6 Best Rain Barrel Kits for Linking Systems

That single rain barrel you installed last spring seemed like a brilliant idea until the first real dry spell hit and you emptied it in a week. Now you’re looking at your downspout and wondering how to capture more of that free water without a complicated plumbing project. Linking multiple rain barrels together is the simplest way to multiply your storage, creating a reservoir to get your garden through those rain-free weeks.

EarthMinded Kits: Why Linking Barrels Is Smart

If you’re just starting to think about expanding your rainwater collection, the idea of drilling holes and connecting barrels can feel intimidating. This is where a basic, all-in-one kit shines. EarthMinded provides straightforward kits that make the process accessible for nearly anyone, turning a potentially complex job into a manageable weekend task.

The primary benefit of linking barrels is creating a single, large-capacity system that fills and drains as one unit. When the first barrel connected to the downspout fills, the overflow automatically diverts to the next barrel in the chain, and so on. This means you only need one spigot on the last barrel to access all the water, simplifying your setup immensely. EarthMinded kits typically use a "closed top" system, where water enters through a diverter and the barrels remain sealed, which is excellent for keeping out mosquitoes and debris.

These kits are a fantastic, budget-friendly entry point. The trade-off is often in the materials; the plastic fittings and corrugated hoses are perfectly functional but may not have the multi-decade lifespan of brass in a climate with intense sun or deep freezes. For most homeowners in moderate climates, it’s a practical and effective solution.

Good Ideas RWKIT-LNK: Unbeatable Brass Fittings

For homeowners in regions with dramatic temperature swings—think blistering summer heat followed by sub-zero winters—plastic fittings can become brittle and fail. This is where investing in a kit with solid brass components, like the Good Ideas Rain Barrel Linking Kit, provides serious peace of mind. Brass expands and contracts with temperature changes without cracking and stands up to years of UV exposure.

This kit is the definition of a "buy it once" solution. The threaded brass fittings create an incredibly secure, leak-proof seal when installed correctly with plumber’s tape. While the initial cost is higher than a basic plastic kit, you’re paying for longevity and the reduced risk of a failed connection flooding the area around your foundation.

Keep in mind that installation requires a bit more precision. You’ll need to ensure your holes are drilled cleanly and that you tighten the fittings properly to prevent drips. This kit is best for the homeowner who prioritizes maximum durability over the lowest possible price and is comfortable with basic tool use.

RTS Home Accents for a Kink-Resistant, Tough Hose

Have you ever tried to use a cheap garden hose that constantly kinks, cutting off water flow at the worst possible moment? The same frustration can happen with a rain barrel linking kit. Many standard kits include a thin, accordion-style hose that is prone to kinking if bent too sharply or cracking after a season in the sun.

The RTS Home Accents linking kit directly addresses this common failure point. It typically includes a robust, flexible black hose that feels more like industrial tubing than a flimsy drain pipe. This is a critical feature if your barrels are positioned around a corner or in a high-traffic area where the hose might get bumped. A kink-resistant hose ensures water can flow freely between barrels, which is essential for the system to equalize during a heavy downpour.

Choosing this kit is a smart move for anyone who has been disappointed by flimsy accessories in the past. It’s an ideal choice for practical setups where function and reliability are more important than aesthetics, ensuring your linked barrel system works without constant fiddling.

Oatey Mystic System for Maximum Water Transfer

If you live in an area known for sudden, intense thunderstorms, you need to move a lot of water, fast. When a downpour unleashes gallons of water in minutes, a standard, small-diameter linking hose can’t keep up. The first barrel fills and overflows before the water has time to transfer to the second barrel, defeating the purpose of your expanded system.

The Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System is designed for high-volume flow. Its key advantage is a large-diameter 1.25-inch hose, which can transfer water significantly faster than the 0.75-inch or 1-inch hoses found in many other kits. This ensures your barrels equalize quickly, maximizing the amount of water you capture during a brief, heavy rain event.

This system is the right choice for homeowners focused on performance and efficiency. The trade-off is that the larger hose and fittings are more visually prominent, so it may not be the most discreet option. But if your primary goal is to capture every possible drop during a cloudburst, the Oatey Mystic’s high-flow capacity is unmatched.

