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A rainwater barrel is a container that’s used to collect rainwater runoff when connected to your gutter system. The collected water can be used via a hose or a spigot for gardening, landscaping, water features or any other application you like.
Rain harvesting is one of the best ways to make sure that you always have an uninterrupted and independent supply of water on hand to help you keep your garden beautiful and thriving. They can also help reduce your water bill by decreasing your water usage.
If you’re looking for a new rain barrel for your garden, we’ve got all the information you need right here. In this article, we’ve listed 7 of the best rain barrels as well as tips on what to look for when choosing the right one for you. Let’s go ahead and have a look.
Good Ideas RW50-OAK Rain Wizard Rain Barrel
This rain barrel from Good Ideas has a holding capacity of 50 gallons and is made from strong UV-resistant polyethylene. It’s 100% BPA-free and won’t rot, rust or mold. It also includes a ¾ inch brass spigot which makes it easy to attach a hose for watering your plants or to fill up buckets.
This barrel is easy to set up since it can be placed against the wall of your home. It’s also easy to remove for maintenance and cleaning and it comes with a plastic mesh screen that keeps out debris and insects from falling in. The best part about it is that it’s perfectly safe for pets and children so you don’t have to worry about any accidents.
Features to Consider:
- Classic whisky barrel look
- Brass spigot
- Pet and child safe
- Saves money on water bills
- Realistic wood grain texture
FCMP Outdoor RC4000-BRN Catcher
1 used from $135.72
The FCMP Outdoor RC4000-BRN Catcher is a large rainwater barrel that’s designed to hold up to 75 gallons. This barrel is safe to have in your garden since it doesn’t have any sharp edges that can cause harm even if someone bumps on it. If you need a larger capacity, you can connect several of these barrels together using the connecting spigots that are located on the back of its mounting point, making them into a larger water storage tool.
Unlike most other barrels, this model includes a 40-inch hose, a built-in debris screen and a simple shut-off valve which takes the quality and convenience of this barrel to a whole new level. Designed with a large opening and a flat back, it allows for very easy installation and its overflow connection at the back prevents overflowing and flooding when its capacity is reached.
Features to Consider:
- Expandable water storage
- Overflow management
- Spoke and wheel pattern on the top of the barrel to make it child and pet safe
- Aluminium mesh screen to keep out debris and insects
Goplus Portable Rain Barrel Water Collector Collapsible Tank
This portable rain barrel provides up to 60 gallons of clear rain water when it’s full and features a collapsible barrel design that makes it really easy to carry and store. It even has a PVC frame and a corrosion-resistant mesh, making it strong and durable.
When this barrel is full of rain water, the excess water will flow out from the top drain-pipe and away from the foundations of your home. It’s very easy to install, due to its percolate knobs since you just need to tighten them to prevent any risk of leaking. .
Since it’s collapsible, the Goplus Collapsible tank can be easily folded up, moved around or stored away when you don’t need it. Overall, it’s a top-quality product made of strong materials that ensure its durability.
Features to Consider:
- Foldable barrel
- High quality materials
- Reduces water usage by 40%
- Perfect for water storage during drought
- Easy to set up and use
Good Ideas IMP-N50-DBR Impressions Nantucket Rain Saver Rain Barrel
Here’s yet another product from Good Ideas that blends into most garden designs while being highly durable, reliable and extremely watertight. This Nantucket Rain Saver Barrel can hold 50 gallons of water and features two brass spigots (one in the middle and the other at the bottom) for you to use the same supply of water with different tools.
The wicker design of this rain barrel is what makes it a great choice for people who would like to match with other decorations in their garden and an added advantage is that it doubles as a planter due to its 4-inch planter top in which you can grow small herbs or even vegetables.
The sleek and classy barrel is made of top-quality plastic and none of its parts are prone to rusting or breaking. It’s an excellent option if you want to add a stylish touch to your garden.
Features to Consider:
- 50 gallon capacity
- 4-inch planter top
- Beautiful wicker finish
- Strong, high-quality materials
VINGLI 100 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel
Looking for a rain barrel with a huge capacity? Why not try this collapsible one from Vingli? This barrel with its 100-gallon capacity, is highly durable and features a PVC frame covered in PVC mesh fabric to prevent anything falling into the water. The barrel is safer from corrosion than the typical barrels due to the quality of its materials and can be used even during winter time without any danger of cracking.
This Vingli Barrel is eco-friendly and can help you save up to 40% on your water bill per year. Its collapsible design makes it very easy to carry and store away to reuse when needed. It even includes rubber rings with the spigot and water outflow valve to prevent the barrel from leaking.
