Last Updated on June 29, 2026 by D. Ruddy
I bought the Dramm 12504 ColorStorm sprinkler for one reason and one reason only. My wife said our old sprinkler was ugly. She was right. It was a faded green plastic thing that looked like it washed up on a beach.
The Dramm ColorStorm comes in bright colors. Red, blue, green, yellow, orange. I bought the red one. It looks great sitting in the garden bed. But does it actually water the lawn? Here is my experience after using it all summer.
Dramm has been making professional-grade watering tools since 1946. Their ColorStorm line is their consumer-grade sprinkler series, but there is nothing cheap about it. Underneath the powder-coated paint is a metal body. Actual metal. Not plastic pretending to be metal.
Dramm 12504 ColorStorm: What You Get
The 12504 is a compact oscillating sprinkler with a metal body and brass spray jets. The jets are what make this sprinkler different from the rest. Brass nozzles last longer and resist clogging better than plastic ones. Dramm also gives this thing a lifetime warranty, which tells you they believe in it.
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Type | Oscillating sprinkler |
| Body Material | Metal with powder-coat finish |
| Nozzle Material | Brass jets |
| Coverage Area | Up to 2,500 square feet (varies by pressure) |
| Pattern | Rectangular, adjustable width and range |
| Connection | Standard garden hose thread |
| Colors Available | Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
My Real-World Experience With the Dramm ColorStorm
The first time I hooked this up I noticed two things. One, it is heavier than it looks. The metal body has some heft to it. Two, the water pattern is softer than my other sprinklers. The brass jets produce a finer mist at the edges and heavier drops in the middle. It feels more like rain than a hose.
My front lawn is about 1,800 square feet. The ColorStorm covers it from a single spot near the house. The width is adjustable by turning a dial. The range is adjusted by changing the water pressure at the spigot. There is no dedicated range control on the sprinkler itself, which I thought was a downside at first. Turns out I do not miss it. I set the spigot to about halfway open and the coverage is perfect.
The oscillation is smooth. No sticking. No clicking. The internal gears are metal, which explains the smooth motion and the higher price tag. Cheaper sprinklers use plastic gears that wear out after a season or two.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Brass jets produce a softer, more even water pattern than plastic nozzles
- Metal body with powder coat will not crack or fade like plastic
- Lifetime warranty from Dramm
- Multiple color options so you can spot your sprinkler in the grass
- Smooth oscillation with metal internal gears that do not stick
- Compact size for easy storage
- Brass resists clogging from hard water
❌ Cons
- No dedicated range control you adjust distance by changing water pressure
- Smaller coverage 2,500 sq ft is less than competitors that cover 4,000+
- No quick-connect included
- Price is high for coverage area you pay for build quality, not spray range
- Metal body gets hot in direct sunlight
Best For
The Dramm 12504 ColorStorm is best for homeowners who:
- Want a sprinkler that lasts more than a season
- Water lawns up to 2,500 square feet
- Prefer even, gentle watering over maximum spray distance
- Care about how their garden gear looks
- Appreciate brass components and metal construction
Customer Reviews From Real Buyers
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Best sprinkler I have ever owned”
“I bought this after going through two cheap plastic sprinklers in one year. The brass jets and metal body make a huge difference. The water pattern is so much more gentle on my flower beds. Worth every penny.”
Verified Amazon Purchase | June 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great build quality, love the color”
“The red is actually really nice looking in the garden. The oscillation is smooth and quiet. Only complaint is the coverage could be a bit bigger, but for my medium lawn it is perfect.”
Verified Amazon Purchase | May 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Metal gears make a difference”
“I got tired of plastic-geared sprinklers that stop oscillating after a few months. This one has metal internal gears and it shows. Buttery smooth after a whole season of use.”
Verified Amazon Purchase | April 2026
Dramm ColorStorm vs Dramm 15002: What Is the Difference?
Dramm makes two oscillating sprinklers. The 12504 ColorStorm and the 15002 ColorStorm. The main difference is size. The 15002 is longer and covers more area. Everything else is the same. Same metal body. Same brass jets. Same lifetime warranty.
If your lawn is under 2,500 square feet, get the 12504. It costs less and covers what you need. If your lawn is larger, step up to the 15002 for the extra reach. Both are excellent sprinklers.
Is the Dramm 12504 Worth the Money?
It depends on what you value. If you want maximum coverage per dollar, no. A $20 plastic sprinkler will cover more area. If you want a sprinkler that lasts 10 years and waters your lawn beautifully every time, yes. The brass jets and metal construction put this in a different class than the mass-market sprinklers.
This is the sprinkler you buy when you are done replacing cheap ones every spring. It is not the biggest. It is not the fanciest. But it does its job quietly and reliably. My red ColorStorm is staying in my garden shed for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors does the Dramm 12504 come in?
Red, blue, green, yellow, orange, and black. The color is a powder-coat finish on the metal body. It resists chipping and fading better than paint.
How big of an area does the Dramm 12504 cover?
Up to about 2,500 square feet with good water pressure. The coverage area is smaller than some competitors but the water distribution is more even. The brass jets produce a very consistent pattern.
Are the nozzles really brass?
Yes. The jets are actual brass, not brass-colored plastic. This makes a real difference in spray quality and longevity. Brass resists mineral buildup from hard water.
Does it have a quick-connect fitting?
No. The Dramm 12504 has a standard threaded hose connection. You screw the hose on directly. You can add a quick-connect adapter if you want one.
Can I adjust the spray width?
Yes. A dial on the side adjusts the width of the spray pattern. The range is adjusted by changing the water pressure at the spigot or by bending the spray tube slightly.
What does the lifetime warranty cover?
Dramm covers manufacturing defects for the life of the product. Normal wear and tear is not covered. But in practice, Dramm has a very good reputation for honoring their warranty.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and buy something I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I bought the Dramm 12504 with my own money and all opinions are based on my real experience using the product.
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