Our top picks include the Haws Brass Watering Wand, the Ryobi ONE+ Portable Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit, and the Yard Butler WST-1 Deep Root Drip Irrigation System. Here are the best watering tools for the yard and garden. This heavy-duty hose boasts long-lasting performance and an ergonomic grip that effortlessly attaches to any outdoor faucet. And as the name suggests, it never kinks. Thanks to crush-resistant couplings, it offers a steady stream of water through twists, turns, and heavy use. Made of galvanized steel, it’s weatherproof and rust-resistant through every season, and you can count on it to last for a year—or maybe even decades. Not only that, but the ergonomic design makes it easy to tote around your property while giving you precise control over how much pours out. What’s more, since you’ll minimize runoff and evaporation from surface watering, it can help you cut down on your water use. You can also use it as a root feeder to distribute fertilizer deep down into the soil. This ensures your veggies and flora aren’t neglected while also helping you prevent overwatering. They’re also a great solution for going on vacation or any time you’re planning on being away from home for more than a couple of days. A hose is an essential tool that you’ll need in order to use most other watering tools. Hose nozzles and watering wands allow you to direct water in one direction and saturate specific areas of soil, whereas sprinklers and mister fans disperse water more evenly. Irrigation tools and watering stakes are more hands-off once you set them up, as they deliver a slow release of water into the soil. Add-ons like sensors, moisture meters, and rain gauges are separate tools to help you determine when and how much water to deliver.
Features
When it comes to sprinklers, watering wands, and hose nozzles, you’ll want to look for options with adjustable settings. Many sprinklers and nozzles have multiple settings, allowing you to change the pressure, pattern, and flow of water. Similarly, watering wands often have control valves on the handle for adjusting the pressure. Irrigation systems might include timers or sensors that indicate the amount of moisture in the soil. Features like automatic drains can reduce the time and effort required to winterize the system. You’ll also want to think about portability, especially if you have a sizable lawn. You can find cordless misting fans with rechargeable batteries that can draw water from a bucket. This means you can place them anywhere you want, no matter where the nearest hose or outlet is.
Volume
Lastly, you’ll want to consider the volume of a watering tool. Hoses (and anything that hooks up to a hose) have the most volume, as the water comes from an outdoor faucet, which can theoretically keep running for days. With products like watering cans, stakes, and misters, be sure to check the capacity and learn how much water they will actually hold before purchasing. These types of tools can look a lot bigger online than they are in person, so you’ll want to ensure they can hold as much water as you need them to.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland has been creating content for The Spruce since 2019. As an experienced commerce writer specializing in home improvement, she’s seasoned in topics surrounding gardening, landscaping, and outdoor living. You can find more of her stories on MyDomaine and Byrdie. Additional research comes from Barbara Gillette, a Master Gardener, herbalist, and beekeeper. An adequate set of tools along with an efficient watering system is crucial for maintaining her several dozen flower beds, formal herb garden, greenhouse, and large organic vegetable garden.
