The best Gardena sprinklers, compared.
Top pick: Gardena AquaZoom compact – Highest score, 88, from its own 4.5 and 5,052 reviews, at about £31.99. Stated area 9–216 m² with width and flow on the head. The range figures on the listing do not match, and low pressure is still low pressure. Best value: Gardena Aqua S – Score 76 at about £15.99, the lowest price in this set, with a stated 90–220 m², range 7–17 m, a metal filter and a cleaning needle. The review text is shared with the Aqua M and Aqua L. Updated 22.10.2026.
A hose-end sprinkler throws water from an outside tap across a lawn or a bed. It is not a buried irrigation system. You buy one in the UK when you want a rectangle or a circle covered without standing there with a lance, and you still check whether your water company has a temporary use ban. You tell a suitable head by the pattern, the smallest area printed for it, and whether width and flow adjust on the head or only at the tap. An oscillating bar wets a rectangle. A pulse head wets a circle or a sector. A stated maximum only holds if the pressure at the nozzle is high enough. Ofwat's floor is 0.7 bar, a static head of 7 m, in the communication pipe rather than at the nozzle. These heads have no mains plug and no battery. If a hosepipe ban is in force, a sprinkler is still a hosepipe under section 76A of the Water Industry Act 1991. Pattern, minimum area and the controls are set out in the [sprinkler buying guide](/hub/garden-watering/gardena-sprinkler/sub/gardena-sprinkler-buying-guide).
A hose-end sprinkler throws water from an outside tap across a lawn or a bed. It is not a buried irrigation system.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What shape are you watering?
The AquaZoom compact is the top pick in this set because its own amazon.co.uk line is 4.5 out of 5 from 5,052 reviews, not a copy of another ASIN here. At about £31.99 the listing states 9–216 m², with spread, throw and flow variable, soft nozzles, and a 12.7 mm inlet. The title says range 3–18 m and one bullet says 3 to max. 12 m, so the card shows both. Reviews praise the sliders on moderate pressure and say it will not rescue a very weak supply. One buyer has replaced it more than once.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Beds and small rectangles where you need width and flow sliders and can live with the range-figure clash.
Less suitable: A very low-pressure tap, or a buyer who wants the Aqua S at about £15.99 and nothing else.
Specifications
Common questions
What area does the AquaZoom compact claim?
The title says 9–216 m², with spread 3–12 m. The same listing's range is 3–18 m in the title and 3 to max. 12 m in one bullet.
Does it suit flower beds?
The bullets describe flower and vegetable beds, with spread, throw and flow all variable. It weighs 380 g and the inlet is 12.7 mm.
Will low pressure still reach the maximum?
Reviews say it will not fix dreadful water pressure. One buyer blocked nozzles to stretch the reach and did not recommend that.
The Aqua S is the best value because it is the lowest price in this Gardena set at about £15.99, with a stated 90–220 m², range 7–17 m, a metal filter, and a cleaning needle. The listing line is 4.3 out of 5 from 8,883 reviews, and that same text is in the Aqua M and Aqua L files, so the count is not three votes. It weighs 275 g. Shared reviews praise an even spray at modest pressure and say the head can wander. Maximum flow is printed as 12 litres per minute and maximum pressure as 4 bar.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A rectangular lawn inside the 90–220 m² claim if you want the cheapest Gardena bar in this set.
Less suitable: A bed under 90 m², or anyone who needs a review sample that is not shared with the Aqua M and Aqua L.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Aqua S meant for a very small lawn?
The bullets say a square or rectangular area of 90 to 220 m². The stated floor is 90 m², with range 7–17 m and spread max. 13 m.
Is it metal?
The material type is plastic. The title names a built-in metal filter, and a cleaning needle is included.
Why is the star rating the same as the Aqua M and Aqua L?
This listing's review text, the 4.3 from 8,883 line, and the rank line match those two ASINs. It is one shared block, not three separate samples.
The Aqua M lists 110–250 m² at about £34.99, with range 8–18 m, spread max. 14 m, a metal filter, and a cleaning needle. It weighs 310 g and the maximum flow is printed as 15 litres per minute. Maximum pressure and inlet size are not stated. The 4.3 from 8,883 line is the same shared review block as the Aqua S and Aqua L, and the rank line is the same 1,261 in Garden. EU spare-part availability on this listing is 1 year. The listing warranty says 2 years.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A medium rectangle inside 110–250 m² if you want a needle-cleaned Aqua bar and accept the shared reviews.
Less suitable: A plot under 110 m², or a buyer who needs width adjustment down to a few metres.
Specifications
Common questions
What lawn size is the Aqua M listed for?
The bullets say medium lawns of 110 to 250 m², with range adjustable from 8 to max. 18 m and spread max. 14 m.
Does the box include a cleaning needle?
