Drip irrigation is the most versatile water and nutrient-delivery system and can be used in both hydroponic gardening and traditional soil gardening.
They offer two major advantages:
- Total control of flow rate and nutrient delivery
- Huge scalability
But they also have a ton of tiny parts that need to be assembled:
- Dripper nozzles
- Tubing
- Barbed connectors
- Timers
- Pumps
- Nutrient reservoirs
The list goes on.
The easiest way to get started with your next (or first!) drip system is to purchase an all-included kit. While they won’t come with the planters, grow media, nutrients, or other essentials, they’ll provide you with all of the tiny parts required to assemble the nutrient-delivery portion of your system. With drip systems, that’s the most annoying part.
For the rest of your hydroponic setup, check out some of our helpful guides below:
- 12 Best Hydroponic Systems
- 16 Vital Hydroponic Nutrients
- 13 Best Hydroponic Growing Media
- 5 Types Of Grow Lights
Let’s get started.
What Is A Drip Irrigation System?
In a hydroponic drip irrigation system, nutrient solution from the reservoir is pumped directly to the base of plants using tubes, leading to effective use of water.
Generally, a timer is used to control the pump and schedule the water supply. A drip emitter at the end of each tube lets you control how much water is allowed to drip. Sometimes an air pump is used to oxygenate the water.
Drip systems can be an effective method of growing any plant, since nutrients and water flow can be adjusted according to the requirement of the plant.
Hydroponic drip irrigation systems can also be used to grow larger plants since the grow tray in this system can be large and can support longer roots. The drip tubes have the capacity to deliver water straight to the roots, and with effective growth mediums, the roots will have enough supply of nutrients and water.
When To Use A Drip Irrigation System
Drip systems run nutrient solution to plants via feeder tubes. A pump is required, making these active systems, to give you control over the flow rate. Drip systems scale well and are great for big hydroponics setups.
Drip systems can be used with almost any plant, but they’re especially useful for those with high nutrient needs and/or large root systems.
2 Types Of Drip Irrigation Systems
There are two types of drip irrigation systems, each with their own pros and cons.
Recirculating/Recovery Drip Systems
In a recovery drip system, excess nutrient water is collected in the reservoir and recycled. Popular among hobbyists and home growers, this method makes effective use of water, but the pH and nutrient content of the water may quickly vary as plants absorb both nutrients and water.
Non-Circulating/Non-Recovery Drip Systems
Here, the water isn’t reused. However, because the water is not recycled, the pH and nutrients in the solution remain constant, thus eliminating the necessity to check and modify the properties of the water.
This makes non-recovery systems especially suitable for commercial producers.
Non-recovery systems need a precise timer to control the water supply, and water drips slowly and consistently to prevent runoff.
7 Best Drip Irrigation Systems
These are the 7 best drip irrigation systems you can buy.
1. OUTERDO Drip Irrigation Kits
| Weight | 1.15 pounds |
| Tubing Length | 50 feet |
| Number of Plants | More than 60 |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
OUTERDO Drip Irrigation Kits are made of high-quality, UV-resistant materials and ABS plastic, and they have a long service life. They come with a 50-foot hose and are easy to both install and use.
They include two types of connectors:
- One for 3/4-inch American threaded faucets
- One for non-threaded universal faucets
You can water more than 60 plants using this system.
What’s Included?
- 50 ft 4/7 hose (1)
- 3/4-inch American thread adapter (1)
- Universal adapter (1)
- Connector (1)
- Sealing tape (1)
- Atomizing nozzles (20)
- Adjustable drippers (20)
- Nozzle T-connectors (20)
- Nozzle connectors (20)
- 4/7 host T-connectors (20)
- 4/7 hose connectors (20)
- 4/7 hose plugs (stopper) (20)
- Fixed stem (20)
- Puncher (1)
Some tips on setting this system up:
- It’s recommended that you soak the hose end of the tubing in hot water for one minute before you set it up so that the tube will stay tight.
- To balance water flow, adjust the dripper value to higher values as you go farther away from the faucet or water source.
- Every dripper in the system can be adjusted individually to water different plants at the same time.
Pros
- Great value for money.
- Easy to install and use.
- Can be used to grow more than 60 plants.
- Every nozzle has two spraying modes: columnar and foggy.
Cons
- Connector threading may vary from the threading of your faucet.
2. WaterWise Drip Irrigation System
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Tubing Length | 100 feet |
| Number of Plants | 10 |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
Proven Winners WaterWise Drip Irrigation System is an easy-to-install system that can be used to water 10 plants.
A 9V faucet timer is recommended but isn’t included.
You can water up to 30 plants with additional drippers:
- 10-12″ containers: 1 dripper
- 14-20″ containers: 2 drippers
- 24″+ containers: 3 drippers
What’s Included?
- 100 foot coil of tubing (1)
- ½ GPH pressure compensating drippers (10)
- Barbed tees (10) and Barbed crosses (3) for attaching and extending vinyl tubing
- White nail clamps for positioning and holding vinyl tubing in place on wooden applications (10)
- Faucet adapter (1)
- Backflow prevention valve (1)
- Support stakes to attach and hold drippers (10)
Pros
- Longer tubing than other systems (100 ft).
