The Best Sprinkler Heads to Refresh Your Plants

The laborious process of watering and mowing your grounds to keep them green and clean should be all too familiar, whether you like caring for your lawn as a pastime or are a professional gardener. Sprinkler heads offer a time and cost-effective solution to this issue by handling the grunt work for you.

Sprinkler heads are available in a range of styles. Which sprinkler head is the best for you? Your money, gardening interests, and property size play a role in this decision. Below are some suggestions for the best sprinkler head and the top lists for various categories.

1. Best overall: Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler

2. Runner-up overall: Rain-bird 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Head

3. Best value: Rain Bird Rotor Heads 5000 Rotor Sprinkler Heads

4. Best purchased product: HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads

More options: 

1. HUNTER PGP Ultra Rotor Sprinkler Heads

2. Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional

3. Toro 53816 3-Inch Pop-Up Fixed-Spray with Nozzle Sprinkle

4. K-Rain Pro-S

5. Orbit 55201 Pulse XL Pop-Up Impact Rotor Sprinkler

Every homeowner wants their lawn to be picture-perfect green, but maintaining it may be a real challenge. To satisfy your inner gardener, we assist you in selecting the best sprinkler heads for 2025.

Sprinkler heads are a practical tool for gardening that can help you save time and money. Sprinkler heads are a crucial component of any automated watering system. They are available in various forms, sizes, and iterations, each serving a specific purpose. To assist you in making a confident choice, we have put together this buying guide because choosing which sprinkler head to buy can be a complex undertaking.

Benefits of Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler head installation has several advantages, giving investors additional justification to purchase them. First off, it is cost-and time-effective. No matter how big your yard is, if you have a sprinkler system installed, the sprinkler heads will water your lawn for you. Since these systems are frequently timed, watering will only be done as needed, lowering your water bill.

The safety that sprinkler heads offer is another advantage, as Garden hoses and other alternatives risk injuring little children if they trip over them. Sprinkler heads are more secure and discrete, particularly if they are the pop-up types that submerge themselves once they are no longer needed. Lastly, the programmed nature of sprinkler heads means that they help you water, saving time and personal effort.

Types of Sprinkler Heads

If you don't know what you're looking for, it might be easy to be lost among many characteristics of all kinds of sprinkler heads available on the market. Make sure that the sprinkler head you choose satisfies all your criteria for the finest experience.

Pop-up

The pop-up function, one of the most common options, can be pretty alluring to people who place a lot of value on the appearance of their lawns. Pop-up versions are made to extend into the air and retract into the ground when not in use. This helps prevent any impact or damage to the sprinkler head.

Rotary sprinklers

Rotary sprinklers, also known as rotary nozzles, have the distinctive property of having a small rotor attached to the sprinkler. This enables water streams to circulate over the region that has to be irrigated. These work best in places where a sizable area needs to be evenly watered and typically operate at a higher pressure.

Driven-by-gear sprinklers

Most homes prefer gear-driven sprinklers because they are reliable, cost-effective, and require little upkeep. These sprinkler heads have gear drives that are movable and offer a variety of spray patterns and pressures. A gear-driven sprinkler head is your best option if you're a homeowner trying to save money on your first sprinkler head purchase.

Which Sprinkler Head Should I Install?

Every lawn area is unique. Thus each one requires a particular sprinkler head to be most effective. When looking for sprinkler heads, consider the area that will be watered, the type of turf, and the kinds of activities for which the area is frequently utilized. Your ideal sprinkler head will be affected by all of these variables.

Pop-up sprinklers with predefined spray patterns are the best choice for tiny spaces. The short spray distance of these sprinkler heads is acceptable for a small area. Pop-up sprinkler heads are more aesthetically pleasing and work well in compact spaces because they have a fixed stream. Pop-up sprinkler heads are also perfect for places where people play sports since they can be out of the way and help make better use of available space. Gear-driven rotary sprinkler heads are the best choice for larger areas because of their long throw distance and versatility in spray patterns. Consider the shape of your yard while choosing the type of rotary sprinkler head that would work best for you.

Parts of a Sprinkler Head

Sprinkler heads are made up of two primary components. The nozzle is one, and the body is another. These components might be sophisticated or simple, depending on how many features the sprinkler head possesses. Frequently, a platform attached to the garden hose is used to modify the sprinkler head’s body. In this manner, after the water has passed through the hose,  it will be distributed via the nozzle.

In-ground systems are constructed slightly differently yet perform straightforward operations—the sprinkler head's design matters in the subsurface systems' overall architecture. For instance, a broader base may be necessary for pop-up sprinklers so that the head may readily retract and reemerge. Water pressure, the flexibility of the spray pattern, and whether a sprinkler head has a rotational function are other elements that may influence how it is constructed.

1. Orbit 58573N Gear Drive Sprinkler – Best Overall

This sprinkler head is a fantastic choice for its adaptability and simplicity of use. This product offers extensive coverage, with a maximum setting of 5,026 square feet and a spray pattern up to 80 feet in diameter. With collar tabs connected, the covering can easily be changed from partial to complete protection. This sprinkler head adaptability, which includes seven spray patterns in a range of showers and angles, is its most distinctive selling point.

