The 13 Best Watering Tools of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Garden Hose

Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Design
  3.5/5
• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Value
  4/5

If you use a garden hose regularly, you know how frustrating they can be: kinking, leaking, hard to attach to the spigot, or heavy and hard to move. However, we tested the 100-foot version of this hose from Zero-G, and found that it was remarkably frustration-free. Made of an inner tube of heavy-duty vinyl with an abrasion-resistant jacket, we noted that the hose was easy to coil and uncoil, as well as to move whether full of water or empty. The crush-proof, ergonomic couplers were very easy to attach to our hose spigot without struggles or slips.

At 8.4 pounds, this is a very lightweight hose, so it's easy to move or wind around a hose reel. The hose remains flexible and consistent with water temperatures from 32 degrees up to 120 degrees, but note that this hose is not for use when air temperatures are below 35 degrees, so you'll need to store it for the winter if you live somewhere with temperatures that drop below that. While we tested the 100-foot version, it's also available in 25-foot, 50-foot, and 75-foot lengths.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Dimensions: 100 feet long x 5/8-inch diameter | Material: Vinyl inner, woven abrasion-resistant outer, brass couplers | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Not stated}

Best Outdoor Watering Can

Bloem Easy Pour Watering Can

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Durabilty
  5/5

If you have a lot of outdoor potted plants, and don't want to break out the hose every time they need to be watered, then you'll love this 2.6-gallon, heavy-duty plastic watering can from Bloem as much as we do. We tested this versatile watering can in our outdoor lab as well as our own garden, and gave it top scores for its durability and construction. While testing, it survived a 4-foot drop onto concrete while full of water onto concrete, not only without scratching but without even tipping over. We also found the design to be easy to use around the garden.

The top opening is offset, so it's very easy to fit underneath the spigot for filling. There are two handles—one that's fixed running the length of the watering can and one with hinges that span the width of the can, so you can easily adjust it if necessary for comfortable carrying and pouring. Another feature we loved was that unlike most watering cans, there's no need to remove the spout if you want to switch from "rain" to stream; with this watering can, you simply rotate the spout to switch from shower to stream.

Our only real complaint about this watering can is that it's not ideal for hanging baskets or other high-up watering needs, as it needs to tip uncomfortably far to water overhead.

Price at time of publish: $42

_{Dimensions: 8 x 15 x 25 inches | Material: Plastic | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Holds 2.6 gallons}

Best Hose Nozzle

Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Add a burst of color to your garden with this all-metal hose nozzle that's available in six bright hues and fits onto any standard garden hose. For comfortable handling, it's rubberized at the grip. We put this spray nozzle to the test in our own gardens, and it came up a winner, thanks to its on/off valve that easily operates with just a push of your thumb—no lever to squeeze—and its choice of nine different water-spray patterns, all easily set by rotating the clearly labeled selector at the end of the nozzle. It even survived a drop to the concrete patio without damage.

The nine spray patterns range from the gentle, low-flow mist setting up to the powerful stream, which we used to knock mud off a patio chair. In between, there are settings that control the shape of the water spray, as well as settings that provide a "rain" pattern that's perfect for most potted plants. On the downside, while we had no issues with leaking or water flow in our tests, a few customers have complained that the spray nozzle started to leak after a season or two or didn't produce as strong a flow of water as they would like.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 2.25 inches | Material: Metal | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Varies based on setting}

Best Watering Wand

The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

If you have hanging baskets full of plants, then you need a watering wand that can easily reach up and into the dangling containers to provide water. We tested this offering from The Relaxed Gardener both in our outdoor lab and in our own gardens and loved how easy it was to screw onto our garden hose, as well as to adjust the flow setting with just the push of a finger. And at 15 inches in length, it easily reached up and into hanging baskets without dripping back down our arms.

You can choose between eight spray patterns, and it's easy to rotate the wand's head to set them. Some are gentle, such as mist or shower, but on the most powerful jet setting, the water shot out to 27 feet and easily removed mud from patio furniture. That makes this a versatile watering tool that can be used for chores such as washing cars or hosing down the patio as well as watering your plants. Just note that it did scuff a little in our drop test, however, and we weren't crazy about having to adjust the hose frequently to keep it from twisting as we moved the watering wand from plant to plant. But overall, we found it to be a great watering wand for a variety of uses.

