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In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
collect water overspill in a rain barrel is an environmentally friendly and simple way to keep a house garden or lawn watered all time of year long . Often made of heavy duty credit card to avert deteriorate over time , they ’re comparatively inexpensive to corrupt , well-off to rig up , and come in a kitchen stove of styles that can complement any backyard look .
Jessica Foster , merchandiser at The Home Depot , say , “ When shopping for a rainfall barrel , it is of import to consider various factors such as the fabric , size , color and capacity that best suit your pee - saving needs . ” formative rain barrels are long - long-lived and durable , while stone or stiff models intermix in seamlessly with your backyard .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Master gardenerJolene Wainwrightof Our Sanctuary Garden says that there are a few fringe benefit to having a rain barrel in your backyard . rain can not only aid bring down your H2O broadside , but it ’s also beneficial to plant life .
“ Plants love [ rain ] because it is oftentimes diffused than tap water system and does n’t contain atomic number 17 , ” she says . She recommend “ getting one that has a tap at the bottom of it to allow you to get to the water whenever you take it . ”
Plus , Foster explains , “ Rain - barrel H2O has many enjoyment other than watering your lawn or gardens . put in rainwater is an eco - favorable option for out-of-door project like landscape painting irrigation , wash the car and giving your wienerwurst a bath . ”
Credit: Wayfair
What We Tested
We value thedurability , strength , and rest of useof each rain bbl we tested . For more selective information on how we tested pelting barrels , check outour examination processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Good Ideas 50 Gallons Gal. Plastic Drainable Dual Overflow Planter Rain Barrel
This rain barrel has two spigots , so you’re able to either connect to a hose or use them to fulfill containers .
The top planter is rather small-scale , with circumscribed space .
TheGood Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saverearned top mark for effectiveness and repose of use during our examination . The two organisation tap are the standout feature of this rain barrel . There is one located low to the ground and another about Battle of Midway up the barrel .
We liked that this rain barrel came with two spigots, which made it more versatile.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
This have us some flexibility because we could connect one of the tap to a garden hose , collect the rainwater in a container to apply , or even range a hose to another rainfall barrel if necessary to catch more water . During a heavy downpour , we found that these two spigot let for easy draining and prevented any outpouring .
The rain barrel is made of a sturdy credit card that did not show any star sign of habiliment or teardrop during the testing flow . The amount of sun exposure did not bear upon the rain gun barrel ’s appearance and did not get any discoloration , which bodes well for someone who is look to place their rain barrelful in a sunny spot of their grand .
With a capacity of 50 gallon , we find that this rain barrel pull together piss easily , without any news leak or cracks . Its junk filter is integrate with the top planter feature article , which is able-bodied to be remove , should you not want to implant anything there . Keep in mind , the top planter is rather small , and so you will be limited in what you could constitute .
How It Performed After Six Months
After using this rain gun barrel for six month , we continue to be impressed with its lastingness and operation . It held up well over the total testing period , but we were pleased that it did n’t show any sign of damage or wear after a week of almost continuous pelting and thunderstorms .
We also appreciated that it was incredibly low maintenance — we never had to scavenge or animate the rainfall gun barrel . And despite the fact that it take a big amount of urine , we never experienced any issues with mosquitos or other pests .
The only complaint we had with this rainfall cask was that the planter at the top of the cask was too shallow to plant anything . However , because it was so durable and easy to employ , we did n’t heed this fault .
production detail : Material : Plastic |Dimensions:32 x 23.25 x 23.25 in |Capacity:50 gallons
Key Terms to Know
Best Decorative
Good Ideas 42 Gallon Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver
It has a planter top that offers 1 square metrical unit of space for efflorescence , herb , and more .
This rain barrel blew over during testing .
When it comes to make a utilitarian increase to your backyard space , the last thing you demand is an eyesore . The best decorative rainwater barrels combine style and function , which is why we prefer theGood Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saverafter testing .
With a electrical capacity of 42 gallons , it is minuscule than the average rainfall barrel , which usually hold about 50 to 55 gallon of water . We loved that it had a plantation owner on top , which was perfect for yearly flowers .
We found during testing that it easy garner rain water , even during a swooning rain , and that the debris screen was extremely effectual . We comment that the hole for the dust blind is quite small , but that did not keep the rainwater cask from filling up quickly under a downspout .
It also has two spigots , one for connecting to a hose and another for filling a watering can . We filled our watering prat with comfort during examination , but discover that the hosiery would not stay attached to the low spigot .
