RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Barrel Made with 100% Recycled Plastic, Flat Back Rain Water Collection Barrel, Black

Getting a rain barrel to sit neatly along a narrow side yard has always been a challenge for me. Round barrels feel awkward, and the moment you try to tuck them against a wall, you lose precious walkway space. That’s why the RTS 50-gallon rain barrel stood out: the flat-back design lets it nestle close to siding or fencing without feeling intrusive. After a season of use, it’s proven to be a practical, low-maintenance way to collect water for the garden—especially if you set it up thoughtfully.

Design and build quality

This is a molded, UV-resistant polyethylene barrel made from 100% recycled plastic and manufactured in the U.S. It’s not flimsy. The wall thickness feels robust enough to shrug off small bumps and summer heat, and the textured, matte-black finish blends in more than I expected. Black has a practical benefit too: it blocks light, which helps limit algae growth. On the flip side, black will absorb heat; in full sun, the water warms up noticeably, which is fine for plants but something to consider if you prefer cooler water or live in a very hot climate.

The footprint is the highlight. The flat back keeps it stable against a wall, and the overall silhouette looks cleaner than a generic barrel. The top features a recessed channel guiding water into a screened opening to keep out leaves and debris. At the base, there’s a plastic spigot that accepts a garden hose or fills a watering can. Near the top is an overflow to shed excess water once the tank is full.

While the molding is generally tidy, don’t expect furniture-grade seams—it’s a rain barrel, and some areas around the molded fittings look utilitarian rather than polished. That didn’t affect function for me.

Setup and installation

Plan for a level base and a bit of vertical lift. Gravity is your only pressure source, so raising the barrel by 12–18 inches makes a big difference. I used stacked pavers to create a stable plinth; you can also buy a dedicated stand. Just make sure the platform is flat, rigid, and wider than the barrel’s base when filled (water is heavy—over 400 pounds when full).

Hookup is straightforward:
- Cut your downspout and add an elbow to direct water to the barrel’s screened inlet, or install a downspout diverter kit.
- Wrap the spigot threads with plumber’s tape and hand-tighten, then snug it a bit more. Don’t overdo it; the spigot and port are plastic.
- Position the barrel flush to the wall and check it with a level before the first rainfall.

My initial fill revealed a minor drip at the spigot threads, which disappeared after I re-taped them and backed off a quarter turn. I recommend a test fill with a garden hose so you can look for drips before the next storm.

Daily use and performance

Capacity-wise, 50 gallons sounds like a lot until you remember that 1 inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof can yield around 623 gallons. In practice, the barrel fills fast, which is great—just be prepared to make use of the water between storms or plan for overflow management (more on that below).

At ground level, a barrel won’t push much water through a hose. Elevated on a stand or pavers, the flow is surprisingly usable. With the barrel raised 16 inches, I could:
- Fill watering cans quickly from the spigot
- Run a 25-foot hose with a simple shutoff valve (not a spray nozzle) to spot-water beds
- Feed a short soaker hose on level ground

If you want to drive a sprinkler or a long hose uphill, you’ll need a pump. For most garden tasks, gravity is fine, and the plastic spigot’s quarter-turn action is smooth enough for daily use.

Overflow and multi-barrel options

The overflow does its primary job—preventing water from pouring out the top and washing out the base. If you place the barrel on a solid pad and route the overflow away from your foundation, you’re good to go. If you want to chain multiple barrels, plan to buy a linking kit. The barrel provides a way to manage overflow and expand capacity, but it doesn’t include the hoses or fittings you’ll need for daisy-chaining. If you live in a region with heavy downpours, a downspout diverter that returns excess water to the downspout is the neatest solution and keeps your foundation dry.

One note: the overflow port is not a standard threaded garden-hose outlet on my unit. If you want a hose connection at the overflow, you’ll likely need an adapter from your local hardware store or a barrel-specific kit.

Durability and weathering

Through a hot summer and early fall storms, the barrel held its shape, the spigot remained drip-free after my re-tape, and the screen kept out debris. The recessed top collects some fine sediment; a quick brush after rain keeps it tidy. Because it’s UV-resistant, I’m expecting it to avoid the brittle, chalky aging you get with cheaper plastics left in the sun.

Cold weather is the real test for any rain barrel. Don’t leave water in it to freeze. My routine:
- Disconnect or block the downspout feed before first frost
- Fully drain through the spigot and remove any residual water
- Store the barrel indoors if possible, or at least upside down and out of the water path

Simply leaving the valve open isn’t enough if meltwater or stray runoff can still enter; you need to prevent water from getting in at all.

Maintenance

This is a low-maintenance setup as long as you keep the top screen clear. I empty and rinse the barrel a couple of times during the growing season to prevent sediment buildup. If mosquitoes are a concern, the screen helps, but I add a biological mosquito dunk (Bti) as a precaution—it’s safe for gardens when used as directed.

If you notice dampness around a molded seam near the spigot (not the threads), that’s a structural issue rather than a tape fix. Test early, and if you find a persistent seam seep, swap the barrel rather than trying to patch it.

What I’d change

• Include linking hardware: The ability to daisy-chain is valuable, but the necessary fittings are an extra purchase.
• Upgrade option for the spigot: The plastic spigot works, but a metal/brass option (even as an add-on) would improve long-term durability for heavy users.
• Overflow interface: A standard threaded connection would make it easier to direct excess water with common garden parts.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth factoring into your setup and budget.

Who it’s for

• Home gardeners who want a compact, tidy barrel against a wall or fence
• Anyone prioritizing recycled materials and U.S. manufacturing
• Households using watering cans, short hoses, or gravity-fed soaker hoses
• Owners who can commit to basic winterization in cold climates

If you need high-pressure output or want to run oscillating sprinklers directly, pair the barrel with a small pump or consider a larger, pumped cistern system.

Practical tips

• Elevate the barrel: A 12–18 inch stand dramatically improves flow and makes filling cans easier.
• Use plumber’s tape on the spigot threads from day one.
• Add a diverter kit if you’re worried about foundation drainage or want a cleaner overflow solution.
• Plan capacity: For larger gardens, two barrels linked in parallel provide more usable storage between storms.
• Test-fill before the first big rain to confirm there are no leaks and the base is stable.

Recommendation

I recommend the RTS 50-gallon rain barrel for homeowners who want a space-efficient, durable, and straightforward way to collect rainwater for garden use. The flat-back design solves the placement problem, the recycled, UV-resistant build holds up well, and day-to-day use is hassle-free once you raise it on a solid base. Be aware that the included spigot is plastic, overflow management requires a bit of planning, and linking multiple barrels means buying extra hardware. With those caveats addressed, it’s a reliable, tidy addition to a sustainable garden setup.