Best Soaker Hose Reviews

If you don’t live in a flat, chances are that tending your garden is part of your weekly chores. However, plants do not grow by themselves and they need a lot of water to ensure they are healthy and reach their best aesthetic look. The best soaker hose is one of the easiest tools to use and it combines the features of sprinklers and hoses in a more cost-effective method.

Unfortunately, not every soaker hose is designed to be equal. They vary from one another depending on the features, price, water flow and various special requirements. The following article delves deeper into soaker hoses to find out what makes it special. Additionally, we also look at some of the top products, helping to narrow down your choices.

The 7 Best Soaker Hose On The Market Today

Before we reveal some of our research and which features we used to rate the products, many of you might already be eager to see the top soaker hoses. We have identified the 7 best products currently on the market today. You can choose any of the following products to make sure healthy growth for your garden plants.

Teknor Apex Soaker Hose

The first option on the list is the Teknor Apex Soaker Hose. It is available in numerous different sizes, with the 100 feet option being the most popular for a standard soaker garden. ABS plastic is used for the bulk of the material. It features brass couplings that will hold all the connections in place. However, it will lay flat to make it easier to hide.

Once the soaker hoses are connected, it can save you up to 30% more water when compared to many of the competitors. The water-saving will be felt on your bills at the end of the month. Additionally, you can connect up to four of these hoses, which will give you up to 400-feet of connection for a larger garden or yard.

Since the hose features deep root penetration, it is specifically adept for people with smaller gardens. The affordable price tag will also make it more appealing to gardening beginners with a 7-year limited warranty to back it up. Aside from the hardened plastic, the vinyl adds a layer of protection, while also giving it flexibility.

Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose

If you don’t like the shape or the style of the standard soaker hose types, you might want to give the Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose a go. It has a flat design while being available in a multitude of different sizes that you can choose from. It is constructed from fabric for the outer base. However, the fabric is durable and clog-resistant.

The recycled vinyl is what makes the unit durable and flexible against the outer influences of nature. It is a functional unit with durable holes that does not become bigger over time. Due to the size of the holes in the soaker hose, you will save a lot of water. The complete construction of these soaker hoses is environmentally friendly and free from damaging materials.

Even if you choose the largest option, you will find that the hose is affordable and easy to set up. It can be connected from an extension of the range, but the sun might eventually bake through the cloth fabric. The Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose works well in all gardens, but for year-long soaking, we recommend using it under the cover of a shed.

Swan Miracle-GRO Soaker System Customizable Soaker Hose

The Swan Miracle-GRO Soaker System Customizable Soaker Hose is one of the normal soaker hose options on the market today. It looks almost the same as your standard garden soaker hoses with a singular exit point that automatically sprays up to 3.5-feet in total. It is constructed from durable rubber with the anti-twisting feature incorporated.

The unit features numerous stripes incorporated to indicate where the sprinkler should be attached to the hose. These stripes need to be attached to drip faucets to enable you to water your plants deep to the root. Once the unit is set up and the water is turned on, it will save some water. However, it does not indicate the exact percentage.

Since the unit is the same as your standard garden hose, it is not as expensive as some of the others. According to the manufacturer, the unit is UV resistant, which should help to ensure that the rubber does not harden. The downside is that the rubber will over time become brittle and harden, risking damage to your hose.

Melnor Flat Soaker Hose

The Melnor Flat Soaker Hose is also a flat unit with extending features that you can add. It has naturally created holes with a vinyl cover that will allow it to be flexible and durable. The cloth fabric is durable and does not twist. With this feature, one can lay down the soaker hose virtually anywhere they desire and have it water deep roots.

2 washer filters are part of the package. These can be hard to find for many people, but it makes the unit more durable to leaks that could cost you some water. Once you are done, the entire weeper hose will flatten, making it easier to store when you don’t need it. We don’t recommend using it during the winter months.

The connection features justify the extra price of the unit. It can connect to a system that supports multiple hoses. Once connected, you have a time-delay feature that can be used if you don’t want to continually water the garden. The Melnor Flat Soaker Hoses is the ideal option for those that need some versatility.

Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose

A consistent and durable soaker hose is something that we all could use. The Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose is up to 100 feet in total length and with the small holes, the unit will only allow a set amount of water to pass through. According to the manufacturer, it can conserve up to 70% of the total water you use.

It might be environmentally friendly for the most part, but the PVC is not the best option for the environment. However, it lends durability to the soaker hoses. The UV resistant coating is functional and it should allow the hose to work effectively against the elements. Multiple hoses can be connected if you need more length.

Unfortunately, the hose is slightly more expensive than many of the others. It looks stylish and it holds up against the elements. The limited lifetime warranty will give you great value for your money and ensure that you have peace of mind. We recommend it for the durability of the hose and all of the special connections.

Flexon Soaker Hose

By having one of the longer hoses, we often find that it does get entangled. However, the Flexon Soaker Hose is not singular. It features 2 hoses that can be connected. Each of these hoses is 50 feet, giving you a combined total of 100 feet. The hoses are constructed from recycled material, making it environmentally friendly.

The unit might look like a normal garden hose, but since it has smaller holes in the sides of the soaker hoses, it works as a soaking hose. The design keeps it from being entangled and it has a stylish design that will easily fold once you are done. The unit works with the standard male/female connection from many standard hose for sprinklers.

There are not many things wrong with this soaking hose. It is slightly more affordable than some of the other soak hoses. The unit does not come with a warranty that we could find, but you will have the option to add a base warranty. These soaker hoses are compatible with any part of your garden; it is easy to use and to connect.

