9 Best Soaker Hoses Compared & Reviewed

 

Best Soaker Hose Review – Top Rated Models with Buying Guide

 

If you’re into gardening and your hobby calls for the best soaker hose on the market, this paragraph might help as it provides you with information regarding some of the most appreciated products in this line. After taking a closer look at the features offered by the most popular garden soaker hose models, we think the item that is worth considering is the Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose. One of the things that set this model apart is the quality material used for its construction. This is a heavy-duty double-layered unit that should cover your needs for quite some time before replacement is needed. Plus, the PVC liner is covered with a durable fabric that adds to its longevity and makes it resistant to wear and tear. Thanks to the hose design, water should flow consistently throughout the entire length of the hose. If this product is currently out of stock, another model you might want to consider is the Melnor 25′ Flat Soaker Hose with 2 Washers.

 

 

Comparison table

 

 

 

9 Best Soaker Hoses (Updated Reviews) in 2024

 

 

With so many affordable soaker hoses available for sale, finding the right one for your needs might prove to be a time-consuming task. Get one step closer to identifying the best garden soaker hose for your needs by checking our list of products below and the features offered by each of these models.

 

 

1. Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose 

 

Taking good care of your plants, vegetables, and flowers should be easier when using this soaker hose as it was built in such a way to help you water them with minimal effort and cover such needs for a long time. It is both user- and environmentally-friendly so that you can take advantage of its features immediately upon arrival.

To deliver such benefits, the product features a heavy-duty double-layered construction, as well as a PVC liner that is covered with an extra-durable fabric for years of service. What’s more, the hose was also built to avoid water waste. It thus gets water directly to the plant’s roots, avoids water evaporation, and thus reduces water usage by 70%.

Plus, due to the hose design and the quality materials employed for its construction, water flows consistently throughout its entire length, which makes the watering process more effective and faster. The product comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

Pros

If you’re into gardening or simply want to water the flowers and grass in front of your house, this soaker hose was designed to help you cater to such needs and do so for a long time.

To keep up with extended use, the hose features a heavy-duty layered design, as well as a PVC liner that is covered with a durable fabric.

Besides the fact that the materials used should withstand the test of time, they are also environmentally friendly.

Due to the way it was built, the unit should also help you avoid water waste since it gets water directly to the plants’ roots and prevents it from evaporating.

The water flows consistently throughout the entire hose, which should make the watering process more effective, easier, and faster.

 

Cons 

The unit might not keep up with too high water pressure, so it is probably best to keep the water pressure at least at a medium level.

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2. Melnor 25′ Flat Soaker Hose with 2 Washers

 

Whether you have vegetables or raised beds that call for regular watering, this hose from Melnor is an option worthy of consideration if ease of use and durability are the things you’re after. The product is flexible, which makes it versatile enough to cover your different needs.

You can thus place it under a thin layer of mulch or soil or simply above the ground to water the plants you have. Thanks to the porous materials used, the hose should water the plants gently and prevent water waste.

What’s more, using it is not complicated, and the unit is paired with a rust-resistant end cap that allows you to connect multiple hoses. When you no longer need it, you can easily store it as it flattens, which means that it won’t take too much space. The package includes two extra washers.

 

Pros

Easy to use and versatile, this soaker hose is an option you might want to consider as it was designed to ease your watering-related tasks and prevent water waste.

Thanks to its flexibility, you can employ the hose to water raised beds, vegetables, and flowers as you can place it under a thin layer of soil or above the ground.

The hose was built with materials that prevent water waste and features a porous design that will water the plants gently.

Connecting it is not difficult as the hose comes with a rust-resistant end cap and a design that ensures easy installation and operation.

The unit flattens for easy storage, and the package includes two extra washers so that you can benefit from a leak-free seal.

 

Cons 

Consider the climate in your area before purchasing as the plastic fittings this product comes with might not keep up with low temperature.

