Best Oscillating Sprinklers: Save Water And Get More For Your Money!

As summer rolls around, homeowners often consider investing in an oscillating sprinkler. This type of sprinkler rotates back and forth, covering a larger surface area than traditional sprinklers.

However, it’s important to remember that not all oscillating sprinklers are the same. There are three things to consider: coverage area, durability, and accuracy.

When evaluating sprinklers, we evaluate each sprinkler’s coverage area, durability, and accuracy. Here are the best oscillating sprinklers you can buy!

Our recommended oscillating sprinklers:

Given the relatively low price, it’s not surprising that the XT4200-IN lacks a few of the bells and whistles, such as automatic shut-off, rain delay, and a timer. The XT4200-IN feels better made than some of its competitors, and the nozzles are designed with an unusual swivel that helps keep water from pooling around the nozzle.

The Melnor XT 2-way oscillating sprinkler can water a space as big as 4,500 square feet and the dual switch lets you adjust both the width and water flow. The sprinkler has a separate button for the spray head, which is adjustable from a fine mist to aerated droplets and back again.

The sprinkler’s 18 nozzles are precision-designed and evenly spaced, and they’re capable of pumping out 100 PSI without any clogging, even in low pressure areas.

For smaller spaces (under 2,000 square feet), the XT is a decent choice. The water flow control isn’t as direct and obvious as we’d like, but it’s easy enough to adjust the pressure based on what you need.

The Aqua Joe SJI-OMS16 oscillating sprinkler has a ton of power and range, making it great for covering large lawns and backyards.

The adjustable spray pattern lets you create custom coverage zones. It has a convenient hose connector that locks in place, and it also has a rugged, rubber overmolded cover that’s both splash and drip resistant.

The unit can cover up to 3600 square feet with is 16 clog-resistant nozzles. The trigger can be calibrated with a knob, allowing you to adjust the spray pattern from a steady jet of water to a wide, fan-like spray.

Best of all, the leak-resistant connection means you can water without fear of damaging your hose or sprinkler heads. If you don’t want the hassle of setting a timer, this sprinkler is also equipped with a rotating head, so you can set it to automatically rotate at a regular interval, giving you more time to water your flowers or garden.

 The Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator 65013 is among the best-performing sprinklers we tested. While they don’t put out as much water as the top-of-the-line sprinklers in our testing, the Turbo Teks got consistently high marks for coverage, and they provided uniform coverage across the entire area.

Turbo Teks put out enough water to seep into the surrounding soil, but we noticed that they tended to overwater when the sprinklers were set up at a steep angle. Turbo Teks also have the lowest sound ratings of the group, which made the biggest impact on our enjoyment of the sprinklers. 

They have a quick-connect setup that makes attaching the sprinkler to standard garden hoses, spigots, and quick-link fittings simple. But please keep in mind, this sprinkler struggles in windy conditions, so keep an eye on the gauge to prevent running dry.

The Melnor 65031-AMZ MiniMax has adjustable step angles, so you can water where it’s needed. It has four directions of spray, so you can adjust the distance of spray accordingly. The sprinkler has Zoom control, so you can zoom in on a small area or zoom all the way out to cover a big area.

Melnor is committed to excellence, and this warranty demonstrates our confidence in Melnor products.

The Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler delivers the right amount of water in a wide spray pattern. It’s also easy to use. Simply turn the dial to the spray point you want, attach the sprinkler to your garden hose, and turn the water on. The sprinkler comes with a quick-connect adapter that make it compatible with most sprinkler systems.

It delivers excellent coverage. better than a typical rotary sprinkler and is quick and easy to hook up and use. It s a heavy-duty, adjustable sprinkler that cuts through thick grass. If you need to water a large area, you can cover 3, 900 square feet. It has a long reach, too, so it s good for large lawns and gardens. Overall, though, the MiniMax Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler is a better idea than lugging around a garden hose.

The Orbit 56281 oscillating sprinkler has a sturdy base with a hose connector attached to it, to easily connect a garden hose. It sprays 4, 000 square feet of lawn, and the circular spray pattern typically offers a good rain to soak a large area without soaking nearby plants or tender grass.

The durable metal base allows you to accurately align the sprinkler heads and the adjustable water control allows you to make very fine adjustments. This sprinkler has a dial you can adjust to vary the spray distance, which makes this a great choice for uneven lawns or gardens with zones.

The Orbit 56281 is a quality sprinkler that shows no signs of quality wear after dozens of months of heavy use. It sprays water at a decent rate over a large area, making it suitable for lawns or gardens. The sprinkler produces almost no noise, so it can be set up without the annoyance of regular outdoor rotary sprinklers.

The Melnor 65049-AMZ Oscillating Sprinkler has an adjustable spray range and 15 precision nozzles, allowing you to water only certain areas (or just a few feet). An included Quick Connect αdapter makes it easy to connect and disconnect the sprinkler.

This sprinkler also has 3 spray patterns (bouncing, fixed, mist), and the mist spray is perfect for watering delicate plants. The sprinkler ιs quite durable and well built, and the 2-year warranty is reassuring.

It doesn’t have a wide spray area like our top picks, and it’s louder than the others we tested, though it’s generally quieter than the standard oscillating sprinkler.

It promises a 2,650-square foot coverage area, and in our testing, it delivered on that promise. Melnor is well-known for its high-quality outdoor products, and this oscillating sprinkler is no different.

The Melnor MiniMax 65003-AMZ has a powerful, well-organized, and well-engineered watering system that’s easy to use, but with any self-leveling sprinkler, it’s about as precise as you can get. It feels almost surgical to make sure each sprinkler head is set exactly level, so we don’t recommend trying this by hand.

