Get Ahead of the Sustainable Gardening Trend With One of Our Favorite Rain Barrels (2024)

Collecting water runoff in a rain barrel is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to keep a home garden or lawn watered all season long. Often made of heavy duty plastic to avoid deteriorating over time, they’re relatively inexpensive to buy, easy to set up, and come in a range of styles that can complement any backyard look.

Master gardener Jolene Wainwright says that there are a few perks to having a rain barrel in your backyard. Rain water can not only help lower your water bill, but it’s also beneficial to plants. “Plants love [rainwater] because it is oftentimes softer than tap water and doesn’t contain chlorine,” she says. She recommends “getting one that has a spigot at the bottom of it to allow you to access the water whenever you need it.”

Jessica Foster, merchant at The Home Depot, says rainwater can be used for other outdoor tasks as well. “Rain-barrel water has many uses other than watering your lawn or gardens," she says. "Storing rainwater is an eco-friendly alternative for outdoor tasks like landscape irrigation, washing the car and giving your dog a bath.”

The Bottom Line

While looking for the best rain barrel for your home, it is important to keep in mind the size of your yard, how much rain you typically get in your area, and what style you’d like it to have. Our best overall pick is the Good Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver.

If you’re looking for a collapsible rain barrel so as not to take up too much space in your yard, the Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel is our pick for the best collapsible rain barrel.

Our Testing Process

In order to find the best products, we tested 14 rain barrels in our own backyards. Before installing our rain barrels, we made sure that our downspouts and gutters were clean and functioning.

Then, we installed the rain barrels on grass or dirt, digging out 1 to 2 inches and creating a level surface, setting it up beneath the gutter or downspout. We made sure to direct the flow of water away from our homes so as not to damage the foundation.

Then, we waited for it to rain, taking note of how much it rained in our area and how quickly the barrel filled up. Once filled, we used the rainwater (within a week or two) to water plants or in other ways around the home.

We also maintained the rain barrel as needed, leaving the spigot open when not collecting rainwater, inspecting it regularly for damage or leaks, clearing away anything blocking the debris screens, rinsing it out as necessary, and draining and disconnecting the barrels before storing.

What to Know About Rain Barrels Before Shopping

Material

“When shopping for a rain barrel, it is important to consider various factors such as the material, size, color and capacity that best suit your water-saving needs,” Foster says. Plastic rain barrels are long-lasting and durable, while stone or clay models blend in seamlessly with your backyard.

Plastic: Many rain barrels are made of plastic, which include PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyethylene, polyethylene resin. “A high-density plastic is a good choice because it resists rotting and rust, while also being lightweight and easy to move if necessary,” Wainwright says.

In fact, most rain barrels are made of high density plastic for this very reason. “Plastic [rain barrels] are the most popular due to their lightweight, easy-to-clean and generally inexpensive qualities,” Foster says.

Our pick for best overall, the Good Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver is made of plastic, which we found to be durable during testing. The VINGLI 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel, is made using PVC, which we found to be lightweight, but still sturdy enough to withstand the elements.

Stone and Clay: “Stone and clay rain barrels capture smaller amounts of rainwater than other types of barrels,” Foster says. “They can be decorative and make attractive additions to small flower and vegetable gardens.”

Wooden: “Wood is typically more expensive than plastic,” Foster says. “Wood rain barrels can be made of oak, beechwood, cedar or hickory.” If you choose a wooden model, be prepared: they’re more likely to leak, rot, or even be damaged by insects.

Type

Rain barrels come in a wide array of styles, from utilitarian to elegant. It's important to consider where the barrel will be placed when deciding on the best rain barrel for your space. If it will be tucked away where no one will see it, then perhaps having a basic model is the way to go.

But if the rain barrel needs to be placed in a central location in your garden, patio, or backyard, you might want to consider choosing a model that matches your backyard decor or other exterior accents.

Our pick for best decorative rain barrel, the Good Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver, has 1 cubic foot of space to plant flowers or herbs and has a classic shape that looks great in any space.

