Watering your lawn or garden is essential for maintaining its beauty.
However, while watering may seem simple, it is not. You must find the right balance to preserve your water bill and achieve the best results.
One of the ways to achieve this is through tripod sprinklers. They are great because they offer adequate watering while being on a budget.
In this post, we will review some of our favorite tripod sprinklers.
How We've Selected the Best Tripod Sprinkler
We started by shortlisting all popular brands of tripod sprinklers. Then we looked at the overall price of the sprinkler and what it has to offer in terms of built quality and features. We ensured that all the high-price tripod sprinklers had all the needed features.
After that, we only further shortlisted the products that provided excellent value for money. Then we looked at tripod sprinkler reviews for ease of use, durability, and water pressure handling. Finally, we narrowed our list to five tripod sprinklers, which we will now review.
Top 5 Tripod Sprinklers
1. Orbit 58308Z Brass Impact Sprinkler
Consider the Orbit Brass Impact Sprinkler if you want a tripod sprinkler for a large lawn area. This commercial tripod sprinkler is one of the best in the market. It features a mini-sized oscillator with a full coverage of up to 4,000 square feet and a straight line spray distance of up to 90 feet.
It is primarily made of brass, giving it phenomenal immunity to weather conditions such as UV rays, and it lasts longer than most other tripod sprinklers.
This sprinkler lets you water the area of your lawn where it is needed. It features a four-way adjustment that gives you precision over the water spray. Its sturdy tripod base extends from 27" up to 41" high, giving adequate elevation for your lawn and even hard-to-reach areas.
Connecting and disconnecting the sprinkler to your garden hose is also very easy. It comes with quick connectors adapters, suitable for most North American Hose fittings.
We also love that setting up and storing this tripod is very easy. At around 5 pounds, it has a decent weight as it is not too much of a hassle. One of the best things about this sprinkler is its gooseneck hose attachment which prevents all sorts of awkward fiddling with the hose connection.
The tripod sprinkler also has an anti-tipping design, so you do not have to worry about your sprinkler tipping over and wasting all your water. It also features an anti-backsplash arm which prevents the sprinkler head from the water spray. The cherry on top of it all is that the customer support is helpful and responsive. So, even if you run into any issues with your sprinkler, the manufacturer has you covered.
What We Like
- One of the best tripod sprinklers for large lawns.
- Decent coverage up to 4000 square feet.
- Made of brass: Highly durable and weatherproof.
- Reaches every nook and corner of your garden.
- Anti-tipping design.
- The gooseneck hose attachment prevents fiddling.
- Anti-backsplash arm prevents the sprinkler head from getting wet.
- Responsive and helpful customer support.
What You Should Know
- Occasionally some customers have reported issues with the tripod. However, Orbit was always quick to resolve those issues.
2. Melnor 65115-AMZ MiniMax
The Melnor Minimax sprinkler system is almost identical to the Orbit tripod sprinkler we reviewed above. However, at around 3.1 pounds, it is considerably lighter than the Orbit tripod sprinkler. It also comes with a smaller price tag than the Orbit.
However, this garden sprinkler does not have an all-brass construction like the one we reviewed. Do not let this fool you, though. It is still a perfect tripod sprinkler with a lot to offer.
The Melnor Minimax tripod sprinkler features a sturdy metal tripod base that extends from 27" up to 41". It is a great sprinkler for medium-sized gardens, but that does not mean it is unsuitable for large gardens.
It comes with a four-way adjustment that lets you direct the water precisely where needed. We also love that it is effortless to connect and disconnect this sprinkler. It has quick connect connections that easily attach to all standard North American garden hose fittings. The cherry on top of everything is that it comes with Melnor's limited lifetime warranty, so you can make your purchase easier.
This sprinkler is one of the best tripod sprinklers available online. It also offers tremendous value for money. However, you should know that its switches are too touchy. Sometimes, while moving it, you might hit one of its buttons which might turn it off, and you might have to turn it on and set it up again.
What We Like
- Lightweight, so it is straightforward to move.
- It comes with an Adjustable and sturdy tripod.
- It comes with quick connect connections.
- Backed by Melnor's limited lifetime warranty.
What You Should Know
- It has touchy switches, which might get pressed easily, and you might have to reset the sprinkler.
3. Orbit 62120 Garden Enforcer
The Orbit Garden Enforcer is a perfect garden pest repellent but is also a perfect sprinkler. This would be a great option if you were looking for a tripod sprinkler for repelling pests. Still, we have included it in our list because many people only buy it to water their gardens, and it does an outstanding job.
