BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details
The best system for hanging gardens and ground gardens alike.
Long tubing lengths make it easy to run water lines between several containers at once. Included clips offer a strong, secure connection for hanging plants in bad weather.
The extra pieces in the kit take a long time to set up properly.
One of the most effective, efficient systems for challenging environments.
The micro-bubbler nozzles limit the amount of wasted water while providing enough hydration to plants. Tubing lengths offer up to 250 square feet of coverage with a single kit.
Tubing is tough to bend around sharp turns and corners. Kinks can develop easily during installation.
Get yourself a comprehensive watering kit from a trusted brand with everything you need in the box.
The kit lets you customize the system to your needs. The efficient watering method won't eat at your water bill. It fits a wide range of landscaping and gardening needs, not just rows. Buyers appreciated how many different accessories it comes with as backup.
Some reported irregular spray patterns in their system.
This discrete line features most of the supplies you need for a simple and affordable start system.
Designed to let your garden shine while it does the work in the shadows. This system doesn't waste water while it evenly sprays your garden's unique setup. It's a friendly system for beginners and veteran gardeners alike. You can customize the included accessories as you need.
Some report missing parts out of the box.
This all-encompassing kit makes setting up your first irrigation system easy.
Designed for row crops, this option helps ensure the right amount of water and control. It sets up without any tools or extra equipment. A low-maintenance way to up your productivity. The kit includes tubing, connectors, plugs, and more.
Some find it harder to put together than others do.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
If you like healthy plants, but you don't want to waste the water that a sprinkler system uses, a drip irrigation kit may be worth investigating. The right kit minimizes the loss of nutrients while conserving water by giving each plant the precise amount of water it needs. One may also be the right choice if you have a beautifully landscaped area that features potted and hanging plants.
The right drip irrigation kit has sufficient tubing to reach all the plants you need to water. Additionally, the kit should feature a variety of secure fittings and emitters (where the water drips out) that won't come apart easily. The best drip irrigation kits also include a timer, so you don't have to go outside and manually turn the water on and off every day.
If you'd like to learn more about drip irrigation kits and get some tips for setting up your own environmentally-conscious micro-irrigation system, keep reading. If you are ready to buy, consider one of the highly rated options we've spotlighted in this article.
You've decided that you will be purchasing a drip irrigation kit to help you with your watering chores. Before purchasing that kit, however, you will want to map out your system so you can determine which parts you will need. Once you have that figured out, all you have to do is purchase the drip irrigation kit that includes all of those features.
First, you’ll need to measure the distance you need to cover with tubing. This measurement starts at the hose bib and extends to the furthest plant. Remember to include any tubing that will branch off from the main supply line to directly reach each plant. You will need a kit that has enough tubing to cover the combined measurements (the main supply line plus all of the branches). If you purchase a kit that doesn't have enough tubing to do this, you will not be able to water all of your plants.
The fittings go between two or three pieces of tubing so you can change direction at a 90º angle. The best drip irrigation kits come with two types of fittings: an elbow and a tee.
The emitter is where the water comes out. Some plants need a slow trickle that seeps through the soil to keep the roots moist while others may thrive with a fine mist. You want a drip irrigation kit with a variety of emitters so you can provide the ideal watering situation for each of your plants.
If your irrigation tubing runs along the ground, you will want stakes to hold it in place. If your irrigation tubing runs above your plants, you will need fasteners to secure it in an appropriate position. Mapping out your irrigation system before you purchase a kit will give you a good idea of which you need.
Some irrigation kits come with risers that elevate the irrigation tubing to allow the water to drip or mist your plants from above. If this is desirable for your setup, look for a kit that includes risers.
Your irrigation kit may or may not come with a few tools that help with assembly. You could always purchase these tools separately, but you will be grateful for a kit that includes a hole punch to fasten the emitters and a cutter to more cleanly and precisely snip the irrigation tubing.
If you punch a hole in the wrong spot, you will want your kit to have plugs so you can quickly repair the mistake.
This part may be comprised of one or two pieces, and there may be two options in your kit (threaded and non-threaded). The purpose of this essential element is to allow your irrigation tubing to easily connect to your hose bib.
