The world is vastly divided between two kinds of people.
The ones who do care about our beautiful planet and those who don’t.
Well, we can’t speak for the ones who are on the wrong side of this spectrum.
But, we can be of use to those who are looking for sustainable and environment-friendly ways of managing their lifestyle.
One of the most efficient ways of curbing the aggravating issue of water-shortage is harvesting rainwater which could provide us with huge quantities of usable water.
The bonus?
This alone can hack your water-bills down, and be a readily available source in extreme weathers, saving you the trouble of having to rely on expensive measures when needed.
This is why we’ve brought you a comprehensive guide on best rainwater barrels to collect precious rainwater, which would otherwise just go on to waste.
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Enviro World 55 Gallon Rain Barrel With Brass Spigot
Enviro World is one brand that is totally committed to environmental conservation. It dedicatedly caters to the needs of its sustainability by providing only standard quality and cost-effective solutions for efficient waste management and harvesting renewable resources.
The 55 Gallon Rain Barrel from this brand is an excellent product for harvesting pure rainwater and its conservation. It features a sleek flat back design that fits easily anywhere around the house.
It includes a standard size brass spigot and extension hose, which makes it even easier for you to draw water from the barrel and use it for various purposes. It also features a double-sided connectable overflow hose with hose clip.
One of the most essential features of this barrel is that it comes with proper childproof lock and screws. It includes a powder-coated stainless steel insect-resistant screen that preserves the purity of harvested rainwater.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy material
- Made from recycled plastics
- Includes child lock features
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- The quality of the material could be better
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Good Ideas RW50-BLK Rain Wizard Rain Barrel 50-Gallon, Black
The Rain Wizard 50 gallon rain barrel is an efficient storage for rainwater harvesting and conservation. It has a rustic faux oak finish and comes with a fine mesh screen that protects the water from bugs and other impurities. It features a standard ¾” brass spigot that is suitable with any hose or bucket for drawing water.
It is manufactured using ultra-tough, BPA-free, and FDA-approved polyethylene that makes it even more durable to external shocks and blunt force. The connection points on it help you link it together with other rain barrels.
However, we noticed that the quality and finish of the barrel could have been a bit more durable even when it says it’s manufactured from really sturdy FDA approved materials. The polish got chaffed off within the first week of usage, and the edge of the brim got chipped a little.
Pros
- Elegant design and color
- Standard brass spigot
- Front facing overflow outlet
- Fine mesh protective screen
Cons
- Not very durable
- May capacitate lesser than what it advertises
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RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel With Brass Spigot, Brown
This 50-gallon rain barrel from RTS Home Accent is a great solution when it comes to making use of rainwater in times of water shortage. It includes a brass spigot with a shutoff valve that facilitates hooking up hoses and has dual-overflow features. The front side overflow prevents water from overflowing against your wall.
One of the features that we really liked about this barrel is that it comes with a clean aluminum screen that keeps your water from getting contaminated by bugs and debris. It has no larger opening and is safe for children and pets.
Additionally, it does come with an optional stand that balances the distance between the ground and spigot which makes it easier for you to fill your cans.
However, the only downside could be that the back of the barrel becomes bowed as it fills up with water. This suggests that it may not be very sturdy and long-lasting.
Pros
- Designed to be child and pet safe
- Comes with a rust-proof aluminum screen
- Brass spigot features shut-off valve
- Can be linked with several other barrels for more collection
Cons
- Not a sturdy rainwater barrel
- The optional stand is sold separately
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Kyoto 55-Gallon Sand-Stone-Look Rain Barrel UV Resistant Container With Drainage
The Kyoto 55-Gallon rain barrel is a uniquely designed rainwater storage that capacitates up to 55 gallons of water. It is made using a rotational molding plastic process that makes it tough and durable. It has a well-balanced base with supporting legs and is UV-resistant that makes it long-lasting.
This barrel features a corrosion-proof complete screen guard that provides complete protection against debris and insects. The safety-grid feature at the mouth, makes it entirely safe for children and pets.