The sprinkler’s  reach long enough to reach most parts of a moderately-sized yard, and it offers 4000 sq. ft. of coverage, which is one of the best coverage of any sprinkler we tested. While its adjustable coverage may not be as expansive as some other yard sprinklers, it’s more than adequate for most suburban yards.

The sprinkler’s sprinkler heads are also well made, and although they may not be as durable as, say, the commercial-grade heads found on high-end sprinklers, they’re made of tough plastic and should last for many seasons of use.

This is a sprinkler for experienced homeowners who don’t mind double-checking to make sure each sprinkler head is positioned correctly and don’t mind the extra effort.

The Melnor MiniMax Sprinkler is impressively quiet, delivering a barely audible trickle. It’s easy to set up and use, and with a simple four-way valve that let you precisely dial in a watering pattern.

Don’t let the sprinklers you bought for your lawn a decade ago fool you. A few inexpensive upgrades can make a sprinkler last decades longer and give you superior coverage. If you’re looking for a quality sprinkler at a budget friendly price, the Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator 65118-AMZ XT is a great choice.

It’s backed by a long warranty, and it uses brass nozzles. It’s also fully adjustable, so you can adjust it to perfectly water your lawn.

When connected to an irrigation system, the Melnor 65118-AMZ XT provides a uniform, even distribution of water over the entire lawn and garden.

The Melnor Metal Turbo Oscillator 65118-AMZ XT is easy to use with the included QuickConnect Adapter and the metal construction ensures it will last for years to come.

With 20 nozzles that cover up to 4,300 sq. ft., this versatile Eden lawn oscillating water sprinkler is great for your lawn or garden. It can easily cover large areas, or you can customize it with smaller diameter nozzles to reach into corners and crevices.

The brass nozzles will resist rust and corrosion. Unlike cheaper sprinklers, the Eden oscillating sprinkler uses a quick connect starter set. Just pull on the hose for engaging the spray, and twist the connector to lock it in place. The rotating nozzle cover has a dirt-resistant seal, so dirt is less likely to get into the valve assembly.

The extra-large metal base is sturdy, and the heavy-duty design ensures the sprinkler will survive many years of use. The spray pattern of this 2-way adjustable sprinkler is rather narrow, though, and it’s almost entirely focused in the center. All in all, this sprinkler can be a bit finicky to set up, but you can expect a reliable performance.

What to consider when looking for the best oscillating sprinklers?

Buying oscillating sprinklers for the first time can be challenging since there is no way to know if you will get one that will last or even if it will work correctly. In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when shopping for oscillating sprinklers and how to choose the right one for your needs.

The main benefit of oscillating sprinklers over simple spray sprinklers is that they have a wider coverage area. An oscillating lawn sprinkler is a type of sprinkler designed to move in a back and forth or side to side motion. This motion is designed to mimic the natural watering pattern that occurs from rainfall.  This type of watering pattern has many benefits over your garden when used with a sprinkler system designed for even and maximum coverage.

As summer approaches, homeowners are often looking to make their lawns greener and more desirable. One of the easiest ways to do this is by making sure that your lawns get as much moisture as possible. I

Pick a model that features sensors that can detect rainfall. That way when the sensors detect rain they will stop watering your garden. Make sure that the connectors you have in other agricultural irrigation tools you already have are compatible with your new sprinkler.

Most models will be able to handle an area of around 30 feet away, so plan accordingly if you need more sprinklers to cover your lawns. It is vital that you have enough sprinkles to cover the area of interest otherwise you will end up with uneven coverage. It is wise to pick a model made of sturdy metal that will be durable and reliable. Pick a model from a reputable manufacturer and look out for the models that come with a lifetime warranty.

The best models will let to easily adjust water width and pattern so as to be customized for your garden’s needs. Keep in mind that rubber nozzles are resistant to corrosion and prevent clogging so it’s wise to invest a little more for a system that features them. All metal construction will provide greater stability and durability which is a must for your newly acquired irrigation system.

When you are shopping for new oscillating sprinklers, you may want to consider features such as water pressure, operating pressure, size, and wide coverage. Some have built-in timers and sensors that will tell you when to stop watering. Others have different watering heads that will do different things.

The more heads your oscillating lawn sprinkler has the more efficient water distribution. It would be best if you chose an oscillating sprinkler that places water at the correct height for your vegetation:  ¾ to 1 inch for seedlings, 2 to 3 inches for most flowering plants, and 3 to 4 inches mature plants. If you have a smaller yard, an oscillating lawn sprinkler may be the perfect fit since it covers a larger area than a fixed sprinkler, all while using less water.

Most oscillating sprinklers use a nozzle with a fan-shaped spray pattern. Some models offer a variety of nozzles, which is a great feature. If you’re somewhat handy, you can install oscillating sprinklers yourself.

While there are many excellent features for an oscillating sprinkler to have, there are three main features that you should look for: quality, durability, and versatility. Durability is important, as you don’t want to have to replace an oscillating sprinkler very often. Most sprinkler systems are designed to work for 5+ years. We recommend getting your sprinkler system tested every spring.

Versatility is important because you want an oscillating sprinkler that will be able to serve many uses. Some sprinkler heads will have a ¼ inch nut, while others will have a ⅛ inch nut. Adjustable sprinklers provide excellent sprinkler coverage and can be configured to suit varying garden sizes and shapes.

If you don’t know how to adjust your water pressure, the first thing you should do is ask a professional.