Price at time of publish: $27

_{Dimensions: 15 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches | Material: Aluminum | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Varies based on setting}

Best Indoor Watering Can

Best Choice Products 1 Gal. Watering Can

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If you have a collection of houseplants, and you like a watering can that looks as good as it performs, then we recommend this attractive steel watering can that's designed with an old-fashioned, rustic style. The green and copper watering can holds up to 1 gallon of water, so you can give even a large collection of plants a drink before needing to refill. The watering can has a diffusing spout that gently "rains" water down onto your plants, but you can remove the spout if you prefer an easily directed stream of water.

Thanks to the double handles, it's easy to carry the watering can and to keep it steady while tilting it forward to provide your thirsty plants a drink. An O-ring on the spout keeps water from dribbling in between pours. On the downside, a few buyers complained that the paint started to peel off the watering can after outdoor use, so it's best to keep this as your indoor-only watering tool.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Dimensions: 16.5 x 7.5 x 12.5 inches | Material: Painted steel | Use: Indoors | Water Flow Capacity: Holds 1 gallon}

Best Stationary Sprinkler

Dramm ColorStorm 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler

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A stationary sprinkler attaches to the end of your garden hose and delivers water in a steady flow, making it ideal for watering small lawns, flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, or areas that are missed by your in-ground sprinkler system. We love this heavy-duty metal offering from Dramm, which is available in six bright colors. All offer you the choice of nine water-flow patterns, including square, small circle, large circle, narrow rectangle, and half-square, so you can choose the pattern that best matches the area you are watering.

Because the spray doesn't extend very far with this sprinkler, don't expect it to fully water a large lawn or garden, unless you plan on moving it every few minutes—depending on the water pressure and the setting, the maximum coverage is 525 square feet and some buyers complained they got much less. But if you just want a very sturdy sprinkler with multiple flow patterns for watering small lawns, or you are looking to provide your kids or your dog with hours of summertime fun, this is a great option.

Price at time of publish: $44

_{Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches | Material: Metal | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: 4.5 - 6 gpm}

Best Drip Irrigation Kit

Rain Bird Landscape & Garden Drip Irrigation Kit

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Drip irrigation, which involves delivering very slow-flow water directly to the base of your plants, is a very effective and efficient way to water vegetable gardens, outdoor containers, or flowerbeds. There is far less evaporation than with in-ground sprinklers, so it conserves water, and because plant foliage isn't sprayed, there is less chance for mildew or other fungal diseases to take hold of your plants. This 108-piece kit from Rain Bird provides everything you need to get started with a drip irrigation system that waters up to 26 plants.

The kit includes a 50-foot roll of 1/2-inch tubing which connects to your outdoor hose spigot and runs to wherever you want to deliver the water, a 50-foot roll of 1/4-inch tubing that's used to reach each individual plant that's going to be watered, a pressure regulator, backflow preventer, and hose connector, 10 1-gallon-per-hour drippers, 10 2-gallon-per-hour drippers, two micro-bubblers, four micro-sprayers, and a variety of elbows, tees, and connectors. You also get full instructions to help you lay out your drip system effectively. While a few customers found it difficult to hook the tubing to the connectors, or experienced leaks, most were very happy with the system.

Price at time of publish: $94

_{Dimensions: 50 feet of tubing | Material: Plastic | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Up to 2 gallons per hour}

Best for Watering Trees

Varomorus Stainless Steel Tree Watering Irrigation Tool

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Even a tree or large shrub that is drought-resistant once established requires regular water for the first year or two after planting to aid with root development. But you might not want to run your in-ground sprinkler system that often, or stand with a hose in your hand applying water yourself. The solution is a deep spike irrigator, like this stainless-steel T-shaped irrigation tool from Varomorus. It slowly delivers water directly to the tree's root system, which reduces evaporation or wasted water on areas around the tree that aren't dry.

The setup is a snap; just attach your garden hose to the spike, turn the water on to a low flow, and gently start pushing the spike into the ground near the base of the tree. The flowing water will aid in creating the hole, so you shouldn't have to use much force or pressure, and the T-shaped handle is easy on your hands. The spike is 37 inches long and can be inserted up to 32 inches into the ground, providing water down deep where it's needed. The one downside of this watering tool is that there is no flow-control valve on the spike itself, so you'll have to walk back to your hose spigot to turn it on or off.

Price at time of publish: $55

_{Dimensions: 37 x 9.5 x 0.75 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Not listed}

Best Moisture Meter

XLUX Soil Moisture Meter

4.8

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Overwatering plants, especially houseplants or plants in outdoor containers, can quickly lead to root rot, which first shows up in the form of yellowing leaves, foliage loss, and wilting, and can lead to the death of the plant. Because the surface of the potting soil can appear dry despite there being plenty of water further down, it's easy to water more often than your plants require. However, with this handy soil moisture meter, you'll no longer have to guess, but can accurately detect whether or not it's time to break out the watering can. It has no batteries and requires no maintenance beyond wiping it clean between plants.

Just insert the 7-inch probe a few inches into the soil of your houseplants, potted outdoor plants, or even into the ground in your flowerbeds or lawn, and you'll instantly see the needle move across the easy-to-read gauge, settling into "Dry," "Moist," or "Wet." It's as easy as that; water if the meter says the soil is dry or barely in the moist zone, leave it be if the meter shows the soil is already wet enough. Note that the probe only works with regular soil; if your plants are in bark chips, pebbles, coir, or other chunky materials, you won't be able to get an accurate reading.

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.2 x 2.2 inches | Material: Plastic and metal | Use: Indoor/outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Rain Gauge

AcuRite 5 in. Easy-Read Magnifying Rain Gauge

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Whether it's a deluge or a spring shower, you can keep track of rainfall amounts with this weather-resistant, sturdy clear rain gauge from AcuRite. Since most lawn grasses and other common garden plants and shrubs require at least an inch of water per week, you can use the gauge to let you know whether you'll need to add supplemental water or if Mother Nature has taken care of the job for you. Note that the gauge might crack if temperatures fall below freezing, however, so it's best to bring it inside if very low temperatures are in the forecast.

The gauge measures up to 5 inches of rain, and while the numbers are easy to read when the gauge is empty, they are further magnified by water, so you can read the gauge from a distance. Rain levels are marked in 1/8-inch increments. The gauge has a stake so you can push it into the ground, or you can use the two hanging holes to mount it to a wall or fence. Wherever you choose, be sure the spot is open to the sky and not beneath a tree or overhang that might skew the rain readings.

Price at time of publish: $8

_{Dimensions: 1.5 x 4 x 14 inches | Material: Acrylic | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Self-Watering Stakes

Remiawy Terracotta Plant Watering Stakes

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Going on vacation and wondering what to do about your houseplants? With these terracotta watering stakes and some empty bottles, you can keep your plants watered the whole time you're away; no need to pay for a plant sitter. You get six of these clay spikes, each a little over six inches in length. You'll need to come up with your own empty bottles, however; you can use wine bottles, plastic water bottles, or other long-necked bottles.

To use the stakes, just fill the bottle with water, attach the stake, and then gently push it into the soil to bury most of the stake. The water will slowly absorb through the terracotta and into the soil, keeping your plants watered for up to 10 days. For best results, you should soak the stakes before using them and water your plants so the soil is moist before inserting the stakes. Note that these are rather delicate clay, and so can break easily in transport, but the seller will replace them if that should happen.

Price at time of publish: $34

_{Dimensions: 1.6 x 1.6 x 6.3 inches | Material: Terracotta clay | Use: Indoor | Water Flow Capacity: Not applicable}

Best Oscillating Sprinkler

Aqua Joe Indestructible Oscillating Sprinkler

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An oscillating sprinkler slowly moves back and forth, shooting water out at quite a distance as it goes. This makes these sprinklers ideal for watering lawns or large flowerbeds. The Aqua Joe oscillating sprinkler has a very sturdy metal base, 16 clog-resistant rubber nozzle heads, and a lever that lets you adjust the flow pattern, so you can set the sprinkler for full oscillation, set it to not oscillate at all, or set it for any level of oscillation between those points. When attached to your garden hose and set at full flow, the sprinkler can water as much as 3,600 square feet, with a reach of up to 70 feet.

At 1.6 pounds, the sprinkler is heavy enough so that it won't lift up from water pressure, but note that if set on uneven ground, it won't cover nearly as much area as if you put it on a flat lawn. The sprinkler has a maximum of 120 psi and 6.65 gallons-per-minute flow rate. If the 16-inch model isn't big enough for your needs, there are also 18-inch and 20-inch versions that cover a larger area. And of course, along with keeping your lawn watered, the sprinkler can provide hours of summertime fun for your children or your dog. The sprinkler comes with a 2-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 16 x 5.2 x 2.5 inches | Material: Metal | Use: Outdoors | Water Flow Capacity: 6.65 GPM}