HomeHome & ToolsThe Best Soaker Hose for Your Garden - Our Top 10 Picks

The Best Soaker Hose for Your Garden – Our Top 10 Picks

Best Soaker Hose Whether you are growing flowers or veggies, you need to keep your plants alive with water. The best soaker hose can help keep quench their thirst.

Some of us tend to forget to water the plants, while some tend to overwater them. A soaker hose is specifically designed to deal with both issues.

It provides you with a unique and ingenious watering system that allows the plants to stay hydrated with little effort.

What is a Soaker Hose?

Technically, a soaker hose is a hose with small holes throughout. The holes produce small amounts of water, ultimately soaking the soil where your plants are planted. This simple mechanism allows the water to slowly and gradually seep through the soil and reach the plant roots.

A soaker hose also reduces the stress of every gardener in keeping their gardens alive since it wets the soil evenly.

Using a soaker hose also allows you to conserve water since there is no water wasted from evaporation. Water also directly goes into the soil so that it won’t damage the leaves of some of your more sensitive plants.

Benefits of Having the Best Soaker Hose

To use a soaker hose, you don’t need to have any other special types of equipment. You simply attach it to the water source like any other type of hose.

Read on below for more benefits of using a soaker hose over something else that will prove to be a bit more complex, like drip irrigation.

Easy and Convenient Watering

Soaker hoses make watering much more convenient. You do not need to hold onto the hose and spray all your plants, which can be time-consuming.

With a soaker hose, all you have to do is put it in the area you want to soak and turn on the water source. You can leave it as it is while you do your other chores.

Conserves Water

As mentioned earlier, a water hose prevents water evaporation. Since it delivers water straight to the plant roots, you won’t waste too much water as opposed to using a typical garden hose or watering cans. If you add mulch around your plants, it reduces water evaporation even more, so you can conserve more water.

Protects the Plants and the Soil

Soaker hoses do not make use of too much pressure when watering. So, it will not wash away parts of the soil, small plants, and seeds. It also does not touch the upper parts of the plants, so you can keep foliage dry.

Disadvantages of Using a Soaker Hose

Now we have to look at some of the disadvantages you may experience when choosing a soaker hose over a different method of watering.

Not Great for Very Hot and Humid Weather

There are times when summers tend to be really hot. During this phase, water evaporates very quickly. Even if you use the best soaker hose available, the mechanism of a soaker hose prevents it from delivering water promptly. So, using it during really hot summer days may not be enough to satisfy your plants’ needs.

Not Suitable for Uneven Beds

The main goal of a soaker hose is to balance the distribution of water. However, this doesn’t apply to sloped and uneven plant beds. Due to unequal levels of soil, water distribution may be affected, and it will also affect the growth of the plants.

Flat vs Round Soaker Hose

When buying the best soaker hose, you need to consider the type of soaker hose your garden needs. There are two different types of soaker hose: flat and round.

It is best to use a flat soaker hose for long and straight rows of vegetation. However, one of the disadvantages of a flat soaker hose is that some brands only have holes on one side. Another thing to note is that it easily kinks, making it not a good choice for circling other plants.

On the other hand, round hoses can be used for either straight vegetation or curve along with bushes and other plants.

A round soaker hose system does not easily kink. They are more durable and flexible. The only setback of a round hose is that it is more expensive than a flat hose.

Best Soaker Hose

1. Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose

Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose

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Gilmour is one of the most popular brands for a soaker hose. Not only is it affordable, but it is also available in different sizes.

The various sizes the Gilmour soaker hose offers allows gardeners to choose which one suits their needs the best.

The hose is made from 100% recycled and environmentally-friendly vinyl, with clog-resistant fabric. So, your plants are granted consistent and efficient soaking.

There are several ways you can use this soaker hose system. The flat feature of the Gilmour soaker hose makes it easy to bury the hose under mulch to help prevent evaporation. You may also opt to attach the hose to a timer so that you can water your plants in a timely manner.


Pros

  • Ideal for new seedlings, bushes, and shrubs
  • Made from PVC liner with fabric cover
  • Waste-free and efficient watering
  • Lightweight and portable
  • 7-year limited guarantee
  • UV protected


Cons

  • Plastic fittings


2. Melnor 65062-AMZ Flat Soaker Hose

Melnor 65062-AMZ Flat Soaker Hose

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Another brand making its way to our best soaker hose list is Melnor. Melnor’s 65062-AMZ flat soaker hose comes with two washer sets for convenient installation and a leak-free seal. Flat soaker hoses make storage easy as you can flatten them when not in use.

