The best Rain Barrels for Home Rainwater Collection

There are many different types of the best rain barrels to consider when putting up a home rainwater collection system. We looked at some options to assist you in choosing the best rain barrel for your house while considering their capacity, size, and material. Chris Maxwell-Gaines, the proprietor of Watercache.com, was also consulted.

The Algreen Weather Resistant Drainable Dual Overflow Planter Rain Barrel is our pick for the best rain barrel overall. We appreciate its chic, sculptural appearance and its 65-gallon capacity, sufficient water for sizable gardens. Additionally, it is constructed from a material that can withstand temperature changes.

1. Best overall: VINGLI Collapsible Rainwater Collection Downspout

2. Runner-up overall: RTS Home Accents Polyethylene 50 Gallon

3. Best value: FCMP Outdoor Rain Catcher RC4000 Rain Barrel

4. Best purchased product: RTS Accents 551000901A5681 Polyethylene Gallon

More options: KMJETNIVY Rain Barrel

Size

You'll need to think about the best rain barrel when buying, depending on how much water you hope to collect and how much rain typically falls where you live. A residential rain barrel typically holds 50 gallons, although the models on this list range in size from 26 to 90 gallons, depending on your requirements.

Many alternatives let you connect multiple barrels to capture the overflow if you want a smaller model but expect more water. If you expect the best rain barrel to overflow frequently, ensure sure the overflow feature will direct water away from the foundation of your house.

Material

According to Maxwell-Gaines, the best rain barrels are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic because they are incredibly resilient and should last for many years without cracking, flaking, or splitting. Maxwell-Gaines advises consumers to be cautious when purchasing rain barrels made of galvanized metal and to check that the barrel has an inner epoxy liner to prevent rust.

Style

The best rain barrels are available in various designs, from functional to exquisite. When choosing the ideal rain barrel for your environment, it's crucial to consider where it will be situated. A basic model will be the best option if it is hidden somewhere where no one will see it. However, suppose the rain barrel must be positioned in the center of your garden, patio, or backyard. In that case, you might want to pick a model that blends in with the rest of your outdoor accessories or backyard decor.

Some even feature flower and herb pots within the rain barrel lid. You can also select a collapsible variant if you intend to store your rain barrel for portions of the year.

1. VINGLI 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel

Why You Should Buy It: the best rain barrel's foldable shape makes it simple to store.

Remember: A garden hose cannot be attached to the spigot.

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This collapsible 50-gallon rain barrel is a wonderful choice if you lack storage space. It's considered the best rain barrel on some trading floors. When it's not in use during the colder months, you can quickly put the 4.4-pound, lightweight PVC frame and mesh tank away by folding it up.

There are three sizes of the tank: 50, 66, or 100 gallons. Additionally, it contains an outflow valve that may join several barrels together and an entrance filter to keep debris out. You must either pour the water directly into another container for use or unzip the top of the barrel and fill a bucket or watering can directly because the spigot is plastic and cannot be connected to a garden hose.

This rain barrel is a rather subtle addition to a backyard because of its green tint. Given the barrel's soft, tarp-like covering,

Product Details:

Material: PVC

Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 x 27.6 inches

Capacity: From 50 gallons

2. RTS Home Accents Polyethylene 50 Gallon

Why You Need to Buy It: This is an excellent all-around choice because of its simple setup and conventional barrel design.

Remember: You will need to buy a stand separately since the barrel doesn't come with one.

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This 50-gallon rain barrel gives your backyard garden an upscale appearance by mimicking an old wine barrel with a molded oak texture. However, this plastic barrel won't decay, fade, or fracture like a wine barrel might.

The rain bucket includes a sturdy brass spigot and a helpful aluminum screen to keep dirt, insects, and other debris out of the water. In addition, installation is not too difficult, making it perfect for experts and novices.

This variant has the advantage of having the overflow at the front of the barrel, which prevents flooding of the wall the barrel is leaning against. Remember that the barrel bends out by about 3 inches when it is entirely loaded, so you'll want to avoid placing the device flush against a wall or post. It’s the best rain barrel for a small house.

Product Details:

Material: Plastic

Dimensions: 27 x 20 x 45 inches

Capacity: 50 gallons

3. FCMP Outdoor Rain Catcher RC4000 Rain Barrel

Why You Need to Buy It: Extra water can drain under the barrel and away from your foundation thanks to a cutout underneath the barrel.

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Remember that the top screen isn't obvious.

The FCMP Outdoor Rain Catcher is ideal for a traditional rain barrel. The 50-gallon rain barrel has various side spigots for connecting to other the best rain barrels, a garden hose for convenient dispensing, and a hanging hose clip to keep the hose neat and orderly when not in use. In addition, a cutout in the bottom of the barrel directs spillage away from your foundation and underneath the barrel.

This barrel's top aperture is more extensive than those on some other versions, which makes it easier to install the downspout. Additionally, three bars are across the top to stop kids or animals from falling in.

The entrance is shielded from trash by a screen, but the mesh isn't acceptable, which could result in a mosquito breeding ground in places with a lot of insect activity. However, if the screen becomes a problem for you, you can always replace it with a screen made of a finer mesh.

Product Details:

Material: Plastic

Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 32 inches

Capacity: 50 gallons

How do you set up a rain barrel?

Whether you create your rain barrel or buy one, installation is slightly different for every model, but the fundamental idea is the same for most of them. The barrel will be placed directly below a downspout that gathers water from a roof or other surface.

The best rain barrel does not need to be elevated, although doing so might increase the flow rate of the water when you pour it out or make it simpler to put a watering can or another container right underneath the barrel. 

Models with a flat back are typically simpler to position immediately under the downspout than those with a rounded back if you position the rain barrel up against a house or wall. The barrel's included debris screen and any additional accessories, such as hoses, planter tops, or safety caps to prevent pets and children from falling in, must also be installed.

Most rainwater barrels supplied for home usage come with everything you need to set them up and are relatively easy to do.

How big of a rain barrel do I need?

Think about your available space, how much water you need, and how often it rains where you live. Remember that if you do not use the rainwater in your barrel unless you have additional overflow barrels set up, you will not be able to collect from the subsequent rains. Maxwell-Gaines advises picking the most oversized barrel that still fits in your area.

Can fish live in a rain barrel?

Maxwell-Gaines says it's not a good idea to putting fish in a rain barrel is not a good idea. The fish would require a food supply to sustain them. Although fish in rain barrels may consume mosquito and other insect larvae, if the rain barrel screen is functioning as intended, there shouldn't be any larvae of insects in the barrel, and the fish would perish.

We compared the features, costs, materials, and capacities to determine the best. To identify the most straightforward types to operate while still withstanding the elements, we assessed the barrels' design, taking into account filter screens, overflow spouts, and spigots.

Although aesthetics weren't a top priority when ranking the top rain barrels, they were taken into account because rain barrels are frequently outside fixtures placed in plain sight. The best-rated items with the most practical features and durability were ultimately selected for this list.