The Best Soaker Hoses of 2024, Tested
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Conserve water and reduce evaporation using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler. We tested the top soaker hoses on the market to see which ones were the best—find out the pros and cons of the most popular models.
Editor’s Note: Testing for this article took place in late 2023 and these products remain our current top recommendations for 2024 until we revisit this category. Stay tuned for our 2024 updates.
When it comes to plants, two things are essential: sunlight and water. Whether you have a raised vegetable garden or a mixed border of trees, shrubs, and perennials, everything benefits from a regular drink of water during the hot, dry months. Once the July heat rolls in, weekly rainfall is about as likely as a snowstorm in the middle of August. That’s when a soaker hose can make a big difference. A soaker hose can reduce the pressure of keeping the garden alive and well by giving users the option to water their plants via a “set it and forget it” watering system.
That said, not all garden soaker hoses are equal when it comes to watering gardens and landscape beds. Some emit irregular rivulets of water, while others cannot withstand intense water pressure and end up bursting. We noticed manufacturers of dozens of soaker hoses—both expensive and budget-friendly—were making claims that their hoses were the best options around, so we decided to put them to the test. Our overall winner was the soaker garden hose from Water Right, boasting a flexible construction and high-quality fittings.
We hooked up the soaker hoses to an outdoor water spigot and observed how evenly they distributed water. We stretched them out, wound them around trees and plants, and carefully inspected each hose’s materials and fittings. The following soaker hoses all passed our stringent tests, and we’re confident they can provide gardeners with eco-friendly watering solutions. Ahead, learn how to tell the best soaker hose from a second-rate facsimile, and discover the pros and cons of each model we tested.
Spoiler: Not all the hoses we tested made this lineup.
- BEST OVERALL: Water Right Soaker Garden Hose
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Gilmour 50-Foot Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
- UPGRADE PICK: Taisia 1/2-Inch Soaker Hose
- MOST DURABLE: H2O Works Heavy-Duty Garden Flat Soaker Hose
- MOST VERSATILE: Buyookay 50-Foot Soaker Hose with 1/2″ Diameter
- BEST CUSTOM WATERING: Miracle-Gro Soaker System
- BEST FOR MULCHING: Flexon 20-Piece Soaker Hose Kit
How We Tested the Best Soaker Hoses
While soaker hoses are straightforward garden products, they tend to receive mixed reviews, often because they won’t stand up to the high water pressure standard hoses will. Having used soaker hoses in the past, we understood that the perforations in soaker hoses create weak spots in the hose that can rupture under too much pressure. So, we started testing each soaker hose at just 20 psi of water pressure. We used a pressure tester to ensure accuracy. If the hose performed well at that pressure, we turned it up a notch to 40 psi. A standard outdoor spigot typically has between 35 and 55 psi.
We looked for leaks in both the hoses and their connections, and we awarded points based on how evenly the hose distributed water from all parts of the hose. We used a rubric to record the scores, and at the end of the testing, we tallied the points and used them to determine the awards in this lineup.
Some of the hoses came with the ability to create custom watering configurations, and others were of just one length. We selected hoses initially based on things like manufacturer reputation—such as the Soaker System by Miracle-Gro—because we’re aware of the high quality of Miracle-Gro products. However, we didn’t automatically eliminate hoses from newer, smaller, or niche manufacturers as long as they were made from quality materials and performed well.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Time spent testing | 1 hour each |
| Tests performed | 6 |
| Price range | $25 to $90 |
Our Top Picks
Quality and uniform water dispersion are critical factors in a soaker hose. A quality soaker hose will last all season—or multiple seasons—while a poor one will be lucky to survive a single summer. We observed how well each hose distributed water and how easy it was to wind around plants, how much water pressure it would withstand, and the quality of its fittings. The following soaker hoses for garden use or cleaning are suitable for a range of needs, but each fits the bill of being among the best soaker hoses we tested.
