Whats the best type of pop-up sprinkler?

hoosing the right pop-up sprinkler can save water and improve lawn health. Learn the difference between traditional pop-ups, stream rotors, and gear drive sprinklers—and find out which is best for your lawn.

Summary

Choosing the right pop-up sprinkler can make a huge difference to how efficiently your lawn is watered, how much water you use, and how well your grass performs long term. While any irrigation system is better than none at all, different types of pop-up sprinklers vary significantly in cost, water efficiency, adjustability, and suitability for different lawn sizes and water pressure situations.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the three most common types of pop-up sprinklers used in home lawns—traditional pop-ups, stream rotors, and domestic gear drive sprinklers—so you can confidently choose the option that best suits your lawn, your water supply, and your budget.

Choosing the Right Pop-Up Sprinkler for Your Lawn

When it comes to installing a pop-up sprinkler system, there is no single “one size fits all” solution. Each sprinkler type delivers water differently, and those differences matter. Factors like lawn size, shape, available water pressure, flow rate, and how efficiently you want to use water all play a role in determining the best option.

All pop-up sprinklers are designed to rise above the turf during watering and retract neatly afterwards, keeping your lawn tidy and safe. Beyond that basic function, however, the similarities end.

Let’s take a closer look at the three most common types used in residential lawns.

Types of Pop-Up Sprinklers

1. Traditional Pop-Up Sprinklers

Typical cost: $2–$6 each
Spray pattern: Solid fan-shaped spray
Radius: Up to 5 metres
Adjustability: Fixed or limited variable radius
Water usage: High

Traditional pop-ups are what most people picture when they think of lawn sprinklers. They’re inexpensive, widely available, and have been used in residential irrigation systems for decades.

They deliver water in a solid spray pattern, which means they apply a lot of water very quickly. While this gets the job done, it also creates some limitations. Because their throw distance is relatively short, more sprinklers are required to cover the same area. This increases installation complexity and can lead to overlapping spray and overspray onto paths, driveways, or garden beds.

Adjustability is also limited. Some models allow basic radius adjustment, but fine control over the arc (the angle of spray) is often crude or inconsistent. The biggest drawback, however, is water efficiency. Traditional pop-ups require significantly more water to operate, often leading to more irrigation zones, higher water usage, and greater runoff—especially on compacted or sloped soils.

They remain a budget-friendly option, but they come with compromises.

2. Stream Rotors

Examples: Hunter MP Rotators, Rain Bird RVAN
Typical cost: $11–$17 each
Spray pattern: Multiple rotating streams or “fingers”
Radius: 2.5–8 metres
Adjustability: Fully adjustable arc and radius
Water usage: Low
Pressure requirements: Excellent in low-pressure situations

Stream rotors have transformed residential irrigation over the past decade and are now the gold standard for most home lawns.

Physically, they fit into standard pop-up sprinkler bodies, but function very differently from traditional spray heads. Instead of delivering water in a solid fan, stream rotors apply water in slow, rotating streams. This dramatically reduces the application rate.

To put this into perspective, a traditional pop-up set to a half-circle can use up to 4 litres per minute, while a stream rotor covering the same area may use as little as 1 litre per minute. This slower application allows water to soak into the soil rather than running off, which is particularly important in South Australian conditions.

Stream rotors are also highly adjustable. You can fine-tune both the radius and the arc, making them ideal for irregular lawn shapes, narrow strips, and areas close to hard surfaces. This precision means less overspray, less waste, and more water going exactly where it’s needed.

Another major advantage is their ability to operate effectively in low-pressure and low-flow situations. Because they use water more efficiently, you can often run more sprinklers per zone, reducing the total number of irrigation zones required.

While the upfront cost is higher, the long-term savings in water use and improved lawn performance more than make up for it.

3. Domestic Gear Drive Sprinklers

Examples: Hunter SRM, Rain Bird 3500
Typical cost: $15–$25 each
Spray pattern: Single rotating jet
Radius: 6–12 metres
Adjustability: Adjustable arc and radius
Best suited for: Larger lawn areas

Domestic gear drive sprinklers are designed for lawns that require longer throw distances. They spray a single rotating stream of water and are ideal for larger, open areas where fewer sprinklers can cover more ground.

Because of their reach, you’ll need fewer heads overall, which can make them a cost-effective solution for large lawns. However, when set to throw long distances, gear drives can be relatively water-hungry. They perform best on properties with good water pressure and flow.

These sprinklers are commonly used in larger residential lawns and light commercial settings. For small or irregularly shaped lawns, they’re often unnecessary and less efficient than stream rotors.

So, Which Pop-Up Sprinkler Is Best?

All three types will water your lawn, and in that sense, there’s no “wrong” choice. The best option depends on your lawn size, water supply, and priorities.

That said, after designing and troubleshooting irrigation systems for many years, my clear preference for most home lawns is stream rotors. They offer unmatched control, exceptional water efficiency, and flexibility across a wide range of conditions. When you factor in water savings, reduced runoff, and better turf health, they deliver outstanding long-term value.

Need Help With Irrigation?

With the ongoing heat and watering challenges we see each summer, the role of a well-designed irrigation system becomes even more important. At this time of year, we regularly speak with customers who are concerned about lawns developing brown, thinning, or dying patches.

In most cases, the underlying issue comes back to water. Sometimes this is related to soil conditions, such as water repellency, but very often it’s simply that the lawn isn’t being watered effectively or deeply enough to support healthy root growth during hot weather.

This is where automated irrigation systems make a real difference. The simplest and most reliable way to ensure your lawn receives the correct amount of water, at the right depth, and at the right time is to remove the guesswork altogether. When watering relies on hand watering or moving sprinklers around, it can easily be rushed, inconsistent, or deprioritised when time or energy is limited.

A properly designed irrigation system removes that friction. It delivers consistent, deep watering without ongoing effort, helping lawns cope far better through periods of heat and dryness. Ultimately, that reliability and ease is exactly what most people are looking for when they want a lawn that performs well long term.

If you have any questions about irrigation, please give us a call on 8298 0555 or email water@paulmunnsinstantlawn.com.au. We’re a local South Australian business that specialises in helping people—especially those with limited experience—design, install, and understand irrigation systems.

Whether you’re choosing sprinklers, upgrading an existing system, or looking for a full design and quote, we’re happy to help.  For a free irrgation design and quote, be sure to check out our online irrigation resources for more practical guidance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are stream rotors worth the extra cost?

Yes. While they cost more upfront, stream rotors use significantly less water, often reduce the number of irrigation zones required, and deliver water more evenly. Over time, this usually results in lower water bills and a healthier lawn.

Can I mix different types of sprinklers in one system?

You can, but it must be done carefully. Different sprinkler types apply water at different rates. Mixing them on the same zone can lead to uneven watering. If mixing types, they should generally be installed on separate zones.

Do stream rotors work with low water pressure?

Yes—this is one of their biggest strengths. Stream rotors are specifically designed to perform well in low-pressure and low-flow situations, making them ideal for many suburban homes.

Are traditional pop-ups bad for lawns?

Not necessarily. They can still water a lawn effectively, especially on flat areas with good soil infiltration. However, they are less efficient and more prone to runoff and overspray compared to modern alternatives.

How long should I run my sprinklers?

This depends on the sprinkler type. Traditional pop-ups require much shorter run times, while stream rotors need longer run times due to their slower application rate. The key is applying enough water to reach the root zone without runoff.

Can I install pop-up sprinklers myself?

Yes. Many homeowners successfully install their own systems with the right guidance. System design, head spacing, and zone layout are critical, so getting advice before starting can save time and money.