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The product's only drawback is that it is not exceptionally durable and lasts only a few months. This might not be your most excellent choice if you search for something more long-term.

PROS

Large-area coverage 

Adjustable collar tabs

Features 7 different spray patterns

CONS

Not very durable

2. Rain-bird 5000 Series Rotor Sprinkler Head – Runner Up

The Rain-bird 5000 sprinkler head is unique from other sprinkler heads because it has a pop-up rotational watering technology made for even and reliable spray. This is a fantastic choice for people seeking a self-contained model that can water up to 50 feet away, making it ideal for medium- to large-sized lawns. Another benefit of the device is that it is simple to install thanks to its slip-clutch mechanism.

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This sprinkler head is a terrific product. However, it can be challenging to support with your hands for it can be rather slippery. It can be a hassle when you need to modify it after installation.

PROS

Excellent lawn coverage

Easy installation of sprinkler heads 

Long-lasting and durable

CONS

Difficult to prop upright for adjustments

3. HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads – Honorable Mention

The HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads 4 pack is a fantastic option for a durable, well-made product. This product saves time because it already has four sprinkler heads with a #7 nozzle fitted; no additional installation is needed. The heads may also be easily replaced and adjustable in all directions. The product is manufactured using high-quality materials and should survive for at least ten years before breaking down.

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The fact that the nozzles are pre-set with a specific flow rate is one of this product's limitations. Even though most locations can get away with this, it can be somewhat restrictive if you're looking for a product that allows for various spray patterns. Although the item is expensive, it lasts a long time.

PROS

Made with high-quality materials

No assembly required

Full-circle adjustable nozzles

CONS

Preset flow rate can be limiting

More expensive than other options

4. Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional

If you're looking for a reliable, adjustable sprinkler head that can cover a large area, the Orbit 55662 Voyager II Professional 4 is a great option. With a spray distance of up to 52 feet, it's perfect for medium to large lawns. The bonus nozzles make it easy to customize each sprinkler for equal yard saturation.

The adjustable coverage means you can tailor the sprinkler to your specific needs. This sprinkler head has a key to easily adjust spray coverage from a partial section to full 360° watering. Plus, it contains ten nozzles to ensure even coverage. So whether you're watering a small patch of grass or your entire lawn, the Adjustable Coverage Sprinkler Head is up to the task.

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Pros

Adjustable spray covers the distance from 25-52 foot radius

Pre-installed with a 3-gallon per minutes nozzle which can be switched as needed

Key to easily adjust spray coverage to full 360 watering

Cons

The sprinkler's quality is rather average compared to others.

5. K-Rain Pro-S

The K-Rain PRO-S is a tough and robust pop-up sprinkler that ideally suits the contractor. This commercial-quality pop-up sprinkler comes with a protective metal cap for high-traffic areas and includes an adjustable nozzle with 0° to 360° coverage.

• Heavy-duty retraction spring – for all soil conditions

• Ratcheting riser – for easy arc adjustment

• Co-Molded Wiper Seal-Ensures a leak-free, full pop-up operation, even under low-pressure situations

• Cartridge design allows for easy removal and cleaning

• Accepts all Female Threaded Nozzles

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How tall should the sprinkler head on my lawn be?

A: Before installing any sprinkler heads, make sure the height of the entire structure is appropriate for your tastes in terms of appearance and usefulness. The size of any vegetation should not be considered more important than the depth of the soil. This will balance out the sprinkler head's spray and lessen the chance that someone will trip over it.

What number of sprinkler heads do I require?

A properly irrigated lawn depends not only on the type of sprinkler head used but also on how many there are and how evenly they are dispersed. You need to know a few extra things to decide how many sprinkler heads will work best for you. Observe your water supply first. Over-installing sprinkler heads may prevent them from operating correctly, harming your plants' health. To estimate the gallons per minute of your system, check the pressure of your water supply. After installation, verify that the system achieves head-to-head coverage and that all components function properly.

How should my sprinkler heads be positioned?

A: Consider placing your sprinkler heads appropriately based on your property's layout for the best coverage across your lawn area. Sprinkler heads work best when arranged in squares and broad rectangular expanses. Triangular positioning will work in smaller places as well. To ensure even watering, position sprinkler heads in every corner of the space.

Do rotary sprinklers represent a better option?

A: There isn't a specific sprinkler head that is objectively a better option than the others. When making any purchase, remember what works best for your grass area. For vast, open spaces that need the most coverage and are mainly empty; rotational sprinklers work well. A good rule of thumb is to choose rotary sprinklers if your lawn is more than 15 feet wide from corner to corner and your water supply is adequate. Pop-up sprinkler heads are better for more curved or irregularly shaped areas.

I was more impressed than I thought I’d be by the quality of the lawn and garden sprinklers I tested. The ones that made my short list above all performed well and were made from quality materials, with Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler standing out as the best among the bunch. I expect each to offer years of service.

With water conservation becoming a high priority across the country, purchasing the right type of sprinkler(s) for individual yards and gardens makes sense. Oscillating models, like HUNTER PGP-adj Rotor Sprinkler Heads, cover a wide area, while adjustable rotary and spot sprinklers can be used to supplement in smaller parts of the yard.