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Do you feel stressed maintaining your lawn?
If that’s the case, then watering is the most time-consuming chore for many gardeners. To water, you have to continuously move around with a water hose to make sure each plant gets enough water.
This is why you need the best soaker hoses to water your garden. It provides gentle, consistent, hands-free irrigation for small to extensive size gardens.
But not all hoses are the same as you want them to be efficient in the water while being cost-effective.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the soaker hoses for any garden type, as well as things to look for when buying. You can choose the best as per your need.
Quick Picks
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Premium
Rocky Mountain Goods Soaker Hose
This is a gardener’s choice of soaker hose which is built with heavy-duty flexible rubber. The removable end cap allows you to attach more hoses.
Best Overall
Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
High-quality recycled vinyl material means lightweight and long-lasting hose. You can use up to 60 psi water pressure for demanding plant watering tasks.
Best Value
Smart Pots 12503 Liner
Ideal for the small and medium-size gardens. It comes in three different sizes and is perfect to use around planters, containers, or around the tree.
7 Best Soaker Hose in the Market
Product
Name
Detail
Price
- Flat Type Hose
- Round Type Hose
- Round Type Hose
- Flat Type Hose
- Round Type Hose
- Round Type Hose
- Round Type Hose
Our Top Pick
Our top pick for the best soaker hose is Rocky Mountain Goods. It’s a heavy-duty rubber-made hose that saves up to 70% more water than the traditional watering system.
It comes in different length sizes, which will fit each individual gardening need. The flexible soaker hose allows you to place it around any curved corners. It also includes the water flow restriction washer to provide a uniform flow of water to the plant roots.
What is a Soaker Hose?
A soaker hose is a water hose with small puncture holes throughout the whole length. The holes allow the water to drip throughout the pipe.
You place it close to the plant, so you get water drips near to the root. It’s estimated that compared to sprinklers, the soaker hose uses up to less than 80% of water. This means no wastage of water and saving on the water bills.
The soaker hose is a part of drip irrigation systems. The hole from where the water stream out is called emitters. Most drip irrigation systems use drip tape or drip line design. The drip tape uses flat tubing, which is placed above the surface and lasts a couple of seasons.
The drip line uses high-quality plastic or rubber and lasts for multiple seasons. With a drip line, you can choose pre-installed emitters or separate emitters. It gives you higher flexibility to water your plants.
What to consider when buying Soaker Hose
Design
You have option to buy flat or round type hose. Round soaker hose is more durable and last longer but bit difficult to store.
Length
There are different length hose you can buy from 25 feet to 100 feet. You can also daisy chain these hoses to adjust the length.
Water Pressure
Choose a soaker hose that can withstand 40 psi-45 psi residential water pressure. You then won’t need to use flow adjuster.
Have a question about buying a soaker hose? Contact us
7 Best Soaker Hose Reviews
The following seven products are some of the very best soaker hoses available. Just be sure to select the best as per your gardening needs.
1. Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
The Gilmour Weeper is a flat hose that comes in three different sizes; 25 feet, 50 feet, and 75 feet. The use of high-quality recycled vinyl means it is lightweight and lasts longer than other similar soaker hoses.
The high-quality, durable fabric covers the perforated PVC liner in the hose. This is important as the material protects the vinyl from getting exposed to ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet causes the plastic to get hardened, which cracks when high pressure is applied.
The Gilmour flat weeper soaker can be used both above ground and underground for irrigation purposes. The flexible and durable construction of the hose means you can place it around the flowers, vegetable garden beds, and trees.
The lightweight but high-pressure resistant design allows it to use up to 60 psi water flow. The fabric coating means you don’t have to remove it after the growing season.
But for long-lasting use, we recommend that you store it after each growing season. The Gilmour hose comes with 7 years of limited guarantee.
See More information on Gilmour 100049288 Flat Weeper
Pros
Cons
2. Rocky Mountain Goods Garden Soaker Hose
Rocky Mountain’s hose is a heavy-duty round soaker hose made with rubber. It saves up to 70% more water than the traditional watering system. It is a very flexible soaker hose as the removable end cap design means you can attach more hose.
