By using a watering can for your plants, you don’t have to go back to the sink or tap multiple times. The best watering cans are made of durable material, feel comfortable in the hand (even full), and have a large enough capacity to water multiple plants at the same time. To help you decide which watering can is best for your plant collection, we have tested 32 watering cans in our laboratory and evaluated them for their design, efficiency, and ease of use, durability and overall value.
Our first choice is the Flower Easy Pour watering can for its large capacity, weather-resistant plastic material and useful features not normally found in other watering cans, such as double handle, two-in-one spout and refill. Hole on the side of the can.
Read on to learn about our top picks and how to choose the best watering can for your needs.
- Perfect for watering indoor or outdoor plants
- Watering Can 14.781 inch 5.226 inch 9.516In
- Holds 1.5 Liters
- Item Weight: 280 Grams
- The watering can is both functional and decorative.
- A surprising and playful decoration that will be a unique eye catcher in your home.
- The watering can is made of galvanized steel, which provides good protection against rust.
- Decorate your home with plants combined with a plant pot to suit your style.
- Holds 2.6 gallons = 333 oz.
- Size: Width 19.75 in (x) Depth 9.75 in (x) Height 15.25 in
- Thick wall structure – no creasing or leaking.
- Easy dual handle design with one hinged handle for easy pouring.
1. Best Overall Watering Can: Bloem Easy Pour Watering Can
Who it’s for: People looking for a versatile watering can that holds more than two gallons.
Who it is not intended for: people with many hanging plants.
The versatile Bloem Easy Pour watering can has useful features not often encountered with other watering cans. This includes two handles, one of which is adjustable for better control over pouring, and a two-in-one spout. Watering can rose sprinklers are usually removable, but this jug lets you switch between traditional rose pouring by simply twisting the spout nozzle. Finally, the handles do not obstruct the position of the whole (a common problem with watering cans), so you can easily fill the can without having to hold it at an awkward, often uncomfortable angle.
This watering can received excellent marks in our tests and received high marks for design, efficiency, ease of use and durability. In fact, it survived both of our drop tests (one with and without water) with no dents, cracks or scratches. The reason for this is plastic, which is one of the most durable materials you can use in watering cans. Additionally, this plastic has been treated with a coating that makes it UV stabilized, which means that prolonged exposure to the sun doesn’t wear it out as much as untreated plastic. One thing our tester found difficult was using it with hanging plants, noting that “you really have to tilt it to get a full cast”, so this tin is best for ground level gardening.
Product Details:
- Spout: Traditional and rose
- Material: UV-stabilized polypropylene plastic
- Capacity: 2.6 gallons
2. Best Budget Watering Can: Room Essentials Novelty Watering Can
For whom: People who want to spend as little money as possible on a watering can.
Who it is not intended for: those who want a watering can with extra functions.
If all you care about is letting the watering can pour water over your plants, get this super affordable option from Target. Our tester called the design of this watering can “simple but effective” and overall was “incredibly impressed” with the way it worked, given its affordable price.
This watering can was easy to carry when heavy, didn’t leak once, and filled quickly in the sink without having to keep it in an awkward corner. Not only that, but it outperformed other more expensive models in our drop test. The watering can deformed only slightly when it fell on the concrete, but our tester called the damage “minor” and still found it “completely repairable”. This regular watering can is made of weather resistant plastic, so it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Product details
| Material | Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel |
| Color | Gold |
| Brand | Ikea |
| Item Weight | 8.4 Ounces |
3. Best Watering Can for Indoors: Ansel & Ivy Sierra Watering Can
For whom: People who have hanging plants and need to water houseplants in hard-to-reach places.
Who it is not intended for: People with a large collection of houseplants that need a lot of water.
With this elegant silver colored watering can you can water all your plants efficiently and it can also serve as a decorative element for the home. The Ansel & Ivy Sierra watering can is both modern and classic with its long, thin spout and unconventional round handle, making watering plants more of an experience than a chore. The can holds one liter of water, making it ideal for those with a small to moderate plant collection with small to medium sized plants. The long spout is very useful for people with hanging plants or for those who keep their houseplants in hard-to-reach places.
One thing our tester liked most about this watering can was its light weight, even when full of water. The can also performed well in both of our drop tests and showed no signs of wear. This is probably due to the stainless steel, which is known for its durability. However, stainless steel will scratch, so be sure to handle the watering can a little more gently than any plastic. One thing that annoyed our tester was the way the handle “got in the way” when trying to fill the sink. This can be annoying for people who have to water multiple times to properly water large houseplants. In addition, watering large houseplants takes longer due to the long and narrow spout of the watering can.
