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5 Best Effective Impact Sprinkler Heads in 2024 Reviews-Guide to Pick the Best Impact Sprinkler Heads

Lisa J. Humphrey
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Impact sprinklers are great if you’re tired of spending hours watering your farm, lawn, or garden. They’re fast, thorough, and save you from the hectic job. 

For those who don’t know what an impact sprinkler is and how different it is from other types of sprinklers, let’s find out. 

What is an Impact Sprinkler? 

In simple words, an impact sprinkler is a type of irrigation sprinkler in which the head rotates in a circular motion to throw water. The head is driven by the force of outgoing water. At least one arm extends from the head of an impact sprinkler to spray water at a long distance. The head sits on a rotating bearing allowing them to pivot. This gives an impact sprinkler head a 360-degree coverage. 

How does an Impact Sprinkler Head Work?

The important thing to know is that any sprinkler head comprises of two parts,

  1. A nozzle
  2. The body

Above-ground systems can be screwed into a garden hose. After that, it’s quite simple-you turn it on, and the nozzle distributes the water evenly.

In-ground irrigation systems are a little complex than that. The body shape depends on the type of sprinkler head that you use. Pop-up sprinklers are the most popular options for homeowners. They have a wider base so the upper part can retract into it with ease. When not being used, it sits underground without interfering with your chores. 

The nozzles are shaped based on the amount of water they can spray at a time and the spray pattern. 

So, if you were wondering how does an impact sprinkler works, that's how. Before moving on to the details, we have explained some technical terms you'll encounter in this guide. 

Terminology

Diffuser pin- It is a large screw anchored at the base of a sprinkler head to adjust the spray distance. 

Deflector shield- It is designed to throw water in the most effective pattern possible.

Movement collars- These are used to direct the flow of water from full coverage to less coverage.

Now, you must know that you can adjust the impact sprinkler system to change the water pressure, spray pattern, or arc. To do so, follow the simple steps given below.

How to Adjust Impact Sprinkler?

The simplest solution to adjust an impact sprinkler is to control the flow of water at the source. But you can also adjust the different parts of the sprinkler. But make sure to read the impact sprinkler instructions before making any adjustments. The impact sprinkler parts may not be adjustable. 

Only after you're sure that adjusting them won't cause any damage to the impact sprinkler to follow either of these methods. 

Method 1- Tuning Your Sprinkler Coverage

Step 1: Adjust the flow of water at the source. Loosen or tighten it as per your requirement. 

Step 2: Change the position of the diffuser pin.

Step 3: Move the deflector shield (raise or lower).

Step 4: Twist the friction collars to alter the spray pattern.

Step 5: Lift the trip pin for 360-degree coverage. 

Step 6: Adjust the distance control dial (if any). 

Method 2- Maintaining the Right Setup 

Step 1: Make sure the water pressure is right

Step 2: Choose the right material (plastic or metal)

Step 3: Clean the sprinkler occasionally 

That’s all!

You can follow these simple methods if you don’t know how to adjust an impact sprinkler. This will also ensure that you get the maximum usage from any product that you choose to buy. 

How to Replace a Lawn Sprinkler Head?

Requirements:

First, clean around the sprinkler removing any excess dirt with the shovel for easy removal. Using the pliers grab and loosen the sprinkler head from the riser. This may take some time for beginners; the key is to be patient. Remove the old, broken head from the riser and be sure to get the canister too. 

Now, take the new head of your choice and attach/insert it to the riser. Before inserting make sure that there is no dirt inside the riser. This may cause the water to become dirty or clog the sprinkler. Once you’re sure there’s no dirt, and the sprinkler head is placed correctly, tighten it with your fingers. Once it’s tightened, use the pliers to turn the head a few more times. However, don’t turn it so much that the head breaks.

5 Best Effective Impact Sprinkler Heads in 2020 Reviews

Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler
4.4/5
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If you’re accustomed to only the best products, this is the product for you. Rain Bird is a frontrunner in the sprinkler manufacturing industry and has pioneered and mastered this type of sprinkler. The Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler offers complete control over the functionality of the sprinkler. Most sprinklers only allow you to adjust the radius, but this rain bird impact sprinkler is a work of art. 

