Best Overall
Good Ideas 50 Gallons Gal. Plastic Drainable Dual Overflow Planter Rain Barrel
- Effectiveness5/5
- Ease of Use5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value4.8/5
- This rain barrel has two spigots, so you can either connect to a hose or use them to fill containers.
This rain barrel has two spigots, so you can either connect to a hose or use them to fill containers.
- The top planter is rather small, with limited space.
The top planter is rather small, with limited space.
The Good Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver earned top marks for effectiveness and ease of use during our testing. The two brass spigots are the standout feature of this rain barrel. There is one located low to the ground and another about midway up the barrel.
This gave us some flexibility because we could connect one of the spigots to a garden hose, collect the rainwater in a container to use, or even run a hose to another rain barrel if necessary to catch more water. During a heavy downpour, we found that these two spigots allowed for easy draining and prevented any overflow.
The rain barrel is made of a sturdy plastic that did not show any signs of wear or tear during the testing period. The amount of sun exposure did not impact the rain barrel’s appearance and did not cause any discoloration, which bodes well for someone who is looking to place their rain barrel in a sunny spot of their yard.
With a capacity of 50 gallons, we found that this rain barrel collected water easily, without any leaks or cracks. Its debris filter is integrated with the top planter feature, which is able to be removed, should you not want to plant anything there. Keep in mind, the top planter is rather small, and so you will be limited in what you can plant.
Product Details: Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 32 x 23.25 x 23.25 inches | Capacity: 50 gallons
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LISA PEZZUTO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LISA PEZZUTO
Key Terms to Know
- Spigot: The device that, when turned, allows for the flow of water from a faucet. Many rain barrels feature spigots so that you can release the rainwater from the barrel for use, or to connect a hose.
- Runoff: When it rains, the water that runs down your roof, into the gutters, and onto the ground is called runoff. This runoff can be collected by rain barrels and stored in the drum.
- Capacity: The amount of rainwater a rain barrel can hold, which is measured in gallons.
Best Decorative
Good Ideas 42 Gallon Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver
- Effectiveness4.8/5
- Ease of Use4.3/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Value4.5/5
- It has a planter top that offers 1 square foot of space for flowers, herbs, and more.
It has a planter top that offers 1 square foot of space for flowers, herbs, and more.
- This rain barrel blew over during testing.
This rain barrel blew over during testing.
When it comes to making a useful addition to your backyard space, the last thing you need is an eyesore. The best decorative rain barrels combine style and function, which is why we chose the Good Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver after testing.
With a capacity of 42 gallons, it is smaller than the average rain barrel, which usually holds about 50 to 55 gallons of water. We loved that it had a planter on top, which was perfect for annual flowers.
We found during testing that it easily collected rain water, even during a light rain, and that the debris screen was extremely effective. We noticed that the hole for the debris screen is quite small, but that did not keep the rain barrel 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 cans with ease during testing, but found that the hose would not stay attached to the lower spigot.
When it didn’t have plants or water in it, this rain barrel did tip over in high winds during our testing. However, with plants and water, it was sturdy enough to stay upright for the remainder or the testing period. Even so, the fall did not result in any cracks or dents, which leads us to believe this is a durable rain barrel.
Product Details: Material: Polyethylene plastic | Dimensions: 31.5 x 19.5 x 24 inches | Capacity: 50 gallons
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JESSICA FLEMING
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JESSICA FLEMING
Best with Diverter
EarthMinded Rain Barrel
- Effectiveness4.3/5
- Ease of Use5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Value4.5/5
- The flow from the spigots is strong, making filling buckets or using a hose easy.
The flow from the spigots is strong, making filling buckets or using a hose easy.
- This rain barrel does not have a debris screen.
This rain barrel does not have a debris screen.
When looking for the best option for your home, a model with a diverter will allow your rain barrel to fill to capacity, but then it will automatically send water through a downspout and away from your home’s foundation.
