Best Overall
Water Right Soaker Garden Hose
Best Bang for the Buck
Gilmour 50-Foot Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
Upgrade Pick
Taisia 1/2-Inch Soaker Hose
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When it comes to plant life , two things are of the essence : sunlight and water . Whether you have a raised vegetable garden or a mixed border of trees , shrubs , and perennials , everything profit from a regular swallow of pee during the red-hot , dry calendar month . Once the July rut coil in , weekly rainfall is about as likely as a snowstorm in the middle of August . That ’s when a torrent hose can make a large difference . A cloudburst hosiery can reduce the pressure of keeping the garden alive and well by yield users the choice to irrigate their plants via a “ countersink it and forget it ” lacrimation system .
That said , not all garden dipsomaniac hoses are equal when it come to watering gardens and landscape layer . Some emit irregular rivulets of water , while others can not withstand acute H2O pressing and end up bursting . We discover manufacturing business of dozens of boozer hose — both expensive and budget - friendly — were create title that their hoses were the best options around , so we decided to put them to the test . Our overall winner was thesoaker garden hosiery from Water Right , boasting a flexible construction and high-pitched - quality fittings .
We plume up the souse hoses to an outdoor pee spigot and observed how evenly they distributed H2O . We stretched them out , wind them around trees and plants , and cautiously inspected each hosepipe ’s materials and trying on . The following torrent hoses all passed our stringent test , and we ’re confident they can provide gardeners with eco - friendly watering solution . onwards , learn how to evidence the good soaker hose from a 2nd - pace autotype , and key out the pros and cons of each model we try .
Spoiler : Not all the hoses we test made this lineup .
How We Tested the Best Soaker Hoses
While soaker hoses are straightforward garden products , they tend to receive assorted reviews , often because they wo n’t digest up to the high water supply pressure standard hoses will . Having used soaker hoses in the past times , we understand that the perforation in soaker hoses create frail spots in the hose that can rupture under too much force per unit area . So , we started test each pelter hose at just 20 pounds per square inch of water pressure . We used a pressure tester to ensure truth . If the hose performed well at that pressure , we twist it up a nick to 40 psi . A standard outdoor spigot typically has between 35 and 55 psi .
We looked for news leak in both the hoses and their joining , and we award points base on how evenly the hosepipe distributed water from all parts of the hose . We used a rubric to record the score , and at the remnant of the testing , we tallied the point and used them to check the laurels in this lineup .
Some of the hoses came with the power to create custom watering configurations , and others were of just one length . We take hosepipe ab initio ground on affair like manufacturer reputation — such as the Soaker System by Miracle - Gro — because we ’re aware of the high caliber of Miracle - Gro intersection . However , we did n’t automatically eliminate hosepipe from new , smaller , or recess producer as long as they were made from calibre materials and do well .
Our Top Picks
Quality and uniform water dispersion are critical factors in a soaker hose . A quality soaker hose will last all season — or multiple seasons — while a poor one will be golden to survive a undivided summer . We observed how well each hose distributed pee and how well-off it was to wind around plants , how much water pressure it would withstand , and the quality of its fittings . The adopt soaker hoses for garden use or cleanup are suitable fora range of needs , but each check the vizor of being among the good dipsomaniac hoses we tested .
Our Ratings : Setup5/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
Unlike other dipsomaniac hoses that contain chemicals , the Water Right Soaker Garden Hose is made of FDA - grade polyurethane , and the boldness fittings are lead - innocent . When we first checked out this hose , our first thought was , Wow , how soft!The airfoil of the Water Right hosiery feels more like suede than polyurethane . On close scrutiny , we could see the torrent mess were evenly spaced , about ¼ column inch aside .
Its fluent , flexible design allowed us to wind it around the bases of shrubs without kinking . We were screen when daytime temperatures were in the 40s , so we await some crispiness due to cool temperature , but the Water Right was flexible throughout .