This flat soaker hose has various sizes: 25, 50, and 75 feet. These sizes are great for small and middle-sized gardens.

You can also purchase a separate water timer from Melnor to keep your water schedule in check. This hose is quite flexible and soft. It’s easy to place around plants and under the mulch too. It further comes with a removable rust-resistant end cap to connect additional hoses if you need longer lengths.


Pros

  • Great at maintaining equal pressure throughout the hose
  • Removable rust-resistant end cap
  • Pliable and soft
  • Easy storage
  • Leak-free seal


Cons

  • Tight turns and corners may cause the hose to kink
  • Plastic fittings


3. Suneed Soaker Hose

Suneed Soaker Hose

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We all know that one benefit of a soaker hose is to conserve water. The Suneed soaker hose can save water by up to 70%! That alone is an amazing feat to have as the best soaker hose in the market.

The hose is made from permeable 70% recycled rubber and 30% polyethylene. These materials provide the hose’s ability to distribute water evenly throughout its length. Furthermore, the materials used won’t have a problem operating in both low and high-temperature environments.

Additionally, the hose has ½” diameter and great tensile strength. You can move it easily across your garden because it is lightweight. It has screw fittings to increase durability. You can attach these fittings to another hose if you want to water a larger area.


Pros

  • Screw fittings
  • Made from premium materials
  • Saves up to 70% water
  • Easy to use and lightweight
  • Compatible with water timers
  • 7-year warranty


Cons

  • Slightly expensive
  • Available in two sizes only: 25 ft and 50 ft


4. Water Right SKR-050-MU Soaker Garden Hose

Water Right SKR-050-MU Soaker Garden Hose

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When you’re tired of traditional black and gray hoses, the bristle grass-colored soaker garden hose from Water Right is what you need.

The hose has varying sizes, with the longest measuring at 100 ft. It is also manufactured in the United States with 100% lead-free and UV-stabilized polyurethane. So, you get the best soaker hose with premium craftsmanship.

It also boasts lead-free brass fittings that are further enhanced with chrome plating. This special feature ensures long-lasting fittings that can withstand the test of time. It will also not tarnish no matter how long you use it and regardless of weather conditions.

Another noteworthy characteristic of this soaker hose is the strain relief located on both ends of the hose. These are specifically engineered to prevent the hose from kinking. The hose is truly flexible and works best in all weather conditions.


Pros

  • Works well even in freezing temperatures
  • Prevents hose kinks
  • Made in the USA
  • Durable brass fittings
  • Constructed from polyurethane
  • Meets NSF drinking water standards


Cons

  • Expensive


5. Miracle-Gro Soaker System

Miracle-Gro Soaker System

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Swan Products’ Miracle-Gro delivers 0.5 to 1 gallon of water per foot. It delivers the water straight to the soil so that the plant roots are properly nourished and hydrated to keep the plants growing healthy.

Just like the soaker hose from Suneed, the Miracle-Gro Soaker System also claims to use 70% less water. It has a water restrictor that helps control the water flow to prevent overwatering.

It also complies with the lead-free standard set by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Hence, you can be assured that this water hose is safe for your plants. The packaging also includes other accessories such as four male connectors with caps, four female connectors, four plugs, four feeders, and two tee connectors.


Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Conserves water up to 70%
  • 18-piece connect system
  • Made from 65% recycled materials
  • Complies with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards
  • Available in various sizes: 50 ft, 75 ft, and 100 ft
  • 7-year warranty


Cons

  • Connectors may leak


6. Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose

Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose

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The heavy-duty rubber soaker hose from Rocky Mountain Goods is also considered as a top and best soaker hose in the market today.

Due to its durability, the hose is expected to last for a very long time regardless of how often you use it and regardless of the weather conditions.

It comes in one length with two different diameters. One product has a length of 25 ft and a diameter of ½ inch, while the other one comes at 25 ft with a diameter of 5/8 inch.

The hose’s convenience lies in its quick attach reinforced fittings, which you can use whenever you need to add more hose to extend the length. Regardless of how small or big your garden bed is, this hose will work wonders in delivering water to your plantation.


Pros

  • Made from heavy-duty recycled rubber
  • Attachment available for hose extension
  • Includes reinforced fittings
  • Saves 70% water
  • Provides a reliable, convenient, and efficient watering system
  • 7-year warranty


Cons

  • The original length of 25 ft isn’t applicable for a large garden bed


7. Taisia Soaker Hose

Taisia Soaker Hose

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Taisia soaker hose is made from rubber and polyethylene, which makes it flexible and convenient to use. Made from 100% recycled materials, this soaker hose is indeed one for grabs, especially for those people who are certified environment-friendly.

