Best Sprinkler Valves – Buyer’s Guide

I had to replace a broken one, this was the right size. It works, was easy to replace. Not a lot more you can say but that it works. It’s been installed for about 2 months.

2. Rain Bird DASASVF075 – Best Anti-Siphon Sprinkler Valves

If you want an integrated valve with a built-in vacuum breaker, this is really the only one to get. I’ve been slowly switching to all rain-bird valves, and are very pleased with them.

Zero problems, excellent flow rate, simple to install, and I especially like how simple it is to work on.

I installed 6 of these recently and wound up with too much dirt in the intake, so the breather got fouled.

I took the risk of not purging because the hole I was working in would have been flooded. So all but one were able to pass through all the dirt and crap from the install.

Since I installed with unions, I just removed the two unions, I like the orbit unions, unscrewed the solenoid (comes off in about 2 turns so you don’t have to disconnect the wires), and pulled the whole valve.

In 5 minutes it was back together and working like a champ.

I’ve purchased five of these and they’ve all performed perfectly. They are positive shut off and don’t exhibit the solenoid hum of other brands.

Physically they are heavier plastic with larger diaphragms than the orbit valves I replaced.

The thread finish is excellent and the surface area in the threaded inlet and outlet is meatier than other brands I’ve seen.

Overall, these will work OK but very important to have it higher off the ground than the water lines in your house or the sprinkler lines to which it is connected. If not you will have problems and it will not be the fault of the valve.

3. Orbit 57461 – Best Automatic Sprinkler Valves

The  Orbit is a great brand for the sprinkler valve products. But, at first, I was a little worried about the flow restriction.

I applied 24 volts on the solenoid and could hear and feel the solenoid engaging.

Having no experience with an electrically operated water valve I assumed it to be in the open position, but yet I could hardly blow through the valve.

Well after purchasing another 1 just like it, I had the same effect, Would not open enough to even count.

To make this story shorter I made a little 3/4″ adapter for a water hose hook-up and with the pressure, it seems to open fully, kinda like when applying the operating voltage to the solenoid.

By saying fully I am going by a container I used. It took 17 seconds to fill the container using the solenoid valve and when I took it off and ran through just a straight hose my timing was still 17 seconds.

I needed the second one I bought just to try out the first one about a week later on a ground-coupled heat pump.
So far no problems from either one.

Overall, I tested it up to 60 PSI and held just fine, although we usually run it around 20 psi. After close to 500 launches, it’s still holding up well.

A fine piece of manufacturing. Easily modified for use as a quick-release valve for the backyard ballistics project.

4. Orbit 57100 – Best Quality Sprinkler Valves

Just what I needed to repair a couple of valves that had failed within my sprinkler system.

Instead of going through the trouble of replacing the entire housing, we simply removed the top screws.

Took out the guts and solenoid, and replaced just those items. Easy, breezy! Saved hours in having to redo the plumbing and waiting for sealant to dry.

I’ve used these for years but they used to have a nice, easy to operate flip-lever to manually turn the water on and off through the valve.

I hate this “new and improved” operation and can’t see why it was ever done. I never had any problem with the previous design.

Now, you aren’t even sure if you have it turned off too tightly such that it won’t operate properly with the solenoid control voltage. A new problem to be concerned about that I’ve already seen happen.

However, the failure wasn’t due to a ruptured diaphragm but due to the solenoid shaft getting stuck up inside the solenoid, in the up/open position. The little spring wouldn’t return it to the closed position when the voltage was removed.

These always run the program as scheduled. They are a pipe thread, but I just use some brass adapters I purchased at the hardware store to my outdoor hose. Haven’t found a better one for the price, most cost around $20 or more.

5. Orbit 57623 – Best Lawn Sprinkler Valves

It works but the anti-siphon vacuum breaker drains the entire system into the valve box every time it shuts off.

This is because my valve box is downhill from the lawn. It wouldn’t do this if the valve was equal or higher elevation than the piping in the lawn.

The plastic pipe threads are heavy-duty and won’t break unless you grossly over-tighten them.

Use plastic fittings, and instead of Teflon tape, use pipe sealant and a little self-control.

The valve which I replaced (horse stepped on it) didn’t have the adjustable valve.

I can’t get the manual lever to work, which is the case with another Orbit valve. I don’t need that feature, just tried it and couldn’t get it to move.

I have purchased 6 of these Orbit valves. Not too much will go wrong if you install them properly. Properly means, among other things, the valve is above the highest sprinkler by the amount indicated in the instruction sheet.

They can be a little leaky during operation so you should pay attention during the initial startup to determine if there are any problems. I have had none in the 6 months of having an automatic system.

There are other choices but not much different in construction if plastic. I replaced a brass valve system with this one and the brass valves leaked.

Best Sprinkler Valves – Buyer’s Guide

You need to search for the following features while picking the best sprinkler valves.

If you are buying this for the first time you should not only aware of the advantages of sprinkler valves but also aware of the accuracy of it.

You should have some sprinkler valve that has the anti-siphon feature and that is automatic as well. It should have a standard size that fits with everything.

Now, let’s talk about the most important features you should keep in mind while buying a sprinkler valve system.

Anti-Siphon Feature

The anti-siphon feature prevents backflow when properly installed. A standard and great quality sprinkler valve should have an anti-siphon valve with flow control that compatible with any standard sprinkler timer.

In our list, the Rain Bird CP075 is the best one with the anti-siphon feature with an inline automatic sprinkler valve.

Reverse Flow Design

The reverse flow design reduces stress on the diaphragm for dependable operation. It also keeps the valve closed, saving water and avoiding flooding.

Ease of Use

You should choose a valve that opens and closes based on an electronic signal from a sprinkler controller. You can use it in any application where that is the function that you need.

The standard valve can be installed new or used for repair parts. It would be great to use with all types of watering devices including spray heads, rotors, and impacts

Compact Design

You need to choose a valve that has a unique compact design that replaces any in-line irrigation valve with a 3/4″ female threaded inlet and outlet.

According to our research, Rain Bird and Orbit both brand fulfills that criteria.

Price

Price is another important thing to take into consideration while picking your sprinkler valve. We have actually chosen Rain Bird CP075 for high-quality construction but the price is not economical.

But, if you have a low budget, you should definitely stick between Orbit Valve 57100 or Orbit 57461. If the budget is no concern for you then you should purchase our top pick.

Bottom Line

Making a decision about which valve is the best for you is not an easy job, but we tried our best to recommend the best one. If you are not exactly sure which valve system to get, we recommend the Rain Bird CP075.

In case you feel that we left out some other great sprinkler valves, don’t hesitate to let us know.