The Best Garden Sprinklers For Small And Large Lawns
Sprinklers that keep small and large lawns green through dry summer spells.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best garden sprinkler is the Hozelock Aquastorm Garden Sprinkler. Its adjustable arc lays an even rectangle of water over most back gardens, and it runs on just 1 bar, so an ordinary outside tap is enough. For a long lawn with 2 bar of pressure, the Karcher 320SV Lawn Sprinkler covers up to 320 square metres without being moved.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Hozelock Aquastorm Garden Sprinkler
Best Oscillating
Hozelock Aquastorm Garden SprinklerRectangular lawns of most sizes on normal household water pressure
- Check price of Karcher 320SV Lawn Sprinkler
Best For Large Lawn
Karcher 320SV Lawn SprinklerLarge rectangular lawns with at least 2 bar of water pressure
- Check price of Hozelock 2515 Garden Sprinkler
Best Multi-Spray
Hozelock 2515 Garden SprinklerSmall lawns and families wanting several spray patterns to play in
- Check price of Signature Garden Three-Arm Sprinkler
Best Budget
Signature Garden Three-Arm SprinklerLarge lawns on a budget where a circular pattern suits the space
- Check price of Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro
- Check price of Cellfast Impulse Spike Sprinkler
Match the spray to the lawn's shape first. A rectangle wants an oscillating sledge, while the circles thrown by rotating, spiked and impulse sprinklers suit square plots and borders. Then check your tap pressure, because a couple of the larger models need 2 bar and won't reach their quoted coverage on less.
A sprinkler that's too small gets moved around all afternoon, which is barely better than standing there with a garden hose. We keep lawns going at our homes and rentals, and the six below run from small multi-pattern models to long-throw impulse sprinklers.
How We Rated These Garden Sprinklers
We keep lawns going through the summer at our own homes and at the rentals and Airbnbs we look after, so sprinklers get plenty of use. On each one we tried every spray pattern and adjustment, and judged how easy it was to set up, how evenly it watered, how well it was built and how much ground it covered.
The first two photos show the Hozelock Aquastorm. The red lever sets how far the spray bar swings, so the arc can be narrowed or widened to suit the lawn.
The Hozelock Multi Sprinkler has a rotary dial with 8 patterns, and the photos below show two of them. Our children were as keen on testing these as we were.
The short video shows the Aquastorm, our top pick, working across the lawn.
Treat Your Lawn To An Even Coverage of Water By Using A Sprinkler! We've Been Testing The Latest!
We also took into account the sprinkler type, the minimum water pressure it needs, warranty and value for money. Coverage and pressure figures come from the manufacturers, as your own results depend on the pressure at your tap.
The Best Garden Sprinklers To Buy
The six sprinklers below include oscillating, multi-pattern, rotating and impulse types. Check each one's minimum water pressure against your outside tap.
Best Oscillating
Hozelock Aquastorm Garden Sprinkler
Best for: Rectangular lawns of most sizes on normal household water pressure
Check Price On AmazonThe Aquastorm was our top-rated sprinkler, and it's the one in the photos and video above. It's an oscillating sledge sprinkler, with a spray bar that rocks from side to side to lay down a rectangle of water. Hozelock quotes coverage of up to 200 square metres from its 16 jets, which is enough for most back gardens.
The red lever adjusts the arc, so you can water a narrow strip or the full width of the lawn. You can switch between a jet and a fine spray, and the sledge base sits steady on bumpy grass without tipping. A water-powered, gear-driven motor drives the bar. We were impressed with the build quality during testing, and it comes in yellow or grey with a 2 year guarantee. It's not the cheapest, but it only needs 1 bar of pressure, so it works on most household taps.
