Best Rain Barrels for your Home [2022] – Reviews and Buying Guide

In regions where downpour is heavy and intermittent, watching all that sweet and soft water runoff to waste, creeks and rivers is upsetting. Therefore, the need for rain barrels arises in hundreds of cities to collect and store pure rainwater, which can be beneficial for later use. 

To help you in your research and buying decision, we have put together the ten best rain barrels for your home that you can buy to store rainwater in the most effective manner.

Top 10 Best Rain Barrels Comparison Table

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Top 10 Best Rain Barrels Reviews

1. FCMP RC4000 Home Rain Water Storage Barrel

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The FCMP outdoor rainwater storage catcher barrel is perfect for your outdoor setting. It has a flat back and large opening design that makes the installation easier and can store up to 45 gallons of water. 

This rain barrel is a perfect wooden black unit with a sleek design that enhances the outdoor view and complements the landscaping. There is an aluminum mesh screen to keep debris, insects, and everything hazardous out of the water, thus making it clean for general use as well as keeping the environment healthy and safe. 

The barrel’s capacity can be increased twofold by using the spigots that can link other catcher barrels to it. This is an impressive feature that helps to expand the existing capacity if there is torrential rain on the go. 

Garden hose, overflow hose, shut-off thumb valve, and hanging hose clip are some other amenable features of this excellent rain barrel. Additionally, it is child and pet safe with a spoke and wheel pattern, so you can keep it in your home without running thin with worry. 

The dominant feature of this catcher barrel is its recycled, UV-resistant free BPA polyethylene material that is long-lasting and remains intact across multiple seasons. 

Key Features

• Debris screen to filter water collection
• Garden hose, shut-off thumb valve, hanging hose clip, and linking kit included
• Made up of UV-resistant BPA free polyethylene

 

2. RTS Companies Black Eco Rain Barrel

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RTS Black Eco is another best rain barrel to make it to our list. As the name suggests, it is a made-for ecological barrel helping you store water to fight the prevailing water-shortage issue. Moreover, it is made up of 100% recycled plastic to cut back on the cost of constructional material.

The barrel is pitch-black, with an oak texture bringing out the rustic, realistic look of a traditional barrel. It has a plastic screen to ward off insect infestation with side spigots expanding storage capacity. The front side overflowing hose prevents the water from spilling over, and so it helps reduce damage to the base and walls.

The flat back design of the barrel takes up little space and can fit anywhere outdoor in a snug, cozy setting. You can also buy a matching barrel stand to make use of the spigots more conveniently and add up to the overall ease. 

Key Features

• Can store up to 50 gallons of water originally, and more so after linking up
• Easy to assemble; unique flat back fitting design 
• Plastic screen prevents insect infestation 

 

3. FCMP Outdoor Catcher Rain Barrel

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The made-in-Canada FCP outdoor catcher rain barrel RC4000 is the perfect gig for your outdoor space – it has a slim, flat back design to fit against the wall, and the rustic, brown sleek color adds glamor to the setting. 

Equipped with all the convenient features, it is a perfect blend of style and functionality with overflow management and wooden design. 

The rain barrel is safe for children and pets due to the wheel and spoke on the top. Additionally, the aluminum mesh screen prevents the water from becoming spoiled with dirt and infestation. It might not be the cheapest, but it is undoubtedly worth the money in the long-term. 

Key Features

• Overflow water management system with a connection at the back
• Large opening and flat back design 
• Aluminum mesh screen keeps harmful agents away from water stored

 

4. Good Ideas RW40 Rain Wizard Rain Barrel

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Good Ideas Rain Wizard rain barrel is another go-to barrel to collect rainwater from downspout with its small footprint and convenient placement by the wall. It can store up to 40 gallons of water and can be linked up to other barrels via its brass spigot. 

The barrel has a faux oak, rusted, wooden design, which fits into the outdoor landscape exceptionally well. Besides saving water usage by 40%, it is a fancy showpiece for the exterior of your home. 

It has a plastic screen to keep off the debris and maintain the purity of rainwater draining from the roof. The most exciting feature, one that makes it one of the best rain barrels, is its sturdy construction material. The material is 100% recycled and BPA-free resin. It doesn’t rot, disintegrate, rust, or spoil in the long term. 

