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5 Best Lawn Sprinkler Reviews for 2025 – Buyers’ Guide

Are you in the market for the best lawn sprinkler? If so, then this article is for you. Watering your lawn can be a daunting task, especially during the summer season since you need to consistently water them.

Fortunately, there are now sprinklers that you can buy and install on your lawn. Knowing their potential advantages and tips on how to buy them will help you decide as to what the best lawn sprinkler is ideal for you and your lawn.

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Best Lawn Sprinkler Reviews Buyer’s Guide

Best Lawn Sprinkler for 2025

Product


Our Rating

Price

1. Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler

Nelson 1865 Rain Train Cast Iron Traveling Lawn Sprinkler Tractor w Auto ShutOff
Best Lawn Sprinkler

2. Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler

Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler, Green

3. Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler

GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled Base

4. Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900-Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler with Adjustable Width and Flow Control

5. Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Melnor XT4110 995158 XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler, Basic

What is a Lawn Sprinkler System?

What is Lawn Sprinkler System

Lawns need a proper irrigation and watering system to help them stay alive, green, healthy, and fresh. Watering your lawn manually is not an easy task. It doesn’t even ensure that the water is being distributed properly.

Lawn sprinklers work by rotating on the top of a nut. Some sprinklers have arms that can turn the flow of water intermittently. Some can provide water from beneath the ground.

These sprinklers are made out of plastic or metal and can sometimes be set to a specific rotation. The one operating in larger fields is called rain gun, which usually provides a high-pressure water and can spray in a wider distance.

Some sprinklers have two nozzle heads. One functions as a sprinkler to the area close to the system, while the primary one is responsible for watering the further area.

Benefits of Using a Lawn Sprinkler

With an automatic sprinkler system, your lawn will get enormous benefits from proper irrigation which are listed below.

kids playing with a lawn sprinkler system

Lawn Care Automation

One of the best benefits is the lawn care automation. You no longer need to think about watering your lawn every so often.

Especially when you are away from home just a few days, without water, your perfect and well-cared for lawn turns into a yellow one. The automatic sprinkler will take care all of that.

Efficient and Consistent Watering

The irrigation and sprinkler system will help you water your lawn efficiently and consistently. Firstly, the water will be limited to just water an inch every single time.

Secondly, with the advanced sprinkler system, the soil moisture sensor will save a lot of water. It can open and close the water flow depending on the soil moisture, which is beneficial for your lawn and wallet.

Conserves Water

Lawn sprinklers can help you retain water since you can set the system to start watering in the late afternoon or the early morning.

Watering during these periods reduces water evaporation and allows the plants to take up water into their system. With the automatic irrigation, you only need to set a timer and enjoy.

But remember to set your sprinkler system to fly water little at a time or twice every single day. The system might over-water, so it is important to set it right.

Customize Watering

Most lawn sprinkler systems will let you customize on how you water your lawn. The setting will depend on the type, the size and the shape of your lawn.

Some of the different kinds of customizing watering are the traveling, stationary, revolving, and oscillating sprinklers.

Watering Your Entire Backyard

The good thing about having a lawn sprinkler system is that it will also water your hedges, trees, flowers, and other plants, which saves you a decent amount of time.

These are the benefits that you can enjoy with lawn sprinklers. Ok, now if you are excited about using one, it would be ideal to know some tips buying them

How to Choose the Best Lawn Sprinkler

Benefits of Using a Lawn Sprinkler

1. Pick a Sprinkler Based On the Size and Shape of your Property

If you have a relatively small lawn, you can’t go wrong with getting a stationary lawn sprinkler.

Aside from being generally cheap, the light water pressure of a stationary lawn sprinkler is suitable for covering small areas. You don’t have to get a massive and powerful sprinkler at all.

For a medium-sized lawn, you’re better off having an oscillating sprinkler. Characterized by a metal tube with holes running down its length, this sprinkler moves forward and backward to cover the lawn.

While it works the best for medium-sized lawns due to its sprinkler range and adjustable pressure, it is more prone to breakage than stationary ones.

