Water Storage

5 Rain Water Barrel and Water Storage Picks, Plus Setup in 2026

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A green rain barrel collecting water from a downspout in a lush garden

The short answer

A rain water barrel is a useful backup for gardens, cleaning and flushing. Store drinking water separately, at one gallon per person per day, and treat any rain water before you drink it.

Last updated September 2026

Contents12

Our top 5 picks

  1. 1Best all-round rain water barrelStep2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain BarrelStep2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain Barrel
    • Holds 60 gallons on a raised, built-in stand
    • Stainless mesh screen over the top and a brass spigot
    • Several barrels can be linked for more storage
    View on AmazonRead our analysis
  2. 2Best for tight spacesRTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain BarrelRTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain Barrel
    • Flat back sits flush against a wall or fence
    • Removable lid for cleaning
    • Raised stand included, made with recycled plastic
    View on AmazonRead our analysis
  3. 3Best for renters and storageCollapsible 53-Gallon Rain BarrelCollapsible 53-Gallon Rain Barrel
    • Folds down for storage and carrying when empty
    • Three-layer PVC body with a screw-in faucet
    • Mesh top keeps leaves and debris out
    View on AmazonRead our analysis
  4. 4Best for drinking water storageSaratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackable Containers (4-pack)Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackable Containers (4-pack)
    • Four 5-gallon containers, 20 gallons in all
    • Food-grade, BPA-free HDPE
    • Flat tops and bottoms stack; handles for carrying
    View on AmazonRead our analysis
  5. 5Best backup for treating waterLifeStraw Personal Water FilterLifeStraw Personal Water Filter
    • Drink straight through it; no power or chemicals
    • Maker lists removal of bacteria and parasites
    • Listed life of about 1,000 gallons
    View on AmazonRead our analysis

A rain water barrel catches water from your roof so you can use it later. In normal times it waters the garden. In an emergency, it can flush toilets, wash hands and clean up, which saves your stored drinking water for drinking. It is not a drinking water source on its own, though. This hub covers barrel picks, setup, and how rain water fits with the rest of your emergency water plan.

#1. Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Barrel: best all-round rain water barrel

Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain Barrel

Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain Barrel

Our verdict:

Best all-round rain water barrel

Best for a standard downspout at a house with a garden.

View on Amazon
  • Holds 60 gallons on a raised, built-in stand
  • Stainless mesh screen over the top and a brass spigot
  • Several barrels can be linked for more storage

Keep in mind: rain water is for non-drinking uses unless you treat it.

Product details checked September 2026

Standout: a 60-gallon barrel on a raised stand, with a mesh screen and a brass spigot. The listing says the height improves water pressure and makes filling a watering can easier.

#2. RTS 55-Gallon Flat-Back Barrel: best for tight spaces

RTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain Barrel

RTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain Barrel

Our verdict:

Best for tight spaces

Best for narrow side yards and spots against a wall or fence.

View on Amazon
  • Flat back sits flush against a wall or fence
  • Removable lid for cleaning
  • Raised stand included, made with recycled plastic

Keep in mind: 55 gallons weighs over 450 pounds when full, so set the stand on firm, level ground.

Product details checked September 2026

Standout: a flat back that sits flush to a wall, a removable lid for cleaning, and a spigot.

#3. Collapsible 53-Gallon Barrel: best for renters and storage

Collapsible 53-Gallon Rain Barrel

Collapsible 53-Gallon Rain Barrel

Our verdict:

Best for renters and storage

Best for renters, or anyone who wants to pack the barrel away in winter.

View on Amazon
  • Folds down for storage and carrying when empty
  • Three-layer PVC body with a screw-in faucet
  • Mesh top keeps leaves and debris out

Keep in mind: soft barrels are less sturdy than rigid ones. Set it on flat, level ground.

Product details checked September 2026

Standout: it folds flat when empty and has a mesh top to keep leaves out.

#4. Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Containers: best for drinking water storage

Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackable Containers (4-pack)

Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackable Containers (4-pack)

Our verdict:

Best for drinking water storage

Best for the drinking water side of your plan.

