PYY Rain Barrel - 100 Gallon Water Storage Tank with Spigots, Portable Rain Catcher to Collect Rainwater from Gutter, Large Plastic Rain Catchment System with Collapsible Bucket, Black

A simple, sturdy way to bank 100 gallons of rainwater

I installed the PYY 100‑gallon collapsible rain barrel to feed a small drip system and to have a handy wash-down supply near my driveway. After a season of use, it’s proven to be a practical, budget-friendly way to capture a lot of water without committing to a permanent tank.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly is straightforward. The barrel ships folded, with six metal support legs, a top ring, and preinstalled ports. I slipped the legs into their sleeves, seated the top ring to tension the shell, attached the spigots with the included gaskets, and had it standing in about five minutes. Out of the box, the PVC has a mild plastic odor; it aired out after a day outside.

Because 100 gallons of water weighs over 800 pounds, placement matters. I set mine on a level base of compacted gravel topped with concrete pavers. If you don’t have a pad, a couple of level cinder blocks under a thick paver works—but make sure it’s absolutely flat. A tilted barrel is hard on the seams and increases the chance of tipping when full.

Build quality and materials

The shell is 0.5 mm 1000D PVC, and the six legs are noticeably stout for a collapsible unit. The fabric has enough rigidity to stand properly when empty, and once water’s in it, the barrel takes a drum-tight shape that feels secure. The black color helps limit algae growth and seems to help with UV resistance; mine lives in partial sun and shows no fading or chalking so far.

Seams and welds are neatly done, with no pinhole weeps after the initial fill test. I still recommend filling once on a driveway and checking every stitched or welded junction—you’ll spot any slow leaks before you commit it to a landscaped area.

Capacity and stability

At 100 gallons, this barrel sits at the upper end for soft-sided systems. Full, it doesn’t wobble, which I attribute to the six 1.5 mm-thick support legs and the wide footprint. It’s stable enough that a casual bump or a windy day hasn’t shifted mine. Stability depends as much on your base as the barrel, so invest the extra half hour in getting the ground level and compacted.

One note: black barrels can heat water. That’s fine for plants, but if you’re in a very hot climate, expect water in the top third to warm significantly by late afternoon in full sun. Shade or a light cover helps.

Filtration and water quality

The top opening has a 5 mm mesh that snaps under the lid ring. It keeps out leaves and most windblown debris while letting roof runoff collect freely. It will not block small seeds, shingle grit, or insects. I added a finer stainless screen under the stock mesh and dropped a Bti mosquito dunk in the barrel at the start of the season. Between those two, water has stayed clean enough for drip emitters and watering cans.

There’s no solid lid, so you’ll get some evaporation. On hot, dry weeks, I noticed a modest drop in the top inch or two. If evaporation or mosquitoes are concerns, either add a fitted cover or use a downspout diverter that closes flow when the barrel is full.

As with any rain barrel, this is not for drinking water. I reserve it for irrigation and occasional outdoor cleaning.

Ports, spigots, and flow

The barrel includes threaded ports with spigots for filling a watering can and for draining near the base. The hardware seated squarely with the included gaskets; I added a wrap of PTFE tape to the threads and haven’t had a single drip. The lower port is ideal for a short garden hose. Flow is gravity-fed—elevate the barrel on blocks if you want better pressure. On a 16-inch stand, I get a steady, useful stream that fills a two-gallon can quickly. For hose-end sprayers or longer runs, a small transfer pump makes a big difference.

The upright spigot is handy for buckets, and the handles feel more substantial than I expected at this price. After multiple open/close cycles and a few accidental knocks, nothing has loosened.

Real-world performance in the rain

Coupled to a single 2x3 downspout, the barrel filled faster than I anticipated. A strong overnight thunderstorm took mine from empty to near full. If your roof area is large, you’ll want an overflow plan. The barrel doesn’t ship with a diverter, so I fitted an inexpensive downspout diverter that routes excess water back down the leader once the barrel tops out. Without a diverter, you can add a short overflow hose from the top rim and direct it away from foundations.

The fabric sides don’t balloon or sway when full, and the top mesh stays taut. I checked the legs and the top ring after the first big rain; everything remained square.

Day-to-day use

The appeal of a 100‑gallon soft barrel is convenience. I can take a watering can right to beds without dragging a hose across paths, and I’ve used the lower spigot with a short hose to rinse tools and the patio. The water is clear enough that my drip line filter shows only light silt after weeks of use.

Cleaning the top mesh is as simple as brushing off needles and oak tassels. If you get a heavy pollen dump or shingle grit, pop the ring and rinse the screen. The inside rinses easily too: open the bottom spigot, spray down the interior wall through the top opening, and let it drain.

Portability and storage

Seasonal storage is where this design shines. At the first hard freeze, I drained it, wiped the inside dry, pulled the legs, and rolled the shell into a compact bundle roughly 10 inches in diameter. It slips onto a garage shelf instead of occupying patio real estate all winter. Reassembly in spring took minutes.

What I’d improve

• A finer top screen: The 5 mm mesh is a start, but I’d prefer a tighter, mosquito-proof mesh out of the box.
• Evaporation cover: A simple cap or zippered lid would cut evaporation and deter insects. I improvised with a fitted cover; a purpose-made one would be welcome.
• Integrated overflow: A dedicated high-side overflow port would simplify directing excess water during big storms.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re the areas where a modestly more expensive barrel differentiates itself.

Tips for best results

• Build a flat, solid base. A level foundation protects the seams and improves stability.
• Elevate for pressure. Even a one-foot lift noticeably improves flow.
• Use PTFE tape on all threaded connections and hand-tighten, then snug gently.
• Add a diverter or overflow. Redirect surplus water away from foundations.
• Upgrade the screen and drop in a Bti dunk to keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Winterize: Drain completely before freezing weather, then fold and store dry.

Who it’s for

This barrel suits gardeners who want a large, collapsible reservoir without the cost or permanence of rigid tanks. It’s ideal for feeding watering cans, low-pressure drip, or quick wash-down tasks. If you need high pressure to run sprinklers, you’ll want a pump or a different setup.

Final recommendation

I recommend the PYY 100‑gallon rain barrel. It delivers a lot of storage in a compact, affordable package, with better-than-expected build quality, easy setup, and sensible hardware. With a level base, a finer top screen, and an overflow plan, it performs reliably through heavy rains and makes day-to-day watering simpler. The ability to collapse and store it between seasons is a genuine advantage if space is limited. If you value a big capacity, low-maintenance, seasonal-friendly rain catcher, this one is well worth adding to your water-saving toolkit.