With a rain barrel, you collect irrigation water sparingly and in an environmentally friendly way - a gift from nature that literally falls from the sky. In our guide you can find out what you should pay attention to when buying a rain barrel and which designs are particularly recommended.
Rain barrels come in many different colors and styles
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Temesso rain barrel with lid, rain barrel, wooden barrel, wine barrel, barrel, oak 225 liter water barrel - original barrel (lid stainless steel handle + tap)
269.90 EUR To the product| material | solid oak |
|---|---|
| optics | rustic, wine barrel |
| capacity | 225L |
| Weight | about 60 kg |
| tap incl. | Yes |
| lid incl. | Yes |
The best rain barrel in our comparison is made of solid oak. It deserves first place simply because of its stunning appearance. In addition to the visual advantages, Amazon reviewers also praise the enormous stability of the keg and the well-fitting lid. Practical: the model comes with a water tap.
our recommendation
Rain barrel fairytale fountain 330l with downpipe filter T33 FROST-PROOF rain barrel with stable lid and water tap, beautiful and almost indestructible rain storage tank, as if bricked
229.95 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| optics | sandstone |
| capacity | 330L |
| Weight | about 15 kg |
| tap incl. | Yes |
| lid incl. | Yes |
Although the AMUR fairy tale fountain is made of plastic, the barrel looks deceptively like a barrel made of real sandstone. The buyers of this model on Amazon also find this. In addition, the reviewers are enthusiastic about the stability and easy cleaning. In addition to a water tap, this version also includes a downpipe filter as an accessory.
our recommendation
Ondis24 rain barrel with lid 500 liter rainwater tank Aqua water barrel with outlet tap
89.95 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| optics | plain, green |
| capacity | 500L |
| Weight | about 13 kg |
| tap incl. | Yes |
| lid incl. | Yes |
The classic, simple rain barrel from Ondis24 is the price-performance winner - we came to this result through the opinions of the buyers of the barrel on Amazon and the product-specific properties. It has a large capacity, is stable and serves its purpose perfectly - all for relatively little money. Visually, it presents itself relatively inconspicuous. The rain barrel comes with an outlet tap.
Purchase Criteria
material
plastic: Most of the rain barrels available on the market are made of plastic, more precisely of food-safe and therefore non-toxic polyethylene. The advantages of plastic bins include light weight and ease of transport. In addition, they are easy to care for. Only in winter is it mandatory to empty the water from the barrel. Otherwise it will freeze in the frost and cause the bin to burst. Visually, many plastic rain barrels leave something to be desired. They are usually designed to be simple and functional - unless you choose a version with a wood or stone look.
wood: A rain barrel made of wood impresses with its stylish appearance. Visually, this variant is clearly ahead of the plastic barrels. Most wooden barrels are made of oak, larch or chestnut wood. Sometimes you need to impregnate the wooden barrel to make sure it can handle regular outside exposure. A wooden rain barrel usually has a foil insert on the inside. Otherwise it would logically not be suitable as a water collection point (keyword rot).
tips
To prevent rot from forming under the wooden rain barrel, you should set up a layer of gravel below the bottom of the barrel. This will ensure the necessary ventilation.
metal: You can also choose from metal water butts. These are primarily characterized by their enormous robustness and high stability. In order to convince in terms of quality, a metal rain barrel must be powder-coated, hot-dip galvanized and lined with plastic. But: metal drums cannot normally be equipped with a drain cock. They are only suitable for collecting rainwater. To remove this for watering, you must always hold your watering can in.
our recommendation
200 liter metal barrel, metal barrel, fire barrel, rain barrel, fire barrel, rain barrel, tin barrel, ghetto barrel
To the productshape/optics/design
There are classic, simple rain barrels that are only used for practical, functional purposes. In addition, the trade also has some models available that also have a decorative effect and thus also visually enrich your garden.
Simple barrels are usually designed in a modern anthracite or dark green. They can be round or rectangular in shape.
