If you use a hose-end sprinkler to water your lawn, it should possess the following characteristics:
1. Produce larger droplets (as opposed to a fine mist) that will not be as easiliy moved "off-target" by occasional wind gusts (and you shouldn't water when it is windy, as well)
2. Be adjustable in the sense that, if you have small and/or irregularly shaped areas to irrigate, its spray pattern can be changed (for example, using the "dial-type" sprinkler, which have different spray patterns on an adjustable dial head).
3. The water droplets/spray pattern is relatively low to the ground - not higher than 6 feet high, for example. This results in a smaller application area, but better control of where the water is being applied and less chance of wind, tree limbs, etc. disrupting the water application pattern.
These characteristics qualify most of the sprinklers on the market. But it also disqualifies a few, including: the tape-type hoses (with pinprick-size holes that spray a fine, almost invisible spray) and sprinklers that spray a high rainbow-like arc of fine water droplets. In essence, most of the sprinklers on the market can work well. It is just a matter of moving them frequently enough to apply water uniformly over the entire lawn area. You might also consider purchasing a timer that can be attached to either the water spigot or the sprinkler itself. This can ensure that you apply enough water to every area, without having to be home or monitor the water application closely.
