The right sprinkler for your needs depends on the size of the yard and what needs watering.
Sprinklers come in four types: stationary, oscillating, rotary and pulsating, also called impact sprinklers, according to Sears lawn-equipment specialists. Most sprinklers come with information about their maximum coverage in square feet, so multiply width times length to determine the square footage of the area you need to water.
Here are some specifics from Sears about the various types of sprinklers:
- Stationary sprinklers. These are best suited to small lawns or planting beds. Most have a single spray pattern, which may be square, round or rectangular, but some have more patterns.
- Oscillating sprinklers. These have spray bars that sweep back and forth, delivering water in square and rectangular patterns. They work well for medium to large lawns.
- Rotary sprinklers. These have whirling heads that spray jets of water in a circle. They're ideal for medium and small lawns and work well with low water pressure.
- Pulsating or impact sprinklers. These are designed to cover large areas, but their performance depends on water pressure. They apply water more slowly than oscillating sprinklers, but their lower spray is less likely to be affected by wind. Pulsating sprinklers spray water in a full circle or part of a circle.