The Best Hose Guns and Sprayers for Efficient Watering

Efficient watering starts with the right spray gun

From watering delicate seedlings to blasting grime from outdoor pavers, the right spray gun makes watering and rinsing quicker, cleaner, and more controlled. It can even help you to use less water.

This guide breaks down the best garden spray guns for plants, lawns, and day-to-day outdoor home cleaning, including when to use a multi-function gun or something a little more heavy-duty.

Quick selector: Pick the right Nylex hose spray gun in 30 Seconds

Pots and seedlings

Seedlings and small posts call for a lighter touch, so a multi-pattern hose gun with a mist or shower setting is usually the safest option. For those further-to-reach or high-up plants, our premium watering wand features a telescopic lance and a 180-degree swivel head, so you can water gently without dousing the potting mix. Plus, it saves water by preventing soil splash and avoiding overflow.

Garden beds and shrubs

When it comes to watering garden beds, aim for even coverage rather than pressure. To achieve this, shower, flat, or centre patterns on a multi-pattern garden sprayer are the most practical. Not to mention, these spray guns offer effective thumb control as you move between different plants, helping reduce runoff across mulching beds and compacted areas.

Lawn edges and larger areas

Most lawns thrive off deep, infrequent soaks. That's where a multi-function spray gun with a flat or fan spray pattern comes in, easily covering the ground without soaking one spot and missing the next. A high-flow gun with a flow lock helps keep the sweep steady without stop-start bursts. Plus, that even coverage at a moderate flow means fewer repeat passes and less water used.

Paths, cars, and outdoor furniture

Got a few outdoor cleaning jobs that need doing? An adjustable jet setting or a brass jet gun will give you the perfect, concentrated, targeted stream you need. Either one is ideal for shifting grim off pavers, blasting dirt from corners, or rinsing outdoor furniture fast, using less water than a quick spray from an everyday garden hose.

Long sessions / low hand strength

If you tend to get hand cramps while watering the garden, a thumb-controlled spray gun or a front-flow design with a lock and soft grip will help you hold steady without fatigue. You'll have better control over your spray so you can use less water to get the job done faster.

Spray gun types and best Use

Multi-pattern spray gun

• One tool for most jobs with mist, shower, flat, and jet settings.
• More efficient, being able to match the pattern to the task.
• Best for mixed watering between pots, beds, and lawn edges, as well as quick clean-ups.

Adjustable jet nozzle

• Twist/slide between cone spray and jet for better reach and pressure control.
• Great for targeted cleaning and deep watering around shrubs.
• Less suited to seedlings unless the cone setting is gentle.

Metal-body premium guns

• Robust construction with better seals, so they're more reliable with frequent use.
• Flow locks help open and close flow when and where it's needed.
• Ideal for regular watering and outdoor cleaning.

Watering wands

• Extra reach for hanging baskets, raised beds, and deeper garden areas.
• Place water right at the base of plants to reduce splashing.
• Easier on the body during longer watering jobs.

Features that actually save water

The best hose sprayers save water through better control, rather than gimmicky features. Look for:

• Flow control through thumb wheels or slides, allowing for instant water cut-off at the plant.
• Flow locks for even coverage without stop-start bursts.
• Quality seals and connections that prevent drips.
• Pattern quality and the ability to easily switch between shower for beds, mist for seedlings, flat for edges, and jets for cleaning.

Water-wise technique: Get more from every litre

Besides having the right tools, knowing the right techniques can help create a more efficient watering experience. Try:

• Aiming at the root, not the foliage, except for quick cool-downs.
• Keeping the flow low for a longer soak to reduce runoff, especially on clay soil.
• Watering in the morning to reduce evaporation and help plants better handle the heat.
• Using cycle and soak on slopes with two shorter passes rather than one long blast.
• Matching the pattern to the job: fan/flat for lawns, mist for seedlings, and jets for cleaning.

“Best picks” by scenario

Still looking for the best durable option for the job?

• Best all-rounder: Multi-pattern garden spray gun with thumb control and flow trigger for quick switches between plants, lawns, and cleaning.
• Best for delicate pots/seedlings: A watering wand with a gentle showerhead for soft spray that won't disturb the soil.
• Best for lawn edges/coverage: High-flow hose spray gun with a flat/fan pattern for even coverage in fewer passes.
• Best for cleaning and occasional garden use: Metal-body adjustable jet gun and brass fittings provide fast cleaning with enough flexibility for gardens.
• Best for long sessions/arthritic hands: Thumb-controlled ergonomic guns for easier grip and steadier control.

FAQs

What’s the single best water spray gun if I only want one?

For one spray gun that does it all, a durable multi-function gun with flow control is a sound choice. Easily switch between different flows and patterns for watering, such as seedlings, edges, and cleaning.

Which pattern saves the most water?

Matching the right pattern to the job will help get the job done well and water efficiently. For example:

• A mist or shower setting for plants,
• A flat/fan pattern for edges, and
• A jet for cleaning.

Are metal-body guns worth it?

Yes, if you use your hose often or for high water-pressure jobs, metal-body guns and brass connections can be worthwhile. They hold seals better, feel solid, and generally last longer.

Control the flow - Grow better with less

The best hose spray gun is the one that gives you the right pattern and flow for the job, keeping watering controlled, and time efficient. Nylex has the right options for every job, keeping your plants watered, lawns flourishing, and outdoor areas clean. Plus, with our water-saving tips, you can save water too. Find our range at your local Bunnings.