Other rain barrels, like the EarthMark EarthMinded RainStation 45 gal. Rain Barrel with Diverter System, have a reversible top, so you can choose if you’d like to plant flowers or leave it as is. You can also choose a collapsible model, like the Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel, if you plan on storing your rain barrel for parts of the year and want something that tucks away easily.

Capacity

Depending on how much water you are hoping to collect and what the average rainfall is in your area, the capacity of your barrel is something you will need to consider when shopping.

“Residential rain barrels range from small 15-gallon models to larger commercial and industrial models that hold up to 5,000 gallons,” Foster says. “Rainwater barrels are easy to find in sizes ranging from 40 to 80 gallons, but the average size for most households is 55 gallons.”

Our pick for best overall, the Good Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver, has a 50 gallon capacity, while the Good Ideas Savannah Elevated Garden Rain Saver has a smaller capacity of 42 gallons.

If you like a smaller model but anticipate more water, many options allow you to connect multiple barrels to collect the overflow. If you anticipate your rain barrel will regularly overflow, make sure the barrel's overflow feature will move water away from your home's foundation, like our pick for the best rain barrel with a diverter, the EarthMark EarthMinded RainStation 45 gal. Rain Barrel with Diverter System.

Other Rain Barrels We Tested

Algreen Weather Resistant Drainable Dual Overflow Rain Barrel

The Algreen Weather Resistant Drainable Dual Overflow Rain Barrel impressed us with its 65-gallon capacity, which handled heavy rainfall with ease. While we also liked its planter top for aesthetics, we found that it did slow down the process of collecting rainwater.

FCMP Outdoor 50- Gallons Brown Recycled Plastic Rain Barrel Spigot

The FCMP 50-Gallon Brown Recycled Plastic Rain Barrel Spigot had a very effective debris screen that kept out bugs and leaves, and it impressed us by filling up in just two hours during a heavy rain. However, we found that it was difficult to install the included hose, and during our first use, the hose leaked.

Gardener's Supply Company Rainwater Urn, 50 gal

We loved the look of the Gardener’s Supply Company Rainwater Urn. It filled up quickly and effectively on a rainy day with minimal fuss during testing. We liked that it features both a metal spigot 33 inches from the ground and another spigot connected to a 4-foot hose that was 4 inches from the bottom of the barrel. Though we didn’t observe any blockage during the test, we noted that the debris screen did feel rather small and had the potential to get blocked easily.

Your Questions, Answered

How much are rain barrels?

The cost of rain barrels vary depending on a few factors, including its material and size. Typically, rain barrels with a larger capacity cost more than those with a lower capacity.

Our choice for the best rain barrel overall, the Good Ideas Impressions 50 Gallon Nantucket Rain Saver, typicaly retails for around $200. Typically, collapsible rain barrels are less expensive—the Vingli 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel, for example, is less than $50.

Are rain barrels worth it?

Rain barrels are worth the investment, according to Wainwright. “Up to 30% of daily water use is used outdoors, having a water catchment system in place will reduce your need to use municipal water,” she says. She adds that some areas even incentivize having rain barrels, offering rebates for those who do.

How often do you replace a rain barrel?

There are a few ways to ensure that your rain barrel stays in good shape for years. First, if you’re going to be away from your home for some time, you’ll want to open the spigot and be sure the run off drains away from your home’s foundation.

You’ll also want to disconnect your rain barrel during the winter to keep it from being damaged. The length of time they last depends largely on their material, but they can typically last for upwards of 10 years.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. For this story, she compared our testing insights to determine the top performers. She also spoke with Jolene Wainwright of Our Sanctuary Garden, who is a WSU master gardener in Lewis County, Washington.Jessica Foster, merchant at The Home Depot, also provided insights and advice.

Laura Fisher is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She has been writing about home projects and cooking for four years, and also served as a community organizer in NYC's network of community gardens where she was involved with many rainwater harvesting systems installations.