If you want to care for your garden properly, a soaker hose is often a very useful tool. That’s why we’re here to help you find the best soaker hose for you.
A soaker hose is a hose with holes on the side where water leaks out. This gently waters your plants which is often a good choice for more sensitive plants.
Garden soaker hoses are also often more environmentally-friendly than the average watering method. From saving water to using recycled materials in manufacturing, you can rely on them for a more eco-friendly choice.
Keep reading to find out what you need to know and some of our best recommendations for soaker hoses.
10 Best Soaker Hoses
1. Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose
The Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose is a 50-foot long hose with a width of ⅝-inch. This is an ideal choice for gardens and flower beds that need watering.
This soaker hose is manufactured with durable construction. It’s made with heavy-duty recycled rubber which is both a green choice and a long-lasting one.
To add to the environmentally-friendly nature of this soaker hose, it’s also an option that saves water. Compared to using a traditional sprinkler system, this soaker hose uses up to 70% less water.
The hose is also made with easy-to-connect fittings. This makes setting your soaker hose up in your garden easy.
Another factor that makes this soaker hose easy to set up is its simplicity. All you have to do is connected it to your faucet and turn it on to get started.
It also means that if you need more length on your hose, you can easily connect multiple soaker hoses. This gives you more versatility in providing for the plants in your garden or flower bed.
2. Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose
Another option from Rocky Mountain Goods is their Flat Soaker Hose. It offers the same benefits as the Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose but with a flatter, sleeker design.
This 50-foot soaker hose is recommended for use in your outdoor gardens whether you’re planting veggies or flowers. The company also promises a consistent seep at every point in the hose.
Rocky Mountain Goods also uses a double-layer design to offer the utmost durability. The first layer is made up of a PVC liner which is coated in a second layer of fabric.
This extra layer of fabric protects the soaker hose from splitting, as some PVC hoses are prone to do. The material used is also made to be environmentally-friendly.
Like the other soaker hose that Rocky Mountain Goods offers, this is meant to help with water conservation. It can save up to 70% more water than a traditional sprinkler system.
When you don’t want to use the soaker hose, that isn’t a problem either. Since it’s flexible, it’s easy to wrap up and store neatly when it isn’t in use.
3. Melnor Flat Soaker Hose
The Melnor Flat Soaker Hose is up to 75 feet long and has a neat, flat design. It’s flexible as well, so you can easily fold it up and store it away in a closet or shed.
Another feature about this flat soaker hose is that it’s usable above ground and under a thin layer of soil. This is handy because it allows you to choose the garden setup that works for you.
It’s also easy to connect this hose where it’s needed. You can even connect multiple hoses together if you need to thanks to the two included extra washers.
These washers ensure a leak-free seal. This way, you won’t experience any water loss or uneven saturation with the use of multiple hoses.
The end cap on the hose is also rust-resistant. This is a crucial detail in something that you’ll use outside and experiences exposure to the elements.
4. Dramm ColorStorm Premium Soaker Garden Hose
The Dramm ColorStorm Premium Soaker Hose is a convenient option to keep soil in gardens and flower beds properly saturated. At 50 feet long, it also offers plenty of coverage.
This soaker hose puts the concept of staying environmentally-friendly first. For one, it’s made completely out of recycled materials.
These materials primarily include the use of recycled rubber which is an incredibly durable choice.
Secondly, this soaker hose uses up to 90% less water than conventional watering methods. It also aims to prevent leaks and geyser effects that increase water waste.
One way that it does this is with sturdy connections. These are nickel-plated and crush-proof couplings that seal tight to prevent leaks.
It does this by incorporating a 50% thicker wall into the design of the hose. This also adds to the durability of the soaker hose and hinders the chance of the hose splitting.
The soaker hose is also both resistant to abrasion and kinks which makes it easier to manage.
5. Green Mount Flat Soaker Hose
The Green Mount Flat Soaker Hose is versatile and easy to use. It’s also made to complete the watering tasks you need quickly, saving you time.
It offers these results by increasing the leak rate of the hose to a gallon a minute at 60 PSI. The water is also distributed equally across all areas of the hose, saturating the soil in no time.
This is helped by the PVC material that the soaker hose is made out of. This material is great for even permeation.
You can use this soaker hose above ground or below a thin layer of leaves or soil. It also has a high tensile strength which keeps it from reacting poorly to high summer temperatures.
You can even connect other hoses to this one for more coverage than a single hose can offer. The ½-inch end caps fit almost all hose sizes and threads.
This end cap is also corrosion-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged over time.
