Target Your Garden's Growth at the Roots with These Soaker Hoses (2024)

Our Top Picks

This flat soaker hose from H20 Works is our favorite soaker hose because it's lightweight, easy to handle, and provides an even pattern of water distribution. Even water distribution is especially important with soaker hoses, which is why we tested this one—and a select few others—at our lab and in our home gardens.

We specifically tested the 50-foot version of this soaker hose, putting it through an extensive workout to test durability and performance. During the performance tests, we were impressed by the way water condensed quickly on the outside of the hose, delivering tiny droplets to the ground rather than spraying in the air like some other models.

The hose itself is lightweight and easy to maneuver, with a very comfortable weight of about 4 pounds. We didn’t see any kinking while the hose was in use and the water was flowing, but it kinked a bit when hung on a standard hose hook so storing it without kinking proved to be a bit of a chore.

Over several months of use in a home garden, we found that while it works very well when laid out straight, curving it can somewhat slow down the water flow. The brand states that it dispenses 2 gallons in 2 minutes, but that might be overly generous if you are curving the hose around trees, shrubs, or other greenery.

We tested it during hot summer conditions and stored it in the winter, but the manufacturer claims you can use the hose from temperature extremes ranging from 4 below zero to a blazing 140 degrees. You can also cover it with mulch or soil, and it should still work just as well. The hose has brass connectors that feel very sturdy and should hold up well over time. Overall, we were very impressed with this soaker hose’s light weight, even weeping of water to the soil, and durability. It’s available in both 25-foot and 50-foot versions.

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: PVC | Weight: 3.92 pounds}

While this soaker hose has a reasonable price, that doesn't mean it isn't also effective and durable. There's an inner layer made from recycled PVC and an outer layer of a heavy-duty black fabric that resists clogs, cracks, and kinks. This soaker hose can be used year-round in mild climates, but it's best to store it during the winter in areas with significantly low temperatures. The flat shape also makes it easy to roll and store the hose.

This hose can be used by itself or together with additional hoses. One end has an adapter that matches most outdoor hose spigots, while the other end has a 1/2-inch female adapter that can either be attached to another hose or capped off with the included end cap.

One downside of this hose, is that the connectors are heavy-duty plastic instead of metal. While plastic is a great option for preventing rust, we're worried about how crush-resistant these caps might be if stepped on with a heavy boot or rolled over by a car or wheelbarrow.

You can lay this hose on the surface of the soil or bury it up to 3 inches deep below mulch or light soil. The hose has an inner diameter of 1/2-inch and can withstand water pressure up to 100 psi. There are four available sizes—10 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, and 75 feet—so you can choose the length that best suits your garden. All are reasonably priced and very lightweight.

_{Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: PVC and fabric | Weight: 13.4 ounces}

_{Length: 100 feet | Diameter: Not specified | Material: PVC | Weight: 6.38 pounds}

_{Length: 10 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: Recycled Rubber | Weight: 14.4 ounces}

A healthy vegetable garden requires regular water, but it's best to avoid spraying water onto the plants' leaves, which can encourage the growth of fungal diseases. Instead, a soaker hose is an ideal way to keep the water coming while leaving your delicate veggies dry. We like this 150-foot, recycled rubber soaker hose for that purpose because it's long enough to provide water to many typical vegetable gardens and comes with a large set of various accessories.

The package includes tees, couplers, elbows, hose clamps, a spigot adapter, an end cap, and a zip tie. These accessories allow you to snip the hose into as many pieces as needed, and then use the various connectors to encircle your vegetable garden and provide water exactly where it's needed.

The manufacturer claims that the hose will provide up to 2 gallons of water every 2 minutes when at 60 psi of pressure from your hose. You can use the included adapter to reduce the pressure and thus reduce the flow rate if desired. Be sure to bury the hose a bit underneath mulch to protect it from the elements and increase the saturation of the soil. While you can curve the hose to accommodate the angles of your garden, it's a bit bulky for making tighter curves and could crimp or reduce the flow of water if you bend it excessively. If you don't need a 150-foot hose, it's also available in 100-foot, 25-foot, and 15-foot lengths.

_{Length: 150 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: Not specified}

This soaker hose kit from Flexon is so customizable that you can easily use it to curve around shrubs and perennials, water several containers, keep rows of vegetables or bushes evenly watered, or any other similar use.

The kit includes a 100-foot length of 3/8-inch diameter rubber-and-vinyl hose, six T-connectors, four end cap plugs, four male connectors, four female connectors, and two feeder connectors. Setup involves cutting the hose into any length you need, and then connecting the pieces together to create a custom soaker hose that's perfect for your yard or garden.