You can pump up your storage with a Rain Wizard connecting kit, which can work for all Rain Wizards models, or purchase a Rain Wizard stand to increase water pressure and add to the appealing sight.

Key Features

• Available in black, brown, khaki, and green colors
• Flatback, oak-inspired stylish design 
• Plastic mesh narrow screen + high-quality brass spigot 

 

5. Mirain Barrel Used Food Grade Rain Barrel

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Many people want to genuinely work towards conserving the Earth in whatever way possible. This Used food-grade rain barrel from the MirainBarrel Company can help you do that by conserving water and investing for harvesting simultaneously. 

The barrels are previously used, which cuts back on the wastage of material. They are repurposed “food-oriented” to store the soft rainwater and make it usable for watering fruits, vegetables, and other plants. 

Unlike other barrels, the quality of the drum is “food-friendly,”; meaning it guarantees not to damage your plants if you use the water stored in it for gardening.    

These barrels were previously-used food-grade drums that are reprocessed to include a mesh screen, a DIY overflow valve, brass spigot, and a movable lid. On top of it, it is sealed with a waterproof 100% silicon caulk and made up of high-density polyethylene. 

The spigot is easy to install even from the outside, whereas the barrel can withstand harsh climates for a lifetime without disintegrating. 

Considering its environmental friendliness, this is probably one of the best rain barrels on our list. 

Key Features

• 58 gallons of water storage capacity
•  23-24 inches diameter and 35-41 inches tall
• Plastic mesh screen, brass spigot, and waterproof silicone caulk sealed

 

6. Good Ideas Imp-L50 Impressions Palm Rain Barrel

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This one is a must-have if you fancy artificial accessories lifting the atmosphere of your space. It is customized to look like an outdoor plant, with the trunk in a rugged texture closely resembling that of a palm tree. 

The Good ideas barrel has a self-draining planter top with two sturdy spigots made up of brass. The one at the base can be fitted into a garden hose, whereas the one at the top can be used to fill up water cans without you needing to hoist it up on a stand. 

It has a mesh screen to keep bugs and debris away and a flat black design to stand against the wall for easy placement. Good Ideas live up to their name, almost always. 

The material of the barrel is used to make military cases – it can therefore withstand impact and harsh climates extremely well. What’s more, there are a total of seven colors available for this rain barrel. 

Key Features

• Made up of 100% recycled, free BPA polyethylene material 
• Two accessible spigots 
• 50-gallon capacity 

 

7. VINGLI 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel

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VINGLI Rain Barrel is one of the most durable barrels made up of a strong PVC frame. Unlike other plastic barrels, it can endure the coldest of weather without cracking. It can withstand heavy impact, and the material does not corrode away anytime soon. Therefore, getting one of these rain barrels fitted into your home’s downspout can be the best choice.

The best-selling feature of this rain barrel is its collapsible quality. It can be easily dissembled, stowed away, and taken out when the rainy season comes. This is a complementary factor as the barrel’s overall look is not as fancy or appealing as other plastic barrels, perhaps due to its PVC material, so it can be put away in summers or dry seasons. 

There are rubber valves for the spigot and water outlet to prevent leakage. Along with a mesh screen filtering the water from the downspout, it has a massive capacity of 50 gallons, which can increase up to 60, and even 100 when linked to other barrels. 

Key Features

• Made up of anti-corrosion PVC material 
• Huge capacity to store water, up to 100 gallons
• Can be assembled in only 3 minutes 

 

8. Good Ideas Rain Wizard Rain Barrel Urn

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The USA-brand, Good Ideas, does a great job at toying with a structural framework such that placing the barrels can elevate the outdoor setting of any home. Rain Wizard rain barrel is a modern, stylishly built drum that closely resembles a huge pot of kettle. It adds great glamor and style to your lawn or outdoor seating. 

The top lid of the barrel is concaved to allow placement for flowers, plants, and other decorative greenery. However, it does not open or comes off, which hampers thorough cleaning from the inside of the barrel. Rain Wizard barrels can store up to 65 gallons of water. Made up of UV-resistant plastic, it cannot corrode or disintegrate anytime soon.