Product details
| Material | Silver |
| Color | Silver |
| Brand | Houseplant Resource Center |
| Item Weight | 10.8 Ounces |
4. Best Lightweight Watering Can: Fasmov Plastic Watering Can
Who it’s for: People who have trouble carrying gallon watering cans.
For those who aren’t: people who want a more versatile watering can.
This watering can is easy to carry thanks to the two handles, both with grooves that provide a better grip on the handle. This helped make carrying a full gallon of water, which weighs over 8 pounds, “very easy” and “comfortable” for our tester. So much so that they recommend this watering can for older people or those with smaller arms and wrists.
Thanks to the material, you can store this watering can safely outside. Remember that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the plastic to wear and overtime. So if you decide to buy this watering can, keep it out of direct sunlight. The Fasmov plastic watering can performed well in our drop tests on both grass and concrete surfaces. Although the concrete drop test caused the can to warp at the front and produce a few bulges, our tester said it was “still very functional and about as good as new.” Despite this flaw, our tester found this watering can to be a “good investment” that “lasts.”
Product Details:
- Spout: Traditional
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 1 gallon
5. Best Multipurpose Watering Can: Yummy Sam Watering Can
Who it’s for: People who grow seedlings or have flowers in their yard to take care of.
For those who aren’t: people looking for a metal watering can.
The detachable rose nozzle is very useful for the busy gardener. Not only does it provide a more controlled beam, but it covers a larger area with a single beam. Rose tips are great for garden flowers that generally need no more than an inch of water per week, or for seedlings that are sensitive and may not respond well to heavy water intensity from the plants. Our tester found that the Yummy Sam watering can “waters plants well” and found the added feature of the detachable rose tube to be a “nice perk” they “would rather not pay for.”
Our tests also showed that this watering can is easy to transport and when filled to the brim, it does not leak when watering plants. Our tester also liked the handle and said the position of the watering can on the frame made it easier to reach plants at different heights. The Yummy Sam watering can is made of plastic, but unfortunately it has suffered a few dents after the concrete drop test.
Product Details:
- Spout: Traditional with removable rose attachment
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 1 gallon
6. Best Large Watering Can: XXXFlower Watering Can
Who it’s for: People with a lot of outdoor plants or a garden to take care of.
For those who aren’t: those who want a watering can made of non-drip material.
Despite its large size (the entire watering can is over two feet long), our tester was pleased that the watering can managed to fit on their large worktop. However, the size is still too large for indoor gardens, so much so that our tester deemed it “too aggressively sized for houseplants only.” The XXX Flower watering can holds 1.6 liters of water and has a long adjustable spout, so you can turn the included rose device in multiple directions for watering.
Another unique feature of this watering can, besides the adjustable spout, is the opening design. Unlike other watering cans, the opening is at the top of the pitcher, it’s small, and has a lid so you don’t have to deal with spills when you bring it to full capacity. Our tester said it was “convenient for both carrying and lifting to hang flower baskets,” but said it’s still heavy enough to “take some muscle.” One downside to this watering can is that it didn’t perform as well in our drop test as other cans. After falling, the water-filled impact caused a large dent on the corner.
Product Details:
- Spout: Traditional with removable rose attachment
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 1.6 gallons
7. Best Stylish Watering Can: Terrain Beech Wood Handle Watering Can
For whom: People who want an indoor watering can that also serves as a home decoration.
For those who are not: people who want a watering can that can hold a liter of water.
This stylish Terrain watering can is a great option for those with a collection of small houseplants. The reason for this has to do with its capacity – it’s one of the smallest watering cans we’ve tested and can only hold about 18 ounces of water. Using it to water a larger collection of houseplants or even larger houseplants will likely result in multiple trips back and forth to the sink, which will eventually become cumbersome.
Our tester found the wooden handle comfortable and powerful enough to give a “smooth pour, no matter how full”. Plus, there were no splashes all over the place, not even when pouring and walking. Please note that although this has been marked safe for external use, we are reconsidering it. While galvanized steel can withstand rain or sun, wood cannot. Fortunately, this watering can is small and cute enough to keep indoors. It is also important to note that it did not perform well in our concrete drop test, resulting in a slight dent and chipping of the paint on the underside.
Product details
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Color | Black |
| Brand | Songhg |
| Item Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
| Capacity | 1.3 Liters |
Last judgment
In general, we recommend the Flower Easy Pour watering can for its large capacity, weatherproof material and useful features such as a two-in-one spout and double handles. Our tester also found it easy to use and tough enough, surviving two of our drop tests without damage.
