Frustrating.
It’s frustrating when you find tons of leaves and debris in your rainwater container. Even though your downspout is doing a great job, you still can’t use that water.
Well, we’ve thought about this problem. And we decided to do some research on the products that’s available in the market. The end result is a list full of the best downspout filter you’ll ever find.
However, don’t assume that we simply put up a list of products. We did our homework and showed all the pros and cons. So, you’ll know what you’re getting into.
But that’s all talk. Let’s start and you’ll know what we’re talking about-
Best Downspout Filter 2022 – Comparison Table
Our team researched best downspout filters for the market 2022.
| Product | Key Weight | Benefits |
| 1. Flex-Drain 85010 Downspout Extension | 1.6 ounces | Makes it easier to adjust |
| 2. Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System | 2.15 pounds | Won’t be damaged by the weather |
| 3. Flex-Drain 51110 | 4.39 pounds | The product blends in easily |
| 4. Flex-Drain ADP53202 Downspout Adaptor | 0.64 ounces | Can withstand high flow for a lot of years |
| 5. Flex-Drain 53127 Flexible Downspout | 3.68 ounces | Matching with the color of your house is easy |
| 6. StealthFlow 4621 Downspout Extension | 10.9 ounces | Easily blends in with any environment |
| 7. InvisaFlow 4490 Downspout Filter | 7.8 ounces | Can fit with any downspout |
| 8. InvisaFlow, Black Amerimax | 8 ounces | Won’t break easily |
| 9. NDS 430 Pop-Up Drainage Emitter with Elbow and Adapter | 1 pound | Can fit with any drainage system |
| 10. Amerimax 4400 Black InvisaFlow Downspout Strainer/Filter | 7 ounces | Water can go directly underground |
How To Choose The Best Downspout Filter In 2022
Finally, we’ve reached the buyer’s guide. By now, you know the benefits of downspouts. You also know how many variations there are of downspout filters. Now, let’s talk about how you can buy a good downspout filter for yourself-
Type of extension:
First of all, you have to decide what type of extension you want. Let me rephrase that, you have to decide what type of extension you need. The requirements are quite necessary here.
You have to know if you want a single extension or multiple extensions. Then, you’ll have to know if it’s for commercial use or residential. It can change depending on whether you want a flexible filter or not.
You get the idea. There are a lot of things you have to consider. So, it’s better if you do research about what you need and how you’re going to use it.
Visibility:
The problem with downspout filters is that they look horrible. It’s not a pleasant sight. Most of the people can’t blend them into their house. Even after a perfect installation and proper hiding, they can still show their faces.
And for a perfectionist, this might become a problem. So, if you have an issue with visibility, we recommend you to find the perfect product for you. There are a lot of criteria to follow here.
You have to choose the perfect color and texture that matches your house. Otherwise, you won’t be happy.
Although there are some extension filters that can go underground. So, you get that there are a lot of options. Figure out your needs and you’ll know what product you need.
Installation:
Take a look at the installation process of the downspout filter. Although most modern-day downspout filters can be installed quite easily. You’ll only need some screws at most.
Moreover, a lot of downspout filters don’t even need any tools to be installed. And even if they do, they come inside the box.
So, look for products like that. You won’t have to face any problem regarding the installation then.
1. Flex-Drain 85010 Downspout Extension
We’re starting off our list with the Flex-Drain 85010 Downspout Extension. Flex-Drain is an American brand that manufactures its products in China.
Apart from that, the brand has quite a good reputation in this industry. And it’s all possible because of their top-notch products. Now, what made this product rank in the first place of our list?
- Flexible design:
As you can see, the product is made out of plastic. But don’t get worried because it’s a quality plastic material, so there’s little to no chance of it getting damaged in a long time.
Other than that, it’s flexible. So, you can use it anyhow you like. That’s the beauty of flexible downspout filters. You can bend them however you want.
- Durable build:
If we talk about the durability of this product, we’ve already told you it’s made out of high-quality plastic. Even though there’s always a little risk with plastic products. But that’s not the case here.
In order to achieve flexibility, the manufacturer had to switch to plastic material. So, you can’t really complain, you know? But don’t worry, it’ll function properly for a long time without any complications.
- Installation is easy:
The installation of this downspout filter is quite easy. You don’t need any extra tools for doing it. Just connecting it to your downspout will do the job.
Moreover, you can even connect multiple pipes to increase the length of the pipe. It’ll connect with any type of downspout, so you can buy it with ease of mind.