If you have enough water pressure — at least 40 pounds per square inch (psi) — and you need your irrigation tubing to branch out in two different directions from your hose bib, you will want your drip irrigation kit to include this piece.
Many kits come with teflon tape. It is an inexpensive accessory that helps lubricate pipe threads to prevent leaks.
If the water pressure coming out of your hose bib needs to be adjusted, you must install a pressure regulator in order for your drip irrigation kit to work. This is another essential part that you will have to purchase separately if your kit does not include one.
The timer for your drip irrigation system attaches at the hose bib. If you would like to automate your watering, a timer will allow you to do just that.
The price of a drip irrigation kit can range from about $10 to over $40. It is somewhat simple, however, to separate the kits into three general price categories.
Inexpensive: At the lower end, from about $10 to $18, you can get a basic kit with a limited amount of tubing and usually only one type of emitter. These drip irrigation kits can be a good option as long as they meet your specific needs.
Mid-Range: In the $18 to $28 bracket, you will find extensive kits with many different types of emitters and fixtures, along with much more supply tubing. These kits also come with connecter valves, stakes, teflon tape, and more.
Expensive: When you move into the higher range, over $30, you’ll get fittings with better connections, so they are less likely to pop off. Additionally, you may find an added bonus, such as tools and/or a timer.
Like other systems, such as a computer operating system, for instance, if there is a flaw in the design or architecture of a drip irrigation system, it will not function properly. To get the most out of your new drip irrigation kit, here are a few design tips to keep in mind.
First, determine the water needs of the plants and trees that will be serviced by your drip irrigation system. Which types of emitters will be most beneficial to your plants?
Before purchasing a drip irrigation kit, map out your system on paper. Do not forget the technical aspects, such as exact measurements and water flow rates (expressed in gallons per hour). You may want to ask for help with the calculations to be sure they’re correct.
Learn the basics. Understanding flow rate, for example, will immediately take the mystery out of planning a drip irrigation system. A flow rate of 1 gallon per hour (gph), for example, simply means that, when your water is turned on, a gallon of water will drip or spray from the emitter every hour.
Don't forget to take into account the type of soil you have. Sandy soil will drain much more quickly than clay-based soil.
There are limits to your system. In general, you want to remember that 1/2 inch tubing can only run about 200 feet when the combined flow rate from all your emitters is 200 gph. Likewise, 1/4 inch tubing can only run about 30 feet. Note: To get the combined flow rate, just add up the flow rate of all the emitters in your system.
To keep it simple, it is best to keep your entire system under 400 feet.
If you need more than 400 feet of combined tubing to cover your yard, consider setting up multiple drip irrigation zones to maintain optimum water pressure.
The quickest and easiest way to set up two separate drip irrigation zones is to attach a garden hose splitter, also known as a wye splitter, to your hose bib (outdoor faucet).
If your municipal water is coming out at a high pressure, you will need to install a pressure regulator to protect your drip irrigation system.
After purchasing your drip irrigation kit, read the owner's manual in its entirety to be sure there are no model-specific limitations that you may be overlooking.
Q: Can I bury my drip irrigation system?
A: Any supply tubing or feeder lines that simply transport the water can be buried to achieve a neater appearance to your drip irrigation system. However, unless specifically designed, drip tubing and emitters should not be buried due to the risk of clogging. Remember, when your plants start to grow, they will cover much of the system that is not installed overhead.
Q: Can I use a drip irrigation kit indoors?
A: Although it sounds like a great idea, unless you have a designated area designed to withstand water, it is not recommended to run a system indoors. The nature of a drip irrigation system is to use controlled leaking to water your plants. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a drip irrigation system to leak. Because of this, these systems are best suited for outdoor use.
Q: What water pressure works best with a drip irrigation system?
A: Typically, the pressure you want for a drip irrigation system is about 25 psi. Some systems can adequately function with as low as 15 psi — the lower pressure just translates to increased watering time — but if you exceed the upper limit of 25 psi, you run the risk of damaging your system with water pressure that is too high.
Get emails you’ll love.
Learn about the products you’re wondering if you should buy and get advice on using your latest purchases.