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A rain barrel vs cistern choice comes down to how much water you want to keep and how long you want to keep it: a rain barrel is a small container that sits by a downspout for garden watering, while a cistern is a larger tank built for longer storage. The listings in this guide cover the rain barrel side only, and no cistern is listed here, so the products below show what a barrel can do and the guide explains where a cistern fits instead. Pick a rain barrel when you want water for a garden, a lawn or cleaning, and look at a cistern when you need stored water to last longer and serve more uses. The sections below compare the listed barrels by capacity, material and fittings, then lay out how to decide between the two kinds of storage.
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The quick answer
For garden watering from a downspout, a rain barrel is the simpler pick: it sits by the house, fills from the roof and drains through a spigot into a watering can or hose. A cistern suits a household that wants stored rainwater for more uses over a longer stretch, and it takes more space and more planning than a barrel. The barrels listed here hold 50 gallons, 55 gallons and 100 gallons, so a garden that needs a modest amount of water between rains fits a 50-gallon barrel, while a larger garden or a longer dry stretch fits the 100-gallon collapsible barrel. Check the fittings before you buy: a spigot, an overflow valve and a screen keep the water usable and the barrel from spilling over.
How a rain barrel works
A rain barrel catches runoff from a roof downspout and holds it until you need it for watering. The RTS Home Accents barrels in this guide are 50-gallon barrels with a flat back that sits against a wall or fence, a built-in overflow valve, a spigot and a stand that raises the barrel for easy access to the spigot. Each comes with a link kit, screens and hose barbs, so barrels can be linked together for more storage at a downspout. The black 2-pack is made of 100% recycled plastic and lists a plastic spigot, while the walnut 2-pack lists a brass spigot and aluminum screens, and each carries a 1 year warranty. The collapsible gibxiyza barrel takes a different approach: it has a wide opening and mesh top for easy access, a filter overflow kit and a faucet, plus 2 spigots for getting water out, and it folds and rolls up when not in use.
How a cistern differs
A cistern is a larger tank for storing rainwater over a longer period, and it is the pick when a barrel runs dry too fast for the job. No cistern is listed in this guide, so the comparison rests on what the listed barrels show: barrels are above-ground containers with spigots and overflow valves, sized for garden watering and cleaning. A cistern needs a bigger footprint and a plan for getting water in and out, and it suits a household that wants stored water to cover more uses than a garden hose. If the listings here run short for your needs, a cistern is the next step up from the largest barrel listed, the 100-gallon collapsible model, and it is worth sizing once you know how much stored water the household needs.
Rain barrel vs cistern: which fits your setup
Match the storage to the job. A barrel fits a garden, a lawn, a patio or a farm that needs water for irrigating or cleaning, which is how the collapsible barrel describes its own use. A cistern fits a household that wants stored water on hand for a longer stretch and for more than watering. The deciding factors are capacity, space and fittings: the listed barrels measure from 22.5 inches by 22.5 inches by 34.75 inches for the Bushman drum to 38.58 inches by 27.56 inches by 27.56 inches for the collapsible barrel, and the RTS barrels measure 20.0 inches by 27.0 inches by 44.0 inches or 27.0 inches by 20.0 inches by 44.0 inches. Weight matters if you plan to move the container: the Bushman drum weighs 19.0 pounds and each RTS barrel weighs 24.0 pounds. A barrel with a stand puts the spigot within easy reach, a link kit joins barrels at a downspout, and a collapsible barrel folds away when the season ends.
| Barrel | Capacity | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel, Black 2-Pack | 50 gallons | 100% recycled plastic | Spigot, overflow valve, stand, link kit |
| RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel, Walnut 2-Pack | 50 gallons | UV-resistant polyethylene | Brass spigot, overflow valve, stand, link kit |
| Bushman 55 Gallon Plastic Drum | 55 gallons | High density polyethylene | Leakproof lid, plug closures |
| gibxiyza 100 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel | 100 gallons | 3-layer PVC | Faucet, 2 spigots, filter overflow kit, mesh top |
The gear in this guide
The listings below are the rain barrel side of this comparison, ordered from the largest capacity to the smallest. Each is a barrel or drum for collecting and storing rainwater, and each brings different fittings to the job.
gibxiyza 100 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel. The largest capacity listed, at 100 gallons, in a 3-layer PVC body that measures 38.58 inches by 27.56 inches by 27.56 inches. It has a wide opening and mesh top, a filter overflow kit and a faucet, plus 2 spigots for getting water out, and rod holders for stability. It folds and rolls up when not in use, which suits a garden that needs a large barrel for part of the year and storage space for the rest of it.
Bushman 55 Gallon Plastic Drum. A 55-gallon tight head drum in blue high density polyethylene, approved for holding FDA- and USDA-compliant food-grade items. It measures 22.5 inches by 22.5 inches by 34.75 inches, weighs 19.0 pounds and stacks when sealed. The lid is glued shut and not removable, so it suits bulk storage and transport more than a barrel you open to clean or scoop from.
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel, Black 2-Pack. A 2-pack of 50-gallon barrels made with 100% recycled plastic, each with a flat back, a stand, a plastic spigot, an overflow valve and screens, plus a link kit and Teflon tape. Each barrel weighs 24.0 pounds and measures 20.0 inches by 27.0 inches by 44.0 inches, and the maker lists a 1 year warranty. The flat back fits against walls or fences in tight spaces.
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel, Walnut 2-Pack. A 2-pack of 50-gallon barrels in walnut, each with a flat back, a stand, an overflow valve and a link kit, and a brass spigot for leak-free water retrieval. Each barrel weighs 24.0 pounds and measures 27.0 inches by 20.0 inches by 44.0 inches, and the maker lists a 1 year warranty. The brass spigot and aluminum screens set it apart from the black 2-pack.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Can a rain barrel supply drinking water?
The listings here describe garden watering, cleaning and irrigation, not drinking water. The Bushman drum is approved for holding FDA- and USDA-compliant food-grade items, which is the strongest food-safety statement in this set. See the best rain barrels for drinking water for barrels made for that use.
How much water does a rain barrel hold?
The barrels listed here hold 50 gallons each, the Bushman drum holds 55 gallons, and the collapsible barrel holds 100 gallons. A 2-pack of 50-gallon barrels gives linked barrels at a downspout when joined with the included link kit. A cistern is the larger option, which is why it suits longer storage.
Do rain barrels need an overflow?
Yes, in practice. The RTS barrels list a built-in overflow valve that manages safe water overflow, and the collapsible barrel lists a filter overflow kit. Without one, a full barrel spills at the downspout.
Can a rain barrel be stored away for winter?
The collapsible barrel folds and rolls up when not in use, which makes it the easiest of this set to store. The RTS barrels come with stands and the Bushman drum stacks when sealed, so they need a place to sit through the off season. See the best rain barrel covers for winter for covers made for cold months.
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