This is important if you have a bigger size garden and you need a longer hose. It comes in 25 feet and 50 feet in size with 1/2 inch or 5/8-inch diameter. The different diameter size allows you to choose different water flow.
The round hose allows the uniform distribution of water in your garden. This means less chance of getting dry and wet patches in the yard.
In most soaker hoses, the front and end fitting parts are the most common point of failure. This is more so when you remove or attach the hose to the water supply quite frequently.
Many soaker hoses have these parts made of plastic which often cracks if you tighten it too much.
The use of metal at the front and end part means long-lasting durability in connecting the hose system to the faucets. This allows you to make an excellent and secure connection that prevents leaking.
To last longer, use this at low pressure or use a flow restrictor washer (included). The use of good quality material and reinforced interior of the hose means no difficulty in unwinding, kinking up, or laying it down.
It comes with 7 years of warranty and is one of the top-rated soaker hoses for small to medium size gardens.
See More information on Rocky Mountain Goods
Pros
Cons
3. Taisia 1/2-Inch Soaker Hose
Taisia soaker hose is a flexible and fully customizable half-inch hose. It comes in 25 feet, 50 feet, and 75 feet size. This means you can use it to any garden size for irrigation.
It’s made from 100% recycled material which includes 70% recycled rubber and 30% recycled polyethylene. The use of recycled ingredients means it’s environment-friendly. It saves up to 70% more water than other traditional watering systems.
To improve the lifespan of the hose, Taisia uses UV inhibitors during the construction of the tube. This allows the hose to be used in any extreme weather condition, including hot summer. There is less risk of developing cracks or bulges.
This is a lightweight and durable hose. The small half-inch diameter hose is reinforced with higher tensile strength material. It makes it easy to arrange around the plants.
This is important if you are planning to use the hose around the flower or vegetable beds. Other massive hoses, when moved around, could damage the plants.
Taisia soaker yard hose allows the uniform distribution of water around the plant. This means a lush green garden without wasting water. It lays flat around the ground, which helps to place it around delicate garden beds.
It comes with a bronze and plastic connector. For a long-lasting connection, we recommend you choose a bronze connector. It is denoted as “B or P” on the product specification page. Overall, we find it to be an excellent quality soaker hose.
See More information on Taisia 1/2 inch Hose
Pros
Cons
4. Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
Melnor soaker garden hoses system is a compact, easy-to-store soaker hose. The flat and thin design allows it to use around any type of garden layout. Due to its flexible and compact design, you can twist and turn it around the sharp corners of the garden.
This is helpful, as sometimes you can’t move the big and bulky soaker garden hose around the tight corners. Even if you can do it somehow, you run the risk of a hose moving around and crushing your delicate garden bed.
This soaker hose comes in two 50 ft packs, and the width of the tube is 1 inch. It includes two 50 feet hose lengths, which means you can water up to 100 feet of garden.
For additional flexibility, you can easily attach the hose with a timer to water your garden. It steadily drips water when using it at low pressure. It comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
See More information on Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
Pros
Cons
5. Apex Soil Soaker Hose
The Apex soil soaker hose is a round soaker hose that comes in three different lengths; 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet. It’s made with a high-quality vinyl material for improved flexibility. The ABS plastic title brass coupling allows you to fit your standard size garden faucet easily.
The weeping pores on the soaker hose release water directly to the plant’s root and save up to 30% more water than a regular hose system. The choice of 100ft length means you won’t be limited by smaller size soaker garden hoses or hassle with connecting multiple soaker hoses.
The use of premium quality material makes it easier to move it around and can be easily placed wherever required. The elegant small holes in the soaker hose allow uniform and steady distribution of water around the plant.
This is vital as you don’t want to have dry and wet patches in the garden. It also means that it will take you less time to water your garden without worrying about some plants getting excess water.
If you have a smaller garden, pick the smaller size of 25 feet length. It works under low water pressure and can withstand extreme weather conditions without getting cracked or bulging.
This soaker hose will not work with a rain barrel unless you add some external pressure source either through a pump or put it up higher.