- Can be installed with only a pair of scissors.
- The tan colored tubing blends with the background and is pleasing to the eye.
- Comes with a backflow preventer.
Cons
- Recommended 9V timer is not included.
3. Scotts All-in-One Precision Drip Kit
| Weight | 16 ounces |
| Tubing Length | 50 feet |
| Number of Plants | 8 |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
With a one-time easy setup, the Scotts All-in-One Precision Drip Kit comes with quick-connect technology that makes it easy to attach and detach the system from any spigot.
What’s Included?
- Hose connector (1)
- Micro tubing stakes (8)
- Micro drippers (8)
- End plugs (2)
- Water flow reducer and filter (1)
- Installation tool (1)
- T-joint connector (8)
The kit covers up to 8 plants and setup is simple:
- Lay the tubing in the sun for a few minutes to soften it up.
- Attach the connector to the hose connected to a timer (timer doesn’t come with the kit).
- Attach the water flow reducer and filter.
- Attach the micro tubing.
- After laying out the micro tubing, use scissors to cut where you think the dripper should go.
- Insert a T-joint connector.
- Connect the dripper using the installation tool.
- Use the micro tubing stake to position the dripper where you need it.
Pros
- Easy to install and takes only a few minutes.
- Fewer parts
- Easy to attach and detach hose.
Cons
- Covers only 8 plants.
4. Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit
| Weight | 1.44 ounces |
| Tubing Length | 75 feet |
| Number of Plants | Up to 20 |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
The Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit is unique from the other drip systems in that it comes with a timer. The timer requires 2 “AA” alkaline batteries that are not included with the package.
You can install this highly customizable system in three simple steps, which makes it suitable for beginners.
The timer and the supply tubing are threaded just like the hose, and the entire system is extremely easy to set up, even for beginners.
What’s Included?
- 75 feet of 1/4-inch tubing
- 1/2-inch GPH drippers (20)
- Barbed connectors (2)
- Elbows (2)
- Tees (20)
- End clamp (1)
- Supply tubing (1)
- Nails and clamps (10)
- Stakes for drippers (20)
Pros
- Installation is immensely easy and suitable for beginners.
- Comes with its own timer.
- Timer and supply tubing are threaded, making it easy to assemble.
- Comes with a 1-year warranty. If the kit breaks, Raindrip will send a new one for free, but you have to pay for shipping and handling.
Cons
- In some cases, the fittings tend to leak after 6 months.
- RainDrip has poor customer service that isn’t very helpful.
5. Koram Drip Irrigation Kit
| Weight | 1.45 pounds |
| Tubing Length | 50 feet |
| Number of Plants | Suitable for 20-25 square metres of irrigation |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
Made of superior quality materials, which makes it durable in all weather conditions, the Koram Drip Irrigation Kit is another one of the best drip irrigation systems.
The drippers can be controlled individually and come with maximum flow mode and drip mode. The kit also comes with mist sprayers.
What’s Included?
- Barbed couplings (20)
- Single barbed couplings (20)
- Barbed tee (20)
- Dripper (20)
- End closure (20)
- Orange nozzle (20)
- 1/4-inch connector (1)
- 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch quick socket (1)
- Support stakes (20)
- Tee pipe connectors (20)
- Teflon tape (1)
- 50 feet of 1/4-inch tubing (1)
- Punch tool (1)
Pros
- Drippers can be installed in either drip mode or maximum flow mode.
- Also comes with 20 orange nozzles that can be used for spraying mist.
- Has a service life of more than 2 years.
Cons
- The threading of the hose adapter is used to connect to a 3/4-inch pipe and not to a hose as described, which may make it useless. You may want to use Teflon tape to connect it properly or buy another connector.
- The 1/4-inch tubing might not provide enough pressure to run all of the emitters, and if that happens you need to use 1/2-inch inch tubing.
6. Claber 8053 Oasis Self Watering System
| Weight | 5.73 pounds |
| Tubing Length | 33 feet |
| Number of Plants | 20 |
| More Info | View on Amazon → |
A very different and uniquely designed drip irrigation system, this is the Claber 8053 Oasis 4-Programs/20 Plants Garden Automatic Drip Watering System.
What makes this unique is that it is a completely independent system that requires no pumps or electricity. The independent electronic system is powered by a 9V battery that lasts for 1 year.
It even comes with its own 6.6-gallon tank. You can switch between four watering programs: 10, 20, 30, or 40 days.
Setup and connection are relatively easy with no complications.
Your plants will be gravity-fed, so make sure to place the system on a raised surface, like a shelf, and the plant tray on the ground.
What’s Included?
- 6.6-gallon polypropylene plastic reservoir
- 33 feet of 1/4-inch PVC hose
- Drippers (20)
- Stakes (20)
- Battery-operated timer (built-in)
Pros
- Independent and compact system that comes with its own reservoir and a battery-operated timer.
- LED signals when the system is in operation or if the battery is low.