Credit: Amazon
When it did n’t have plants or water system in it , this rain barrel did top over in gamey winds during our testing . However , with plants and water system , it was stalwart enough to stay erect for the remainder or the examination period . Even so , the fall did not ensue in any shot or gouge , which leads us to consider this is a durable rain barrel .
Product Details : Material : Polyethylene plastic |Dimensions:31.5 x 19.5 x 24 inches |Capacity:50 congius
Best with Diverter
EarthMinded Rain Barrel
The flow from the spigot is firm , build fill pail or using a hose loose .
This rainfall cask does not have a junk screen .
When look for the best alternative for your home , a poser with a diverter will allow your rain barrel to fill to capacity , but then it will mechanically send piss through a downspout and away from your home ’s foundation .
This rain barrel has a capacity of 42 gallons and has two spigots.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
This is helpful if you live in a rainy climate and do n’t require to vex about forgetting to spread out your rain drum ’s spigots to obviate overspill . TheEarthmark EarthMinded RainStation 45 - Gallon Rain Barrelis our pickaxe for the dependable rain barrel with a diverter .
During testing , we determine that this rain barrel , which is made of gamy density polyethylene resin , was sturdy and effective at pick up urine at a sensible rate .
The tap of this gun barrel , which are made of plastic , function well — when the drum was full we institute that the water flowed from them freely and with a dissolute menstruum pace . We connected a retentive hosepipe to the spigot and the press was steady enough to water plant containers around the porch .
This rain barrel also comes with a reversible lid , which can be usedto grow herbs or works on top , which helps it to blend intoyour outdoor space and provide ribbon . Keep in mind that this rainwater barrel does not have a dust projection screen , so you may find leaves in the water as it flow from the gutters to the barrel .
We keep on to use this rain barrel for six months , and it continued to capture rain body of water well . There were no sign of wear or tear at the end of the examination point , and the spigots never leaked . We also did n’t get any outcome with hemipteron or pests get into the barrel .
We placed the rain barrel close to a front porch , and the placement made it easy to water the porch blossom . There was always plenty of water in the barrel thanks to frequent summer showers , but when the pee level were low , we were capable to practice the lower spigot without issue .
No sustenance was needed to upkeep this rainfall barrel , but we did observe a little bit of pollen establish up in the barrelful that we plan to scrub off after the gardening season . We will proceed to apply the barrel after the testing menses because we eff how easy it was to apply , and we like being able to utilize the urine without raise our water bill .
" I will definitely continue to practice the product because it has made watering containers on my porch much easier . I just fulfill a watering can from the barrel to H2O , rather than drag over a hosiery from the side of the house and then coiling it up when I ’m done . Plus , all that water is whole destitute . “-Viveka Neveln , senior garden editor for Better Homes & Gardens
The planter atop the barrel also performed well , and it did n’t affect the rainfall body of water collection at all . When the barrel was completely full of pee , the water touched the bottom of the planter and maintain the dirt moist . We were worried this would make the soil too moist , but our plants seemed to love the extra moisture .
There is only one improvement that we would make to this rain gun barrel — we wish there was a way to tell at a glance how much H2O was in the barrel . We could ordinarily estimate how much water was in it based on how tight the water fall from the faucet , but we would love an easier way to tell apart without enter the spigot .
Product Details : cloth : High density polyethylene rosin |Dimensions:24 x 34 x 24 inches |Capacity:45 gallon
Best with Hose
FCMP Outdoor Catalina Rain Barrel
It was able to resist high steer during testing and its debris screen was very effective .
This rain barrel only comes in a grayish granite colorway .
Many rainfall barrelful come with the option to attach a hose , but not all have one included to make the user experience seamless . TheFCMP Outdoor Catalina 45 - Gallon Rain Barrelis our pick for the near reading with a hose because it is functional , easy to use , and in effect pick up rainwater while observe out debris .
Credit: The Home Depot
With a capacitance of 45 gallons , we see that this rain barrel fill up very easily and effectively , even while raining extremely heavily . We find that this cask , made of polythene charge plate , was indestructible and did not budge , even amidst mellow current of air .
It has a rubble screen that play well at stay fresh leaves and debris from the piss , peculiarly during storms . After resist days in the Dominicus , this rain barrel prove to be long-wearing once again , prove no foretoken of discolouration or bleaching in the Sunday .
