The 5 Best Traveling Sprinklers
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in October of 2018. Equipped with large tractor wheels and rotating arms, these self-propelled traveling sprinklers are designed to follow the path of your hose to water your grass, so you won't need to manually move them around. They offer wide spray diameters and can cover every corner of your lawn or garden, and many can be set to shut off automatically once they reach a designated spot. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Nelson RainTrain
2. Watex WX044
3. Orbit 58322
Editor's Notes
October 05, 2020:
Unlike stationary sprinklers, these traveling models can water either small or large yards without your needing to keep manually moving them to cover all of your grass evenly. In today’s update, we moved the Orbit 58322 into a more prominent spot, thanks to its rustproof cast iron body, easily adjustable speed settings, and convenient automatic shutoff capability. It’s a cinch to adjust the spray diameter by twisting each spray arm up or down, accordingly. You can set up the included ramp in any spot along the hose path to trigger a lever to stop it from proceeding, so you won’t need to worry about being outside to shut it off when it’s done watering. We’re also still partial to the Nelson RainTrain, which features a cheery yellow color that’s easy to spot, and features a powder-coated exterior that resists chipping and other damage. Similar to the Orbit model, you can turn the arms to set the spray diameter. You can buy it with confidence, thanks to its lifetime warranty. The Watex WX044 still holds a prominent spot on the list, as well. This one is good for use with large yards, since it can traverse a 200-foot hose path and cover an area up to almost 12,000 square feet. Many users appreciate the cosmetic steering wheel and exhaust pipe that make it resemble a real tractor.
The Melnor Lawn Rescue features high-traction back wheels that help it make its way across terrain effortlessly, and you can also set it to the handy neutral mode for stationary watering. Like the RainTain model, this one is backed by a lifetime warranty, and some proceeds are donated to charity. It’s quite an investment, but the Underhill Tracker can handle football fields and farm fields with ease, and can save you the hassle and money of installing an underground irrigation system. It comes with the required nylon cable, as well as an anchor stake for stability.
October 28, 2018:
Added the Watex WX044 and Nelson Rain Train for their practicality for consumer applications, durable construction, and ease of use. Despite its price point, also included the Underhill Tracker for its power and ability to cover large swaths of land (i.e. fields and cemeteries).
Special Honors
Traveling Reel Sprinkler This retractable sprinkler helps make an easy job of irrigating pastures, sports fields, golf courses, parks, and cemeteries. It’s made by a family-owned company in Kansas that has been manufacturing irrigation equipment for more than 45 years. It’s available in multiple sizes, is more economical than an in-ground system, and conveniently can be used to irrigate multiple fields. waterreels.com
Micro Rain MR25 This compact and effective reel sprinkler operates unattended when you attach it to a 3/4-inch garden hose with water flowing between three and 10 gallons per minute. It’s a cinch to set up and is well suited for covering large lawns and gardens. It features a heavy-duty, all-metal drum and chassis design, the ability to retract and shut down automatically, and a durable powder-coated finish. It’s equipped with a one-year machine warranty and a three-year poly tube warranty. microrain.net
Toro RollcarT Traveling Sprinkler Designed to keep water waste at a minimum, this four-wheeled hydraulically powered model will stop moving and watering automatically once it has made a complete pass. The drive gears are sealed in a protective gearbox, and the guide cable features a generous length of more than 350 feet. It’s suitable for any open turf area where an underground system is not installed. toro.com
4. Underhill Tracker
5. Melnor Lawn Rescue
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.