Top 4 Best Sprinkler Heads

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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For a healthy lawn, you need to water and mow it. However, you need to ensure you don't waste water when doing so. Therefore, you should go for the best sprinkler heads for your plants to ensure the proper water amount and absorption. Besides, a study shows that most homeowners reduce the water bill significantly when they utilize their sprinkler system.

It is easier to water the lawn, especially when you replace the handheld sprayer with two or more sprinkler heads to do most of the work. Some sprinkler head models are even compatible with controllers for an automatic irrigation system. Furthermore, most of the basic models of the sprinkler head just require the hose to be connected and the water turned on; therefore, the lawn can be watered twice or thrice a week in about 20-30 minutes.

Selecting the best lawn sprinkler head will depend on several factors that you should be in a position to know before making your purchase. If you are here, you might as well also take a look at our top picks of the best sprinkler head models, as well as the basic things that you should know before making the purchase. Keep reading!

1. Rain Bird Rotor Heads 5000 Series (4 Pack) Rotor Sprinkler Heads

Sale
Rain Bird Rotor Heads 5000 Rotor Sprinkler Heads....
  • Exclusive triple blade wiper seal for leak resistant use
  • Ideal for residential, light commercial, and commercial use
  • Rotates from 40 to 360 degrees
  • Heavy duty cover for extra durability
  • Pressure activated, triple blade, and multi function wiper seal...

If you want to ensure that you get the best sprinkler heads that are consistent in watering routines, this is the Rain Bird 4 Pack Rotor Heads 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Heads. These are Rain Bird brand sprinkler heads, which are equipped with the triple-blade wiper seal that serves for great leaks and provides service for a long time. Besides, they are featured by a rotating 4-inch pop-up height.

The sprinkler heads have operational spray nozzles, which can be adjusted to range from 40-360 degrees. If you want a product that has reliable flow rate control for your flowerbeds and lawn irrigation without the risk of pooling or soil erosion in your yard, this is ideal. In the same context, the sprinkler heads are equipped with a sturdy and heavy casing that is leakproof and sealed to prevent debris intrusion into the drive motor.

This sprinkler head model does not produce any clicking sound. But it works with a near-silence that will not wake you up early in the morning or irritate your neighbors. Furthermore, this model is perfect for commercial and residential landscaping application; it comes with anti-clog heads that feature pressure-supported pop-up.

Pros:

  • Ideal for commercial and residential landscaping projects, offering anti-clog heads with a pressure-supported pop-up
  • Compatible with almost all sprinkler systems
  • Come with a patented triple-blade wiper seal, which offers great leak resistance and service for a long
  • Operates quietly

Cons:

  • Poor packaging

2. Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Rotor Sprinkler Spray Head

Sale
Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional 4" Adjustable...
  • Longest spray distance: sprays adjust from a 25- to 52-foot...
  • Compatible design: perfect replacement for old, failing, or...
  • Area coverage: Ideal for medium to large lawns. 3/4" FPT INLET...
  • Bonus nozzles included: customize each sprinkler for equal yard...
  • Adjustable coverage: comes with a key to easily adjust spray...

In search of one of the best sprinkler heads for easy operation, you might want to consider the Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Sprinkler Spray Head. This model features a professional but friendly-to-use key. All that is required is to turn it to the left till it clicks and then turn it to the right for the beginning or the end of the work. Besides, it fits almost any irrigation system regardless of whether it fails or is old, and it operates for gear-driven rotary sprinklers for big brands.

Furthermore, this unit will work well if you have a small or large lawn and cover the entire field. It provides an easy pattern set up ranging from 40-360 degrees and a simple distance adjustment. For example, if you plan to spray a part of your lawn or want full 360-degree watering, you can adjust the spray head up to 52 ft. from 25 meters. Then, using a flat blade screwdriver, you can rotate it either counterclockwise or clockwise to reduce the angle.

The Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional Sprinkler Spray Head comes with an enclosed body design to block dirt from entering the system. It also comes with leak-resistant seals and a filter screen for dirty water for eco-friendly watering. Moreover, you have a variety of nozzles to choose from, plus it features a pre-installed three-gallon-a-minute nozzle which you can switch out when needed.

