The best type of rain barrel for gathering rainwater is a closed-top, flat-back polyethylene barrel in the 45 to 55 gallon range, fitted with a brass spigot, a screened inlet and a threaded overflow port you can route away from your foundation. Capacity matters less than overflow design, because a typical storm delivers far more water than a single barrel can hold.
That single sentence is where most buying guides go wrong. They obsess over gallon counts and finish colours, then ignore the fact that a 50 gallon barrel on a 1,200 sq ft roof can be full in under ten minutes of real rain. We spent weeks comparing ten of the most-reviewed barrels in this category for our own yard, checking spigot height, overflow routing, screening and what happens to the container once it is carrying 400-plus pounds of water.
If you are starting from scratch, our broader guide to rain barrels for home gardeners covers the decorative and planter-top options in more depth. This page is the narrower, systems-first take: which barrels hold up under real conditions, and which ones will disappoint you in month two.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Water Barrels (October 2026)
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO
- Flat back
- built-in overflow valve
- linkable
- 100% recycled polyethylene
FCMP Outdoor Raincatcher 50 Gallon
- Aluminum mesh screen
- full accessory kit
- linkable side spigots
Our first pick is the barrel most owners actually end up with, and the reason is unglamorous: it has the highest volume of owner feedback behind it of anything in this list. The FCMP Raincatcher is the smarter buy if you want the accessories already in the box, and the walnut RTS barrel solves the one problem nobody else here solves, which is a spigot you will not have to replace next season.
All 10 Water Barrels Compared in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO |
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| FCMP Outdoor Raincatcher 50 Gallon |
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| RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Walnut |
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 FCMP Outdoor Slim Line 45 Gallon |
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 FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45 Gallon |
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 Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket 50 Gallon |
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 Good Ideas Rain Wizard Urn 50 Gallon |
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 Laspeiraux Collapsible 53 Gallon |
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 Step2 Lakewood 60 Gallon with Stand |
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 RTS Home Accents Newport 50 Gallon |
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Two columns in that table deserve attention before you scroll further. Spigot material is the single biggest predictor of whether a barrel is still working in its third season, and access to the interior decides whether you can ever clean it. Both are covered in the buying guide below.
1. RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel: Best Overall
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel Made with 100% Recycled Plastic, Flat Back Rain Water Collection Barrel, Black
50 gallons
18 pounds empty
24 x 19 x 34 inch
UV-resistant recycled polyethylene
Pros
- Flat back fits tight against a wall or fence
- Quick no-tool assembly
- Built-in overflow valve with linking capability
- Integrated top screen
- 3700 reviews of long-term use
Cons
- Plastic spigot gasket can dislodge and fail
- Flat back can bow outward under a full load
- Front overflow is an open hole that does not deter mosquitoes
This is the barrel that appears again and again in homeowner forums when people ask what is actually worth buying, and after putting it through a season of use we understand why. It is made from 100 percent recycled, UV-resistant polyethylene, weighs 18 pounds empty, and measures 24 by 19 by 34 inches, which is a footprint you can tuck against a fence without stealing garden bed space.
The flat back is the feature that quietly matters most in daily use. Round barrels roll slightly when you drag them across soil, and a round back leaves an air gap where mosquitoes and debris settle. This one sits flush.
The overflow valve is built into the moulding rather than added as an accessory, and the barrel links to a second unit through the same port. That combination is why it works in a real system: you can run two in series and still have a defined path for surplus water.
How it holds up once it is full
Water weighs about 8.34 pounds per gallon, so a full 50 gallon barrel is roughly 415 pounds plus the container. On level compacted ground or a paver base we saw no movement at all. On loose fill soil it walked a few inches during a downpour, which is a soil preparation problem rather than a barrel defect.
The consistent complaint owners report is the flat back bowing outward, in some cases by a couple of inches, once the barrel has carried a full load for a season. It does not leak, but it does mean this is not the barrel to wedge tightly between a wall and a fence with no air gap behind it.
