Best Oscillating Sprinkler That’s Easily Adjustable

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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When it comes to maintaining a healthy and lush lawn, having the right sprinkler can make all the difference. Oscillating sprinklers are favored for their ability to provide even water distribution, and models with adjustable features offer enhanced control over watering patterns and coverage areas. Here are some top-rated oscillating sprinklers known for their ease of adjustment and efficient performance:

Best Oscillating Sprinklers

1. Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Metal Base Oscillating Sprinkler

Sale
Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 Indestructible Metal Base...
  • CUSTOMIZABLE: Customizable coverage patterns
  • RANGE: Superior range control covers up to 3600 sq ft
  • DURABLE: Leak-resistant connection so you can water with peace of...
  • CLOG-RESISTANT: Equipped with 16 clog-resistant nozzles
  • COMPATIBILITY: Fits a standard garden hose connection

The Aqua Joe oscillating lawn sprinkler has customizability features that stood out to us. The sprinkler allowed us to choose the coverage pattern that suit our needs the most. Plus, it features an adjustable spray that enables us to cover up to 3,600 square feet of the ground. 

The Aqua Joe metal base oscillating sprinkler has a control range with 16 nozzles, each designed to be clog resistant. Hence, we did not experience the sprinkler jamming. Another cool feature we found impressive is their built-in cleaning tool that enabled us to clear anything that may be causing the jets to get stuck.

The Aqua Joe oscillating lawn sprinkler is fitted with a sealed turbo gear-driven unit for reliable performance when watering our outdoor space. Lastly, its leak-resistant connection ensures the maximum amount of water pressure goes to the sprinkler, ensuring we cover our lawns effectively.

Pros:

  • Has range control that can spray up to 3,600 square feet. This is perfect for large lawn
  • Compatible with a garden hose
  • Allows you to choose the coverage patterns that suit your needs
  • Made of durable materials
  • Features a built-in jet cleaning tool
  • Fairly lightweight and leak-resistant connection
  • Has clog-resistant nozzles
  • Features a sealed turbo drive motor and an adjustable spray

Cons:

  • Not very sturdy

2. GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler

GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler on Weighted Sled...
  • Fully adjustable controls for width, length and water flow - area...
  • Compact oscillating sprinkler for the smallest areas
  • 16 flexible rubber nozzles for even water distribution
  • Sealed turbo gear driven unit
  • Large Sled base for stability

The Gardena ZoomMaxx can be considered the best oscillating sprinkler for watering small spaces as it features a compact head with multiple rows of nozzles. Admittedly, we needed two of them to cover our entire lawn.

The oscillating sprinkler gave us fully adjustable controls for width, length, and water flow for an area of 76 square feet – 2,300 square feet. The coverage is ideal for small yards, gardens, and flower beds without wasteful overspray. We found this adjustability impressive and useful for the landscape we want to maintain.

The Gardena Zoommaxx is fitted with 16 rubber nozzles which ensured even water distribution across our lawn. In addition, it features a sizable 11-inch diameter round sled base that provides a sturdy base for the sprinkler head, allowing us to place it on convenient areas worry-free. The adjusters enabled us to set the range between 10 and 60 feet and the width between 10 and 40 feet.

Lastly, the oscillating lawn sprinkler has a sealed turbo gear drive unit that protects the sprinkler’s moving parts from dirt while ensuring an even water distribution. So, the product could work for our lawn without much maintenance. 

Pros:

  • The width and range of the coverage area and amount of water flow are easily adjustable
  • Works well under low pressure
  • Has a large, sturdy sled base
  • Easy to set up and operate
  • Ideal for small spaces

Cons:

  • Quite pricey
  • Sprinkler coverage is square/rectanglar which can be limiting to those with an irregularly shaped yard

3. Eden 96213 Lawn & Garden Essential Oscillating Sprinkler

Eden 96213 Lawn & Garden Essential Oscillating...
  • 16 precision nozzles provide maximum coverage of large lawns or...
  • Easy-to-use, sliding tab range controls make coverage adjustments...
  • Patented sealed turbo drive motor for smooth operation and a...
  • Weighted base helps stabilize the sprinkler
  • Built-in cleaning tool for nozzle cleaning

For busy gardeners and homeowners who want an efficient lawn and garden hydrating sprinkler, we highly recommend Eden 96213 Lawn & Garden Essential Oscillating Sprinkler.

