Ask any gardener about the toughest part of establishing a green lawn and he will surely tell you that it’s nothing but watering the plants since that’s the gardening chore that requires the most physical effort.
Thanks to the sprinklers that have made the whole process quite handy and comfortable since all you need to do is to attach the sprinkler head to the hose, turn on the water tap, and see the dancing water splashes over the luscious and healthy green shaded grass from the inside of the house.
Since oscillating sprinklers rotate automatically to damp maximum area, you don’t need to go out of the yard to move sprinkler heads. In short, having the best oscillating sprinkler can save you from the hassle of standing on hot sunny days right beneath the sun and from the inconveniences of getting all damped up by the water on cold winter evenings.
However, it’s only the best oscillating sprinkler that can make your life and yard maintenance easier. Otherwise, both the online and offline markets are stuffed with the non–reliable and poor-performing models that will do nothing for you rather than cutting your pocket smoothly.
Thus, for our readers, we spent days with our experts to go through the scoring lists of the best sprinklers to select seven products to review. From these top-seven sprinklers, we also drive the top-three oscillating sprinklers so you can find a device that perfectly meets your budget and yard maintenance needs.
Table of Contents
Best Oscillating Sprinkler Comparison Table
Seven best oscillating sprinkler
1. Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
This company is famous for manufacturing the finest gardening tools in the most affordable price range and that’s why we were impressed by this model a lot.
First and most importantly, this model solves the problem of continuous shaking of sprinkler heads on turning the water on by providing a heavy and wide base.
This sprinkler offers three different adjustments for flow rate, length, and width of the water splashes. A handy and smooth dial is given at the top that you can push and pull for making adjustments. In addition, an infinity drive feature is also provided to accelerate the process of watering.
Over the main crossbar, about twenty sprayer rubber nozzles are mounted that can conveniently cover an area of about four to five thousand square feet. To mount the sprinkler easily over the hose, a quick connector adapter has been introduced. The company also has added built-in cleaning tools to settle the problems like clogged nozzles.
You can limit the direction and coverage of water splashes by using the feature of adjustable spray coverage. On turning the coverage mode on, the side tabs of the crossbar get locked and prevent the water from going into the undesired area. To specify the whole watering dimension even further, you can utilize the twin touch controls.
- Cover a large-sized lawn
- Highly customizable watering patterns
- Superfast watering by infinity turbo drive
- Twenty nozzles with coverage adjustments
- Easy to connect
- Heavy and wide base
- Extremely affordable
- Not so durable
All in all, the advanced features like adjustable splashes pattern, coverage adjustments, and wide crossbars make this model perfect for large-sized lawns.
2. Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Oscillating Sprinkler
This Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler is not only the first choice of our technical experts but it’s also an Amazon bestseller. This sprinkler is capable of damping an area of about 3600 square feet and offers wide customization options.
The built quality of this tool is also highly gorgeous and leak-proof since all the exterior and interior parts are made up of the finest quality heavy metals. The base is also wide and sturdy but it’s not so heavy due to being made up of plastic material.
Though on running the sprinkler on high water pressures, the sprinklers can move and flip a little, this model can serve you for numerous years. I liked the minimal design which doesn’t catch the attention in your luscious green yard.
The main cross bar contains sixteen rubber, clog-resistance nozzles which means your sprinkler will work with the same efficiency even if the water is polluted. All credit goes to the mesh filter that keeps the debris from coming inside the sprinkler head.
Still, if one of the nozzles gets jammed, then you can use the cleaning tool, attached at the head, to clear the debris or anything stuck inside by poking the clogs. Quick adapters are sold separately which can help you attach the tool quickly with the hose head. Since these connectors are also leakproof, you don’t have to worry about wasting water.
Using the customization modes, you can adjust the length and width of splashes as per your needs in three different ways. To get reliable performance, a turbo drive gear is installed by which you can customize the watering angles with the crossbar sides features.
- Leakproof and clog-resistant
- Finest build quality
- Affordable
- Suitable for medium-sized lawn
- Three adjustment modes
- Minimal design
- Cover an area of 3600 square feet
- The sprinkler may flip or move a little
This sprinkler offers excellent watering with utmost efficiency and an affordable price range. If you are looking for a sprinkler for a mid-sized lawn, this model of aqua Joe is worth considering. A reputable and accessible tool that you can buy with full confidence!
3. Eden 94114 Oscillating Sprinkler
This model of Eden Brand is also highly suitable to meet the needs of a mid-sized or large lawn with several exciting features. This sprinkler does not possess a metallic base that’s usually added to other models of Eden.
Instead, a weighted plastic base is provided but that’s powerful enough to hold the appliance firmly at its place. In other words, you don’t need to be worried about the flipping of the sprinkler on maximum water pressure or the highest flow rate. Likewise, the base is sturdier enough not to get knocked off even on getting hit by an object.
The gadget can cover up an area of about 3600 square feet and by customizing the water flow rate and pattern, by adjusting the side walls around the crossbar. In this way, you can tailor this sprinkler to be used for any size of the yard (small, medium, and even large-sized).