When we turned the piss on , the hose oozed droplet evenly . We checked the intact hose to see if any holes were plugged or gush water . Nope . Along the entire length of the hosiery , the water ooze out uniformly . We stretched the Water Right hosiery out for our coverage trial , and after 30 bit , the moisture from the hose saturate the soil about 6 inches on either side . That was with 20 psi of water pressure — we used a pressure examiner . When we turn the pressure sensation higher — to 40 pounds per square inch , we visit some spray out of the gob . For gardeners who want a bit of mist along with drip mold - watering , this could be advantageous , but for our purpose , 20 pounds per square inch was all that was necessary .
The true intent behind this type of hose ( chemical - innocent ) is to supply the neat water possible for growing yield and veg . Whilestandard garden hosesdo not vex a known risk of contamination , organic gardener who want to grow the most instinctive produce potential may see the drinking - water timber of the Water Right hosiery assuring .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Get the Water Right Soaker Hose atAmazonorGardeners.com .
Our evaluation : Setup5/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value4/5
The Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose arrived in a small-scale package that weighed less than 1.5 pound , and we had our dubiousness that it would be worthwhile for watering . We were wrong . The Gilmour hosepipe sport a thin , flexible vinyl hose incase in a tightly woven cloth sleeve that keep the interior vinyl from expanding too much , making it the perfect soaker hosiery for lawn watering .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila Photo: Glenda Taylor
We stretched the Gilmour hosiery out to its maximum length—50 feet — and connect it to the outdoor spigot . We turn on the water insistency to 20 psi and abide by the watering pattern . The hosepipe became round under pressure , and weewee came out in a mostly uniform fashion , although some hose areas seemed to let out slightly more weewee than others . We then wound the hose around the basis of trees and bush and turned the water on for 30 minutes .
After our test watering was gross , we inspected the ground ’s moistness around this Gilmour soaker hose . The pee had impregnate a swath about 8 inches across-the-board on both side of the hosiery . We then drained the body of water from the hosepipe , and we were able to roll it around an old cardboard paper towel sum , reduce its size to less than a foot in diam .
The Gilmour hose is budget - well-disposed and well suited to take aim water to the bases of plants , but we matt-up it was slightly on the delicate side . It worked well with crushed piddle pressure , but we would not recommend using it with high-pitched water pressing ( over 25 pounds per square inch ) .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Get the Gilmour Weeping torrent hose atAmazon , Ace Hardware(25 foot ) orWalmart .
Our Ratings : Setup5/5;Maneuverability3.5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4/5
In our trial , we find that the Taisia 1/2 - Inch Soaker Hose defend equal pressure from death to goal — a sometimes - challenge accomplishment for longer - duration soaker hoses . We pop try out the Taisia hose at 20 pounds per square inch and find that it was sufficient for even water distribution . Then , we turned up the pressure to 40 pounds per square inch — and mark that the droplets add up out quicker , but we did n’t find any spraying or leaks . The distribution was still even and uniform .
Photo: amazon.com
The hosiery was relatively easy to wind around the basis of trees and bush , but it was slightly stiff to start with — keep in mind that the outdoor temperature was in the 40s when we tested this hose , which kept it from being as flexible as it would be on an 85 - degree summertime day . As the sun shone on the hose , it warmed up slightly and was more flexible .
The hose did develop a couple of kinks we had to work out . This , too , would likely be less of an issuing in warm weather when the hose was more flexible . An added feature of the Taisia hosiery is the power to adjust it to a impost tearing conformation . This is possible via a set of plastic dipsomaniac hose connectors , T - fittings , and terminate caps ( all include ) that allowed us to cut sections of the hose and fit them together to organise watering “ limb . ” We did n’t have any problem with leak fitting , which was a full-grown plus .
Get the Taisia 1/2 - Inch soaker hose atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Most Durable
H2O Works Heavy-Duty Garden Flat Soaker Hose
Our rating : Setup4/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Two thing stood out immediately upon unbox the H2O Works Soaker Hose — its bright blue-blooded vividness and the fact that although this is a bland hosepipe , it ’s made from compromising , high - tensile PVC rather than thin vinyl covered with fabric . When we plow on the weewee pressure , the H2O Works became a pear-shaped soaker hosepipe with weep holes on all slope , and it was a dim-witted process to scent it around President Bush and plants without the hose kinking .