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3. Swan Products Element Sprinkler Soaker Hose

 

Watering hard-to-reach areas can be challenging, but thanks to this hose from Swan Products, you can water a variety of plants even if they grow in narrower parts of your garden. The product is easy to handle and operate, and it is advertised as featuring 65% recycled rubber.

Given its design, you can place the stripes down when you want to soak down flower beds and gardens or up when you want to sprinkle. This possibility renders this model versatile, while its materials should withstand the test of time. The hose thus comes with brass fittings, plastic couplings, as well as patented UV protection.

Moreover, the hose features six perforations per foot to ensure even coverage. The unit is easy to store, so when you no longer need it, its compact build should take little storage space. Plus, it stays flat when rolled out, with no kinks or twists that would stop it from working efficiently.

 

Pros

What you get with this model is a product that can work as a soaker hose or as a sprinkler, which renders it suitable to cover your different watering-related needs.

Using it according to your needs is easy as all you have to do is place the stripes down when you want to soak flower beds, for example, and up when you want it to sprinkle.

Given its design and flexibility, you can use it to water even hard-to-reach areas or narrow parts of your garden.

Storing it is also easy as the item is compact and doesn’t take too much space; plus, when rolled out, the hose stays flat, without kinks or twists that could affect the way it works.

 

Cons 

The product is lightweight, so you might need to put something heavy, such as rocks, to hold it in place; plus, the water might not come as evenly as expected.

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4. Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose 25 Feet

 

Providing your plants with enough water is essential for their healthy development, and this soaker hose was designed to help you achieve the desired results with minimal effort. The unit relies on the so-called weeping method and thus releases water slowly directly into the ground and to the roots.

Due to its flexibility, the hose can be put under a thin layer of mulch or soil or above the ground and used to water shrubs, new seedlings, bushes, and many other plants. To cover your needs for a long time, the hose features a perforated PVC liner that is covered with fabric. For extended durability, the manufacturer used a fabric that ensures UV protection.

Since water is released through the tiny pores, less water is evaporated so that you can cater to your needs and minimize water waste. Thanks to the flat design, it is easy to roll up when you need to store it and easy to move around since it is also lightweight.

 

Pros 

Suitable for watering a variety of plants and being employed even in narrower gardens, this soaker hose is built to ensure efficient and even watering while minimizing water waste.

Thanks to the tiny pores featured, water is released slowly into the ground to reach the plants’ roots, and thus less water evaporates.

To provide you with long-lasting performance, the manufacturer built this hose with quality materials, including a clog-resistant fabric cover that ensures consistent watering.

The hose is lightweight and flexible so that you can easily put it under a layer of mulch or above the ground; plus, the flat design helps you store it with ease when you no longer need it.

The perforated PVC liner ensures consistent and even watering and renders the hose suitable for watering vegetables, shrubs, flowers, and other plants.

 

Cons 

The hose is described as working best with a water pressure of 60psi, so make sure to follow this recommendation as it might not handle high water pressure too well.

It might be best to use this soaker hose for long straight rows with level ground and not for uneven terrain or curving beds.

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5. BUYOOKAY 100ft 1/2’’ Diameter Soaker Hose

 

Available in various sizes, this hose is easy to use and built with materials that should provide you with efficient watering season after season. This particular model measures 100 feet, which renders it suitable for gardeners who need to water and cover a greater area.

The product is built with 100% recycled rubber, and it is thus an environmentally-friendly option. The porous material should not only ensure consistent and even watering but should also prevent water evaporation. The hose is advertised as using 70% less water than a traditional hose, which can help you reduce water usage but water the plants efficiently.

It can be put under a layer of soil or above the ground and can be easily maneuvered thanks to its lightweight design and small diameter. You can employ it for flower beds, vegetables, and many other plants. Installing it is not complicated, and it can be easily stored when no longer needed.

 

Pros

Whether you have vegetables, flowers, or various other plants that call for regular watering, this soaker hose is an option you might want to try as it is built to ensure consistent watering and last.

Given its lightweight design and small diameter, it can be installed and maneuvered with ease; plus, you can put it under a thin layer of soil or above the ground.