Where it will disappoint you
The plastic spigot is the weak point. Owners report the gasket dislodging and the tap weeping after a season or two of use, and the most common fix in forum threads is a straight swap to a brass spigot. Budget five minutes and a wrench for that before the first hot week of summer.
The front overflow is an open hole with no screen, which makes it the one opening mosquitoes reliably find. Add mosquito netting over it or a BTI dunk in the barrel once the fill season starts.
2. FCMP Outdoor Raincatcher 50 Gallon: Premium Pick Kit
FCMP Outdoor Rain Barrel, Flat-Back Rainwater Catcher with Spigots, 50 Gallon, Black – Portable Water Storage Container Tank for Home, Garden, and Backyard
50 gallons
25 pounds empty
24 x 24 x 32 inch
Aluminum mesh debris screen
Pros
- Complete kit with screen hose clips overflow hose and link kit
- Large top opening simplifies downspout fitting
- Aluminum mesh rather than fine plastic mesh
- Side spigots allow series linking
- Highest review volume in the range
Cons
- Costs more than a bare 50 gallon barrel
- Round profile takes more footprint than a flat-back model
The Raincatcher is the barrel to buy if you want the whole system in one box. The package includes the debris screen, a garden hose, a shut-off thumb valve, hanging hose clips, an overflow hose and a multi-barrel linking kit, which is everything you would otherwise spend an afternoon plumbing together.
It carries a 4.5 star average across more than 3,100 reviews, the highest rating in this group among barrels with a large feedback base. The wide top opening is the detail that makes installation forgiving, because you can feed a flexible downspout into it without fighting a narrow collar.
Why the kit contents matter more than the barrel
The two accessories that quietly determine whether a setup works are the screen and the overflow hose. The screen here is aluminum mesh, which is the material owners on forums specifically ask for, because fine plastic mesh traps debris, slows the flow and turns into an algae nursery within weeks.
The included overflow hose is a real hose rather than a stub port, so you can run it out along a wall or into a swale without buying fittings. Pair it with a second barrel and the side spigots let you link them in series without cutting anything.
Where it will disappoint you
This is not a budget barrel and the reviews reflect that. Compared with a bare 50 gallon container it costs noticeably more, and if you already own a spigot, screen and overflow line you are paying twice for hardware you do not need.
It is also round at 24 by 24 inches, so the footprint is a full square foot of standing space. In a narrow side yard the slim profile model is a better physical fit.
3. RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Walnut with Brass Spigot: Best for Curb Appeal
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel with Brass Spigot, Flat Back Rain Water Collection Barrel, Walnut Color
50 gallons
18 pounds empty
21 x 19 x 34 inch
Brass spigot
Pros
- Brass spigot resists the cracking and sticking common with plastic
- Faux-wood walnut finish looks deliberate in a front yard
- Assembles in minutes
- Top screen included
- Over 2000 reviews
Cons
- Back bows out when full so do not wedge it against a wall
- Spigot threads strip if cross-threaded
- Top screen can sit unevenly on some units
This is the pick when the barrel will be visible from the street. The moulded walnut texture reads as a piece of garden furniture rather than a utility container, and the brass spigot is the hardware upgrade that separates it from the black utilitarian models.
Brass does not strip its threads the way plastic can, it does not seize after a winter, and it will outlast the barrel. If you have ever cranked a plastic tap that froze shut and cracked, this is the part that stops that from happening again.
What the walnut finish is actually made of
It is not wood, it is UV-resistant polyethylene with a textured surface, so there is nothing to rot, peel or harbour insects. That means it can sit in full sun for years without the grey cracking pattern that shows up on cheaper moulded barrels after two or three seasons.
Dimensions are 21 by 19 by 34 inches, which is narrower than the round models, and the weight is the same 18 pounds empty as the black ECO barrel. A standard garden hose threads straight onto the spigot without an adapter.
Where it will disappoint you
The flat back bows outward under a full load, so give it a few inches of clearance rather than pushing it hard against siding. Owners who wedged it tight report a visible gap of a couple of inches after a season of full loads.
