The 5 Best Motion-Activated Sprinklers [2021 REVIEWS and RATINGS]

Are you worried about wandering animals messing up your garden or lawn (and want to shoo them away as humanely as possible)? Or keep intruders at bay even when you’re not at home? Then you might want to consider upgrading your traditional sprinklers with motion-activated sprinklers!

If you are not new to home automation, then you’ve probably heard about (or even considered already) motion-activated sprinklers. These smart devices are not only great for driving away animals (like skunks, feral cats, and raccoons) and intruders but also for irrigating your lawn and garden without the hassle.

In this post, we will review the best motion-activated sprinklers available in the market as well as the tips before you consider buying one!

What is a motion-activated sprinkler?

Motion activated sprinklers are intended to scare away pests and wandering animals to protect your lawn or garden. These devices work by squirting water from the water jet and emit a sound when it detects movements within its covered area. These smart sprinklers are the best and safest alternative option to repel animals and pests without using harmful chemicals. 

Motion-activated sprinklers are also great for scaring off intruders before they can even enter your property. The water and sound it emits can also alert you when someone attempts to enter your property.

With motion-activated sprinklers, it is easier to protect your lawn or property from unwanted visitors on top of your existing home security. If you’re looking for a gentle solution to shoo away animals, then these smart sprinklers could be your best option. Moreover, motion-activated sprinklers are also eco-friendly and help you save costs on water and electricity bills.

Things to Consider Before Buying Motion-Activated Sprinklers

The market nowadays can offer you a lot of options which can also be overwhelming. To get the best sprinkler to fit your needs, it is important to consider the following factors:

Large Coverage

The coverage specifications of the sprinkler should be carefully considered if you want to ensure that every corner of your lawn or garden is protected. If you have a very large area, then you can make measurements and know how many sprinklers you need to install. 

Detection Range

The detection range of the sprinkler should be sensitive enough to detect unwanted activities up to the farthest corner of the area you want to protect. We highly recommend a sprinkler that covers a range longer than your minimum requirement.

Ease of Use

When choosing a sprinkler, make sure that it is easy to use yet robust enough not to fail easily. Most sprinklers are designed to be fastened to the ground easily to make it steady, while some might come with a stand. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s manual for installation steps.

Power Supply

Sprinklers can be available with different power options. Some can be powered using batteries, solar panels, or through an electrical outlet. Sprinklers that are powered through batteries offer portability but can be out of power after some time. This can be a hassle since you may need to change the batteries, or worse, your sprinkler shuts down due to a low battery when it is needed the most. If portability is not so much of your concern, then we highly recommend choosing a sprinkler powered through an electrical outlet.

Spray Distance

Some sprinklers can cover an angle of coverage up to 360 degrees, while others can only target specific areas. You need to know first where you want to install your sprinkler so that you will get an approximation on where you want it to spray and choose the right model that meets the minimum spray distance or angle.

Water Jet

Make sure that the water jet of the sprinkler has customized options to target intruders of different sizes or height, whether it’s a bird, dog, or a burglar. The water emitted from the jet should be strong enough to scare away any unwanted visitors.

Customizable Settings

Different models of sprinklers may offer different customizations. For example, you might want to customize the angle of coverage, the water flow, the sensor sensitivity, and many others. Depending on your needs, choose the one which offers customization on your preferred settings.

Sensor

A good sensor is critical for a motion-activated sensor to sense movements and activate the water jet to scare away the critters. The sprinkler sensor should also be able to distinguish between small animals as well as the height of an intruder so that the sprinkler can emit the water appropriately. 

Price

Motion-activated sprinklers can vary depending on its features - the more fancy features, the higher the cost. Choose the one that best suits your budget and needs.

Top 5 Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Ready to find the best motion-activated sprinkler perfect for your needs? We’ve listed our top 5 recommendations to help make your buying decision easier!

Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler

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Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler
  • ULTIMATE YARD PROTECTION - Defend your yard with our powerful motion-activated sprinkler that deters...
  • SENSOR-ACTIVATED YARD SECURITY SPRINKLER - The heat and motion-activated sensor detects movement up to 40...
  • DUAL-PURPOSE SPRINKLER - Our motion-activated sprinkler not only repels animals but also allows you to...

Rating: 4.1/5

Pros:

  • Stable metal tripod
  • Offers two angles for small and large targets
  • Adjustable impact sprinklers up to 35 feet
  • Sensor covers up to 120 degrees
  • Easy to adjust the angle for proper coverage

Cons:

  • Settings too sensitive
  • Some users reported leakage caused by water connector

If you’re looking for a reliable motion-activated sprinkler that works both day and night, then you should consider the Orbit 62100. Not only does it help you keep those critters and intruders away from your property but also it helps you conserve energy and water through its intelligent sensing technology. This means that the sprinkler will only turn on when it detects unwanted activities or movements.

