Top 3 Residential Lawn Sprinkler Heads
Using the right residential lawn sprinkler heads is as vital to a green lush lawn as is fertilizer and regular mowing. Proper coverage and water flow will eliminate patchy brown spots and distribute water evenly to your lawn.
We have all seen those sprinklers watering the street and sidewalks while flooding one area of a lawn. This can be corrected with the right sprinkler heads, adjustment and spray pattern.
In this guide we will explain the different types of sprinkler heads and offer up our top 3 picks based on professional use throughout the U.S.
Types of sprinkler heads
Traditional pop-up sprinkler heads
These heads are called pop-ups because when not in use the heads are flush to the ground and out of sight. When the system is turned on the heads pop-up.
These heads have set spray patterns that can be 1/4 circle, 1/2 circle or full. The nozzles can be changed to adjust flow and the distance of the spray. They also come in varying heights depending on the depth of your system.
Rotory large area sprinkler heads
Rotory sprinkler heads are for larger areas of lawn. They put out a stream of water not a spray while watering deep and more slowly then pop-up heads.
The heads can be adjusted for distance, width of the stream and ark. A gear spins the head back and forth sweeping across the lawn. Perfect for clay and to prevent runoff into the street or on sidewalks.
Large lawn Impact Sprinkler Heads
These heads are mostly seen on golf courses, in parks and commercial applications. Impact sprinklers cover very large areas of lawn. A weighted arm hits a stream of water making a click- clack sound while pushing the head in a sweeping motion. Very durable sprinkler heads but can be noisy.
Our #1 Choice for best sprinkler head is the Hunter MP Rotator
The Hunter MP Rotator is not an actual sprinkler head but an insert you screw into your existing pop-up sprinkler head making it more efficient.
Features
Lower your monthly water bill and the savings pay for the upgrade in a matter of months.
The Hunter MP Rotator uses less water and saturates slower allowing the soil to soak up more water eliminating run off.
The coverage of the lawn is more even due to the attention put on the pattern of water flow. Even coverage means less brown spots in your lawn.
These inserts are easy to install and fit other bodies besides Hunter. The quickest way to upgrade your system.
Our #2 Pick: Rain Bird 5000 series rotor sprinkler heads
The Rain Bird 5000 series is smartly engineered for watering med to large lawns. This popular model is a go to for both professionals and the do it yourselfer.
Features
Durability: Made tough for years of quality use.
Quick adjustments: Easily adjust the spray radius and ark at no tools needed.
Even coverage: Even water flow coverage reducing brown spots, stopping puddling and wasteful runoff.
Top 3rd Pick: Orbit 55100 gear drive sprinklers
For it’s low price and home performance we picked the Orbit 55100 with gear drive. Performs great on residential applications.
Features
- Coverage: A quiet strong performing gear drive for med to large lawns
- Adjustment: Easy adjustments a perfect choice for those installing their own systems.
- Value: excellent value for residential lawns and those looking for a system on a tight budget.
Choosing the right sprinkler heads for your specific lawn
Lawn layout
Small or narrow lawns almost always will use popup sprinklers. Rotory heads are just too big and will cause problems like runoff or spraying on your house.
Large lawns can use rotary heads or a mixture of both if your specific lawn has strips of grass combined with large areas to cover.
Types of soil
- Clay: This type of soil does not absorb water very fast and is prone to runoff. Water clay soil using rotatory heads that water slower like MP Rotators.
- Sandy: Unlike clay, sandy soil absorbs water fast and requires frequent watering. Use high flow heads on this type of soil.
- Sloped Areas: Use low flow heads and slower watering to avoid runoff. Standard popup heads will not work properly on sloped lawns as their flow rate is too high use rotary heads.