Because the tap is brass and threaded, installation wants a pipe wrench and a straight hand. Cross-thread it and you will strip the threads, which is the single most common complaint on this listing.
4. FCMP Outdoor Slim Line 45 Gallon: Best for Tight Spaces
FCMP Outdoor Slim Line Design Rain Barrel, 45 Gallon, Brown
45 gallons
20 pounds empty
22 x 16 x 32 inch
16 inch depth
Pros
- Only 16 inches deep so it fits shallow side yards
- Flat back sits flush against the house
- Full accessory kit in the box
- Wood grain finish
- UV-inhibited BPA-free polyethylene
Cons
- 45 gallons is less storage than the 50 gallon models
- Plastic debris screen rather than aluminum
This barrel exists for one problem, and it solves it better than anything else on the list: fitting a rain barrel into a side yard that is 16 inches wide. Most 50 gallon barrels are round and need 22 to 24 inches across. This one is a rectangular profile measuring 22 by 16 by 32 inches.
It also comes with the same accessory bundle as the round FCMP model, including the debris screen, garden hose, thumb valve, hanging clip, overflow hose and linking kit. You are not paying extra to get the slim shell.
Where the narrow profile pays off
Between a house and a fence, 16 inches is often the difference between a working system and no system at all. Because the body is rectangular and the back is flat, you can also butt it directly against the wall, which a round barrel cannot do without leaving a crescent gap that collects debris and mosquitoes.
The side spigots support series linking, so a narrow yard can still run two barrels if you have the downspout run to do it.
Where it will disappoint you
You give up five gallons of storage for the footprint, and on a large roof that difference shows up in how long the barrel stays full between uses. If space is not your constraint, the 50 gallon options give you more buffer.
The debris screen is plastic rather than aluminum, and the material is UV-inhibited BPA-free polyethylene, which holds up well but is the piece owners most often replace in year two.
5. FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45 Gallon: Best Rated Finish
FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45 Gallon Rain Barrel, Light Granite
45 gallons
25 pounds empty
22.5 x 20.5 x 29.75 inch
Recycled BPA-free polyethylene
Pros
- Highest star average in this group
- Safety-focused small fill opening
- Light granite finish suits a front entry
- Garden hose and shut-off valve included
Cons
- Fixed lid limits access for cleaning
- 45 gallons is less than the 50 gallon options
The Catalina carries a 4.6 star average, the highest rating in this group, and the finish explains why. Light granite reads as a designed object in a front bed rather than a black industrial cylinder, and at 29.75 inches tall it sits lower than most of the taller rectangular models.
Its safety design is the more interesting part. The top opening is deliberately small rather than wide, which blocks children and pets while still accepting a standard downspout elbow, and the lid is fixed to stop anyone lifting it.
Small opening versus easy cleaning
This is a genuine trade-off and buyers split on it. A wide opening lets you drop a bucket in, sweep debris out with a gloved hand and inspect the interior. A narrow opening with a fixed lid does not, so if you expect to clean the barrel yourself, this is the wrong barrel.
What you gain is containment. Nothing is lifted off the top by wind or curiosity, and the small aperture is a real barrier against mosquitoes and debris entry in the first place.
Where it will disappoint you
At 45 gallons it holds 45 pounds less water than the 50 gallon models, which on a big roof means faster cycling and more overflow events per storm.
Because the lid is fixed, sediment and biofilm accumulate where you cannot easily reach them. Owners planning to use this for anything other than garden irrigation should look at a removable-lid design instead.
6. Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket 50 Gallon: Best With a Planter Top
Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket Rain Water Collection Barrel, 50 Gallon
50 gallons
23.25 inch round footprint
Two metal spigots
Routed overflow channel
Pros
- Four inch planter top for herbs and flowers
- Routed overflow channel sends water to the front away from the foundation
- Two metal spigots give flexible hookup options
- Mesh debris screen
Cons
- Costs more than a basic 50 gallon barrel
- Planter top is shallow
The Nantucket is the pick if you want the barrel to do double duty as a plant stand. The four inch planter well across the top takes herbs, flowers or shallow-rooted vegetables and turns a water container into a piece of garden furniture.
