Best Rain Barrel Kits

Watering the garden regularly **keeps it colorful** all year. Sometimes, we rely on rain for this. What if it hardly rains where you live? Or you’re looking to save water and use it wisely? Using tap water works, but it might have **harmful chemicals**. Plus, your water bills could go up.

Rain barrels help harvest rainwater and store it in a way that’s not contaminated by debris. Some can be connected, allowing you to harvest as much water as you can. We’ve saved you the trouble of looking for the best rain barrel kits by reviewing them ourselves, as well as guiding you on how to choose one.

The 10 Best Rain Barrel Kits

1. FCMP OUTDOOR RC4000-BRN Rain Barrel

Key Features

• It has a wide opening and flat back for easy installation.
• It has an overflow connection that allows you to direct the water away from the foundation of the house.
• It has a linking kit that allows you to connect several barrels.
• It has an aluminum screen that protects the water from debris and mosquitoes.

This product offers a perfect blend of efficiency, style, and affordability. It comes with an inbuilt hose that makes it easy to transfer water to a watering can. It’s also designed to fit on the wall as well as keep the water free from insects such as mosquitoes.

Why we like it

• It comes in a stylish design.
• The flat back makes it easy to install and place against the wall.
• It has effective overflow management.
• It keeps the water safe for consumption thanks to the aluminum screen.
• The spigot and linking kits allow you to scale your water storage by connecting many barrels.

What we don’t like

• The overflow hose doesn’t work as it’s expected to. In some cases, you still have to empty the barrel when it’s full since water tends to overflow from the top.

Our Verdict

This is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. Besides being a little stylish, it does a great job keeping your water safe, having spigots for linking with other barrels, and an overflow that protects your foundations.

2. VINGLI 100 Gallon Rain Barrel

Key Features

• It comes in 50, 60- and 100-gallons sizes.
• It has a water inlet filter to keep insects and leaves out.
• It has a spigot and a switch. This makes it easier to connect an external hose for watering your garden.
• It has a dual zip and a lockable section to prevent kids from tampering with it.
• It is foldable.

If you’re looking for a rain barrel that gets the job done without being too fancy, this one’s the best for you. It comes in a rugged nature that’s more durable. You won’t get aesthetics, or the fancy features that most barrels have, but you’ll get the largest amount of water storage for a considerably low price.

Why we like it

• It is foldable allowing you to save a lot of space.
• It can hold a lot of water, up to 100 gallons.
• It’s also easy to assemble.
• The spigot and valve help prevent leakages that could lead to loss of water.
• It is made of high quality and anti-corrosion PVC material.

What we don’t like

• It is unstable when full.
• The overflow mechanism doesn’t always work as expected.

Our Verdict

There are two main reasons why this is one of the best. First, it has a high capacity, and second, it’s very cheap. It does have basic features such as the overflow hose, the spigots for preventing leakages. Its foldable nature allows it to be easily stored and assembled.

3. RTS home Accent 50 gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel

Key Features

• An authentic oak structure that makes it more beautiful and more durable.
• A flat back that allows the barrel to flush with the wall.
• Brass Spigot Shut off valve.
• An aluminum screen that protects the water from insects and debris.
• Capacity of 50 gallons.

For both authenticity and high capacity, this is a good choice. It’s designed in a very durable oak texture that also decorates your yard.

Why we like it

• Its flat back allows it to rest on the wall easily and also allows it to be connected to other barrels for maximum rainwater harvesting.
• The aluminum screen is very useful in keeping insects away from the water.
• It’s very easy to install.

What we don’t like

• The barrel tends to lean forward when it’s full.
• The spigot valve starts leaking water after some time.

Our Verdict

This is made of injection-molded plastic. It also comes in an “oak texture.” These two factors make it resistant to rot, insects, and wear and tear. It has been designed to connect to other barrels, prevent debris from reaching the water, and from preventing spilling of water from the top.

4. Mirainbarrel, DIY Kit, Rain Barrel

Key Features

• It’s made of reused food-grade plastic.
• It has an easily removable lid.
• Downspout adapter.
• A wide opening that allows collection of more rainwater.
• Overflow valve that allows you to connect more barrels.

This is the ideal DIY water storage kit. If you’re into recycling plastic to make useful products, I believe you’ll love this barrel.

Why we like it

• The reused material is safe and makes the barrel more durable.
• The capacity of 58 gallons is big enough for an average household.
• The overflow makes it easy to create an extensive system of linked rain barrels for maximum rainwater storage.
• The plastic mesh helps keep insects and debris away from water.

What we don’t like

• The overflow hose drains water slowly than the water is getting in.
• If you live in areas that experience a lot of rainfall, you’ll always experience spillovers.

Our Verdict

This barrel allows you to harvest a lot of rainwater as well as conserve the environment from destruction by plastics. It’s made out of reused food-grade plastic that also makes it more resilient. It also has advanced features such as a brass spigot, overflow valves, plastic screen, and a removable lid.

5. Good Ideas Imp-L50-Blk Rain Barrel

Key Features

• Capacity – 50 gallons.
• In-built overflow management system.
• It has two spigots.
• Self-draining planter top.
• A screen that sieves bugs and debris.

Good Ideas are famous for the creativity they portray. Unlike others that feature a wide opening, this model has a planter top that is designed to self-drain. It also has an inbuilt overflow management system.

Why we like it

• The dual spigots allow you to use the spigot and the garden hose at the same time.
• It’s made of BPA free material that’s environmentally friendly.
• It’s aesthetic.
• The planter’s top self-draining mechanism is more effective than the overflow valve.

What we don’t like

• It’s not possible to connect several barrels.
• The lid doesn’t come off, and it’s hard to clean.

