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Rain chains have been used for hundreds of years in Asia. They act as a functional décor item that adds charm to any home. Rain chains are less likely to clog than gutters, can create a pleasing sound, and help move rainwater from gutters to drains or water receptacles, like rain barrels.
Since rain chains help direct water off your roof and away from your home’s foundation, it’s crucial to choose the right one. After looking at over a dozen different rain chains, we’ve included our top six. We chose our top pick, Monarch Rain Chains Aluminum Hammered Cup, because of its high ratings, affordability, and ability to handle water from heavier rains.
From different materials like copper and coated powder to style and dimensions, we’ve done the research for you so you can shop rain chains with confidence. Here are the best rain chains for you to add functional decor to your home with charm.
- BEST OVERALL: Monarch Rain Chains Aluminum Hammered Cup
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Topadorn 72″ Metal Decorative Lotus Cup
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: RainChains Square Cups Pre-Aged Copper Rain Chain
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESIGN: Rain Chains Direct Channel Link Rain Chain
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MODERN: Rain Chains Direct Modern Loop Rain Chain
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Aifeorzo 8.5-Foot Rain Chain
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
Our top picks for the best rain chains include options for all different budgets, styles, and installation options, including copper, aluminum, powder-coated aluminum, pre-aged copper, and iron.
Best Overall
Monarch Rain Chains Aluminum Hammered Cup
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 8.5 feet
- Style: Cups
What We Like
- Large cup size (2.5 inches high by 3.5 inches wide)
- Extension chain available
- Rust-resistant and lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- The pewter color can vary
This 8.5-foot aluminum rain chain comes in a beautiful hammered-cup design with the option to purchase an additional 3-foot section for longer downspouts. The set comes with a V-shaped hanger, also called a V-hook, for easy installation. With a cup size spanning 3.5 inches, these cups are designed to work better in moderate to heavy rain.
The design features circles as well as cups, giving it both a modern and traditional feel to suit virtually any home. One con to this product is that the pewter color can vary and be quite dark. For the affordable price, smart design, and optional 3-foot section, this rain chain makes our top pick.
Get the Monarch rain chain at Amazon or Monarch Abode.
Best Bang for the Buck
Topadorn 72" Metal Decorative Lotus Cup
Product Specs
- Material: Iron
- Length: 72 inches
- Style: Cups
What We Like
- Easy to hook multiple chains together
- Hook attachment makes it easy to place anywhere
- Eye-catching lotus design
What We Don’t Like
- Does not come with a V-hook for installation
- Smaller cup size
Featuring small cups shaped like lotuses attached to a chain, this rain chain is a beautiful bronze color and made of iron.
At 6 feet, this rain chain may be too short for some gutters, but the chains are easy to attach together. For the price, this rain chain is our best bang for the buck pick because it’s an excellent way for homeowners to try out rain chains without breaking the bank.
Although it doesn’t come with a V-hook for installation, it does come with a simple S-hook, which makes it easy to place just about anywhere to enjoy the sound of rushing water and the gentle ting of metal. Hang on a trellis, awning, or balcony—no gutter needed.
Get the Topadorn rain chain at Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
RainChains Square Cups Pre-Aged Copper Rain Chain
Product Specs
- Material: Copper
- Length: Custom
- Style: Cups
What We Like
- Can choose any length up to 20 feet
- Able to handle heavy rains
- Beautiful pre-aged copper material
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than other picks
Made from beautiful pre-aged copper, these unique rain chains come with square-shaped cups that are crafted by hand. Although they are more expensive, you are able to order any chain size up to 20 feet.
This chain has also been tested by the manufacturer and confirmed to handle heavy rains, something other rain chains on our list didn’t offer. The manufacturer’s exclusive Waterflow Index, which measures how well the chain can handle rainfall, is 5/5, meaning the chain can withstand heavy rainfall with minimal splashing when installed properly.
This rain chain makes our upgrade pick because of its custom length options, pre-aged copper color, and lifetime warranty.
