Garden sprinklers can be used as an irrigation system to keep grass in top condition, or as a fun way for the kids to cool off in the summer. There are many varieties, with impact and oscillating sprinklers being the most popular designs. So if you haven't used sprinklers yet, we recommend you give them a go for watering and maintaining your lawn.
To help you pick the best one, we've put together a guide on water pressure, range and coverage. We know it can be a daunting task, especially if it's your first time using one. That's why we've included a ranking of the top 10 best garden sprinklers in the UK, including products from big brands like Hozelock and Gardena available on Amazon, eBay and Argos!
Buying sprinklers is tricky for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, as there are so many things to consider. Luckily, we've put together a helpful guide with information on range, coverage and rotation, so you'll know what to look for!
Did you know there are many different types of garden sprinkler? Oscillating, 3-arm and impact are the three most popular. Which is why we'll go over the benefits of each below, to help you pick the most suitable one.
Oscillating sprinklers have a bar-shaped head that contains multiple jets. This creates a fan-like, rectangular spray pattern, which rises and falls to the ground. The pressure from the water also allows the head to move back and forth.
Oscillating sprinklers move in a full arc to water grass both in front and behind. If you choose one with an adjustable spray range, you'll be able to use it to water various size lawns, or for specific areas of your garden. Plus, the adjustable spray area will allow you to position these sprinklers at the edge of your lawn.
These sprinklers are best for watering rectangular lawns with no obstacles, such as large trees. They're also ideal for treating new grass seed, as the spray pattern allows the soil to soak up water effectively.
Impact sprinklers spray one large jet of water that's low to the ground. As the head of the sprinkler constantly rotates 360°, they will spray water in a circular pattern, which is ideal if you have a somewhat round lawn.
Just like oscillating sprinklers, you can adjust the spray range to stop the sprinkler from rotating the full 360° to target a specific area. You can also use a diffuser pin to change the stream of water from a fast jet to a thin mist.
Does your garden have lots of trees? As they're low to the ground these sprinklers will be less obstructed by obstacles.
3-arm sprinklers have three arms that each contain a set of jets, spraying water in a fan-like motion similar to oscillating sprinklers. They can also rotate 360 degrees, and have a circular spray pattern like an impact sprinkler.
You can adjust 3-arm sprinklers easily by turning the arms. This changes the direction of the jets to target specific areas of your lawn, which is particularly useful if you have some dry patches that need treating.
Choose a 3-arm sprinkler if you would like to save water. That's because these sprinklers use water conservation technology to cover grass evenly, without using more water than what's necessary. That'll help you to reduce the price of your water bill!
You'll need to make sure the sprinkler you choose is suitable for your space. The range sprinklers reach, and the maximum area they'll cover, is determined by water pressure. This is measured in bars and can vary greatly from home to home. Luckily you can easily work out your water pressure by buying a pressure gauge.
If you have a small garden, two bars of pressure should be enough to cover your space, whereas larger spaces will require four or more bars. However, you can always buy a water booster or pressure reducer for your hose to change the water pressure.
Don't forget to check what water pressure the sprinkler can support. If your water pressure is lower than what's recommended, the water won't flow correctly, and if it's too high, the sprinkler may break!
Most sprinklers are considered portable as they simply rest on top of your lawn, making them good for occasional use as they can be easily moved around to where you need them, and packed away afterwards. However, if you're looking for a permanent sprinkler, or live in an area with high winds, consider a design with a ground fork or spike.
You can push the spike or fork into the ground, anchoring it into your lawn for better security. Plus, they can be removed if you need to reposition your sprinkler. With some designs, you can even retract the spikes and rest the sprinkler on top of your lawn for a short sprinkle session.
After reading our buying guide, you should now be ready to choose your new sprinkler. Below is our ranking of the top 10 best garden sprinklers in the UK from top brands including Hozelock and Gardena!
