If your home is equipped with an underground sprinkler system, you're in luck! Automated sprinklers make it easy to keep your lawn green and your garden lush with minimal effort. But for your sprinkler system to be effective, it needs to be equipped with high-quality sprinkler heads.
Below, we've rounded up the best sprinkler heads on the market, along with some helpful information to know before you shop.
Types of Sprinkler Heads
These days, sprinkler heads come in a variety of styles, spray angles, and coverage ranges to accommodate yards of all shapes and sizes. Here are the common types of sprinkler heads to choose from:
- Rotary Sprinkler Head— Rotary sprinkler head use water pressure to turn gears and shoot a stream of water through a mechanical nozzle. They typically distribute between 1/4- 1/2 inches of water per hour. Most models offer a large coverage area and adjustable spray patterns, making them an ideal choice for large lawns. There are two common rotary types: gear-driven rotors and impact-driven rotors.
- Concealed/ Pop-Up Sprinkler Head— As the name suggests, pop-up sprinklers use a spring-driven mechanism to emerge from the ground when the water is turned on and return underground to stay hidden between uses. Most feature an adjustable spray pattern and a coverage range of up to 45 feet. They typically distribute between 1- 2 1/2 inches of water per hour.
- Oscillating Sprinkler Head— Oscillating sprinklers are one of the best options for an above-ground sprinkler system. When connected to a hose, their rotating arms spray water back and forth over a rectangular area. In addition to watering your lawn or garden, these versatile sprinklers are great for kids to play in on a hot summer day.
- Rotating Sprinkler Head— Above-ground rotating sprinklers evenly distribute water with an adjustable spray pattern and angle. Most feature two to three rotating arms equipped with rubber nozzles. Their swirling spray is sure to keep kids entertained all day long in your backyard.
- Stationary Sprinkler Head— Simple metal or plastic sprinkler heads are great for small spaces and simple watering tasks. They're affordable, compact, and incredibly versatile.
The Best Sprinkler Heads for In-Ground Systems
Now that you've determined the type of sprinkler you're looking for, it's time to start shopping. Be sure to double-check that the style you've chosen is compatible with your sprinkler system before purchasing new sprinkler heads. While there are countless brands to choose from, experts swear by Hunter and Rain Bird brand sprinklers.
Hunter PGP-ADJ Rotor Sprinkler Heads 4-Pack
Looking for the best brand of sprinkler heads? You can't go wrong with these original rotor sprinklers from Hunter, the most trusted name in sprinklers and irrigation since 1981. Thanks to continuous improvements and technological advancements, their versatile PGP rotor sprinkler is still the number one rotor head in the world forty years after it was first introduced.
The Hunter PGP-ADJ Rotor Sprinkler Spray Head offers unparalleled durability, versatility, performance, and value. Its engineered nozzle, QuickCheck arc mechanism, and adjustable spray ensure even water distribution and optimal coverage time and time again. A through-the-top arc adjustment, factory-installed rubber cover, and handy adjustment tool make for easy installation and safe operation.
Spray distance— 22 to 52 feet
Adjustable arc— 50 to 360 degrees
Precipitation rate— 0.4 inches per hour
The irrigation experts at Rain Bird make some of the best sprinkler spray heads on the market today. Rain bird 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Heads offer superior performance and reliability, making them a popular choice for landscapers and contractors. The versatile sprinklers are suitable for both residential and commercial use.
Each heavy-duty pop-up sprinkler is designed with an innovative triple-blade wiper seal to prevent leaks, clear internal blockages, and ensure smooth pop-up and retraction every time. This money-saving six-pack comes complete with additional o-rings and seals for added protection and a handy screwdriver tool for easy installation and quick adjustments.
Spray distance— 25 to 50 feet
Adjustable arc— 40 to 360 degrees
Precipitation rate— 0.2 to 1.5 inches per hour
Need to replace a leaky sprinkler head or two? Check out the Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Pop-Up Sprinkler Spray Head. It's Orbit's number one choice for medium to large areas. The versatile pop-up sprinkler head is compatible with all major brands of gear-driven rotor sprinklers, making it an excellent option for replacing old, inefficient sprinkler heads.
While each head is equipped with a nozzle with a 3-gallon per minute output, they come with a variety of different nozzles so you can customize the saturation level to fit the needs of your lawn or garden. An enclosed body design and internal filter prevent clogs caused by dirt, debris, and dirty water.