The soaker hose is a half-inch in diameter and comes with 7 years of manufacturer warranty. It is Made in the USA which may be a consideration when you choose it.
See More information on Apex, 1030-50, Soil Soaker Hose
Pros
Cons
6. Swan Products Miracle-GRO Soaker
Swan’s Miracle-Gro Soaker is a round soaker hose, and comes in three different sizes; 50 feet, 75 feet, and 100 feet with a 3/8-inch diameter. This size diameter allows 0.5 to 1 gallon of watering per foot.
This is a customizable hose with push on a fitting feature. It makes it easier to fit it on the faucet and start watering your garden. One common issue with other soaker hoses is the hose length.
Most soaker hoses come with a predetermined length. This restricts you in the coverage of the soaker hose system. The Swan’s EZ-connect fitting allows you to choose your desired length of soaker hose by measuring and cutting the tube as per your need.
This provides greater flexibility, as you can pick the exact length of the garden soaker hose you need. The EZ connection allows you to fit the connection to either end of the soaker hose.
It delivers fine water drops straight to the roots of the plant. You can bury it under the ground or keep it above the ground as per your need.
It uses up to 65% recycled parts, and the lead-free design means no lead contamination to the plant water. The soaker hose comes in with a built-in water restrictor. It regulates the inner pressure inside the soaker hose to provide optimal water delivery.
The Swan’s Miracle Grow releases the uniform volume of water from the front to the end of the soaker hose. The use of a 3/8 inch diameter hose provides adequate irrigation without getting a sudden change in the water pressure.
When using it for the first time, leave the soaker hose unraveled and lay it straight in the sunlight. This will reduce the hose stiffness and makes it much easier to handle.
See More information on Swan Products Miracle-GRO Soaker Hose
Pros
Cons
7. Smart Pots Liner
Smart Pots liner is a soaker hose for small size garden. It weeps water through its pores, which prevents damage to the plant foliage and stream straight to the root of the plant.
It comes in 3 different lengths, 4 feet, 10.5 feet, and 13.5 feet with a 3/8-inch diameter. The small and well layout design means you can connect two or more soaker hoses to get the desired water coverage to your lawn.
The unusually small size makes it ideal to use in planters, containers, or around the tree. The short, low-profile soaker hose means it won’t take much space in the planter. Thus, leaving the plant and flowers to grow without any restriction to space.
The hose is a bit stiff due to its small size, but it is flexible enough if you need some curving around the container or trees. It is ideal to use around big bag beds, raised garden beds, and large vessels.
It’s a lead-safe hose and certified under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The porous and uniform water distribution allows up to 70% more water saving than the traditional system.
See More information on Smart Pots 12503 Liner
Pros
Cons
Soaker Hose Buying Guide: Factors to Consider
Here are the things that you need to consider when buying the soaker hose.
Parts and Types of Soaker Hoses
There are several parts and types of garden soaker hoses available in the market. Soaker hoses are mainly made from plastic and rubber combinations.
However, you can also buy more environment-friendly BPA-free soaker hose. These BPA-free soaker hoses are made from polyurethane materials.
A soaker hose has multiple components. Following are some essential parts of the soaker hose.
Faucet
Faucets are the starting point of the soaker hose as it controls the water coming from the source. In most cases, the water source will be home water.
The backflow connector attached to the faucet prevents the reverse water flow. It is crucial as you don’t want contaminated water with dirt and soil particles to reverse flow and get back into the clean water.
Hose Connection Type
Most garden hoses come with male and female connection end types. This allows one end to attach to the water source and the other as an option to connect the extender or stop cap.
Water Filter (Optional)
The water filter at the beginning of the soaker hose allows the clean water to get inside the soaker hose. Since the soaker hose has fine small holes to seep out the water, dirt or contamination may reduce the water flow.
When you have hard water (substantial mineral deposits in water), the filter prevents the minerals from getting into the soaker hose. This also extends the life of the soaker hose, and you don’t have to replace it as frequently.
Benefits Of Using A Soaker Hose
Following are some of the benefits of using a soaker hose.