£16.22
Type | Impact |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | 21 - 26 m |
Max Coverage | 530 m² |
Water Pressure | 2 - 4 bar |
Secured | Spike |
£8.99
Type | 3-arm |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | 8 - 10 m |
Max Coverage | Not specified |
Water Pressure | 2.5 - 4 bar |
Secured | No |
£21.15
Type | Impact |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | Up to 15 m |
Max Coverage | 700 m² |
Water Pressure | 2 bar |
Secured | Spike |
£14.99
Type | 3-arm |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | 8 - 10 m |
Max Coverage | Not specified |
Water Pressure | Not specified |
Secured | No |
£13.99
Type | Oscillating |
---|---|
360° Rotation | No |
Range | Not specified |
Max Coverage | 312 m² |
Water Pressure | Not specified |
Secured | No |
£21.12
Type | Oscillating |
---|---|
360° Rotation | No |
Range | 7 - 17 m |
Max Coverage | 220 m² |
Water Pressure | 2 - 6 bar |
Secured | No |
£7.99
Type | 3-arm |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | 8 - 10 m |
Max Coverage | Not specified |
Water Pressure | Not specified |
Secured | Spike |
£20.00
Type | Oscillating |
---|---|
360° Rotation | No |
Range | 14 - 17 m |
Max Coverage | 180 m², 200 m², 260 m² |
Water Pressure | 1 - 10 bar |
Secured | No |
£23.85
Type | Oscillating |
---|---|
360° Rotation | Yes |
Range | Up to 20.4 m |
Max Coverage | Up to 378 m² |
Water Pressure | 2.7 bar |
Secured | No |
£27.89
Type | Oscillating |
---|---|
360° Rotation | No |
Range | 6 - 20 m |
Max Coverage | 320 m² |
Water Pressure | 2 - 4 bar |
Secured | Ground forks |
Image | 1 ![]() Kärcher | 2 ![]() GRÜNTEK | 3 ![]() Hozelock | 4 ![]() NICEFIT | 5 ![]() Gardena | 6 ![]() SolaDirect | 7 ![]() Sea Pioneer | 8 ![]() Relaxdays | 9 ![]() WISDOMWELL | 10 ![]() Cellfast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Premium Oscillating Sprinkler | Lawn Sprinkler With 16 Nozzles | Rectangular Sprinkler | Garden Lawn Sprinkler | Aqua S Rectangular Sprinkler | Jet Nozzle Oscillating Sprinkler | Garden Sprinkler | Impact Circle Sprinkler | Wisdom Garden Sprinkler | Professional Impact Metal Spike Hozelock Compatible Garden Sprayer |
Features | The Ultimate Sprinkler With Splash Guard and Much More | Unique Oscillating Design With a Turbo Engine | Can Support Up to 10 Bars for Ultimate Coverage | Ground Spike for Stability in Windy Areas | Protected From Frost and UV Rays | Perfect for Larger Gardens | An Extra Nozzle for Adjustable Height Settings | Professional Sprinkler With Multiple Settings | A Crescent Design That Saves Water | Fully Customisable Water Flow |
Price | £27.89 | £23.85 | £20.00 | £7.99 | £21.12 | £13.99 | £14.99 | £21.15 | £8.99 | £16.22 |
Type | Oscillating | Oscillating | Oscillating | 3-arm | Oscillating | Oscillating | 3-arm | Impact | 3-arm | Impact |
360° Rotation | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Range | 6 - 20 m | Up to 20.4 m | 14 - 17 m | 8 - 10 m | 7 - 17 m | Not specified | 8 - 10 m | Up to 15 m | 8 - 10 m | 21 - 26 m |
Max Coverage | 320 m² | Up to 378 m² | 180 m², 200 m², 260 m² | Not specified | 220 m² | 312 m² | Not specified | 700 m² | Not specified | 530 m² |
Water Pressure | 2 - 4 bar | 2.7 bar | 1 - 10 bar | Not specified | 2 - 6 bar | Not specified | Not specified | 2 bar | 2.5 - 4 bar | 2 - 4 bar |
Secured | Ground forks | No | No | Spike | No | No | No | Spike | No | Spike |
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You'll need a decent hosepipe to connect to your new sprinkler for it to work correctly. Luckily, we've got you covered with a guide to help you pick the best one. And once you're lawn is looking lush and green, you can check out our other articles on the best mowers and strimmers to keep it trim!
After reading this article, you should now know what to look for when choosing a sprinkler for your garden. We hope you've found our guide helpful, and have maybe even picked out a product from our recommendations. Your lawn will thank you for it!
Author: Rosa Fairfield
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