Best Overall
H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
WALMART
Why You Should Get It: It’s a strong, durable, and lightweight hose that is resistant to the elements.
Keep in Mind: It’s bright blue, so it’s not the best option if you want the hose to blend in with a garden bed.
As our top pick, the H2O WORKS Garden Flat Soaker Hose is a highly durable and lightweight product that leaks two gallons of water in two minutes. Though it’s a strong hose, it’s only 1.76 pounds and we found that it was easy to maneuver.
The water began to condensate quickly during testing, though we didn’t think it would get the ground too wet. It’s suitable for use in all types of weather, from -4°F, all the way to a 140°F scorcher, according to the manufacturer. This means you should be able to leave it out all year round and just turn on the faucet when it’s watering time.
It comes with a universal connector for various types of connections, and the couplings are made from a durable brass material that is also weather-resistant. While testing it against rocks and a rake, we noticed that the hose stayed in perfect condition. For storage, this compact number only takes up 0.15 square feet of space.
As with most flat-type hoses, the hose did kink quite a bit during testing. However, you shouldn’t have a problem while it’s in use, especially if you keep it permanently out; its strong and weather-resistant material means you can comfortably do so.
Though it’s blue and doesn’t camouflage well, you can cover it with soil if you’d rather it wasn’t on display. However, its bright color does make it easier to locate at any time of day. This model also comes in a 50-foot length if you have a larger garden, and this longer version is also lightweight at just under four pounds.
Key Terms to Know
- Burst Pressure: Indicates the maximum amount of pressure a soaker hose can withstand before it ruptures.
Best Budget
Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
WALMART
Why You Should Get It: The hose is long and made from strong and durable material.
Keep in Mind: Like most flat hoses, it tends to kink so needs a little more attention when setting up.
The Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose is the best soaker hose to consider if you’re in the market for a less expensive option. Thanks to its black color, the hose can be hidden in a garden bed in between your foliage. It can properly irrigate your vegetation as water seeps slowly out of the small holes while remaining concealed.
When flat, it’s super easy to hide under soil and mulch, too, providing an even more undercover and seamless look. It’s also available in 50-foot and 75-foot versions as well for those who have larger gardens.
The hose comes with two attached screw-cap connectors that you just hook up to the garden faucet before getting started, so you won’t have to worry about any additional fittings and connectors. To remove, simply unscrew.
You’ll have to position it while it’s still flat in order to properly get it around the plants as it can be hard to do so while it’s on. It also might kink (like most flat hoses) if the end caps aren’t tightened properly after use.
This soaker hose is made from a strong and durable vinyl material over a perforated PVC liner, and is clog-resistant, too. It’s lightweight at only 0.75 pounds, and the fabric is UV-resistant, which adds to its durability.
Its strong material means that you won’t need to replace it as much as other hoses, and, what’s more, it comes with a seven-year limited warranty as well.
Product Details: Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 0.625 inches | Burst Pressure: 60 PSI | Weight: 0.75 pounds
Best Splurge
Water Right Soaker Garden Hose
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: It’s lightweight, kink-free, and has an even drip rate over its entire length.
Keep in Mind: It’s five pounds, which is heavier than some other styles.
Although this 50-foot model is rather pricey for a garden hose, the Water Right SKR-050-MU Soaker Garden Hose is worth the investment. The hose itself is made of UV- stabilized polyurethane and the fittings are tarnish-proof and lead-free solid chrome-plated brass.
At almost five pounds, it’s not the lightest soaker hose on the market, but we still thought it was easy to drag around. The soaker part isn’t too noticeable, so you can even use it as a regular hose if you need to.
Although the hose is meant to be kink-free, we did notice that it kinked really easily when it was empty in an effort to keep its coil shape. It bounced back, however, so it didn’t present too much of an issue.
The “bristle grass” color is a neutral green shade but doesn’t seem to blend in as well as its black counterparts. However, if you find that the hose sticks out like a sore thumb, this is easily rectifiable by covering it with soil and mulch in the garden beds for complete concealment.
You can leave it permanently out in the garden bed since it’s suitable for all kinds of weather. Plus, you can also get the hose in either a 25-foot version or a 100-foot option, depending on the size of your garden and your needs.
Product Details: Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 0.5 inches | Burst Pressure: 75 PSI | Weight: 4.93 pounds
Best Round
Flexon Soaker Hose Kit
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: It comes with a 100-foot hose that you can cut to create your ideal length, as well as 20 connectors.
Keep in Mind: You’ll have to lay it in the sun for about an hour to soften it before use.
One of the best things about the Flexon WS100KITCN 20-Piece Soaker Hose Kit is the ability to cut it down to size. It comes with a 100-foot hose made from a clog-free porous material that you can easily chop with scissors to get your desired length, as well as a 20-piece connector set that includes an adaptor.
This adaptor allows you to attach a hose to either end of it to get around both sides of the garden with ease. The hose is highly flexible, curving effortlessly around your plants and flowers, and you can even wrap it around bushes or at the base of trees.
The connectors provide many different watering combinations and even allow you to set the hose to water in rows along your plant beds. Detailed instructions also come with the kit so you can get it all set up and start watering in no time.