The Eden 96213 Oscillating Sprinkler is a fantastic choice for keeping your garden and lawn healthy. Its adjustable spray range and quiet operation make it versatile and suitable for various outdoor spaces. While adjustment levers may need some breaking in and it’s best suited to flat areas, the sprinkler is highly efficient, saving water while delivering consistent, even coverage.

Finally, if you want a dependable, water saving method to keep your lawn in shape then we suggest the Eden 96213 Oscillating Sprinkler.

Pros:

  • Adjustable spray range allows you to control the sprinkler's coverage area,
  • Durable construction ensures longevity, with materials designed to withstand outdoor elements.
  • Quiet operation makes it suitable for residential areas, as it operates with minimal noise.
  • Water-saving design maximizes water efficiency, reducing waste and keeping your lawn evenly watered.

Cons:

  • Adjustment levers may be stiff initially, requiring some force to fine-tune the spray settings.

4. Melnor 65167AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler

Melnor 65167AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler, 4,500...
  • 20 precision nozzles provide maximum coverage up to 4,500 sq. ft....
  • Watering Width Indicators visualize width adjustments to help you...
  • TwinTouch controls adjust the width and range of the watering...
  • Zoom Control adjusts the overall watering area. Zoom in for a...
  • Backed by the Melnor Limited Lifetime Warranty. We stand behind...

If you require a sprinkler that covers a large lawn or garden and you want to change and customize your settings, we highly recommend the Melnor 65167AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler.

Melnor 65167AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler is designed to give consistent, even watering over a large area, with adjustable settings intended for different sized lawns and different plant types. While it includes some plastic components that could be affected by weather, its high-quality motor, range control, and wide coverage make it an efficient and reliable choice.

Overall, we recommend the Melnor XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler for users who value flexibility, quiet operation, and extensive coverage in a sprinkler.

Pros:

  • Built-in flow control lets you adjust the water volume to meet the needs of different plants and garden areas.
  • Turbo-drive motor ensures quiet and smooth operation
  • Easy to use
  • Sturdy, rust-resistant base adds stability

Cons:

  • Quite pricey
  • Nozzle cleaning may be needed periodically

5. Joeys Sprinkler for Yard, Rotating Garden Sprinkler

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Joeys Sprinkler for Yard, Rotating Garden Sprinkler for...
  • Weighted Base: The Joeys rotating sprinkler for yard, is made of...
  • Adjustable Rotating Arms: The Joeys Sprinklers features 3 fully...
  • Expandable: For an extra-large yard, the Joeys Sprinkler features...
  • Easy To Use: Simply attach your garden hose to the lawn sprinkler...
  • Gift Ready: Each Joeys Garden Sprinkler comes in a ready to gift...

If you do plan to rotate your sprinkler regularly, the Joeys Rotating Garden Sprinkler is probably the most efficient way to go.

The Joeys Rotating Garden Sprinkler is a straightforward yet effective tool for watering a large yard with ease, featuring a rotating design that covers a wide area. The plastic base may require an additional support to navigate uneven terrain, but its durable, weather resistant design, adjustable spray nozzles and quick setup make it a terrific option for convenience of lawn upkeep.

Overall, we found this to be a simple, durable, and reliable sprinkler for kids (and adults) to keep a large lawn or garden well-watered.

Pros:

  • Low water pressure operation
  • Easy to set up and use with a quick hose connection
  • Durable, high-quality ABS plastic and rust-proof polymer construction ensures long-lasting performance and weather resistance.
  • Adjustable spray nozzles allow for control over water pressure and spray direction

Cons:

  • Limited customization options for spray range

Features To Consider When Buying Best Oscillating Sprinkler

a) Size of Lawn and Sprinkler Coverage

When searching for the best oscillating sprinkler, you need to consider the size of your lawn. Essentially, you want a sprinkler that will ease your watering burden and won't need to be moved around too many times to cover the entire of your yard.

To work out the size of your lawn, multiply its length by its width and look for the best oscillating sprinklers that can cover this square footage area.

Something worth noting is that oscillating sprinklers will cover a rectangular-shaped area that will miss the corners of a non-rectangular yard, so you may need to purchase more than one sprinkler to achieve full coverage for an even, non-patchy stretch of grass. 

b) Materials and Durability

Most oscillating sprinklers are made using plastic or metal, with each having its own benefits and disadvantages when it comes to durability.

