Maintaining a large, lush lawn requires a significant amount of water, and manually moving a stationary sprinkler can be a time-consuming chore. A traveling sprinkler offers an automated solution, following a path you set with your garden hose to deliver consistent, widespread coverage. This hands-free approach ensures every section of your yard gets the hydration it needs without you having to lift a finger after the initial setup.
Choosing the right model, however, is crucial for effective lawn care. Factors like coverage area, travel speed, durability, and ease of use vary between products. To help you find the perfect fit for your property, we have compiled a list of the most reliable and efficient traveling sprinklers on the market, designed to keep your large lawn healthy and green with minimal effort.
The Best Traveling Sprinklers for Your Yard
- Orbit 58322 Traveling Tractor Water Sprinkler
- Nelson Rain Train Cast Iron Traveling Water Sprinkler
- Melnor 4501 Traveling Sprinkler Lawn Rescue
- Watex WX44 Traveling Sprinkler and Hose Bundle
- Melnor 65063-AMZ XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
- Gilmour 895014-1001 Pattern Master Circular Sprinkler
- Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler with Trip Lever
- Rain Bird 25PJRN Professional Traveling Sprinkler
Orbit 58322 Traveling Tractor Water Sprinkler
The Orbit Traveling Tractor Sprinkler is built for performance and reliability. Its heavy-duty cast-iron body ensures it can handle the rigors of regular use across a large lawn without stalling or breaking down. This construction makes it a long-term investment for your lawn care routine.
This model is designed for smooth and dependable travel along the path set by your garden hose. With spiked rear wheels and durable gears, it maintains consistent traction and movement, even on uneven terrain. You can set it up and trust it to provide thorough, personalized watering across your entire yard.
Nelson Rain Train Cast Iron Traveling Water Sprinkler
The Nelson Rain Train is a classic choice for large properties, offering an impressive 13,500 square feet of coverage and the ability to travel up to 200 feet. Its cast-iron build speaks to its durability, promising seasons of reliable service. The charming train design is a functional and visual standout in any yard.
Precision is a key benefit of this sprinkler. It features adjustable aluminum spray arms that allow you to fine-tune the watering diameter from 15 to 55 feet, ensuring you can water both wide-open spaces and narrower sections. With three speed options—high, low, and neutral—you have complete control over the watering schedule to meet your lawn’s specific needs.
Melnor 4501 Traveling Sprinkler Lawn Rescue
For a truly hands-off watering experience, the Melnor 4501 Traveling Sprinkler is an excellent option. This self-propelled unit follows the path created by your existing garden hose and includes an automatic shut-off feature once it completes its journey. This allows you to focus on other tasks while your lawn is being cared for.
It provides super-large coverage of up to 13,500 square feet, making it suitable for very large lawns. The variable speed control lets you select a high or low travel speed, and a neutral setting is available for stationary watering, giving you flexibility depending on your lawn’s current hydration requirements.
Watex WX44 Traveling Sprinkler and Hose Bundle
The Watex WX44 bundle offers great value by including both the traveling sprinkler and the necessary hose. Its durable construction is designed for longevity and performance on extra-large lawns. This model has earned recognition for its effective design and superior water distribution.
As a self-propelled unit with automatic shut-off, it simplifies the watering process from start to finish. It matches the coverage of other top models, watering up to 13,500 square feet and traveling up to 200 feet. The bundle is a convenient all-in-one solution that gets you set up and running immediately.
Melnor 65063-AMZ XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler
While not a traveling model, the Melnor XT Metal Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler is a heavy-duty stationary option worthy of consideration for large, rectangular lawn areas. Its all-metal construction provides enhanced durability compared to plastic alternatives, ensuring it remains a reliable part of your watering system for years.
It features a precision turbo dial that allows you to customize the spray pattern from a narrow 10 feet to a wide 50 feet. This adjustability, combined with its sturdy build, makes it a powerful tool for delivering consistent, even coverage to specific sections of your yard that need dedicated attention.
Gilmour 895014-1001 Pattern Master Circular Sprinkler
The Gilmour Pattern Master is a versatile circular sprinkler designed for maximum coverage and customization. Its standout feature is the ability to adjust both the spray distance and the arc pattern, allowing you to water everything from a full circle to a precise half-circle or quarter-circle.
This level of control helps prevent water waste by ensuring the spray is directed only onto the lawn and garden areas, not onto driveways or sidewalks. Its durable design and customizable pattern make it an efficient choice for targeting large, irregularly shaped sections of your property.
Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler with Trip Lever
This model from Orbit brings the convenience of automated travel to your lawn care with the added benefit of a trip lever for automatic shut-off. The sprinkler will follow your hose path and turn itself off when it reaches the end, conserving water and giving you peace of mind.