Its real engineering advantage is the routed overflow channel. Rather than letting surplus water fall where it lands, the channel carries it around to the front of the barrel and drops it well away from the foundation, which is the single most common complaint we heard about barrels in forum threads.
Two spigots and what they are for
There is a metal spigot on the front for a standard garden hose and a second on the side. That second outlet is the one people use for filling tall buckets, for a second overflow control in a linked setup, or for running a short hose to a soaker bed further along the wall.
Both are metal, which is the same durability advantage as the brass tap on pick three. Metal spigots are the part of a rain barrel that rarely needs replacing.
Where it will disappoint you
The planter well is four inches, so it holds a modest amount of soil and dries faster than you expect in July. Owners report either wilting herbs or, in heavy rain, the planting washing out entirely.
The barrel also costs meaningfully more than a plain 50 gallon container, and you are paying for the planter and the routed channel. If you already have raised beds, that spend does not earn its place.
7. Good Ideas Rain Wizard Urn 50 Gallon: Best Decorative
Good Ideas Rain Wizard Urn Shaped Water Collection Barrel, 50 Gallon
50 gallons
17 pounds empty
22 x 23 x 30 inch
Polyethylene resin
Pros
- Urn profile looks classy at a front entry
- Thick resin body that fills and drains easily
- Spigots operate smoothly
- Flat back allows close placement
- Owners report repeat purchases after years
Cons
- Planter top washes out plants in heavy rain
- Lighter colours streak where rain drips
- Spigot fitting is awkward for beginners
Of everything we tested, the Rain Wizard Urn is the one that stops looking like equipment. The urn silhouette and light granite finish were designed to sit either side of a front door, and at 17 pounds it is the lightest barrel here, which matters if you ever need to move it.
It is also the oldest design still earning strong reviews, with owners describing several seasons of reliable use and buying again. Long-term owner reports matter more than launch-week ratings when a container sits in sun and weather year round.
Overflow routing on an urn shape
An integrated channel diverts overflow away from the house, so the surplus leaves from the front rather than pooling against the wall where the barrel sits. That detail is what keeps a decorative barrel from becoming a foundation problem.
Dimensions are 22 by 23 by 30 inches, so it is shorter than the rectangular models and reads as a planter rather than a tank. The flat back keeps it close to the wall.
Where it will disappoint you
The planter top is the weak point. It is very shallow, so it either dries out between storms or, in heavy rain, spills into the well and drowns what you planted. Treat it as decorative and keep the planting to something shallow and tough.
Light colours also streak, because dark runoff from the roof drips down the exterior and dries in visible lines. The dark brown finish avoids this entirely.
8. Laspeiraux Collapsible 53 Gallon: Best Collapsible
Collapsible Rain Barrel Water Storage Containers 53 Gallon
53 gallons
2.66 kg empty
23.62 x 23.62 x 27.56 inch
Three-layer PVC
Pros
- Folds flat for off-season storage
- Can be repositioned between garden beds
- Mesh filter and overflow kit included
- Lightweight when empty
- Zipper top for reaching the water
Cons
- Plastic spigots can bend out of perpendicular
- Bottom spout can weep at the seam
- Feet may be light for the full load
Every rigid barrel on this list is nailed to a downspout. This one is not, and that is the entire pitch. At 53 gallons it holds more than most of the rigid options, and when the season ends it folds down to the size of a folded garden chair and goes in a garage corner.
Owners also use it as a movable reservoir, filling it at one downspout and carrying it to whichever bed is thirsty. Rigid barrels simply cannot do that, because at 400 pounds they are not going anywhere.
Three-layer PVC and circular footpads
The body is three-layer PVC with circular footpads moulded underneath. The footpads spread the load across a wider footprint than bare feet would, which is the design’s answer to the tipping problem that shows up on lighter plastic barrels.
The integrated screw-in faucet is intended to seal against the PVC wall rather than being a threaded insert cut into it, and a mesh filter sits at the top to catch leaves before they reach the water.
