Eager to maintain lush, vibrant flowerbeds throughout those arid summer months but lack the time for comprehensive watering? Do you scratch your head, wondering why your carefully nurtured plants and hedges appear parched despite your diligent care? The solution to your woes is the soaker hose! This ingenious tool offers an uncomplicated, efficient watering system tailor-made for every garden enthusiast. Whether focusing on a small patch or an entire landscape, you’ll find the best soaker hose that fits your needs perfectly. Dive into our article and discover the key to effortless and effective gardening.
Soaker hoses are designed to do the opposite jobs of normal hoses! They have porous holes along the length, releasing water into the soil – giving well-needed moisture directly to the plant’s root! When we water plants ourselves, we often water the leaves, which can mean a lot of the water is wasted and doesn’t get to where the plant needs it! With a soaker hose carefully placed around your bedding areas and plants, you can be sure your plants get exactly what they need. Research suggests that using a soaker hose, rather than more traditional methods of watering plants, will reduce water usage by up to 70%. Not only will this be great for the environment, but also for your water bills!
Best Pick – Hozelock 25m
![HOZELOCK - Porous Hose 25 m : Microporous Hose for Economical Watering, Without Wasting Water. Ideal for Flowerbeds, Vegetable Gardens and Greenhouses: Ready to Use [6764P0000]](https://i0.wp.com/m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Od3ZruzpL._SL160_.jpg?w=678&ssl=1)
- Porous Soaker Hose for watering beds and borders
- Ideal for establishing young plants and hedges
- Water seeps from the hose providing gentle watering without waste.
- Can be buried under the soil
- Comes complete with connectors to join to another Soaker Hose
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
Whether you are serious about your green fingers and have rows of vegetable patches that need watering or are someone with a smaller bedding area that you don’t have time to water – look no further! Here you will find all the key features you need to consider with a range of soaker hoses to get back to watching your garden bloom!
Hose Length
One of the key factors that you need to think about is the length of the hose that you are going to need! This depends on the size of your garden, the area you need to cover and the distance from the main outdoor tap you plan on using. Remember that you may not always be making a direct route with your hose, as it could need to wind in and out between plants, so you are always better looking for a longer hose length where possible.
The smallest models we have considered are around 10m in length, but most will be at least 15-30m. Some models are longer than this, coming in at around 50m, but these would only be needed for a much bigger garden or someone with several rows of vegetables.
Pressure and Flow Rate
One of the key things that you need to look out for is the pressure and flow rate your soaker hose will need to work correctly. A pressure or flow rate that is too low will mean that the water struggles to push through the porous layers of the hose, whereas a flow rate/pressure that is too high will potentially damage the hose itself! Check the range of pressures your soaker hose can work with before you buy and see whether this will be compatible with your outdoor tap.
Some models are effective even with a low-pressure rate, so they can connect to a water butt and work from that – this is another really good way to save money as you won’t be using your mains water supply to water your plants.
TOP TIP: We would always recommend looking out for a model that comes with a valve which will allow you to adapt the water pressure on the hose. Changing the water pressure from your tap can be difficult, so changing this on the hose itself will allow you to adapt depending on the hose, the plants and the weather!
Hose Material
Most soaker hoses will be relatively similar in the materials they use to get the job done. Most are made from rubber, but this depends on the design used. One thing that we did like is that some of the soaker hoses from more well-known manufacturers are made from recycled rubber. Particularly in this day and age, we feel that this is an advantage!
Most soaker hoses will use porous material lengths and allow the water to soak through. Still, some models use pinprick holes along the length of the hose instead, and these models will be made out of waterproof materials to avoid too much water being released! Whatever the type of hose you go for, make sure that it is strong and flexible. Cheaper models will be made from more brittle materials prone to cracking and breaking if left with any kinks or bends in the hose for extended lengths of time!
NOTE: The best way to check the quality of the materials is to see whether they meet the ISO9001 standard. This should be specified in the product description and is the standard level required to suggest that the product has been designed to meet customer needs in line with all other statutory bodies.