2. Oatey 14209 Mystic Rainwater Collection System
Next up, we have the Oatey 14209 Mystic Rainwater Collection System. Now, what made this so special that it’s on our list? Well, there are a few reasons. Let’s explain-
- Made from durable UV resistant material:
A lot of users complain that their downspout filters tears because of the low-quality plastic build. Well, that’s not the case with the Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System.
It’s made out of high-quality PVC plastic. So, durability is not an issue. You can rest assured that it won’t get any type of sun damage due to the UV resistance.
- Can be painted to match your house:
No matter how you see it, downspout filters and pipes are not a pleasant sight for anyone. Most of the time, these things can’t blend in easily with the house.
But that won’t be a problem with this product. As it’s made out of high-quality UV resistant PVC plastic, you can paint it any color you want. So, matching it with your house is an easy task.
- Includes 4 feet high-flow hose:
Not only does its job right, but it also comes with a 4 feet hi-flow hose. Let’s say you want to preserve some rainwater for an emergency. Well, the Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System just made it easier.
3. Flex-Drain 51110 Flexible/Expandable Landscaping Drain Pipe
Next, we have another product from Flex-Drain. It’s called Flex-Drain 51110. So, why did we mention two products from the same manufacturer?
The obvious answer is they make great downspout filters. But there are more.
- Expandable up to 25 feet:
Rainwater constantly getting in the foundation of your house can weaken it very quickly. Even if you install a downspout, it won’t be enough.
If you can’t place the pipe far away from the house, there’s really no point in doing it. Well, the Flex-Drain 51110 fixes all that.
It comes with a hose that can be expandable up to 25 feet. So, if you want you can place the end of the hose far away from your house.
- Made from durable plastic:
Expandable downspout hose comes with one common problem. They’re not that good with durability.
However, you won’t face that problem with this one. You see, high-quality plastic won’t tear or break down that easily.
Unless you put it through an extreme durability test it won’t show any kind of damage.
- The black color blends in with the house:
Visibility can be a big problem for these things. Flex-Drain thought of that and they come up with this matte black texture. This blends in with your house quite easily.
4. Flex-Drain ADP53202 Downspout Adaptor
What can we say? Another product from Flex-Drain. By now, you’re thinking, aren’t there other manufacturers that make these products?
Well, there are a lot of products on the market. But as we’ve said before, the quality isn’t that good. We tried out those but turns out they’ve failed miserably.
Now, let’s talk about the features-
- Two sizes available:
People complain that manufacturers only focus on standard sizes. So, if someone has a smaller or bigger sized downspout, they get in trouble with finding the right product for them.
Fortunately, the Flex-Drain ADP53202 Downspout Adaptor is an exception. With this product, you’ll find two variants. 2 by 3 by 4 inches and 3 by 4 by 4 inches.
- Durable plastic build:
At first glance, we had a good impression of the build quality of this product. But as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. So, we tested it out.
Turns out, the product is quite good. Even though it’s a plastic build. You can use it at the ease of mind without worrying about tears or holes.
5. Flex-Drain 53127 Flexible Downspout
Guess what? Our next product is also from Flex-Drain. We have to come clean. No, the manufacturer didn’t pay us to do this review. The thing is, they just make great products.
So apart from that, what features does the Flex-Drain 53127 Flexible Downspout have?
- Wide range of colors available:
For those color-loving out there, Flex-Drain made a wide range of colors available for this product. It has not one, not two but 5 different colors.
I mean, how many more colors do you want from a downspout filter? The colors are- silver, gold, dark green, grey, and black.
Although we have to say, we did expect a white color too. It’s a common house color, so we don’t really know why the manufacturer skipped it.
Nonetheless, you can always paint it to whatever color you like. So, at the end of the day, it’s completely up to you. But if you don’t want to go through that, there are 5 colors to choose from.
- Easy installation process:
Flex-Drain 53127 Flexible Downspout has a fairly easy installation process. You don’t really need any kind of tools to install it.
Basically, it’s plug and play. However, you can always attach some screws to fit into its place. Sometimes that comes in handy as there are active kids or pets in your house.
This way they won’t trip over it and get hurt. Other than that, it’s a great product depending on the price they gave out.
6. StealthFlow 4621 Downspout Extension
Next up, we have the StealthFlow 4621 Downspout Extension. As you can guess, StealthFlow makes products that hide or blend easily with any house. Other than that the performance is absolutely great.
- The stealthy design makes it easier to hide:
We absolutely love the design of this product. The matte black color and the industrial shape makes it perfect for any modern household.
The best part is, you don’t have to dig in holes to hide it in the ground. This low profile design allows it to hide behind straws or mulch. So, you don’t have to put anything for this purpose.