What we like
- Coverage of up to 200 square metres according to Hozelock
- 16 jets for even watering
- Red lever adjusts the width of the spray
- Jet or fine spray settings
- Stable sledge base
- Build quality impressed us in testing
- Works from 1 bar of water pressure
What to know
- Costs more than the Hozelock Multi Sprinkler and Signature Garden
Our verdict
Even watering on an ordinary household tap is what the Hozelock Aquastorm does best. The adjustable arc, stable sledge and 16 jets make it easy to cover a rectangular lawn, and it only needs 1 bar to get going. Its build quality impressed us in testing, which goes some way to justifying the higher price, and only a long lawn with 2 bar of pressure calls for the Karcher 320SV instead.
Best For Large Lawn
Karcher 320SV Lawn Sprinkler
Best for: Large rectangular lawns with at least 2 bar of water pressure
Check Price On AmazonThe Karcher 320SV is an oscillating sprinkler built for bigger lawns, with Karcher quoting coverage of up to 320 square metres. That's well over half as much again as the Aquastorm, so it suits long back gardens that would otherwise need the sprinkler moving halfway through.
Karcher has added some sensible touches. Ground forks hold it steady, a built-in pre-filter keeps grit from blocking the nozzles, and the spray guard means you can adjust it without getting a soaking. The spray width is adjustable too. The catch is pressure. It needs 2 bar to work as intended, which not every household supply delivers, so check your tap before buying. If you already own one of Karcher's pressure washers, the build quality will feel familiar.
What we like
- Coverage of up to 320 square metres according to Karcher
- Adjustable spray width
- Spray guard keeps you dry while adjusting
- Ground forks for stability
- Built-in pre-filter
What to know
- Needs 2 bar of water pressure to work as intended
- One of the more expensive sprinklers here
Our verdict
The Karcher 320SV is the sprinkler for a large rectangular lawn, as long as your water pressure reaches 2 bar. On lower pressure, the Hozelock Aquastorm is the safer choice. For a large lawn where a circular pattern works better, the Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro covers a similar area on 1 bar.
Best Multi-Spray
Hozelock 2515 Garden Sprinkler
Best for: Small lawns and families wanting several spray patterns to play in
Check Price On AmazonThe Hozelock 2515 Multi Sprinkler has a rotary dial with 8 spray patterns, and the photos above show two of them in action. Patterns include mist, jet and strip sprays, half and full circles and a square, so you can match the shape of the spray to a small lawn or a single bed.
Hozelock quotes coverage of up to 79 square metres, which keeps it to smaller gardens. It only needs 1 bar of pressure, and the dial makes switching patterns simple. Our children loved running through the different patterns, and the lawn got a good watering at the same time. It comes with a 2 year warranty and costs less than the Aquastorm, which makes it an easy choice for a small family garden.
What we like
- 8 spray patterns on a simple rotary dial
- Works from 1 bar of water pressure
- Mist, jet, strip, circle and square sprays
- A big hit with our children in testing
- 2 year warranty
What to know
- Coverage of 79 square metres limits it to small lawns
Our verdict
The Hozelock Multi Sprinkler is a great buy for a small lawn, especially if the children will be using it as much as the grass. It's simple to use and costs less than the Aquastorm. Anyone with a bigger lawn should step up to the Hozelock Aquastorm, and for wide coverage on a budget, the Signature Garden Three-Arm reaches much further.
Best Budget
Signature Garden Three-Arm Sprinkler
Best for: Large lawns on a budget where a circular pattern suits the space
Check Price On AmazonThe Signature Garden sprinkler has three rotating arms with 12 nozzles between them, and the brand quotes coverage of up to 334 square metres from its full 360 degree spin. For the money, that's a lot of lawn. You can also link more than one together for bigger gardens.
The body is thick ABS plastic with metal weights inside the base, which keep it planted while the arms spin. It's simple to set up, and Signature Garden backs it with a lifetime replacement guarantee. The drawback showed up in our testing. Because it spins in a circle, the ground close to the sprinkler, inside the ring of water, gets less than the outer edge. Moving it partway through a session evens that out, but it's more fuss than the Aquastorm.
