In this garden sprinkler review, I thoroughly compared design, features, ease of use and value for money for multiple products. After hours of research and testing, I recommend the Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler as the best garden sprinkler on the UK market.
My Top Recommended Garden Sprinklers
Editors Choice
Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler
1. Best all-round garden sprinkler - Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler
2. Best rectangular coverage - Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler[ SAVE 6% ]
3. Best for variable settings - Gardena Classic Oscillating Sprinkler[ SAVE 49% ]
4. Best sprinkler for large gardens - Costwise Oscillating Bar Lawn Sprinkler
5. Best for low pressure - Claber Idrojet 2000 Sprinkler[ SAVE 16% ]
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My Top Recommendation Based on Real-world Testing
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The Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler is a model I’ve been using now for the past two years. I’ve tried several others in the past, but few are able to match it’s coverage area customisation. Its’ roughly £10 more than the next best model, but in my opinion, this makes it worth the extra outlay.
Firstly, let’s start with the yellow tabs on the side. This enables you the adjust its range of motion. For me personally, this means being able to avoid unnecessarily watering my artificial grass, and instead being able to perfectly target my raised beds. Very clever.
Next we get these simple little grey buttons on the side. This gives you the option to open or close certain water spouts. Again, no unnecessarily watering the patio, you can keep the water flow exactly where you need it.
Both of these features enable you to avoid wasting water. Good job Kärcher, as this is a smart and functional design feature.
The flow rate of course depends on the water pressure in your area. Kärcher claim the maximum coverage area is 320m2. In real times, this is probably enough to cover a small garden without having to change the sprinkler’s location. For medium gardens you might have to reposition it once or twice. And for larger gardens a bit more. But that’s of course to be expected with any sprinkler.
Although I don’t personally use them because of my artificial grass, this unit does also have ground stakes to keep it in place. This can be useful if you’ve pets, kids or crazy water pressure!
Overall, this is my top recommended sprinkler, having tried and tested several models over the years (including Hozelock sprinklers which tend to be the go-to for many people). I just like the added customisation Kärcher have provided with this model, which makes it perfect for more specific watering like in my garden.
Best all-round garden sprinkler
Scores:
- Design
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value For Money
- Overall
The Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler is a model I’ve been using now for the past two years. I’ve tried several others in the past, but few are able to match it’s coverage area customisation. Its’ roughly £10 more than the next best model, but in my opinion, this makes it worth the extra outlay.
Firstly, let’s start with the yellow tabs on the side. This enables you the adjust its range of motion. For me personally, this means being able to avoid unnecessarily watering my artificial grass, and instead being able to perfectly target my raised beds. Very clever.
Next we get these simple little grey buttons on the side. This gives you the option to open or close certain water spouts. Again, no unnecessarily watering the patio, you can keep the water flow exactly where you need it.
Both of these features enable you to avoid wasting water. Good job Kärcher, as this is a smart and functional design feature.
The flow rate of course depends on the water pressure in your area. Kärcher claim the maximum coverage area is 320m2. In real times, this is probably enough to cover a small garden without having to change the sprinkler’s location. For medium gardens you might have to reposition it once or twice. And for larger gardens a bit more. But that’s of course to be expected with any sprinkler.
Although I don’t personally use them because of my artificial grass, this unit does also have ground stakes to keep it in place. This can be useful if you’ve pets, kids or crazy water pressure!
Overall, this is my top recommended sprinkler, having tried and tested several models over the years (including Hozelock sprinklers which tend to be the go-to for many people). I just like the added customisation Kärcher have provided with this model, which makes it perfect for more specific watering like in my garden.
Tested By: Clive Harris
Features:
- Area Coverage
- 320m²
- Weight
- 0.86kg
Pros
- You can customise spray width by shutting off jets.
- Shut-off valve allows you to adjust water flow from the unit so it's easy to move around.
- Two foot-spikes push into the ground and hold it in place.