- Durable Resin Build:
This one is for people who have problems with plastic materials. The StealthFlow 4621 Downspout Extension skipped all that and stuck to the resin.
And the end result is a sturdy and industrial design that no one can complain about.
But the real thing you should worry about is outdoor elements. Guess what? It excels in that sector.
- Adjustable elbows:
Apart from the great build quality and excellent blending ability, you can adjust this product to your likings. This allows you to adjust to the direction you want, making sure the water doesn’t get in your foundation.
7. InvisaFlow 4490 Downspout Filter
Our next product is from InvisaFlow. We have to admit we had some suspicions about this product. But turns out it’s actually quite good. Looks can be deceiving, you know?
- Great build quality:
This is where we had our suspicion. At first glance, the build didn’t look that good. And no, we’re not judging because of the plastic.
However, after testing it out and gathering user reviews, we had to change our thoughts about it. Most people we talked to said that it works flawlessly even after 2 years or so.
- Easy installation process:
The main element behind the easy installation process was the built-in connectors. These connectors make the process much easier.
All you have to do is connect the pieces with your downspout and the pipes and voila you’re done.
- Fits with all downspouts:
This is one of the major problems people face with downspout filters. They buy one and after bringing it home, they find out that it doesn’t fit at all.
Well, with the InvisaFlow 4490 Downspout Filter you don’t have to worry about that at all.
8. InvisaFlow, Black Amerimax 4400
People who had problems with the color of the previous product, this one is for them. The manufacturer is the same and the product is kind of the same. But there are some differences here and there.
- Robust build quality:
We had a bit of suspicion about the previous product. But that did go away. Despite all that, we had no complaints about this one.
From the first look to the testing, it had a really good performance. As it’s plastic, you’re not at risk for any kind of rust. And the materials used here are quite good too.
- The black color makes it easier to hide:
For hiding things, most people like a black design, and the InvisaFlow, Black Amerimax has that.
You don’t have to dig it into the ground. Simply putting some mulch or leaves around it will do the job.
- Easy installation due to the connectors:
Similar to the previous product, the InvisaFlow, Black Amerimax is easy to install. The connectors are a huge help.
The best part is you don’t need any additional tools to connect it with your downspout.
9. NDS 430 Pop-Up Drainage Emitter with Elbow and Adapter
Next up, we have the NDS 430 Pop-Up Drainage Emitter with Elbow and Adapter. But this product is kind of different. Let’s get into the details-
- Compatible with a complete drainage system:
This product will be in complete sync with your drainage system. Drainage systems can sometimes be dangerous as the water somehow gets into the foundation.
As you know, if water enters the foundation of your house for a long time, it can weaken the entire structure. That’s why this product is important.
Simply connect it with your drainage system and attach some pipes or barrels. This way the foundation of the house will be protected and you’ll get to use the rainwater for emergencies.
- Heavy duty water flow:
Most people are unhappy with the flow of their drainage system or downspout. But that’ll change once you start using this product.
- Great customer service:
The customer service of NDS is just great. Let’s say you have a genuine problem with the product or one of the tools didn’t come with it.
Simply inform the customer service and they’ll get it replaced for you.
10. Amerimax 4400 Black InvisaFlow Downspout Strainer/Filter
Would you look at that? We’ve reached the end of our list. And as the final product, we have a product that we absolutely loved. It’s simple and it does what it says.
What more can you expect from a downspout filter, right? Well, guess what? This product has extra features too.
- Great design and build quality:
The Amerimax 4400 Black InvisaFlow Downspout Strainer/Filter is one of the best products made out of black PVC plastic. Don’t get sad just because it’s plastic. We put it through some heavy tests and it managed to withstand all those things.
Other than that, the black color makes it easier to blend in with any kind of environment.
- Installation process can’t get easier:
The installation process is fairly easy. You don’t have to get any extra tools for the installation.
Simply connect the filter with your downspout and you’ll be good to go. However, if you want to make the connection more secure, you can always attach some screws. This way, you’ll get better results too.
Types of Downspout Filter
Before we jump into the buyer’s guide of downspout filters, you need to know how many types there are. Otherwise, you won’t even know what to buy.
Although there aren’t many variations, still, to meet your needs, you have to know these things.
Flexible:
Flexible downspout filters are the most common type of downspout filters. Most people buy this variation and there are reasons behind it too.
You see, flexible downspout filters are easy to use. These are quite bendy and flexible hence the name flexible. And most importantly, they’re cost-friendly too.
However, it has some drawbacks. In order to make these so flexible and inexpensive, manufacturers have to use cheap materials such as thin plastic. And sometimes that can damage the pipes.