The flat design of the hose also makes it easy to store when you aren’t using it. You don’t have to worry about it taking up more than approximately 0.15 cubic feet.
6. Water Right Soaker Hose
The Water Right Soaker Hose is made with polyurethane. It’s also free of harmful materials like lead, BPAs, and phthalates.
In other words, even though your soaker hose is for your plants, it’s drinking water-level safe.
The lead-free fittings on this hose are chrome-plated brass. This makes them incredibly durable and resistant to tarnishing.
This will keep your soaker hose looking and performing like new over time thanks to its durability.
The material is also UV stabilized, so you don’t have to worry about the sun damaging it.
This soaker hose is also designed to reduce tension in the hose. This design helps you avoid kinks at the nozzle and near the faucet.
The hose is also safe to use in all weather conditions. It won’t become less flexible even if you use it in freezing temperatures.
This is also a 100-foot hose, so you won’t run out of coverage in a standard garden. You can also add additional length with additional hoses.
7. Watex Home Irrigation Soaker Hose
The Watex Home Irrigation Soaker Hose is available as long as 65 feet. It’s perfectly suited to keeping your garden watered or even making sure your lawn is healthy and watered.
If you need to, you can also connect multiple Watex Home Irrigation Soaker Hoses together. This will offer you more coverage without adding any hassle.
The hose works with holes on the side of the hose that should face up when you use it. When turned on, these holes create multi-directional streams to evenly water your lawn or garden.
The hose is easy to clean as well which helps you lengthen the lifespan of your soaker hose. Every so often, just remove the end cap and let the water flow through – when it’s clear, it’s clean!
This process rids your soaker hose of dirt and debris, making sure it’s clear and will last a long time. As soon as you flush it out, it’s ready to use again.
8. Swan Products Sprinkler Soaker Hose
The Swan Products Sprinkler Soaker Hose is 50 feet long and available in packs of two, three, or four. This makes it easy to find enough hosing to cover your yard or garden.
The brass couplings the hose relies on are sturdy and reliable. You aren’t going to have to deal with leaks at the connections to the faucet or other hoses.
If you’re looking for something eco-friendly, this is also a great choice. The hose is made up of 65% recycled rubber as well as reinforced rubber.
This design makes the hose incredibly durable. You won’t have any problems with it splitting or cracking anytime soon.
The design also lends itself to easy rollouts when you need to use it as well. You don’t have to worry about the hose getting kinks or twisting while you try to set it up.
The spray is also adjustable, so you can set up this soaker hose just how you need it. The arc is up to 50 feet wide with laser holes for even coverage.
9. Teknor-Apex Company Thumb Soaker Hose
The Teknor-Apex Company Thumb Soaker Hose is 50 feet long. This hose is also black with brass fittings, so it won’t become an eyesore in your yard.
You can use this hose above ground or below. If you use it below the surface, only cover it with a thin layer of soil or mulch.
A helpful feature that makes this soaker hose compatible under the surface of the ground is its clog resistance. You can use it without the concern that the mulch or soil would block the flow of water.
The soaker hose is carefully made with advanced vinyl construction. This is designed to offer you a hose that won’t wear down or crack anytime soon.
This soaker hose is also made to offer deep and consistent soaking. You won’t have to worry about any of your plantlife not getting what they need.
10. H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
The H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose is made to water your garden or lawn quickly and efficiently. It leaks at a rate of two gallons every two minutes to reduce the time it takes for watering.
The soaker hose is also designed to distribute water evenly. This is helped along by the choice of PVC material over recycled rubber.
This reduces the uneven amount of water leaking on the ends of the soaker hose. It’s also a durable material that will last a long time.
When you’re done with this hose, it’s easy to put away too. It folds up to only take up 0.15 cubic feet when you store it away.
You can use this soaker hose either above ground or below a layer of mulch or soil. The flat design also makes it easy to handle when you’re rolling it out or packing it up.
The hose also has universal connectors. This allows you to attach other hoses to this one to add more coverage.
The hose also keeps full flexibility and functionality in all weather. From -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll have full use of this soaker hose.
Best Soaker Hose Buying Guide
When you’re considering buying a soaker hose for your yard or garden, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed. That’s why alongside our soaker hose reviews, we broke down a buying guide as well!
While you’re searching for the perfect soaker hose, you’ll want to keep these features in mind.
Length
Soaker hoses, like any other hoses, are available in multiple lengths. You’ll want to make sure that you choose a hose that’s long enough to offer total coverage for the area.
The main thing that determines the size hose you need is the length of your garden. Measuring your garden is the first step in making a choice.