Pros:

  • Easy to operate sprinkler head
  • Coverage up to 50 ft which is great for small and large lawns
  • Offers a 40-360 degree watering
  • Comes with leak-resistant seals and a filter screen for dirty water for eco-friendly watering

Cons:

  • No instruction attached

3. Rain Bird Professional Pop-Up Sprinkler Head, (1804VAN)

Rain Bird 1804VAN Professional Pop-Up Sprinkler,...
  • #1 commercial-grade irrigation spray head brand in the world
  • 4" pop-up height with easily adjustable 0° to 360° pattern...
  • Adjustable spray distance from 8' to 15'
  • Heavy-duty stainless steel spring assures flush retraction every...
  • Patented pressure-activated co-molded wiper seal prevents...

If you're looking for one of the best sprinkler heads that pop up and then retract back into the ground, count on the Rain Bird Professional Pop-Up Sprinkler Head (1804VAN). You can adjust this sprinkler head to a 0-degree spray rotation up to 360 degrees, meaning that it can be stationary without movement or go in a full circle. This feature allows you to water any part of your lawn, even when it is oddly shaped. Moreover, you can change the gap from the spray to 15 ft from 8 ft down.

The Rain Bird 1804VAN Pop-Up Sprinkler is also available in 4-inch height. It has a stainless steel spring, is made of heavy-duty material, and doesn’t break while providing for a flush restoration. The Rain Bird sought to protect its pressure-activated co-molded wiper seals, which minimize leakage and water wastage. It is also long-lasting.

Lastly, the sprinkler head features a tapered pop-up neck and this means that the heads cannot be clogged with debris or dirt and this will ensure that every time you use it, it will come up with the spray pattern that you have set. However, if you want a standard pop up spray sprinkler, Rain Bird has this well designed fully adjustable pop up sprinkler.

Pros:

  • Easily adjustable with no equipment required
  • Offers a spray distance of 8-15ft
  • Durable and corrosion-resistant model
  • Allows you to adjust it from 0-360 degrees

Cons:

  • A bit hard to adjust

4. Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler

Sale
Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler, Adjustable...
  • The #1 best-selling brass impact sprinkler
  • Traditional favorite with classic impact sound
  • Brass, bronze, and stainless steel construction lasts longer than...
  • Easy to install and adjust; full (360°) or part circle (20° to...
  • Adjustable deflector flap adjusts spray distance from 20' to 41'...

For one of the best enduring sprinkler heads, we recommend the 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler Head of Rain Bird Brand. This sprinkler head is made of copper, brass and stainless steel as compared to other materials making it more durable. As for the installation, you will realize that it is quite easy to install the product in place. It is also flexible and quick to make adjustments, and you can either choose to have the 360-degree coverage or a 20-340-degree part circle.

The 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler Head comes with a straight-through water flow design perfect for performance in dirty water. Also, it won't get clogged or rust if you get the water from irrigation canals, ponds, or anywhere with high mineral content. Furthermore, it is equipped with a diffuser screw that is handy in splitting up the water into tiny droplets, making watering increasingly even, plus it decreases up to 25% of the radius.

Lastly, the 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler Head's spray arm is designed to spray more water on your lawn and avoid splashing houses and walkways. It comes with an adjustable deflector flap that adjusts spray distance from 20 inches to a 41-inch radius.

Pros:

  • Quick to install and easy to adjust
  • Fit nearly every pipe
  • Durable with brass, copper, and stainless steel construction
  • Equipped with a diffuser screw that is handy in splitting up the water into tiny droplets, making watering increasingly even

Cons:

  • Uses a lot of water

Why Do You Need the Best Sprinkler Heads?

1. Saves time & money

The sprinkler head is an efficient means to water your lawn. By choosing the right lawn sprinkler heads, you can automatically or manually set the timer to water your yard. The use of lawn sprinkler heads also saves money on replacing hoses since exposed hoses get sun kinks and damages, which shorten their life and usually need constant replacement.

2. Attend to your lawn while away

A sprinkler system is easy to install and works on a hands-off approach, meaning you don't have to do all the hard work of watering your lawn. You can install the watering schedule when you've to leave your home for some days.