View on Amazon
  • Four 5-gallon containers, 20 gallons in all
  • Food-grade, BPA-free HDPE
  • Flat tops and bottoms stack; handles for carrying

Keep in mind: each is heavy when full. Keep them low.

Product details checked September 2026

Standout: four food-grade, BPA-free 5-gallon containers that stack. Compare options in our water storage container picks.

#5. LifeStraw Personal Filter: best backup for treating water

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Our verdict:

Best backup for treating water

Best for a go-bag, or treating water when stored water runs low.

View on Amazon
  • Drink straight through it; no power or chemicals
  • Maker lists removal of bacteria and parasites
  • Listed life of about 1,000 gallons

Keep in mind: it does not remove chemicals, so it is not a fix for roof runoff with chemical risk.

Product details checked September 2026

Standout: the maker says it removes bacteria and parasites, with no power needed. Compare options in our portable water filter picks.

Factors to consider when choosing a rain water barrel

We built this list from official guidance: Ready.gov's water page, the CDC's emergency water storage guide and the EPA's rain barrel page. We picked barrels for the garden and backup use, and separate food-grade containers for drinking water. We did not test these by hand. Details come from each listing, so check the current page before you buy.

What a rain water barrel is good for

The EPA describes rain barrels as a way to capture water from a roof and hold it for later, such as for lawns and gardens, or for indoor plants. In an emergency, the same water can:

  • Flush a toilet by pouring a bucket into the bowl.
  • Wash hands and clothes, or mop floors.
  • Water a garden when the tap is off or rationed.

Every gallon of rain water used this way is a gallon of stored drinking water you do not need to touch.

Why rain barrel water is not drinking water

The EPA notes that as rain flows over a roof, it can pick up bacteria from birds and other animals, and chemicals from roof materials. That is why it also urges caution with edible plants. Treat rain water as untreated water. If you ever need to drink it, filter it to remove dirt and germs, then disinfect it. Chemicals from a roof are harder to remove, so stored drinking water is always the better choice.

Setting up a rain water barrel

  1. Pick a downspout. Choose one that drains a good part of the roof.
  2. Build a level base. A full 55-gallon barrel weighs over 450 pounds, so the base must be solid.
  3. Raise it up. Height gives better pressure at the spigot.
  4. Screen the top. A mesh lid keeps out leaves and bugs.
  5. Plan the overflow. Route extra water away from your foundation.
  6. Check local rules. Some states and towns have rain barrel guidance, and the EPA links to several.

Your emergency water plan in three layers

Layer 1: stored drinking water. Use the emergency water planning guide to set your household target and long-term storage routine to keep it ready. Ready.gov says to store at least one gallon per person per day for several days, and the CDC suggests two weeks if you can. Use food-grade containers. Replace water you store yourself every six months. The water storage containers guide compares options, and the water storage tanks guide covers bigger setups.

Layer 2: a way to treat water. Ready.gov lists boiling for one full minute, or adding 1/8 teaspoon of plain 5.25 to 6.0 percent household bleach per gallon and waiting 30 minutes. A filter adds a backup. See the portable water filter guide and the best water purification guide.

Layer 3: non-drinking water. This is where a rain water barrel fits, alongside a filled bathtub before a storm.

More in this guide

Planning and storage containers

Fixed tanks and capacity planning

Purification and field water

More Plainly Prepared guides

Our picks in this topic

Questions people also ask

Is rain barrel water safe to drink?

Not as it comes off the roof. The EPA notes that rain can pick up bacteria from birds and animals and chemicals from roof materials. Use it for gardens, cleaning and flushing, or filter and disinfect it first.

How big a rain water barrel do I need?

Most home barrels hold about 50 to 60 gallons. You can link several together, or step up to a larger tank if you have the space and a sturdy base.

How much drinking water should I store?

Ready.gov says at least one gallon per person per day for several days. The CDC suggests a two-week supply if you can.

How often should I replace stored drinking water?

Ready.gov and the CDC say to replace water you store in your own containers every six months. Store-bought water can be kept until its date.