The H2O hose circularise water evenly along its 50 - foot duration with just 20 pounds per square inch of water pressure . Since it ’s made to stand firm higher pressure , we turned the faucet all the direction up — to about 55 pounds per square inch . Water output increased , and we observe a scrap of spraying , but the hosiery held firm other than that . When it was metre to hive away the hosiery , it flattened once again for gentle rolling , and we were able-bodied to meander it up around ourhose reelwithout kinking .
Photo: amazon.com
The H2O comes instill with ultraviolet illumination shielder to resist damage from rough sun re , and it features durable brass finish couplings that record no sign of leaking — even under high pressure . The blue colour is oculus - catching , but we found it to be a trivial too colourful for our tastes — it in spades shows up wherever it is , so unless gardener require a bright profane stripe in their landscaping , it will have to be covered with mulch .
Get the H2O whole kit and boodle soaker hose atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Most Versatile
Buyookay 50-Foot Soaker Hose with ½-Inch Diameter
Our evaluation : Setup4/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4/5
The Buyookay Soaker Hose boast a pliable prophylactic material designed to wind easily around the basis of bushes or trees without kinking , and even in 40 - point temps , we find it inhabit up to its reputation . We twisted it , straightened it , and pulled it from one close , and it did n’t kink . Its suppleness seemed about the same even after the sun shone on it and warmed it up a bit . It was mere to lay out either way .
The hose is made from all - new rubber and have a reenforce effect for added durability . We first tested it at about 20 psi and found the weewee distribution uniform at both ends of the hose . While it ’s not billed as a high - pressure soaker hose , we turn the water pressure up to 40 psi to push it a bit more . The water end product increased , but the hosiery held business firm — even at the fitting .
Photo: amazon.com
For those wanting to install a customdrip - irrigation scheme , the Buyookay hose can be cut and connect via standard ½-inch hose adapters and clamp ( not include ) , making it possible to create complex watering contour . While many adaptable - configuration waterspout hoses sport only energy - connect fittings , the Buyookay hosiery comes with yellow , wing - screwball adapter that make it sluttish to tighten the connection by hand . We come away and reattached the transcriber — it was a quick process , and they suit snugly and did n’t leak .
Get the Buyookay soaker hosepipe atAmazon .
Best Custom Watering
Miracle-Gro Soaker System
Our Ratings : Setup5/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value5/5
The next product that made the cut is from a manufacturer well known for producing quality fertilizers , soil treatments , and other gardening product . Considered the best hose for mulching , the Miracle - Gro Soaker System is more than just a hosepipe . It ’s a ⅜-inch , 100 - foot - long soaker system that comes with various connectors and feeders that allow the drug user to make their own custom dribble organization .
Rather than wind and twist the hose around each bush or along each row of plants , we found it simple to cut off the hosiery ( we used house scissors hold ) and attach a push - type T - connector to create two case-by-case lachrymation branches . The organization comes with T - connexion , straight - line connexion , and cease connectors . We part the hosepipe into two separate branches , but we could have separate it into four branch had we chosen .
Photo: amazon.com
This soaker system is well - accommodate for gardeners with multiple rows of plants to urine . We feel it would also be useful for supplying water to large repeated beds .
Get the Miracle - Gro soaker system atAmazon , Ace HardwareorWalmart .
Best for Mulching
Flexon 20-Piece Soaker Hose Kit
Our valuation : Setup5/5;Maneuverability5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability4.5/5 ; Value4.5/5
A number of the pelter hoses we tested are suitable for covering with mulch , but we found the Flexon Soaker Hose outfit was the leisurely to lay prostrate along the dry land , bring in it among the best options for conceal with mulch . Whether the warming sun played a factor in make the hose more pliant is n’t known , but we were able to wind the Flexon hose around plants — even in small circle — without it rising off the ground .
This lush hosiery for garden use is made from rubber and features a high-pitched - tensile wire braid to impart strength under insistence . It comes with various connectors that countenance us to make unlike lacrimation configurations . Like many customizable souse hoses , the connectors are push - fit , so we did n’t feel they would stand up to gamy water pressure . It turned out , we were right .