- Comes with splashguard to protect you - you can change settings whilst the sprinkler is still on.
- It seems very robust and sturdy unit, especially compared to some other models.
Cons
- Coverage may vary depending on the pressure available.
- Hole cleaner is difficult to dislodge - using a coin helps get it loose.
- When all jets are open, the coverage is lower than when some are closed.
- If water pressure is high, the jets can spray in a tall arc and be carried in the wind.
Other Garden Sprinklers Worth Considering
The following products have been extensively researched by the DIY Garden Team.
For those with relatively decent water pressure and a rectangular garden, the Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler offers good coverage and can be adjusted depending on which areas of the garden require watering.
“But what if my water pressure isn’t high?”, you ask. Well, this sprinkler will still be able to water the garden, but you may have to re-position it several times for better water distribution.
Varying pressure can alter the performance of the Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler quite dramatically. With around 1 bar of pressure, the spray range of the lawn sprinkler is dramatically reduced, with at least 4 bars required to get coverage closer to the advertised 200 m².
Even so, even with limited pressure, this rectangular sprinkler can reach further than some competitors because it has smaller holes which drive up the pressure inside the unit.
There are 17 jets in total, which can be adjusted easily to water on only one side of the sprinkler, or both sides in a relatively even rectangle.
The biggest drawback to be aware of is how low water pressure can affect the performance of this oscillating sprinkler. Without enough pressure, it can get stuck more often, leading to uneven coverage. Sticking can be a general problem with this sprinkler, but it can sometimes be solved by liberally applying WD40, or soaking the unit in vinegar and water to remove limescale.
Best rectangular coverage
Scores:
- Design
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value For Money
- Overall
For those with relatively decent water pressure and a rectangular garden, the Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler offers good coverage and can be adjusted depending on which areas of the garden require watering.
“But what if my water pressure isn’t high?”, you ask. Well, this sprinkler will still be able to water the garden, but you may have to re-position it several times for better water distribution.
Varying pressure can alter the performance of the Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler quite dramatically. With around 1 bar of pressure, the spray range of the lawn sprinkler is dramatically reduced, with at least 4 bars required to get coverage closer to the advertised 200 m².
Even so, even with limited pressure, this rectangular sprinkler can reach further than some competitors because it has smaller holes which drive up the pressure inside the unit.
There are 17 jets in total, which can be adjusted easily to water on only one side of the sprinkler, or both sides in a relatively even rectangle.
The biggest drawback to be aware of is how low water pressure can affect the performance of this oscillating sprinkler. Without enough pressure, it can get stuck more often, leading to uneven coverage. Sticking can be a general problem with this sprinkler, but it can sometimes be solved by liberally applying WD40, or soaking the unit in vinegar and water to remove limescale.
Features:
- Area Coverage
- 200m²
- Weight
- 0.4kg
Pros
- Generally offers consistent coverage.
- Quiet in operation.
- Easy to set up and get going.
- Sprinkler distance is adjustable.
- Users feel this is a reasonably priced product.
Cons
- Relatively high pressure required to keep oscillating sprinkler turning.
- Depending on water pressure, may cover less than stated area.
- Needs to be stored out of the sun to stop it suffering UV damage.
- Some users find they need to weigh down one end of the sprinkler.
- May stick and require adjusting to find a setting that works consistently.
Now, we all love a tool with adjustable settings – but isn’t it great when you’re not limited to just the 3 or 4 gradient settings provided by the manufacturer?
Gardena seem to agree, and their Classic Oscillating Sprinkler has fully customisable oscillation, anywhere up to 180°. This means oscillation can be adjusted exactly depending on the demands of your watering task.
As a result, its range can extend anywhere from 7 – 17 m (water pressure permitting), and its width covers around 8 – 13 m.
The spread is quite wide, doing a relatively good job of evenly covering a rectangular space. It is also possible to reduce the water pressure by using a dial on the unit. This may be helpful for people with smaller gardens or very high water pressure.
