The 7 Best Watering Cans of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the Bloem Easy Pour Watering Can for its large capacity, weather-resistant material, and convenient features, including the two-in-one spout and double handles. We also found it easy to use and pretty durable, as it survived two of our drop tests without any signs of damage.

Our Testing Process

We tested 32 watering cans and assessed them based on design, effectiveness, ease of use, durability, and overall value. We first measured whether or not the watering can could easily be filled up in a standard-sized sink, then noted if we had to angle it awkwardly to fill or if we had to move it to a larger sink or a spigot. We then carried the full watering can about 30 feet away to see how hard it was to carry while full, noting the comfort of the handle, and if water stayed inside while doing so. After that, we watered small, medium, large, and hanging plants to measure the flow of the water, how easy it was to control and aim, and if any water spilled out while watering.

After we finished watering the plants, we conducted two drop tests: one while the can was empty and another while full. These were done on both concrete and grass surfaces at a height of four feet. After dropping, we examined the cans for any damage, including scratches, scuffs, dents, and cracks. We compiled all of this data and used it to come up with the best watering cans.

How to Shop for Watering Cans Like a Pro

Size

Watering cans come in all kinds of sizes, big and small. The right size for you depends on how big your plant collection is and how willing you are to go back to your sink or hose for a refill. If you have a small to medium-sized indoor plant collection, a watering can that’s one gallon or less should do. For those with a small garden, a large indoor plant collection, or a medium-sized indoor plant collection that includes a handful of big plants, look for a watering can with at least a one-gallon capacity. People who are going to use their watering cans on indoor and outdoor plants, and especially those who have an outdoor garden, will benefit from a can that can hold two gallons or more.

Spout

Spout type is important when you are watering sensitive plants such as seedlings, hanging plants, or indoor plants that are in hard-to-reach places. “The length of the spout matters, especially if you’re trying to water plants that are just out of arm’s reach, like that back of the bed perennial border, or positioned higher up, like hanging pots,” says Kostovick. “A tapered long spout is perfect for delivering a gentle, direct stream that your houseplants would happily drink up.”

Meanwhile, seedlings, vegetables, and some flowers benefit from a rose spout, which resembles a rainfall shower head. “Check out the holes in the nozzle,” says Kostovick. “Some offer smaller holes that deliver a gentler spray that’s good for more delicate plantings like seedlings. Others have wider holes [that are] great for soaking the soil under your tomato and squash plants.”

A rose spout not only allows for a more controlled pour but also covers more surface area in one pour. This is best for more sensitive plants that may not react well to the force of water you’d normally get with a traditional spout head.

Material 

Our list primarily consists of plastic and metal options, as they are the most durable and withstood our drop tests best. “Plastic [watering cans] are durable and affordable. Plastic is a bit lighter to carry once filled,” says Kostovick. “Because it is lighter weight, make sure to keep [it] in an anchored location as a good gust of wind can easily send it sailing. Also look for UV-resistant plastic as that won’t become brittle over time spent in the sun.”

Metal watering cans are usually heavier, but have a sleeker appearance than their plastic counterparts, making them better suited for indoor use. They tend to be more expensive, but if you opt for an elegant design, like the Terrain Beech Wood Handle Watering Can, it can also double as decor. 

Ease of Filling

If you’ve ever wrestled to get your watering can under the sink faucet, you know that ease of filling is of the utmost importance. During our testing, we filled each watering can under a standard sink and noted whether we had to angle it awkwardly or use a spigot. Keep in mind that larger, outdoor watering cans might be hard to fit in the sink, but you can use your hose to easily fill them up. But if you have an indoor-only watering can, trekking to the yard for a refill would be a hassle so it will need to fit comfortably beneath your faucet.

Comfort

Anyone who has ever had to lug a full watering can around knows how much of an uncomfortable workout it can be for your arms. Even if you have a lot of plants or a full-fledged garden that needs watering, you shouldn’t get a watering can that you struggle to carry. Keep in mind that a gallon weighs more than 8 pounds, so our top pick, which is 2.6 pounds, means that you will be carrying more than 20 pounds of water around with you.

Along with looking at capacity, you should also look at the handles. “Some watering cans offer one handle, others offer two (one on the top and a handle on the side),” says Kostovick. “I’ve found that when using larger watering cans, having two handles really helps you balance and control the spout when watering.”

Thick, long handles that have enough room for two hands allow for a more comfortable and controlled pour. Meanwhile, thinner handles that have only room for one hand are a better option for smaller watering cans that can hold about a liter or less.

More Watering Cans to Consider

Haws Indoor Watering Can: This luxurious polished copper pick holds an impressive amount of water considering its petite size. Plus, it was easy to fill in the sink. While an undeniably elegant option for watering indoor plants, its price point is far above the median, and it sustained a significant dent during our drop tests. 

Williams Sonoma Tall Copper Watering Can: This watering can was extremely easy to fill in the sink and boasted a steady, controlled pour. However, the high price, maintenance that copper requires, and poor performance during our concrete drop test are reasons why it didn’t make it into the list of our top picks.

Questions You Might Ask

Should I use a different type of watering can for different plant types?

This depends on the size of your plant collection and the type of plants you have. If you have a large plant collection that includes indoor plants, outdoor plants, and/or a garden, lugging around one giant watering can will just be uncomfortable and taxing on your body. If this is the case, get different size watering cans, with the bigger one dedicated to the larger plant collection you have. If you dabble in gardening and grow either flowers or seedlings, make sure at least one of them has a rose spout.

Can I leave my watering can outside?

It depends on the material. Plastic watering cans can be left outside but should be left out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Doing so might result in them wearing and cracking over time. Sometimes, however, plastic is treated to be weather-resistant. If you find that to be the case (your manufacturer will note it in the product description or instruction manual), then you can leave it outside in the sun. Most metal watering cans can be left outside too, so long as they are made from rust-resistant materials such as steel, including stainless, and aluminum. 

How do you clean a watering can?

Because a watering can’s contents are usually limited to, well, water, you don’t need to clean them very regularly. For a quick clean, swish clean water around the inside of your can and allow it to dry. If you want a deeper clean, use a small amount of dish soap (be sure it doesn’t contain boron or bleach), or a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water. If your watering can develops deposits or stubborn scum, soak it in a vinegar solution for several hours, or overnight.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple, and updated by Quinn Gawronski, an associate commerce editor for Real Simple. We researched the best watering cans and tested 32 of the most popular options in our Lab, evaluating them on design, effectiveness, ease of use, durability, and overall value. For expert insight, we tapped Allison Vallin Kostovick, an expert gardener and creator of the gardening blog Finch + Folly.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.