There are very few people to realize the value of water and how it is important to use it with care. A water emergency situation can happen any time and to be prepared for that you will need the best water storage container that has capacity of your requirement, robustness and high-quality construction, etc.
It seems like a simple purchase but if you think, there are a handful of features to focus on while selecting a model.
This review will target the leading models on the niche and tell you about their strengths, and highlighting features. Let’s begin:
In this post:
- 10 Best Water Storage Containers – Review
- 1. Best Overall Water Storage Container: iSpring FT32M
- 2. Best Budget Water Storage Container: WaterStorageCube
- 3. Best Water Storage Container for Home Use: Norwesco 45223
- 4. Best Emergency Water Storage Container: LCI 7240-01-365-5317
- 5. Best Heavy-Duty Water Storage Container: RomoTech 82124259
- 6. Best High-Capacity Water Storage Container: Extra Packaging Corp.
- 7. Best Long-Term Water Storage Container: Good Ideas RW50-OAK
- 8. Best Portable Water Storage Container: Reliance Products 9410-03
- 9. Best Lightweight Water Storage Container: Coghlan’s 1205
- 10. Standard Water Storage Container: Saratoga Farm
- How to Buy the Best Water Storage Containers
- Conclusion
10 Best Water Storage Containers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. iSpring FT32M (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. WaterStorage Cube (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. Norwesco 45223 (Best for Home Use) |
| |
 | 4. LCI 7240-01-365-5317 (Best for Emergency) |
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 | 5. RomoTech 82124259 (Best Heavy-Duty) |
| |
 | 6. Extra Packaging Corp. (Best High Capacity) |
| |
 | 7. Good Ideas RW50-OAK (Best Long-Term) |
| |
 | 8. Reliance Products 9410-03 (Best Portable) |
| |
 | 9. Coghlan’s 1205 (Best Lightweight) |
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 | 10. Saratoga Farm (Standard Design) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. iSpring FT32M (Best Overall)
|
2. WaterStorageCube (Best Budget)
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3. Norwesco 45223 (Best for Home Use)
|
4. LCI 7240-01-365-5317 (Best for Emergency)
|
5. RomoTech 82124259 (Best Heavy-Duty)
|
6. Extra Packaging Corp. (Best High Capacity)
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7. Good Ideas RW50-OAK (Best Long-Term)
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8. Reliance Products 9410-03 (Best Portable)
|
9. Coghlan’s 1205 (Best Lightweight)
|
10. Saratoga Farm (Standard Design)
|
1. Best Overall Water Storage Container: iSpring FT32M
Photo: iSpring
- Capacity: 3.2 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Butyl
The feature that makes iSpring FT32M the best overall product is its compatibility with RO systems. There is a ball valve for reverse osmosis RO system which helps store purified water and makes it convenient for consumption.
No wonder this is the best drinking water storage container on the list as it is made with food-grade butyl material. Furthermore, it comes with post-cure procedures to offer odorless and tasteless water, even after hours of storage.
One thing that is absolutely ensured by the company is product’s safety and dependability. This model is CE mark approved.
This metal pressurized tank comes in overall capacity of 3.2-gallons. It will be suitable for everyday needs. The smooth internal air vents prevent the damage. Other than that, you can expect convenient discharge of water, vertically and horizontally.
Well, this is a perfect product overall but with no handle to hold, it becomes difficult to carry filled container from one place to another.
Pros:
- Compatible with RO system
- Extreme dependability
- Easy discharge of water
- Suitable for everyday needs
Cons:
- No handle so is a bit difficult to carry
2. Best Budget Water Storage Container: WaterStorageCube
Photo: WaterStorageCube
- Capacity: 5.3 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: PE Plastic
Being the cheapest model in our water storage containers review, we recommend it to the buyers that don’t want to compromise on features and yet desire an affordable product.
This container is collapsible and can be used for adventurous activities like camping, hiking, or simply keeping it for emergency purpose. It will shrink and become a tiny bottle for utmost ease.
The 5.3-gallons capacity is pretty suitable for all-purpose use. Moreover, with the overall weight of 0.85-pounds, you can easily take it for outdoor use. Also, the container is very easy to clean.
It is a leak-proof design and BPA-free to help you store drinkable water. Well, this is a suitable product however, the plastic should have been better. This plastic is not too long-lasting but the small price won’t bother the buyers.
Pros:
- Most economical product
- Suitable for storing drinking water
- Leak-proof design
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- Plastic could have been better
3. Best Water Storage Container for Home Use: Norwesco 45223
Photo: Norwesco
- Capacity: 35 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Polyethylene
If you are purposely searching for a storage container that can provide sufficient value to all the home tasks then go with the Norwesco 45223 as it comes in decent capacity of 35-gallons.
The tank is compatible with storing fertilizer solutions, agriculture chemicals, water, liquid feeds and plant foods. The construction is done with polyethylene and has rugged quality. It is completely corrosion-resistant and lightweight with no welds, joints, leaks, or seams.