The usual comments apply: the strength of your water pressure will affect maximum coverage. Make sure that your tap doesn’t have a pressure-limiting attachment fitted, as removing this can sometimes make all the difference.
This is a relatively inexpensive, basic sprinkler, which doesn’t have all the features of competitors such as the Kärcher model, but also comes without the higher price tag.
Best for variable settings
Scores:
- Design
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value For Money
- Overall
Now, we all love a tool with adjustable settings – but isn’t it great when you’re not limited to just the 3 or 4 gradient settings provided by the manufacturer?
Gardena seem to agree, and their Classic Oscillating Sprinkler has fully customisable oscillation, anywhere up to 180°. This means oscillation can be adjusted exactly depending on the demands of your watering task.
As a result, its range can extend anywhere from 7 – 17 m (water pressure permitting), and its width covers around 8 – 13 m.
The spread is quite wide, doing a relatively good job of evenly covering a rectangular space. It is also possible to reduce the water pressure by using a dial on the unit. This may be helpful for people with smaller gardens or very high water pressure.
The usual comments apply: the strength of your water pressure will affect maximum coverage. Make sure that your tap doesn’t have a pressure-limiting attachment fitted, as removing this can sometimes make all the difference.
This is a relatively inexpensive, basic sprinkler, which doesn’t have all the features of competitors such as the Kärcher model, but also comes without the higher price tag.
Features:
- Area Coverage
- 220m²
- Weight
- 0.3kg
Pros
- Allows you full control of the oscillating rotation, anywhere up to 180° - not limited to only a few settings.
- Achieves an evenly-shaped rectangular spread.
- Wider spread than other similar models.
- Works extremely well in smaller gardens.
- Compatible with standard hose connectors so you shouldn't need to buy any extra fittings.
Cons
- If other household appliances are using the water, water pressure to sprinkler drops.
- Optimum coverage may vary depending on the general water pressure available at your home.
- Takes some trial and error with adjusting the settings to get it working how you want.
- Lightweight and may need to be secured.
One issue that comes up time and again with sprinklers is their stability, or lack thereof. Due to the force of their spraying power, they often need weighing down or securing in place.
Costwise have come up with a simple solution in their Oscillating Bar Lawn Sprinkler by including a base with metal construction, instead of using more-commonly-found plastic. This adds more weight to the sprinkler, making it less likely to jump around.
The good news is a more stable sprinkler equals more consistent watering!
Costwise advertise a huge coverage area of 385 m² with their sprinkler, which can probably only be achieved with substantial water pressure; however, it does have the potential to be a powerful sprinkler nonetheless, even with less pressure available.
Like several of the best garden sprinklers, you can adjust the oscillation and water flow of this Costwise sprinkler. In fact, it’s possible to separately adjust the left and right nozzles to get the exact spray pattern for your space. Fed up with watering your paths and wasting water? No more!
For gardeners who like to play around with settings and get them just right, it’s worth nothing that this sprinkler can’t be switched off from the unit itself.
The water flow can only be adjusted from the tap, or the attached hose if it has a stop valve, so this can lead to a bit of a soaking if you need to stand in the splash-zone for a while making adjustments!
Best sprinkler for large gardens
Scores:
- Design
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value For Money
- Overall
One issue that comes up time and again with sprinklers is their stability, or lack thereof. Due to the force of their spraying power, they often need weighing down or securing in place.
Costwise have come up with a simple solution in their Oscillating Bar Lawn Sprinkler by including a base with metal construction, instead of using more-commonly-found plastic. This adds more weight to the sprinkler, making it less likely to jump around.
The good news is a more stable sprinkler equals more consistent watering!
Costwise advertise a huge coverage area of 385 m² with their sprinkler, which can probably only be achieved with substantial water pressure; however, it does have the potential to be a powerful sprinkler nonetheless, even with less pressure available.
