The Best Soaker and Weeper Hoses in Australia for 2024 | Ultimate Backyard (2024)

There are many ways to water your lawn or garden.

You could haul out the garden hose and slowly drag it back and forth across your yard. Or you could use a sprinkler to spray water up in the air and hope it lands in the right place.

You could even buy a high-tech automatic irrigation system that will turn on at the same time every day.

But if you really want to save yourself time, effort, and money, the answer could be much simpler: soaker hoses.

Best soaker hose: Hoselink Soaker Hose

View at Hoselink

Pros: Built for Australian conditions, 300psi, 12 month warranty, available in two sizes
Cons: Requires Hoselink hose connector, not available in longer than 15m

Why we chose it: Hoselink is one of the most trusted names for irrigation in Australia. This high quality soaker hose can irrigate areas up to 4 metres wide and is UV Resistant so can withstand harsh Aussie summers. We like how two of these soaker hoses can be connected together to double the distance covered.

How it compares: While this is our top pick for soaker hoses, it’s worth noting that the Hills soaker hose below comes in a 30m length while the Hoselink is available only in 7.5m or 15m. In terms of construction, Hoselink hoses are made from PVC which is considered a more premium hose material than Vinyl which is used by the Gilmour hose also on our list. Hills don’t state the material their hoses are constructed from.

Runner up: Hills Soaker Hose

View at Amazon

Pros: Great for larges gardens, trusted Australian brand, UV protected, 2 Year warranty
Cons: Material not stated, available only in 30m

Why we chose it: The brand behind the Iconic Hills Hoist clothesline, Hills continue to manufacture high quality products for the home and garden. This hose can be used as a soaker hose where it will spray 4 metres across, or you can flip it upside down to use as a weeper hose for garden beds. We really like that Hills stand behind this product with a 2 Year warranty, as people do quite often experience issues with poor quality soaker hoses.

How it compares: At 30 metres, this is easily the longest hose in our comparison. It also has one of the longest warranty periods. Unfortunately, we can’t compare the construction material as it is not stated.

Best weeper hose: Hoselink Weeper Hose

View at Hoselink

Pros: Built for Australian conditions, 300psi, 12 month warranty, available in two sizes
Cons: Requires Hoselink hose connector, not available in longer than 15m

See Also

Garden Irrigation 101: Ollas, Soaker Hoses & Other MethodsGuide to Drip Irrigation Systems for Your GardenSoaker Hose vs. Drip Irrigation - Choosing the Right Watering Method for your Garden. — Plant and Bloom Design StudioSoaker Hose vs. Drip Irrigation: Which Is Best? - Your DIY Backyard

Why we chose it: As mentioned above, Hoselink have proven themselves as a trusted name for irrigation products. This weeper hose is perfect for slowly watering the soil directly around the roots of your plants. It’s made from high quality PVC and is UV Resistant so can withstand harsh Aussie summers.

How it compares: The Hoselink Weeper Hose is available in 7.5m or 15m, which is fairly standard for weeper hoses. If you think you need something longer, check out the 23m Gilmour Weeper Hose below, or alternatively you can connect two Hoselink weeper hoses together. The 1 Year warranty is nice to have but we’d appreciate it being 2 Years plus or even Lifetime like the Gilmour hose. However, the Hoselink hose is made from durable PVC while the Gilmour is lower quality vinyl.

Runner up: Gilmour Weeper Hose

View at Amazon

Pros: Three sizes to choose from, affordable, lots of positive customer reviews, Lifetime warranty
Cons: Not built for Australian conditions, made from vinyl

Why we chose it: This is one of the most popular weeper hoses on Amazon, with hundreds of positive customer reviews. It’s reasonably priced, comes in three different sizes, and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

How it compares: With its options of 7.5m, 15m, or 23m, this is the only hose that comes at a length between 15m and 30m. And while it does have a vinyl construction that is generally considered lower quality, it is the only product we have reviewed with a lifetime warranty.

Best value: Greenleaf Weeper Hose

View at Amazon

See Also

10 DIY Garden Irrigation System Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures) | House Grail

Pros: Very affordable, comes with tap adaptors
Cons: Less known brand, 15m size only

Why we chose it: If you’re just looking to test the waters with soakers hoses this could be a good option. It is very reasonably priced, comes with everything you need to set up, and receives positive customer reviews.

How it compares: The Greenleaf Weeper Hose comes in the familiar sizes of 7.5m and 15m. While it loses points for being made of “plastic” and having no warranty as far as we can tell, it is easily the cheapest product on our list.

What is a soaker hose?

A soaker hose is a type of drip irrigation system. The tubes are laid down in the area to be watered, and then small holes or perforations allow water to spray out like a mini-sprinkler.