- Prevents Plant Fungal Growth:Â Soaker hose allows the water to be delivered straight at the ground level near to the soil. This prevents the plant from getting soaked wet and reduces the chance of fungal growth.
- Easy to use:Â Depending on the pressure rating of the soaker hose, you may not have to use the pressure regulator. You can adjust the water amount through the tap.
- Low upfront cost:Â Soaker hoses are very simple to operate and does not have complex moving parts. A simple design of soaker hose allows low cost to install and run. You can attach it to the timer to save the water and spray when needed.
- Prevents soil erosion:Â The soaker hose releases water gradually in the soil. This reduces the water usage and prevents the erosion of topsoil which usually happens when high water pressure is used.
- Control weeds: Soaker hose allows a very concentrated water area. This prevents the watering to the weeds or other undesirable plants which you don’t want to grow. This causes the weeds to die off without using any harmful weed chemicals or physically pulling the weeds out from the garden.
- Retain Soil moisture:Â The soaker hose drip irrigation system allows the water to seep directly into the soil. It helps keep the moisture and stops excessive evaporation.
Features To Look For In The Soaker Garden Hoses
Now before you head out to buy a soaker hose. Keep in mind the following features so you can buy the right type. This will save you money from buying the wrong kind of soaker hose.
Soaker Hose Design (Flat Or Round)
Soaker hose comes in two main design types, flat or round. Both have their own strength and weakness. The flat design soaker hose is generally made with plastics and has small holes around it.
The flat design makes it easier to roll it and saves space. Moreover, when these flat soaker hoses are installed, it does not bulge as much as the round soaker hose.
But we found that flat soaker hoses don’t last very long as the plastic cracks after using a few seasons. The cracking is also accelerated when you use it in direct sunlight or exposed areas.
The round soaker hoses are more durable and last longer than the regular flat soaker hose. These are made from heavy-duty materials and sometimes have multiple exterior coatings to prevent them from outside elements.
You can also use a round soaker hose at a higher pressure rating than the flat soaker hose. The only downside of the round soaker hose is that it takes more space for storage and is bulky.
Soaker Hose Length
Depending on the size of the garden, you want an adequate length of the soaker hose. The right length is essential to cover the full garden area without wasting water.
Soaker hose generally comes in 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet long. If you need more than 100 feet, then look for the soaker hose model which allows you to attach an extension.
This means you can attach another hose to the current such as in a daisy chain. But the longer the hose, the more pressure you will need for water to reach at the end of the pipe.
Materials of Soaker Hose
The type of soaker hose material affects the durability and water delivery efficiency. The most common materials used in soaker hoses are rubber and plastics. But these days there are also vinyl and polyurethane-based materials available.
The FDA-grade polyurethane hoses are environment-friendly and toxin-free. This makes it ideal for organic gardens.
The UV-resistant polyurethane-based hose is better suited to use in any environment. The high-quality soaker hose material won’t crack even after leaving it outside at freezing temperature.
Soaker Hose Perforation Size
The soaker hose preformation size determines the water seeping out from it. You want the right balance of perforation size.
You don’t want to water either too little or too much. Depending on the garden and plant you want to water, check out the water perforation rate of the hose.
Soaker Hose Water Pressure Rating
The maximum pressure rating of the soaker hose tells you the water pressure it can withstand without bursting or leaking. Good water pressure is required if you have a big yard or use a long size soaker hose.
Generally, the soaker needs the pressure under 10 psi so you can get the water to seep through the hose. Higher pressure will cause the water to sprinkle through the soaker hose.
You can find the soaker hose pressure limit on the product specification. If you are using a soaker hose in the house, then the residential water pressure ranges from 40 to 45 psi.
You can control the water quantity by turning the tap. For higher flexibility, use a water pressure regulator. Most of the soaker hoses come in a 20 to 30 psi water pressure rating.
Soaker Hose Ease of Use
When using any gardening equipment, you want to spend less time setting it up and more time using it. A simple and easy-to-fit design allows you to start watering the plant as soon as possible.