What we like
- Coverage of up to 334 square metres according to the brand
- Three arms with 12 nozzles
- Weighted base for stability
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- Several units can be linked together
- Quick to set up
What to know
- The centre of the circle got less water than the edge in our testing
- Less well-known brand than Hozelock or Karcher
Our verdict
A lifetime replacement guarantee and up to 334 square metres of coverage make the Signature Garden Three-Arm hard to beat for the money. The price you pay is a drier patch near the middle of the circle, so plan on moving it once during a session. If you'd rather set a sprinkler down and leave it, the Hozelock Aquastorm is the better buy.
Best Spiked
Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro
Best for: Large lawns and borders with low water pressure
Check Price On AmazonThe Round Sprinkler Pro pushes into the lawn on a solid metal spike rather than sitting on the surface, which keeps it steady and lets you set it among plants in a border. Hozelock quotes coverage of up to 314 square metres in an even circle, and it needs just 1 bar of water pressure to get there.
That combination of big coverage on low pressure is what makes it stand out. A water-powered motor turns the head, which has 5 jets and switches between a fine spray and a jet. The spray adjusts to suit the area, and Hozelock includes a 2 year guarantee. It costs more than the standard and Plus versions of the same sprinkler, but the metal spike and extra coverage justify the difference on a bigger lawn.
What we like
- Coverage of up to 314 square metres according to Hozelock
- Works from just 1 bar of pressure
- Solid metal spike
- Water-powered motor with 5 jets
- Fine spray or jet settings
- 2 year guarantee
What to know
- Costs more than Hozelock's standard and Plus spiked sprinklers
Our verdict
The Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro suits a large lawn or a planted border where your water pressure is too low for the Karcher or Cellfast. It's the best circular sprinkler here for most homes. For rectangular lawns, the Aquastorm is the better shape, and if you have strong pressure and a very big lawn, consider the Cellfast Impulse.
Best Quality
Cellfast Impulse Spike Sprinkler
Best for: Very large lawns with strong water pressure
Check Price On AmazonThe Cellfast Impulse is an all-metal impulse sprinkler, the type that ticks round in short bursts and throws water a long way. Cellfast quotes coverage of up to 530 square metres, the most of any sprinkler here, and the spray can be set anywhere from 20 to 360 degrees to water a corner or a full circle.
The all-metal body is built to last, and the spike has arms that grip the ground for extra stability. It uses a Hozelock-compatible connection, so it fits most UK hose fittings, and you can extend the system with more sprinklers for very large lawns. It needs at least 2 bar of water pressure, though, and on a weaker supply it won't reach anywhere near its full distance.
What we like
- Coverage of up to 530 square metres according to Cellfast
- Adjustable from 20 to 360 degrees
- All-metal construction
- Hozelock-compatible connection
- Can be extended with more sprinklers
What to know
- Needs at least 2 bar of water pressure
Our verdict
Very large lawns with strong water pressure are where the Cellfast Impulse belongs. The all-metal build, long reach and 20 to 360 degree adjustment make it the most capable sprinkler here on paper, but on an average garden or a weak supply it's more sprinkler than you need.
What To Think About When Buying A Sprinkler
A sprinkler that fits the shape of your lawn and the pressure at your tap will water evenly without wasting any. These are the things to weigh up.
Choosing The Right Sprinkler Type
Oscillating sprinklers, like the Aquastorm and Karcher, swing a bar of jets back and forth to water a rectangle, which matches most UK lawns. Rotating and spiked sprinklers water a circle, so they suit square or round areas and borders. Impulse sprinklers like the Cellfast throw water furthest and suit very large spaces. Multi-pattern sprinklers let you dial in a shape and are best for small gardens.
Matching Coverage To Your Lawn
Measure the length and width of your lawn and multiply them to get the area in square metres, then pick a sprinkler whose quoted coverage is comfortably above that. Quoted figures are the maximum at good pressure, so you'll see less on a weaker supply. Buying a sprinkler that's too small means moving it around, which leads to patchy watering.