It features a 35-foot adjustable sprinkler with 30 minutes timed watering setting, which is excellent for medium-sized gardens. As a bonus, it repels pests by scaring them away through the water spray.
One feature distinguishing it from other tripod sprinklers is that its tripod extends the unit up to 54 inches, which is longer than most tripod sprinklers. While this feature was meant for adjustments related to plant size, it helps water gardens because the higher height lets you cover every nook and corner of your garden.
This Orbit Garden Enforcer features intelligent sensing technology. Which not only conserves water but also saves up on battery consumption. It features over 7500 activation cycles on just 4 AA alkaline batteries. We love that it offers effective yet humane pest detraction.
What We Like
- 35 Foot adjustable sprinkler, which makes it suitable for a medium-sized garden.
- Exceptionally long battery life.
- It will deter pests and water your lawn effectively.
- Unusually long tripod extension.
What You Should Know
- Not primarily meant to be a sprinkler.
4. Gardena 8138 High-Rise Pulsating Sprinkler
The Gardena 8318 High-Rise Pulsating Sprinkler is arguably the best tripod sprinkler. It is perfect for almost every garden size and shape. It has an impressive capability to cover up to 5,200 square feet, which is also suitable for large lawns. In addition, the Gardena 8318 sprinkler also delivers precise watering, ensuring that even your garden's remote corners are appropriately watered.
The Gardena is constructed in Germany with high-quality materials, ensuring it is reliable and durable. Its materials render UV and frost protection, making it perfectly suitable for extreme weather conditions.
We love that this sprinkler is super easy to set up while being so effective. It comes with accessible water settings, and you get started without needing help.
It features an adjustable watering range which lets you cover your garden precisely and control the water flow according to your watering needs. It is also tip-proof, with a large sled base with material weights that ensure usage stability. Finally, it features pulsating spray patterns that provide gentle and even coverage. This reduces water waste and prevents soil erosion.
The Gardena is compatible with all standard garden hoses. You should have no trouble getting started with this tripod sprinkler. It also comes with a removable fine mesh filter which prevents clogging. It is also effortless to dismantle and store the sprinkler during the off-season. One of the best things about this tripod sprinkler is that it is backed by the manufacturer's warranty, meaning you can purchase it with peace of mind.
One thing you should know before buying this sprinkler is that it works best with good water pressure. If the water pressure in your garden hose is low, we do not recommend this sprinkler.
What We Like
- Perfect for every garden size and shape.
- Delivers precise watering.
- Super easy to set up.
- Has an adjustable water range.
- Tip proof.
- Compatible with all standard garden hoses.
- Comes with a removable fine mesh filter, which prevents clogging.
- Backed by manufacturer's warranty.
What You Should Know
- Works best with high water pressure.
5. Eden 11530 Multi-Pattern Metal Tripod Sprinkler
The Eden tripod lawn sprinkler lets you play around with multiple water patterns to determine which works best for your lawn. This tripod sprinkler comes with flexible and adjustable spray patterns. It lets you choose flat, fan, mist, large, and multi-pattern options.
It has a high-quality tripod with a stable metal construction that delivers reliable performance and long-lasting durability. We love that its misting system lets you cool down hot garden areas during hot summer days.
It can cover 78ft in diameter and is suitable for large lawns. One of the best things about this tripod sprinkler is that it works well with low water pressure. All you need is a 40 PSI pressure to get started. It also features an adjustable flow control knob for convenient water pressure adjustment at the sprinkler.
Connecting and disconnecting the garden hose to this sprinkler is very easy. It comes with a quick-connect starter kit that fits all standard garden hoses. These quick-connect tools let it connect to a sprinkler with a secure twist and lock mechanism, preventing accidental disconnection.
In addition, we love that it comes with a two-year limited warranty by Eden, which lets you make your purchase easier.
The only caveat with this sprinkler is that when you have it in the middle of your yard to water in a big circle, it will leave a dry spot beneath it.
What We Like
- Durable and stable metal tripod construction for reliable performance and long-lasting durability.
- Flexible and adjustable spray patterns: choose from flat, fan, mist, large and multi-pattern options.
- Works well even under low pressure.
- Easy to connect and disconnect the hose.
- Backed by a limited 2-year warranty from Eden for peace of mind.
- Superior watering flexibility with the option to choose between six spray patterns.
- Adjustable flow control knob for convenient water pressure adjustment at the sprinkler.
What You Should Know
- Watering in a circle will leave a dry spot beneath it.
