Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler Watering & Irrigation

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler: Product Review

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Ease of Use:
Quality:
Performance:
Final Thoughts

Among the basic oscillating sprinklers that we tested, this one came out on top. It's simple, easy to use, made of quality construction, and comes in six fun colors. The rubberized connector makes it easy to connect to a garden hose.

Overall Score 5

Available on Amazon

Buy It

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler is a great, sturdy, basic sprinkler. It has metal parts and is built to last. (The oscillating mechanism is plastic). The powder-coated metal comes in six different color options, like all of the Dramm ColorStorm products. And although this wasn’t an official thing that we tested, we think that this sprinkler type is one of the most fun to run through (just be careful not to trip over it)!

Of all of the oscillating sprinklers that we tested (from various brands), this one was considered the winner in the basic oscillating sprinkler category.

Oscillating sprinklers work best in a rectangular shaped yard or garden.

Watch the video below or keep reading the specifics of our review to see if the Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler could work for you.

 

Packaging

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler comes with no cardboard packaging, only a few stickers with a UPC code, warnings, and instructions. Ours arrived in the mail and didn’t appear to be damaged in any way during shipping.

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler sticker

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler came with no cardboard packaging

Dramm ColorStorm sticker instructions warnings

The details for the Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler are found on stickers underneath

Specifications

Metal or Plastic: All moving parts are metal (except for the oscillating mechanism), some plastic or rubberized parts
Adjustable length: Yes
Adjustable width: No
Adjustable flow:  Yes
Adjustable pattern(s): No
On/off switch: No
Advertised coverage area: 3,000 square feet (66 ft. x 46 ft.)
Tested coverage area: 1,600 square feet  (40 ft. x 20 ft.) (at 25 psi)
Work with low water pressure? Yes (at least down to 25 psi), although this reduces coverage area
Extras:  A “nozzle needle” to unclog nozzles

 

Parts

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler is fairly simple, and as such, has fewer moving parts than more complicated types of sprinklers and watering systems.

Water flows through the metal tube down the center length of the sprinkler and is forced out through the brass emitters along the length of the tube.

It comes with a part, called a “nozzle needle,” that can be used to unclog the sprinkler nozzles. Keep that part firmly screwed in – without it, water will simply flow out the end of the tube, rather than through the nozzles.

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Nozzle Needle

The Nozzle Needle is located on the end of the sprinkler. Keep it firmly screwed in when the sprinkler is in use.

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating nozzle needle in use

Use the nozzle needle to unclog the sprinkler nozzles

A flow adjustment knob lets you adjust the water flow, but it does not turn the sprinkler on or off – you’ll have to adjust that from the spigot. So keep in mind that you will want to make any adjustments while the water is off – unless you don’t mind getting wet!

There are also levers that adjust the direction and length of the spray (full rotation, just one side, etc.), though not the width. We found the adjustments very easy to make, and the lever and flow control knob very intuitive.

Dramm Colorstorm oscillating parts

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler has levers and a dial to adjust the reach and flow of the water.

Where the connector attaches to the hose is a coupler that has a large rubberized grip, making it easy to grasp when you attach and detach the sprinkler from the hose. The interior of the connector is metal so it’s unlikely to get stripped when connecting it to a hose. It also has a washer and a screen to keep dirt, leaves, and grass out of the sprinkler.

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler attachment

A rubberized connection makes it easy to grip and attach the sprinkler to a hose. The screen keeps out debris.

Aligning the Spray Arm

Before using the sprinkler, be sure that the sprinkler bar is aligned with the arrow on the black plastic housing. There is a sticker with instructions on the underside of the sprinkler, or Dramm has a video on its website with instructions and demonstrations on how to align the spray arm.

Dramm oscillating spray arm alignment

Be sure the spray arm is in alignment before using the sprinkler

Uses and Limitations

As a basic oscillating sprinkler, the Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler is good for a lawn, especially a rectangular-shaped one. However, because it doesn’t have a width adjustment, it’s a little less convenient to get it adjusted so that it fully covers the dimensions of your yard. It is not ideal for a round or pie-shaped section of a lawn or garden.

Oscillating sprinklers can shoot water very high, but wind can easily blow the jets of water away from your targeted area, so keep that in mind if you are considering an oscillating sprinkler (be sure to read our sprinkler guide to learn which sprinkler is best for you). Evaporation is also a factor with an oscillating sprinkler. We recommend running any oscillating sprinkler at a lower pressure and moving the sprinkler to a second location to reach all areas, rather than using the highest possible water pressure (which will increase the loss of water through evaporation and wind).

Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler in Use

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler, like all oscillating sprinklers, is limited by wind and evaporation

Warranty

Dramm has a limited lifetime warranty on all its products against defects in material and workmanship.

Recommendation

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler is an excellent quality, built-to-last, great basic sprinkler. If you’re looking to water a square or rectangular lawn or garden, this type of sprinkler would work best. And with mostly metal parts and a rubberized grip for attaching the hose, it should continue working well for many years. With colors like blue and berry (purple), you can choose a color that suits your needs (or there’s even a green one if you’d like it to blend in with your lawn). Among the oscillating sprinklers that we tested and reviewed, this one was our favorite basic oscillating sprinkler.

Where to Buy

The Dramm ColorStorm Oscillating Sprinkler is available in six different color options from Amazon, which is your best bet for finding a specific color. You may also be able to find it at your local independent garden center (but call before you go because they may not have the style or color you want).

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Disclaimer – GPReview would like to thank Dramm for giving us a free sample to review. There was no expectation that it would be a positive review and we received no compensation for writing it. All opinions expressed here are those of the author based on personal experience using the product.

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