Before you start to use it, it’s advised to lay it in the sun for around an hour so it can soften up to make it easier to position around the yard. Once it’s ready for use, the connectors should be inserted 0.5 inches or more into the hose to ensure a watertight seal.
Product Details: Length: 100 feet | Diameter: 0.375 inches | Burst Pressure: 25 PSI | Weight: 5 pounds
Best Flat
Melnor Woven Black Soaker Hose
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: It’s less expensive than other options and can be used on raised garden beds, too.
Keep in Mind: It shouldn’t be used with water below 40°F.
If you’re seeking a flat option, the Melnor Woven Black Soaker Hose is your best bet. The brand’s flat soaker hose is only 0.7 pounds, so it can easily be maneuvered around your garden. It’s a great pick for raised garden beds, as long as you position it while it’s still flat.
It can also be easily concealed under a thin layer of mulch or compost to blend in with the garden beds. The hose can be tightly wound, so it’s easy to store and won’t take up too much space in your garage or shed. Plus, it’s made from a strong and flexible woven plastic material that’s tightly stitched to avoid leaks or bursts.
Just keep in mind it should be stored away when not in use as it’s not suitable for leaving out in freezing temperatures. It is made for use with water up to 115°F, and no less than 40°F. It fits a standard 0.75-inch garden hose thread and includes a rust-resistant end cap that allows the connection of multiple hoses.
This product is superb value for money, and, although a 50-foot option is available, you could likely quite comfortably buy two of the smaller ones to reach two different sides of the garden. The products are even backed by the manufacturer’s two-year limited warranty.
Product Details: Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 0.65 inches | Burst Pressure: 80 PSI | Weight: 0.7 pounds
Best 100-Foot
Swan Products Miracle-GRO Soaker System
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: The kit comes with multiple connectors, plugs, and feeders.
Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than some other similar options.
To create a custom soaker system that seamlessly waters various garden beds in a multitude of sizes, opt for the Swan Products MGSPAK38100CC Miracle-GRO Soaker System. The complete kit allows you to cut the hose as you see fit and attach its various connectors so you can have a personalized soaker system without the steep costs of getting it done by a professional.
The kit includes 100 feet of soaker hose, four male and four female ends for attaching a garden hose, four T connectors, and four plugs to cap these connectors’ unused ends. In addition, you also get two feeders which are essentially T connectors with a female soaker-to-garden-hose connector.
The end caps are rust-resistant and allow you to connect multiple hoses if you so wish, and clear instructions are also provided. Setup is fairly quick and simple, too. After cutting the hose down to size, if necessary, all you have to do is affix the hose at least half an inch into the connectors to make sure it doesn’t come out with the water pressure.
Product Details: Length: 100 feet | Diameter: 0.375 inches | Burst Pressure: 200 PSI | Weight: 2 pounds
Best 50-Foot
Taisia ½-Inch Soaker Hose
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: It’s customizable, great for medium-sized gardens, and is backed by a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Keep in Mind: It’s not as flexible as some other options.
The Taisia 0.5-Inch Soaker Hose is another heavy-duty option that can be fully customized and cut to size to provide the perfect length for getting around your garden blooms, bushes, and trees. It comes with all the necessary fittings, connectors, couplers, and end caps to get you started, and the setup is straightforward.
The manufacturer provides a seven-year warranty, with a replacement or money-back guarantee for any quality issues. This round soaker hose is made from recycled rubber and polyethylene that, although flexible enough to position in place, can get a little stiff in colder weather.
Its thick and durable construction is designed not to crack or leak, and the material is lead-free, and UV-resistant. In addition, it’s reinforced with fiber to keep it safe in all types of weather. The black hose is easy enough to conceal if you’d rather not have it showing, but it doesn’t really stand out against the soil to begin with.
The hose is designed not to clog even if you do decide to put it under the surface level. The 50-foot option is great for medium-sized gardens, but the model is available in a variety of lengths from 25 feet all the way up to 100 feet.
Product Details: Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 0.5 inches | Burst Pressure: 25 PSI | Weight: 3.54 pounds
Best for Gardens
LINEX Garden Soaker Hose
AMAZON
Why You Should Get It: It has rust-resistant fittings and will disperse water evenly.
Keep in Mind: It’s not offered in a 100-foot option, so it depends on your garden size.
Though it’s priced a little higher than some other shorter soaker hoses, the LINEX Garden Soaker Hose is made from an extremely durable vinyl material. If you’re watering at 50 PSI, this hose leaks three gallons of water per minute, while evenly and consistently irrigating along its entire length.
The hose has a high-quality fabric construction and is able to withstand hot weather with ease. It also features an inner plastic core with two ridges that make it kink-resistant. You can either lay the hose above ground or cover it just under the soil surface to be completely incognito.
Plus, this flat soaker hose can be rolled up tightly and compactly so you can store it in small spaces and out of the way. The 25-foot option is great for smaller gardens or front yards, or for single flowerbeds; however, if you find it a little short for your needs, it also comes in 50-foot and 75-foot lengths as well. Just keep in mind that there’s no 100-foot option, unlike some other styles.
Product Details: Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 0.5 inches | Burst Pressure: 60 PSI | Weight: 0.45 pounds