The 9 Best Soaker Hoses
Updated by · How we research
Flat, rubber and polyurethane soaker hoses compared on evenness, durability and pressure limits. The Water Right 700 Series leads for steady, clean watering. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Water pressure decides whether a weeping hose works. Most are built to seep at low pressure, and a spigot opened all the way can turn one into a row of fountains. Laid along rows, flower beds or shrubs, these hoses put water at the roots with little waste, and they suit gardeners who want to set a timer and walk away.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Water Right 700 Series now leads this list. It is the one hose here made of polyurethane rated safe for drinking water, it stays soft enough to curve around plants, and it came out on top in the most thorough independent watering trial we found. For a straight bed on a small budget, the Gilmour Flat Weeper does the basic job well, and the Dramm ColorStorm is the heavy rubber hose to get if you want something made in the U.S.
Six older picks are gone. The Buyokay 100, Green Mount 04070P, Swan Miracle-Gro and Flexon FS50 are no longer sold, the Melnor Flat two-pack disappeared and its replacement draws too many leak complaints, and the Teknor Apex is now only available at a big markup with a long wait. Flexon is back with its WS100KITCN kit. We also dropped the wildfire hose from the honors and updated the A.M. Leonard bulk hose with its current details.
The most useful evidence was a published trial that ran each hose at two pressures, plus University of Georgia Extension's advice on run length and slope. Almost every complaint about these hoses comes back to pressure, so check the pressure limit before you buy.
October 30, 2020:
Expanding on what we said last year, one of the main advantages to using a soaker hose is its ability to keep the ground moist without waterlogging it or the surrounding foliage. Unlike a majority of traditional and expandable garden hoses, this tool provides a concentrated and direct delivery of water into the soil so it can reach plant roots without evaporating. Taking that into consideration, the soaker hose is typically a more cost- and resource-effective irrigation tool when it comes to watering plant beds and vegetable gardens.
We've replaced the Gilmour Weeper with the Rocky Mountain Flat, which offers a two-layered design with a PVC inner liner and durable nylon fabric cover. We've also updated the Green Mount GM-04060 to the Green Mount 04070P, which offers a higher burst rating than its predecessor (up to 60 PSI).
Newly added this year is the Buyokay 100. Its porous, clog-resistant construction delivers consistent soaking results, regardless of whether it is used above or below ground.
Finally, we wanted to expand upon the decision to include the Flexon FS50. The reason it can function as both a soaker hose and sprinkler is due to the white stripes along its body through which water flows. When these stripes are faced down, water can seep into the ground soil. When the stripes face up, water is delivered in a 40-foot wide spray pattern that makes the hose ideal for more traditional lawn care and maintenance.
July 05, 2019:
In many cases, these soaker hoses are used for two major purposes: to provide a more direct delivery of water to plants and root systems for large landscaping projects, and to prevent excess run-off and water leakage. Made from a combination of recycled materials, many of the options on the list are well-adept at being bent, flexed, and used for deep-reaching irrigation.
The extra-thick walls on the Dramm ColorStorm can help prevent leaks and significantly reduce water wastage. Furthermore, its nickel-plated connectors are also crush-proof. I added the Green Mount GM-04060 for its steady flow rate, pressure levels, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Also included the Taisia 1/2 Inch for its integrated UV inhibitors and ease of setup. The extendable design of the Melnor Flat makes it easy to maneuver around obstacles in your garden, while its compact size allows for easy storage. The Gilmour Weeper is extremely durable and can be placed both above and below ground, depending on your preferences. Its outer fabric also resists clogs. I think that the One Stop Gardens Seeper is still a worthy contender for its use of pressure regulator discs and woven nylon sleeve. Although the Swan Miracle-Gro does take a while to set up (and can be a bit annoying when having to cut it to an exacting length), its patented EZ-Connect fittings are pretty reliable nevertheless. Finally, the Flexon FS50 can double as both a soaker hose and conventional sprinkler.
Special Honors
A.M. Leonard Bulk Rubber Soaker Hose Landscapers and growers with long rows can buy soaker hose by the spool from A.M. Leonard, a horticulture supplier. Its recycled-rubber hose comes in 250-foot rolls that you cut to length, with a wall about half again as thick as many hoses and a target flow of about a gallon a minute per 100 feet. It is made in the U.S. and carries a one-year warranty. Couplings and flow regulators are sold separately, and the supplier advises runs of no more than 100 feet from each water connection, on fairly level ground. amleo.com
Flat, Round Rubber Or Polyurethane
They are light and cheap, roll up small and lie neatly along a straight row, but they bend poorly.
