Rain barrels — or water butts if you are British — capture roof runoff in a tank you can dip a watering can into. A 200 L barrel fills in 20 minutes of moderate rain off a small carport, and saves you a few dollars a month plus a lot of guilt during summer water restrictions. Here are the units that have lasted multiple Adelaide summers in our shed.
Our team’s top picks
FCMP Outdoor RC4000 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
- 190 L capacity
- Flat back, durable polymer
- Mesh strainer included
- Linkable for more capacity
Algreen Cascata 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
- 190 L plastic, brick-effect finish
- Two spigots
- Honest value
- Looks reasonable in the front yard
Good Ideas Impressions Palm 65-Gallon
- 250 L
- Detailed palm-bark texture
- Plastic that blends with garden
- Two spigots, screened lid
Earthminded RainStation
- 200 L slim flat profile
- Strong mounting brackets
- Smart diverter system
- Tidy on narrow side passages
Rain Wizard 50-Gallon Linkable Rain Barrel
- Linkable to other Rain Wizard barrels
- Solid build
- Decorative urn finish
- Brass spigot
What to look for in a rain barrel water saving
- Capacity matters: 100–250 L is the home standard. Smaller fills too quickly; larger needs serious mounting.
- Look for a fine mesh screen at the top — keeps mosquitoes and leaves out.
- A flat-back design lets the barrel sit closer to the wall.
- Plastic UV stability is essential — cheap barrels become brittle within five years.
- Always include an overflow outlet — without it your foundations get wet.
Frequently asked questions
How much water can a rain barrel save?
A 200 L barrel filled twice a week saves around 1600 L a month — enough to water a small garden in summer with no tap. Multiply by the number of barrels and the size of your roof catchment.
Is rain barrel water safe for vegetables?
Generally yes if your roof is metal or tile and you're past the first heavy rain after a dry spell (the "first flush" carries the most contaminants). Avoid rain water from asbestos cement, lead-flashed or moss-covered roofs.
How do I keep mosquitoes out of a rain barrel?
A fine mesh screen at every opening (top inlet, overflow, dispensing tap). Many barrels include this; budget barrels often don't. Add it yourself with stainless flyscreen mesh.
Should I empty my rain barrel for winter?
In freeze-prone areas, yes — water expansion can split the plastic. In milder climates (most of Australia), leave it full and use it through the cold months.
Bottom line
If you only take one thing from this guide, it is that quality matters more than spec on paper. The picks above have been chosen because our team uses them or trusts them — not because they are the most expensive or have the flashiest marketing. Buy once, garden often.
