Best Impact Sprinklers (2026)

TL;DR

Top pick: Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base — This Old House's best overall sprinkler and, in Sprinkler Monkey's words, "the overall best choice for durability and consistent performance, especially in larger yards". It is also one of Reviewed's two favorite lawn sprinklers, Backyard Style's most durable impact sprinkler and LawnTrend's "ultimate premium choice for height and distance". A 1/2-inch brass impact head on a weighted metal tripod that extends up to 48 inches, with a gooseneck hose connection; Orbit rates it at up to 90 ft in diameter, 6,360 sq ft on a full circle. This Old House's main con: "The tripod can be unstable." None of these guides measured it. Orbit's own US store listed it in stock when we checked on 2026-10-14. [src1, src2, src4, src6, src5, src11]
Best value: Orbit 56667 Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base — the same tripod idea with a zinc head, which LawnTrend says "provides reliable service without the extreme cost of full brass models"; LawnTrend and Sprinkler Monkey both list the brass Orbit tripod as the most expensive sprinkler in their guides. Sprinkler Monkey calls the 56667 its best durable tripod design and Outside Modern makes it its runner-up tripod sprinkler, though Outside Modern judges it "wasn't quite as reliable as the Melnor sprinkler in handling fluctuations in water pressure". Its tripod adjusts from 16 to 37.5 inches, and LawnTrend warns the "Zinc head can wear faster than brass". [src5, src3, src7]

We name no budget pick: each guide that names a budget impact sprinkler names a different one (Sprinkler Monkey a head-only Orbit zinc impact sprinkler, not the 56667 tripod; LawnTrend an APT two-pack; Outside Modern the Orbit 58308 above), and none of those is a budget pick in a second guide we read. [src2, src5, src7]

The guides split at the top. LawnTrend's final verdict makes the Rain Bird 25PJDAC its top recommendation, Backyard Style's Editor's Choice is the Rain Bird 35ADJTNTB, and Outside Modern's top pick is the Melnor Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Tripod (9620-8), the same sprinkler and tripod that Backyard Style names its best impact sprinkler with tripod, sold there as the Melnor 65066-AMZ with a QuickConnect adapter added. The Orbit 58308 is the one model named by six of the seven review outlets we read, so it is the top pick; we rank by that evidence, not by stock. Only Gardening Products Review publishes hands-on measurements, and it did not test either Orbit: the two best-rated impact sprinklers in its sprinkler guide, the Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler (4.5) and the Melnor 9536H All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike (4.3), are below as the models measured at low water pressure. [src5, src6, src7, src1, src2, src4, src10]

Impact sprinklers, also called pulsating or impulse sprinklers, "emit a pulsing stream of water that can efficiently cover large areas", which makes them a fit for large yards, as This Old House puts it. Gardening Products Review adds that their forceful spray is fairly wind-resistant and covers a large distance, but that adjusting one "can be tricky", so practice before taking it into the garden. [src1, src10]

The evidence for this category is thinner than for most. Of the seven review outlets we read, only Gardening Products Review publishes hands-on measurements, from tests in 2018. This Old House, Sprinkler Monkey, Reviewed and Outside Modern describe research from specifications and buyer reviews; Backyard Style says it reviewed 39 units without describing a test; LawnTrend says it tested dozens of products but publishes no method or results. On that evidence the Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base is the clear consensus, the Orbit 56667 Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base is the cheaper tripod alternative, and the Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler and Melnor 9536H All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike are the only models here with measured results at low water pressure: an 80 ft and a 76 ft diameter at 20 and 22 psi. [src10, src1, src2, src4, src7, src6, src5, src9, src8]

Best Overall: Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base — Check price

The pick of the guides: This Old House recommends it overall "for its heavy-duty base, large coverage area, and adjustable settings", Sprinkler Monkey calls it "the overall best choice for durability and consistent performance, especially in larger yards", and Reviewed says "it delivers full coverage for large areas". Orbit's page gives a 1/2-inch brass head, a metal, weighted tripod that extends up to 48 inches, a flow-through design it calls "ideal for secondary water", a gooseneck hose connection, and up to 90 ft in diameter, 6,360 sq ft, on a full circle. The cons are about the tripod: This Old House lists "The tripod can be unstable" and a gooseneck tube that "can be somewhat flimsy", and Outside Modern says it "does not have quite the stability as some of our other units". Orbit's own US store listed it in stock when we checked on 2026-10-14. [src1, src2, src4, src11, src7]

Best Value: Orbit 56667 Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base — Check price