Where it will disappoint you
The spigots are plastic and owners report they have no internal backing plate, so repeated operation can bend them out of square. The bottom spout is also reported to weep at the seam even when fully closed, which is a drip under the barrel rather than a failure.
At full capacity the load is around 442 pounds, and several owners recommend setting it on pavers for that reason. The zipper opening is also unscreened, so most people add their own fine mosquito mesh over the top.
9. Step2 Lakewood 60 Gallon with Stand: Best for High Capacity
Step2 Lakewood Rain Barrel with Stand, Outdoor Water Conservation Container, Holds 60 Gallons, Brown
60 gallons
34 pounds empty
46 x 24 x 20 inch assembled
Double-walled plastic
Pros
- Largest capacity on this list
- Integrated stand raises spigot for watering can fill height
- Stainless steel mesh filter
- Three-quarter inch brass spigot
- Linkable for multi-barrel systems
Cons
- Tallest and heaviest unit so it is hard to reposition
- Smallest review base here so long-term data is limited
At 60 gallons this is the largest barrel we tested, and the integrated stand is the reason it is worth considering at all. Raising the spigot off the ground is what makes gravity flow usable, because a tap sitting six inches above grade gives you a trickle while a tap at two feet gives you a hose that actually fills a watering can.
The hardware is also the most upgraded on the list: a stainless steel mesh filter and a three-quarter inch brass spigot, both of which outlast the plastic fittings most barrels ship with.
What 60 gallons actually buys you
Extra capacity does not reduce overflow, it delays it. In a moderate shower the added 10 to 15 gallons means the barrel fills more slowly and stays useful longer between uses, but a heavy storm still puts far more water through a downspout than any single container can hold.
Double-walled plastic resists chipping and fading, and the whole unit needs minimal assembly before a wipe-down clean.
Where it will disappoint you
At 46 inches tall and 34 pounds empty, this is the largest object in the group. You need real vertical clearance under the downspout, and if it ever needs to move, you will want two people.
The review base here is small at 139, and the rating spread is wider than the established models, which tells you there is less long-term data behind it. Reviews also report a higher share of two and three star experiences with Step2 moulded plastic than with the RTS and FCMP barrels.
10. RTS Home Accents Newport 50 Gallon with Stand: Best for Easy Cleaning
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Newport Rain Barrel with Stand and Removable Lid, Slate Color
50 gallons
20 pounds empty
22.7 x 21.7 x 44.5 inch
Removable lid with stand
Pros
- Removable lid makes interior cleaning possible
- Bundled stand raises the brass spigot
- Overflow nozzle mounts on either side
- Brass spigot and screen kit included
- Link kit compatible
Cons
- Tallest profile here because of the integrated stand
- Costs more than a bare RTS barrel
- Smallest review base of the RTS models
The Newport solves the problem that fixed-lid barrels create. Because the lid lifts off completely, you can scrub the interior, rinse out accumulated silt and biofilm, and refill from a hose or from buckets rather than only from a downspout.
Everything else is bundled. The stand, the brass spigot, the top screen kit and an overflow nozzle that installs on either side are all in the box, so there is no second shopping trip after delivery.
Two-side overflow and spigot height
The overflow nozzle mounting on either side is more useful than it sounds. Placement next to a house is rarely symmetric, and being able to choose the side determines whether surplus water exits toward a lawn or straight at a wall.
The stand raises the brass spigot to a comfortable height for filling watering cans and for attaching a soaker hose, which is the same advantage the Step2 gets from its own integrated stand.
Where it will disappoint you
Assembled height is 44.5 inches, the tallest profile here, so you need clearance under the downspout elbow. If your downspout discharges low or you have an overhang, measure before ordering.
With 208 reviews the long-term record is shorter than the established RTS models, so you are buying a newer design with less history. It also costs more than the equivalent bare barrel, which is simply the price of the bundled stand and lid.
Overflow: the Problem That Breaks Most Rain Barrel Setups
A single inch of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof delivers about 623 gallons. A 50 gallon barrel is full after roughly 0.08 inches. Homeowners running barrels on 1,100 sq ft roofs report filling in under ten minutes in real rain, which is why overflow, not capacity, is the limiting factor in almost every system.
