We’ve considered nearly 90 hose-end sprinklers over the past three years, and after 16 hours of additional research and three days of testing on 10 new models, we think the Melnor XT4200M offers the best combination of quality, value, and features for a homeowner looking to take care of a typical rectangular lawn. With its metal base and simple controls to customize the length, width, and water flow, the XT4200M can last several seasons and keep your grass green without watering the sidewalk.
Our pick
Melnor XT4200M
With good range, adjustability, and a track record of durability, the metal-bottom Melnor XT4200M is a more reliable and easy-to-use oscillating sprinkler than its competitors.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $30.
The Melnor XT4200M delivers consistent, even coverage of square or rectangular lots up to about 4,000 square feet. Its controls were among the easiest to adjust to the layout of a lawn, and its metal base made it more robust and stable than plastic competitors. And it doesn’t need a hose adapter or other add-ons (as our also-great pick does), making it one of the simplest models to use. Durability sets the better sprinklers apart, and the XT4200M’s solid build and positive owner reviews suggest that it can keep caring for your lawn for at least a few seasons. If anything does go wrong, it’s protected by Melnor’s limited lifetime warranty.
Runner-up
Melnor XT4200
This all-plastic version of our pick saves a few dollars in exchange for less stability and durability. Our pick is the better value, but if it’s unavailable, this model is a fine substitute.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $20.
The Melnor XT4200 is nearly identical to our top pick, aside from a plastic base that’s less stable than our top pick’s metal one. This model produced a slightly longer maximum spray distance in our testing, and although we saw more wind drift with the XT4200 than with the metal-base XT4200M, the similar set of controls helped us easily manipulate the water flow and spray length to compensate. If you can’t find the XT4200M or prefer to pay a little less, the XT4200 is a fine choice, but we don’t expect its all-plastic construction to last as long as that of our top pick.
Also great
Gardena Oscillating Sprinkler ZoomMaxx
This compact and effective sprinkler has more flexible coverage patterns than our pick, but it’s not as simple or affordable, and it offers more customization than the average yard needs.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $56.
The Gardena Oscillating Sprinkler ZoomMaxx is our former top pick for this guide. Although it offers the most customizable spray patterns of any sprinkler we tested, it covers only about half the area of our top pick—up to about 2,300 square feet. But if you have an irregularly shaped yard, it might be worth the extra money. Its controls are easy to use, and twin rows of nozzles provide consistent coverage. However, it requires using a hose adapter (included), and it has a surprising number of plastic parts.