Like several of the best garden sprinklers, you can adjust the oscillation and water flow of this Costwise sprinkler. In fact, it’s possible to separately adjust the left and right nozzles to get the exact spray pattern for your space. Fed up with watering your paths and wasting water? No more!
For gardeners who like to play around with settings and get them just right, it’s worth nothing that this sprinkler can’t be switched off from the unit itself.
The water flow can only be adjusted from the tap, or the attached hose if it has a stop valve, so this can lead to a bit of a soaking if you need to stand in the splash-zone for a while making adjustments!
Features:
- Area Coverage
- 375m²
- Weight
- 1.12kg
Pros
- Achieves great coverage with good water pressure.
- Connects easily to standard hose fittings.
- Wide metal base keeps the sprinkler steady and the spray even.
- Extremely versatile with several different settings to alter pressure, spray pattern and coverage.
- Limits water wastage by allowing you to use only as much as necessary.
Cons
- Doesn't always achieve even coverage around the edges of the sprinkler's reach.
- Coverage may be less than advertised area size, depending on available water pressure.
- Does not come with instructions, only basic diagrams on box.
- Setting adjusters can be stiff and are made from plastic so care must be taken.
- You may need to move the sprinkler several times to properly cover your garden.
For gardener’s who struggle with the constant battle of sprinkler vs. water pressure, Claber’s rotating Idrojet 2000 is one of the most reliable and best oscillating sprinklers to use in low-pressure areas.
Making lacklustre spraying and uneven coverage a thing of the past, this 3-arm Idrojet 2000 can achieve a water coverage of around 8 – 10 m even with just 1 bar of pressure. Sure, it might not sound like much for big gardens, but in a small/medium space, or where pressure is low, you won’t find yourself having to reposition this sprinkler nearly as frequently as with other brands.
Offering impressive control over flow and coverage, regardless of available pressure, this rotating sprinkler can be adjusted to work in any area of the garden. If you’re nervous about watering your neighbour’s flower beds by mistake, you can even bring down the height of the spray by reducing the available pressure. A great way to keep water bills under control – you’ll only be paying to water your own garden!
There is a certain amount of ‘trial and error’ required to find the right sprinkler setting for the job, but overall the joy of finding a sprinkler to work effectively with low pressure is worth the extra time!
Best for low pressure
Scores:
- Design
- Features
- Ease of Use
- Value For Money
- Overall
For gardener’s who struggle with the constant battle of sprinkler vs. water pressure, Claber’s rotating Idrojet 2000 is one of the most reliable and best oscillating sprinklers to use in low-pressure areas.
Making lacklustre spraying and uneven coverage a thing of the past, this 3-arm Idrojet 2000 can achieve a water coverage of around 8 – 10 m even with just 1 bar of pressure. Sure, it might not sound like much for big gardens, but in a small/medium space, or where pressure is low, you won’t find yourself having to reposition this sprinkler nearly as frequently as with other brands.
Offering impressive control over flow and coverage, regardless of available pressure, this rotating sprinkler can be adjusted to work in any area of the garden. If you’re nervous about watering your neighbour’s flower beds by mistake, you can even bring down the height of the spray by reducing the available pressure. A great way to keep water bills under control – you’ll only be paying to water your own garden!
There is a certain amount of ‘trial and error’ required to find the right sprinkler setting for the job, but overall the joy of finding a sprinkler to work effectively with low pressure is worth the extra time!
Features:
- Area Coverage
- 113m²
- Weight
- 0.24kg
Pros
- Maximum coverage of 8-10 m diameter even with low 1 bar pressure.
- Offers much better performance than other models when working with low pressure.
- By altering the pressure you can easily manage the flow and spread coverage.
- Rotating sprinkler distributes an even spray regardless of pressure.
- Can water a small to medium sized garden whilst only needing to move unit 1 - 2 times.
Cons
- No 'off' valve on unit or anti-shower guard - needs to be turned off at tap in order to move it without getting wet!
