Buying task · Micro-sprays and bubblers
Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers
Micro sprinklers for drip irrigation: area or point watering, their own line, bare 10-32 heads vs complete assemblies, and the maker's flow and pressure.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. How we make money
Picks that fit
- Rain Bird ILB4PKSX in-line full-circle bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)Check price on Amazon
- Rain Bird MBF4PKS full-circle micro-bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)Check price on Amazon
- Raindrip R156CT adjustable flow bubbler, full circle 8‑stream on 5 in stake (5‑pack)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
Use micro-sprays when you need to wet an area, and bubblers or emitters when you water one point. Both use far more water than drippers, so give them their own line or zone rather than mixing them with drippers. Buy a bare 10-32 head only if you already have the stake and riser; otherwise buy a complete assembly with a stated flow and pressure range.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
What micro-sprays and bubblers are
A micro-spray (also called a jet) throws a fine spray over a small area. A bubbler floods a small circle at the base of a plant. Both are low-volume devices, but their flows are much higher than a drip emitter's.
The numbers show the gap. Rain Bird's Xeri-Spray 360 adjusts from 0 to 24.5 GPH at 30 psi by turning its outer cap.[1] Rain Bird's 1300A-F adjustable full-circle bubbler is listed at 1.0 to 2.3 GPM, gallons per minute, over 10 to 60 psi.[1] DIG's adjustable mini-bubbler is rated at up to about 31.5-32 GPH at 30 psi; its page gives both figures.[2] Compare that with a 0.5 or 1 GPH dripper.
Bare head or complete assembly
Many spray heads screw onto a stake or riser with a 10-32 thread. DIG sells its adjustable micro-sprayer jets both ways: bare 10/32-thread heads (300B, 308B, 309B), or complete assemblies with a 13 in stake, a 12 in riser and a 1/4 in barb (300-1B, 308-1B, 309-1B).[3] DIG rates them at 15 to 30 psi.[3] Rain Bird's PFR-12 PolyFlex Riser works with 10-32 threaded devices and is rated 15 to 50 psi.[4]
A bare head is only useful if you already have the matching thread on a stake or riser. If you are starting from scratch, buy the assembly.
Adjustable is not pressure-compensating
DIG's Adjustable Mini-Bubbler adjusts with a rotating cap from full flow down to shut-off and works at 15 to 30 psi, and DIG does not call it pressure-compensating.[2] Turning a cap changes flow, but it does not hold flow steady as pressure changes.
Keep them on their own line
Colorado State University Extension advises putting micro-sprays on a separate zone from other drip devices because they use much more water.[5] Raindrip goes further: it says drippers should never be mixed with sprinklers on the same line because their flow rates differ.[6]
Pressure needs can differ too. Mister Landscaper says its 25 psi regulator is required for drippers alone or a mix of drippers and micro-sprays, and suggests its 50 psi regulator for micro-sprays.[7] That applies to its own system.
The decisions, in order
- Area coverage or point watering. Area means a spray; one plant means a bubbler or emitters. The micro-sprays, jets and bubblers guide and the drip line vs emitters vs micro-sprays guide help you decide.
- Its own zone or line. Plan a separate line for sprays.
- Bare head or assembly. Check the thread, stake and riser. Mister Landscaper sells a stake extension, MLS-22, that raises its stake assemblies to more than 18 in.[8]
- Flow and pressure. Match the stated flow to your supply and the stated range to your regulator. The pressure regulators guide covers outlet psi.
- Spares. Raindrip says it does not offer replacement caps for its fan and stream bubblers,[6] so buy a few extra heads.
How to choose
Choose by the pattern you need and the inlet you have. For one shrub or perennial, a stream bubbler on a stake waters a small circle. For a patch of ground cover, a fan spray on a stake covers an area. All four approved options below are stake-mounted assemblies, so you need no separate riser. We found no verified maker spec page for these four models, so confirm the flow and pressure range on each listing against your regulator.
Picks that fit5 products
Rain Bird ILB4PKSX: in-line full-circle bubbler, 4-pack. Rain Bird MBF4PKS: full-circle micro-bubbler on a stake, 4-pack.
