An impact sprinkler throws a pulsing jet from a small arm that taps the stream as it turns. Makers sell them on spikes, tripods, weighted platforms and pop-up bodies, so the base matters as much as the head. Most list an adjustable arc from a partial circle to a full 360 degrees.
The six sprinklers below cover a tripod, a platform, a pop-up, a brass head and two zinc-alloy spike models. Sizes, materials and coverage figures come from each product’s listing page, and the reach numbers are the makers’ own. We have not used these sprinklers ourselves.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Base type | Spike, tripod, platform and pop-up bases suit different beds and lawns |
| Head material | Brass, zinc alloy and plastic heads differ in weight and feel |
| Arc control | A partial-circle setting keeps spray off paths and walls |
| Hose fitting | Check thread size, quick connect and whether lines can be chained |
Specs at a Glance
| Sprinkler | Base and material | Coverage (maker’s figure) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbit 56667 | Zinc head on adjustable-height tripod; 3.9 lb | Full 360 degrees | Listing gives 21 x 5.5 x 3.3 in |
| Chapin 4980 | Metal platform base; 1.2 lb | Up to 85 ft; 5,650 sq ft | 20 to 360 degree arc |
| Rain Bird LG3HE | Plastic in-ground pop-up body | 26 to 41 ft spray; up to 5,200 sq ft | 3 in pop-up; Click-N-Go hose fitting |
| Orbit 56946 | Brass head, zinc step spike | Up to 90 ft; 6,360 sq ft | Flow-through outlet |
| WEMADE SP-M | Zinc alloy head and base | Up to 85 ft diameter | Quick connect adapter; 20 to 360 degree arc |
| Biswing 2 pack | Zinc alloy head, step spike; 13.8 in tall | 40 to 86 ft; about 5,600 sq ft | Two sprinklers; 3/4 in fittings |
The 6 Best Impact Sprinklers
1. Orbit 56667 Zinc Tripod Impact Sprinkler
A zinc impact head mounted on a portable tripod with adjustable height, built around a high-pressure nozzle and a full-circle head. The listing gives its size as 21 by 5.5 by 3.3 inches and its weight as 3.9 pounds.
Suits: tall beds and crops where a raised head helps. Strengths: adjustable height and a metal head. Weaknesses: a bulkier shape to store. Skip it if you want a low spike model.
View Orbit 56667 Zinc Tripod Impact Sprinkler on Amazon
2. Chapin 4980 Platform Impact Sprinkler
A red metal-base sprinkler with a wide decorative platform, an adjustable arc from 20 to 360 degrees and a threaded hose connection. The maker states coverage of up to 85 feet, or 5,650 square feet.
Suits: a sprinkler that sits flat without a spike. Strengths: a wide base and a variable arc. Weaknesses: the listing says reach depends on household pressure. Skip it if you need a spike for soft soil.
View Chapin 4980 Platform Impact Sprinkler on Amazon
3. Rain Bird LG3HE Click-N-Go Impact Sprinkler
An in-ground impact body that pops up three inches to clear tall grass and retracts out of sight. The maker lists a 26 to 41 foot spray, coverage up to 5,200 square feet and a quick-connect fitting for a garden hose. Its listing shows a weight of 2.04 g, which is implausible, so we leave weight out.
Suits: a permanent spot that stays out of the way of a mower. Strengths: a pop-up body and a partial or full circle. Weaknesses: needs a hole dug once. Skip it if you want to move it around.
View Rain Bird LG3HE Click-N-Go Impact Sprinkler on Amazon
4. Orbit 56946 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Spike
A brass impact head on a zinc tri-point step spike. The maker lists up to 90 feet in diameter, or 6,360 square feet, plus a deflector shield, a diffuser screw and a flow-through outlet so more sprinklers can be linked in a series. The listing shows a unit count of 6 while the included components name one sprinkler and one spike.
Suits: a metal head on a ground spike. Strengths: a brass head and a flow-through outlet. Weaknesses: a confusing unit count in the listing. Skip it if you want a pair in one order.
View Orbit 56946 Brass Impact Sprinkler on Spike on Amazon
5. WEMADE SP-M Zinc Impact Sprinkler
An all-zinc-alloy sprinkler with a metal base and head, an adjustable arc from 20 to 360 degrees and a quick-connect adapter. The maker states coverage of up to 85 feet in diameter, and the listing gives a size of 7 by 5.5 by 3.9 inches.
Suits: a compact metal sprinkler. Strengths: a heavy metal base and a quick-connect adapter. Weaknesses: a short base that sits low. Skip it if you want an elevated head.
View WEMADE SP-M Zinc Impact Sprinkler on Amazon
6. Biswing 2 Pack Impact Sprinkler on Step Spike
Two zinc alloy impact heads on metal step spikes, 13.8 inches tall in total, with a partial circle of 20 to 340 degrees or a full circle. The maker lists 40 to 86 feet in diameter, about 5,600 square feet, a recommended 20 to 60 psi and 3/4 inch hose fittings.
Suits: two zones from one order. Strengths: two sprinklers and a tall spike. Weaknesses: reach depends on pressure. Skip it if you only need one.
View Biswing 2 Pack Impact Sprinkler on Spike on Amazon
Specs to Check Before Ordering
- Base type: spike, tripod, platform or pop-up.
- Hose thread size and any quick-connect adapter.
- The maker’s stated diameter and area, and the pressure it assumes.
- Pack count, since some listings sell two.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Comparing a diameter figure with an area figure as if they were the same.
- Ignoring the pressure range the maker lists.
- Choosing a spike model for hard or paved ground.
- Skipping the listing text on what is in the box.
Impact Sprinkler FAQ
What makes an impact sprinkler different?
A small spring arm taps the jet as it turns, so the head moves in steps and throws a pulsing stream. Follow the maker’s instructions for settings.
Can I link more than one?
Only models with a flow-through outlet, such as the Orbit 56946, say so. Read each listing before planning a line, and see our garden hose guide for the hose side.
The Short Version
For a raised head, the Orbit 56667. For a flat platform, the Chapin. For a permanent pop-up, the Rain Bird. For brass on a spike, the Orbit 56946. For a compact metal unit, the WEMADE. For two in one order, the Biswing.