- May require a bit of initial 'trial and error' to find the right settings for your garden.
- Lightweight and may have to be pinned down if your hosepipe tries to pull against it.
- Due to circular sprinkle pattern may not reach garden corners, or may need to place closer to corners and waste some water.
Compare Product Features Here
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
- Our score
- Area Coverage
- Weight
-
- Area Coverage320m²
- Weight0.86kg
-
- Area Coverage200m²
- Weight0.4kg
-
- Area Coverage220m²
- Weight0.3kg
-
- Area Coverage375m²
- Weight1.12kg
-
- Area Coverage113m²
- Weight0.24kg
Tips For Buying a Garden Sprinkler
- The type of sprinkler you need will depend on your garden size and shape. For most gardens, a rectangular sprinkler system is the most appropriate. This makes sense, given that our gardens are predominantly rectangular, and will avoid water wastage. Round rotary sprinklers can be useful in larger gardens as they tend to throw the water further.
- For most sprinklers to work effectively, you will need at least 4 bar water pressure. If your water pressure is lower than 4 bar, you will need to look for a sprinkler that is specifically designed to work with low water pressure. Round sprinklers can be a better choice for low pressure areas.
- When buying a rectangular sprinkler, opt for a model that offers an area coverage of at least 200 m². Realistically, most sprinklers fall short of their advertised area coverage – unless you have excellent water pressure – but 200 m² is a good indication of their power. These sprinklers will generally be able to spread water up to 20- 25 metres.
- Some of the best garden sprinklers have adjustable settings, so you can customise their coverage on a case by case basis. It’s useful to have a sprinkler that allows you to choose how many jets are on, as this makes it possible to change the width it covers. Equally, being able to turn the sprinkler off without turning off the tap is a real plus.
- Overall, you want a sprinkler with a range of spray patterns that oscillates in a way that suits your space. Also, a quality hose connector is a must – there’s nothing worse than a leaking sprinkler!
With this in mind, I recommend the Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler as my top pick. If you’ve ever walked past an allotment in the summer time, you’ll no doubt have spotted one in action. They’re a very popular choice amongst gardeners, and it’s easy to see why, offering a lot of potential for customisation.
Designed with multiple controls to help keep water wastage to a minimum, the sprinkler can be tailored to meet the exact dimensions of your garden. The water flow, oscillation and spray width can all be adjusted to suit any size and shape of lawn.
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At DIY Garden, we believe your trust is earned through our knowledge and transparency. Our team of experts has over 75 years collective experience in the gardening and DIY space. Since the website’s creation in 2016 we’ve tested over 275 products, ensuring our recommendations are based on real experience. We’re open about what we’ve tried and what we’ve researched, and this is clearly labelled in our product reviews. Every year, we revisit and update our suggestions to include worthy new additions to the market. Our aim is to give you straightforward, honest, and helpful recommendations, so you can confidently choose the best tools and equipment for your projects.
How to Choose The Best Garden Sprinkler
A garden sprinkler can save you time and effort, as well as water and money. However, it’s important to find the best lawn sprinkler to suit your specific garden.
If you’re thinking about buying a sprinkler, take a look at the following tips to help you make an informed purchase.
Different Types of Sprinkler
There are a lot of different lawn sprinklers on the market and knowing more about each style will help you find a good garden sprinkler for the area you want to water.
Rotary Sprinkler
These round sprinklers usually have three or four arms that spin and cover a circular area. One of the best things about rotating sprinklers is how far they can spray water. However, they do not achieve an even coverage because the area closer to the sprinkler receives more water.
A rotating sprinkler will generally have some adjustable spray settings. You may be able to alter the rotation speed and power. However, you can’t generally change the spray patterns much.
Unless you have a large garden, you may find that a rotary sprinkler wastes water, watering fences or even your neighbour’s garden.
