Buying guide for Best rain barrels
Our planetary resources aren't unlimited, so buying a rain barrel is one of the many little steps you can take to help conserve water and protect the environment.
Rain barrels collect rainwater that runs off your roof and through your gutters. You can use this water to saturate your garden, wash your car, and so on. Some states even permit the use of rain barrel water for greywater purposes.
Why buy a rain barrel?
If you're not quite convinced yet, here are some more reasons why you might want to buy a rain barrel.
A rain barrel prevents water from entering storm drains, thereby decreasing the risk of flooding.
Collecting rainwater benefits the environment, as our earthly resources are limited.
Rain barrels allow you to direct overflow where you want it to go. And let’s face it, nobody wants rainwater seeping into their home’s foundation.
Since you'll be using less water from your taps, a rain barrel should save you money on your water bills.
Rainwater is oxygenated and unchlorinated, which is ideal for plants.
- Collecting rainwater helps protect rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water from pollution runoff.
Did you know?
An average garden hose puts out 10 gallons of water – around 160 glasses of drinking water – per minute. With a rain barrel, you can do your bit to conserve water.
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Materials
Plastic
Today, plastic is by far the most popular rain barrel material. Why is plastic so popular? It’s incredibly strong, durable, and lightweight. At the same time, it costs less to make a plastic rain barrel, and manufacturers can easily mold plastic into a number of shapes. This creates some interesting rain barrel designs.
Wood
Traditional wooden rain barrels look quaint and attractive, but unless properly treated, they will eventually rot. If you want the classic look of a wooden barrel with the longevity and convenience of plastic, consider a molded rain barrel that is made to look like real wood.
Clay or stone
You can find rain barrels made of stone or clay, but these tend to serve a decorative purpose more than a functional one. That’s not to say you couldn’t collect water in a clay or stone barrel, of course.
Because of their weight, clay and stone barrels are often smaller than rain barrels made of other materials. Another consequence of their weight is that they're harder to move from one location to another. Therefore, once in place, a clay or stone rain barrel is likely to remain there for years to come.
Plastic rain barrels are ideal for those looking for a strong design. We evaluate each of these products for their ability to maintain durability over long periods of time.
Some prefer larger capacities while others like the lightweight option of smaller rain barrels. We weigh the pros and cons of every size when reviewing these products.
While the spigot can be one of the most important aspects of a rain barrel, not all of them are made the same. We look for spigots that provide a wide range of accessibility.
Overflow protection is essential to protecting from excess water damaging a house. We look for rain barrels that utilize additional protection during the rainy season.
Aesestic matters to many users. We look at decorated rain barrels to see if they not only look great but perform well when needed.
Some users prefer clay or stone barrels because they have a traditional design that is pleasing to the eye. We consider the capacity and durability of these rain barrels.
A rain barrel cover should protect the water from excess debris while also gaining the maximum amount of water. We scrutinize the design of each cover when it is being used.
Rain barrels vary in price based on capacity and design, but most will range from $80-$150. We weigh the pros and cons of each option and how well they work for everyday use.
Certain rain barrels may provide a mesh screen instead of a full cover. We analyze these products for their ability to keep out fine particles while still obtaining the full amount of water.
Wood barrels provide a classic design that many users prefer. We investigate rain barrels that still maintain longevity and durability despite the way that they look.
Considerations
Capacity
The average rain barrel for home use has a capacity of somewhere between 40 and 80 gallons. Consider how much water you’d like to collect at one time and how often/how much it rains in your area.
Appearance
Some people don’t care what their rain barrel looks like; others have a particular aesthetic in mind. As you peruse your choices, you'll find everything from plain-looking rain barrels to highly decorated rain barrels which may even sport a planter on top.
Spigot
The spigot is another word for the tap at the bottom of the barrel where you get the water out. In most cases, it's possible to attach a garden hose to the spigot.
"Unless you have a particular aversion to using a plastic rain barrel, we highly recommend this material, as it's light, durable, and long-lasting."
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Overflow
If it rains a lot, your rain barrel may completely fill and begin to overflow.
This is where an overflow hose comes in handy. If you don't have an overflow hose to direct the water to an appropriate location, the excess spills out over the top. Since most people keep their rain barrels against an outer wall of their house (to collect water from the drainpipe), this overflow could seep into your foundation and cause damage. It could even flood your basement, if you have one.
Cover or screen
A rain barrel screen prevents debris and other contaminants, like insect larvae, from infiltrating your water.
Some rain barrels are completely covered, apart from a hole where you can attach your drain pipe. Others have a fine mesh screen that keeps out all but the tiniest insects and bits of dust and detritus.
Expert Tip
"The pain of watching your garden die during a hosepipe ban is immense. To keep your garden green all year long, collect enough rainwater during the wetter months."
STAFF
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Rain barrel prices
Rain barrels vary in price depending on size, design, and appearance.
You're unlikely to find a quality rain barrel for less than around $80. Products that hover at this price point perform their job well, but they often look quite basic.
For roughly $100 to $150, you can get a rain barrel that's a step above the most basic level. Many of these products are attractive options that consumers are proud to display.
FAQ
Q. What if I need a rain barrel of a larger capacity?
A. If you do a lot of gardening or have other uses for large amounts of rainwater, you might find even the largest of our top picks are insufficient to meet your needs.
Those who need a larger capacity can either look for an industrial-sized rain barrel or chain several average-sized rain barrels together with linking hoses. For most consumers, this is the most practical solution.
Q. Is rain barrel water safe to drink?
A. No. The water collected in a rain barrel contains a variety of bacteria, debris, and pollutants. It’s not safe to drink as is.
Mind you, it could be made safe to drink with some pretty intensive treating and filtering. However, we don’t recommend this unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Q. How long will it take to fill a rain barrel?
A. If placed under a drainpipe so it gets the runoff from your roof, a 60-gallon rain barrel can fill up over the course of an average rainstorm. So, if you live in a wet area, you could easily make use of multiple rain barrels.