Aside from being 100% recycled, this lead-free rubber soaker hose also conserves 70% water. It has a slow-release mechanism that allows the soil to gradually absorb the water without too much evaporation.

It also has a small diameter of 5/8 inches. This diameter, along with the hose’s amazing tensile strength, makes it lightweight. You can easily maneuver the hose around your plants to ensure that all areas are properly covered and watered.

Some of the other features worthy of being mentioned are the addition of UV inhibitors and their anti-oxidation ability. We can confidently say that this is indeed the best soaker hose to have in your garden bed with all these features.


Pros

  • Conserves water 70%
  • Water sprays out evenly
  • Resilient against weather conditions
  • Protected from harmful UV rays
  • Flexible and customizable
  • Made from 70% recycled rubber and 30% recycled polyethylene


Cons

  • Connectors may leak


8. Raindrip ¼” Porous Soaker Tubing

Raindrip ¼” Porous Soaker Tubing

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Raindrip soaker tubing is a soaker hose intended for connecting to a 1/4 inch barbed fitting. It is compatible with a ½ inch water supply line. The flow rate may vary, but the pressure rating is at 60psi.

This is only a soaker hose, and you may need to purchase additional accessories. However, it functions perfectly well when tried and distributes water evenly on the ground. This hose benefits people who want to make their own watering system compatible with their garden bed design.


Pros

  • Conserves water
  • Provides even water distribution
  • Great for a DIY watering system
  • Affordable
  • Flexible porous tubing


Cons

  • Need to purchase connectors separately
  • Cannot be connected directly to a standard hose


9. Dramm 17051 ColorStorm Standard Soaker Hose

Dramm 17051 ColorStorm Standard Soaker Hose

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Another product that is proudly made in the USA comes from Dramm. The Dramm soaker hose gives an ample amount of water that your garden needs to thrive and grow.

Among all the soaker hoses listed on this review, Dramm boasts the highest water saving capacity as it uses 90% less water than traditional watering using water cans and garden hoses.

It has a ½ inch diameter and comes in two different lengths: 25 ft and 50 ft. The hose also has a thicker wall as opposed to other competitors in the market. A thicker wall reduces the Geyser Effect, which happens when a sudden burst of water typically overflows and overwaters the plants.

The ColorStorm Dramm soaker hose provides gardeners a chance to connect up to 100 ft of hose without worrying about uneven water dispersal. This is a great upgrade from Dramm’s standard soaker hose system that can only function properly at 50 ft.


Pros

  • Equal distribution of water from beginning to end of the hose
  • Thick walls prevent Geyser Effect
  • Saves up to 90% of water
  • Made from recycled rubber
  • Convenient watering
  • Affordable
  • Lifetime guarantee


Cons

  • Small holes may catch dirt and debris, which can block water passage


10. Bond Manufacturing Eco Flo Soaker Garden Hose

Bond Manufacturing Eco Flo Soaker Garden Hose

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Bond’s Eco Flo soaker garden hose is a good choice for people who want to balance the budget with quality. This best soaker hose conserves water for up to 70%. You can use this in your garden, on walkways, and around your shrubs.

While some brands offer a 7-year guarantee, this particular soaker hose from Bond boasts of a 10-year guarantee. Hence, you will receive the buyer’s protection you need while you see for yourself whether the hose is worth your buy.


Pros

  • Useful in all weather conditions
  • Conserves up to 70% of water
  • Affordable
  • Even water distribution


Cons

  • Available in one size only, 50 ft.


How Long Should I Keep a Soaker Hose Running?

Many people question how long they should keep their soaker hose running. Even if you have the best soaker hose, you need to perfect your timing to provide your plants the optimum hydration they need.

Given that each garden has different sizes and each plant has different water needs, the best way to know how long you need to keep a soaker hose running is through trial and error.

Start watering your plants for 30 minutes twice a week. After you finish watering, check how much water the soil absorbed. It needs to be moist for several inches. If not, adjust the watering time accordingly.

Takeaway

Watering a garden can be tiresome, especially during hot summer days. With the help of the best soaker hose, you can guarantee that your plants will thrive and get their dose of hydration.

Having a soaker hose also allows you to do more tasks at once. Since you can leave the soaker hose on with a timer, you have the freedom to do your other chores to maximize your time.

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