Rectangular Oscillating Sprinkler
These sprinklers have a ‘sled’ design, and can be placed on the ground or strapped to raised supports to alter the spray angle.
They’re some of the top garden sprinklers in terms of versatility. You can get models with lots of adjustable settings making it possible to customise the water spray to the size of the watering area.
Given that most of us have rectangular gardens, these rectangular sprinklers can limit water wastage too.
They’re often quite lightweight, so may become unstable if placed on uneven ground; however, as mentioned – they can be attached to supports which helps with stability.
Because of the adjustable pattern and flow control, rectangular sprinklers are suitable for most sized gardens. They attach to a garden hose and can be stored away when necessary.
READ NEXT: The Best Expandable Garden Hoses
Stationary Sprinkler
Unlike the sprinklers above, these do not oscillate or move. Most stationary sprinklers have two spray patterns: full or part circle.
Several stationary sprinklers will need to be used to cover the whole lawn, as their maximum area coverage is limited, so they’re better for small or medium sized gardens.
They’re also useful if you have low water pressure, as the cover a small area and don’t require as much force to spray water as moving sprinklers.
Pop Up Sprinkler
Whilst the sprinklers above are temporary, and attach to a garden hose when required, a pop up sprinkler is part of a more permanent irrigation system.
The sprinkler head sits below the ground until the sprinkler is turned on. It then ‘pops up’ to start watering.
As you can imagine, this isn’t the cheapest sprinkler set-up, and they’re also time-consuming to install. Nevertheless, they’re a good option for regularly watering the lawn and established plants.
Size of Coverage
Check the water coverage of the sprinkler you want to buy and compare it with the size of your garden. Bear in mind that the coverage may be reduced if your water pressure is lower than 4 bars.
If you have a large garden but low pressure, you’ll have to buy several oscillating sprinklers if you don’t want to keep moving one around.
Choose a sprinkler that has adjustable spray settings so that you do not waste water. In particular, it helps to be able to adjust the spray width so that you can avoid spraying paths, driveways and patios (as well as passers-by when watering the front garden!).
READ NEXT: The UK’s Best Retractable Garden Hose Reels
Quality Matters
Not all sprinklers are created equal. It’s important to choose the best garden sprinkler to ensure that you get an even spray without leaks or water wastage causing problems.
A good quality product will give you years of use, whereas a cheap version may cause you nothing but hassle and need replacing after a short time.
Here are some of the properties of a high quality sprinkler:
- A stable base which will give strong support to the sprinkler.
- Balanced oscillation – if you buy a cheap oscillating sprinkler, it may slow down at the end of each oscillation creating puddles close to the unit!
- A high number of jets – the more jets the garden sprinkler has, the more evenly it will water your lawn and garden.
- An adjustable spray pattern – buying a sprinkler with plenty of adjustable settings will save you money in the long run. You can customise the settings for your garden to avoid wasting water.
- A brass hose connector. This will reduce the likelihood the connector getting worn over time.
READ NEXT: Can You Water Plants With Tea?!
Garden Sprinkler FAQs
Will the Kärcher sprinkler work with Hozelock attachments?
Yes, all of the products in this review will work with Hozelock fittings.
I use a sprinkler, but I still get puddles on my lawn. Why is this?
Assuming you are using a good-quality sprinkler, with around 16 jets, I would say you may be getting puddles either because you have clay soil or are on a slope.
If you have clay soil, you may notice puddles forming even when using a good quality sprinkler. This is because it takes a while for the water to soak into clay, so it will run off and form puddles in any dips. To prevent this, water in short cycles rather than one long spell.
If your lawn is on a slope it is also advisable to water in short spells to prevent all the water from running down leaving the higher sections dry.
When is the best time to use my sprinkler to water my lawn?
If you are using your sprinkler to water your lawn it is best to do this in the morning. There are two reasons for this: it will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation, and it will prevent diseases that could arise from your lawn being left too damp overnight.
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