Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Disclosure in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.
There’s nothing better than cold water on a blazing summer’s day. If you don’t have easy access to a swimming pool, don’t despair—there are plenty of options available. One of the easiest ways to cool down is with fun water sprinklers for adults. You may have fond memories of playing with your parents’ garden hose as a kid, so why not replicate the feeling now?
What To Look for When Buying a Water Sprinkler for Adults
When you start shopping around for a water sprinkler for fun, you’ll quickly identify two categories of sprinklers: serious and for kids. Don’t let either category put you off. You can have just as much fun with a serious garden tool as you can with a fun, colorful ball. Also, feel free to let your inner kid run wild since most water toys are suitable for both kids and adults alike.
Rather than looking at the packaging and presentation, focus on the features. Decide what you want and look for a sprinkler that meets those needs. Sprinklers have many possibilities that can change how you play with them and whether you get any use out of them as a dual-purpose garden tool and toy.
Number of Spouts
The more spouts you have, the more water you’ll get. If you want to get completely soaked, then more spouts are the way to go. However, you need to make sure that you’ve got a garden hose that can output enough pressure to pump water through multiple spouts with enough strength to cool you down.
Ability To Combine With Other Outdoor Water Toys
If you already have an outdoor activity set, like a trampoline or swing set, consider adding water. There are plenty of sprinklers specifically designed to fit onto a trampoline or even to a slide or swing set. If you already have existing outdoor water toys, like an inflatable water pool, you can try to find a sprinkler that integrates into that system.
These sprinklers can add an extra dimension of fun, but if you don’t already have a trampoline or paddle pool, then they may not be the right option for you unless you’re willing to spend the extra cash.
Durability
Sprinklers marketed as toys tend to consist of relatively flimsy materials that weather poorly, like plastic. These materials tend to perish when left exposed to the harsh summer sun, so it’s a good idea to pack them away when you’re not using them.
However, if you want something that you can leave outside all summer long, you’ll need a sprinkler made with weatherproof materials. Be sure to check reviews for durability in real-life situations before you make your purchasing decision.
Size
Water sprinklers can range from tiny, unobtrusive units to massive backyard playscapes. You have to keep your outdoor area in mind and how much work it is to set up and disassemble the sprinkler regularly.
Water Pressure
There are two significant factors to consider regarding water pressure: how much pressure you get from your garden hose and how much water pressure the sprinkler gives off.
The more nozzles a sprinkler has, the higher the water pressure will need to be to keep every nozzle filled. If you have low water pressure at home, a sprinkler with one or two nozzles is better as you’ll get a more sizeable water flow. However, if you have high water pressure, then a sprinkler with lots of nozzles will provide a great deal of extra cooling power.
The second consideration is how hard you want the water from your sprinkler to go. Nobody likes feeling like they’re getting pressure washed, and some people even prefer a gentle mist to a complete drenching. Sprinklers come in a lot of different strengths, and some will offer various options for different preferences.
Splash Pad
Getting a lot of water on your lawn may sound like a good idea at first, but you’ll quickly find that the area around the sprinkler can become muddy. If you plan to spend a lot of time playing around your sprinkler, instead of just quick in-and-out dips, consider getting one with a splay play mat. These plastic mats protect your precious grass while also ensuring that you don’t overwater any particular area.
In some instances, these splash mats are big enough to become inflatable water pools, which can be a great extra benefit.
The Best Water Sprinklers for Adults To Have a Blast: Our Picks
Nelson Traveling Sprinkler Rain Train
The only thing better than a sprinkler on a summer’s day is a traveling sprinkler. The Nelson Rain Train travels up to 200 feet, offering around 13,500 square feet of coverage. What makes it great as a water play toy is that it adds a dimension of activity to your ordinary sprinkler toy.
Buy on AmazonIt gets boring simply running through a sprinkler, and the Rain Train means that you’ve got to work to keep up. It has three different speed settings, ranging from a brisk walk to entirely stationary. The Rain Train is also highly robust since it has a cast iron body that can survive even the harshest sun. So if you’re looking for the best water sprinkler for adults, this is a great choice.