Built with a durable body and reliable drive mechanism, it is constructed to provide smooth performance across your lawn. The trip lever feature makes it an intelligent choice for those who want a truly set-it-and-forget-it watering system for their large yard.
Rain Bird 25PJRN Professional Traveling Sprinkler
Rain Bird is a respected name in irrigation, and their professional-grade traveling sprinkler is built to meet high standards. It is engineered for consistent, reliable travel and even water distribution, making it a favorite for those with serious lawn care needs.
This model is designed for ease of use and long-term durability. Its professional features ensure that it can handle large watering jobs efficiently, providing thorough coverage that promotes a healthy lawn. It represents a reliable, no-nonsense approach to automated lawn watering.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Traveling Sprinkler for Your Large Lawn
When I first started looking for a way to water my big yard, I realized a stationary sprinkler just wasn’t going to cut it. That’s when I turned my attention to traveling sprinklers. These self-propelled workhorses can cover a lot of ground, but they aren’t all the same. After testing a bunch and talking to other folks with large lawns, I’ve figured out what really matters when you’re choosing one.
First, think about your lawn’s size and shape. The coverage area is the most important spec. You’ll see this listed as a maximum distance or square footage. For a truly large lawn, you want a model that can handle at least 15,000 square feet or more in a single run. Also, consider the shape. Some sprinklers travel in a straight line, which is perfect for rectangular areas, while others can be set to follow a curved path, which is a lifesaver for oddly shaped yards.
Next, pay close attention to the water source and pressure. These machines need a certain amount of water pressure to move and operate correctly. Check the product specifications for the required PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute). If your water pressure is on the lower side, you’ll need to find a model designed to work with it. Connecting a traveling sprinkler to a spigot that can’t supply enough pressure is a recipe for a stationary, and very disappointing, sprinkler.
Finally, look at the practical features. How easy is it to set the travel path and distance? A clear, simple dial is much better than a confusing one. How does it connect to your hose? A sturdy, reliable connection prevents leaks and frustrating disconnections. And don’t forget about storage. These units can be bulky, so think about where you’ll keep it when it’s not in use. Investing in one of the 8 best traveling sprinklers for large lawns means finding a balance between raw power, smart control, and everyday convenience that fits your specific property.
FAQ
How far can a traveling sprinkler typically go on one set?
Most traveling sprinklers have a maximum travel distance you can set, usually controlled by a dial or a pin on the unit. I’ve found that many models can cover a path of 200 feet or more on a single run. The exact distance depends heavily on the model, so it’s crucial to check the product manual. You set the distance before you start it, and the sprinkler will automatically shut off when it reaches the end of its programmed path. This is perfect for ensuring it waters the entire length of your lawn without you having to watch it.
Do I need a special hose for a traveling sprinkler?
Yes, you absolutely do. A traveling sprinkler pulls itself along by reeling in a hose. Using a standard garden hose for this will almost certainly cause kinks, tangles, and damage. You need a dedicated guide hose, which is specifically designed to be more flexible and resistant to kinking under tension. These hoses are often sold separately from the sprinkler unit itself, so remember to factor that into your budget. Using the right hose makes the whole process much smoother and prevents a lot of headaches.
My water pressure is low. Will a traveling sprinkler still work?
This is a common concern. Many traditional traveling sprinklers do require a decent amount of water pressure, both to propel themselves and to operate the sprinkler arm effectively. However, some newer models are engineered to function with lower pressure. When you’re shopping, look specifically for models that advertise low-PSI operation. If your water pressure is consistently very low, you might need to consider other irrigation options, but there are likely traveling sprinkler models that can handle your situation.
Can I make a traveling sprinkler go around corners?
This is a bit of a limitation for most basic models. The classic traveling sprinkler design follows a straight path, guided by the hose you lay out. It can’t actively steer around a tree or a flower bed corner on its own. For curved lawns, you have a couple of options. Some advanced models allow you to set a curved path. Alternatively, you can water your lawn in sections, setting up a straight path for one area and then moving the unit and hose to cover the next section. It requires a bit more hands-on work but gets the job done.
Are traveling sprinklers difficult to set up and maintain?
From my experience, the initial setup is usually straightforward. It involves connecting the guide hose, setting the travel distance and pattern on the dials, and turning on the water. The maintenance is also pretty simple. The key is to keep the moving parts, like the wheels and gears, free of grass clippings and debris. After each use, I give mine a quick wipe-down and store it in a garage or shed. Performing this basic care will help ensure your unit remains one of the reliable 8 best traveling sprinklers for large lawns for many seasons.