Also, it meets all the FDA specifications and is NSF approved for safety of the material. As far as water dispensing is concerned, this model is pretty suitable for seamless performance.
You should note that this model is not transported compatible. First, it is heavy and secondly, there is no handle from where you can carry the container anywhere.
Pros:
- Extremely suitable for home usage
- Multi-purpose liquid storage
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons:
- Non-transportable
4. Best Emergency Water Storage Container: LCI 7240-01-365-5317
Photo: LCI
- Capacity: 5 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Plastic
Whether you are planning a hunting or hiking trip or simply want to keep a water container in your car for emergencies, the LCI 7240-01-365-5317 is a perfectly suitable model because of its easy transporting and rugged construction.
This model can bear the wear and tear of outdoor use. It is available in bright green color and has a small handle on the top for easy carrying. This way, wherever the situation arises, you can grab the can and run.
The product is available in 5-gallons capacity, suitable enough for critical situations. The opening is large enough that you can conveniently fill water inside the container, using a hose. However, it is not too large to make cleaning seamless. You might have to struggle a bit while cleaning the can.
Pros:
- Robust quality
- Easy to carry
- Suitable capacity
- Easy to fill water
Cons:
- A bit difficult to clean
5. Best Heavy-Duty Water Storage Container: RomoTech 82124259
Photo: RomoTech
- Capacity: 65 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Polyethylene
Well, this is the most heavy-duty and durable product on the list, constructed with thick wall polyethylene material. It has multiple layers of plastic to offer maximum strength.
Well, being 65-gallons in capacity, you must know that this is a non-transportable product. You won’t be able to carry it from one place to another, especially when filled completely. But it can store a lot of water and other liquids including agriculture chemicals, industrial chemicals and non-flammable fluids. It is not intended for fuel storage.
It has translucent material construction, ensured for easy monitoring of the liquid inside the tank. Also, there are molded-in graduation marks available in liters as well as gallons to help you store water as per your requirement. Plus, you get easy dispensing of the liquid.
The only drawback of the product is its white color which will get dirty when kept outdoors. Also, the material is not scratch-resistant.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- High capacity
- Suitable for non-flammable fluids
- Molded-in graduation marks
Cons:
- Not scratch resistant
- Tank might get dirty too soon
6. Best High-Capacity Water Storage Container: Extra Packaging Corp.
Photo: Extra Packaging Corp.
- Capacity: 150 gallons
- Material: Polyethylene + Nylon
The Extra Packaging Corp. storage container comes in large capacity of 150-gallons. It is uniquely crafted in form of a bladder bag and has the most amazing features.
First of all, the bag is food-grade and thus you can store water for drinking purpose as well. Also, whether you need storage water for planting, or other domestic chores, this model will be pretty helpful.
The next thing is its lightweight and portability because of the cooperating material. It has polyethylene rubber on the inside and nylon material on the outside to increase its durability. Well, you can pick and carry an empty bag conveniently but will 150-gallons of water inside, it will be complicated.
No wonder this is a considerable model but if you are small on budget, then this model is not for you.
Pros:
- High-capacity bag
- Lightweight
- Suitable for all kinds of domestic chores
Cons:
- Expensive
7. Best Long-Term Water Storage Container: Good Ideas RW50-OAK
Photo: Good Ideas
- Capacity: 50 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Polyethylene Resin
There are a couple of reasons why this model is a long-term purchase. First of all, it is made of polyethylene resin, one of the strongest materials in water containers. It is BPA-free and safe in usage. Plus, being UV-resistant, you will find it extremely beneficial for outdoor storage.
On top of that, the color is non-fading. The wonderful unique barrel shape of the container will impress a lot of buyers. Even if you have kept in barrel in open sight, it will not hamper the look of your house.
Furthermore, it has capacity of 50-gallons which is suitable enough for storing large amount of water for later use. The water dispenser tap is designed at the bottom so if you want to use the barrel for watering plants, you can simply take it to the ground and open the tap.
Also, this model is non rusting and corroding. The only concerning thing is because of large size, cleaning will be troublesome.
Pros:
- Suitable for long-term usage
- BPA-free
- Fancy looks
- Easy water dispensing
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
8. Best Portable Water Storage Container: Reliance Products 9410-03
Photo: Reliance Products
- Capacity: 7 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
Well, for many people, the need for a water storage container is for outdoor use. For that, you need the best portable product and our recommendation is the Reliance Products 9410-03 as it has overall weight of only 2-pounds and durable construction.
The rigid quality container has molded contour grip for easy carrying. Also, the design is pretty space-saving and compact enough to easily get stored anywhere you want. You can keep it in the back of the car.
Furthermore, it has new and improved screw-on vents and a hideaway spigot for on-demand water dispensing. The concerning part is that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will fade the color and make the product brittle.
Pros:
- Easy to transport
- Durable construction
- Molded contour grip
- Space-saving design
Cons:
- Might fade the color
9. Best Lightweight Water Storage Container: Coghlan’s 1205
Photo: Coghlan’s
- Capacity: 5 gallons
- Material: Plastic
This is a lightweight and handy water storage container you can use for different purposes. The product is made of plastic material and has a simple design.