Best Budget – 100m Porous Soaker Hose
- ✓ The right level of soil hydration is a must-have for proper plant development. This is especially important during drought and heat when caring for plants requires regular watering, which, unfortunately, is associated with high costs. The porous soaker hose pipe allows you to limit the amount of water for watering. Plants will have as much water as they need, and not a drop will be wasted.
- ✓ Thanks to our drip lines, you don't have to worry about the soil drying out and the plants starting to wither. A well-designed drip line will ensure they have the right level of water at all times. There will be no question of drying the plants, but they are also not in danger of overflowing.
- ✓ SPECIFICATION: Diameter: 1/2" - 12.5 mm. Water saving: up to 70%. Watering efficiency: 0.76 L - 1.26 L / min at 0.7 Bar / 10 PSI. Features: Flexible, durable. Bending resistance: YES. Colour: Black. Material: Rubber. Connectors: Included with lengths up to 30 m / 98.4 ft. Warning: Please do not use it for drinking or hot water.
- ✓ Our porous soaker hose can be covered with bark or gravel or buried underground at a depth of a maximum of 20 cm. Ideal for precise and efficient plant watering. It is recommended to use this system especially in those places and for such plants that may be damaged by top-down watering.
- ✓ Our porous soaker hose pipes are perfect for creating an effective irrigation system in the garden. The products available from us are made of high-quality materials, resistant to weather conditions, which is why the drip line once made will perform its function well for many years. Such a solution will not only support the plants in their proper development but will help to take care of ecology and help optimize watering costs.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Accessories Included
We recommend looking at the accessories that will be included with your purchase – not just because this will make it better value for money but also because it will massively determine how easy it is to fit and secure your soaker hose.
Some of the best models will come with additional parts that will make it much easier to fit and secure your soaker hose correctly. These might include:
- Pegs – These are the best way to fix your soaker hose into the ground and help to keep it in one place.
- Joints – These will keep your soaker hose looking nice and neat as they will allow you to fix the hose into corners of the garden rather than them moving around loosely.
- Adaptors – If you worry about connecting your soaker hose to your outdoor tap, look out for models with additional adaptors that will allow you to do this easily! This saves you from having to try and match up connecting parts at a later date.
- Extensions – If you have a much larger space that you want to cover, but the hose that you like the look of is at a much shorter length than what you need, then look out for models that come with extensions. This will allow you to connect two soaker hoses to double the length.
TOP TIP: As with any purchase, check the quality of the additional accessories, not just the hose itself. Some of the cheaper models we looked at came with parts made from quite weak plastic that we felt could easily break if you were not careful!
If you want to know more about Garden Hoses, why not check out our Best Garden Hose Guide?
What Else Do You Need To Know?
We hope that by now, we have helped you to narrow down your choices when trying to find the best soaker hose available. But we haven’t told you some of the additional features you will need to look out for if you want really good value for money.
- Trimmable length – You may find that you are left with too much length at the end of your hose, and what you can’t do is leave it in a pile like you would with a standard hose (this will result in the area becoming completely saturated). This is why we like soaker hoses made from materials that can be cut down and adjusted if needed so you get just the right length.
- Additional valves – Of course, there is no reason why you cannot just switch your hose on and off at the mains like you would with a standard hose, but there may be times when you don’t need the whole hose system and only want part of your garden to receive watering—for example, planting vegetables at different times of the year. This is why we like models with additional on/off valves down the length of the hose, which allows you to avoid any water wastage!
- Non-kinking – We recommend looking out for soaker ” non-kinking ” hoses. Although we don’t think you can ever find a hose that will be perfect with this – models that have been designed with this in mind will be better to set in position.
- Surface or buried? – Some soaker hoses will be designed to sit on top of the soil, whereas others will be buried under the surface – some models can do both! Models that sit on the surface will be much easier to fit, but you worry about whether enough water is getting right to the roots of bigger plants! Models that allow you to bury the soaker hose require more pressure, but you know you are getting the best from the water you use!
