Shortlist · Micro-sprays and bubblers
Micro-sprays and bubblers with a stated flow
Approved stake-mounted bubblers and a fan spray from Rain Bird and Raindrip, sold as complete assemblies, with what to confirm on each listing before you order.
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Short answer
Four approved stake-mounted assemblies cover the common patterns: Rain Bird's in-line and end-of-line full-circle bubblers, Raindrip's adjustable 8-stream bubbler, and Raindrip's half-circle fan spray. Each is a complete assembly, so you need no separate riser. Confirm the flow and pressure range on each listing against your regulator, and put them on their own line.
How we chose
An item is on this list only if:
- It is a complete assembly (head, stake and inlet), so it works without a separate riser or 10-32 adapter. DIG's jets show the difference: it sells bare 10/32-thread heads or complete assemblies with a 13 in stake, 12 in riser and 1/4 in barb.[1]
- Its maker states a flow and pressure range. Flows vary widely. Rain Bird's Xeri-Spray 360 adjusts from 0 to 24.5 GPH at 30 psi,[2] its 1300A-F bubbler is rated in gallons per minute (1.0 to 2.3 GPM over 10 to 60 psi),[2] and DIG's adjustable mini-bubbler goes up to about 31.5-32 GPH at 30 psi.[3]
- It is in our approved catalog with a store listing.
The products stage read each maker's flow and pressure figures for these four models, but our fact-check has not yet verified those model pages. So the picks below name each one's role and pattern, not its numbers. Read the flow and range on the listing before you order.
In-line full-circle bubbler on a stake
Rain Bird ILB4PKSX in-line full-circle bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)
Pick it if: A row of shrubs or perennials along one 1/4 in branch
- Why it's here
- Sold as a full-circle bubbler on a stake that sits in-line on a 1/4 in branch, so one branch can feed several bubblers.
- Watch out
- We found no verified Rain Bird spec page for ILB4PKSX; confirm its flow and pressure range on the listing against your regulator. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- Not stated
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Full-circle micro-bubbler on a stake
Rain Bird MBF4PKS full-circle micro-bubbler on 5 in stake (4‑pack)
Pick it if: Single shrubs or large pots
- Why it's here
- Sold as a full-circle micro-bubbler on a stake, for watering the base of one plant from the end of a 1/4 in branch.
- Watch out
- We found no verified Rain Bird spec page for MBF4PKS, and its pressure-compensation status is not established; confirm flow and range on the listing. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Rain Bird.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- Not stated
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Adjustable 8-stream bubbler on a stake
Raindrip R156CT adjustable flow bubbler, full circle 8‑stream on 5 in stake (5‑pack)
Pick it if: Perennials and shrubs where you want to turn flow up or down per plant
- Why it's here
- Sold as a full-circle, 8-stream adjustable bubbler on a stake, in a 5-pack.
- Watch out
- We found no verified Raindrip spec page for R156CT; confirm flow, range and inlet on the listing. Raindrip says it does not offer replacement caps for its fan and stream bubblers, so keep spares. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- Not stated
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Half-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake
Raindrip 172CPUB adjustable micro sprinkler, half-circle fan on 13 in stake
Pick it if: Ground cover or a bed edge on a separate spray line
- Why it's here
- Sold as an adjustable half-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake, for covering an area along a bed edge or wall.
- Watch out
- We found no verified Raindrip spec page for 172CPUB; confirm flow, range and inlet on the listing. Raindrip sells no replacement caps for its fan bubblers. Sprays need their own line. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- Not stated
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Quarter-circle fan spray on a 13 in stake
Raindrip 173CPUB adjustable micro sprinkler, quarter-circle fan on 13 in stake
Pick it if: The corner of a bed or a narrow strip where a half-circle fan would overspray
- Why it's here
- Raindrip lists the 173CPUB as a quarter-circle fan micro sprinkler on a 13 in stake, adjustable up to 24 GPH and a 13 ft radius at 15-50 psi, with a 1/4 in Clamp N Pierce inlet for 1/2 in, 5/8 in and 0.710 in supply tubing.
- Watch out
- Not pressure-compensating, so flow changes with line length and elevation. Sprays need their own line. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Raindrip.
- Tubing inside and outside diameter
- Not stated
- Nominal size family (1/2 in, 3/4 in, 1/4 in, metric 4/7 mm, 16 mm)
- Not stated
- Fitting connection type (compression, barbed insert, spin-lock, hose thread, pipe thread)
- Not stated
- Compression insert size or color code as the maker states it
- Not stated
Fit at a glance
| Assembly | Pattern | Mounting | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Bird ILB4PKSX | Full-circle bubbler, in-line | Stake | 4 |
| Rain Bird MBF4PKS | Full-circle micro-bubbler | Stake | 4 |
| Raindrip R156CT | Full-circle 8-stream bubbler, adjustable | Stake | 5 |
| Raindrip 172CPUB | Half-circle fan spray, adjustable | 13 in stake | 1 |
Adjustable is not pressure-compensating
DIG's Adjustable Mini-Bubbler adjusts with a rotating cap from full flow to shut-off, works at 15 to 30 psi, and DIG does not call it pressure-compensating.[3] Treat any adjustable head the same way unless its maker states a compensating range.
Give them their own line
Colorado State University Extension advises putting micro-sprays on a separate zone because they use much more water than other drip devices.[4] Raindrip says drippers should never be mixed with sprinklers on the same line.[5] Raindrip also does not offer replacement caps for its fan and stream bubblers,[5] so buy a spare or two.
See the micro-sprays, jets and bubblers guide and the micro-sprays and bubblers hub.
Questions
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.[4][5]
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.[3]
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.[5]