Soaker hoses come in three main builds. Flat hoses have a thin vinyl liner inside a fabric jacket. They are light and cheap, roll up small and lie neatly along a straight row, but they bend poorly. University of Georgia Extension suggests flat hoses for long straight runs and round hoses where you need to curve around plants.
Round recycled-rubber hoses, such as the Dramm ColorStorm and the Taisia kit, are heavier and stiffer, and they arrive tightly coiled. Leave them in the sun for an hour before laying them out. A thicker wall helps a rubber hose seep instead of spraying. Polyurethane hoses such as the Water Right 700 Series cost the most, but they stay soft, and Water Right rates its hose as safe for drinking water. Most rubber and vinyl hoses make no such claim, so don't drink from them or fill a pet bowl with them.
Fittings matter as much as the hose. Brass couplings hold up to years of connecting and disconnecting. Plastic ones work, but they can crack if overtightened or left out in a freeze. In the side-by-side trial at Bob Vila, the main mark against an otherwise strong flat hose was its plastic connectors.
Pressure Is What Makes Or Breaks It
A soaker hose is a low-pressure device. Household spigots often run at 40 psi or more, and many hoses only seep properly at a fraction of that. In the Bob Vila trial, testers watered at 20 psi and then at 40 psi, and even the top pick sprayed a little at the higher setting. Rocky Mountain Goods rates its flat hose for 25 to 30 psi and includes discs that cut the flow.
If a hose sprays, it is over-pressured. Open the spigot only part way, drop a flow disc into the coupling, or fit a hose-end pressure regulator, which keeps the pressure steady without guesswork. Pressure also falls along the hose, so long runs water the first stretch more than the end. University of Georgia Extension advises keeping runs under about 100 feet and never running a soaker hose uphill. A.M. Leonard's bulk hose guidance likewise allows only a 1- to 2-foot rise per 100 feet of hose.
If you leave the hose under mulch with the spigot on, a backflow preventer at the faucet keeps muddy water from being siphoned back into your plumbing. Many newer outdoor faucets have one built in.
Laying, Burying And Making It Last
Flush a new hose with the far end open, then cap it and lay it a few inches from the plant stems. Pin it in place with garden staples so it doesn't wander. A run of about 30 minutes twice a week is a fair start, according to the Bob Vila guide. University of Georgia Extension suggests checking that the soil is moist about two inches down after a run and adjusting from there.
You can bury a soaker hose, but shallowly. One to three inches of mulch shields it from the sun, which is the main thing that breaks these hoses down, and hides it from view. Deeper burial makes leaks and clogs hard to find, and roots can grow into the pores. Most makers of flat hoses say a thin layer of soil or mulch is the limit.
Expect a few seasons from most hoses, longer when they stay covered. One gardener in a hot climate found hers breaking down in a season or two and switched to drip tubing for long rows. Drain the hose and bring it in before hard freezes, and keep lawn chemicals off it, since some can damage the material.
How we researched this
We compared about 20 soaker hoses from more than a dozen brands, read the makers' specs, pressure limits and warranty terms for the 9 finalists, studied a published side-by-side watering trial at two pressures and University of Georgia Extension's soaker-hose guidance, analyzed owner feedback on evenness and lifespan, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. No recalls turned up.
Frequently asked questions
What is a soaker hose used for?
It waters plants at the roots. Water seeps out along the whole hose, so it suits vegetable rows, flower beds, shrubs and foundation plantings, and it loses little water to evaporation or runoff.
How long should I run a soaker hose?
About 30 minutes, twice a week, is a fair start. Then check that the soil is moist about two inches down and adjust for heat, rain and soil type.
Can you bury a soaker hose?
Yes, but shallowly. One to three inches of mulch or soil protects it from the sun. Deeper burial makes leaks and clogs hard to find and lets roots grow into it.
How do I keep a soaker hose from bursting or spraying?
Lower the pressure. Open the spigot only part way, use the flow discs some hoses include, or add a hose-end pressure regulator. A hose that sprays is getting too much pressure.
How long can a soaker hose run be?
Keep each run under about 100 feet on level ground. Longer runs or slopes leave the far end dry. Feed big gardens with several shorter runs instead.
Is a soaker hose the same as drip irrigation?
No. A soaker hose seeps along its whole length, while drip tubing puts water out only at emitters. Drip lines are more precise on long rows, and soaker hoses are simpler to set up.