Our testing process
We have tested and evaluated 32 watering cans for design, efficiency, ease of use, durability and overall value. We first measured whether the watering can would easily fill a full-sized sink, then determined if it had to be angled awkwardly to fill it or if it needed to be moved to a larger sink or sink. We then carried a full watering can for about 30 yards to see how difficult it was to get it full. We noticed the comfort of the handle and whether the water remained inside. We then watered small, medium, large and hanging plants to measure water flow, how easy it was to control and aim, and whether water splashed during irrigation.
After watering the plants, we did two drop tests: one with an empty can and the other with a full one. These were carried out on both hard and grass fields at a height of four meters. After the drop, we checked the cans for any damage, such as scratches, dents, dents and cracks. We have collected all this information and used it to create the best watering cans.
How to buy watering cans
Company
Watering cans come in all shapes and sizes, large and small. The right size for you will depend on how large your plant collection is and how willing you are to go back to the sink or hose to fill it. If you have a small to medium collection of houseplants, a 1 gallon or smaller watering can should suffice. For those with a small yard, a large houseplant collection, or a medium-sized houseplant collection with a handful of large plants, look for a watering can that holds at least a gallon. People planning to use their watering cans for indoor and outdoor plants, and especially those with outdoor gardens, will benefit from a pitcher that can hold two gallons or more.
Comfort
Anyone who has ever had to carry full watering cans knows how uncomfortable the exercise can be for your arms. Even if you have a lot of plants or a full-fledged garden that needs water, you shouldn’t have a watering can that is difficult to carry around. Remember, one gallon weighs over eight pounds, so our top pick, which is 2.6 pounds, means you have over 20 pounds of water.
In addition to the capacity, you should also look at the handles. Long, thick handles with room for two hands make pouring more comfortable and controlled. Meanwhile, slimmer handles that only fit one hand are a better option for smaller watering cans that hold about a gallon or less.
bek
The type of spout is important when watering delicate plants such as seedlings, hanging plants or houseplants that are in hard-to-reach places. Hanging plants and plants in hard-to-reach places like above kitchen cabinets benefit from a watering can with a long spout. Meanwhile, seedlings, vegetables and some flowers benefit from a rose shower that resembles a rain showerhead. Not only does it make a controlled shower, but it also covers more surface area in the shower. This is best suited for more sensitive plants that may not respond well to the force of water normally available with a traditional spout.
Other watering cans should be considered
Bosmere Haws Practical Watering Can: This old-fashioned watering can is a lovely, albeit small, pot. While it worked well in our tests, it’s really only good for a small crop of vegetables unless you’re prepared to do multiple fills.
Williams Sonoma Tall Copper Pitcher: This pitcher was “very easy to fill in the sink,” had a “beautiful pour,” and could easily “double as a decoration.” However, its high price, the maintenance that copper requires, and its poor performance in our concrete drop test are reasons why it didn’t make our top picks.
Questions you can ask
Should I use a different type of watering can for different types of plants?
This depends on the size of your plant collection and your plants. If you have a large plant collection with indoor plants, outdoor plants and/or a garden, carrying a giant watering can is just uncomfortable and tiring for your body. If so, buy watering cans of different sizes, the larger one for your largest collection of plants. If you garden and grow flowers or seedlings, make sure at least one of them has a rosette.
Can I leave my watering can outside?
It depends on the material. Plastic watering cans can be left outside, but should be kept out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. This can lead to wear and tear overtime. However, sometimes plastics are treated to withstand the elements. If you think this is the case (the manufacturer states this in the product description or user manual), you can leave it in the sun. Most metal watering cans can be left outside as long as they are made of non-rusting materials such as steel, including stainless steel and aluminum.
Take our word for it
This article was written by Rachel Center, product review writer for Real Simple. We researched the best watering cans and tested 32 of the most popular options in our lab, evaluating their design, efficiency, ease of use, durability and overall value.
What are the really simple choices?
You may have seen the Real Simple Selects seal of approval next to each product on this list. Every product that appears next to that seal has been inspected, tested and evaluated by our team based on its performance to earn a place on our list. Although we source most of the products we test, we sometimes receive samples from companies when purchasing the product ourselves is not an option. If so, we’ll test the product just like we buy it, but we’ll also disclose that we got it for free so we can be as transparent as possible with you.
Do you like our tips? Check out other products that have earned Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