A metal oscillating sprinkler tends to be more durable as it has a higher impact tolerance and sturdier base to support the sprinkler head. The downside is that rusting and corrosion are likely to occur.

On the other hand, plastic sprinklers are more affordable but are more prone to breaking or snapping.

When searching for the best oscillating sprinkler, you also need to consider the mechanism that controls the sprinkler's head movement. This is one of the most vulnerable elements of an oscillating sprinkler. Some sprinklers feature a casing covering this mechanism to protect them from damage, while others that don’t will come with a higher risk of dirt or rubble getting trapped in the gears, causing them to get stuck.

c) Water Pressure

The oscillating sprinkler you consider will perform according to the level of water pressure from your source.

When searching, consider a sprinkler for low water pressure if your water source is below 100 psi.

Range and coverage patterns are determined by water pressure in some sprinklers. Unfortunately, this means they typically don't have many controls.

Hence, check to see if the oscillating sprinkler you're selecting will work efficiently with the water pressure range you’re dealing with in your yard.

d) Holes and Handles

Oscillating sprinklers with many holes will provide greater coverage. However, you may not require one if you have a small lawn. You're better off getting a variant with fewer holes to limit the coverage area in such a case adequately.

Additionally, a well-designed and properly positioned handle makes it easier to move the sprayer.

e) Water Conservation

Water conservation is a key priority, especially with the dangers of climate change.

Oscillating sprinklers can use up to 17 gallons of water per minute, but there are ways you can try to provide maximum nourishment for your lawn while conserving water.

For instance, position your sprinkler wisely such that you're only watering the desired area and not wasting water on unnecessary spaces like driveways and walkways.

Additionally, you can also search for oscillating sprinklers that allow you to set a timer so it will switch itself off after a certain amount of time has passed. Again, this is a great way to prevent overwatering.

Benefits Of Buying An Oscillating Sprinkler

a) Convenience

Oscillating sprinklers afford you the convenience of watering your lawn as all you do is link it to a sprinkler system, and it automatically waters your grass and flowerbeds.

b)Portable and Easy to Move 

Oscillating sprinklers are lightweight and compact, making them easy to move around the lawn or flowerbeds. This makes them effective for watering.

c) Good for Lawns and Flowerbeds 

An oscillating sprinkler features an adjustable crossbar or head that makes it easy to set custom watering ranges to suit your flowerbeds or lawn, reducing overwatering.

d) Wide Coverage

With an oscillating sprinkler, you can maximize on your lawn despite its size, unlike with hoses or bucket watering.

This means you can avoid overwatering plants and reduce the risk of wastage. An oscillating sprinkler creates a fanlike spray pattern that provides good coverage for any size yard, small, medium, and large yards. It can be set to reach the nearest and furthest edges of your yard with ease.

e) Smart Tech

Though an oscillating lawn sprinkler is a fairly basic device, some are compatible with smart tech. In addition, they have useful features like built sensors to detect rainfall – it will automatically switch the sprinkler off if it starts raining, reducing water wastage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Oscillating Sprinkler (FAQs)

a) How Long Can You Water The Lawn With An Oscillating Sprinkler?

This depends on the weather condition, soil type, and the sprinkler's water flow. Generally, on a small to medium-sized lawn, you can water anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes in each area to get sufficient water coverage.

You should water your lawn deeply 2 to 3 times a week instead of daily. Daily watering can cause the grass to develop a shallow root system that dries quickly; hence the grass remains weak.

Spreading the watering schedule allows the grass root system to become healthy as it digs deeper into the ground. This makes the grass strong and drought resistant.

b) Can You Over Water Grass?

Yes, it is, and it happens when watering your lawn too much. As a result, this prevents the grass from getting enough oxygen and makes it more prone to damage and disease. Excessive weeds, patches of dead grass, and a squelching sound when you step on it are all signs that you may be overwatering your lawn. 

c) Why Does My Oscillating Sprinkler Keep Getting Stuck?

It could be that the oscillating sprinkler is not of the best quality, leading to faulty parts. In that case, any of the sprinklers reviewed here would make a great replacement. It could also be that your sprinklers are getting stuck due to low water pressure or water volume, which can limit the distribution bar’s movement.

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Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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