Since watering is one of the most time-consuming gardening activities in the summer, you’ll want to make it as quick and easy as possible, so you can spend more time enjoying your garden. Additionally, since water is one of our most important and stressed commodities, and especially if you’re using a water meter, you’ll want to make sure you’re not wasting a single drop.
While placing your thumb on the end of the hose is a haphazard way to adjust the flow rate and water pattern, a watering attachment on the end of the hose will provide much better control. It will also help reduce water waste, as you can water more precisely without gallons of water dripping all around your feet!
There are three basic options when choosing a sprinkler head:
ONE water jet There is probably only one type of spray – a jet. By adjusting the nozzle, you can create a finer or stronger water jet. But they are not versatile, especially when you want to water anything from seedlings to large trees!
Spray gun have more spray pattern options, you can change from one to another by rotating the nozzle. Models with multiple spray patterns are even more versatile, although you may find that you rarely or never use some of them on guns with too many options.
Nozzle They allow you to water precisely at the back of a wide bed or above your head, perfect for hanging baskets. They also allow you to water lower to the ground where it is needed, without having to bend or squat. When you have a lot of different areas to reach, a telescopic watering hose is a real advantage. Those with tilted or adjustable heads are much better suited to watering in many situations, especially high hanging baskets.
It is worth spending a little money on your tap fittings rather than buying cheap ones. Some of these fittings are made from very poor quality plastics that can crack and break if dropped, can become brittle and be adversely affected by cold/freezing weather, and have a relatively short lifespan. Good quality fittings even have soft rubber impact protection to prevent damage when dropped.
In large gardens or gardens with many containers, you will want accessories that have a trigger/flow lock method, otherwise this can lead to hand fatigue, as you do not have to hold the trigger constantly. Those with soft grip handles are even more comfortable. Some also have a way to change the water flow rate. This allows you to gently water young plants or fill the watering can and water larger plants more quickly.
Best Large Body Spray Gun: Hozelock Ultramax Multipurpose Spray
Best Small Body Spray Gun: Draper 8 Model Thumb Control Spray Gun 19722
Best fixed nozzle: Gardena Comfort hanging watering nozzle, 90cm
Best Telescopic Sprinkler: Flopro Telescopic Watering Hose
Best Small Body Spray Gun
We like: Easy to control, comfortable to hold
This spray gun features a lightweight aluminum body, comfortable ergonomically designed handle, rubberized body and quality brass hose connector. Eight easy to select and clearly labeled patterns, using the pattern wheel at the end of the sprayer. Water on/off and water flow control is excellent and easy with the thumb control slider.
We like: Solid construction, large nozzle
This Flopro model has a durable metal body and sturdy plastic, which protects against damage, such as when dropped. There are six spray patterns, clearly illustrated for easy selection. Easy to use and control thanks to the water flow control slider and one-handed on/off, thumb operated.
We like: Solid construction, large nozzle
Like the Flopro, this Gardena model has a sturdy metal and plastic body that protects against damage and a large spray head. It also has a sturdy metal hose connection. The on/off trigger easily locks in the on position and the separate flow controller provides good water control. There are five watering patterns and a built-in filter to prevent clogging.
We like: Solid construction, compact design
This is a compact, sturdy spray gun with a solid metal body, quality brass hose connector and soft plastic body for comfort and insulation. The gun has seven spray patterns, a finger-shaped on/off trigger that can be held in the on position with a metal hook and a separate switch to control the water flow intensity.
Best Large Body Spray Gun
We like: Solid structure
This Hozelock spray gun has a high quality die-cast metal body for added strength and durability, with a hard plastic exterior for added comfort. There is a simple, push-button lock, soft trigger, separate flow control, adjustable from 50-100% of available flow, and a quality metal hose connector. There are seven different spray patterns, clearly illustrated. This was the heaviest on test, weighing 610g, so is less suitable for those with weak wrists or dexterity issues.
We like: Innovative rotating head
This all-plastic spray gun is one of the lightest spray guns on test (235g), making it particularly suitable for those with dexterity or health issues in their fingers or wrists. Additionally, the spray head can rotate 180 degrees, allowing you to control the on/off switch with your finger or palm. There are four spray patterns and a separate water flow control slider.
We like: Simple design, very light
This all-plastic Verve spray gun is the lightest on test, weighing just 140g, making it the perfect choice for those who have trouble holding heavy objects. It’s also easy to control with a thumb-operated on/off slider that controls the water flow. It has five spray patterns.
We like: Comfortable handle
This Draper watering hose is comfortable to use, thanks to its ergonomic handle for palms and fingers and easy-to-use on/off switch. The hose has seven watering patterns, extends from 90-130cm and the nozzle angle is infinitely adjustable to 180 degrees, and can water directly into the hanging basket on the head.
Best Telescopic Nozzle
We like: Comfortable to use, very versatile
Another watering hose that is very comfortable to use, thanks to its comfortable palm and finger grip. Water inlet, outlet and water flow are controlled by a thumb-operated slider. The hose has six watering patterns, is 72-102cm long and has a 180-degree infinitely adjustable spray head angle, and can water directly into hanging baskets on the head. Further comfort comes from the foam handle that slides over the hose body.
Best Fixed Nozzle
We like: Comfortable to use
This is the perfect partner for the Gardena spray gun with the same easy-to-use on/off trigger and separate water flow control. There are only two spray patterns, it is 90cm long and the nozzle can be tilted up to – 200 degrees. Like the gun, it has a built-in anti-freeze feature in case you forget to bring it inside in winter.
We like: Comfortable to use, very versatile
A great sprayer to use with similar features to a spray gun. It has a lock, unlock, soft trigger, separate water flow control and seven different spray patterns, clearly illustrated. More comfort comes from the soft foam handle on the shaft. It extends from 98-140cm and has an infinitely adjustable nozzle angle of 180
We like: Very light, easy to use
This is a very lightweight nozzle, the lightest on test at just 250g, making it the perfect choice for those who can’t handle heavier loads. It’s a suitable partner to the Verve spray gun, with a thumb-operated on/off switch, a water flow slider and five spray patterns. The infinitely adjustable nozzle rotates 180 degrees and is 75.6cm long.