The item was built with a non-clogging material, and it features a porous design that should provide the plants with a consistent and even water supply.

The drip irrigation technology will not only help you get the much-needed water directly to the roots of the plants but will also help you avoid water evaporation and minimize water waste.

 

Cons 

The plastic connectors featured might not be as durable as expected, and attaching the hose to certain faucets might pose some challenges.

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6. Water Right 25-Foot x 1/2″ Polyurethane Soaker Hose

 

If you’re interested in a soaker hose that can be used throughout the entire year, this model from Water Right is worth a closer look as it is described as featuring materials that render it flexible enough in any weather condition, even when it’s freezing.

The materials used for this model make it stand out as the unit features lead-free, FDA-grade polyurethane and contains no BPA or phthalates, which means that it is safe even for drinking water. The polyurethane employed is also NSF certified and UV stabilized.

What’s more, the brass fittings are chrome plated, so the product should cover your needs for a long time without tarnishing. The hose was built in such a way to prevent kinks, and it can be used to water a variety of plants. This is a 25-foot version, but the item is available in other sizes, including 50-foot and 100-foot units.

 

Pros

Making sure that your plants get the much-needed water to thrive is an effortless task with this soaker hose as it is easy to install and use.

Providing efficient watering safely is what the manufacturer had in mind when building this unit as the hose features FDA- and NSF-grade polyurethane.

The hose does not contain BPA or phthalates, and the polyurethane featured is also UV stabilized so that you can use it for a long time before replacement is needed.

The chrome-plated and lead-free brass fittings add to the durability ensured, and the product is designed in such a way to prevent kinks.

This is a 25-foot hose, but if you have a larger area to water, you can find it available in other sizes, including 50-foot and 100-foot versions.

 

Cons 

The product falls a bit on the pricey side, and finding the right fittings for this hose when replacement is needed might be a bit difficult.

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7. LINEX Heavy-Duty Garden Soaker Hose

 

What you get with this product is a flexible, versatile, and easy-to-use hose that should help you water your plants and flowers for a long time before replacement is needed. To provide such results, the unit was made with PVC material, which not only ensures the elasticity required but also makes it suitable for use at temperatures from -4°F to 140°F.

The hose is built with several layers that reinforce the core, adding thus to its durability and corrosion resistance. What’s more, the unit is also UV-protected. The hose can be placed above the ground or under layers of soil and leaves, and it is designed to leak at a rate of 2 gallons per 2 minutes.

The product comes with universal connectors that allow connection to other hoses simultaneously. The end caps are corrosion-resistant, which adds to the durability ensured. The flat compact design ensures easy storage and setup.

 

Pros 

If you’re on the lookout for a soaker hose that can be used in different weather conditions ranging from -4°F to 140°F, this heavy-duty unit is worth considering.

The hose features a PVC construction and multiple layers that render it durable and add to its resistance to corrosion so that you can employ it for a long time.

The connectors it comes with are universal, which means that you can connect other hoses at the same time when needed.

The brass materials used for the end of the couplings add to the durability ensured, whereas the flexible design makes it easy to put it above the ground or under a layer of soil or leaves.

The flat and compact design makes it easy to store it, and installing it is not complicated either.

 

Cons

The product should be used with a water pressure of 60psi, and despite the materials used for its construction, it might still fall a bit on the pricey side.

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8. Suneed 1/2’’ Soaker Hose 25 FT

 

Built to help you water your plants properly by targeting their roots, this soaker hose is worth considering if you’re interested in a product that is not only effective, but that also saves water. The unit is advertised as being designed in such a way to help users reduce water usage by 70%.

It features 30% polyurethane and 70% recycled rubber that allow for use even when the temperature is high or low. Maneuvering it should not be difficult as the hose is lightweight, which means that it can also be used for more challenging landscaping projects. The fittings it comes with allow you to either connect it to another hose or a faucet.

Thanks to the perforations featured along the entire length of the hose, water should be distributed evenly and slowly so that you can provide your plants with the much-needed water with minimal effort on your side. Installing it is also easy, given the simple yet effective design.