Photo: amazon.com
We started the testing with 20 psi of water pressure sensation , which was sufficient for pressurizing the hose and distributing the water evenly to all branch ends . We increased the imperativeness to 40 pounds per square inch , which was too much , resulting in one of the connections shoot a line free . However , we did n’t deduct any points because the hose do well at a lower , more suitable pressure .
Get the Flexon soaker hose atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Also Tested
In improver to the other hoses we test , we also tested theOne Stop Gardens Soaker Hose , but we eliminated it early on . We really wanted to care this hose — it sport a flat layout that was easy tostore in a small blank space , but after connecting the hose and turning on the water to 20 psi , the hose ruptured within about 10 seconds , and water gushed everywhere . Upon inspection , we regain a split along the duration of the hose — about 18 inches long .
We do n’t know if this was a manufacturing plant defect that touch just this hosepipe or whether other One Stop Garden hoses have similar problems . We just knew that the hose failed our tests .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When ChoosingaSoaker Hose
Traditional sprinklers diffuse a spray of water . Some body of water may vaporise on a particularly live day before hitting the ground , wasting valuable water system . Using a conventionalgarden hosepipe with an attach nozzlemay shrink some piddle waste , but not all . With a lush hosiery , water soaks straight into the root geographical zone ( hence the name ) , allowing industrial plant to draw water slowly . Because soaker hoses do n’t spray flora leafage ( or should n’t ) , they can reduce the risk of plant developing the fungous trouble commonly associated with saturated foliage .
We tested the top soaker hose on the mart for flexibility , quality , and water distribution as these are home gardeners ’ primary concerns . We also analyzed each hose ’s power to stand firm common outdoor spigot body of water pressures .
The good soaker hosiery for an single gardener will vary , depending on budget , dimension , and whether it will be positioned on top of the soil or buried . Before ordering a soaker hosepipe , look at what it ’s made from and whether it ’s the veracious size and eccentric for the intended space , and notice out how some soaker hoses earned a blot in our lineup .
Photo: amazon.com
Material
waterspout hoses are made of recycled rubber , polyurethan , and flexible polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) and grant water system to ooze through diminutive perforation immediately into the soil around the plants . in high spirits - end soaker hose may also bear fiber reinforcement , making them long-lasting and suitable for years of use and able-bodied to hold up acute water imperativeness . Less expensive good example may boast thin vinyl and typically last just a single time of year — or two at the most — but will require substitution when the vinyl becomes brittle or develops crack .
Size and Weight
Soaker hoses come in a reach of sizes , from unretentive 15 - foot lengths , which are optimal for small flower beds , up to 100 feet or even longer , making them suited for heavy perennial borders or foresighted rows of summer vegetables . The diameter of the hosepipe can also vary , from ⅜ inch up to 1 inch . Larger - diameter hose often feature more perforations or weep holes so they can turn in large amounts of water quickly . prominent hose postulate more water pressure than narrow cloudburst hoses . ( See the “ Pressure Rating ” section below . )
The larger the hose , the heavier it will be . A hose ’s weight depends on the material the hose is made from . In general , a heavier rubber hose is more likely to stay in place , whereas a lightweight vinyl radical hose may arch or move under the water ’s pressure . Burying any soaker hosiery under 1 to 2 column inch of mulch will help keep it in place , and the mulch will also help keep moisture in the stain from vaporize .
Flat vs. Round
When pick out between a flat or a orotund boozer hosepipe , keep the following in mind .
Coverage Area
ask a typical soaker hose to impregnate an average of 6 to 12 inches on either side of the hose . reportage will also depend , however , on how long the tearing cycle lasts . A lachrymation cycle of 1 hour will leave in a broad banquet of wet than a bicycle of just 30 minutes .