Key Features

• Urn shaped
• Made up of 100% recycled, BPA free material
• Unbreakable brass-made spigot

 

9. Augason Farms Water Storage Barrel

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Making smart products since 1972, Augason Farm’s water storage barrel is sustainable and a great choice for water storing due to its eco-friendly construction material. The barrel is BPA-free and strictly meets the EPA standards for water storage. 

It can store up to 55 gallons of water to assist you in providing clean water in cases of emergency. When used and treated properly, the food-grade polyethylene barrel can supply drinking water when water shortage strikes. 

Key Features

• Closed storage system with two plug fittings
• Made up of food-grade polyethylene, BPA free
• Is two feet wide and three feet high

 

10. Enviro World EWC-10 FreeGarden Rain Barrel

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The functional design of the Enviro World Rain Barrel is better than its contemporaries. It uses space as efficiently as it can; the square shape can be fitted in any corner or nook. 

Furthrmore, Enviro has a high capacity of 55 gallons of water storage. An adequately sized and placed brass spigot allows hooking up with a garden hose or filling water cans easily. 

It may not be aesthetic in its design, but it surely prioritizes functionality over the rest. 

Key Features

• Made up of a high-quality injection model
• Square-shaped
• Can store 55 gallons of water 

 

Best Rain Barrels – Buying Guide

Purchasing the best rain barrel can be an easy enough task if you have all the required information. Or else, it can cost you hundreds of bucks being dysfunctional. Rain barrels are an important addition to your home improvement products, especially if you are a person who doesn’t like running out of resources, especially water, anytime soon.

A rain barrel helps you keep your stock of water up and cuts back on the water utility bill – the larger the capacity of the barrel is, the more the water resource will be saved. In this buyer’s guide, we will discuss the important aspects of a rain barrel that you must be mindful of when purchasing one.

Durable

The rain barrel must be able to endure impact or damage to the extent that it doesn’t break or leak. Preventing any cracks in the barrel is extremely important as it can render it useless. Make sure the material is strong and avoid moving the barrel when filled with water – it can cause it to fall over. 

If you plan to move it around often, make sure you choose a lightweight material for safe portability. A sturdy, long-lasting barrel can weigh a bit more than others. 

Capacity

Typically, purchasers go for a barrel with a larger capacity – however, that is not always worthwhile. Always go for the rain barrel whose capacity suits your needs, climate, and personal supply. In cases of heavy rainfalls, the roof drainpipe can pour hundreds of gallons, and you cannot practically store it all. 

Therefore, it is better to choose a barrel that has a moderate capacity and size and is equipped with other features to make draining, filling, and storage very convenient. 

Overflow management 

An overflow management system is vital to any rain barrel as they tend to overflow and damage the surrounding walls, plants or make a mud poodle if you have a sloped garden. Some barrels expel the excess water from the front, bottom, or side, so you will have to pick the one that matches your garden layout.

Spigots 

Spigot is the tap in the rain barrel and one of the highly-used features. Make sure the spigot will not rip out or breakaway after extensive usage. Brass-made spigots are recommended, but you can also choose others after reading users’ reviews before purchasing one. 

Moreover, some spigots tend to leak after the barrel has filled up to the neck, which is a major downside as it can spoil the base and would no longer serve the function of storing water. Therefore, this is another critical factor to consider in your rain barrel. 

Best Rain Barrels – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Why is recycled plastic used commonly for manufacturing rain barrels?

There are multiple reasons for it. First and foremost, such rain barrels appeal to environmentally conscious people. Secondly, It is lightweight, made strong by repurposing, and does not corrode and/or rust. 

Can spigots break away?

Yes, they can. However, some barrels allow easy reinstallation while others are not as lucky. Make sure you inspect what you’re buying!

Can the rain barrel store water from snow runoff in winters?

No, it cannot. It is recommended to drain it in winters to avoid water freezing inside the barrel at night and expanding as ice. This may lead to barrel cracking or breaking.

Conclusion

This was all about the top 10 rain barrels you can buy for your home. As an insider’s tip, you need not always place your barrel by the downspout. Keep it out in the open under the rain to avoid cleaning up overflow spills. However, make sure you clean the barrel periodically with a chlorine bleach solution and up to 5 gallons of water. Rinse it thoroughly after each cleaning chore to avoid roof sedimentation.