Fiskars DiverterPro: A UV-Stable Linking Option

For homes in sunny, high-altitude, or southern climates, the sun is a formidable foe. Constant UV radiation can make plastics brittle and cause them to fail prematurely. Fiskars, a brand known for durable garden tools, brings that same focus on material quality to its rainwater collection systems, including the DiverterPro.

While sold primarily as a diverter, the Fiskars system is designed as an integrated solution, with linking capabilities built-in. The components are made from highly UV-stable plastics that resist fading and cracking far better than generic hardware store parts. Opting for a complete system like this ensures all the pieces—from the diverter to the connectors and spigots—are designed to work together and withstand the elements.

This approach is perfect for the homeowner who values a cohesive, well-engineered system and is willing to invest in a brand name known for quality. The potential downside is being locked into a single ecosystem, but the benefit is guaranteed compatibility and materials built to last in harsh, sunny conditions.

Save the Rain DIY Kit for a Custom Barrel Array

Sometimes, a standard one-size-fits-all kit just doesn’t work for your space. You might want to link three or four barrels in a long line along a fence, or maybe you’re using unique, upcycled drums that require non-standard fittings. The Save the Rain DIY Kit is built for exactly these custom scenarios.

This kit provides the most critical, high-quality components: the threaded bulkhead fittings that create a waterproof seal through the barrel wall. It intentionally leaves out the hose, empowering you to buy the exact length and type of tubing you need from a local hardware store. This flexibility is invaluable for creating a truly custom rain barrel array tailored to your specific landscape.

This is the ideal path for the handy homeowner, renter, or gardener who enjoys a bit of creative problem-solving.

• For large properties: You can create a 20-foot-long connection to a barrel hidden behind shrubs.
• For tight spaces: You can use a short, 90-degree elbow connection between barrels tucked into a corner.
• For budget builds: You can use less expensive tubing for a temporary or low-stakes setup.

EarthMinded Flexi-Fit for Freeze-Proof Security

For anyone living in a climate with freezing winters, protecting your rain barrel system is not optional. A frozen, expanded hose or a cracked barrel can lead to a huge mess and expensive replacements. While not a linking kit itself, the EarthMinded Flexi-Fit diverter is a crucial component for any linked system in a cold region.

Its design makes winterizing your system incredibly simple. Instead of having to uninstall the entire diverter from your downspout, you can typically just remove the connecting hose and cap the outlet for the winter, allowing the downspout to function normally. This ease of disconnection is vital when you have multiple barrels linked together.

When preparing for the first frost, you must drain all barrels and linking hoses completely. The Flexi-Fit diverter simply makes the first step of the process—disconnecting the system from the downspout—quick and painless. Pairing this diverter with any linking kit is the best strategy for ensuring your entire setup survives the freeze-thaw cycle year after year.

Checking Hose Diameter with the RTS Home Accents Kit

When comparing linking kits, it’s easy to focus on the fittings, but the hose diameter is a detail that has a huge impact on performance. The size of the hose determines how quickly water can move from one barrel to the next. A kit like the one from RTS Home Accents often uses a specific, robust hose, which serves as a great example of what to look for.

A larger diameter hose (1 inch or greater) is always better for rapid water transfer. This is especially important in two common household situations:

• Homes in areas with "gully washer" rains: If you get intense, short bursts of rain, you need the water to spread across all barrels quickly to prevent the first one from overflowing.
• Setups with barrels at slightly different elevations: A larger hose helps the system overcome minor differences in water pressure, ensuring all barrels fill more evenly.

Before you buy any kit, check the listed hose diameter. If it’s not listed, be wary. A small, unlisted diameter might be a sign of a low-quality kit that will struggle to keep up with anything more than a gentle drizzle. Matching the hose diameter to your local rainfall patterns is a pro move that ensures your system works as intended.

Ultimately, the best linking kit is the one that fits your climate, your budget, and your willingness to do a little setup work. By choosing durable materials for your weather conditions and the right hose size for your rainfall, you can create a reliable, high-capacity rainwater collection system that will serve your home and garden for years to come.