With a garden sprinkler you save yourself the manual watering of your lawn. The sprinkler also ensures a much more even sprinkling. In this guide we explain which types there are, what else you should pay attention to when buying and how a garden sprinkler works.
Garden sprinklers come in many different designs
Our recommendations
our recommendation
GARDENA Premium Impulse, Circle and Sector Sprinkler (on plastic slide): Premium sprinkler for watering larger areas up to 490 m², stepless range adjustment up to 12.5 m (8135-20)
33.68 EUR To the product| Type | Circular sprinkler, impulse sprinkler |
|---|---|
| irrigation area | maximum 490 m² |
| throw distance | 12.5m |
| Flexibly adjustable | Yes |
| material | plastic |
Gardena's Premium Circular Sprinkler is a universal garden sprinkler. It should be ideally suited for all garden shapes and areas. For this reason alone, the impulse sprinkler deserves first place in our comparison. The majority of the reviews on Amazon also suggest that the sprinkler works excellently and is therefore highly recommended. our recommendation
GARDENA Rectangular Sprinkler AquaZoom S: Sprinkler for watering areas of 9 - max. 150 m², range 3 - max. 15 m, explosive range 3 - max. 10 m, integrated metal filter (18710-20)
23.97 EUR To the product| Type | square sprinkler |
|---|---|
| irrigation area | 9-150 m² |
| throw distance | 3-15m |
| Flexibly adjustable | Yes |
| material | plastic |
If you have a rather narrow, rectangular garden, you will make a good choice with the generally very popular square sprinkler AquaZoom S from Gardena. Thanks to the wide range in terms of throwing distance, the garden sprinkler can be used flexibly. In general, the sprinkler is praised for its "brilliant adjustability". The flow controller in particular also seems to impress. our recommendation
Gardena sprinkler system turbine pop-up sprinkler T100: Irrigation system for smaller lawn areas from 50 to 100 m², with adjustable throw range (4-6 m) and stepless sector setting, (8201-29)
14.59 EUR To the product| Type | pop-up sprinklers |
|---|---|
| irrigation area | max. 100 m² |
| throw distance | 4-6 m |
| Flexibly adjustable | Yes |
| material | plastic |
The T100 pop-up sprinkler, again from Gardena, is recommended for all gardeners who want an underground irrigation system (€32.95) and tend to have a small garden. The density of high-quality, differently designed garden sprinklers shows why the manufacturer is clearly the market leader. The model is described as a "very good pop-up sprinkler for a small price".
Purchase Criteria
Type
circular sprinkler: The circular sprinkler ejects the water in a circular manner, either with a single "scattering" water jet (impact sprinkler) or from multiple (often three) nozzles. It is the garden sprinkler with the longest reach. Ideal for: medium-sized to large gardens, soft gradients, round beds.
square sprinkler: The square sprinkler is the classic among garden sprinklers. It has a tilting bar on which the jets from which the water flows are located. In operation, the bar swings from side to side, watering the lawn evenly. Best for: small to medium-sized gardens, rectangular or square lawns.
pop-up sprinklers: The pop-up sprinkler can be designed as a circular or square sprinkler. In any case, it will be sunk into the ground and connected to a pipe system that is also underground. It only comes out for irrigation, otherwise only the cover cap can be seen. Best for: all gardeners who want to install a completely unobtrusive irrigation system.
irrigation area
What area does the garden sprinkler need to cover? Measure your lawn to determine the square feet you want the sprinkler to cover. When making your choice, it's also important to consider the water pressure from your tap or pump. Because: If you have a relatively low pressure, you should buy a garden sprinkler whose potential exceeds your lawn (significantly).
Throw distance and blast width
The throw distance and the spray width are also closely related to the maximum sprinkling area. Here, however, in addition to the achievable maximum, the spectrum is also important. After all, it is of no use to you if the sprinkler can (only) throw the water far, but you also want to water smaller garden areas with it. With that in mind, the garden sprinkler should ideally allow for smaller as well as larger widths and widths.
setting options
In general, it is advantageous if the garden sprinkler offers numerous setting options so that you can always adapt the watering details to your current needs. In addition to the throw distance and spray width, these details also include the sectors (full circle, semicircle, only one side of the garden or both, etc.) and the flow rate. By determining the amount of water, you can save water well.
Assembly
You place “classic” garden sprinklers on your lawn and connect them to the water source using a garden hose. Pop-up sprinklers sink them perfectly matched into the ground and connect them to an underground system. The installation of the pop-up sprinklers is very complex if the line has to be laid in the ground first. Above ground sprinklers have a ground stake or one or more sturdy feet. To achieve more stability, help with pegs. There are also garden sprinkler tripods for elevation and stabilization.
material
Most modern garden sprinklers are made of plastic. So that you can enjoy your sprinkler for a long time, you should make sure that it is made of UV-resistant and unbreakable material. Pop-up sprinklers in particular must also be frost-proof, as they remain outside even in winter. Particularly high-quality garden sprinklers have parts made of stainless steel.
frequently asked Questions
What is a garden sprinkler?
A garden sprinkler is a popular garden watering device. The market has different sprinklers for different lawns. The nozzles are the heart of every garden sprinkler, they distribute the water over the green. A sprinkler eliminates the need to toil with the garden hose for 30 minutes or more every time.
How does a garden sprinkler work?
The construction of a garden sprinkler is very simple: The water is pumped into the sprinkler with the necessary pressure via a water pipe. The nozzles on the head of the device then ensure the fine distribution of the water according to your settings. An integrated gear is always responsible for the movements of the sprinkler, such as turning or swiveling the head.
Which brands offer good garden sprinklers?
Numerous manufacturers - many well-known and some less well-known - produce garden sprinklers of all kinds. The most popular brands include the market leader Gardena as well as Hunter, Grüntek and Kärcher. Solid models at a fair price are also available from Bradas and Rain Bird.
Where is the best place to buy a garden sprinkler?
Garden sprinklers are popular garden tools and can therefore be found in every garden center, for example at Dehner. You could also find what you are looking for in the garden department of larger hardware stores such as OBI, Bauhaus, toom, Hornbach or hagebaumarkt. But you can enjoy the most diverse selection and the most convenient purchasing process at Amazon. Depending on the season, you may also discover sprinklers at discounters such as Lidl and Aldi.
How much does a garden sprinkler cost?
Fortunately, garden sprinklers are not a major investment. In fact, you can get a good version for as little as 15 euros. Most brand models range between 20 and 40 euros. If you need or want accessories, such as an underground pipe system for pop-up sprinklers or an irrigation computer for a comprehensive irrigation system, there will of course be additional costs.
Is there a garden sprinkler test by Stiftung Warentest?
Yes, the Stiftung Warentest has already carried out a specific garden sprinkler test, but this dates from August 1966 and is hardly relevant today. In spring 2022, a more general test of the consumer portal on automatic watering systems was published, which also includes garden sprinklers.
equipment
garden hose
A garden hose is essential for using the garden sprinkler at all. The hose should match the sprinkler and faucet (or pump) threads, be long enough, and be of high quality - that is, robust and resistant to various weather conditions. Look out for these features when purchasing.
our recommendation
Gardena Comfort FLEX hose 13 mm (1/2 inch), 20 m with system parts: dimensionally stable, flexible garden hose with power grip profile, made of high-quality spiral fabric, 25 bar bursting pressure (18034-20)
37.57 EUR To the productwatering computer
With the addition of an irrigation computer, you can even fully automate the operation of the sprinkler. The computer acts as an "intermediary" between the water source and the sprinkler. It turns on the faucet when the time you set is reached and closes the valve again at the set time.
our recommendation