We like that this soaker hose comes with detailed usage instructions, as well as a soaker hose watering rate chart. Even the most novice users should be able to adjust the flow rate to optimize watering efficiency and make sure plant roots get just what they need to thrive. You can also cover this soaker hose with mulch, and won't have to worry about clogging the water pores; it’s designed to withstand soil coverage. The manufacturer claims it weeps around 1/2-gallon of water per hour, which is fairly slow, but will moisten the soil to a depth of 1 inch in 200 minutes.

_{Length: 100 feet | Diameter: 3/8 inch | Material: Rubber and vinyl | Weight: 6.4 pounds}

This flat soaker hose from Linux features a number of kink-defeating features, including a kink-resistant inner plastic core with two ridges that prevent the hose from closing up entirely. Even when intentionally bent and restricted, this unique design allows water to continue flowing and steadily dripping from each tiny hole. The outer layer is a heavy-duty fabric cover that helps protect the hose from clogs, weather, and wear, although it's best to store the hose during harsh winter weather.

At 1.7 pounds, this 50-foot hose is very light, so you can easily maneuver it however you need. It's well-suited for vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, or for general landscape use. It's best to bury this hose under a layer of mulch or light soil to keep it in place and protect it from the elements. The hose has plastic connectors at both ends so you can attach it to your outdoor spigot, and then either cap the open end or attach it to another hose for extra length. While a 50-foot hose works well for many uses, the hose is also available in 15-foot, 25-foot, and 75-foot options.

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: Vinyl and fabric | Weight: 1.72 pounds}

While round soaker hoses are bulkier, heavier, and harder to roll up than flat hoses, they are also easier to gently curve around your landscape, and they tend to last longer than flat soaker hoses. If you are looking for a great round soaker hose to provide water for your flowerbeds, vegetable garden, shrubbery, or trees, then look no further than this recycled rubber option from Rocky Mountain Goods.

Lay it out on the surface of your garden or bury it underneath a few inches of mulch or light soil—not heavy soil, which will prevent it from distributing water effectively—and it will weep water from its tiny holes positioned on all sides and down the entire length of the hose.

The ends of this hose both have connectors that can fit onto your hose spigot or another hose. You can also cap off one end if desired. Unlike many other soaker hoses, this one has metal connectors with plastic rings, rather than entirely plastic connectors. The hose is available in 25-foot or 50-foot lengths. There are also two widths available: 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch. While a bit heavier than a vinyl soaker hose, this is still a lightweight option that is easy to handle.

_{Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: 2.27 pounds}

This versatile and customizable watering kit works with any raised bed that's no more than 4 inches high. It's quick and easy to set up and requires no extra gardening tools other than a pair of scissors if you need to snip the hose to a shorter length. Setup is straightforward, with a sections of garden hose and soaker hose that you can cut to fit your bed and then join together with the included couplers. The kit includes enough hose for 4 feet by 8 feet raised bed, but you can buy extra components separately if you have more than one raised bed or a single very large raised bed.

This kit also contains two adapters that let you angle the hose up and over the edge of the raised bed without kinking or crimping, and it comes with an end cap to prevent water from shooting out the end of the soaker hose. All in all, this is a great way to water your raised beds without excess hose bulking out at the side of the bed or crimping off the water flow.

_{Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: 2.55 pounds}

Final Verdict

The H20 Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose is our best overall pick, with its sturdy construction, durable materials, light weight, and even water droplet distribution. For an option that includes lots of connectors and adapters for use in a vegetable garden, whether raised or in the ground, the Linchoc Home Soaker Hose With Connectors (our best customizable pick) is a great kit that can easily be customized to your garden setting.

FAQ

• How long should you leave a soaker hose on?

  We asked Noah James, a professional landscaper, and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance, for some advice on running your soaker hose. He notes that the first step is to determine your soil type. Sandy soils need to be watered more frequently, but for shorter sessions, while clay soil needs to be watered less frequently, but with the hose left running longer. And of course, consider the weather. On a hot and dry day, you may need to water your garden for longer to ensure the plants get enough water. On a cooler day, shorter watering times may be sufficient. He sums up by saying, “A good rule of thumb is to run your soaker hose for 30-60 minutes twice a week, depending on your soil and weather conditions.”

• Is any special maintenance required for soaker hoses?

  Soaker hoses can easily become clogged or damaged. To keep your hose working effectively as long as possible, James recommends avoiding clogs or dirt buildup by flushing the hose with water after each use. He also notes that you should store your soaker hose in a cool, dry spot, as leaving the hose in direct sunlight for extended periods of time can cause the hose material to break down.

  Ward off the growth of mold or mildew by periodically cleaning your soaker hose with a mild solution of soap and water, and when winter approaches, drain any remaining water from the hose and store it away from extreme temperatures in a deck box, garage, or tool shed.

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