Dramm 12370 Soaker Hose Review

My Honest Take on the Dramm 12370 Soaker Hose

I have spent years installing and maintaining irrigation systems for clients, and I have tested more soaker hoses than I care to count. When I first unboxed the Dramm 12370, I will admit I was skeptical. It is heavier than most hoses I have handled, and the price tag is noticeably higher than the standard black rubber or vinyl soaker hoses you see at big box stores. But after several months of heavy use across a variety of garden beds, I have come to appreciate what this hose does differently. This is not a cheap disposable hose. It is a tool built for long term performance. In this review, I will break down exactly what you get, how it performs in real world conditions, and whether it is worth the investment for your garden.

How I Tested It

To give you a thorough evaluation, I put the Dramm 12370 through a rigorous testing regimen that goes beyond simply laying it in a flower bed. I wanted to see how it handles the situations that typically kill lesser hoses. Here is how I tested it:

• Cold weather flexibility test: I left a 50 foot length of the hose coiled in my unheated garage overnight when temperatures dropped to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. The next morning, I took it outside and attempted to uncoil and lay it out in a straight line without kinking.
• Kink resistance test: I deliberately folded the hose back on itself in tight 180 degree bends, both when empty and when pressurized with water at 40 PSI. I also ran it around sharp corners of raised bed frames and stone edging.
• Flow and soak uniformity test: I laid out two 25 foot sections side by side on bare soil. I ran the water for 30 minutes at medium pressure, then dug small test holes at 5 foot intervals to check moisture penetration depth and width.
• Brass fitting durability test: I connected and disconnected the hose from a standard garden spigot and a Y connector over 50 times. I also deliberately cross threaded it once to see if the brass would strip or deform.
• Long term exposure test: I left a section of the hose exposed to full sun and rain for three months without moving it. I checked for UV degradation, cracking, or stiffening of the rubber.
• Weight and handling test: I filled the hose completely with water and then attempted to drag it across a lawn and reposition it around plants to assess how manageable it is when fully saturated.

I tested the hose on both a standard residential spigot with around 45 PSI and on a lower pressure rain barrel system with a small pump. I also used it with a timer to simulate overnight watering cycles. All testing was done in my own garden, not in a lab, so the results reflect real world conditions with real dirt, rocks, and temperature swings.

Performance

Flexibility and Kink Resistance

This is where the Dramm 12370 truly shines. The hose is made from 100 percent recycled rubber, and it has a very different feel from the cheaper vinyl or rubber blends. It is supple and pliable even when cold. In my 22 degree test, the hose did not stiffen up like a board. It remained flexible enough to uncoil without cracking or fighting me. I was able to lay it in a serpentine pattern around my perennials without it trying to spring back into a coil. That is a huge advantage in early spring and late fall when you are still trying to water but the temperatures are low.

Kink resistance is excellent. I deliberately tried to kink it by bending it sharply around a corner of a stone retaining wall. The hose flattened slightly under extreme pressure, but it did not fully collapse and cut off water flow. As soon as I straightened it out, it returned to its round shape immediately. This is a major improvement over the typical black soaker hose that kinks at the slightest twist and then stays kinked, creating a permanent weak spot that eventually leaks. I did not encounter a single kink during normal use over several months.

Watering Uniformity and Soak Pattern

The Dramm 12370 is a seeping soaker hose, not a drip hose. It sweats water along its entire length through microscopic pores. In my uniformity test, I found that the first 5 feet of the hose put out slightly more water than the last 5 feet, especially at higher pressures. This is common with all soaker hoses due to pressure drop over distance. However, the difference was minimal compared to cheaper hoses I have tested. At 40 PSI, the moisture penetration was fairly even from end to end, with about a 12 inch wide wetting pattern on either side of the hose after 30 minutes. The depth of moisture reached about 4 to 5 inches in clay loam soil, which is adequate for most annuals and perennials.

I found the hose works best at pressures between 25 and 40 PSI. Above 50 PSI, the seep rate increases noticeably at the beginning of the hose, and you may get some misting rather than gentle soaking. Below 20 PSI, the output is very slow, which is fine for deep watering but requires longer run times. If you have low water pressure, this hose will still work, but you will need to run it for an hour or more to get meaningful moisture depth. I recommend using a pressure regulator if your spigot pressure is above 50 PSI to get the best performance and avoid waste.

Durability in Sun and Weather

After three months of direct sun exposure, the hose showed no signs of cracking, fading, or stiffening. The recycled rubber formulation seems to hold up well to UV radiation. I have seen cheaper soaker hoses become brittle and develop hairline cracks after just one season in the sun. The Dramm looks and feels the same as the day I unboxed it. The rubber also resisted dirt and mud buildup well. A quick rinse with the garden hose cleaned it off easily. I did notice that the rubber has a distinct smell when new, similar to a new tire. That smell faded after a few weeks of use and watering.