Gardener’s Supply Company Snip-n-Drip Soaker Hose System

The last of all the soaker hoses is here, and we had the opportunity to look at the Gardener’s Supply Company Snip-n-Drip Soaker Hose System. It consists of 2 hoses that vary in length, but both of these hoses can be interconnected. In total, they will form a combined soaker hose length of 75-feet with a drip irrigation system.

It is constructed from recycled rubber, with a PVC overlay to add additional durability and protection. The rubber is soft, giving you a snake-like effect for your garden and keeping it in the right position. The soaker features multiple connections that are universal and should easily connect to your water systems, including an electronic watering module.

One of the common denominators is that these hoses are all affordable. With the Gardener’s Supply Company Snip-n-Drip Soaker Hose System nothing is different and it is easy to find and use. The unit is great for elevated garden beds. However, it is versatile and the only downside is a prevalence to leak at the connections.

Buyers Guide

Now that you have seen all of the important products and which of them are the best, we should also make a note of the important features. The following features will allow you to see how we went about selecting the products mentioned above. If none of these appeal to you, the buyer’s guide can help you find the best products.

What is a Soaker Hose?

Since most of us have gardens, the best soaker hoses are the most effective methods that you can use to ensure your garden stays wet. It is generally a normal hose, with small incisions made on the sides. These incisions allow water to drip out of the garden hose and it does not spray. Since they are about half an inch, you can find that they save a lot of water.

The garden soaker hose is directly aimed at the roots of your plants. These garden plants will absorb all the water into the roots. Additionally, the garden irrigation hoses are flexible enough to have a snake-like unit that twirls around the garden bed. It is commonly made from recycled materials, of which all of them are friendly to the environment.

Benefits Of The Best Soaker Hoses

• Slow and constant irrigation
• Less water waste
• Environmentally friendly for all areas
• Versatile and easy to move
• Inexpensive compared to an irrigation system

What to Consider When Buying a Soaker Hose?

The following features are all considered highly important when selecting your new garden soaking hose. We have found them to be a helpful template to eliminate some of the hoses that don’t make the cut. Keep the following features in mind when you are looking at alternative soaker hose reviews:

Length

It is hard to say exactly which length is the best for you to choose. Unfortunately, there are a variety of length options and most of these brands have an extension feature. The best thing you can do is to measure how many feet you need for your garden unless you have the time to continually move the unit around.

For most people a minimum of 50 feet is acceptable and once they feel they need a bit extra, you can add to the length to find the desired length you will use. Keep in mind that if the garden hose has too many connections, you might run into a few leak problems. The leaks generally occur around the connection ends and could hamper your reduction in water usage.

Materials and Durability

There is a wide variety of durability features that you need to consider. The materials will be the first of these considerations. Garden hoses are available in a variety of materials, including recycled rubber as a standard material for all hoses. The benefit of recycled rubber is flexibility, but you might find that it gets hard and brittle after a while.

Alternatively, you can consider cloth for most flat hoses. The reinforced polyester used for the cloth will ensure less water drips. Once the cloth is flattened and dry, users can store the best soaker hoses much more efficiently. ABS plastic is another durable alternative that will keep the hose protected from the elements and ensure you don’t deal with brittleness.

If you don’t want to find the best soaker hoses with a single material, most of these hoses also have a combination of materials. Brass couplings will be for the connections and a UV protective overlay is always helpful for users that leave it outdoors. Most hoses are designed to protect the environment and give you the best functionality.

Flat Or Round Design

The flat or round design will depend on the materials and the weight of the unit. Both of these are effective, but a flat design is flexible enough for sneaking it around trees and plants. You should consider the right design for your needs. We don’t recommend one above the other in terms of design as personal preference will help you make the decision.

Pressure Rating

You will need to pay some attention to the pressure rating. The pressure rating is indicated in PSI, which refers to the pressure that can build up inside the hose. Or drip irrigation systems, you won’t need to worry about pressure. However, we recommend a pressure rating of at least 75 PSI for your garden soaker hose of 50 feet. A pressure regulator can help with the water pressure.

Flow Rating

The flow rating is one part often overlooked. However, it comes down to the size of the holes. You will notice that the flow rating is measured in GPM (Gallons Per Minute). As you might expect, the GPM rating varies from hose to hose, factoring in the length and the number holes, with the size of each of these holes.

A GPM average of 12 is the most commonly accepted. However, many people are opting for the 24 GPM rating. The higher GPM ratings are commonly found in many of the smaller holes. Since you can interconnect these hoses, the GPM rating can be changed. The water pressure is a great indicator of the water flow.

Price

Price is not as important as many of the other features. The reason being that most of these hoses are affordable with great features. However, we recommend that you stick with your budget. You can look at an affordable hose from a top-quality brand. Most of the hoses on the list are from highly reputable brands.

Ease Of Use

Most of the hoses are easy to use and you simply need to connect them for them to work. We also recommend looking at the connections. If the hose features a universal connection, it should be easier for you to interconnect the hoses.

How to Set up a Soaker Hose in Your Garden?

If you carefully follow the instructions, you can set up these hoses in only a couple of minutes. However, adding accessories will be the hardest part of the process. The following video is insightful with some great advice on your garden soaker hose.

Conclusion

With all the information in this article, you should have no problem finding the best soaker hose. We have identified the best soaker hose reviews with the most important features. However, if you think we have missed anything important, we would like to encourage you to let us know in the comment section below.