Our Verdict

This rain barrel is unique in its own way. The planter’s top self-draining system, as well as the dual spigot positions, makes it stand out from the rest. It lacks the overflow valve, but you can quickly drill and link two barrels using PVC pipes.

6. Good Ideas RW50-GRN Rain Barrel

Key Features

• 50 gallons of water capacity.
• It resembles the classic whiskey barrels.
• It has a flat-back design that makes it easy to place against the wall.
• It’s made of highly durable, FDA approved polyethylene.

It features a classic yet effective design. The main feature that makes it stand out is the 4-inch hose that allows you to interconnect several barrels for maximum rainwater harvesting and storage.

Why we like it

• It has an overflow hose that keeps the water away from your foundations.
• It’s possible to interlink several barrels.
• It’s made of highly durable and resilient plastic.
• It has a rough grain texture that allows it to blend into your garden naturally.

What we don’t like

• The lid can’t be removed, making it hard to clean the barrel.

Our Verdict

We love this barrel for it can withstand even the harshest weather conditions. This is thanks to the FDA approved material it is made of. It has an average capacity of 50 gallons, but it can be easily connected to other barrels to increase the water capture.

7. Algreen 50 Gallon Wicker Rain Barrel

Key Features

• 50-gallon water capacity.
• It has an anti-debris screen that is resistant to rust.
• It features two overflow systems.
• The bottom drain has a threaded structure.

This Algreen rain barrel takes rainwater harvesting to a whole new level. For starters, it comes in a very captivating wicker shape. It has a wide opening for maximum water collection, as well as dual overflow.

Why we like it

• It keeps the garden beautiful thanks to the wicker texture.
• The two overflows make sure excess water is diverted away from foundations.
• These overflows also enable linking.

What we don’t like

• The spouts, especially the plastic ones, leak a considerable amount of water.

Our Verdict

We love this for the dual overflow. Most of the barrels we mentioned here have an overflow mechanism that doesn’t always work. With two of them, you’re certain that water won’t spillover from the top.

8. Koolscape RBSS-50 50-Gallon Sandstone Rain Barrel

Key Features

• It has an anti-debris screen that is resistant to corrosives.
• It has a drain plug at the bottom for excess water or debris.
• Brass spigot that makes it easy to fill the watering can.
• It has a threaded overflow sprout that allows the connection of a garden hose, or a soaker hose.

Our last entry to the list is the Koolscape RBSS-50. At first glance, it looks like it’s made of stone, allowing it to stand out in your garden. It’s also laced with all the necessary features, as outlined below.

Why we like it

• It’s made of durable anti-UV material.
• It’s aesthetic in nature.
• It features an overflow spout.
• It has a threaded feature that enables the connection of garden and soaker hoses.

What we don’t like

• Drains slowly hence taking too much time to fill the watering can.

Our Verdict

We recommend this to users looking for longevity. It may be made of sandstone, but it’s enhanced with anti-UV light materials. It can also withstand extreme weather conditions.

What to Look for When Buying a Rain Barrel

Collecting rainwater for your garden and landscaping is a smart way of saving money on water bills. Rain barrels are an excellent tool for gardeners and their plants. This is because rainwater is free of chemicals and chlorine. Knowing what size to get and the different features to look for can be daunting for some people. The good news is that this guide will help you choose one that is right for you.

1. How Much Water do I Use?

Different people normally use different amounts of water daily. Determining the amount of water that you use on your lawn and garden can help you choose the right barrel. First and foremost, you should gather the water bills that you have paid for the last 12 months and then calculate the monthly water consumption.

2. Location

You should choose a spot next to a downspout. Most barrels are usually 30 to 36 inches wide. Therefore, you should measure the space to see what size you can get without blocking a sidewalk or intruding on the patio seating area. If you have a tight space, you can shop around on the internet.

3. Overflow

A typical rainstorm dumps more water than a barrel can hold. You should be careful about where it overflows. Ideally, it should be away from your foundation. For simple models, the surplus just sloshes over the rim. Others usually have an overflow spot near the top. Some have downspouts diverters and so on.

4. Access

Can you dunk your watering-can in the tank, or do you need a spigot? If you want a spigot, you should ensure that it can fit underneath. If it’s not high enough, the whole barrel can be elevated.

5. Safety

Your barrel should have a screen on top to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Also, this lid should be tight to ensure that children cannot open it when you are not around. The lid also helps to keep leaves, pine needles, and other debris out of your water so that it does not clog the spigot or overflow valves.

6. Budget

Since these products cost different prices, you should check the one that suits your budget and invest in it. Follow our recommendations, and you will get value for your money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are the Benefits of a Rain Barrel?

It will help you harvest oxygenated and chlorine-free water, thereby making it ideal for your plants at home. It also diverts rainwater from the municipal storm drain system and even protects our oceans, bays, and even rivers from runoff pollution.

Is the Rain Barrel Water Drinkable?

No. Water harvested should be used for watering plants or cleaning your home.

Can the Rain Barrel be Used in Winter?

Yes. However, there are instances when the faucet will crack if the temperature drops below the freezing points. As such, you should get a faucet cover and place it over the faucet to prevent cracking the brass.

Final Thoughts

The FCMP OUTDOOR RC4000-BRN takes the prize of the best rain barrel. It has a capacity of 50 gallons allowing you to harvest enough water to water your garden while protecting your foundations through the overflow valve. Its spigot is also very effective when you need to fill a watering can. The aluminum screen keeps debris and insects away from the water. Better yet, it has a linking kit that allows you to connect many barrels. It comes in a stylish design that beautifies your garden.