The 12 Best Soaker Hoses of 2023

Best Overall

H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

When the water condensed on the outside of the H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose during testing, we felt like we were watching a cool science experiment. But we rate this product our Best Overall for a more intrinsic reason: we noted the water began to condensate quickly, the hose itself is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, and after we dragged the hose through rocks and a rake, it held up in perfect condition. The manufacturer claims that its PVC material distributes water that permeates soil more evenly than hoses made of recycled rubber. Plus, its strength doesn’t translate into added weight, as the 50-foot-long product came in at less than 4 pounds.

Its bright blue color might seem off-putting, but we like that you’d be able to easily locate and move this soaker hose in the dark. You can also cover it with mulch or soil, and it should still work just as well. The manufacturer claims you can use this product in wide temperature extremes, from -4 degrees F to 140 degrees F. This hose worked well during testing on a typically hot, humid afternoon, similar to when you'd most likely use this product.

While we didn't notice kinking when the water was flowing, we did see it when we hung the hose on a standard hook; apparently, that is not the best way to store a flat soaker hose, since we also noted kinking on similar products we stored this way.

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: .5 inch | Material: PVC | Weight: 3.92 pounds}

Best Easy-Connect

Gilmour Flat Weeper Soaker Hose

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With the Gilmour Weeper Soaker Hose, you don’t have to worry about fiddling around with connectors or fittings: Simply hook up the hose and get your garden watered. It’s a budget-friendly option that conserves water at an impressive rate compared with your average sprinkler system. We also like that it is made with a sturdy vinyl material. Vinyl is less brittle than rubber, so you shouldn’t have to replace this soaker hose often. 

The moderate 50-foot length is long enough to snake through even the most complex of gardens. Its desirable black appearance means you can hide it under mulch and not have to drag it in and out of storage. Soaker hoses are all about efficiency, and we believe this one meets that standard across the board, for a lower price than most.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: .625 inch | Material: Vinyl | Weight: 1.33 pounds}

Best for Beginners

One Stop Gardens Flat Seeper Soaker Hose

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A great option for beginners, the One Stop Gardens Flat Seeper Soaker attaches to most standard hose spigots for an easy setup. Simply place it where you want it and turn on the water supply; the hose does the rest. The black material blends nicely into soils, so you can feel comfortable leaving the hose in your favorite spot all season long. It comes with three miser discs you can use to restrict flow up to 75 percent. Also, this soaker hose is sturdy, with heavy-duty woven nylon material for ultimate durability.

Though this flat type of hose may kink when you try to follow the corner of a flower bed, at this low price you can consider buying multiple hoses to accommodate yards with unique orientations.

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: .75 inch | Material: Nylon | Weight: 1.5 pounds}

Best Sprinkler Combo

Swan Products Element Sprinkler & Soaker Garden Hose

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Can’t decide between a sprinkler or a soaker hose? The Element Sprinkler+ Standard Duty Sprinkler and Soaker Hose Combination blends the best of both. When placed with the holes facing up, this hose sprays a wall of mist that waters grass in narrow spaces or even large lawns. Facing down, it becomes a traditional soaker hose, boasting six holes per foot for well-distributed water release. 

This combo soaker/sprinkler snaps open and closed for convenient and compact storage and avoids needing to struggle with an unraveling hose every time you try to roll it. We recommend placing this hose at the edge of your lawn; this way, you can flip the holes down into the soil for 30 minutes of soaking, then flip them back into the grass for sprinkling and camouflaged storage. 

One downside to this combo product is that the drip rate is higher than most soaker hoses, even when faced down. Be mindful of your timing so you don’t overdo it on the roots. Also, the bright green coloring may be off-putting to some.

Price at time of publish: $29

_{Length: 50 feet | Diameter: .625 inch | Material: vinyl | Weight: 2.44 pounds}

Best for Large Gardens

Swan Products MGSPAK38100CC Miracle-GRO Soaker System

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The sleek, black rubber of the Miracle-GRO Soaker System provides 100 feet of hose length for even the largest of gardens. This versatile soaker hose, composed of 65 percent recycled materials, makes this a low-visibility addition. The adjustable flow rate means you can get the drip and speed exactly how you want it. Use the T connectors to add more length to your soaker hose and provide optimal ground coverage for even water distribution. We appreciate that this hardware is included, as well as additional male and female connectors, caps, and plugs. That makes it easier than most similar products to cut and reconnect this soaker hose into the shape of your choosing to get water into those hard-to-reach corners. 

