We found that the best soaker hoses are made from polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and recycled rubber. Recycled rubber is durable and flexible, PVC is less durable but also less expensive, and polyurethane is lightweight, and flexible, and tends to be the most expensive.
Soaker Hose Disadvantages
A soaker hose may degrade over a shorter period of time (4 years). The unregulated water release of a soaker hose is not as efficient (roughly 4lph per metre). Run in lengths up to 20-30 metres.
The maximum length for an effective soaker hose is 100 feet. Soaker hoses come in 25, 50, 75 and 100 feet. Purchase the length that best fits your planted areas and lay your soaker hose only in these areas. Use a garden hose to connect your soaker hose to the faucet.
The Soaker Hose creates a fine mist that's released from small holes along its body, whereas the Weeper hose allows water to seep directly into soil as it drips, or weeps, directly out of its body and downwards towards the surface.
It turns out that if you live with hard water (and we do), the holes in the hose can clog up with dissolved minerals. And if your hose is buried in the dirt (which ours was in spots), the holes can become clogged with dirt.
“A high-quality soaker hose should be made from durable and weather-resistant materials that won't easily crack or burst under pressure.” We found that the best soaker hoses are made from polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and recycled rubber.
The pressure moving through your sprinkler system is too great for soaker hoses. They might break down the rubber and plastic materials.
The Bottom Line. Our pick for the best soaker hose is the H2O WORKS Garden Flat Soaker Hose. This hose is strong, resilient, and durable, while still being lightweight. It offers a fast water flow and is suitable for any type of weather, from -4 to 140°F.
The major problem with soaker hoses is that they're composed of reconstituted rubber and will degrade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. Expect them to fall apart in a year and a half to two years, at most.
Drip emitter tubing stands out for its resistance to clogging. It's engineered to reduce the likelihood of dirt and debris build-up, unlike soaker hoses which are more prone to clogging.
You won't increase the chances of diseases, which can happen if the leaves get wet. The biggest thing you have to remember is to turn off the water. But leaving the soaker on for eight hours would be enough for most plants.
Mornings and evenings are excellent times to water gardens when using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose. Watering in the evening isn't a problem as these methods don't wet plant foliage.
Similar to a soaker hose is drip tape, a more lightweight product that works for row crops and raised beds. Easy and inexpensive – Simply attach to a garden spigot. Useful for small gardens – good alternative when drip is not a possibility.
Soaker hoses enable you to get water to your plants where they need it most…at the root. They save time (no moving around sprinklers or hand watering) and they save money by reducing water loss via evaporation.
Polyethylene is the go to tubing material for professional horticultural applications. It is easy to work with, extremely cost effective, lasts for many years with proper maintenance, and you can punch holes and drip emitters directly into it.
Round soaker hoses are the most versatile, as they can be easily maneuvered through gardens of all shapes and sizes with minimal risk of kinking. They are also often the most durable but tend to be the most expensive. Length: Soaker hoses are usually available in lengths between 15 to 100 feet.
Because Weeper Hoses drip directly into the ground underneath them, they are suitable for watering garden beds, can be buried under mulch and are useful for conserving water. Soaker Hoses, on the other hand, act more like a sprinkler. Many people like to use them on nature strips or other long sections of garden.
Can soaker hoses be left out over the winter? The answer is most definitely yes, but consider a different scenario.
Vinyl hoses aren't as durable as rubber hoses. A rubber garden hose requires the most upfront investment. They're tougher, more flexible and heavier than vinyl hoses. Overall, rubber hoses are more durable.
Our top pick is the Forever Steel 304 Stainless Steel Hose because it's impossible to puncture or kink, yet remains lightweight and flexible for maneuvering around the yard. Plus, it has the highest burst strength on our list at 500 PSI. If you have limited storage, we recommend TheFitLife Expandable Garden Hose.
Both are good choices to water your garden and which is best can come down to the size and type of area you are looking to water. Sprinklers are better for larger areas, while soaker hoses are great for targeting the foot of plants in flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Aside from the hoses degrading and cracking quickly, the other major problem is soaker hoses have a tendency to water unevenly. Unless you have perfectly level soil, the soaker hose will pool water at the lowest point and water that more than anywhere else. If you have a high point, it will let out very little water.
Tips for Using a Soaker Hose. Bury the soaker hose under a few inches of mulch to prevent evaporation. Turn the spigot on just enough to make water seep from the holes. The water should not quickly shoot out of the soaker hose holes but gently water the plants.