Get the RainChains copper rain chain at RainChains.com.
Best Design
Rain Chains Direct Channel Link Rain Chain
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 8.5 feet
- Style: Cups
What We Like
- Works well in heavier rains
- 2 different installation options
- Unique cup design channels water better
What We Don’t Like
- Attaching the cups together can be challenging
Made of powder-coated aluminum in a modern black color with the option for a 3-foot extension, this rain chain has a unique design. While it still technically falls under the cup category, it has cylinder-shaped cups for a sleek and modern look. The cups are also open on the bottom, allowing for better water flow through each cup.
This rain chain comes with a V-hook for easy installation, but the seller also offers a gutter adapter (sold separately) for a more seamless transition from the gutter to the chain. This rain chain takes our best design award because of its unique cup design, installation options, and the fact that reviewers say it works well in heavier rains.
Get the Rain Chains Direct channel link rain chain at Amazon.
Best Modern
Rain Chains Direct Modern Loop Rain Chain
Product Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 8.5 feet
- Style: Chain
What We Like
- Modern design
- 2 different installation options
- Holds up well over time
What We Don’t Like
- Assembly can be challenging
- Very lightweight
- Does not handle heavy rains well
Made of black powder-coated aluminum, this stylish modern rain chain is a fresh take on traditional chains with 106 interlocking loops. Its versatile look suits virtually any home design. However, some reviewers say the chain is almost too lightweight and does not handle heavy rains well.
This rain chain comes with a V-hook, but there’s an optional gutter adapter for purchase, which creates a seamless transition from the gutter to the chain. It also comes with optional rain chain accessories that can be purchased separately, including a ground anchor and basins. Reviewers say this rain chain holds up well throughout repeated exposure to the elements.
Get the Rain Chains Direct modern loop rain chain at Amazon.
Also Consider
Aifeorzo 8.5-Foot Rain Chain
Product Specs
- Material: Iron
- Length: 8.5 feet
- Style: Chain
What We Like
- Attractive verdigris finish
- Can position in places other than gutters
- Looks beautiful whether or not it’s raining
What We Don’t Like
- Rain can scatter around house
If you’re looking for unique rain chains, this model is made of iron and mimics the look of falling leaves. It has a beautiful verdigris finish, which is a blue-green color that gives the metal a weathered look.
Although this chain comes with an S-hook design rather than a V-hook hanger, this makes it easy to place in different locations besides using it solely as a gutter chain downspout. It comes in a standard 8.5-foot length without the option to purchase an extension chain.
Reviewers say this eye-catching design looks great whether or not it’s raining and weathers well throughout the seasons.
Get the Aifeorzo rain chain at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Rain Chains
We looked at over a dozen different rain chains, considering features such as material, length, durability, design, price, and installation difficulty to arrive at our best picks. We also evaluated customer reviews to determine which rain chains held up the best and which properly directed rainwater to drains or basins. The result is six different rain chains for your consideration.
What to Consider When Choosing a Rain Chain
Since rain chains play an important role in directing water off your roof and away from your home’s foundation, it’s essential to consider a few important factors for choosing a rain chain, including the material, length, design, and installation and maintenance processes. We spoke with Garm Beall, creator and owner of RainChains.com, to get expert insight into rain chains. Beall began handcrafting rain chains in his garage over 20 years ago and has both personal experience and design expertise with rain chains.
Material
Rain chains for gutters come in different materials, with some of the most popular being copper and aluminum.
Copper is durable and looks great season after season, especially as it acquires a natural patina from exposure to the elements. Patina can appear blue, green, gold, or even black. “Copper absolutely doesn’t rust,” says Beall. “It will get darker. It’s something that you will never have to maintain. You will never have to worry about it. It just ages naturally outdoors.”
Aluminum is a lightweight rain chain material and tends to be more affordable. Powder-coated aluminum is also a popular option and provides a modern look. “Powder coating is paint, but it’s really, really strong paint,” Beall explains. However, he says that eventually it will dull and fade with repeated exposure to the elements.
