Drip Tape vs Soaker Hose

Drip Tape Vs Soaker Hose: Which One Is Better?

Before we know which one is better, drip tape or soaker hoses, we need to understand the key features of each drip irrigation system.

For those of you thinking, ‘wait a second? Isn’t drip tape just drip irrigation?’

Yes, but probably not the drip irrigation you are thinking of…

If you don’t know the difference between drip tape vs drip line, be sure to check out our guide.

Remember, for this article, we are distinguishing between a standard drip irrigation system and drip tape.

What Is Drip Tape?

Drip tape is a collapsible tubing made of polyethylene. The tubing lays flat when you aren’t using it but will swell up when you run water through it.

It's a flexible plastic tubing but it's not really designed for anything other than straight rows.

The water pressurizes the line which then drips out of the drip tape emitters which are spaced evenly along the line of the tape.

Most drip tape is spaced about 12 inches apart along the length of the line. But laying drip tape is pretty easy.

The pressure-compensating emitters release this water at a specific water output.

For example, the most common is 0.4 gallons per minute per 100 feet of tape. So if you had 1000 feet of drip tape, you’ll irrigate 4 gallons of water a minute. 

Drip tape is supplied water from a mainline piece of tubing. Individual lines of drip tape connect to this mainline, and they’ll be built out to the desired size of your garden. 

Soaker hoses are typically made of recycled rubber.

Instead of laying flat, soaker hoses are round tubing that can twist and turn around plants and crops as you desire for watering. 

Soaker hoses release water along the entire length of the line wherever the water emits.

There’s no real way of telling where but it's supposed to be everywhere. The tubing is deliberately porous material so that when it is pressurized with water, it releases water for the length of the line. 

Soaker hoses can be better for plants that are closed super close together.

So if you have plants right next to each other, a soaker hose is great because it will basically let water seep out everywhere there is tubing.

This is much better for a high-intensity garden. 

Be sure to check out our guide on soaker hoses vs drip irrigation, too.

Soaker Hoses and Drip Tape: Side By Side

Now that we have a basic understanding of both soaker hoses and drip tape, we can begin to see the pros and cons of each. 

Drip Tape

Drip tape is:

• Tubing that lays flat for evenly spaced rows
• Collapsible polyethylene tubing
• Harder to setup but more efficient at delivering water
• Has evenly spaced drip emitters along the length of the line
• Precise watering directly to root zone
• Emits water at a controlled rate
• Durable

Pros

Customizable: We mentioned this above but laying down tape is much more customizable than soaker hoses. You can basically build up and around any sort of raised bed, garden or plot so long as you have enough tubing.

Repairs: Not only are repairs possible, they are simple. Over time, you might eventually spring a leak or blow out a line. Maybe if you cut a line too short - that can be remedied as well.

Precision: Drip irrigation is going to be more precise. Drip emitters of the tape will only emit water exactly where you place them. You can directly target root zones with tape.

Cons

Customizable: We mentioned this above but laying down tape is much more customizable than soaker hoses. You can basically build up and around any sort of raised bed, garden or plot so long as you have enough tubing.

Repairs: Not only are repairs possible, they are simple. Over time, you might eventually spring a leak or blow out a line. Maybe if you cut a line too short - that can be remedied as well.

Precision: Drip irrigation is going to be more precise. Drip emitters of the tape will only emit water exactly where you place them. You can directly target root zones with tape.

Soaker Hoses

Soaker hoses are:

• Better for high intensity gardening, maximum planting in minimal space
• Round tubing similar to a regular hose
• Made of recycled rubber
• Easy to setup but has less control over water delivery
• Made of tiny holes that release water along the length of the line 
• Water emits about three inches or less along the side of the line
• Brittle, easily over pressurized and will need repairs if you aren't careful
  

Pros

Easy To Install: Soaker hoses are definitely way easier to set up. It's not much more complicated than just laying down the tubing after you hook it up to the standard garden hose supply. Literally takes minutes.

Cheap: Most people think soaker hoses are cheaper than drip irrigation tape and they are usually right. You will need to buy as many rolls of soaker hose as you need to water the line so it can theoretically add up.

Cons

Imprecise: I've alluded to this throughout the article but soaker hoses are not for precise watering. It's actually the opposite. You lay the soaker hoses, and then you need to make sure the plant roots are precisely next to the soaker hose.

Versatility: They are are meant for a purpose. Deliver water to wherever you put them. They aren't meant for elaborate gardening schemes but that doesn't mean they are a terrible garden watering system.

Pricing

The Hoss 8 mil Drip Irrigation Kit is currently $199. If you wanted just the tape, you are looking at $104 (but you need to make sure you have the right components).

I've seen Soaker Hoses ranging anywhere from $25 to $200. It really depends on the brand you buy, and the quality of the hose.

Soaker Hose vs Drip Tape: The Bottom Line

Before, we would’ve outright said drip tape. But now, we understand that soaker hoses have their place in some gardens. 

Overall, I think drip tape is the better option for a well thought out gardening plot that requires evenly spaced rows for the plants to grow.

Drip tape is much more reliable, and can be used for multiple seasons. Repairing lines is super simple too, so long as you have the right drip emitters. 

The thing about drip tape, though, is that it’s really for strict plot type gardening. Sure, you can cut some lines, and build it into a drip irrigation system, but it’s true application feels like farming. 

Not only that, it will take much longer to set up a drip tape plot or garden. You have to hook up a mainline tubing, build out the rows evenly, and connect everything with specific connectors. 

With soaker hoses, you just run the line where you want it. Nothing fancy. 

Soaker hoses are better for smaller, high impact gardens or raised beds. You hook them up to a water source, and run them through the raised bed. You can then plant whatever you want close to the sides of the tubing. 

Soaker hoses are supposed to spread water evenly along the entire length of the line rather than every 12 inches like drip tape.

Most people who have them know the experience can vary, but if you pick out a good brand, this does seem to be true.

What this means, is you can plant anywhere along the line because the line will give the plant water. 

Soaker hoses are not durable, and can break very easily if you aren’t careful. Make sure you don't open the garden hose to maximum water pressure. Keep the water flow rate at a quarter turn.

If soaker hoses spend too much time in the hot sun, they will dry out and break. And you can’t leave them out in the winter, because the water will freeze and break the line. 

Neither of these options is going to be good irrigation for potted plants, or containers. You can work them into raised beds, but anything smaller wouldn’t be great. 

Conclusion

So which one do you prefer? Soaker hoses or drip tape?

Do you use either of these drip irrigation systems?

Most hobby gardeners have a combination of both soaker hoses and drip tape or drip irrigation in their garden.

Some people can't see past soaker hose disadvantages. But most people don’t hold themselves to one piece of equipment. 

What drip system do you use?



Be sure to let us know your favorite watering system with an email. 

Before you go...

Now that you know the difference between soaker hoses and drip tape, read our guide on the Best Drip Irrigation Systems.

Doesn't get much better than having an efficient and worry-free watering system for the garden

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