tube with several holes punctured in it that are aimed at covering a larger area of your lawn. When water pressure is detected, the sprinkler is turned on. The friction from the water spraying through the holes causes the sprinkler tube to rock back and forth. If the water pressure drops, the sprinkler may not spray far enough, but it will spray too far if the pressure is greater. Nonetheless, they are ideal for rectangular spaces and can be adjusted to perfection with a little fiddling.
- Rotor Heads
Rotor heads, also known as sprinkler rotors, are suitable for medium to wide yards. However, for the rotor heads to work properly, the water device must have a pressure greater than 30 PSI. Rotor heads are distinguished by the fact that they spray water at a slower rate, making them more effective. Since they produce a stream of water rather than a fine mist, the likelihood of the water being carried away by the wind is low. It is critical to bear in mind that the distance between each rotor head must be smaller than the PSI specified for that location.
- Pulsating Sprinklers
This type of sprinkler will produce a pulsating water output for lawn watering. They are extremely effective at watering large areas, especially yards that aren’t square or rectangular. They won’t work well if the water pressure is low, and they can be very noisy. It’s safer to go for a pulsating sprinkler made of brass or zinc that will last a long time. Look for sprinkler heads that have adjustable screws, so you can change the spray performance.
- Impact Sprinklers
Impact sprinklers have a distinct output tone that you won’t be able to forget. The impact hammer knocks on a fixed plate and produces this sound. Water is released through the head of the impact hammer and sprayed on your lawn as it slips. The biggest disadvantage of owning an impact sprinkler is that it is practically useless if your water pressure is minimal. Because of the high-pressure water spray output, it’s not a good option for gardens with fresh seeds.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sprinkler Head?
- Material
Steel, plastic, or a mixture of the two are used to make sprinkler heads. Each material has benefits and drawbacks that influence reliability, weight, and price.
Metal: Metal has historically been the material of choice for sprinkler heads. It’s very tough, so the sprinkler heads are unlikely to split or crack. On the other hand, metal sprinkler heads are less flexible and more prone to leakage at moving joints.
Plastic: Plastic is light and waterproof, and sprinkler heads with plastic joints rotate more freely than metal joints, enabling spinning sprinklers to spin freely.
Hybrid sprinkler heads: Since the hybrid design blends the toughness of metal (for such solid parts as the body or nozzle) with the versatility of plastic, these sprinkler heads are undoubtedly the most popular ones in today’s market.
- Features
Sprinkler heads have a range of attributes that can be integrated into the design for added convenience. Among the available equipment are adjustable nozzles, lawn spikes, tripods, sleds, and integrated flow control.
Adjustable nozzles allow you to adjust the flow’s direction and angle to tailor the spray to your lawn or garden.
Lawn spikes, sleds, and tripods are other mechanisms that support many sprinkler heads. The sprinkler is secured in place with a spike pushed into the ground to prevent it from tipping over or blowing away. Integrated flow control refers to a valve on the sprinkler’s body or frame that can be used to adjust the flow of water to a particular sprinkler head.
- Size of the Lawn
When it comes to selecting the right sprinkler heads, the size of the lawn is a consideration.
Stationary sprinkler heads are ideal for small lawns because they cover the entire area without the need to shift, rotate, or oscillate.
Oscillating, revolving, and pop-up sprinkler heads work well on medium lawns.
For a large lawn, a pop-up sprinkler system would be the most effective. Due to its high water pressure performance, an impact sprinkler head is also suitable for a large lawn.
Most Efficient Sprinkler Heads
Let’s take a closer look at some of the models that qualify as the most efficient sprinkler heads for your garden now that you have a better understanding of what they are:
Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Sprinkler Head
Orbit’s 55662 Voyager II sprinkler is a professional-quality pop-up spray sprinkler. This sprinkler will give you outstanding and satisfying results, and many people have been using it for many years.
The ability to change the spray dispersal pattern from 40 to 360 degrees is what makes the Voyager II sprinkler so good. Furthermore, the sprinkler’s height is just 4 inches, making it suitable for mounting it on the lawn, out of sight. And, since it can disperse water from 25 to 52 feet, it can easily cover a wide area. Because of its spraying diameter, which can cover distances ranging from 40 to 80 feet, it’s suitable for medium to large lawns. The sprinkler head comes with a set of eight different nozzles, so you can customize the flow rate and spray pattern to your liking. The Voyager II sprinkler head does a decent job of reducing water waste thanks to its increased precipitation quality. This function is perfect for lawns with clay soil, as well as sloped lawns. A filter is included with the Voyages II to keep debris out of the nozzle. By twisting the upper side of the head, the filter can be easily removed, washed, and replaced.
Pros:
- It’s easy to use.
- Longevity is a key feature of this product.
- The instructions are simple to follow, and the kit includes all the necessary installation equipment.
Cons:
- It’s cheaper to buy one at a time rather than in a pack.
- Water leakage can occur after a while.
- Customer service is lacking.
Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler
This impact sprinkler is made of high-impact brass, bronze, and stainless steel, making it last longer than any other zinc sprinkler on the market.
The installation and adjustments are easy so that you can get a complete 360° coverage radius or a partial 20° to 340° coverage radius. Despite its intimidating appearance, the sprinkler is simple to set up and customize to suit your gardening or lawn needs. You may change the droplets output to a smaller or larger stream using the diffused screw. The sprinkler head’s spray radius ranges between 20 and 41 feet, depending on the maximum pressure level in your home’s water system.