The cheaper Orbit tripod. LawnTrend says its "zinc head provides reliable service without the extreme cost of full brass models" and names it best in class for reaching over obstacles; Sprinkler Monkey says it "brings real durability to the table without leaning on full brass construction". Outside Modern, which ranks it second among tripod sprinklers, gives a height range of 16 to 37.5 inches, says "the 80' range advertised is pretty accurate", and finds the legs "sturdy and resist tipping well", but warns that the plastic gooseneck fittings "can strip more easily". The trade-offs: the "Zinc head can wear faster than brass" (LawnTrend), and the spray "can mist in high wind" (Sprinkler Monkey). [src5, src3, src7]

The Tripod Pick of Two Guides: Melnor Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Tripod (9620-8) — Check price

Outside Modern's top pick among tripod sprinklers, and the same sprinkler and tripod that Backyard Style names its best impact sprinkler with tripod: Backyard Style's pick is the Melnor 65066-AMZ, which adds a QuickConnect adapter; we link the sprinkler and tripod alone. Backyard Style describes a metal pulsating head on a metal tripod that extends as high as 4 feet, covering up to 85 ft in diameter. Outside Modern, which ranks the Orbit 56667 second, says the Orbit "wasn't quite as reliable as the Melnor sprinkler in handling fluctuations in water pressure". Neither guide describes a hands-on test. [src7, src6]

A Brass Head for Your Own Base: Rain Bird 25PJDAC — Check price

LawnTrend's top recommendation "for its legendary durability and precision". Rain Bird builds it from brass, bronze and stainless steel, with full-circle or 20° to 340° part-circle coverage, a deflector that sets the stream from 20 to 41 ft radius, and a 1/2-inch male pipe thread outlet for a riser. It is a bare head: LawnTrend notes it "Requires a separate base if not already owned". LawnTrend is the only guide we read that puts it first. [src5, src12]

Measured at Low Water Pressure, on a Weighted Base: Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler — Check price

Rated 4.5 by Gardening Products Review, the highest of the four impact sprinklers in its sprinkler guide: "A sturdy, powerful impact sprinkler that works well even at low water pressure". At just 20 psi it measured the spray at 40 feet, an 80-foot diameter, beyond the 70 ft Dramm advertises. The brass head sits on a weighted circular metal base that saves the lawn "from unsightly holes" and "won't move all over the place". Against it: some water leaked from the side, so puddling can occur; the hose connectors are hard to grasp; and most of the water landed 25-40 feet out. Dramm supplied the review sample. [src9, src10, src13]

Measured at Low Water Pressure, on a Step Spike: Melnor 9536H All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike — Check price

Rated 4.3 by Gardening Products Review, which tested it down to 22 psi and measured a 76 ft diameter against the 85 ft advertised, noting that "many impact sprinklers don't operate properly at the 22 psi pressure we used". The step spike kept it upright and in place. On the tested unit the diffuser pin was too tight to turn, which made distance hard to adjust; the reviewers took it for a quality-control fault. Water collected in a ring: "about twice as much" at 30 feet as at 5, 10 or 15 feet. Melnor sells the same head on other bases; this is the step spike version. [src8, src10]

Backyard Style's Editor's Choice: Rain Bird 35ADJTNTB — Check price

Backyard Style calls it "by far the best choice thanks to its incredibly durable design and flexibility of the spray radius and rotation": a brass, bronze and stainless steel head with a 23-50 ft spray radius. Like the Rain Bird 25PJDAC it is a bare head ("It has no base"). Backyard Style's guide was last updated in 2023 and describes no test; no other guide we read recommends this model. [src6]

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base vs Orbit 56667 Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base

Brass head against zinc head, on two metal tripods. The 58308's tripod extends up to 48 inches against the 56667's 16 to 37.5 inches, and Orbit rates the 58308 at up to 90 ft in diameter against the 56667's advertised 80 ft range. LawnTrend and Sprinkler Monkey list the brass model as the most expensive in their guides, and LawnTrend warns the 56667's "Zinc head can wear faster than brass". On stability the sources lean the other way: This Old House and Outside Modern both flag the 58308's tripod, while Outside Modern finds the 56667's legs resist tipping well. [src11, src7, src5, src3, src1]

Pick the Orbit 58308 if: you want the brass head, the taller tripod and the pick most guides agree on.
Pick the Orbit 56667 if: you want a tripod sprinkler for less and accept a zinc head.

Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base vs Rain Bird 25PJDAC

A complete sprinkler against a bare head. The Rain Bird 25PJDAC has a 1/2-inch male pipe thread for a riser and, as LawnTrend puts it, "Requires a separate base if not already owned"; the Orbit 58308 comes on its own tripod with a gooseneck hose connection. Stated reach: 20 to 41 ft radius for the Rain Bird, up to 90 ft in diameter for the Orbit. Six of the seven guides we read recommend the Orbit; only LawnTrend puts the Rain Bird first, and LawnTrend also names the Orbit its premium choice. [src12, src5, src11, src1, src2, src4, src6, src7]

Pick the Orbit 58308 if: you want one box that waters over tall grass and shrubs.
Pick the Rain Bird 25PJDAC if: you already own a riser, spike or sled and want a brass, bronze and stainless steel head.

Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler vs Melnor 9536H All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike

Both were tested by Gardening Products Review at low pressure, in 2018. The Dramm reached an 80 ft diameter at 20 psi, beyond its 70 ft rating; the Melnor reached 76 ft at 22 psi, short of its 85 ft rating. The Dramm sits on a weighted base that leaves no holes, but leaked enough to puddle; the Melnor's step spike holds it in place, but the tested unit's diffuser pin was too tight to adjust. Gardening Products Review rates them 4.5 and 4.3. [src9, src8, src10]

Pick the Dramm ColorStorm if: you want no spike holes and the better measured reach at low pressure.
Pick the Melnor 9536H if: you want a spike that keeps the sprinkler fixed in one spot.

Decision Logic

If you want one sprinkler that waters a large lawn over tall grass or shrubs

→ Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base: a tripod that extends up to 48 inches and up to 90 ft in diameter, the best overall at This Old House and Sprinkler Monkey. [src11, src1, src2]

If you want a tripod sprinkler and can accept a zinc head to spend less

→ Orbit 56667 Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base, which LawnTrend says gives reliable service "without the extreme cost of full brass models"; its tripod tops out at 37.5 inches. [src5, src7]

If you already have a riser, spike or sled

→ Rain Bird 25PJDAC, a brass, bronze and stainless steel head with a 1/2-inch male pipe thread and a 20-41 ft radius, LawnTrend's top recommendation. [src12, src5]

If your water pressure is low (around 20 psi)

→ Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler or Melnor 9536H All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike: Gardening Products Review measured an 80 ft diameter at 20 psi and a 76 ft diameter at 22 psi. [src9, src8]

If you do not want spike holes in the lawn

→ Dramm ColorStorm Circular Base Impulse Sprinkler, whose weighted base Gardening Products Review says saves the lawn "from unsightly holes". [src9]

If you need even watering close to the sprinkler

→ Not an impact sprinkler: on both models it measured, Gardening Products Review caught far more water 25-40 ft out than near the head. Look at oscillating sprinklers instead. [src8, src9]

If you want a permanent in-ground system

→ Not this card: see automated sprinkler systems or pop-up sprinkler heads.

Default recommendation (unknown requirements, mid-size or large lawn)

→ Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base, the model six of the seven review outlets we read recommend. [src1, src2, src4, src6, src5, src7]

• One model has the broadest support: the Orbit 58308 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Tripod Base is the best overall at This Old House and Sprinkler Monkey, a favorite at Reviewed, the most durable impact sprinkler at Backyard Style, LawnTrend's premium choice and Outside Modern's budget choice. [src1, src2, src4, src6, src5, src7]
• Few measurements: only Gardening Products Review publishes hands-on results, from 2018; the other six outlets choose from specifications and buyer reviews or give no test method. [src10, src1, src2, src4, src7, src6, src5]
• Low pressure is where the measurements are: Gardening Products Review measured the Dramm ColorStorm and the Melnor 9536H working at 20 and 22 psi, and notes that many impact sprinklers do not operate properly at 22 psi. [src9, src8]
• No agreement on a budget pick: Sprinkler Monkey (a head-only Orbit zinc impact sprinkler), LawnTrend (an APT two-pack) and Outside Modern (the Orbit 58308) each name a different budget impact sprinkler. [src2, src5, src7]

• Stated reach is a maximum, and measured reach can land either side of it: Gardening Products Review measured the Melnor 9536H at 76 ft against 85 ft advertised and the Dramm ColorStorm at 80 ft against 70 ft advertised. [src8, src9]
• Impact sprinklers water in a ring. Gardening Products Review caught about twice as much water at 30 feet as at 5-15 feet from the Melnor 9536H, and most of the Dramm ColorStorm's water at 25-40 feet; "Most impact sprinklers have this same issue." [src8, src9]
• The Rain Bird 25PJDAC and Rain Bird 35ADJTNTB are bare heads: budget for a riser, spike, sled or tripod. [src5, src12, src6]
• Tripods can tip. This Old House lists "The tripod can be unstable" for the Orbit 58308; Orbit says its weighted tripod "resists tipping". [src1, src11]
• Melnor sells the same all-metal pulsating head with a step spike, a basic spike, a three-pronged spike, a sled or a wheeled base; Gardening Products Review tested only the step spike version, so check the base named in the listing. [src8]
• Gardening Products Review's tests date from 2018, and Dramm supplied its sample. [src8, src9]