Water Storage

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

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

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Our top 5 picks

  1. 1Best all-round rain water barrel
    Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain Barrel
    Step2 Lakewood 60-Gallon Rain BarrelView at Step2Read our analysis
  2. 2Best for tight spaces
    RTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain Barrel
    RTS Home Accents 55-Gallon Flat-Back Rain BarrelView at RTS Home AccentsRead our analysis
  3. 3Best for renters and storage
    VEVOR 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel
    VEVOR 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain BarrelView at VEVORRead our analysis
  4. 4Best for drinking water storage
    Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon)
    Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon)View at Ready StoreRead our analysis
  5. 5Best backup for treating water
    LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
    LifeStraw Personal Water FilterView at LifeStrawRead 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

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

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

VEVOR 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel

VEVOR 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel

Our verdict:

Best for renters and storage

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

View at VEVOR

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

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

#4. Ready Store 20-Gallon Stackable Water Container Kit (4 x 5-Gallon): best for drinking water storage

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 at LifeStraw

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

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. 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.