3. Efficient water use

Sprinkler systems offer you more flow control over your water usage. Besides, most sprinklers feature different smart water-saving functionalities. So, depending on your lawn shape and size, you can choose a model that best fits your needs.

4. Safe to use

You can use some of these spray heads underground, making it safer to use than a standard hose. Garden hoses above the ground raise the risk of tripping pets and children. Also, some sprinklers pop out when in use and then retract under the ground when it is done. Still, you're better off for above-ground sprinklers as you don't have to deal with hose kinks.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Lawn Sprinkler Heads

1. The type of sprinkler head

Sprinkler heads come in five common categories:

  • Oscillating - have either one or two rows of holes that disperse water in a single direction. The head lies on a base and usually oscillates slowly from one side to another, making a spray pattern of water that saturates the yard.
  • Fixed spray or stationary- Comes with a central body and a circular nozzle that disperse water in all directions. The heads don't require to move to operate, although they are not suitable for large yards.
  • Impact or impulse - Offers the longest water distribution range; therefore, they are suitable for large lawns.
  • Pop-up or in-ground- Offers a customizable area of the range, and you can connect them to sprinkler controllers for automated use. The heads pop up and water the lawn before going back into the ground, where they are out of the way of foot traffic.
  • Rotating- Rotate 360 degrees and have two or three rotating arms. Spray water through the rotating arms to saturate the lawn. Besides, some models come with adjustable arms to change the angle of the spray.

2. Ease of installation

When shopping for the sprinkler head models, check whether it is easy to install. For some models like oscillating, stationary, impact, and rotating, you don't need to use much effort since they lie directly on the yard, and you only connect them to a hose. For pop-up spray head models, you require installation; however, once the lines are run, and the head is secure, with ongoing maintenance such as replacing broken heads, this type of sprinkler system lasts the longest.

3. Lawn size

When choosing a sprinkler spray head consider the lawn size. Hence for a small lawn you should opt for the stationary or even the pop-up sprinkler head models. However, if your lawn is considered medium-sized, there are oscillating sprinkler, rotating, and pop-up sprinkler head models that you can choose from. Also if you have a large lawn area, then pop up and impact sprinkler head models are appropriate because they offer high water pressure.

4. Material 

Sprinkler heads can be produced from either plastic, metal or a combination of the two. For metal materials for instance, the unit is robust and will not break or crack easily. But they offer less flexibility and can leak at the joints when it is in motion. On the other hand, plastic materials are generally light and water proof and enable rotating sprinkler to rotate as required.

Additionally, the hybrid sprinkler heads manufactures the metal for stable spray nozzle and other parts with plastic for the flexibility of the moving parts in order to aid in the water flow.

5. Additional features

When looking for a sprinkler head, consider whether it comes with additional features such as adjustable spray nozzles, tripods, timers, lawn spikes, and integrated flow control.

  • Adjustable spray nozzles- Usually allow the angle and direction of the water flow to be altered to customize the spray patterns to suit the lawn.
  • Tripods and lawn spikes-Usually support the spray heads. Tripods stand between 2 ft and 4 ft apart to raise the range of the sprinkler head. Whereas you drive the lawn spike into the ground, ensuring the sprinkler blow away or won't tip over water pressure.
  • Timers-Usually allows the system to run automatically by controlling when the water is turned on and off.
  • Integrated flow control-Usually shows the sprinkler frame or a valve on the body that you can use to increase or decrease water flow.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Lawn Sprinkler Heads

1. Does the package include screws for adjusting the spray distance?

Some models don't require any adjustment tool. However, other options come with some help to deal with the spray distance or spray pattern.

2. What type of sprinkler covers the most area?

Impact or pulsating models are the most efficient when watering large areas. They are also a great choice for non-square yards.

3. Can I mount sprinkler systems myself?

Luckily, all of our recommendations don't require any complex installation; therefore, you can do it yourself. So when you buy one, go ahead and connect it to your current irrigation hose.

4. Why do I need Sprinkler Systems on my lawn?

A sprinkler system usually greens up your lawn even when you are not around. It also offers you a great lawn care solution without any attention.

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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