You can adjust the deflector shield to spray 20 degrees to 360 degrees. The spray reaches farthest spots in your garden, lawn, or farm as its coverage extends up to 5,200 feet or 41’. However, the actual distance may vary based on the home water pressure level and the flow. It comes with a diffuser screw to break its water stream into larger or smaller droplets based on your preference. 

The Rain Bird 25PJDAC Brass Impact Sprinkler is one of the best when it comes to efficient water management. It is ideal for people tired of manual labor where irrigation is concerned. 

You get a high-quality product for a bargain. The low cost doesn’t mean you’ll get a below-average product that does not deliver. This impact sprinkler works perfectly to keep any area well irrigated.

The product dimensions are 2 x 6 x 8 inches which are just the right size for gardens and lawns. For larger spaces, you can use multiple units and arrange them in a sequence to cover the entire area. 

It is very easy to install as it connects to any standard ½ inch male pipe thread. If your first preference is a Rain Bird impact sprinkler, then we recommend this product. It won’t waste your time, energy, or water but not fail to deliver. We give the Rain Bird brass impact sprinkler a big thumbs up based on our experience.

Specification: 

 

  • Product dimensions: 2 x 6 x 8 inches
  • Product Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Manufacturer: Rain Bird

 

Key features:

  • Easy to install and adjust
  • Diffuser screw breaks water
  • Stream length of 20’ to 41’
pros

    The number one best-selling brass impact sprinkler

    Classic impact sound

    Brass, bronze, and stainless-steel construction

    Infinite pattern adjustment

cons

    Not ideal for lower water pressure

    May not oscillate as expected

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Best of the best Rain Bird AG-5 All Gallonage Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler
4.6/5
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This pop-up impact sprinkler is great if you don’t want to mess with your garden’s overall appearance. The Rain Bird AG-5 All Gallonage Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler or the maxi paw impact sprinkler is one of the most-selling impact sprinkler home depot has to offer. It gives leading products such as the Melnor Impact Sprinklers a run for their money. It is super affordable which means you can easily buy it without worrying about your budget. 

This impact rotor sprinkler includes five interchangeable nozzles to customize flow from 1.5 GPM to 8.4 GPM. These nozzles are color-coded for easy identification. The different colors are red, black, blue, yellow, and beige. You’ll need no tools to change the nozzles; you can use your hands to switch them. 

The Rain Bird maxi-paw pop-up impact sprinkler features a double-weighted arm to slow down the rotation providing an optimal throw distance. This low-pressure impact sprinkler head is an excellent choice for hard water, dirty water, or reclaimed water irrigation systems. 

It is a heavy-duty industry-grade product yet easy to install and operate. Pop-up sprinklers are long-lasting as they are well-suited for well water and hard water that can corrode other sprinklers. The water saver PJ spray guide arm prevents wastage of water by preventing the water from flashing on buildings and walkways. 

The diffuser screw included in the Rain Bird AG-5 All Gallonage Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler’s design breaks water into smaller droplets allowing up to 25% radius reduction. 

What we also liked about this product was its rolled lid. It is very practical when the grass and weeds grow as it prevents them from growing into the head. To ease adjustments and repairs, you can get the Rain Bird Impact Sprinkler Wrench model number 420644TLWR which is sold separately. This is a very reliable product that can solve all irrigation-related problems for your lawn.

Specification:

 

  • Product dimensions: 5 x 5 x 10 inches
  • Product Weight: 15.2 ounces
  • Manufacturer: Rain Bird

 

Key features:

  • Supports hard water, dirty water, or reclaimed water irrigation
  • Increased distance, slower rotation
  • Includes 5 interchangeable color-coded nozzles 
pros

    Adjustable spray distance and spray arc

    Full circle or part circle pattern adjustment

    Retracts out of sight

cons

    No installation instructions

    Needs at least 55psi to work

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Rain Bird P5R Plastic Impact Sprinkler
4.4/5
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The built-in spray guide prevents any splashing of water to the sides dispersing it across your garden only. The Rain Bird P5R Plastic Impact Sprinkler is an easily maintainable impact sprinkler that features all the rain bird impact sprinkler adjustments. 