This is helpful if you live in a rainy climate and don’t want to worry about forgetting to open your rain barrel’s spigots to avoid overflow. The Earthmark EarthMinded RainStation 45-Gallon Rain Barrel is our pick for the best rain barrel with a diverter.
During testing, we found that this rain barrel, which is made of high density polyethylene resin, was sturdy and effective at collecting water at a reasonable rate.
The spigots of this barrel, which are made of plastic, function well—when the barrel was full we found that the water flowed from them freely and with a fast flow rate. We connected a long hose to the spigot and the pressure was steady enough to water plant containers around the porch.
This rain barrel also comes with a reversible lid, which can be used to grow herbs or plants on top, which helps it to blend into your outdoor space and provide decoration. Keep in mind that this rain barrel does not have a debris screen, so you may find leaves in the water as it flows from the gutters to the barrel.
Product Details: Material: High density polyethylene resin | Dimensions: 24 x 34 x 24 inches | Capacity: 45 gallon
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / VIVEKA NEVELN
Best with Hose
FCMP Outdoor Catalina Rain Barrel
- Effectiveness5/5
- Ease of Use4.5/5
- Durability5/5
- Value5/5
- It was able to withstand high winds during testing and its debris screen was very effective.
It was able to withstand high winds during testing and its debris screen was very effective.
- This rain barrel only comes in a gray granite colorway.
This rain barrel only comes in a gray granite colorway.
Many rain barrels come with the option to attach a hose, but not all have one included to make the user experience seamless. The FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45-Gallon Rain Barrel is our pick for the best version with a hose because it is functional, easy to use, and effectively collects rain while keeping out debris.
With a capacity of 45 gallons, we found that this rain barrel filled up very easily and effectively, even while raining extremely heavily. We found that this barrel, made of polyethylene plastic, was durable and did not budge, even amidst high winds.
It has a debris screen that worked well at keeping leaves and debris from the water, especially during storms. After withstanding days in the sun, this rain barrel proved to be durable once again, showing no signs of discoloration or bleaching in the sun.
The hose, which is 40 inches long (about 3.3 feet), has a clip on the side of the barrel, which allows the hose to be stored against the barrel while not in use, rather than getting tangled on the ground. In addition to the attached hose, we found that we could also attach a longer garden hose, should we want to use it on a flowerbed farther away or while washing a car.
We were also impressed by how easy it was to set up. From start to finish, it took us only 10 minutes, including the installation of a gutter extender. Keep in mind that this rain barrel only comes in a gray granite color, which may not blend into your current outdoor decor.
Product Details: Material: Polyethylene | Dimensions: 22.5 x 20.5 x 29.75 inches | Capacity: 45 gallons
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RYANN SPRINGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RYANN SPRINGER
Best Collapsible
Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel
- Effectiveness4.4/5
- Ease of Use3.5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Value5/5
- We loved how lightweight and easy to stow away it was, while still being durable.
We loved how lightweight and easy to stow away it was, while still being durable.
- When we attached a garden hose to the spigot, we found there was not enough pressure to water plants.
When we attached a garden hose to the spigot, we found there was not enough pressure to water plants.
If you are short on outdoor storage space during the winter months, the Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel is a great option for you. The lightweight, 4.4-pound PVC frame and mesh tank folds up so that you can easily stow it away in an outdoor shed or garage when it's not in use. Though lightweight, it didn’t fall or blow over while testing.
This rain barrel has a debris filter to keep out debris and an outflow valve that can also be used to connect multiple barrels together. There is only one spigot on this rain barrel, and it is worth noting that, when we attempted to use a garden hose, we found that the flow of the water was not powerful enough to water a plant. You’ll want to dispense the water directly into another container, like a watering can, for use.
Keep in mind that this rain barrel only comes in green, and is made of a PVC tarp material that isn’t necessarily decorative or aesthetic. Given the soft, tarp-like material of this barrel, it must be on level ground so that it doesn't tip over or rip once it fills with water.
Product Details: Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Dimensions: 23.6 x 27.6 x 23.6 inches | Capacity: From 50 gallons
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BRIERLEY HORTON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BRIERLEY HORTON