Three things cause an overflow to fail, and all three show up repeatedly in homeowner discussions. The outlet is too small for the flow rate, the screen is blocked with leaf litter so the barrel fills slower than the downspout delivers, or the overflow hose simply discharges next to the foundation and puts you back where you started.
There are three fixes worth knowing. Route the overflow through a solid hose to a splash block or a gravel swale at least 10 feet from the foundation. Link a second barrel in series so the first overflows into the second rather than onto the ground. Or accept the discharge and put a rain garden or a shallow infiltration basin under it, which turns a problem into the point of the system.
Before you install anything, check that your route is legal. Placement near a foundation is restricted in some jurisdictions, and if you are also looking at drinking water, our guide to RV water filters covers the treatment side that a barrel cannot handle on its own.
How to Connect a Rain Barrel to a Downspout in 5 Steps
Yes, a rain barrel does need to sit under a downspout or a gutter outlet, because gravity is the only thing moving the water. Every installation below is the same whether you bought a rigid barrel or a collapsible one.
Choose the position. Set the barrel on level compacted ground or on pavers, close enough to reach the downspout but far enough from the foundation that overflow discharge is not a problem.
Cut or adapt the downspout. Most kits include a flexible downspout section that lets you angle water into the barrel inlet. Cut the rigid downspout high enough that the barrel lid clears it.
Seat the inlet. Feed the flexible section into the barrel opening and fit the debris screen so it sits above the water line, where it can be lifted out and cleaned.
Attach the overflow. Run the overflow hose to your chosen discharge point. Test it with a hose before the first storm, because an untested overflow is the one that fails when it matters.
Add a barrier at the spigot. Thread the garden hose onto the tap, run it to the highest point you need to reach and leave it there. Gravity flow depends on the outlet being higher than the hose end.
If you are adding a second barrel, most of these models have side spigots or a linking port for exactly this. Buy the linking kit that matches the barrel and the job takes an afternoon.
How to Size a Rain Barrel and What Actually Matters
Capacity first, because it is the number everyone starts with. Multiply your roof catchment area in square feet by the rainfall in inches, then multiply by 0.623 to get gallons. A 1,000 sq ft roof in a one inch storm yields about 623 gallons, which is more than twelve full 50 gallon barrels. Sizing to a storm is impossible, so size to your use instead: a vegetable bed drinks roughly 5 to 10 gallons a day, which is one 50 gallon barrel refilled every week or so.
Weight when full is the safety number nobody reads. Water is 8.34 pounds per gallon, so a 50 gallon barrel is about 415 pounds and a 60 gallon barrel is about 500. That is enough to tip a child, crush a foot or bow a flat back permanently, so set the barrel on level ground and on pavers if the soil is soft.
Spigot height decides whether gravity works for you. A short spigot means your hose end sits below the water line and flow nearly stops. Anything on a stand, or with a raised outlet, gives you a usable pressure head for filling cans and running soaker hoses.
Material matters most for lifespan. UV-resistant polyethylene is the standard across this category, and the recycled versions perform the same as virgin resin. What actually kills barrels is not the plastic, it is the sun on a black surface combined with a frozen block, so drain before winter rather than replacing the barrel.
Screening has two separate jobs and people confuse them constantly. Debris control is a mesh screen at the inlet, and aluminum mesh is preferred over the fine plastic mesh that ships with many barrels because it does not clog and does not grow algae. Mosquito control is a different problem entirely, solved with a tight screen over every opening, a BTI dunk in the water, or an oil film on the surface.
If the water reaching your barrel is hard enough to spot on fixtures and glass, treatment is a separate purchase decision. Our guide to water softeners for hard water covers the whole-home side, and it is worth a look before you plumb anything that will be used for washing.
The downsides are worth stating plainly. A barrel does not reduce your water bill unless you actually use the water, and most households use far less than they collect. Collected roof water is not safe to drink, because runoff carries shingle grit, tar and bird droppings, so treat it as non-potable and never use it on edible crops you intend to eat raw. And in a genuinely dry climate the yield is small, which is why most people pair a barrel with greywater or a pump system rather than relying on rain alone.
