Best Rain Barrels

Rain barrels come in different sizes, and the best one for you depends on the size of your roof, how much water you want to collect and also how often and how much it rains.

If you are unsure of which size to choose, a barrel with a capacity of 200–300 litres will be enough in most cases. But if you live somewhere where it rains a lot, go for a larger barrel. You can also have several smaller barrels that you connect up.

In addition to being able to collect rainwater, you’ll also want it to be easy to use.

• A lid or a net prevents debris from falling into the barrel and also stops animals and insects that are attracted to the water.
• A tap makes emptying the barrel easier. Simply attach a hose instead of scooping up the water with a bucket.
• An overflow protection system ensures that the barrel doesn’t overflow.
• A connection system lets you connect several rain barrels to each other, so you don’t have to lug water from the barrel to the other side of the garden. It also allows any excess water to run between the barrels instead of overflowing.