The right watering can turns a daily chore into a quiet pleasure. There are good options at every price point, from budget plastic workhorses to handmade-style metal classics you will keep for decades. We have picked seven cans that suit different gardens, budgets and jobs, from a big-capacity plastic can for the veg patch to a small, precise indoor waterer for seedlings and houseplants.
How to Choose a Watering Can
- Capacity: A full 10-litre can weighs roughly 10kg, so a 4.5 to 5-litre can is a better choice if lifting is a concern.
- Material: Plastic is lightweight and rustproof. Metal is more durable and looks better on a patio.
- Rose quality: A fine brass or metal-faced rose gives a soft, even shower that will not batter delicate seedlings.
- Balance and spout design: A well-designed can keeps its centre of gravity over your hand, so it pours smoothly even when brimming.
How We Chose
We focused on cans that are currently available from UK retailers, including Amazon UK, Argos, Wickes, B&Q and specialist garden centres, and covered a spread of budgets and jobs.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Product |
Capacity |
Material |
Price |
|
Ward/Strata 10L |
10L |
Plastic |
See card for current price |
|
Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens 9L |
9L |
Enamelled metal |
See card for current price |
|
Haws Cradley Cascader 7L |
7L |
Plastic |
See card for current price |
|
Kent & Stowe 9L |
9L |
Galvanised steel |
See card for current price |
|
Haws Bartley Burbler |
About 1.1L (2 pints) |
Plastic |
See card for current price |
|
Haws Selly Soak 4.5L |
4.5L |
Plastic |
See card for current price |
|
Haws Warley Fall 9L |
9L |
Galvanised steel |
See card for current price |
The 7 Best Watering Cans
1. Ward/Strata 10L — Best Budget All-Rounder
The Ward (Strata) 10-litre can is a simple, tough plastic can with a detachable rose and a huge capacity, and it is stocked everywhere from Argos to Wickes and The Range. It is the can most UK gardeners have in the shed, and for good reason.
Key specs: 10-litre capacity, plastic construction, detachable rose, model GN016.
Pros: – Huge value – Large capacity – Lightweight when empty and rustproof – Widely available
Cons: – Coarse rose is not ideal for delicate seedlings – A full can is heavy to carry across a large garden
Best for: Anyone who wants a big, cheap, no-fuss can for borders, pots and the veg patch.
2. Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens 9L — Best Mid-Budget Metal Can
Spear & Jackson’s Kew Gardens Collection can gives you a classic French-style metal watering can without paying Haws prices. It has an enamelled finish with copper-coloured handles and rose, and is built with sealed seams.
Key specs: 9-litre capacity, all-metal construction, fully detachable rose, hinged handle that folds down for storage, model 9LWCKEW.
Pros: – Attractive traditional styling – Detachable rose – Folding handle makes it easy to store – Reliable, established UK brand
Cons: – Heavier than a plastic can of the same size – Rose is not as fine as a premium Haws brass rose
Best for: Gardeners who want a good-looking metal can at a sensible price.
3. Haws Cradley Cascader 7L — Best Plastic for Serious Gardeners
The Cradley Cascader brings the famous Haws balance to a lightweight plastic body. The long-reach spout gets water into beds and borders without leaning in, and the brass-faced oval rose gives a fine, high-flow spray.
Key specs: 7-litre (1.5 gallon) capacity, recyclable engineered plastic, brass-faced oval rose, about 0.8kg empty, 3-year guarantee.
Pros: – Superb balance – Excellent fine rose – Long-reach spout – Sensible weight when full
Cons: – Pricier than a basic plastic can – Smaller capacity than the 10L cans
Best for: Keen gardeners who water daily and want a comfortable, precise plastic can.
4. Kent & Stowe 9L Galvanised Metal — Best-Looking for the Money
Kent & Stowe’s galvanised can has real patio appeal and is rust-resistant, with a handle and detachable rose. It is often on offer, which makes it a strong value buy in metal.
Key specs: 9-litre capacity, galvanised steel, detachable rose, rust-resistant finish.
Pros: – Handsome finish – Durable and rust-resistant – Detachable rose – Often discounted
Cons: – Heavy when full – Rose quality does not match premium Haws models
Best for: Anyone who wants a classic metal can on the patio without a premium price.
5. Haws Bartley Burbler — Best for Houseplants and Seedlings
The Bartley Burbler is a small indoor can with a long, slender spout for pinpoint precision. It is ideal for houseplants, seedling trays and greenhouse work where a big can would be clumsy.
Key specs: Two-pint (about 1.1L) capacity, plastic, long slender spout, fine-spray rose.
Pros: – Precise control – Attractive design – Ideal for houseplants and seedlings – Beautifully balanced
Cons: – Very small capacity – A luxury item rather than an essential outdoor tool
Best for: Houseplant owners and anyone raising seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse.
6. Haws Selly Soak 4.5L — Best Lighter Can for Easy Lifting
The Selly Soak gives you the Haws long-reach spout and brass-faced rose in a light, flexible plastic can. At about 5kg when full, it is the easy option for anyone who finds a 10L can too heavy.
Key specs: 4.5-litre (1 gallon) capacity, recyclable engineered plastic, brass-faced oval rose, about 0.6kg empty, 3-year guarantee.
Pros: – Haws balance and fine rose – Very lightweight – Long-reach spout – Flexes rather than dents
Cons: – Small capacity means more trips to the tap – Premium price for a plastic can
Best for: Patio pots, hanging baskets and gardeners who want a lighter can.
7. Haws Warley Fall 9L — Best Buy-It-For-Life Metal Can
The Warley Fall is the Haws flagship 9-litre galvanised can, with a technical long-reach spout and an interchangeable brass oval rose. It pours beautifully, and it is built to last decades.
Key specs: 9-litre (2 gallon) capacity, galvanised steel, interchangeable brass oval rose, long-reach spout, 10-year guarantee.
Pros: – Outstanding pour and balance – Beautiful brass rose – Very durable – Long guarantee
Cons: – Expensive – Heavy when full
Best for: Gardeners who want one metal can to keep for life.
Plastic or Metal — Which Should You Buy?
Choose plastic if you are on a budget, need a large capacity, or want a lighter can to carry. Choose metal if you value longevity and looks and do not mind the extra weight. Many gardeners keep both: a big plastic can for heavy watering, and a metal or Haws can for the patio and the greenhouse.
Maintenance Guidance
- Empty cans after use in winter so water does not freeze inside them.
- Rinse the rose after liquid feeding to stop it clogging.
- Store metal cans out of constant rain to protect the finish.
- Keep a separate can for weedkiller or other treatments, and never use it for watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size watering can is best for a typical garden? For most UK gardens, a 9 to 10-litre can strikes the best balance between capacity and trips to the tap. If lifting is a worry, a 4.5 to 7-litre can is easier on the arms.
Are metal watering cans worth the extra money? Metal cans usually outlast several plastic ones, and they pour better and look better. If you value durability and appearance, they are worth the extra.
What’s the rose on a watering can for? The rose is the perforated sprinkler head that fits on the spout. It breaks the flow into a soft shower that will not wash out delicate seedlings or compact the soil.
How do I stop my watering can rose from clogging? Rinse it after using liquid feed, clear any blocked holes with a pin or small brush, and store the can empty and dry between uses.
The Verdict
The Ward/Strata 10L is the sheer-value pick for everyday watering. The Kent & Stowe 9L is the best-value metal can, and the Haws Warley Fall is the premium investment you will not need to replace. Whichever you choose, a can that balances well and pours softly makes daily watering more pleasant.