If you’re looking for the best impact sprinkler for low pressure, the Rain bird P5R Plastic Impact Sprinkler is your safest bet. It is the best-selling plastic impact sprinkler by Rain Bird. The P5R Impact Sprinkler comes with an adjustable 0-degree to 360-degree pattern and 25’ to 41’ spray distance. 

It is affordable, sturdy, lightweight, easy to use, durable, and gets the job done. You can't beat that combination. If you are looking for a rain bird plastic impact sprinkler, there's not a better option. Rain Bird leads the industry when it comes to design and innovation. This lightweight impact sprinkler head is their innovation at water-saving and smart engineering. The brass weighted water-saving PJ spray guide arm controls water by directing it away from the buildings and pavements. The double weight allows it to perform slower rotations ensuring that your garden is thoroughly drenched. 

The straight-through-flow design works best in dirty-water conditions like irrigation canals, ponds, and high-mineral content. This is a great choice for reclaimed water irrigation systems. 

Maintaining this plastic impact sprinkler is super easy as the impact sprinkler nozzle is removable for easy cleaning. It was one of our favorite things about this Rain Bird sprinkler. 

It features a ½” threaded male pipe outlet for quick installation into ½” risers. If you want more control over the water pressure, this model’s variant–the P5R+ – comes with different gallon-per-minute (GPM) adjustable nozzles (06, 07, 10, 12) for maximum performance. 

For people who want an inexpensive impact water sprinkler without compromising on quality and performance, the Rain Bird P5R Impact Sprinkler is our top recommendation. 

Specification: 

 

  • Product dimensions: 9 x 7 x 4 inches
  • Product Weight: 1.6 ounces 
  • Manufacturer: Rain Bird

 

Key features:

  • Durable high-impact polymer and stainless-steel construction
  • PJ spray-guiding arm controls water stream
  • Double-weighted arms for slower rotation
pros

    Adjustable 0-degree to 360-degree pattern

    Superior performance in dirty water conditions

    Spray distance from 25’ to 41’

cons

    May get stuck during rotations

    Made of inferior-quality plastic

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Orbit 55200 Pulse Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler Head
4.3/5
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For people looking for an expert gardener impact sprinkler, the Orbit 55200 Pulse Pop-Up is a great choice. This orbit impact sprinkler head is compatible with any major brand sprinkler. Its universal design makes replacing a malfunctioning sprinkler head a breeze. 

Its spray distance of 35 feet can put any metal impact sprinkler to shame. The only thing that concerned us is that the nozzle was preinstalled and not removable. So, if it stops working, there's not much you can do. 

The Orbit pulse impact sprinkler features a 3-inch pop-up and flow-through design. It performs admirably even in dirty water conditions without clogging. The unit operates between 20 to 80 psi, offering great coverage even in low-pressure conditions. Its fully adjustable spray pattern guarantees a wide variety of applications. 

What we loved about this product were its multiple 1/2-inch inlets (side and bottom) to allow easy installation. With two inlets you can select the one that works best with your hose. The pop-up mechanism is smooth and when it’s not being used, the product does not interfere with the surroundings. 

This product can replace most leading impact sprinklers like the Orbit 56667n zinc impact sprinkler on a tripod base, Gilmour large coverage impact sprinkler, and many others. You can buy multiple units on Amazon and get great discounts. 

Its black design is sleek and adds to the appearance of any lawn or garden. It is one of the most sold products due to its affordability and performance. Based on our experience, this is a great product and lasts longer than most generic impact sprinklers. It weighs only 12 ounces and the product dimensions are 5 x 8 x 13 inches which makes it a compact and lightweight pop-up sprinkler.