Spray Distance— 25 to 52 feet
Adjustable arc— 40 to 360 degrees
Precipitation rate— 3 gallons per minute
The K2 Pro Gear Drive Lawn Sprinkler Head from K Rain is an affordable way to update your pop-up sprinkler system. The 5-inch pop-up sprinkler heads feature patented Intelligent Flow Technology that reduces distance and flow rate proportionately to save water and offer total control of your irrigation system. Each individual head can be turned off during installment and adjustment, making it easy to change nozzles quickly.
The adjustable spray angle can be adjusted from a narrow 40-degree angle for tight spaces to a continuous 360-degree spray pattern for maximum coverage of medium to large areas. An internal filter prevents dirt and debris from entering the sprinkler body and clogging the spray nozzle.
Spray distance— 20 to 48 feet
Adjustable arc— 40 to 360 degrees
Precipitation rate— 2.5 gallons per minute
Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler is a traditional favorite with classic impact sound. It is made with brass, bronze, and stainless steel that is meant to last. Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler is easy to install and adjust with full 360-degree coverage or half.
Spray distance— 20 to 41 feet
Adjustable arc— 20 to 360 degrees
Precipitation rate— 3.1-5 gallons per minute
The Best Sprinkler Heads for Above-Ground Sprinkler Systems
If your home didn't come equipped with an underground sprinkler system, you'd need to use an above-ground watering system to keep your lawn and garden looking their best.
Aqua Joe Oscillating Sprinkler with Adjustable Spray
This Oscillating Sprinkler with Adjustable Spray from Aqua Joe is affordable, versatile, and incredibly easy to use. It's designed with a powerful turbo-drive motor, sturdy metal base, and sixteen clog-resistant rubber nozzle heads. The leak-resistant connection can be connected to any standard garden hose to water your lawn, give your vegetable garden a soak, or entertain the kids on a hot summer day.
Plus, the oscillating spray sprinkler heads feature an adjustable range control for precise watering without wasted water or overspray. It even comes with a convenient built-in cleaning tool to ensure even coverage and reliable operation for many summers to come.
Coverage area— 3600 square feet
Spray distance— 70 feet
Precipitation rate—6.65 gallons per minute
This versatile Orbit H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler offers not one, not two, but six different spray patterns to accommodate yards of all sizes. Simply connect it to a standard garden hose, stake it in the spot of your choice, and twist and click the sprinkler to select the spray pattern of your choice. Use it individually or connect multiple sprinklers together using the flow-through spike base.
The versatile sprinkler is made with durable materials and high-impact construction to survive years of continuous use. It's surprisingly quiet compared to other rotary sprinkler heads, making it an excellent choice for early morning watering.
Coverage area— 5026 square feet
Spray angle— 25 to 360 degrees
This user-friendly Rotating Lawn Sprinkler from GrowGreen is perfect for everyday watering and playtime on a sunny afternoon. The powerful lawn sprinkler features three rotating arms equipped with fully adjustable nozzles to prevent water wastage and overspray. The secure base is made of high-quality materials that won't rust, corrode, or move around during use. Its small size makes it easy to tuck away between uses and store during the off-season.
Coverage area— 3600 square feet
Spray distance— 32.8 feet
This all-in-one Adjustable Above-Ground Sprinkler System Kit from Melnor makes it easy to water your entire yard at once. The watering set comes with three fully adjustable sprinkler heads and two fifteen-foot hoses that can be placed anywhere throughout your outdoor space. They can be used with or without the optional 5-inch sprinkler risers.
Coverage area— 1800 square feet
Spray angle— 0 to 360 degrees
Who said lawn sprinkler heads have to be boring? These adorable Adjustable Daisy Sprinklers and Garden Hose Kit from Melnor features an adorable floral design that's sure to put a smile on your face. The five-piece kit comes with three flower-shaped sprinkler heads on stakes and two fifteen-foot hoses to string them together into one above-ground watering system. Each durable plastic sprinkler head can be adjusted to control the water flow, direction, and range to reduce water waste and prevent brown patches. They're an excellent choice for watering side yards, flower beds, and vegetable gardens.
Coverage area— 1800 square feet
Spray angle— 0 to 360 degrees