Best Overall
Water Right Soaker Garden Hose
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Material: Polyurethane, chrome-plated, lead-free brass fittings
- Coverage (side to side): About 6 inches on each side after 30 minutes of watering
- Dimensions: ½ inch by 25 feet
Pros
- Very flexible construction is easy to use, roll, and unroll; suitable for use as a watering hose for plants
- Drinking-water safe design is suitable for homes with children and pets
- High-quality fittings that don’t leak or break with heavy-duty use
- Uniform water distribution system integrated
Cons
- Some spraying under high water pressure may occur
Unlike other soaker hoses that contain chemicals, the Water Right Soaker Garden Hose is made of FDA-grade polyurethane, and the brass fittings are lead-free. When we first checked out this hose, our first thought was, Wow, how soft! The surface of the Water Right hose feels more like suede than polyurethane. On close examination, we could see the soaker holes were evenly spaced, about ¼ inch apart.
Its smooth, flexible design allowed us to wind it around the bases of shrubs without kinking. We were testing when daytime temperatures were in the 40s, so we expected some brittleness due to cool temperatures, but the Water Right was flexible throughout.
When we turned the water on, the hose oozed droplets evenly. We checked the entire hose to see if any holes were plugged or gushing water. Nope. Along the entire length of the hose, the water seeped out uniformly. We stretched the Water Right hose out for our coverage test, and after 30 minutes, the moisture from the hose saturated the soil about 6 inches on either side. That was with 20 psi of water pressure—we used a pressure tester. When we turned the pressure higher—to 40 psi, we saw some spraying out of the holes. For gardeners who want a bit of misting along with drip-watering, this could be advantageous, but for our purposes, 20 psi was all that was necessary.
The true intent behind this type of hose (chemical-free) is to supply the cleanest water possible for growing fruits and vegetables. While standard garden hoses do not pose a known risk of contamination, organic gardeners who want to grow the most natural produce possible may find the drinking-water quality of the Water Right hose assuring.
Get the Water Right Soaker Hose at Amazon or Gardeners.com.
Best Bang for the Buck
Gilmour 50-Foot Flat Weeper Soaker Hose
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Material: Vinyl interior hose, exterior fabric cover, molded plastic fittings
- Coverage (side to side): About 8 inches on both sides after 30 minutes of watering
- Dimensions: ⅝ inch by 50 feet
Pros
- Lightweight and flexible design can be rolled or compressed into a storage bag
- Durable fittings last for a long time and connect to standard hose outlets
- Water can be easily drained from hose after use to prevent mold and moisture
Cons
- Best suited for lower water pressure (about 20 psi)
- No storage bag included with purchase
The Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose arrived in a small package that weighed less than 1.5 pounds, and we had our doubts that it would be worthwhile for watering. We were wrong. The Gilmour hose features a thin, flexible vinyl hose encased in a tightly woven fabric sleeve that keeps the interior vinyl from expanding too much, making it the perfect soaker hose for lawn watering.
We stretched the Gilmour hose out to its maximum length—50 feet—and connected it to the outdoor spigot. We turned on the water pressure to 20 psi and observed the watering pattern. The hose became round under pressure, and water came out in a mostly uniform fashion, although some hose areas seemed to emit slightly more water than others. We then wound the hose around the bases of trees and shrubs and turned the water on for 30 minutes.
After our test watering was complete, we inspected the ground’s dampness around this Gilmour soaker hose. The water had saturated a swath about 8 inches wide on both sides of the hose. We then drained the water from the hose, and we were able to roll it around an old cardboard paper towel core, reducing its size to less than a foot in diameter.
The Gilmour hose is budget-friendly and well suited to directing water to the bases of plants, but we felt it was slightly on the delicate side. It worked well with low water pressure, but we would not recommend using it with higher water pressure (over 25 psi).
Get the Gilmour Weeping soaker hose at Amazon, Ace Hardware (25 feet) or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Taisia 1/2-Inch Soaker Hose
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Setup 5/5; Maneuverability 3.5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Material: Recycled rubber, polyethylene, plastic fittings
- Coverage (side to side): about 8 inches after 30 minutes of watering
- Dimensions: ½ inch by 100 feet
Pros
- Uniform water distribution system for ease of use
- Withstood up to 40 psi for heavy-duty use; suitable for watering and washing vehicles
- Customizable (with included fittings) to suit a given user’s preference
Cons
- Slightly stiff at cool temps; may be best to use this model in warm climates
- Tendency to kink at cool temps; should be stored in winter
In our tests, we found that the Taisia 1/2-Inch Soaker Hose maintained equal pressure from end to end—a sometimes-challenging accomplishment for longer-length soaker hoses. We started testing the Taisia hose at 20 psi and found that it was sufficient for even water distribution. Then, we turned up the pressure to 40 psi—and noted that the droplets came out faster, but we didn’t observe any spraying or leaks. The distribution was still even and uniform.
