UK’s best garden sprinklers tested for large and small lawns, including oscillating, round and impulse systems
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A hose sprinkler is perfect for medium to large gardens and especially lawns which tend to dry out very quickly when the temperature rises. After all, trying to perform the same task with a watering can is often too time consuming not to say exhausting.
In this guide we’re looking at the best garden sprinklers for your style of lawn so whether it’s perfectly square, rectangular or circular there should be a model in this list to suit your needs.
What to look for when choosing a garden sprinkler
The first thing to note is that garden sprinklers consume large quantities of water. According to Southwest Water, ‘a garden sprinkler system will typically use around 15 litres per minute’.
If you consider that the average amount of water used per person per day is in the region of 124 litres, it will take a sprinkler just nine minutes to exceed that statistic. Hence, to avoid excessive use – often brought about by forgetfulness – it’s vital you invest in a cheap tap timer so your sprinkler doesn’t go on pumping out water for hours.
Another thing to consider is water pressure in your area. Usually in urban environments, and especially large cities, the water pressure may be lower than out in the suburbs or countryside so go for a model that doesn’t have too many jets. This is because the more jets a sprinkler has, the more likely it won’t provide the coverage you’re looking for.
Which sprinkler is best for a small, medium, or large lawn?
In general, small to medium-sized lawns are best suited to circular and oscillating sprinklers, though some oscillating models like the Speak & Jackson reviewed below, can buck the trend by providing huge coverage.
Conversely, if you have a really large garden and you’d rather not keep moving the sprinkler to a new position, your best bet would be a pulse or impact sprinkler like those used on farmland and large country gardens.
Best garden sprinklers at a glance:
- Best for larger lawns: Spear & Jackson BWF22 Oscillating Sprinkler
- Best for small circular lawns and gardens: Hozelock Round Sprinkler Plus
- Best for value and larger lawns: Titan Impulse Sprinkler
- Best for monitoring water use: Gardena Oscillating Sprinkler AquaCount
- Best for long urban lawns: Kärcher Oscillating Sprinkler OS 5.320 SV
For further garden inspiration, read our guide to everything you need for a BBQ, how to pack the perfect picnic, or lengthen your time in the garden with an electric patio heater for your garden.
PROS
Huge coverage, Robust build quality, Brass nozzles
CONS
Nozzles require occasional cleaning
Most oscillating sprinklers provide pretty wide coverage as they slowly arc from side to side. However some models aren’t that well suited to low pressure water supplies.
The Spear & Jackson begs to differ because this all-metal beast is capable of easily covering a plot of 14m x 14m with consummate ease.
Unlike other oscillating sprinklers, the S&J is made entirely of metal, including its 18 brass jets.
Yes you may have to take a pin to some of the jets after a few months of use to remove inevitable build up of limescale in the nozzles but this writer can vouch that this model is generally much more robustly built than other oscillators and therefore more reliable in the long term.
Like the majority of oscillating sprinklers, the Spear & Jackson BWF22 can be adjusted for reach either side of its arc by moving one or both sliders inwards or o