 

Pros

Considering this hose’s design, making sure that the plants in your garden get enough water is an easy task as installing it is not complicated.

The materials used for its construction include 30% polyurethane and 70% recycled rubber so that you can employ it for a long time before replacement is needed.

Due to the perforations featured, the hose will provide a slow, steady, and even flow of water directly to the plants’ roots, which can reduce water usage by 70%.

The hose is lightweight, so you can employ it even for narrow gardens or challenging landscaping projects.

The fittings featured are screw fittings so that you can easily connect the hose to another hose or a faucet.

 

Cons

In case you want to use the hose for large bushes or trees, it is best to wrap the hose around the base of each tree or bush in order for it to get enough water.

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9. Swan Products Black Element ESLP38075 SoakerPro

 

Water is essential when it comes to the healthy development of plants, flowers, and vegetables, and this soaker hose was designed and built to make sure that water is provided directly to the roots of your plants with minimal effort on your side. The product features pores through which water is released at a rate of 0.5-1 gallon per foot.

What’s worth noting is that this model features a patented water restrictor that will help you control the water flow. This further means that you can thus reduce water consumption, and according to the manufacturer’s claims, the product uses 70% less water.

The hose can be put directly under mulch or soil for superior efficiency. The item features 65% recycled rubber and is lead-free. Plus, installing it is easy as it is flexible so that you can wind it around your flower beds comfortably and without damaging the plants.

 

Pros 

Easy to set up and durable, this soaker hose is suitable for professional landscapers and all gardeners who want to provide their plants with a steady, even, and healthy flow of water.

The hose is lightweight and flexible so that you can place it under mulch or soil and wind it around your plants and flower beds with ease.

Thanks to the product’s design, water evaporation is reduced; plus, the item comes with a water restrictor so that you can control the water flow.

The materials used to make this product are environmentally friendly, and the unit is lead-free; moreover, they render the hose suitable for long-term use.

 

Cons 

The hose might not work as expected when connected to another hose, so to get the best results, it is recommended to use it alone.

The hose is rather thin, and it might take a longer time to provide good watering to all the plants of interest.

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Our Comprehensive Buying Guide

 

Soaker hoses are built to simplify the plant watering process, and the best soaker hoses will ensure a water-efficient and straightforward method of providing your plants with the much-needed water.

However, the market offers so many affordable soaker hose models that finding the best soaker hose system for your needs might not be the easiest or quickest process. To help you identify the best soaker hose for garden, there are a few factors you can use to filter the many products available for sale.

Your needs and the hose length 

The market offers many expensive and cheap soaker hoses, but only a few of them will meet your needs nicely; therefore, before adding any product to your shopping cart, consider the area you need to water as well as the climate in your region. Many high-quality soaker hose models are available in different sizes in order to cover different needs.

Choose the appropriate length to make sure that all the plants get the water needed for them to thrive and develop healthily. If the size you need is not available, you might want to look for a soaker hose that can be connected to other hoses in order to cover the entire area. The standard hoses include 25ft, 50ft, 75ft, and 100 ft models.

 

Materials 

Another highly important factor to take into account when looking for the best soaker hose is the material used for its construction. This should be a decisive factor as getting a cheap soaker hose built with fragile and easily breakable materials will end up with you spending more in the long run.

Many top-rated soaker hose models are made from recycled rubber since this material is durable enough to keep up with extended use and be employed in a variety of weather conditions. Plus, since such hoses should also allow for installation under mulch or soil, recycled rubber lasts even when exposed to various elements found in the soil.

Some of the best-rated soaker hose models available for sale are also made from polyurethane or vinyl. Just make sure that if you go for such a model, it is safe to use. No matter the product you buy, it is always best to take a closer look at the information provided on the label to learn more about the materials featured and their safety.

Ease of use and water pressure

There is no universal soaker hose that can meet all needs, and another factor that will help you find the best quality soaker hose for you is the water pressure it can handle. Such information should be provided on the label. Consider the water pressure in your home and what the model you’ve set your eyes on is capable of handling.

