They're not like regular sprinklers where you can easily see what's being watered. Because the wetted area is much smaller with drip, control is more critical in replacing water used by the plant to avoid stress. Besides drip irrigation systems, the so-called drip hybrids are also popular today. These hybrids don't save as much water as straight drip systems, but they still waste considerably less water than traditional sprinklers. These may look like those you see embedded in wide expanses of lawn, but these risers are designed to water only a small area.
Less water is lost to evaporation.
These create a fine spray of droplets in a confined area. Misters create a foggy, humid setting that certain plants, such as ferns, love. You can get as simple or fancy as you like. Fancy systems, which obviously cost more, may include such add-ons as automatic controllers, backflow preventers, filters and pressure reducers. Automatic controllers allow multiple zone selection and automatic watering up to six times daily.