The hose , which is 40 inches long ( about 3.3 feet ) , has a clip on the side of the gun barrel , which allows the hose to be store against the drum while not in employment , rather than getting tangled on the ground . In addition to the attached hose , we found that we could also confiscate a longer garden hosiery , should we want to apply it on a flowerbed far by or while wash a car .
We were impressed with the durability of this 45-gallon rain barrel, and the lid is reversible.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We were also impressed by how comfortable it was to set up . From start to finish , it acquire us only 10 minutes , including the installment of a gutter extender . Keep in mind that this rain barrel only comes in a gray granite color , which may not mix into your current outdoor interior decoration .
This rainfall barrel was still in excellent condition after using it for six months — it did n’t slicing or sink into the ground , and there was n’t rust on the faucet or any other division of the barrel .
We liked how easy it was to use , and it made water our flora palpate like less of a chore . It coalesce into our quizzer ’s garage , and we appreciated that it was n’t an eyesore like some rain barrelful .
Credit: Amazon
The filter on top of the barrel stopped mosquitoes , bees , and even spiders from falling into the urine . We never saw any hemipterous insect in the weewee when using the tap , which confirmed that the filter helped prevent worm and debris from getting in the pee .
There was only one flaw that prevented this rainfall barrel from earn a everlasting score — the clip that held the water supply hosiery to the barrel often fell off . It was simple enough to reattach it , but we wish it continue in place better .
ware Details : Material : Polyethylene |Dimensions:22.5 x 20.5 x 29.75 inches |Capacity:45 gallons
After six months of use, the barrel still performed well and showed no signs of wear or tear.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The Bottom Line
While looking for the best rainwater barrel for your base , it is important to keep in mind the sizing of your yard , how much rain you typically get in your domain , and what style you ’d like it to have . Our full overall pickax is theGood Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver .
Our Testing Process
In society to find the best products , we quiz 14 rainfall cask in our own backyards . Before installing our rain barrels , we made sure that our downspouts andgutters were cleanand functioning .
Then , we installed the rainwater barrels on grass or dirt , digging out 1 to 2 column inch and create a level airfoil , setting it up beneath the toilet or downspout . We made indisputable to direct the flow of piddle aside from our homes so as not to damage the foundation .
Then , we waited for it to rain , postulate note of how much it rained in our area and how speedily the bbl filled up . Once filled , we used the rain ( within a hebdomad or two ) to water plants or in other ways around the home .
We also maintained the rain cask as need , leaving the spigot open when not collecting rain , visit it on a regular basis for damage or leaks , clearing away anything blocking the debris screens , rinsing it out as necessary , and enfeeble and disconnect the barrels before hive away .
What to Know About Rain Barrels Before Shopping
Material
“ When shopping for a rain barrel , it is authoritative to consider various factors such as the textile , size of it , people of colour and content that best suit your water - saving needs , ” Foster says . Plastic pelting barrels are long - long-lasting and durable , while Isidor Feinstein Stone or stiff models blend in seamlessly with your backyard .
Plastic : Many rain barrels are made of charge card , which include PVC ( polyvinyl chloride ) , polythene , polythene resin . “A high - density plastic is a beneficial choice because it resists rotting and rust , while also being lightweight and loose to move if necessary , ” Wainwright says .
In fact , most pelting barrels are made of gamey density plastic for this very reason . “Plastic [ rain barrel ] are the most democratic due to their lightweight , leisurely - to - unclouded and generally inexpensive qualities , ” Foster says .
Our plectron for near overall , theGood Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saveris made of plastic , which we bump to be durable during testing .
Stone and Clay:“Stone and clay rain barrel captivate small amounts of rain than other types of barrels , ” Foster says . “ They can be decorative and make attractive plus to modest bloom and vegetable garden . ”
Wooden : “ woods is typically more expensive than plastic , ” Foster says . “ Wood rain cask can be made of oak tree , beech , true cedar or hickory . ” If you choose a wooden model , be prepared : they ’re more likely to leak , rot , or even be damage by louse .
Type
rainwater gun barrel come in a wide regalia of styles , from utilitarian to elegant . It ’s authoritative to look at where the barrel will be placed when deciding on the best rain cask for your place . If it will be tucked away where no one will see it , then perhaps having a introductory model is the way to go .
But if the rainwater drum needs to be placed in a primal location in your garden , patio , or backyard , you might require to think choosing a modelling that match yourbackyard decoror other exterior accents .