Length
Since the chain should get very close—if not anchored to—a drain or rain collection basin, such as a rain barrel, the length of a rain chain is an important feature to consider.
Most rain chains come in lengths that vary from 6 feet to 8.5 feet. The latter is the most common length of rain chains. However, some homeowners will need to attach two or more rain chains together to get the required length for the chain to touch the ground.
For homeowners that want to attach or shorten chains, it’s essential to ensure the chains can be linked together or shortened before purchasing to ensure proper installation and function. Some manufacturers also offer custom lengths, allowing you to purchase the correct chain size for your home.
Design
One of the best features of rain chains is that they come in many different styles, allowing you to get creative and personalize your home with these unique products.
The two most popular design options are cups and traditional chains (also called links), with many variations in each of these categories. Cups are generally considered to be better for handling heavier rain than chains, although link chain styles provide a modern look.
If you live in an area with heavy rains, link chains may cause splattering on the side of your home and around the drain, which can lead to moisture damage to your siding, doors, windows, and even your foundation.
“Link styles tend to be more subtle visually. It’s easier to see through them. But they splash more,” says Beall. “Cups act like funnels to pass the water through from one down to the next down to the next and deliver—hopefully—all the water to the bottom.”
Installation and Maintenance
Most chains come with what’s called a V-hook, which fits into most size rain gutters and provides a place to hang the chain. “The V-hook is bendable. It’s universal; if there’s an opening in the gutter, you can usually make it fit,” says Beall.
If you are removing a downspout, you’ll also want a screwdriver to remove sheet metal screws from where the downspout attaches to the gutter. Installation may also require a stake, pin, or anchor to secure the rain chain to the ground. Since rain chains function as downspouts, it’s essential to have a drain or basin beneath the chain to prevent water from damaging your foundation.
Depending on whether you need to remove a downspout, install a drain, and lengthen or shorten your rain chain, the installation process can be time-consuming, especially when installing them on multiple gutters.
Some rain chain manufacturers also offer a separate installation kit, which includes a gutter adapter. This is a small attachment that drops into the hole where the downspout goes to better guide water to the rain chain. “It provides a really secure connection to the gutter because of the flat top on that shape. It spreads the weight out in the gutter, and it’s just better in every way than the V-hook,” says Beall of these installation kits. You will not need to use a V-hook if you use an installation kit (or gutter adapter) for your rain chain.
Local Building Code or Community Restrictions
It’s important to note that some communities or areas have restrictions or bans on the use of rain chains. Other areas have specific requirements for drainage systems around a home, and a rain chain may not qualify as a downspout in these situations.
Some homeowners associations (HOAs) or historic districts may also have bans or restrictions on the use of rain chains. It’s essential to check with your local community, HOA board, or other authorities to ensure the use of rain chains is allowed before purchasing and installing one.
FAQs
Still have questions about rain chains? Below are some of the most common ones, and their answers.
Yes, usually, you can attach two rain chains together to get the length you need for your home.
It depends on the type of rain chain, although rain chains may not work as well as a traditional downspout. Rain chains that have cups with open bottoms tend to do better in heavier rain than chains with links.
A rain chain doesn’t technically need to be anchored to the ground to work properly, but many homeowners find this helpful, especially if they live in an area with high winds. You can anchor a rain chain with a stake or pin.
Yes, it’s definitely possible to make your own rain chain with a few tools, materials, and a bit of creativity! Check out our guide for a DIY rain chain.
Meet the Writer
Jenn Ryan is a writer and sustainability enthusiast who has been writing for BobVila.com since 2020. An organic gardener since 2015, Jenn writes about eco-friendly and sustainable solutions and products for BobVila.com as well as numerous other publications, including Popular Mechanics. She takes a detailed approach to reviewing products and considers the value they add for the money as well as the materials used for sustainability and overall eco-friendliness.