The Bottom Line
The RTS Home Accents 50-gallon rain barrel delivers solid performance for eco-conscious gardeners wanting to conserve water without breaking the bank. While it requires strategic placement for easy access, its durable construction and attractive wood-grain finish make it a practical investment for most home gardens.
Product Overview
Water conservation has become increasingly important for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental footprint and lower utility bills. The RTS Home Accents 50-gallon rain barrel offers a straightforward solution for capturing and storing rainwater from your roof's downspouts. This isn't just about being eco-friendly—it's about having a reliable water source for your garden during dry spells and reducing runoff that can contribute to erosion around your home's foundation.
This particular model stands out with its wood-grain textured finish that helps it blend into outdoor spaces better than stark plastic alternatives. Measuring approximately 23 inches in diameter and 35 inches tall, it includes a brass spigot positioned about 4 inches from the bottom, a removable screen lid to keep debris and mosquitoes out, and comes ready to connect to standard residential downspouts. You'll typically find it priced between $89-$120 depending on seasonal availability and retailer promotions.
What We Love
- Generous 50-gallon capacity - Perfect sweet spot for most suburban lots, providing enough water for weekly garden maintenance without taking up excessive space
- UV-resistant construction - Won't become brittle or fade after years of sun exposure like cheaper alternatives that crack within two seasons
- Quality brass spigot - Threaded connection accepts standard garden hoses, and the brass material resists corrosion better than plastic fittings that often leak within a year
- Attractive wood-grain finish - Blends naturally with deck railings, fence posts, and outdoor furniture rather than screaming "plastic storage container"
- Standard downspout compatibility - Works with typical 2x3 or 3x4 inch residential gutters without requiring expensive adapter kits or professional installation
Room for Improvement
- Low spigot placement - At just 4 inches from ground level, you'll need to elevate the barrel on blocks or a platform to fill watering cans comfortably
- Still obviously plastic up close - While the wood-grain texture helps from a distance, neighbors will know it's not real wood when they get within 10 feet
- Limited overflow management - During heavy spring rains, 50 gallons fills quickly, and the basic overflow design may not handle multiple inches of rainfall efficiently
Real-World Performance
After using this rain barrel through multiple seasons, its practical benefits become clear. A typical 1-inch rainfall on a 1,000 square foot roof generates about 600 gallons of runoff—meaning this barrel captures roughly 8% of that water, which translates to significant savings during summer watering seasons. The brass spigot provides excellent water pressure when the barrel is full, delivering about 2-3 gallons per minute through a standard garden hose.
Standout Feature
The UV-resistant plastic construction truly shines in harsh climates. Unlike cheaper barrels that become brittle and crack after two summers of intense sun exposure, this model maintains its structural integrity and color consistency even in southwestern desert conditions where temperatures regularly exceed 110°F.
The 50-gallon capacity proves ideal for maintaining a typical suburban vegetable garden or flower beds. During my testing, it provided enough water for approximately 10-12 thorough watering sessions for a 200 square foot garden area. The wood-grain texture not only looks better but also provides better grip when moving or positioning the barrel, something smooth-sided alternatives lack.
User Experience & Setup
Installation takes about 30 minutes and requires basic tools most homeowners already have. The trickiest part involves positioning the barrel at the right height—too low and you'll struggle with the spigot placement, too high and accessing the top becomes awkward. Most users find success placing it on a sturdy platform made from pressure-treated 2x8 lumber, raising it 8-12 inches off the ground. The downspout connection is straightforward, though you may need to purchase a diverter kit separately if you want to maintain normal downspout flow when the barrel is full.
"Setup was easier than expected, but I wish I'd built the platform first. Trying to slide lumber underneath a full barrel taught me that lesson the hard way. Now it's at perfect height for my watering can."
- Michelle from Colorado
Daily use becomes second nature once you establish a routine. The brass spigot operates smoothly with a quarter-turn action, though it requires occasional cleaning to prevent mineral buildup in hard water areas. The removable screen lid stays secure during normal weather but may need weighted down during high winds.
Value Analysis
At around $100, this rain barrel sits in the middle of the market between basic $60 models and premium $180+ options. The investment pays for itself relatively quickly—in areas where water costs $0.004 per gallon, you'll save roughly $15-20 per season on garden watering alone. Factor in reduced wear on municipal water systems and potential stormwater management credits some municipalities offer, and the payback period often drops to 2-3 years.
💡 Compared to Similar Products: The Good Ideas Rain Wizard costs $40 more but offers identical capacity with a more complex diverter system. Cheaper options like the Algreen Cascata save $30 but use thinner plastic that often cracks within 18 months, making this RTS model the better long-term investment.
Maintenance costs remain minimal—occasional cleaning with mild soap and water, plus potential spigot replacement every 5-7 years at about $15. The UV-resistant construction means you won't face the common issue of replacing cracked barrels every few seasons like many budget alternatives require.
Who Should Buy This?
This rain barrel works best for suburban homeowners with moderate-sized gardens who want reliable water conservation without the complexity of whole-house rainwater systems. It's particularly valuable in regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, where capturing spring rainfall provides irrigation during summer dry spells. The attractive appearance makes it suitable for front-yard installations where aesthetics matter to neighborhood standards.
Perfect For:
- Vegetable gardeners - Chlorine-free rainwater promotes healthier plant growth compared to treated municipal water
- Water conservation enthusiasts - Reduces household water usage by 10-15% during growing season for typical families
- Budget-conscious homeowners - Provides meaningful water bill reduction without requiring expensive irrigation system modifications
Skip If:
- You have extensive landscaping needs - Large properties require multiple barrels or more sophisticated collection systems
- You live in an area with frequent freezing - Requires seasonal draining and storage in cold climates to prevent cracking
"Perfect size for our quarter-acre lot. Keeps our tomatoes and peppers happy all summer, and I love knowing we're not wasting all that roof runoff. The wood grain look was a nice surprise—much better than the plain barrels our neighbors have."
- Robert from Virginia
Final Verdict
The RTS Home Accents 50-gallon rain barrel delivers exactly what most homeowners need: reliable water collection in an attractive package that won't embarrass your landscaping efforts. While the low spigot placement requires some planning and the plastic construction won't fool anyone up close, these minor drawbacks pale compared to its solid performance, reasonable price, and genuine water-saving benefits.
For suburban gardeners seeking practical water conservation, this barrel hits the sweet spot of capacity, durability, and affordability. Just budget for a simple platform to optimize the spigot height, and you'll have years of reliable service ahead.