Pros:
- Cast iron body for maximum durability
- Two aluminum nozzles with an adjustable spray range
- Follows your hose, allowing you to set up a track
Cons:
- Water spray is relatively harsh compared to other sprinklers
Bobor Trampoline Sprinkler
If you have a trampoline, combining it with a sprinkler is a great idea. The Bobor trampoline sprinkler has extra-thick water pipe walls, making it very durable and leakproof. It’s easy to install and mounts on the outside of the trampoline net, making it safe to use for both kids and adults.
Buy on AmazonAs an extra feature, you can also use the Bobor sprinkler as a garden sprinkler, as it’s long enough for most yards. It has several outlets, making it ideal for long, snaking spaces that need gentle watering.
Pros:
- The kit comes with everything you need to install the trampoline sprinkler safely
- Reinforced walls add to the durability and lifespan
- Long enough to fit even large trampolines
Cons:
- You need a trampoline
Boogem Inflatable Cactus Sprinkler
Sure, it says it’s for kids, but can you resist putting this up in your backyard? The 65″ arch is tall enough for most adults to run through with minimal bending, and the range of outlets means you’ll get a full-size drenching when you go through.
Buy on AmazonThe URROY cactus sprinkler is incredibly easy to set up, provided you have a pump or a powerful set of lungs. The PVC material is weather-resistant, meaning that it won’t fade or perish in the harsh summer sun. You can easily set this up once and leave it in your yard for the rest of the season. The stabilizers at the base ensure that it won’t tip over in a stiff breeze.
Pros:
- A water-filled base ensures stability
- Tall enough for easy pass-through
- Whimsical design is eye-catching and fun
Cons:
- It may be too low for taller adults
Melnor 15110 Telescoping Sprinkler
Melnor is a reputable gardening company that makes a wide range of sprinklers, ranging from simple to whole-garden solutions. What makes the 15110 an excellent choice for a sprinkler for pool parties or cooling down in summer is its telescoping stand and adjustable water pressure.
Buy on AmazonIf you want to enjoy the cooling properties of a sprinkler without getting completely soaked, you can easily set this up for a gentle, almost mist-like spray. You can use it to keep cool during your sunbathing session since the sprinkler stands at around 40″ high.
It’s light and durable enough for regular outdoor use, as well as the occasional cooling-down session. If you only plan to use sprinklers to cool down occasionally, this product is a valuable midpoint between functionality and fun.
Pros:
- Adjustable height
- Adjustable strength ranging from mist to drenching shower
- Dual-purpose
Cons:
- The spike feels flimsy
Tidal Storm Wet N’ Wild Melon Sprinkler Ball
The melon sprinkler ball has an ingenious design with four sprinkler heads that spurt water in all directions. It’s three feet tall, making it ideal for adults and kids alike. Thanks to the water-filled base, the sprinkler stays stable and grounded.
Buy on AmazonWhat makes this melon such a great option for fun water sprinklers for adults is that it’s effortless to install. It inflates quickly and hooks up to a standard garden hose. Once your sprinkler session is over, it’s easy to deflate and put away. The relatively resilient PVC material won’t fray or crack, meaning that you can have an entire season of fun, even if you leave it outside.
Pros:
- Inflates and deflates quickly and easily
- Multiple sprinkler heads for multi-dimensional fun
- The quirky design makes a great addition to any backyard
Cons:
- Not as robust as many other sprinkler toys for adults
Conclusion
There are plenty of options for fun water sprinklers for adults. There’s no reason why you can’t buy a kid’s product if you want a dedicated toy, or you can repurpose your gardening sprinkler into a dual-purpose item.
We think the Nelson Rain Train is the best water sprinkler for adults simply because it offers a fun alternative to a standard sprinkler while still being good at watering your yard. And it’s shaped like a train. Who can resist that?