The manufacturer claims that this hose delivers from .5 gallon to 1 gallon of water per foot, supposedly reducing water usage by 70 percent versus a standard hose. This low-effort watering solution keeps your plants healthy and lush for an affordable price.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Length: 100 feet | Diameter: .375 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: 2 pounds}

Best Flat

Melnor Woven Black Soaker Hose

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We recommend the Melnor Woven Black Soaker Hose if you want a simple, flat option. Because of its appealing woven fabric, it’s one of the heaviest soaker hoses on the market. But it still bends and flattens to store easier than a standard garden hose, so you shouldn’t worry about it taking up too much space. 

We like this 75-foot soaker hose for more commercial-style gardens such as long hedges or tree rows, since it kinks if you try to bend it around a corner. At this reasonable price point, you can buy a hose to run the length of each row. You don’t have to worry about drowning the area, as this soaker hose has a slow leak and minimizes excess run-off.

Price at time of publish: $16

_{Length: 75 feet | Diameter: .75 inch | Material: Woven | Weight: 28 pounds}

Best Round

Flexon WS100KITCN 20-Piece Soaker Hose Kit

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If you specifically want a round soaker hose, we suggest you use the Flexon 20-Piece Soaker Hose Kit. It has a desirable smooth, black design; rounded edges, for easy bending around flower beds and plants; and 100 feet of customizable watering capability. You can cut the tubing to fit your needs and use the 20-piece connector set to adapt the size and shape to your garden.

We like that this soaker hose comes with detailed usage instructions, as well as a soaker hose watering rate chart. Even the most novice users should be able to adjust the flow rate to optimize watering efficiency and make sure plant roots get just what they need to thrive. Cover this soaker hose with mulch, and don’t worry about clogging the water pores; it’s designed to withstand soil coverage.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Length: 100 feet | Diameter: .5 inch and .25 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: 5 pounds}

Best Heavy Duty

LINEX Garden Soaker Hose

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The LINEX Garden Soaker Hose is our favorite heavy-duty option. The durable material offers tensile strength while still being flexible. It is lightweight for easy lifting. Best for small gardens, its 25-foot length allows for easy storage. You can add a connector or two to the rust-resistant brass couplings to create a longer hose. Either way, you shouldn’t need to expose your delicate foliage to harsh high-pressure watering when you use this soaker hose.

The manufacturer says the product’s PVC material makes for more even water distribution on both ends of the hose and is superior in that respect to the recycled rubber used in many products. We believe this also allows the hose to be used in a greater range of temperatures (product recommendation is -4 degrees F to 140 degrees F). The manufacturer also claims this hose has a faster water release rate than similar products: 1 gallon per minute at regular 60 PSI. We caution that under too-high pressure, this could result in overwatering, and higher water bills.

Price at time of publish: $37

_{Length: 25 feet | Diameter: .5 inch | Material: PVC | Weight: 1.46 pounds}

Best for Rain Barrels

Element Kink Free Rubber Black Soaker Hose

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If your priority is sustainability, we recommend the Element Kink Free Rubber Black Soaker Hose. With this product, you can pull water directly from a rain barrel instead of your home’s hose system. The water sweats out of the smooth black tubing at a rate of 0.5 gallon to 1 gallon per foot per hour on ground level, according to the manufacturer, and targets the roots directly. With its small diameter and low-flow technology, you don’t need heavy water pressure coming from the water source. This allows water to seep at an even flow rate along the hose. Though we evaluated the 75-foot-long version, this product is also sold in lengths of 25, 50, and 250 feet. 

This soaker hose thrives in a low-pressure system, and the manufacturer claims it uses 70 percent less water than a conventional system This means your rain barrel should be a sufficient source of hydration for your plants. The low flow rate also reduces water evaporation of the tube to further minimize waste and maximize the uptake from your plants’ roots. On the downside, we have noted some reports of flimsy end caps, which may produce leaks. However, the manufacturer offers a seven-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $60 (two-pack)

_{Length: 75 feet | Diameter: .375 inch | Material: Rubber | Weight: 4.25 pounds}