Plus, consider the design of the product to make sure you get a hose that is also easy to use, install, and store. A good soaker hose shouldn’t have kinks or twists that could interfere with the way it works, and it should distribute water evenly from one end to another.

A lightweight and flexible soaker hose is also desirable as it will help you maneuver it comfortably when you need to store it or install it in narrower or hard-to-reach areas. Reading some of the best soaker hose reviews available will also help you learn more about the way a particular product really works.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q: How long should you run a soaker hose?

Soaker hoses are a great option for watering your plants, vegetables, and flowers, as well as an excellent choice if you want to reduce water use while doing so, but how long you should run such a hose depends on various factors. There is no one-size-fits-all answer or solution when it comes to this type of duration.

Some of the factors that will help you find the answer to this question regard the soil in your area, the climate, the types of plants you want to water, as well as the time of the year. In case you live in an area with a dry climate, but you’d like to grow plants from wet climates, watering will be needed more frequently.

It is recommended to start running the soaker hose for half an hour twice a week and adjust the duration until you find the right balance for your plants.

Q: Do soaker hoses clog?

Although not all soaker hoses clog, many of them are likely to clog at some point. Clogging is the most common problem when it comes to such hoses, but thankfully, there are various ways to solve this issue when it occurs. The most common cause that makes hoses clog is hard water, which contains minerals that may calcify and thus clog them.

That’s why before using a soaker hose, it is best to test the water for hardness. The market offers kits that can help you learn more about that so that you can take the appropriate steps. If the results show that the water is indeed hard, you might want to use a water softener to prevent it from clogging the hose.

If it’s already too late and the clogging has taken place, it is recommended to use white vinegar to dissolve the minerals. You can also beat the hose against a wall until the sediments that prevent water from running fall off.

 

Q: Which one is better between soaker hoses and drip irrigation?

Each of the two types of watering systems comes with advantages and disadvantages and are built to meet specific needs. While the best drip hose system available for sale might work for some gardeners, it might fail to do so for others, and that’s because there is no universal watering system that can cover all needs.

For example, a soaker hose is ideal for a smaller garden on level ground, but such watering hoses also work well in raised beds. They are usually inexpensive and easy to install as all you have to do is to snake them around plants.

A drip irrigation system will work best for larger gardens, and it is configured in straight rows. The downside is that such a product is more expensive, but the upside is that it is usually durable enough to serve your needs for a long time. Your specific needs will thus help you know which one is better for your garden.

 

Q: Do soaker hoses use a lot of water?

Soaker hoses are generally considered to be a more water-efficient solution than standard sprinklers as they minimize water usage. Plus, they are built to reduce water evaporation, and once you find the ideal water flow required for your plants to grow healthily, you should be able to have a better understanding of this benefit.

Now, when purchasing such a product, you should look for the GPM and GPH a hose is capable of. The first one refers to gallons per minute, while the second one refers to gallons per hour. The length of the hose, the area you need to water, and water pressure all affect how much water a soaker hose uses.

For example, a 5/8” hose will take about 200 minutes to provide a garden with one inch of water. However, this depends on the overall flow rate from your faucet and the length of the hose. A larger soaker hose will typically take water in at ½ GPM, while a smaller one will take in less and thus also use less water per hour.

 

Q: Can you connect a soaker hose to a regular hose?

Yes, you can. Sometimes, a single soaker hose does not cover the entire area you want to water, and that’s when multiple hoses are needed. You might do just with another hose, or you might need several other hoses.

You can connect two soaker hoses, although it is not recommended to connect several of them since standard water pressure won’t push water as far as needed. If the area to be watered is not close to the faucet, you can connect a regular garden hose to the main water source and then connect the soaker hose to this first hose.

Many soaker hoses come with connectors that allow them to be connected to other hoses, whether they’re the same or regular hoses. Whenever you connect several hoses, make sure to adjust the water pressure until you get the desired water flow.