- Compatible with other tools – Some well-known garden and tool brands have designed soaker hoses to be connected to some of their other gardening equipment, such as hose pipes or irrigation systems. These will allow you to share parts between the models, saving time and money.
Tips for Fitting Your Soaker Hose
If you want to get the best from your soaker hose, here are some tips we recommend you follow….
- Consider how deep your plant’s roots go and judge the depth that you will need to place your soaker hose using this. Some models cannot be placed too deep, which is worth checking.
- Use the soaker hose’s adjuster valve to adjust the water’s pressure and flow rate. It is hard to say precisely what pressure you will need, so this primarily comes down to trial and error! Just be careful not to flood the soil, leading to root rot in many plants!
- If burying your hose, we recommend marking where it is to avoid digging through it when working on your soil.
- Leave a reasonable space around your plants for the roots to spread and grow as necessary; this will avoid them becoming tangled in your soaker hose and damaging either the plant or the hose!
Have you considered looking into expandable garden hoses for watering your garden in general?
Best of the Rest
- Water-saving: For targeted, water-saving irrigation of beds and vegetable rows, for a water savings up to 70 percent
- Ready to connect: The Perl control is equipped with all connection fittings and ready for use immediately
- Customizable: The hose is shortcable and extendable by clenching up to a maximum of 30 m
- User-friendly: With the manual valve, the throughput and pressure regulation is convenient to use
- Scope of delivery includes: 1x Gardena Perl-Regner 7.5 m, 1x connection fittings
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Soaker hose for the innovative Karcher Rain System - for direct watering of plants
- Water drips out of the hose evenly over the entire length, landing precisely where it is needed
- The hose can be shortened as required and extended with the help of I-connectors or branched with T-connectors
- Ensures extremely efficient watering of hedges and bushes
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a soaker hose and a sprinkler hose?
It is easy to confuse soaker and sprinkler hoses as they are both very similar in design (and designed for quite a similar purpose). They are both hoses that are designed to let water through the length….However, a soaker hose normally does this at low pressure, using porous materials that allow the water to drip slowly into the soil. In contrast, a soaker hose does this at high pressure allowing the water to spray onto the surrounding area. Both have pros and cons, depending on what you want to use them for.
What is better: a flat or round soaker hose?
Consider your garden needs when deciding between a flat or round soaker hose. While both efficiently deliver water, a round soaker hose tends to be more durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it perfect for long-term use. On the other hand, flat soaker hoses are easier to store and excellent for temporary or seasonal planting.
Do soaker hoses really save water?
Yes, soaker hoses can be a water-saving alternative to traditional sprinklers. They allow water to seep into the soil, reducing evaporation and overspray slowly. This method targets plant roots, ensuring your garden receives the right amount of hydration while minimising water waste.
What are the cons of soaker hoses?
While soaker hoses are beneficial, they aren’t without downsides. They may not be the best option for large lawns due to their limited coverage. Plus, they work best on flat terrain, as gravity can affect water distribution in sloped areas. Also, soaker hoses may become clogged with mineral deposits over time, requiring regular maintenance.
Does a soaker hose need water pressure to work?
Soaker hoses require minimal water pressure to work effectively, often between 10-30 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). Excessive pressure can cause the hose to spray rather than seep, defeating its purpose. A pressure regulator can help maintain optimal water pressure.
Do I need a filter for a soaker hose?
Using a filter with a soaker hose is a good practice, especially if you have hard water. A filter can prevent mineral build-up within the hose, prolonging its lifespan and ensuring efficient operation.
Can soaker hoses go uphill?
Soaker hoses can go uphill, but it’s essential to remember that gravity affects water flow. If the incline is steep, the water may not reach the top as effectively. Using a pump to increase water pressure or placing the water source at a higher point can help overcome this issue.
Can I poke more holes in a soaker hose?
Poking more holes in a soaker hose is generally not recommended as it can affect the hose’s water distribution and potentially damage it. Soaker hoses are designed to allow water to seep out along their entire length, and altering this design may lead to uneven watering.
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