Pressure Rating
Many soaker hosiery do n’t come with force per unit area rating , but water pressure , measured in pounding per square inch ( psi ) , is still worth considering . The longer and all-inclusive the soaker hosiery , the more water pressure it ’ll need to equally give out weewee to the muddle at the end of the hosiery , so it may require the user ’s outdoor spigot to grow water up to 50 pounds per square inch — but that ’s relatively rare . On the flip side , a short , flimsy vinyl hose might not defy that much pee air pressure ; it might be better suited to just 20 psi of force per unit area . In worldwide , soaker hose made from polyurethane , PVC , and gumshoe will resist higher force per unit area than those made from vinyl .
Rather than worry about the water pressure at the spigot , which , in most cases , is adequate to ladder a torrent hose , experiment a turn when first using the hosiery . After repose out a souse hose and before traverse it with mulch , turn on the water system — just a bit — and see if it ’s enough for weewee to seep out of the pickle at the far end of the hosiery . If it is n’t , bit by bit increase the water pressure at the spigot until water come out of the golf hole . Once it does , make a mental note of how far the faucet was turn and employ alike pressure each clock time .
Most waterspout hose need relatively downcast pressure — around or less than 20 psi — to produce even water distribution . Once the hose is pressurized , it will remain filled with minimal additional water pressure .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vil
Backflow
While comparatively rare , anytime a spigot is in the “ on ” stead and a hosepipe ( or more likely an underground sprinkler system ) is pressurized , there ’s a chance the body of water will backflow from the pressured hose or sprinkling arrangement into the spigot . This can only occur when the tap is ferment on . When it ’s in the “ off ” position , no pee can flow in or out .
The water inside a soaker hose is not considered “ drinkable , ” meaning it could be contaminate from soil or fertilizers that enter the hosiery through its weep hollow , making it unsuitable for boozing . To prevent backflowing taint , users can install a backflowing preventer between the spigot and the hose , which will preclude water in the hose from enter the home ’s body of water supply organisation . Backflow preventers are bare , inexpensive attachments that commonly black market less than $ 10 and are well deserving the peace of mind they offer the exploiter .
The Advantages of Owning a Soaker Hose
Directing water to a plant ’s roots rather than broadcasting it indiscriminately over the leafage concentrate the pee where it ’s necessitate most . It also offers some other benefits .
We interviewed Peggy Anne Montgomery , a horticulturist at theGarden Media Group , who shared her proficient horticulture cognition . “ I think pelter hoses are great for vegetable garden where the hosepipe can be put down out in the pattern of the course . The urine is delivered gently and will not drown small plant . ” In term of piss efficiency , she added that , “ since it drip directly into the soil , it is a very efficient use of water supply because very footling if any evaporates . ”
FAQs
conserve water , reducing garden and landscape painting criminal maintenance time , and meliorate works quality are all splendid reason for wanting to utilise a soaker hosiery . New gardeners might also have additional interrogation .
According to Montgomery , “ soaker hosiery only seem to last about 2 - 3 years . ” However , you may be able to prolong this , she say , by “ cover them with 1 - 3 inches of mulch to protect them from Sunday damage ” .
A soaker hose features cry holes along its intact distance , while a dribble hosepipe have a solid pipe with attached drip emitters that can be usance installed to direct piss to the base of individual scrub or flora .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Water employment can vary , count on the alky hose ’s length and character , but in general , a 50 - foot hose will deal approximately 30 gal of water in 1 hour .
In distinctive growing situation , function a dipsomaniac hosepipe double weekly for about 30 minutes each time may be sufficient . Water less frequently during a rainy or nerveless season , and water more often during a drought . Also , consider adding mulch around plants ’ radix to keep moisture in the dirt from evaporating quickly .
double a week for about 30 minute each time . It ’s ordinarily better to water deeply less often than to water system just a bit more oftentimes .
As long as the outdoor spigot has sufficient air pressure to deliver piddle to the end hole on the furthermost hosepipe , feel barren to plug in two or more soaker hosepipe stop to ending .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a ware tester and writer specializing in the construction , remodeling , and genuine estate industries . She and her husband own a ecumenical catching company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications . She essay a all-encompassing range of power tools as well as other base improvement , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
keep your forage green and your plants thriving does n’t just take a green thumb — it starts with the right tool and supply .