Yes. The style name and the maintenance bullet both include a cleaning needle, plus an internal filter.
Are the 8,883 reviews only for the Aqua M?
No. The review text in this file matches the Aqua S and Aqua L files, including the same 4.3 from 8,883 line.
The Aqua L is the longest bar in this set at 50.4 cm, listed for 120–280 m² at about £40.99. This amazon.co.uk title and bullet both cap the range at 16 m, with spread max. 16 m, a 20.5 mm inlet, and maximum flow printed as 10 litres per minute. It weighs 370 g and includes a cleaning needle. The 4.3 from 8,883 reviews and the rank 1,261 in Garden are the shared Aqua block, which includes a title that complains about an Aqua L. Country of origin is not stated. The listing warranty says 2 years.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A long rectangle inside 120–280 m² if the 20.5 mm inlet matches the hose you already use.
Less suitable: A small lawn, or a buyer who wants an independent review count before paying about £40.99.
Specifications
Common questions
What range does this Aqua L listing state?
The title and the bullet both say 8 to max. 16 m, for 120 to 280 m², with spread max. 16 m.
Will it fit a larger hose?
The inlet connection size is 20.5 mm. The AquaZoom compact in this set is listed at 12.7 mm.
Is the poor-build review about this model?
A title in the shared review text names an Aqua L. The same text is also the Aqua S and Aqua M file, so it is not a separate Aqua L sample.
The AquaZoom M lists 9–250 m², range 3–18 m, and spread 3–14 m at about £40.49, with spread, throw and flow variable, a metal filter, and soft nozzles. It weighs 800 g, the heaviest oscillating model here. Its own review line is 4.1 out of 5 from 8,354 reviews. Buyers like the stable base and still report throws well short of 18 m, including about 6 m by 10 m and about 7 m by 6 m. Maximum flow is printed as 960 litres per hour. The listing warranty line says 2 years. The model number is 18712 and the part number is 18714-81.000.00.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A medium rectangle where you want width and flow sliders and will measure the throw before trusting 250 m².
Less suitable: A low-pressure garden that already failed to reach the box figure on a smaller head.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the AquaZoom M reach 250 m² on a normal UK tap?
The listing states 9–250 m² and range 3–18 m. Reviews describe about 6 m by 10 m, or about 7 m by 6 m, and one buyer returned it for a short spray.
What can you adjust?
The bullets say spread, throw and flow are all variable. Width is stated as 3–14 m. A metal filter and soft nozzles are included.
Is the warranty five years on this listing?
The manufacturer warranty line says 2 year manufacturer. No other warranty length is printed in the listing file.
The Premium pulse is the only circle sprinkler in this set. At about £43.64 the listing states up to 490 m² and an infinitely adjustable throw up to 12.5 m, on a plastic sled, in metal and plastic, weighing 400 g. Its own reviews score 3.6 out of 5 from 2,070. Buyers who are pleased cite the sled and the sector. Others report a head that sticks, leaks, or stops turning, and one calls 12.5 m misleading. Included components says no, while the bullets describe a system connector for daisy-chaining. Maximum flow is printed as 5,900 litres per hour. The listing warranty says 2 years.
Pros
Cons
Best for: One open circular area if you accept the stuck-head reviews and will not daisy-chain on a weak tap.
Less suitable: A rectangle beside a path, or a buyer who wants the 4.5 compact sample instead.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this a rectangular sprinkler?
No. It is a full or part circle pulse head on a plastic sled, listed for up to 490 m² and a throw up to 12.5 m.
Can you connect a second one?
The bullets say several sprinklers can be connected with a Gardena system connector and end cap. The included-components field says no. One reviewer's second unit in line did not run.
Why do reviews mention it sticking?
Several UK reviews say the head stays in one position, leaks, or stops turning after weeks or months. The listing score is 3.6 out of 5 from 2,070 reviews.
Six amazon.co.uk listings are on this page. Each score is the 0–100 display figure from the listing stars, whether that ASIN has its own review text, the stated adjustment, and the price. It is not a lab test. The Aqua S, Aqua M and Aqua L share one review block, so that count is not tripled. The top pick is the AquaZoom compact, score 88, at about £31.99. The best value is the Aqua S, score 76, at about £15.99. Prices are the listing figures recorded for 21 October 2026, not a live basket. The weights below follow the buying order and sum to 100.
Pattern
20%An oscillating bar covers a rectangle. A pulse head on a sled covers a circle or a sector. The pattern is the first split, before area or price.
Minimum area
20%The Aqua S starts at 90 m², the Aqua M at 110 m² and the Aqua L at 120 m². Both AquaZoom listings start at 9 m². A small bed is not an Aqua S job. The stated maximum is not the area a UK garden will get.