The hose was relatively easy to wind around the bases of trees and shrubs, but it was slightly stiff to begin with—keep in mind that the outdoor temperature was in the 40s when we tested this hose, which kept it from being as flexible as it would be on an 85-degree summer day. As the sun shone on the hose, it warmed up slightly and was more flexible.
The hose did develop a couple of kinks we had to work out. This, too, would likely be less of an issue in warmer weather when the hose was more flexible. An added feature of the Taisia hose is the ability to adapt it to a custom watering configuration. This is possible via a set of plastic soaker hose connectors, T-fittings, and end caps (all included) that allowed us to cut sections of the hose and fit them together to form watering “branches.” We didn’t have any problem with leaking fittings, which was a big plus.
Get the Taisia 1/2-Inch soaker hose at Amazon.
Most Durable
H2O Works Heavy-Duty Garden Flat Soaker Hose
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Setup 4/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Material: High-tensile PVC, brass fittings
- Coverage (side to side): About 8 inches after 30 minutes of watering
- Dimensions: ½ inch by 50 feet
Pros
- High-quality, flexible PVC construction is durable enough for long-term use
- No-leak brass fittings for user-friendliness
- Uniform water distribution system integrated for a variety of tasks
- Will withstand higher water pressure situations if necessary
Cons
- Blue color stands out unless covered with mulch
Two things stood out immediately upon unboxing the H2O Works Soaker Hose—its bright blue color and the fact that although this is a flat hose, it’s made from flexible, high-tensile PVC rather than thin vinyl covered with fabric. When we turned on the water pressure, the H2O Works became a round soaker hose with weep holes on all sides, and it was a simple process to wind it around bushes and plants without the hose kinking.
The H2O hose distributed water evenly along its 50-foot length with just 20 psi of water pressure. Since it’s made to withstand higher pressure, we turned the spigot all the way up—to about 55 psi. Water output increased, and we noted a bit of spraying, but the hose held firm other than that. When it was time to store the hose, it flattened once again for easy rolling, and we were able to wind it up around our hose reel without kinking.
The H2O comes infused with UV protectors to resist damage from harsh sun rays, and it features durable brass end couplings that showed no signs of leaking—even under high pressure. The blue color is eye-catching, but we found it to be a little too colorful for our tastes—it definitely shows up wherever it is, so unless gardeners want a bright blue stripe in their landscaping, it will have to be covered with mulch.
Get the H2O Works soaker hose at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Most Versatile
Buyookay 50-Foot Soaker Hose with ½-Inch Diameter
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Setup 4/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Material: Rubber, molded plastic fittings
- Coverage (side to side): About 6 inches after 30 minutes of watering
- Dimensions: ½ inch by 50 feet
Pros
- Flexible even in cool weather; suitable for use in winter months
- Didn’t kink when used for multiple tasks
- Wing-nut adapters offer leak-free connections for user-friendliness
Cons
- Additional connections not included with purchase
The Buyookay Soaker Hose features a flexible rubber material designed to wind easily around the bases of bushes or trees without kinking, and even in 40-degree temps, we found it lived up to its reputation. We twisted it, straightened it, and pulled it from one end, and it didn’t kink. Its suppleness seemed about the same even after the sun shone on it and warmed it up a bit. It was simple to lay out either way.
The hose is made from all-new rubber and features a reinforced core for added durability. We first tested it at about 20 psi and found the water distribution uniform at both ends of the hose. While it’s not billed as a high-pressure soaker hose, we turned the water pressure up to 40 psi to push it a bit more. The water output increased, but the hose held firm—even at the fittings.
For those wanting to install a custom drip-irrigation system, the Buyookay hose can be cut and connected via standard ½-inch hose adapters and clamps (not included), making it possible to create complex watering configurations. While many adaptable-configuration soaker hoses feature only push-connect fittings, the Buyookay hose comes with yellow, wing-nut adapters that make it easy to tighten the connections by hand. We detached and reattached the adapters—it was a quick process, and they fit snugly and didn’t leak.
Get the Buyookay soaker hose at Amazon.
Best Custom Watering
Miracle-Gro Soaker System
Photo: amazon.com