This may be the case when your water source is not dedicated to gardening, and you have to use it for other purposes as well. This means you have to remove and attach the soaker hose quite frequently.
Plus, you want to pick a design that does not get damaged easily during the operation.
Soaker Hose Warranty
The product warranty is an important consideration when buying the soaker hose. You want a long-lasting product and some peace of mind that if anything goes wrong within a specified period, you can get it repaired or replaced.
Some soaker hoses come with up to 7 years of manufacturer warranty. Make sure to save the product receipt or register the product with the manufacturer to avail warranty in the future.
How To Install And Use A Soaker Hose
The installation of a soaker hose is quite straightforward.
Step 1: Lay the soaker hose in the desired position you want to water your garden. If setting up multiple tubes, then keep them at least 18-20 inches apart so plants can get uniform water.
Step 2: Use wire garden pins to pin them in place and cover the hose with a mulch. Don’t use soil as it compresses the tube. The use of mulch around the soaker hose prevents moisture loss due to evaporation.
Step 3: Attach one end of the hose to the water outlet and turn on the water slowly. Keep an eye on the water seeping out of the tube and stop the water flow at your desired watering level.
Step 4: Leave it on for a while and recheck it if you need to adjust the water flow. Note down the desired pressure level if you are using a pressure regulator. You can use it as a reference for future water use.
What Is The Best Garden Soaker Hose Size?
Soaker use is not ideal to water the grass in the lawn. It is better to use a water sprinkler to water the garden. Use soaker hose for root-level irrigation of plants and vegetables. For these, the best soaker hoses size 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch in diameter.
For watering your garden far distance area, attach a 5/8-inch diameter hose with a 1/2 inch hose to get the desired water pressure. The 1/2-inch soaker hose diameter is suitable to cover 50 feet size. For a tiny area, use a 1/4-inch diameter soaker hose.
How Long To Keep Soaker Hose Turned On
Well, it depends on what you have planted. Some plants need more water than others and you have to keep it on for a longer duration than the others. Plus, it also depends on the water perforation rate and the outside weather.
But as a general guideline, you should keep the soaker hose on twice a week for each 30-minute duration. After irrigation, check the moisture level in the soil as too much water can also kill the plant.
How To Clean Soaker Hose
Keep your soaker hose clean to improve the hose life and water transfer efficiency. The cleaning depends on the type of soaker hose you are using and whether it is covered with mulch or exposed to the air.
Follow these steps to clean your soaker hose.
- Remove the soaker hose after each season to store it in a safe and dry place. Clean of any dirt or sediments from the tube and check for any damage.
- Immerse the hose in a big water tub to let it soak water from outside. Use some weight to keep soaker hose immersed in the water.
- Add four to five tablespoon of dishwashing detergent in the water. Check the dishwater to not have ammonia or chloride in it. As it reacts with the rubber and develops a crack.
- Keep the soaker hose immersed in the dishwater for two or three hours. Then place it under the freshwater to remove the detergent and dirt.
- Once cleaned, place it flat on the ground and check holes for any clogging. Use a pin or sharp object to clean the clogged hole.
- Connect the soaker hose with a water outlet and let it run for three or 4 minutes at high water flow. The high-pressure water will clean it from inside and unclog any undetected clogged holes.
- Once done, shake it up to remove water and let it dry away from the direct sunlight for a few hours. You can then fold it and store it to use it for next season.
Read More: The best indoor and outdoor thermometer for your home.
Soaker Hose Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips & tricks when using the soaker hose.
- Soaker hoses are useful when placed in a flat area. Don’t put it in the regions which have non-flat terrain. This is because the low water pressure in the soaker hose will not let water to reach a higher surface.
- If burying under the ground, don’t go more than 6 or 7 inches deep. A deeply embedded soaker hose will not provide good soil moisture near the plant roots.
- Use a timer to turn it on or off automatically.
- Use a backflow water preventer to avoid contaminating fresh drinking water from soiled outside water.
- Use a water pressure regulator in case you don’t have stable water pressure source.
- To keep it free from dirt and debris inside the tube, use a filter or remove the end cap to flush out waste from the hose.
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