Our pick for best decorative rain gun barrel , theGood Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver , has 1 three-dimensional foot of space to plant flowers or herbs and has a classic physical body that look great in any space .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Other rainwater barrels , like theEarthMark EarthMinded RainStation 45 gallon . Rain Barrel with Diverter System , have a reversible top , so you could take if you ’d care to found peak or entrust it as is .
Capacity
Depending on how much body of water you are hoping to hoard and what the average rain is in your area , the capacity of your bbl is something you will ask to consider when shit .
“ Residential rain barrels rank from small 15 - congius models to larger commercial-grade and industrial theoretical account that hold up to 5,000 gallons , ” Foster says . “ rain barrels are promiscuous to happen in sizes ranging from 40 to 80 gallon , but the modal size for most menage is 55 Imperial gallon . ”
Our pick for best overall , theGood Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver , has a 50 gallon capacity , while theGood Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saverhas a small capacity of 42 gallons .
If you like a small model but anticipate more water , many choice allow you to connect multiple barrel to collect the overflow . If you anticipate your rain barrelful will on a regular basis well over , make certain the cask ’s overflow feature will move water by from your home ’s foundation , like our pick for the serious rain barrel with a diverter , theEarthMark EarthMinded RainStation 45 gal . Rain Barrel with Diverter System .
Other Rain Barrels We Tested
Algreen Weather Resistant Drainable Dual Overflow Rain Barrel
TheAlgreen Weather Resistant Drainable Dual Overflow Rain Barrelimpressed us with its 65 - gal mental ability , which deal heavy rainfall with ease . While we also like its plantation owner top for aesthetic , we found that it did slack down the procedure of collecting rain .
Gardener’s Supply Company Rainwater Urn, 50 gal
We loved the look of theGardener ’s Supply Company Rainwater Urn . It filled up quickly and effectively on a showery day with minimum flurry during testing . We liked that it feature both a metal spigot 33 in from the ground and another spigot touch base to a 4 - foot hosepipe that was 4 inch from the bottom of the bbl . Though we did n’t follow any blockage during the test , we noted that the debris screen did feel rather small and had the potential drop to get blocked easily .
Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel
ab initio , we recommended theVingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrelbecause we liked how wanton it was to move around and put in when it was n’t in purpose . However , after quiz it for six months , we found that it no longer met our expectations . The filter at the bottom of the barrel clog up easily , and it was difficult to houseclean since we had to debilitate the full barrel to remove the debris . The spigot was also too close to the ground , so we could n’t place a watering can under it . If you do n’t take care cleaning the filter often and have a stand to place the barrel on , it would be fine to employ , but it is n’t the best option in our thought .
Your Questions, Answered
How much are rain barrels?
The cost of rain barrels motley depending on a few factors , including its material and size of it . Typically , rain barrel with a large capacitance cost more than those with a lower capacity .
Our choice for the best pelting barrel overall , theGood Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver , typicaly retails for around $ 200 . Typically , collapsible rain barrels are less expensive — theVingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel , for example , is less than $ 50 .
Are rain barrels worth it?
Rain barrel are worth the investment , agree to Wainwright . “ Up to 30 % of daily water utilization is used outdoors , feature a water catchment organisation in place will boil down your need to use municipal urine , ” she sound out . She adds that some surface area even incentivize have rain cask , offering rebate for those who do .
How often do you replace a rain barrel?
There are a few ways to ensure that your rain drum remain in good form for days . First , if you ’re going to be aside from your home base for some meter , you ’ll want to launch the spigot and be certain the run off drains off from your home ’s foundation garment .
You ’ll also need to disconnect your rain barrel during the winter to keep it from being damaged . The length of metre they last depends largely on their cloth , but they can typically last for upwards of 10 yr .
Who We Are
Andrea Wurzburgeris a writer forBetter Homes & Gardenswho has covered a variety of home topics . For this chronicle , she equate our testing insights , which valuate each rain barrel for enduringness , effectiveness , and comfort of use , to determine the top performers . She also talk withJolene Wainwrightof Our Sanctuary Garden , who is a WSU master nurseryman in Lewis County , Washington . Jessica Foster , merchant at The Home Depot , andViveka Neveln , senior garden editor for Better Homes & Gardens , also provided sixth sense and advice .
Laura Fisheris a author forBetter Homes & Gardens . She has been writing about abode project and cooking for four year . She also attend to as a community PDA in NYC ’s web of residential district gardens , where she was ask with many rain harvest system facility .