The water dispenser is on the bottom and you will have to place the container on a stand for easy access. Being food-grade, it keeps the water suitable for consumption. You can pack it for a picnic or travel related emergencies.
There is a small handle on the side to conveniently pick up the container. The 7-gallons capacity is suitable enough for emergency situations.
This is a leak-proof design and pretty suitable for different applications. However, the plastic quality is not very durable.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Suitable for emergency situations
- Easy to pick up
- Leak-proof design
Cons:
- Plastic is not durable
10. Standard Water Storage Container: Saratoga Farm
Photo: Saratoga Farm
- Capacity: 40 – 100 gallons
- Tank Valve Position: Top
- Material: Polyethylene
This model is available in form of stacks in which, individual units of storage container is stacked on one another. The product is available in high quantity, varying from 40 – 100-gallons.
All the models have a top tank valve position for convenient filling of water. This model is specifically for buyers with large water storage needs.
Each 5-gallons bottle has a comfortable handle for quick carrying. These are ideal for every situation and is made of high-quality polyethylene material for exceeding durability. The only drawback of this model is that the cans are difficult to clean.
Pros:
- Available in large capacities
- Easy to store
- Comfortable to transport
- Durable
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
How to Buy the Best Water Storage Containers
1. Capacity
Capacity of a storage container depends on one’s needs. Some people use these containers to travel with water in their car. For such needs, a 5-gallons container is good to have.
You certainly get less capacity like 3-gallons and it could be to as much as 200-gallons. That said, you should establish the need before buying one.
These days, people like to store water for home use as well. This has nothing to do with portability as the capacity of a container will increase, its portability will become difficult.
If you want to store water at home, then go with the Extra Packaging Corp. as it comes in gigantic capacity of 150-gallons. This model will serve many purposes because its construction is such that you can take it anywhere in the house.
As far as portable model is concerned, the Coghlan’s 1205 is a highly considerable model. It has 5-gallons capacity and extremely lightweight to carry anywhere.
2. Durability
When you spend your hard-earned money, the least you expect from a product is to be long-lasting. Durability is essential because if while moving a container or due to sun exposure, it will crack or dent or even leave its color, then the purchase will instantly become pointless.
There is no room for flimsiness in these containers. You may want to take them for camping or trips, so durability is non-negotiable.
The durability comes from the construction material. This is an important aspect to keep under consideration if you wish to avoid disappointment.
Second thing, you should make sure that the container is equally good in storing cold as well as hot water. For that, you must avoid pure plastic material, especially non-food grade since plastic has a tendency to release toxins when exposed to hot water.
To conclude, simply make sure that the water storage container you purchase has high construction standards and will withstand impact.
Please note that the cheaper models, no matter how promising they sound, usually have cheap plastic construction. Therefore, unless these containers are made of other high-impact materials, make sure to spend a little extra and buy something that you won’t regret.
3. Material
Well, when you search for the best water storage tanks, plastic is the first material to appear in the result section. Yes, we have asked you to stay away from plastic but in this material too, there are multiple types.
You must consider plastic that is more impact-resistant. One of such examples is Polyethylene. It is a revised version of conventional plastic material, harder, and impact-resistant. It is thermoplastic and have high melting point, varying from 239 – 275-degree F.
This means that even if you want to store hot water in the tank, it will not release any chemicals. Moreover, for the containers that are stored outdoors, the sun won’t hamper their quality.
There are other material options too like glass or stainless-steel. While glass is better for decontaminating, it is way too impractical to withstand abuse.
At the same time, stainless-steel at some point will lose its coating and thus, it will be at high risk of oxidization. Concludingly, high-density polyethylene plastic is your safest bet.
4. Ease of Transportation
For most people, the purpose of buying a water storage container is to take it along wherever they go. Therefore, one of the biggest necessities from these products is to be easy in transportation.
In this factor, weight plays the most significant role. You can find models with as low weight as a pound and they can go up to 300-pounds as well as the capacity increases.
You don’t necessarily have to buy container with minimum weight but decent enough to ease the transportation cause.
One more thing, any product with capacity of more than 20-pounds will be difficult to take along. Make sure to pick the product with suitable weight and capacity for ease transport.
5. Easy to Clean
The next important thing to focus is how convenient is the product to clean. This is for a fact that as the size of a container will increase, it will become more difficult to clean. However, you should make sure that opening of the container is easy and large enough to give internal access for seamless cleaning.
Conclusion
On concluding this water storage container review, we would like to give you a play by play on the most important recommendations made.
The iSpring FT32M is compatible with RO system and since it is made of food-grade plastic, it is the safest for storing drinkable water. This model has excellent features, proving itself to be the best overall product on the list.
For the ones seeking large quantities in storage containers, the Extra Packaging Corp. comes in 150-gallons capacity and is lightweight enough to transport it from one place to another.