The barrel includes a standard brass tap that quickly fills all cans and containers. It comes with an overflow spout and an inbuilt threaded fitting at the base that easily connects to a soaker or a garden hose.
Moreover, the attached drain plug that comes with the barrel facilitates easy cleaning of water and sludge at the base of the barrel.
This particular rain barrel proved to be a very efficient rainwater storing container. It looks as if it’s made of sandstone and has an elegant touch to it.
The only thing that you would find difficult is to move it around because it can be a bit heavy. But this isn’t much of a problem especially when you’re getting such a strongly built barrel.
Pros
- Very sturdy and durable.
- Comes with a protective screen guard and safety grid.
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Cannot be connected with other barrels
- Can be quite expensive
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Suncast RB50D 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
The rain barrel from Suncast is a pretty efficient rainwater storage container that comes with a minimalistic design, is cost-effective, and can be conveniently placed anywhere.
It includes a leader hose and shut-off valve that prevents the water from being wasted once the barrel gets full.
You can also connect the overflow hose with other barrels to maximize rainwater collection. It comes with a debris filter that prevents any yard waste such as leaves or pebbles from entering the barrel, keeping the water clear and pure. The lid-design makes it accident-proof and safe for pets and children.
However, the barrel could have had a proper screen guard as it is susceptible to contamination by smaller particles and bugs. Also, you may have to replace the rubber or plastic washers after a point of time.
Pros
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Space and cost-effective
- The overflow hose extends as a connector hose as well.
- Easy to set up and clean.
Cons
- No effective screen guard
- The plastic/rubber gaskets and washers may harden overtime needing replacements.
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Upcycle 55 Gallon Black Rain Barrel
This rain barrel is durable and efficiently designed rainwater harvesting container. It is made of high-quality food-grade and recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which makes it sturdy and safe to be used for ecological purposes.
The bottom spigot of the barrel can be connected with any standard garden hose. The fine mesh screen on the top of its screw-on lid that keeps the water from getting contaminated by mosquitoes, critters or other debris.
All Upcycle rain barrels are manufactured using recycled pre-used rain barrels of high-density polyethylene plastic that makes them durable enough to withstand harsh winters. For this reason, you do not have to modify the downspout on it in spring or fall.
The only problem we had with it is that the overflow outlet on is angled upwards and that could hinder water drainage from the barrel. Apart from this negligible flaw, it has proven to be quite a good rainwater barrel.
Pros
- Made from high quality and food-grade HDPE
- Manufactured using recycled pre-used barrels
- Very durable and long-lasting
Cons
- The overflow outlet points upward
- It takes an effort to unscrew the lid
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Green Rain Barrel-54 Gallon
The Green Rain barrel is a simple and effective modern-day solution for rainwater harvesting. The barrel comes with an inbuilt 4’ hose with a thumb shutoff valve that allows the hose to be safely placed in a slot at the top of the barrel. This also helps in preventing loss of water when the barrel is full.
The barrel includes a removable debris screen. The overflow tube of the barrel diverts the excess water away from your house and keeps it from causing water damage to the foundation. It also comes with a linking kit that helps you capacitate even higher amounts of rainwater.
Yet, we didn’t quite find the material to be durable enough, and it did spring a leak within the first month of purchasing. Also, the barrel does not have a spigot or tap.
The one other problem is that it can be a bit difficult to clean and flush out the barrel. It is because the dividers are located right at the mouth and hinder the cleaning process.
Pros
- Simple design
- Comes with a 4 ft long hose and thumb shutoff valve
- Includes a linking kit to connect with two or more barrels
- Children and pet safe
Cons
- Doesn’t have a spigot or tap
- Not made of durable material
- Not very easy to clean out the barrel
How to: Installing a Rain Barrel for Beginners [Video]
Conclusion
Rainwater harvesting is one of the most efficient ways of solving the glaring problem of water shortage in every country, especially the ones that are severely drought-stricken.
We aim to do our bit is saving the earth and therefore provide you with useful product information for the efficient management of its resources.
Hope you enjoyed reading this guide!