Wobbler Vs Impact Sprinkler | Comparison + Ideas

Wobblers are better suited for moderately sized grounds or enclosed spaces thanks to their efficiency and uniformity. On the other hand, impact sprinklers can be used for larger areas due to their significant range and low cost.

Those who have a garden know how difficult it is to keep it watered. Luckily, with a wobbler or impact sprinkler for low pressure, your watering woes can be resolved.

That’s why I have compared these two sprinkler heads today. They are much better at watering your plants than traditional drip emitters. As such, you can preserve the beauty of your garden for a long time.

So, if you want to know which one is the best for you, then read on!

What Is A Wobbler?

To start things off, I will be looking into the Wobbler sprinkler head. It was originally introduced as Xcel Wobbler, manufactured by the brand Senninger, which is a well-known name in the field of irrigation systems. As such, the Senninger wobbler sprinklers are the most popular.

This particular type of sprinkler head produces rain-like droplets that resist wind and evaporation. And it is built with off-center rotary action technology that allows it to operate at lower pressures.

Advantages Of The Wobbler Sprinkler Head

1. Provides Uniform Distribution

The wobbler sprinkler head provides a much more uniform coverage compared to traditional drip irrigation systems. Thanks to the off-center rotary action, it can distribute consistently sized droplets over a large area without any issues. 

Also, the wobbler technology enables it to maintain a uniform pattern, meaning that you don’t have to worry about parts of your garden getting no water.

2. Efficient Water Usage

The droplets distributed by wobbler sprinklers actively resist wind drift. This means that the droplets won’t spread out beyond the operational area, which reduces water wastage. Besides, they have been designed to operate at low pressure, which means that you can cover your entire lawn with relatively less water.

3. Highly Versatile Application

When compared to existing drip systems, the wobbler sprinkler heads are much more versatile. So, they are used extensively across yards, lawns, gardens, nurseries, and turfs. 

Not only can a wobbler be used for watering purposes, but it can also be used to control insect growth and provide frost protection. Furthermore, it has minimal impact on the soil structure despite the large droplets, which makes the area ideal for germination.

4. Durable Build Quality

To ensure a prolonged lifespan, the wobbler sprinklers are made from high-impact, engineering-grade thermoplastic materials instead of metals. As such, they are incredibly strong and damage-resistant, which means that you can use them for a long time without any issues.

Disadvantages Of The Wobbler Sprinkler Head

1. Expensive 

Because of the high-quality materials used and the versatile features, it comes with a relatively high price tag. That can act as a deterrent for many homeowners, especially those who have a limited budget.

2. Difficult To Set Up And Maintain

Compared to a traditional irrigation system, the wobbler sprinkler features a much more intricate setup. This makes the installation process a lot more complicated and time-consuming. Likewise, the sprinkler head is difficult to maintain and repair due to the same reason. So, if you encounter any issues with it during usage, you might have a lot of trouble fixing it. Even performing periodic maintenance can be a headache.

What Is An Impact Sprinkler?

Now that you know about the wobbler, I will be discussing impact sprinklers in this section. An impact sprinkler is one of the most commonly used sprinklers, featuring a rotating head that disperses water. On that note, you can choose between the Orbit vs. Rainbird impact sprinkler, which are two of the best brands available today.

The head is pivoted on a bearing, which makes it free to rotate. This bearing is located on top of the threaded nut that is used to attach the head to the pipeline. An impact hammer present on the head strikes the water stream, and the force of the impact helps to rotate the sprinkler around.

Advantages Of An Impact Sprinkler

1. Highly Adjustable Design

Typically, an impact sprinkler head comes with a set of nozzles that allows you to adjust the water flow rate as per your requirements. In addition, the head features an adjustable stop, which allows you to choose between a part-circle or full-circle operation. 

2. Cost-Effective

Compared to the wobbler or any other sprinkler head, the impact sprinkler is a lot more affordable. This is because it does not have a complicated design like the wobbler, nor does it require skilled personnel for its installation.

On top of that, it does not require electricity to operate, unlike many other sprinkler heads. Therefore, you can save on energy costs, which further enhances its cost-effectiveness.

3. Easy To Use And Maintain

Due to its simplistic design, an impact sprinkler is much easier to use than wobbler sprinkler heads. It is quick and easy to assemble, and there are no complex moving parts that you need to be careful about.

As such, it is a breeze to maintain the sprinkler head periodically. And if there are any issues with it, you can troubleshoot them on your own. Just disassemble the parts, identify and fix the problem, and put them back together – simple!

4. High Coverage Area

Impact sprinklers are designed to spray water over a fairly large area, which makes them a perfect choice for large, open spaces. In fact, they might have the greatest range among all types of sprinkler heads, which makes them extremely useful for irrigation purposes.

Disadvantages Of An Impact Sprinkler

1. Not Always Suitable For Low Water Pressure

If you plan to use an impact sprinkler for your lawn, then you need to make sure that the pressure of the water supply is high enough. These sprinkler heads do not work that well when the water pressure is low when compared to wobblers. 

2. Relatively Noisy

The impact sprinkler is noisier than other sprinkler heads. This is due to the water stream striking the impact hammer. Unfortunately, there is no way to get around this problem, so you have to deal with the noise. However, the noise is not very loud, so it should not bother you unless you are in close proximity to it.

Wobbler Vs Impact Sprinkler Conclusion

Both sprinkler heads have their own strengths and weaknesses, which makes them suited for different use cases.

If you have a moderate-sized lawn or have an enclosed space such as a greenhouse, I would suggest going with the Wobbler sprinkler head. Also, it is suitable if you live in an area with low water pressure. It has a decent range and provides uniform coverage.

On the other hand, if you own a large yard or an irrigated field, you can go with impact sprinklers. Its exceptional range and low cost mean you can cover the entire land area without issues.