Why You Should Consider Buying a Tripod Sprinkler Instead of In-Ground Sprinklers
You might wonder whether tripod sprinklers are a good substitute for inground sprinklers. The answer to this question is entirely subjective. Still, if you want a cost-effective and portable solution for watering your lawn or garden, you should choose tripod sprinklers.
The portability of tripod sprinklers allows you to water the different and hard-to-reach areas of your lawn effectively. Tripod sprinklers also have an adjustable height, giving them the distinct advantage of customizing their coverage area based on your garden or lawn needs.
A tripod sprinkler is also easier to install compared to an inground one. It can be set up quickly without digging or complicated installation procedures. It is more affordable than inground sprinklers and is ideal for watering small, newly seeded, or areas with specific watering needs.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tripod Sprinkler
Tripod lawn sprinklers are a game changer when maintaining a luscious green lawn. However, not all are made equal, and some are better than others. So you should always ensure that whatever Tripod sprinkler you buy is good and suits your watering needs.
Consider the points below to ensure you land on the perfect tripod sprinkler.
Watering needs:
You want to avoid ending up with a tripod sprinkler unsuitable for your watering needs. No matter how good the tripod sprinkler is, it is only useful if it meets your watering needs. You need to determine the area that needs watering and ensure that the tripod sprinkler covers that area smoothly.
Also, identify the flower, plants, and grass that need to be watered and note the frequency with which you will water your plant. Ensure that whatever sprinkler you buy is suitable for that frequency.
Water pressure:
There is no point in buying a sprinkler that does not work well with the water pressure in your garden hose. Check the water pressure where the sprinkler will be used and choose a tripod sprinkler that performs well for this pressure.
Many tripod sprinklers, like Gardena 8138 High-Rise Pulsating Sprinkler, are amazing but perform poorly under low-pressure water. It would be best if you looked at customer reviews regarding the pressure handling of the tripod sprinklers.
When discussing water pressure, we also discuss the pressure with which the sprinkler sprays the water. The spray might be ineffective and result in soil erosion if the pressure is too high. If your budget allows, get the sprinkler with adjustable water pressure.
Sprinkler features:
Pay attention to sprinkler features, and remember, the higher you pay, the more features you should expect. Determine whether you need full-circle coverage or half-circle coverage, and choose the sprinkler which is the best for what you need. Some sprinklers let you have both types of coverage and can easily adjust spray coverage, but they will cost more than the others. You should also consider the number and types of spray patterns that the sprinkler has. The higher this is, the better.
Finally, remember to look at the overall height and adjustability of the tripod stand. Ensure you get the highest height adjustment, as it will help you reach hard-to-reach areas of your garden. Also, ensure that the tripod has weighted legs, making it stable to prevent the sprinkler from tipping.
Durability and quality:
This is a no-brainer. Always look for highly durable tripod sprinklers because they will be subjected to extreme weather conditions. Choosing tripod sprinklers made of metal is preferable because they are UV resistant, making your sprinkler last longer. Always check customer reviews to ensure that the tripod sprinkler is durable.
Ease of use:
While having several features, such as multiple spray patterns, is good, the higher number of features makes using the sprinkler challenging. Ensure that your sprinkler is simple and easy to use and get started with. This also means connecting the garden hose and storing the sprinkler should be easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tripod sprinklers worth it?
Tripod sprinklers can be considered worth it for larger lawns or gardens where they provide greater coverage but could be less practical for smaller areas due to their size and cost compared to stationary options.
How well do tripod sprinklers work?
Tripod sprinklers effectively water large lawns and gardens evenly by rotating and spraying water in a circular pattern, covering a radius of up to 80 feet, and adjusting height for different types of plants.
How far can you run a tripod sprinkler?
There is no definitive answer to how far you can run a tripod sprinkler, as it depends on factors such as water pressure, nozzle size, and the slope of the land. Still, typically they have a coverage radius of 20-40 feet.
What is the best brand of irrigation sprinklers?
Determining the best brand of irrigation sprinklers is difficult as it ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. However, some popular and highly rated brands include Rain Bird, Hunter, Toro, and Orbit, and they would be worth checking out.
What Option of Best Tripod Sprinkler is Best for You?
All in all, it really depends on preference when selecting a tripod sprinkler.
When choosing, consider its size, versatility, and quality. These values come together to make the perfect product for you. Also, consider how much time and effort you will have to put into maintenance, as this should be considered.
With that being said, whichever option you select should give you a great experience overall!
Have fun shopping and enjoy your new tripod sprinklers - happy watering!
Items reviewed:
1. Orbit 58308Z Brass Impact Sprinkler
3. Orbit 62120 Garden Enforcer