There are standard sizes that manufacturers tend to offer as well. This usually includes a range of 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, and 100 feet.
In addition, most hoses offer universal or fitted fixtures on the ends of the hoses too. This allows you to connect more than one hose together for added length.
However, most manufacturers don’t recommend a length of more than 100 feet. If the hose is too long, you may struggle to maintain sufficient water pressure.
Material
The material of a hose is a testament to its longevity and durability. There are a few different common materials that many manufacturers use.
One of the most common options is recycled rubber – usually from recycled tires. This is an incredibly durable choice that stands up well to the elements.
Since the material is recycled as well, this is an incredibly environmentally-friendly choice as well.
Other frequently-used materials include vinyl and polyurethane. Polyurethane soaker hoses come with the benefit of UV and ozone protection.
Pressure Rating
The pressure rating of a soaker hose tells you how much pressure it can take before bursting. It also gives you an idea of how the water will come out of the hose as well.
If you’re using your soaker hose for drip irrigation, try to look for one with about 10 PSI. This means that the water will seep out rather than shooting out like a sprinkler.
You should also check the water pressure in your home as well. It’s important to choose an option that fits your unique situation.
When in doubt, try to opt for a soaker hose with a higher PSI rather than a lower one. Hoses with higher pressure ratings are less likely to burst and flood your garden.
Flow Rating
Along with the pressure rate, you’ll need to know the flow rate of your soaker hose. This is the rate at which water comes out of the hose.
When you’re looking around, this number will likely measure in gallons and minutes. Ideally, you should look for a flow rate of at least a gallon each minute.
Generally speaking, the longer your hose is, the lower the flow rate is. This is because there’s more area for the water to flow through which takes time.
Flat vs. Round Soaker Hoses
When you’re looking for soaker hoses, you’ll have two primary design options. This includes a round soaker hose or a flat one.
For watering efficiency, neither of these options has an advantage over the other. Yet, flat hoses are often more precise since they feature holes on only one side.
Flat soaker hoses are also often thought of as more visually appealing. With these, you’ll also have the choice of either above or below-ground use.
If you use a flat soaker hose below ground, you don’t want to bury it deep. Instead, just place it under a thin layer of mulch or soil.
What Is the Difference Between a Soaker Hose and a Weeper Hose?
A soaker hose has holes in the sides of the hose to let water out directly. Depending on the hose, this may come out gently or spray more aggressively like a sprinkler.
Weeper hoses, on the other hand, are designed to leak slowly. As the name suggests, the water “weeps” out of the hose in a more leaking manner.
Weeper hoses are more often incorporated into drip irrigation systems. This is because soaker hoses aren’t quite as versatile in drip irrigation systems.
Are Soaker Hoses Any Good?
Despite their slightly less versatile nature in drip irrigation systems, soaker hoses are incredibly useful! They can help keep your garden watered as needed.
Soaker hoses allow water to seep out into the soil of your garden bed. However, you’ll want to make sure to use them properly.
In other words, to make sure they’re effective, ensure that you run them for the proper amount fo time. Leaving a soaker hose on too long can lead to overwatering and a high water bill.
Can Soaker Hoses Be Buried?
Technically, yes! However, it depends on the type of soaker hose that you purchase.
Round soaker hoses are meant to sit above ground when they’re in use. Flat soaker hoses are optional to place above or below ground.
If you’re going to use a soaker hose below ground, you shouldn’t bury it too deep. You should only put it under a thin layer of mulch or dirt.
Using an underground soaker hose is advantageous because it reduces evaporation. This keeps water in your garden, nourishing your plants.
Which Is Better: Soaker Hose or Drip Irrigation?
Both soaker hoses and strict drip irrigation both have their advantages. Which is best for you will depend on your specific needs.
Soaker hoses are great for providing ground-level water delivery and conserve water. You can also use them with a timer and you don’t need a pressure regulator.
Soaker hoses are also a cheaper, up-front investment compared to drip irrigation systems. Even better, they don’t take a lot of skill or difficulty to set up for the first time.
Soaker hoses also aren’t likely to clog, making them a low-maintenance choice over time.
How Long Do Soaker Hoses Last?
The lifespan of your soaker hose may change depending on the one you choose. A soaker hose with strong construction will last longer than the other one with weaker construction.
This is why it’s so important to pay close attention to the quality of the soaker hose you’re considering. Make sure that you look for a soaker hose that fits the considerations in our buying guide.
Conclusion
With the information we’ve covered here, you’ll have no problem finding the best soaker hose for you!
While you look around, don’t forget the tips and buying guide that we’ve covered here. Even better, you’ll be able to find a soaker hose for you.