In the case of a weeper hose, the water will drip out directly into the soil.

The water is released at a slow rate, which allows the water to soak into the soil instead of running off the surface. This gives the soil time to absorb the water more effectively.

Soaker and weeper hoses are usually connected to an automatic timer to control the watering time.

What are soaker hoses used for?

Soaker hoses are most commonly used for watering large garden beds.

They’re ideal for areas where you want more control over how much your plants receive.

Other benefits of soakers hoses include:

• Saves water by directly watering the soil around the plant’s roots
• More effective at only watering the areas you want to be watered
• Minimises evaporation
• Work well with low water pressure
• Can be paired with a timer for optimal watering routine

Soaker hose vs weeper hose: Which to choose?

Soaker hoses

A soaker hose looks like a regular garden hose but it has holes in it that spray water outwards in an even pattern.

They’re easy to install—you just lay them out on your lawn or garden bed and turn on the tap, letting the water spray outwards onto the soil.

Weeper hoses

A weeper hose is also known as a drip system because it drips small amounts of water directly into the soil.

Instead of spraying water outwards like a soaker hose, weeper hoses are designed to wet the soil directly underneath them.

They are therefore a good option for running through garden beds and are often installed just underneath a layer of mulch or soil.

Some drip systems also allow you to customise your irrigation by allowing water to flow to certain areas and not others.

RELATED: The best soil moisture meter

Features to look for in a soaker hose

Soaker hoses are flexible and easy to install since they can be connected to your regular garden hose or directly to a garden tap.

They’re also lightweight, which makes them easy to handle when you’re installing them around trees and other landscaping features.

Length

If efficient irrigation is the goal, you’ll want to ensure you choose a long enough hose for the job.

Soaker hoses generally come in two sizes:

• 7.5m
• 15m

Keep in mind that you can always connect two shorter soaker hoses together if required.

Material

Soaker hoses are generally made from nylon, PVC, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or rubberized textile material.

The type of material used in making the soaker hose will determine its cost as well as its durability, flexibility and lifespan under different weather conditions like harsh sunlight or extremely cold temperatures.

Maximum pressure

The last thing you want is your hose bursting because you turned the tap up too high.

Look for a hose that can handle at least 60 PSI.

How much water do soaker hoses use?

Soaker hoses are a great choice for those trying to save water as they use less water than sprinklers.

They also help conserve water for the environment by reducing runoff and letting the water slowly soak into the soil.

Finally, soaker hoses are easier to install and use in your garden or lawn than traditional watering methods such as pop-up sprinklers or drip irrigation systems.

These benefits make soaker hoses a great choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods of watering your plants and lawns.

Can soaker hoses be left out in winter?

Soaker hoses are generally not designed for below-freezing temperatures. If exposed to sub-zero temperatures, the water in a soaker hose can freeze and burst the hose.

However, there are some soaker hoses on the market that claim to withstand freezing temperatures.

These products will typically cost more than basic soaker hoses but may be worth it if you want to leave your hose out year-round or wish to keep your garden watered during the winter months.

How deep should soaker hoses be?

Soaker hoses are generally designed to be laid on top of the soil, not buried underneath.

If you want to bury a soaker hose, it’s best to opt for a weeper hose instead.

A weeper hose is made with a different material than your standard soaker hose and features a design that allows water to drip out of the bottom when buried in the ground.

Common problems with soaker hoses

Soaker hoses have a reputation for being fragile. Here are some of the most common problems you might experience with your soaker hose:

• Uneven watering. For a variety of reasons, people often find that soaker hoses don’t water as evenly as they hoped. If you experience this problem, try adjusting the tap pressure and check you don’t have any kinks.
• Kinks. Any sharp corners are likely to result in your soaker hose kinking. Avoid this by laying your hose with gentle curves only. Dual-walled soaker hoses can also help with this problem.
• Leakage. If your connections aren’t watertight, there’s a chance that water will come out of them when you’re not using the hose.
• Damage by pets or wildlife. Some animals can chew through this type of hose in no time at all. Use an appropriate container to keep your soaker hose safe from these pests.
• Damage by lawn mowers. When using this type of watering system, you should keep in mind that lawnmowers could potentially run over it and damage it beyond repair.
• Damage by freezing. If temperatures go below zero degrees for too long, ice forms inside pipes which then expand causing them to burst.
• UV degradation caused by sun exposure can weaken plastic components over time; this makes them more susceptible to punctures while also decreasing their lifespan overall.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you to better understand soaker hoses. They are a great way to water your plants, especially if you have a large garden.

They are more versatile than sprinklers and less likely to be affected by windy conditions.

A soaker hose can also save you money on your water bill because it uses less water than other methods of irrigation such as sprinklers or a garden hose.

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