Decorative rain barrels appear, for example, in an antique-looking amphora, noble rock or rustic wine barrel look.
tips
Some rain barrels can even be planted, making them an absolute eye-catcher in the garden.
capacity
The larger your garden is or the more irrigation water you need, the higher the capacity of the rain barrel should be. Our recommendations:
- under 100 l for the balcony or terrace
- 100 to 200 l for a small garden
- 300 to 500 liters for a medium-sized garden
- 600 to 1,000 l for a large garden
- over 1,000 l for a kitchen garden or farm
tips
Underground tanks (cisterns) are also useful for kitchen gardens and farms.
scope of delivery
A small diameter rain barrel should be supplied with an outlet tap. Usually a watering can for filling the water does not fit into a small barrel. Then it must be able to drain off through a tap.
tips
Depending on the height at which the "tap" is attached, we recommend placing the rain barrel on a stable base. Then the watering can can be filled more easily.
In addition, the rain barrel should have a tightly closable lid. This keeps leaves and dirt out of the bin and prevents algae formation, as the sun cannot shine directly on the collected rainwater. In addition, a lid protects small children and pets from accidents and possible drowning.
frequently asked Questions
What is a rain barrel?
A rain barrel, also known as a rain barrel, rainwater tank or garden tank, is a more or less large tub in which you can collect and store rainwater. The capacity is usually between 100 and 500 liters. But there are also smaller or larger rain barrels. In addition, the various rain barrels (53.99 €) differ in terms of
- their shape (e.g. round, square),
- their material (e.g. plastic, wood),
- their design (e.g. amphora, rock) and
- their accessories (e.g. with tap, lid).
our recommendation
200 liter metal barrel, metal barrel, fire barrel, rain barrel, fire barrel, rain barrel, tin barrel, ghetto barrel
To the productWhat is the use of a rain barrel in the garden?
If you collect rainwater to water your plants, you save drinking water and therefore costs. At the same time you protect the environment.
According to Stiftung Warentest, plants tolerate rainwater better because it is less calcareous (softer) than tap water and contains no germicidal substances.
How does the rain get into the barrel?
You have two options:
- Connect your new rain barrel to the downpipe of the gutter. Then the rainwater flows purposefully into the bin.
- When it rains, remove the lid of the keg so that the drops fall directly into the keg.
How can I overwinter the rain barrel?
Most rain barrels are frost proof. You can leave winter-proof bins outside - with a lid. However, before the first frost, it is imperative that you empty the tank. Otherwise the barrel threatens to burst, as water expands when frozen.
Exception: rain barrels made of real wood with an insert made of foil that is safe for drinking water also withstand frozen water.
Which brands offer good rain barrels?
Here is a selection of manufacturers who produce solid to very high-quality rain barrels:
- Beckman
- Timiso
- AMUR
- Ondis24
- Gardena
- GARANTIA (known model: Barrica)
You can buy new rain barrels from the following dealers, among others, or you can also order used ones cheaply:
- Amazon
- OBI
- bauhaus
- Hornbach
- Hagebau market
- toom
How much does a rain barrel cost?
Most rain barrels cost between 50 and 100 euros. For particularly high-quality, large or otherwise special models from well-known brands, you have to reckon with upwards of 150 euros. In contrast, smaller versions are sometimes available from around 20 euros.
equipment
filling machine
If you want to connect your rain barrel to the rain gutter, a filling machine is a very useful accessory. Such a downpipe filter with a sieve can be easily attached to the rain gutter. It prevents leaves from flowing into the rain barrel. In addition, the filling machine serves as an overflow stop - it ensures that no more water runs into the bin as soon as the latter is full to the top.
our recommendation
Beckmann V2 filter filling machine brown
EUR 59.95 To the productbase
If you decide to use your rain barrel with a spout, a pedestal is helpful when filling the water, as the barrel is then slightly higher and you have better access to the spout. Make sure that the base has sufficient height and stability for your rain barrel. It has to withstand the weight of the barrel including rainwater.
pump
In order to distribute the collected rainwater semi-automatically or fully automatically from the barrel in the garden, you can connect the barrel to the garden hose or a lawn sprinkler (€26.95) or an irrigation system via a pump.
our recommendation