Likewise, you should buy a pulsating sprinkler if you have a huge lawn. Lowly situated to stop the wind from messing with the water stream, a pulsating sprinkler works wonders even with low water pressure.

Lastly, a traveling sprinkler is the best choice if you have an irregular-shaped lawn. Instead of being stationary or following a rectangular pattern, this sprinkler goes through a strategically-placed hose to cover the lawn.

This traveling sprinkler will cost you a lot, but it has sturdy materials and operates quietly.

Here's a video where you can see the different types of lawn sprinkler heads that you might like for your lawn:

2. Smart Sprinkler Timers

In some areas in the United States, particularly on the West Coast, it’s common to experience water restrictions. After all, we all want to conserve as much water as possible.

Thus, you have to irrigate your lawn in a responsible manner.

The best way to deal with limited water provision is to plan ahead. You only need to get an alarm clock or any timer, take note of how long you’ve been sprinkling on any given day.

Here’s a video showing how to install a timer:

While automatic timer is a common feature, you should still check if your chosen lawn sprinkler has this characteristic.

This is typically found on in-ground sprinklers and it automatically sets how much and for how long the sprinkling will occur.

If your lawn sprinkler is the aboveground variant, you should check for a flow timer. Likewise, a traveling sprinkler must have a feature that automatically shuts itself down after a pattern has been accomplished.

3. Easy To Understand Instruction

A great lawn sprinkler should have an easy-to-use instruction manual. Every technical aspect should be stated in such a simple way that you won’t have to seek and pay for expert help, especially during the installation stage.

Furthermore, a lawn sprinkler system needs to do more than water your property. It should do its job with utmost precision and efficiency.

Therefore, it’s important to see if it has timers, if the water pressure can be adjusted, and if it has sensors which stop it from operating upon detecting rainfall.

With these buying tips, you can now purchase a suitable sprinkler system. However, if you continue reading, our products review will help you dig deeper and get your money’s worth.

Lawn Sprinklers Reviews for 2025

1. Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler

Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler has been here for years to help millions of lawn owners to take care of their backyard effortlessly.

The sprinkler uses its power to navigate all over the lawn and follows a customized hose path. It can travel 200 feet and can cover 13,500 square feet.

It also has three different speed categories; wherein it will let you adjust the water’s saturation level.

Nelson Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler 1865

Source: Amazon

The Nelson sprinkler automatically shuts off, which will keep it from wasting water. It has a ramp wherein it will let you set the sprinkler and leave it without worrying about anything.

Once your sprinkler reaches the ramp, it will shut off automatically.

Pros:

  • Sprinkler can move up to a couple of hundred feet and shut off once it’s done
  • Provides a watering that is deep and covers the lawn evenly
  • Needs little attention
  • Made out of durable materials

Cons:

  • If hose is too curvy, the track can get derailed
  • Water pressure is low, which can cause malfunctions
  • If impeded by pine cones and sticks, it gets stuck
  • The sprinkler is too heavy

2. Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler - Best Traveling Sprinkler

Orbit Traveling Sprinkler 58322

Source: Amazon

Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler is made out of weatherproof and durable materials, which makes it durable for an extended period. Its body is made out of cast iron, which ensures the water will travel to the right path.

The rear wheel is spiked, which will provide smooth traveling and enough water for your entire lawn.

Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

The orbit 58322 has a three category speed, which will let you control on how fast your water sprinkler system travels. The arms are adjustable, which will reach 15 to 55 feet in diameter, to allow you to cover small areas.

Pros:

  • Self-propelled
  • Can cover up to 13,500 square feet
  • Automatic shut off
  • Rust proof for durability and stability
  • Diameter spray coverage is adjustable
  • Rotary spray

Cons:

  • Sprinkler can work slow
  • Plastic gears can result in premature failure

3. Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled Base

Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled Base

Source: Amazon

Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler will cover no matter how narrow, wide, long, small, wide or large your lawn is. It has a sturdy foot so it can be secured safely to a surface with an incline of up to 15%.


This sprinkler has a regulation water flow, which will let you adjust it to your preferred irrigation area. You can also choose the width of the sprinkler using the slider, which usually can reach 3 to 12 meters.

Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

The Gardena Oscillating has an integrated filter, which protects it against dirt and sand and can be removed easily to clean. It also has a sealed turbo gear and a large sled base for maximum stability.

Pros:

  • Maximum range setting will let you cover a large area
  • Coverage can separately be adjusted to the back, front, right, and left of the sprinkler
  • Can quickly turn the height or flow of the water
  • Sprinkler is light and small

Cons:

  • Adjustments can seem complicated initially
  • Nozzles can tilt up when you decrease the width

4. Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler with Adjustable Width and Flow Control has an adjustable width of 22 feet to a maximum of 42 feet.

The removable plug is responsible for flowing and flushing the water. You can easily connect and disconnect the sprinkler to your system if needed.

Gardena 34200 Comfort Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

Gardena oscillating sprinkler is known to provide superior convenience and irrigation.

It is perfect for not too big lawns and can spray water from up to 35 inches in height, which can also be adjusted. You can also add the sprinkler tripod, which will help you to water plants that are taller than usual.

Gardena Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

Pros:

  • Controlled spray pattern and distance
  • Adjustment valve is available
  • Can be adjusted without reducing the pressure of water

Cons:

  • Made out of plastic which could easily crack
  • Can leak
  • Instruction manual is not included

5. Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Melnor XT4110 995158 XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Source: Amazon

Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with One Touch Width Control and Watering Timer is one of the most reliable sprinklers in the market today and is known to be very dependable.

It can water 3,700 square feet area which means a medium to large size lawn can be watered generously with the Melnor sprinkler.

If you have a smaller garden, then worry no more because you can control the coverage of this sprinkler. It can also be positioned to the right, center, or left with the help of the control levers.

Melnor XT4110 995158 XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler, Basic

The Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler with One Touch Width Control and Watering Timer has control tabs that you can smoothly operate. The patented controls will let you adjust the sprinkler with just one touch.

The dial timer can be set up for up to 120 minutes, which means that it will automatically turn off. This will also avoid flooding your lawn or wasting too much water.

Besides, the sprinkler is always well-stabilized since the large tube has the ability to fill with water to help provide a smooth flow of water to the nozzles.

Pros:

  • Adjustable width and flow control
  • Lightweight
  • Attractive design

Cons:

  • Plastic can become brittle
  • Issues with oscillating

Product


Our Rating

Price

1. Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler

Nelson 1865 Rain Train Cast Iron Traveling Lawn Sprinkler Tractor w Auto ShutOff
Best Lawn Sprinkler

2. Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler

Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler, Green

3. Gardena ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler

GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled Base

4. Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900 Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler

Gardena 34200 Comfort 3900-Square Foot Aqua Zoom Oscillating Sprinkler with Adjustable Width and Flow Control

5. Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Melnor XT4110 995158 XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler, Basic

Sumo Gardener's Lawn Sprinkler Top Pick for 2025

Nelson Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler via Amazon

These are the best sprinkler systems that you can have in your backyard or garden.

Among the five lawn sprinklers, the winner for this review is Nelson 1865 Raintrain Traveling Sprinkler.

As stated by the manufacturer, it can cover 13,500 Ft2 and travel up to 200 feet. It is made of steel with weighs rather heavy. 

So, it's enough to pull 200 feet of hose, and not get off the rails. It works well with sloping and rugged terrain. I think that it is the best option and cost savings for a wide space.

Wrapping Up Our Best Lawn Sprinkler Guide

Having a lawn sprinkler will not only save time but also help your lawn to stay healthy since they are being watered evenly and regularly.

This is most helpful during droughts and during holidays or vacations, since you will be assured that your lawn will still look the same when you get back. It is time to get the best lawn sprinkler today. 

About the Author Ann Katelyn

I'm Ann Katelyn, Creator and Chief Author of Sumo Gardener. Since I was a child I've always been fascinated with plants and gardens, and as an adult this has developed into my most loved hobby. I have dedicated most of my life to gardening and started Sumo Gardener as a way to express my knowledge about gardening with the hope of helping other people's gardens thrive.

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