Best Rain Barrels for 2026

A 50-gallon rain barrel connected to a downspout can offset 1,300+ gallons of municipal water use per year — enough to water a garden through a dry summer without touching your water bill. The market is dominated by one brand: RTS Home Accents, whose ECO barrel sells 3,000+ units per month on Amazon. This guide covers their three main configurations and what accessories you actually need for a complete setup.

RTS ECO 50-Gallon Rain Barrel — Best Overall

The flat back design is the ECO's defining feature — one side is flat so the barrel sits flush against a wall, fence, or house exterior without protruding into a walkway or garden bed. The overflow port on the side connects to a standard garden hose for routing excess water away from the foundation. The brass spigot accepts a garden hose directly. At $99 with over 3,400 Amazon reviews and 3,000+ units sold every month, this is the default rain barrel for most homeowners.

What's included: The barrel, a brass spigot, an overflow hose connector, a removable screened lid (keeps debris and mosquitoes out), and installation hardware. A downspout diverter is NOT included — see the accessories section below.

Best for: Tight spaces along a fence line or house wall, anyone who wants maximum function at minimum cost, and anyone planning to link two barrels together (the ECO's link port is easy to access).

RTS Newport 50-Gallon Rain Barrel with Stand — Best Decorative Pick

The Newport looks like a large decorative urn rather than a barrel — intentionally designed for front yards, visible garden spaces, and anywhere aesthetics matter as much as function. Available in Sandstone (warm tan), Slate (gray-blue), and Charcoal (dark gray). The elevated stand raises the spigot height for easier access and clearing a bucket underneath.

At $183–$189, it's roughly double the ECO's price for the same 50-gallon capacity. The premium is entirely aesthetic — the collection and storage function is identical. The sandstone color is the most natural-looking and the most popular. The included stand adds about 8 inches of elevation versus the flat-bottomed ECO.

Best for: Front yard downspouts, visible garden areas, and anyone who doesn't want a black barrel visible from the street. The stand also makes gravity-feed irrigation slightly more effective by raising the spigot height.

RTS ECO 50-Gallon Rain Barrel 2-Pack — Best for Maximum Capacity

The 2-pack doubles capacity to 100 gallons total from a single downspout. The included link kit connects the two barrels at the overflow port — the first barrel fills to capacity, then automatically begins filling the second through the link. You still only need one downspout diverter. The per-barrel price ($118–$121 each) is slightly higher than buying two singles, but the link kit is included and the setup is tested to work together.

Best for: Homes with large roof areas that drain quickly, high-rainfall climates, gardeners who water frequently, and anyone who's filled a single barrel and wished for more. 100 gallons covers roughly 30 square feet of garden area per week without additional water supply.

Essential Accessories

Rain Barrel Downspout Diverter

A diverter is the most important accessory — without one, you'd have to cut the downspout and lose overflow control. A diverter installs into the downspout with a side port that fills the barrel; when the barrel is full, water continues down the downspout normally. Universal fit for 2×3" and 3×4" downspouts. Most install without tools in under 30 minutes.

"Rain barrel diverter" is one of the most-searched rain barrel accessory terms (2,900 monthly searches, difficulty 19). A diverter costs $20–$40 and is essential for any rain barrel setup.

Rain Barrel Pump

Gravity flow from a rain barrel is slow — about 0.5 GPM through the spigot. For drip irrigation and soaker hoses, gravity is adequate. For hose-end watering or sprinklers, a small submersible or inline booster pump connected to the spigot increases flow enough to be practical. Look for pumps specifically rated for rain barrel or low-head applications.

Overflow Kit

The ECO barrel has a built-in overflow port, but adding a dedicated overflow hose routes excess water away from your foundation rather than letting it pool around the barrel base. A 4–6 foot overflow hose with a directional elbow points overflow toward a garden bed or storm drain. Costs under $15 and prevents foundation drainage issues during heavy rain events.

How Much Water Does a Rain Barrel Collect?

The formula: roof area (sq ft) × rainfall (inches) × 0.623 = gallons collected.

A single 50-gallon barrel fills quickly for most homes — a 400 sq ft roof section fills it in just 0.2 inches of rain. This is why linking two barrels (100 gallons total) or setting up overflow irrigation makes sense for moderate rainfall areas. Use our water storage calculator if you're sizing for longer-term storage beyond rainwater collection.

Where to Position Your Rain Barrel

• Under a downspout, not in open yard. The barrel needs to be directly connected to a downspout via a diverter or direct inlet — placing it in open yard to catch direct rainfall is ineffective.
• On a level surface. A full 50-gallon barrel weighs 420 lbs. Use pavers, compacted gravel, or a purpose-made stand for stability — an unlevel barrel on soil will tilt as the soil settles under the weight.
• Elevated if possible. Every inch of elevation increases gravity flow pressure. A 12-inch platform under the barrel noticeably improves spigot flow rate for irrigation.
• Away from the house foundation for overflow. The overflow outlet must point away from the structure — overflow pooling at the foundation is a moisture and structural issue.
• Shade extends barrel life. UV-resistant plastic handles direct sun but shade reduces heat stress on the barrel and algae growth inside.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size rain barrel do I need?+

A 50-gallon barrel is the standard size for a single downspout — it fills from about 80 sq ft of roof area per inch of rain. For larger roofs or frequent watering needs, link two 50-gallon barrels for 100-gallon total capacity. A 1,000 sq ft roof collects roughly 600 gallons per inch of rain, so a single barrel fills in the first 10 minutes of a moderate rainfall event.

What is a flat back rain barrel?+

A flat back rain barrel has one flat side that sits flush against a wall or fence. Standard round barrels protrude 18–24 inches; flat back barrels protrude only 12–14 inches. The RTS ECO is the most popular flat back rain barrel on Amazon — its flat side makes it practical for narrow side yards, fence lines, and tight spaces where a round barrel won't fit.

What is a rain barrel diverter and do I need one?+

Yes — a diverter is essential for a clean installation. It installs into your downspout and redirects rainwater into the barrel through a side port. When the barrel is full, water continues down the downspout normally. Without a diverter, you'd need to cut the downspout and lose overflow control. Diverters cost $20–$40 and install in under 30 minutes.

Can I link two rain barrels together?+

Yes — the RTS ECO 2-pack includes a link kit that connects two barrels at the overflow port, automatically filling the second once the first is full. You only need one downspout diverter for two linked barrels. The 2-pack gives you 100 gallons total capacity in the same footprint as two side-by-side barrels.

Do rain barrels attract mosquitoes?+

Not if properly sealed. Both RTS barrels have screened inlet openings and removable lids that block mosquito access. For extra protection, drop a BTi mosquito dunk in the barrel each month during warm weather — it kills mosquito larvae without harming plants, animals, or humans.