Specification:

 

  • Product dimensions: 5 x 8 x 13 inches
  • Product Weight: 12 ounces
  • Manufacturer: Orbit

 

Key features:

  • Universal design
  • Operates between 20 to 80 psi
  • Multiple installation options
pros

    Full or part circle adjustable spray pattern

    Pre-installed 35-foot spray distance nozzle

    3-inch high pop up height

cons

    Starts getting stuck after a while

    May stop rotating

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Best for the money Orbit 56186N Brass Impact Sprinkler on Wheeled Base
4.3/5
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Is your yard too big to be irrigated by a single sprinkler but you cannot afford to buy multiple sprinklers?

The Orbit 56186N Brass Impact Sprinkler on Wheeled Base is a great option in such situations. It comes with wheels so you can easily move and position it as and when you like. It is available in different types as well-brass, zinc, and a three-arm variant. The three-arm brass impact sprinkler works best for smaller spaces and is affordable. 

This product is perfect for people who are ready to put some effort to water their lawn by pulling it around the lawn. The sprinkler does feature an adjustable 24-foot diameter and a twirling action. So, you can just leave it in a place if it already covers the entire area. Based on the dimensions and personal experience, we recommend this product for small and medium lawns. 

The three-armed sprinkler twirls in a full 360-degree circle providing even water coverage. Its heavy-duty metal construction ensures that the product lasts longer without malfunctioning. 

The flow-through outlet lets you use it as a single sprinkler, or you can connect it in a series to expand water coverage. 

Brass impact sprinkler heads that we tried were good, but this is the only heavy-duty option on a Wheeled base. Its portable, affordable, and the performance is very good as compared to other impact sprinklers on a Wheeled base in the market. 

We loved this product mainly for its portability and premium construction. The entire product is made of high-quality metal except for the wheels. 

The wheels improve the maneuverability of the impact sprinkler making it easy to operate. So, for people who want a portable impact sprinkler head, this wheel-based sprinkler is for you.

Specification:

 

  • Product dimensions: 13.5 x 12.5 x 4.4 inches
  • Product Weight: 1.9 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Orbit

 

Key features:

 

  • Ideal for watering large areas
  • Sprays up to 45’ radius
  • Heavy-duty brass construction
  • Customizable settings (using deflector shield and diffuser)

 

 

pros

    Easy to use and install

    Compatible with different irrigation systems

    Covers a large area on its wheels

cons

    Expensive

    Not as sturdy as expected

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When installing an irrigation system, select the best water sprinkler head becomes important. Knowing the layout of the system can help determine the type of sprinkler head that you’ll need. If you’re not already aware of the different types of sprinkler heads, read the next section.

Types of Sprinkler Heads 

As you know, sprinkler heads come in various shapes, sizes, and spray patterns. So, which one is the best fit for your lawn? 

Finding an ideal lawn sprinkler can be challenging when you don’t know what to choose from. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Based on the application, there are different types of sprinkler heads for you to choose from. They are

These types of sprinklers spray water in a circular direction and are great for larger areas.

Pop-up sprinklers are hidden under the ground and pop-up only when activated. These are great for any sized area but if you want to prevent people, pets, or vehicles from hitting the sprinkler often this is the best option.

These sprinklers produce constant spray and are ideal for smaller areas.

These are sprinklers for people who own large or medium areas that need irrigation. These heads have patterns that can be adjusted to cover a long distance. 

Multiple stream sprinklers produce thin rotating streams to cover uneven grounds. 

These types of sprinklers mount above the foliage and offer multiple spray patterns. So, they’re perfect for gardens and shrubs.

These were the most common types of sprinkler heads. This article focuses mainly on the impact of sprinkler heads. So, all our options are compatible with medium to large areas. 

Once you’ve chosen the type of sprinkler, the next step is to select the features that you’re looking for. We’ll now discuss the different features you can expect in an impact sprinkler head.

Features to Consider When Buying Impact Sprinkler Heads 

Some sprinklers allow you to customize your irrigation system further by offering multiple features. When shopping for an impact sprinkler head, look for these features.