To ensure the highly efficient and defect-less watering operation, a sealed turbo-driven gear is installed that prevents the dust from going across the appliance and hindering the smooth operation.
The quick connector makes this model more compatible to be used by homeowners. These connectors can be used in almost all types of common and uncommon US standard garden hoses.
Besides the plastic base, the entire body comprises aluminum metal over which sixteen rubber nozzles with the mesh-filters and attached nozzle cleaning tool.
The design of this Eden’s sprinkler is very simple which makes it easy to use for all seasoned gardeners. The twist-lock ensures that your sprinklers don’t pop off accidentally.
- Sturdy yet lightweight base
- Sealed turbo drive
- Clog-proof nozzles
- Cover a wide range
- Leak-proof quick adapters
- Extremely affordable
- Too big for a small-sized garden
Overall, this oscillating sprinkler is one of the best-valued garden appliances that not only saves your pocket from getting empty but also gets watering chores done perfectly.
4. Rocky Mountain Goods Metal Oscillating Lawn Sprinkler
This oscillating sprinkler of our list is the one offering the widest coverage of about 4100 square feet which adds a little more to its price. However, if you are willing to pay a few more dollars to get the best performance, highest durability, and premium build, then these rocky mountain sprinklers could prove your best friend.
Since a single sprinkler can cover a huge area, you don’t need to get more than one appliance or change the location of a sprinkler from one corner to another. To achieve more desired watering goals, you can adjust the water flow as per your needs.
The base of this appliance is made up of heavy-duty aluminum metal which is heavy enough to stand upright under huge pressures. It means you don’t have to worry about it being blown away under the influence of heavy winds.
Besides enhancing the longevity, the metal frame and base are corrosion-proof which means the original luscious look of metal will be maintained for years and your appliance will sustain the abusing use for years.
Total twenty brass nozzles are mounted over the plastic tube which comes with a clog poking tool to remove the debris out of the jet. This tool is just like a small built-in needle that needs to be pushed and pulled frequently to keep the nozzles opened. To adjust the oscillations, a smooth slide button is given, which on being used correctly, can help you water your yard both at high and low water pressures.
- Weighted metal base
- Corrosion-proof metallic frame
- Built-in clog cleaning tool
- Adjustable water flow
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Covers the widest area
- Expensive
The best thing about this product is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. In other words, if your appliance stops working or comes with any sort of fault, you’ll get a replacement free of cost or get covered by any other way.
5. GARDENA Aquazoom Oscillating Sprinkler
Gardena is also one of those gardening tools manufacturers that launch premium designs and accessible appliances to please their customers and extend their Custer chain. This sprinkler also belongs to the premium product line of the company, and that’s why it’s a part of our list.
This sprinkler can provide maximum coverage of about 3800 square feet and the water splashes can reach a length of about 69 feet. However, using the oscillation and flow rate adjustments, you can reduce the length to thirteen feet to water your small-sized yard. Along with the length, you can also adjust the width of sprinkles to ensure even watering.
Making adjustments regarding flow length and flow rate is the standout feature to me as you just need to rotate the smooth knob and set the dialer up to the point that suits your water needs and the size of the lawn.
Just like the other top-rated sprinklers, this appliance also possesses a sealed turbo-driven motor that ensures the watering chores to be done efficiently by preventing the debris from going and getting stuck inside.
Total eighteen water jets are mounted at the top of the crossbar that produces lightweight streams so the delicate plants won’t get damaged.
The tool comes with a plastic build and the base can contain various holes at both sides. These holes help you to carry the tool easily with hanging loops and also cut the significant weightage. Still, since the build is not metallic, it can break or crack on falling, so you better handle it with extra care.
The sprinkler comes with a one-year warranty and by mounting this appliance over the tripod hoseheads, you can water trees and tall plants as well. Some of our friends have been using this garden tool for more than three years and it is still delivering the same performance and efficiency.
- Adjustable flow rate and length
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Covers about 3800 square feet
- Oscillation adjusting knob
- Premium build
- Quick connect adapter
- Pets can chew plastic bodies
The plastic base is sturdy but if you are having pets like dogs who love chewing, then they can damage this appliance. So, keep pets and kids away from this Gardena sprinkler and its plastic body won’t act as a deal-breaker.
6. Melnor MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
This sprinkler can serve ideally to all those folks looking for highly adjustable tools to tailor the watering pattern accordingly since this appliance offers customization options more than any other sprinkler.
The nozzles are mounted over the pivoted head that can be easily rotated at 360° to direct your water streams right towards the targeted area. Besides the direction, you can also adjust water flow including flow range to the right side, left side, or both; and different widths for the front and backside.
Due to this advanced adjustability ratio, it keeps the water from damping the sidewalks which, in turn, minimizes the extent of wasting water. To keep the pivot head stand firm towards the area of concern, firm and heavy base footprints are provided that are extremely wide and shake-proof.