The Orbit 62100 is designed with a 120-degree infrared motion sensor with day and night modes for good coverage both in light and dark conditions. Birds and animals can be easily detected by the sensor of up to 40 feet distance.

Aside from the dark and light mode, the Orbit 62100 also offers a patrol mode wherein you can set the time of the sprinkler to work between one to thirty minutes.

To ensure durability, stability and longevity, the Orbit sprinkler is designed with a heavy-duty materials, metal spike, and brass hose connection. It is powered using 4 AA alkaline batteries which lasts up to 7500 cycles. 

Havahart 5277 Motion Activated Sprinkler

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Havahart 5277 Critter Ridder Motion Activated Animal...
4,433 Reviews
Havahart 5277 Critter Ridder Motion Activated Animal...
  • Naturally Repels – Repels nuisance animals such as birds, cats, chipmunks, deer, dogs, groundhogs,...
  • Detects & Deters – The device releases a startling surge of water to scare animals away and conditions...
  • Motion-Activated – An infrared sensor detects animal heat and movement within 100 feet, triggering the...

Rating: 3/5

Pros:

  • Easy to install and operate
  • Offers 9 different sensitivity settings
  • Large coverage
  • Adjustable watering intervals

Cons:

  • Leaky
  • Some users report poor quality of the material
  • Can be difficult to adjust

Versatility is one of the best features of Havahart 5266 as it effectively prevents animals of almost any size from coming near your lawn. The sprinkler comes with a highly sensitive sensor available in 9 different settings and can sense motion up to 35 feet.

Another big plus of the Havahart sprinkler is that it is robust enough to withstand extreme weather conditions. You can easily set it up by attaching the device to a garden hose and set the sensitivity setting according to your needs. You can also set the device on day and night modes to protect your property 24-7. 

The Havahart sprinkler is powered using the 4 AA batteries. The device is also designed with an LED indicator that turns on during night mode and when the battery runs low.  

ScareCrow Motion Activated Animal Repellent

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Rating: 3/5
Price: $58.77

Pros:

  • Large coverage of up to 1200 square feet
  • No water leakage
  • Comes with a unique lens design
  • Helps conserve water
  • Safe and easy to use

Cons:

  • Some users report that the device is not so durable
  • Sprinkler doesn’t work well on smaller animals

The ScareCrow sprinkler is the excellent choice for homeowners with a large garden or lawn. The device covers up to 1200 square feet and is sensitive to movements coming from small animals like dogs, cats, and squirrels. It is also the ideal device to protect your property from any intruders.

The ScareCrow sprinkler device is designed with a sensor lens to detect any activities or movements within your area and immediately shoots a strong water jet towards the intruder. 

If you prefer battery-operated devices, then the ScareCrow is also the ideal option since it is powered with a 9V battery. It also comes with a battery indicator to alert you when the battery is running low. The battery is expected to last up to 6 months but it is recommended that you change the battery frequently to keep the water jet strong at all times.

Hoont Powerful Outdoor Water Blaster Animal Pest Repeller

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Hoont Deer Repellent & Cat Repellent Outdoor- Cat Deterrent...
  • LARGE PROTECTION RANGE- Adjustable 24/7 animal detection unit with a 0 to 30 ft range for maximum...
  • WATER EFFICIENT - The water jet 5 second intermittent spray cycle ensures repellent effectiveness and low...
  • WIDE- RANGING EFFECTIVENESS- Sprinkler head is fully adjustable with up to 1000 square feet of coverage

Rating: 3.5/5

Pros:

  • Highly adjustable
  • Coverage angle of 360 degrees
  • Low water and battery consumption
  • Emits sound to frighten intruders
  • Power water jet

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with day/night mode
  • Batteries are not included

Another great option to scare away animals and intruders from your lawn is the Hoont motion-activated sprinkler. This device emits powerful sprinkling but consumes only less water and battery, making it more efficient as a repeller.

The sensor has the capability to detect motion up to 30 feet distance and immediately activates the water jet to spray water in 5 seconds. The Hoont sprinkler has an adjustable range and angle to suit your needs. The water jet can cover a 360-degree area so that every corner of your property is protected. The device also produces sound to frighten animals as well as intruders away from your lawn.

Take note, however, that batteries are not included when you purchase this product. 

Keys for Your Purchase

Buying a motion-activated sprinkler can help you a lot in keeping those pesky animals from your landscape without the use of harmful chemicals. You can even keep your property protected from potential burglars or unwanted intruders since these smart devices can frighten them with alarm sounds. 

In this post, we have summarized the top 5 motion-activated sprinklers available in the market. Choose from our highly recommended products that fit in accordance to your needs. 

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Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API