Best rain chain
Add a rain chain on the edge of your roof to redirect water. Many options create soothing sounds while in use.

A rain chain is a unique alternative to gutter downspouts. Usually, downspouts are loud and not relaxing. But by adding a rain chain to your gutter system, you can hear light and soothing noise instead. The best options are sturdy, beautiful, and functional. Read on to check out which rain chain model will work best for your home and garden.
Sunflower Home and Garden iron umbrella rain chain
Effective, despite being upside down
Soothing sounds are produced when rain splashes into each canopy on the way to the ground.
Pros:
- 8.5-feet long
- Includes anchor
- Won’t rust due to coating
Cons:
- Paint may chip
- May swing a bit in high wind
Umbrellas are usually held upright to prevent rain from falling on you. However, this rain chain uses them in the upside-down position to catch water, making lovely trickling sounds as it travels down the entire chain. Each umbrella has a well-defined canopy that and small hooks at the end of the handles. One tip, however, is to make sure you use the included hardware so the water flow isn’t too heavy for the chain, which could cause it to splash off the first umbrella. The included anchor won’t rust, so you won’t have to replace it any time soon.
Monarch Rain Chains copper hammered cup rain chain
Each cup is shaped by hand
This design quickly installs due to the included triangular clip.
Pros:
- Hammered style
- Installation hardware included
- Copper construction
Cons:
- Cups fill fast
- May spray water in heavy rain
Imagine there is a bit of light left in the sky as it starts to rain. This chain’s hammered facets will pick up the light and make it sparkle as the water runs down from the roof to the ground. Each cup is fastened to the chain with heavy copper rings, so it won't fall apart. The chain is 8.5 feet in length, which is long enough to create a soothing sound when each cup fills with water. Over time, the copper will form a lovely green patina as it weathers each storm.
Ancient Graffiti lily multicolored rain chain
Floral cups capture water from the rooftop
Why settle for a monochrome option when you can choose this one?
Pros:
- Very colorful
- Large rain cups
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Relatively small
- May rust
You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to add pops of color around the exterior of your home. This rain chain features eight feet of flower blossoms in red, blue, green, and yellow. Each blossom's interior has a hole so water can flow downward and doesn’t splash over the sides. If you need the chain to be longer, then you can link it with a second chain. Everything you need to install this model is included.
Monarch Rain Chains cascading leaves rain chain
A unique take on water redirection
Subtle sounds are produced when the leaves and water collide.
Pros:
- Timeless style
- Two leaves per link
- Beautiful
Cons:
- Loses color over time
- A bit splashy
This option takes what would normally clog up your gutter and turns it into something useful. Each link has two leaves attached, and there are 46 links in total. The result is a collection of cascading leaves that make soothing sounds as water runs over them. They'll never look out of place or go out of style. It's recommended, however, to place this rain chain in a spot that has a lighter water flow to prevent splashing.
Ancient Graffiti flamed copper bell rain chain
Elevate the sound of flowing water
These linked bells are lovely enough to just be used as decoration.
Pros:
- Very long chain
- Charming design
- Soft bell sounds
Cons:
- Not solid copper
- Bells may get stuck and not ring
Most rain chains just direct the water flow and make a bit of noise. This Ancient Graffiti option has small bells between hoops all the way down the chain, which will make a soft chiming noise during rain and wind. If you don’t want to replace your downspout, consider hanging this rain chain in an area where gutters often overflow. Alternatively, you could use it as decoration anywhere in your garden since it’s so charming.
Choosing a rain chain
The best rain chain for your home depends on your garden's style and your taste. However, if we had to pick a favorite, it would be the Sunflower Home and Garden iron umbrella rain chain. This option has the most personality since it has a collection of upsidedown umbrellas, which isn't how you would normally use them. Plus, if you turn the last umbrella around, you can scatter the water at the bottom instead of using a basin.
If umbrellas are a bit too on the nose, then consider the Monarch Rain Chains copper hammered cup rain chain option. As we've pointed out, the hammered effect will delight in a rainstorm as it picks up bits of light. If you have other copper elements in your garden, this will work well alongside them. As it ages, it will form a green patina since it is real copper.
Why trust us?
At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills.