Rain Barrel Buying Guide: Flat-Back, Collapsible and Diverter Setups for Roof Runoff

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The best rain barrel is the one that fits under your downspout, holds enough water for your garden and sends the overflow somewhere harmless. Capacity, a working spigot, a screen against leaves and mosquitoes, and an overflow outlet matter more than looks.

We compared four barrels and one diverter kit using their Amazon listings: a rigid 50-gallon flat-back barrel with a brass spigot, a 60-gallon barrel on its own stand, two collapsible PVC barrels and a diverter that fits standard 2×3 and 3×4 inch downspouts. We quote capacity, material and fittings as each listing states them and flag fields left blank. Every pick is sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store and was listed in stock when we checked. Rain barrel water is for gardens and outdoor chores, not for drinking.

Our Top Rain Barrel Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel with Brass Spigot: Best Overall

RTS Home Accents’ 50-gallon barrel is a rigid, walnut-colored rain barrel with a flat back and a textured finish. It sits under a downspout, catches roof runoff and stores it for watering gardens, lawns and plants. RTS says the flat back lets it fit snugly against a wall or fence, which helps in tight spots beside a house.

Day to day, you draw water from the brass spigot near the base, which RTS describes as easy, secure and leak-free. When the barrel fills, the built-in overflow valve manages the extra water, and the listing says you can use it to connect more barrels for added storage. A hose or second barrel on that overflow lets you choose where the excess goes.

The barrel is made from UV-resistant polyethylene, which RTS says stands up to outdoor conditions, and the listing calls it easy to install and maintain. It is made in the USA, per the listing. The specs file gives a size of 34 by 21 by 19 inches and a weight of 18 pounds empty, and the warranty field reads “1 year parts.” An optional stand is sold separately.

It suits homeowners who want a permanent barrel that looks tidy beside the house and holds a useful 50 gallons for a vegetable bed or flower border.

Why we like it

• Brass spigot
• Overflow valve for linking
• Flat back saves space

Watch out for

The listing says nothing about a screen or lid mesh, and the stand costs extra.

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2. Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain Barrel with Stand: Best With a Stand

Step2’s Lakewood is a 60-gallon rain barrel that comes with its own stand. It is a brown, double-walled plastic barrel aimed at gardeners who want to store more water and reach it more easily, and the listing presents it as part of a water-conserving yard.

Height is the everyday advantage. Step2 says the elevated design improves water pressure and makes filling a watering can easier, since you can set a can under the spigot instead of tipping it sideways. The spigot is a 3/4-inch brass fitting that is included in the box, and the listing says multiple barrels can be linked together for more storage and overflow management.

On top, a stainless steel mesh screen filters very fine particles while allowing maximum water flow, per the listing. Step2 says the double-walled construction is built to last, with colors that won’t chip, fade, crack or peel. Assembly is described as minimal, and the assembled size is 46 inches high by 24 inches wide by 20 inches deep. The specs file lists 34 pounds.

It suits gardeners with a large bed or containers to water through dry spells, and anyone who has struggled to get a watering can under a barrel that sits on the ground. The brown finish and matching stand also give it a finished look beside a deck or patio.

Why we like it

• 60-gallon capacity
• Stand included
• Stainless mesh screen

Watch out for

It is the heaviest and priciest pick, and the warranty field is blank.

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3. Laspeiraux 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel: Best Collapsible

Laspeiraux’s collapsible rain barrel is a green, 53-gallon water container made from what the brand calls premium three-layer PVC. Instead of a rigid plastic shell, it uses a fabric-style body that stands up when assembled and folds down when you want to put it away.

Setup is meant to be simple. Laspeiraux says the barrel uses an integrated design with a screw-in faucet, so there are fewer parts to assemble and fewer joints to leak. Circular footpads at the base help stop wobbling or tipping. Water enters through a mesh top that the brand says keeps leaves and debris out, and the listing says water can be drawn through the faucet or the overflow kit.

The brand suggests the stored rainwater for gardening, farm irrigation and car washing. The listed size is about 23.6 inches square and 27.6 inches tall, and the specs file doesn’t state a weight. When the season ends, the barrel folds for storage and transport, which Laspeiraux contrasts with bulky traditional barrels. The brand also says it will replace missing or damaged parts if you contact it.

It suits renters, first-time rain collectors and anyone with limited storage who wants to empty and fold the barrel before hard freezes. It is also a practical second barrel for a shed or detached garage downspout.

Why we like it

• Top category rank
• Folds away
• Screw-in faucet with fewer joints

Watch out for

The listing gives no weight or warranty term, and the soft-sided body needs a level spot.

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4. VINGLI 50-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel: Best Budget

VINGLI’s 50-gallon collapsible barrel is a green rain collector built from a PVC frame and what the brand calls anti-corrosion PVC mesh fabric. It stands under a downspout, and water runs in through a mesh top that VINGLI says keeps leaves and insects out of the stored water.

For drawing water, the barrel has a spigot and a separate outflow valve. VINGLI includes two rubber rings with each fitting: one goes inside the barrel wall and one outside, which the brand says prevents leakage. The outflow valve can release excess water or connect to another VINGLI barrel, and the title lists a filter, spigot and overflow kit.

VINGLI says the barrel is designed for long-term use, including in cold winters, and calls it crack-free compared with traditional barrels. It folds for storage in a garage or utility room. The specs file gives a size of 23.6 by 23.6 by 27.6 inches and a weight of 4.41 pounds. The brand also claims it can cut your water bill by up to 40 percent a year, a figure it doesn’t explain in the listing.

It suits anyone curious about rain collection who wants a low-cost barrel, plus renters and gardeners who expect to move or store it. VINGLI also sells the same design in larger 66- and 100-gallon sizes, per the listing.

Why we like it

• Low price
• Double-sealed fittings
• Light and foldable

Watch out for

The 40 percent savings figure is VINGLI’s claim, and the warranty field is blank.

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5. Anivia Rain Barrel Diverter Kit (2×3 or 3×4): Best Diverter Kit

Anivia’s diverter kit is a white PVC fitting that installs in a section of downspout and sends roof runoff through a hose into an existing rain barrel. It is designed for standard 2 by 3 inch and 3 by 4 inch residential downspouts, the two sizes on most homes.

Its main job is control. A switch offers Off, Medium and High settings, so you can send more water to the barrel in a light rain, less in a downpour, and none once the barrel is full. A filter window and filter net catch leaves and debris before they reach the barrel, and Anivia says they come out for seasonal cleanup.

The kit includes the diverter, a 39-inch hose and two set screws. Anivia describes the PVC as paintable and suited to year-round outdoor use, and the listing bullets mention a 90-day warranty. The specs file gives a size of about 4.3 by 3.5 by 6.3 inches and doesn’t state a weight.

It suits anyone whose barrel sits beside, rather than directly under, a downspout, and anyone who wants an easy off switch for winter or a full barrel. Because it fits both common downspout sizes, it also suits homes that mix standard and oversize downspouts on different corners. The diverter fits into the existing downspout, and the two included set screws hold it in place.

Why we like it

• Fits both common downspout sizes
• Three flow settings
• Removable filter

Watch out for

You still need a barrel, and the warranty term appears only in the bullets.

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How We Chose the Best Rain Barrels

We read each listing, spec sheet and sales rank, and kept only barrels and kits sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store, or by a store whose listing names the brand as manufacturer, that showed in stock. Then we compared:

• Capacity: gallons as listed, from 50 to 60.
• Material: rigid polyethylene or plastic versus collapsible PVC.
• Spigot and overflow: spigot type, overflow or outflow valve, and whether barrels can be linked.
• Screen or lid: mesh that keeps out leaves, debris and insects, where the listing mentions it.
• Diverter fit: 2×3 and 3×4 inch downspouts for the kit.
• Listing gaps: empty warranty fields and missing weights are flagged as not stated.

Rain Barrel Buying Guide

Best 50 Gallon Rain Barrel

Fifty gallons is the standard size, and three of our picks sit at or near it: the rigid RTS at 50, the collapsible VINGLI at 50 and the Laspeiraux at 53. The Step2 goes to 60. If one barrel fills too fast, the RTS overflow valve, the VINGLI outflow valve and the Step2 listing all mention linking more barrels together.

Best Collapsible Rain Barrel

Collapsible barrels use a PVC frame or layered PVC body and fold flat when empty. The Laspeiraux and VINGLI both do this, which helps if you store the barrel indoors over winter or have no room for a rigid shell. They need a firm, level base because the sides aren’t rigid. Rigid barrels like the RTS and Step2 hold their shape but take up the same space all year.

Best Rain Barrel With Spigot

Every barrel here has a spigot or faucet. The RTS and Step2 list brass spigots, with the Step2’s at 3/4 inch. The Laspeiraux uses an integrated screw-in faucet, and VINGLI pairs its spigot with two rubber sealing rings. Raised barrels give better flow: Step2 says its stand improves water pressure. To reach farther beds, connect a garden hose, and keep it tidy on a hose reel.

Best Rain Barrel Diverter Kit

A diverter sits inside a cut section of downspout and sends water through a hose to the barrel. The Anivia kit fits 2×3 and 3×4 inch downspouts and lets you choose Off, Medium or High, so you can shut it off when the barrel is full or the weather turns cold. Keeping gutters clear helps any setup; our gutter guard guide covers screens that keep leaves out of the system.

Best Decorative Rain Barrel

If the barrel sits by a patio or front walk, looks count. The RTS has a textured walnut finish and a flat back that sits flush against a wall, and the Step2 is a brown barrel on a matching stand. The collapsible PVC barrels are green and more utilitarian.

Keeping Rain Barrels From Causing Water Problems

At roughly 8.3 pounds per gallon, a full 50-gallon barrel holds more than 400 pounds of water by our math, and every gallon it can’t hold has to go somewhere. A few habits keep it working for you:

• Send overflow away from the foundation. Run a hose or extension from the overflow to a lawn or bed that slopes away from the house. A downspout extension does the same job when the barrel is disconnected. The EPA’s Soak Up the Rain downspout page advises considering local regulations and where water will be directed to avoid property damage or unsafe conditions.
• Screen out mosquitoes. Keep mesh tops and screens intact. The EPA’s mosquito control guidance lists rain barrels among the containers to empty and change at least once a week to remove mosquito habitat.
• Use it outdoors only. The EPA’s rain barrel page notes that roof runoff can pick up bacteria from birds and animals and chemicals from roof materials, something to weigh before watering edible plants. Never drink it.
• Prepare for freezing weather. Drain and disconnect before hard freezes, and switch a diverter like the Anivia to Off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best rain barrel for most homes?

The RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel with Brass Spigot is our overall pick. It ranks #3 in Rain Barrels, has a brass spigot and built-in overflow valve, a flat back for walls, and the only filled warranty field among our picks (“1 year parts.”).

Is a collapsible rain barrel as good as a rigid one?

It trades rigidity for storage. The Laspeiraux and VINGLI fold flat for winter and cost less, while rigid barrels like the RTS and Step2 hold their shape year-round. Collapsible barrels need a firm, level base.

Do I need a rain barrel diverter kit?

Not always. You can set a barrel directly under a cut downspout. A diverter like the Anivia, which fits 2×3 and 3×4 inch downspouts, lets you switch flow Off, Medium or High so you can stop filling once the barrel is full.

Can you drink water from a rain barrel?

No. Treat it as non-potable. The EPA notes that roof runoff can pick up bacteria and chemicals from roof materials, and suggests considering that before using it on edible plants.

How do I keep mosquitoes out of a rain barrel?

Keep the screen or mesh top in place and intact. The Step2 lists a stainless steel mesh screen, and the Laspeiraux and VINGLI have mesh tops. The EPA lists rain barrels among containers to empty and change at least weekly to remove mosquito habitat.

The Bottom Line

The RTS Home Accents 50-gallon barrel is the best rain barrel for most homes: a rigid flat-back design with a brass spigot, an overflow valve and a stated one-year parts warranty. The Step2 Lakewood adds 60 gallons and a stand, the Laspeiraux is the top-ranked collapsible, the VINGLI is the low-cost way to start, and the Anivia diverter feeds a barrel from a standard downspout with an off switch.

Wondering how your policy treats water around the foundation? Ask your agent, and read our Ohio homeowners insurance guide. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.