This feature ensures that the pop-up sprinklers return to the ground once they’ve served their purpose. Make sure that your impact pop-up sprinkler head includes this feature if you want things to function smoothly.

A wiper seal prevents leakages and ensures retraction in for pop-up sprinklers. So, check the sprinkler head instructions and description for this feature for easy operation.

You can adjust the arc and spray distance of an impact sprinkler with a diffuser pin. Many impact sprinklers let you adjust these constraints for better performance. 

Factors to Consider When Buying Impact Sprinkler Heads

Selecting the best impact sprinkler with considering the below-mentioned factors is not advised. Consider these factors carefully,

The water pressure level available plays a critical role in this case. If your area has low water pressure, then a stationary sprinkler is your best choice. If the water pressure is not a problem hen you can go with any type of sprinkler head.

The shape and area of the lawn in which you wish to set the sprinkler system are also important. Choose a unit that can cover the entire area. Also, consider the terrain or the type of lawn. Select a sprinkler that can consistently water the entire lawn. 

For long and narrow areas, oscillating sprinklers are a good choice. Smaller lawns that do not spread to the sides need stationary sprinklers. Make sure that the pattern of water is taken care of to eliminate puddling. 

Circular spaces are easy to set sprinkler systems in, but the best type would be a pulsating sprinkler. 

Make sure that you can install the head quickly and it is compatible with the riser. Buy a sprinkler head that comes with easy-to-follow instructions. 

Cost is perhaps the most important factor that affects your choice. Don’t go overboard for a simple sprinkler head. At the same time, don’t settle for a cheap-quality product that is cheaper. 

There are multiple brands in the running but don’t get a sprinkler head from an unknown brand. Buy only reviewed and tested products. 

The sprinkler head must fit into the system you’ve in your lawn. So, check the dimensions before buying. 

For the material, you can select between metal, plastic, and hybrid sprinkler heads. 

 

Benefits of a Good Impact Sprinkler Head

 

 

It automates the entire process of watering the lawn, reducing the efforts. It increases the efficiency of the whole process and you don’t have o worry about the consistency of sprinkling around the lawn. 

 

 

It reduces human effort and saves the time taken to carry the water to the lawn. The only effort required is to check the working of the sprinkler regularly. 

 

 

When watering the lawn manually, you may not reach every spot. With the help of an impact sprinkler head, you can water the lawn evenly. This helps you maintain a green lawn without being concerned about the uniform distribution of water.

 

 

There is minimum wastage and maximum water conservation when watering lawns with the help of an impact sprinkler head.

 

 

Many sprinklers come with customization options and nozzles for different water pressure levels.

 

 

This is a cost-effective option to water your lawn automatically without wasting any water. If you don’t buy any expensive product which is not necessary, you can save a lot of money in the long term.

THE WINNERS

Rain Bird AG-5 All Gallonage Pop-Up Impact Sprinkler

Don’t know what an impact sprinkler head is? Find out more about impact sprinklers, how they work, and the five best options all in one place.

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Rain Bird P5R Plastic Impact Sprinkler

Don’t know what an impact sprinkler head is? Find out more about impact sprinklers, how they work, and the five best options all in one place.

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Orbit 56186N Brass Impact Sprinkler on Wheeled Base

Don’t know what an impact sprinkler head is? Find out more about impact sprinklers, how they work, and the five best options all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How to choose the best impact sprinkler head?

You can choose the best impact sprinkler head by considering factors like-cost, water pressure, area, and brand. Select a sprinkler type that works best with the area you want to water. You can select an option from our list or simply go through the guide and find any other product of your choice that covers all the mentioned parameters.

How do I adjust the impact sprinkler head?

In impact sprinklers, you can tighten the clamps to adjust the arc. Adjust the diffuser pin to increase or decrease the spray distance.

How long do impact sprinklers last?

The longevity of impact sprinklers varies based on factors like the quality of the product and the construction. A high-quality product can last up to 10 to 15 years if installed properly. The endurance of a sprinkler can also be compromised if you overtighten the clamps which cause breakage

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