Controls
15%AquaZoom listings call range, width and flow variable on the head. The Aqua bars leave flow to the tap in the shared reviews, and width is a maximum rather than a range from 3 m. The compact title says 3–18 m and one bullet says 3 to max. 12 m.
Pressure at the head
15%Ofwat's floor is 0.7 bar (7 m static head) in the communication pipe, not at the nozzle. Expert Reviews saw about 18 m on an AquaZoom M only with enough pressure. Reviews on that listing describe about 6 m by 10 m, or about 7 m by 6 m.
Independent ratings
15%Stars count only when that ASIN has its own review text. The compact is 4.5 from 5,052. The AquaZoom M is 4.1 from 8,354. The pulse is 3.6 from 2,070. The Aqua S, Aqua M and Aqua L share 4.3 from 8,883.
Temporary use ban
15%A mains sprinkler is not a loophole if your undertaker has banned hosepipe use. Section 76A of the Water Industry Act 1991 includes a sprinkler-type device. Ofwat cites a fine of up to £1,000. Check your company. This is not the Scottish rule.
Separate a rectangle from a circle first, then read the minimum area, then the controls. Prices on amazon.co.uk in this set run from about £15.99 to about £43.64. That split is the listing figures for 21 October 2026, not a live basket.
A hose-end sprinkler is a head you connect to a garden hose on a UK outside tap. It is not a buried system. An oscillating bar covers a rectangle. A pulse head on a sled covers a circle or a sector. You separate them by pattern, by the smallest area on the listing, and by whether width and flow adjust on the head or only at the tap. The minimum area matters more than the maximum. Lighter bars start around 90 m², 110 m² or 120 m².
The stated maximum is only reachable with enough pressure at the nozzle. Ofwat's 0.7 bar floor is in the communication pipe. Reviews on the AquaZoom M describe rectangles well short of 18 m.
The Aqua S, Aqua M and Aqua L share one review text, the 4.3 from 8,883 line, and the same rank line. The compact, the AquaZoom M and the pulse have separate texts.
Section 76A treats a sprinkler-type device as a hosepipe. A ban is not avoided by the product name. Thames Water's July 2026 notice is an example for its area, not a UK-wide status. Check your company.
Choose a rectangle or a circle before you compare prices. Oscillating bars in the Aqua line start at 90 m², 110 m² or 120 m². AquaZoom listings start at 9 m² and put range, width and flow on the head. A small bed is not an Aqua S job. Keep a title range and a conflicting bullet together, as on the compact listing.
Do not expect 17 m or 18 m from 0.7 bar at the boundary. Count stars only when the ASIN has its own review text, and do not triple-count the shared Aqua block. If a temporary use ban is in force, a mains sprinkler is not a loophole. The listing warranty line says 2 years, which is not the 5-year registration wording on Gardena UK pages.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You need width and flow on the head, and the plot may be well under 90 m². The AquaZoom compact is about £31.99, score 88, with its own 4.5 from 5,052 reviews and a stated 9–216 m². The title range is 3–18 m and one bullet says 3–12 m. Skip it if the tap pressure is very low.
You accept a 90 m² floor and a light bar if the price is the lowest in this set. The Aqua S is about £15.99, score 76, stated 90–220 m², range 7–17 m, with a cleaning needle. The 4.3 from 8,883 reviews is shared with the Aqua M and Aqua L. It weighs 275 g and reviews say it can creep.
You want a full or part circle, not a rectangle beside a path. The Premium pulse sprinkler is about £43.64, score 62, stated up to 490 m², throw up to 12.5 m, on a plastic sled. Its own reviews are 3.6 from 2,070 and include heads that stick. Skip it if you need a rectangular pattern.
The top pick is the Gardena AquaZoom compact at about £31.99. It scores 88. Its own amazon.co.uk line is 4.5 from 5,052 reviews. The title states 9–216 m², with spread, throw and flow variable. The title says range 3–18 m and one bullet says 3 to max. 12 m. Reviews say it will not rescue a very weak supply. The best value is the Gardena Aqua S at about £15.99, score 76, stated 90–220 m² and range 7–17 m. The 4.3 from 8,883 reviews is the shared Aqua block, not three separate samples. It weighs 275 g.
Gardena AquaZoom compact
Highest score, 88, from its own 4.5 and 5,052 reviews, at about £31.99. Stated area 9–216 m² with width and flow on the head. The range figures on the listing do not match, and low pressure is still low pressure.
Gardena Aqua S
Score 76 at about £15.99, the lowest price in this set, with a stated 90–220 m², range 7–17 m, a metal filter and a cleaning needle. The review text is shared with the Aqua M and Aqua L.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources for hosepipe bans, pressure and lawn watering. Listing prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines. Prices are the figures recorded for 21 October 2026, not a live basket. This is not a lab test.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines. We did not run a lab test.