On the legal side, check your municipality before you dig. Rain barrels are broadly permitted, but placement near a foundation, connection to a potable line, and some HOA rules vary, and many water districts offer stormwater rebates or credits for a properly installed system. A short call to your city stormwater office is the fastest way to avoid an expensive mistake.
If your goal is drinking-quality water rather than garden irrigation, a storage barrel is the wrong stage of the system. You would need a first-flush diverter on the downspout, a multi-stage filter and regular disinfection, which is a different category of equipment.
Maintenance, Mosquito Control and Winterizing
Keep mosquitoes out with four steps, in order of effort. Fit a tight fine mesh screen over every opening, including the overflow bung, which is the entry point owners most often miss. Add BTI dunks at the labelled rate, one per barrel, and replace them on the schedule on the label. Maintain a thin oil film on the surface, which suffocates larvae. And keep the lid shut, because most barrels here have a closed top for a reason.
For maintenance, pull the inlet screen and rinse it every few weeks during leaf season, and flush the spigot if flow drops. On fixed-lid barrels you cannot reach the interior, which is the argument for a removable lid if you plan to use the water long term. In a freeze climate, drain the barrel completely, disconnect the spigot and store it indoors rather than trying to heat a container that is full of water.
Rotate stored water if you are keeping any for emergency use. A closed barrel keeps water usable for weeks, but it should not sit for seasons without being moved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of rain barrel for gathering rainwater?
A closed-top, flat-back polyethylene barrel between 45 and 55 gallons, with a brass spigot, a screened inlet and a threaded overflow port you can route away from your foundation, is the best all-round type. Capacity matters far less than overflow design, because a typical storm delivers far more water than one barrel can hold.
How do I deal with rain barrel overflow?
Route the overflow through a solid hose to a splash block or gravel swale at least 10 feet from the foundation, or link a second barrel in series so the first overflows into the second. Test the route with a garden hose before the first storm, and keep the inlet screen clear so the barrel does not fill slower than the downspout delivers.
How do I keep mosquitoes out of a rain barrel?
Use four layers: a tight fine mesh screen over every opening including the overflow bung, BTI dunks at the labelled rate with one dunk per barrel, a thin oil film on the water surface, and a closed lid. The overflow bung is the entry point owners most often miss.
How long can rainwater sit in a barrel?
In a closed barrel with a screen, collected water stays usable for garden irrigation for roughly a week before it needs moving, and up to a few weeks in cool weather. It should not sit for seasons without rotation, and roof runoff should never be treated as potable.
Does a rain barrel need to be under a gutter?
Yes, a rain barrel needs to sit beneath a downspout or gutter outlet, because gravity is the only thing moving the water. Most kits include a flexible downspout section that lets you angle flow into the barrel inlet, and the barrel should be within hose reach of wherever you plan to use the water.
What are the downsides of rain barrels?
A barrel only reduces your bill if you actually use the water, and most households use far less than they collect. Roof runoff carries shingle grit, tar and bird droppings, so it is not safe to drink and is best kept off edible crops. Overflow routing is the most common failure, and in a dry climate the yield is small.
Final Verdict: Which Water Barrel Should You Buy?
For most households, the RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO is the barrel to buy. It has the deepest owner feedback base in the category, a built-in overflow valve that links, and a flat back that fits where barrels usually do not. Replace the plastic spigot with a brass one in your first week and it will outlast your enthusiasm for the project.
Buy the FCMP Raincatcher instead if you want every fitting in the box and would rather not make a hardware run. Buy the walnut RTS barrel if the barrel is visible from the street, the FCMP slim line if your side yard is 16 inches wide, and the Newport if you plan to clean the interior every season.
Whichever you choose, engineer the overflow first. It is the part that decides whether your rainwater system is a working part of the yard or a standing problem next to the foundation, and it costs nothing more than a length of hose and an afternoon.