Checking Your Water Pressure
Some sprinklers work from 1 bar, while the Karcher 320SV and Cellfast Impulse need 2 bar. A simple pressure gauge screwed onto your outside tap tells you what you've got. If the tap itself is old or drips, our guide to replacing an outside tap covers swapping it out. Long, narrow hoses also reduce the pressure at the sprinkler, so use the shortest hose that reaches.
Watering New Grass And Turf
New lawns need light, frequent watering to keep the surface moist, which is where a sprinkler earns its keep. A fine spray setting is kinder on fresh seed than a heavy jet. Our guides on how long grass seed takes to grow and looking after new turf explain how much water each stage needs.
Watering Wisely
Water early in the morning or in the evening, when less is lost to evaporation, and give the lawn a deep soak once or twice a week rather than a light sprinkle every day. Deep watering pushes the roots down, so the grass copes better in dry spells. Keep an eye out for hosepipe bans in your area during long hot spells, as sprinklers are among the first things restricted.
Questions About Watering Your Lawn With A Sprinkler
How long should you leave a sprinkler on a lawn?
Leave a sprinkler on until the water has soaked several centimetres into the soil, rather than going by a fixed time. The right length depends on your soil, the sprinkler's flow and your water pressure. Push a trowel into the lawn after watering to check how deep it has reached. Sandy soil soaks up water quickly, while clay takes longer.
Is it better to water the lawn in the morning or evening?
Early morning is the best time to water a lawn, as the air is cool, less water evaporates and the grass dries off during the day. Evening watering also works well in hot spells. Avoid the middle of the day, when much of the water evaporates before it reaches the roots, and windy days that blow the spray off course.
Which type of sprinkler is best for a large lawn?
An oscillating sprinkler like the Karcher 320SV is best for a large rectangular lawn, while an impulse sprinkler like the Cellfast Impulse suits very large or irregular lawns. Both need around 2 bar of pressure. If your pressure is lower, the Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro covers a large circle from just 1 bar.
Will a sprinkler work with low water pressure?
Many sprinklers work with low water pressure, as long as you choose one rated for 1 bar. In our roundup, the Hozelock Aquastorm, Hozelock Multi Sprinkler and Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro all work from 1 bar. Sprinklers needing 2 bar, such as the Karcher 320SV, won't reach their full coverage on a weak supply.
Which sprinkler suits a very large lawn?
It depends on your water pressure. The Karcher 320SV suits a large rectangular lawn if your supply reaches 2 bar, and the Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro covers up to 314 square metres in a circle on just 1 bar. The Cellfast Impulse quotes up to 530 square metres, the most here, but it needs at least 2 bar.
Is the Signature Garden Three-Arm worth buying over the Hozelock Aquastorm?
On a budget, yes, with one catch. It quotes up to 334 square metres against the Aquastorm's 200 and has a lifetime replacement guarantee, but its circular spray left the ground near the middle drier than the edge in our testing. Moving it once during a session sorts that out, whereas the Aquastorm can be left in one spot.
Which sprinkler is best for a family garden with children?
The Hozelock 2515 Multi Sprinkler. Turning the dial through its 8 patterns kept our children running in and out of the spray, and the lawn got a good soaking at the same time. It's best in a smaller garden, as Hozelock quotes up to 79 square metres, and it runs on just 1 bar.
Can I use a sprinkler in a flower border?
Yes, as long as it can stand among the plants. The Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro pushes into the soil on a solid metal spike, so it stays upright in a border, and its fine spray setting is gentler on flowers than a jet. It throws a big circle, up to 314 square metres according to Hozelock, so adjust the spray to keep it off paths and the patio.
Our Garden Sprinkler Choice
The Hozelock Aquastorm is the garden sprinkler we'd recommend for most lawns, with even, adjustable watering on normal household pressure and build quality that impressed us in testing. If you have a large lawn and strong pressure, the Karcher 320SV covers far more ground.
For small gardens, the Hozelock Multi Sprinkler is cheap, versatile and a hit with children. Whichever you choose, pick one whose coverage matches your whole lawn so you're not moving it round mid-session.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.