Build and Value

Brass Fittings

The fittings on the Dramm 12370 are a standout feature. They are solid brass, not plated zinc or plastic. The threads are clean and sharp, and they screw onto my spigot and connectors smoothly without any wobble or cross threading issues. After 50 connection cycles, there was no visible wear or deformation. I even deliberately cross threaded it once to test the strength. The brass threads bit into the spigot threads slightly, but they did not strip. I was able to unscrew it and rethread it properly without damage. This is a huge reliability improvement over the plastic fittings that crack or the soft brass that strips out after a season. The brass also resists corrosion, which is important if you live in an area with hard water or if you leave the hose connected for long periods.

Weight and Handling with Water

This is the one area where the Dramm 12370 has a clear trade off. The hose is made from thick, heavy duty recycled rubber. When it is empty, it is noticeably heavier than a standard vinyl soaker hose. A 50 foot length weighs about 7 pounds dry. When you fill it with water, it becomes significantly heavier. Dragging a fully saturated 50 foot hose across a lawn to reposition it requires some effort. The hose does not slide easily over grass or mulch. You have to lift and move it in sections. If you have a large garden with many beds that require frequent repositioning of the hose, the weight can become a minor annoyance. For a permanent or semi permanent installation where you lay it out once and leave it for the season, the weight is not an issue.

Five Year Warranty

Dramm backs this hose with a five year warranty. That is longer than most soaker hoses on the market. It tells me the company has confidence in the build quality. I have had to warranty a few cheaper hoses in the past, and the process was always a hassle. I have not needed to test Dramm’s warranty service, but the fact that they offer it for five years is a strong signal that they expect the hose to last. Combined with the solid brass fittings and thick rubber construction, this hose should easily outlast several seasons of heavy use.

Price Consideration

There is no way around it: the Dramm 12370 costs more than the average soaker hose. You can find a basic 50 foot soaker hose for half the price at many home improvement stores. However, those hoses typically use thinner rubber, plastic fittings, and come with a one year warranty if you are lucky. In my experience, a cheap soaker hose will start to kink, crack, or leak within one or two seasons. The Dramm hose is built to last five years or more. When you factor in the cost of replacing a cheap hose every year or two, the Dramm actually becomes the more economical choice over time. You are paying upfront for durability and performance, not for features you do not need.

Who Should Buy It

This hose is not for everyone. Based on my testing, here is who I think will get the most value from the Dramm 12370:

• Gardeners with permanent or semi permanent garden beds: If you lay your soaker hose out in the spring and leave it in place until fall, the weight is not a problem, and you will benefit from the durability and even watering.
• People who garden in cold climates: The excellent cold weather flexibility means you can water early and late in the season without fighting a stiff, uncooperative hose. You can also leave it outside in freezing temperatures without worrying about cracking as much as a vinyl hose.
• Gardeners who are tired of replacing cheap hoses every year: If you have gone through two or three soaker hoses in the last few years, the Dramm is a long term solution that will save you money and frustration.
• Anyone who values high quality fittings: If you have ever had a plastic fitting crack or a cheap brass fitting strip out, the solid brass on this hose will be a welcome upgrade.
• Environmentally conscious gardeners: The hose is made from 100 percent recycled rubber, which is a nice bonus if sustainability is a priority for you.

On the other hand, this hose may not be the best choice if:

• You need to frequently move the hose around a large area: The weight when full of water makes it less convenient for mobile watering. A lighter vinyl hose or a drip irrigation system with movable emitters might be easier.
• You are on a very tight budget: The upfront cost is higher. If you only need a soaker hose for one season or for a very small garden, a cheaper option may meet your needs.
• You have extremely low water pressure: While it works at low pressure, the output is slow. A drip tape system designed for low flow might be more efficient.

My Verdict

After months of testing in cold weather, hot sun, and everything in between, I can say with confidence that the Dramm 12370 is the best soaker hose I have ever used. It delivers on its promises of excellent flexibility, kink resistance, and durable construction. The brass fittings are a pleasure to work with, and the five year warranty backs up the quality. The only real downside is the weight when full of water, which is a direct result of the thick, heavy duty rubber that makes it so durable. For me, that trade off is absolutely worth it. I would rather deal with a heavier hose that lasts for years than a lightweight hose that fails mid season.

If you are serious about your garden and you want a soaker hose that will perform reliably season after season without constant frustration, the Dramm 12370 is a smart investment. It is not the cheapest option, but it is the best value over time. I have already recommended it to several gardening friends, and I will be using it in my own garden for years to come.