More on choosing
Raindrip R156CT: full-circle 8-stream bubbler on a stake, 5-pack. Raindrip 172CPUB: half-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake, single. Raindrip 173CPUB: the quarter-circle fan version on the same 13 in stake, for a bed corner. Confirm the flow and pressure range on each listing. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
In-line full-circle bubbler on a stake
Rain Bird ILB4PKSX in-line full-circle bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)
Full-circle micro-bubbler on a stake
Rain Bird MBF4PKS full-circle micro-bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)
Adjustable 8-stream bubbler on a stake
Raindrip R156CT adjustable flow bubbler, full circle 8‑stream on 5 in stake (5‑pack)
Half-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake
Raindrip 172CPUB adjustable micro sprinkler, half-circle fan on 13 in stake
Quarter-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake
Raindrip 173CPUB adjustable micro sprinkler, quarter-circle fan on 13 in stake
Every page on micro-sprays and bubblers
Guides
- Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
- Drip line, loose emitters or micro-sprays for a bed or row
- Drip emitters for trees and shrubs
- Drip pressure regulators: outlet PSI and flow range
Connections and systems
Key terms
Riser, stake, GPM, GPH, adjustable emitter and pressure regulator.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zoneHelps you choose a spray, jet or bubbler and plan its own line at the right pressure.
Shortlists
- Micro-sprays and bubblers with a stated flowHelps you pick a complete bubbler or spray assembly by pattern and inlet, and know what to check on the listing.
Common questions
Can I put micro-sprays on a drip line?
On their own line, yes; on the same line as drippers, no. Colorado State University Extension advises a separate zone, and Raindrip says never to mix drippers and sprinklers on one line. More in Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
What is the difference between a bubbler and a dripper?
A dripper releases a small flow at one point; a bubbler floods a small circle. Rain Bird's 1300A-F bubbler is rated 1.0 to 2.3 GPM, which is 60 to 138 GPH. More in Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
What pressure do micro-sprays need?
The range on the maker's page for that model, such as 15 to 30 PSI for DIG's adjustable jets. Mister Landscaper suggests its 50 psi regulator for micro-sprays in its own system. More in Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
Are adjustable bubblers pressure-compensating?
Not by default. DIG's adjustable mini-bubbler turns from full flow to off, and DIG does not call it pressure-compensating. More in Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
Can I buy a replacement cap for a Raindrip bubbler?
Raindrip says it does not offer replacement caps for its fan and stream bubblers. More in Micro-sprays, jets and bubblers: flow, adjustment and their own zone
Can these go on the same line as my drippers?
Colorado State University Extension advises a separate zone for micro-sprays because they use much more water, and Raindrip says never to mix drippers and sprinklers on the same line. More in Micro-sprays and bubblers with a stated flow
Is an adjustable bubbler pressure-compensating?
Not unless its maker says so. DIG's Adjustable Mini-Bubbler adjusts from full flow to shut-off, and DIG does not call it pressure-compensating. More in Micro-sprays and bubblers with a stated flow
Why do I need spare heads?
Raindrip says it does not offer replacement caps for its fan and stream bubblers, so a lost or broken cap means a new head. More in Micro-sprays and bubblers with a stated flow
Questions
Can I add micro-sprays to my drip system?
Yes, but on their own line or zone. Colorado State University Extension advises a separate zone because micro-sprays use much more water, and Raindrip says never to mix drippers and sprinklers on the same line.[5][6]
What is a 10-32 thread?
A small screw thread many spray heads and risers use. DIG sells bare 10/32-thread jet heads, and Rain Bird's PFR-12 riser works with 10-32 threaded devices. A bare head needs a stake or riser with the same thread.[3][4]
Bubbler or micro-spray for shrubs?
A bubbler waters the base of one plant; a micro-spray wets an area. Both flow far more than drippers: Rain Bird's 1300A-F bubbler is rated in gallons per minute (1.0 to 2.3 GPM), not per hour.[1]
Is an adjustable bubbler pressure-compensating?
Not unless the maker says so. DIG's Adjustable Mini-Bubbler adjusts from full flow to shut-off with a cap, and DIG does not call it pressure-compensating.[2]