The Rain Bird 25PJDAC covers a maximum area of 5,200 square feet according to the manufacturer’s specifications, which indicates how suitable the sprinkler will be for gardening.
The Rain Bird 25PJDAC promises to deliver just what you need if you want a decent brass effect sprinkler.
Pros:
- The structure is extremely durable.
- The length of the stream can be adjusted using the deflector.
- It is possible to set it up to spray in a complete circle or a partial circle radius.
Cons:
- Weak oscillation is a common complaint among users.
- The best results are obtained at pressures greater than 50 PSI.
Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
An oscillating sprinkler, such as this one from Melnor, might be a good option if you’re searching for an adjustable oscillating sprinkler that oscillates and covers a broad area.
The Melnor XT Oscillating Lawn Sprinkler with width and range control delivers water to all corners of your yard without the need to switch the sprinkler every hour. You can control the water flow and distance, which means that you can only water your lawn and not your sidewalk or driveway.
You won’t have to think about building an irrigation system with this hose-connected sprinkler head. It’s also affordable, particularly when you consider the lifetime warranty. It’s fortunate that it comes with a warranty because there have been some instances of leaky connections, and it seems to be easily broken. Despite this, it’s a reliable sprinkler that waters more efficiently than several other types.
Pros:
- Exceptional coverage
- Flow and width are also adjustable.
- There is little or no overspray.
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It can break quickly.
- Leaks are quite common.
MyGarden Automatic Garden Water Sprinkler
The MyGarden lawn sprinkler is a relatively inexpensive device with standard features. It is a low-cost device that only includes a garden hose and water supply. It has a 360° revolving head that can adequately spread water to an area of up to 3600 square feet and a distance of up to 32.8 feet at 30 PSI.
Many users complain about their irrigation systems using a lot of water. This is definitely not the case with this sprinkler. The two basic adjustable angles of watering, 45° and 90°, also help with water dispersal performance.
Pros:
- For purchases made on Amazon, you will get a full refund.
- Its strong ABS polymer structure makes it weather resistant.
Cons:
- You might think it won’t last since it’s so light.
Gilmour 167SMB Heavy-duty Sprinkler
Gilmour has more than 100 years of experience in producing and selling lawn and garden equipment, so this robust head is perfect for anyone who needs to know that their lawn is being watered as efficiently as possible. The sprinkler’s all-metal construction makes it both sturdy and stable, which are valuable characteristics if the sprinkler is ever knocked over. The sprinkler’s spraying width can be regulated with the integrated dial, and the head’s rotation can be modified with the adjustable collar function. You can set a partial circle coverage by pushing the lever down, and you can guarantee a complete rotation by sliding the lever all the way up.
You can choose between a fine mist or a high-pressure stream when using the water output. All you have to do now is attach the sprinkler to a garden hose to get it going.
Pros:
- Up to 5,800 square feet of coverage is promised.
- The distance control disc assists you in setting the ideal spray distance.
- With the provided adjustable collar, you can modify the rotation of the sprinkler head.
- The diffuser allows you to move from a high-pressure water stream to a fine mist.
Cons:
- The water pressure is greatly reduced when a long hose is used.
Features to Look for in a Good Sprinkler
Some common features of a good quality sprinkler are:
- Spring retraction: A good sprinkler has a spring to hold the piston down into the case when it is not in use. The spring has to be quite strong so that the piston doesn’t stick up. The sprinklers that are without springs and depend on gravity to retract are considered to be of lower quality.
- Wiper seal: It is a soft plastic component around the pop-up riser stem to seal the riser and prevent water leakage. Moreover, it keeps dirt away from the sprinkler body. Many brands don’t have this wiper seal, making it a below standard sprinkler
- A 3-inch pop-up height: The pop-up height of a good sprinkler should be more than 3”. This will ensure the spray nozzle clears the top of the grass where it is placed. A low pop-up height may get obstructed by the grass, and thus water may not be evenly sprinkled throughout the required area. Most professionals recommend sprinklers have 4″ pop-ups for lawn areas and 6″ to 12″ pop-ups for shrub areas
- Rat traps: This is the least desired design to use for a sprinkler. Some products have a bucket-type body, allowing debris to fall inside when the sprinkler riser is raised. The waste which gets collected in this bucket area affects the mechanism of the sprinkler from dropping out of the pop-up. Manufacturers claim that the sprinklers have a rat trap design; this is a false claim. The trap opens when the sprinkler is operating, and this time the rats will stay away from a moving device. The things which have been mostly trapped are grass clippings and debris from the garden area.
Final Thoughts on Water Efficient Sprinkler Heads
It’s a common practice to water an established lawn until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is saturated. That’s why it’s necessary to depend on a sprinkler when you’re not around. No doubt that your lawn requires an efficient and known brand. But choosing the most efficient sprinkler head for your property can be a challenging job. Still, if you go for a detailed and careful analysis of the top brands available on the market today and follow the ideas discussed in the article, we hope it will be an easier task for you.
Remember that water is getting scarce every day and overall water use for outdoor irrigation is not efficiently possible. Switching to a sprinkler nozzle is certainly a better choice to make your yard lush and green and help conserve water.