Roll out:
Roll out downspout filters come with a pipe that can out when it detects water. After the water is gone, it’ll again roll-up. This feature makes these filters more convenient as visibility won’t be a problem.
The best part is if you have kids or pets that run around the house, they won’t trip over the filter.
However, like all downspout filters, it also has some problems. Stones or soil can sometimes get stuck in the pipes or the filter itself. Then, you’ll have to manually fix it to get it up and running again.
Other than this problem, it’s quite good. The functionally and discreet appearance makes it a good choice.
Flipper or Hinge:
Lastly, we have flipper or hinge type downspout filters. As you’d guess, you can flip up or down this filter anytime you want.
While they are better than other filters, they are more expensive too. They’re made out of metal and other premium materials, so it makes them more durable and obviously more expensive.
However, if you want to bend it, that’s a big no. You can’t really bend metal easily, can you? Other than that, it’s quite good.
Benefits of Using a Downspout
We all know what downspouts do. But some people are not aware of the benefits of using a downspout. So, let’s see what all the fuss is about-
You get to prevent mold:
Mold can grow anywhere as long as it finds moisture. Not draining the moisture the excess moisture or water can lead to an attack of mold. So, you shouldn’t take that chance.
Most importantly, mold can be a very difficult thing to get rid of. They can grow anywhere and it starts breeding, there’s no going back for it. It’ll spread like wildfire.
It’s not like you can’t remove it. But the amount of work you’ll have to put in can feel overwhelming. You have to use special chemicals.
And that’s not all. Sometimes you’ll even have to strip off the paint of your house. Then apply different kinds of sealants and the list doesn’t stop. So, you understand how moisture can lead to a horrible situation.
Moreover, mold is quite harmful to the human body. Without this, you’re basically putting your whole family in danger.
Once you start removing mold from your house, the process will get more and more expensive. On the other hand, buying a downspout won’t cost you anywhere near that.
So, you decide what you want. Thousands of dollars for mold removal or a few bucks for a downspout. We’d go for the downspout.
Apart from mold, it’ll also keep away the unwanted rainwater from your house and maintain a healthy and fresh home.
You’ll protect the foundation of your house:
Water is always bad for a house. Well, not always bad. A little rain is good actually. The temperature goes down in your house and it stays cool for some time.
However, the problem starts when it stays there for a long time. Sooner or later, it can do some damage to your house.
When your house won’t have a downspout, the water goes down to the foundation of your house. You won’t feel it immediately. It may take years. But after that, you’ll notice that the foundation started weakening.
And that’s when the real problem will start. You see, when a lot of rainwater gets into the ground of your house for a long time it softens the root. And this is not something you can fix easily.
Even if you spend a ton of money it’ll take a long time. Trust us on this, you don’t want to get into that mess.
That’s the whole point of a downspout. It’ll direct the rainwater to another place, securing the foundation of your house.
You get to store fresh rainwater
Apart from protecting the foundation of your house and preventing mold, a downspout can help you store water. Storing rainwater with a downspout is incredibly easy.
All you have to do is place a barrel or a container at the end of the downspout. You can use it anytime you want.
Let’s say, you have to wash your car but there’s no water supply. This storage can come in handy then.
Moreover, you can also use it to water the plants in your garden. No matter how you see it, you’ll always save some bucks on your water bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do downspout guards work?
They work great for capturing leaves and big debris. However, tiny debris can pass through these filters quite easily. Nonetheless, you should always install these at an angle.
Can heavy rain affect the performance of downspout filters?
At the end of the day, downspout filters are barriers. So, when you put a large amount of water through these, it might not pass so efficiently. But sooner or later, it’ll pass.
How often should I clean my downspout filters?
The best practice is to clean these things twice a year. But do give an inspection every month to see how much debris there is. If it’s too much, you know it’s better to clean it out.
Is there any way to know if my downspout filter is clogged?
A clogged downspout filter won’t let water pass through it. So, if you do anything like that, you can assume it’s clogged. Cleaning it every now and then can fix this problem.
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Wrapping Up
So, that’s been it. We’ve discussed our list of the best downspout filter. By now, you might’ve even made a shortlist from these products.
Either way, do let us know if you have any suggestions for us, the comment section is always open. Good luck!
Hi, guys! I’m Lucía Fornes. I’ve graduated from Queens College, City University of New York. I’m currently living in New York City! Everything from interior decorations for living smartly to tips for living a free and stylish life, I share my thoughts on GroundInsider.Com. Besides, you can also catch me sharing tips regarding gardens here from time to time!