The design of this gardening tool is highly attractive, compact, and fancy-looking that doesn’t act as an eyesore while placed in your beautiful lavish garden. This sprinkler can deliver perfect streams even on the lower water pressure of about 40 PSI and cover a wide area that would be enough for a home lawn.
You will have to choose whether you want to purchase this appliance with a step spike assembly or a tripod one. If one melnor minimax sprinkler is enough to cover your yard’s size or your yard surface in slopey, then you better purchase this tool along with a stepped spike by which you can set it permanently in the ground.
However, if your lawn exists at the hills or sloped surfaces, you better should go with the tripod stand assembly so you can change the sprinkler position to water the upper and lower regions evenly.
- Highly adjustable
- Can customize the length, width, and intensity
- Pivot head to cover 360°
- Sturdy wide base
- Comes with a tripod or step-spike assembly
- Budget sprinkler
- Works perfectly even on low PSI
- Not suitable for bigger lawns
Lastly, and most importantly, this leading and Amazon’s bestseller product is also quite affordable according to the benefits and super-advanced features it’s offering. I highly recommend using this minimax sprinkler for home gardens that have limited watering needs.
7. Orbit 56281 Oscillating Sprinkler
This orbit sprinkler is for all those who are looking for heavy-duty, durable, and wide coverage sprinklers and can compromise a little in terms of adjustability.
The base of this oscillating sprinkler is made up of extremely fine quality metal and the maximum coverage this tool provides is four thousand square feet. Total nineteen jets are provided at the top side of the rectangular crossbar and all these nozzles are clog-proof for even watering
As stated before, the adjustment options are not so diverse which means you cannot customize the flow rate and intensity as with its other counterparts.
However, you shouldn’t confuse the low adjustment features with no adjustment features since this sprinkler allows you to set a flow distance by adjusting the smooth sliding tabs of the crossbar. Plus, the streams emitted by the jets are quite gentle to make the entire watering chore mess-free and energy-efficient.
- Heavy-duty metal base and body
- 4100 square feet coverage
- Adjustable watering distance
- Even and gentle streams
- Easy to install – no bells and whistles
- Simple and affordable
- Doesn’t offer many adjustment features
Installing this sprinkler is also quite handy, even if you have never used an oscillating sprinkler before. With the classical features, metal build, even water distribution, and average usage, this garden appliance is quite a decent tool for both the home and commercial gardens.
Buying guide
All the models we have mentioned in this review article are perfect to keep your garden thriving and looking luscious. However, if you are still confused about which product from the list you should purchase, here are some factors that can help you to decide.
Coverage
Remember that all the oscillating sprinklers are designed to water a rectangularly shaped area and if your yard is not rectangular, odds are you might need to buy various sprinklers to make the streams reach every corner and every leaf blade.
If you are not having enough budget to buy more than one sprinkler, it’s better to get only one with wide coverage and higher adjustability options. Such sorts of gardening appliances are slightly more costly but they will serve you and keep serving you brilliantly for several seasons.
Measure the length of your yard and then multiply it by its width. The resulting value would be the coverage range you get from a sprinkler. A sprinkler with a wide coverage range will not only cut the cost of electricity but also discard the need of changing the locations of tools from one corner to another.
Water pressure and durability
The second thing that you need to consider after the coverage is the durability of the appliance. The oscillating sprinklers often come either with a plastic build or metallic ones.
A metallic body is, undoubtedly, the sturdier one and can sustain wear and tear damages, and abusive use for years. However, the metal may be prone to corrosion if it’s not rust or corrosion-proof. In such cases, the metallic body would be a waste of investment.
On the other hand, there’s no chance of rusting or corroding on having a sprinkler with a plastic build. But due to being lightweight, such sprinklers can be more prone to snapping and chewing by pets.
Besides durability, the water pressure is also an important point as at lower than required water pressures, your sprinkler would not be able to throw the sprinkles to the desired length. On the other hand, if the water pressure would be more than that required, it would damage the internal build and your sprinkler would fail to emit gentle streams.
FAQs?
The Verdict
Having the best oscillating sprinkler means you won’t have to wake up to the dried-up, yellowing garden since this tool will share your burden to the greatest extent.
By now, you know the names of best performing oscillating sprinklers which are not only reviewed and recommended by our team of experts but most of them are also Amazon’s best sellers.
Understandably, choosing one product for your yard from this list of perfects could be quite daunting, so here are the top three oscillating sprinklers that we’ve found superior in all respects.
Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler due to its wide customization option, wide coverage range, and being best-valued.
Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Oscillating Sprinkler due to its leak and clog proof build, enough coverage for medium-sized lawns, and three adjustment modes.
Rocky Mountain Goods Metal Oscillating Lawn Sprinkler due to its weighted, corrosion-proof metallic build, lifetime warranty, and built-in clog poking tool.
Don’t forget to consider the crucial factors stated in the buying guide while shopping around for the best oscillating sprinkler since those points will ensure that you get a tool exactly as per your needs.