The 10 Best Splash Blocks
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in March of 2017. If you live in a rainy climate, then you may already know the benefits of using a splash block. These handy sloping pieces of concrete, plastic, or metal help to guide rainwater away from your house as it pours out from your downspouts, preventing damage to foundations. Our list includes simple, utilitarian options, as well as more ornate selections that can double as decorations. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Design Toscano Garden Gnome
2. Wind & Weather Friendly Fish
3. Design Toscano Gargoyle
Editor's Notes
August 05, 2020:
Whether you prefer a basic, no-nonsense model or one that doubles as attractive backyard decor, our list contains several splash blocks that are well suited to your taste. If you’re looking for one that embodies the proverbial more matter and less art, it’s hard to go wrong with the two-foot-long Lake Lite Rain-Run, which is made of molded plastic that will stand up to the elements like a champ. As such, you won’t need to bring it in during the winter months if you choose not to do so. It does feature an attractive diamond textured pattern and is available in your choice of four colors.
In today’s update, we added in several models that, like an attractive bird feeder, not only serve a practical purpose, but also can be enjoyed as fun and whimsical outdoor decorations. The Design Toscano Garden Gnome is a colorful choice that incorporates bright shades of red, white, and green, and this friendly garden gnome does a good job of helping protect your home by accommodating spouts of up to three inches in width. Its weather-resistant resin material stands up to the elements well. For another sturdy choice from the same manufacturer, look to the Design Toscano Gargoyle, which is playfully sculpted with scaly skin and wide eyes. It’s available in additional fun themes such as a dragon, a bulldog, and a frog. If you’re less into mythical creatures and more into the real ones, check out the Design Toscano Gutter Guardian, which can be purchased in a version featuring a tabby cat, a golden retriever, a turtle, a raccoon, and more.
For yet another decorative option, look to the newly added Wind & Weather Friendly Fish which, like the gargoyle selection, is made of durable polyresin that resembles real stoneware. This one features a length of 15 inches and has been crafted with much attention to detail. Today, the CTD Store Playful makes its departure from the list, since it only fits a limited selection of downspouts. In addition, the Genova 19581 and the Wind & Weather Whimsical also were removed, due to issues with availability.
August 23, 2019:
There aren't very many features to distinguish one splash block from another, so our rankings are mainly based on factors like durability, effectiveness, and ability to stay in place.
We also valued attractiveness, which is why you'll see options like the Design Toscano Gutter Guardian ranking above plain plastic models. The decorative units are more expensive, though, so it's a question of how much you value having a block that isn't an eyesore.
Most of the options listed here can be used with any downspout, but if you find one you love that isn't a universal fit, you may need to invest in a new gutter elbow. As a general rule, it's only the splash blocks with tops on them that you need to worry about, as the open models should be compatible with any spout.
Special Honors
Exposed River Gravel Splash Block This attractive multicolored selection features tiny rocks in different shades of brown, and it can serve as a long-lasting solution to erosion to the ground around your downspout. It’s made of concrete and measures two feet in length and 10 inches in width. lowes.com
4. Oakland Living Antique Bronze
5. Lake Lite Rain-Run
6. Design Toscano Gutter Guardian
7. Suncast Decorative
8. Palos Designs Decorative
9. Flex-Drain 3002-12
10. Master Mark 30924
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.