Features to Consider:
- Space saving
- Assemble in 3 minutes
- Reusable & recycle
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to store
- Available in multiple sizes: 50, 66 or 100-gallons capacity
Gardener’s Supply Company Rain Barrel
If you’re looking for a stylish but simple barrel to collect rainwater in your garden and reduce your water bill, check out this elegant and contemporary product from Gardener’s Supply. This barrel is made of UV-stable polyethylene, making it durable with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
With the capacity to hold up to 75 gallons of water, the barrel comes with a child-proof top and a non-corroding screen, making it safe and convenient to use. It also has a brass tap that makes it easy to attach a garden hose or fill up your watering can and an overflow spout which allows the excess water to flow out when the barrel is full. The spout can also be connected to another rain barrel which is very handy if you’re in an area with a lot of precipitation.
We were impressed by the faux sandstone finish and decorative feet that give this barrel its unique look. Shaped like a large stone olive jar, it looks great standing next to any home or garden.
Features to Consider:
- Child-proof tap
- Non-corroding screen to catch leaves and debris
- 70-gallon capacity
- Can withstand extreme temperatures
Good Ideas Imp-L50-Kha Impressions Palm Rain Barrel
When it comes to uniqueness, this Imp-L50-Kha Impressions rain barrel from Good Ideas really sets the bar high. This barrel looks like a natural, gorgeous vase with a palm trunk finish and comes with a little planter top that self-drains. Under the planter top is the collection barrel, holding up to 50 gallons of water.
The dual spigot locations allow you to use a spigot and a hose simultaneously which makes it very convenient. It also features an anti-debris and bug screen to block bugs and debris from entering the barrel. Constructed with durable and thick polyethylene resin, this barrel can withstand even the harshest elements and is built to last for years.
Features to Consider:
- Available in 9 different colors
- Absorbs heavy impacts
- Self-draining planter
- Overflow channel to protect foundations
- Sturdy brass spigot that won’t break or rust
- 100% BPA-free
What to Look for When Buying a Rainwater Barrel
Before you go ahead and purchase a rain barrel, there are some key features that you might want to look out for. Some rain barrels may look good on the outside, but can be made of cheap material and break or damage easily over time so pay special attention to the following points to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you.
- The Lid
Always opt for a model with a good, strong lid that locks well since the last thing you want is to have animals, insects or debris falling into your barrel and contaminating your water. For easy opening and closing, a lid with a latch would be the best option.
- Capacity
Rain barrels come in various sizes and can hold anywhere from 15 gallons to 1,000 gallons. Choosing the right capacity depends on the size of your roof, the usual rainfall in the area, how much rainwater you use in your garden or lawn and how frequently rain falls in your area.
Generally, a 40-60-gallon barrel is suitable most average homes. If the area you live in gets a lot of rain, you might need a larger barrel. If not, a small one would work just fine.
While most people tend to lean towards getting larger rainwater barrels, you might not need that, especially if you live in a wet climate where rainfall is more frequent. Larger tanks are also more prone to getting cracks or other damage and are more costly to purchase upfront.
- Spigot
The spigot of a rain barrels dispenses the rainwater which is collected inside the barrel so that you can use it around your home. The most convenient barrel would be one with the spigot located at the bottom so that even the water right at the bottom can be dispensed. Some barrels come with two spigots so if you go for a model like this, make sure the second spigot is located towards the middle of the barrel so you can comfortably fill a bucket or watering can without having to bend too much. The spigot should attach to a hose to make it more convenient.
- Mesh Screen
Choose a rain barrel that comes with a mesh screen since it will keep out tiny insects and mosquitoes from getting into the barrel and breeding.
- Overflow Protection
While the point of rainwater barrels is to catch rainwater, if you live in a wet climate, the barrel will often overflow. You won’t be able to collect all the rainwater gushing down the tanks, so its likely that your rainwater barrel will fill up quickly.
This is why it’s important to see how the rainwater barrel gets rid of excess water. If the water starts flowing into parts of your garden that you don’t want it to go to, you could have flooded plants, muddy lawns and other similar issues.
Check how the rainwater barrel you’re interested in takes care of excess water. Some will have valves either on the side or at the bottom which can link to the garden hose, allowing you to direct the overflow water away.
To avoid your barrel filling up during a rainstorm and overflowing, flooding your garden, choose one that comes with an overflow valve or dual overflow ports to divert water once the barrel reaches its capacity.
- Design
There are many rain barrels with very attractive designs so you don’t have to worry about spoiling the look of your garden. Think about where you’ll be placing your rain barrel and how much space you need for it. If you want to save on space, choose one with a flat-back design which will allow you to place it against the side of your house.
The Bottom Line
Having a rainwater barrel on hand is an easy way to have a backup supply of water for tasks around the house. This is one of the easiest ways to harvest rainwater, requiring next to no installation or effort.
To learn more about rainwater harvesting, check out our detailed guide. And if you’re wondering whether you can drink rainwater, we’ve covered that too!
