Drip irrigation, also known as micro-irrigation or trickle irrigation, is an efficient way to water plants by applying water directly to the roots. This avoids evaporation and runoff, minimizing water waste.
Two popular online retailers of drip irrigation parts are DripWorks and Drip Depot. But which company offers the best drip irrigation system? Here we’ll compare the pros and cons of DripWorks and Drip Depot to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | DripWorks | Drip Depot |
| Product Range | Huge selection of individual drip irrigation components for all needs | More limited range focused on complete irrigation kits |
| Prices | Competitive à la carte pricing | Good value with kit bundles |
| Kits | Offers component bundles but not full kits | Specializes in pre-designed kits for gardens, beds, trees |
| Customization | Maximum flexibility to customize system | Limited flexibility; parts pre-selected to match kits |
| Tubing & Emitters | Broad range of distribution tubing and emitter types | Kits include tubing and emitters tailored for that system |
| Filtration & Accessories | Extensive commercial grade offering | Kits include essential filtration and accessories |
| Valves & Controllers | Advanced automated control equipment available | Kits include standard valves needed; basic timers |
| Website | Massive à la carte product selection can be overwhelming | Simple presentation focused on kits |
| Learning Resources | Excellent selection of guides covering fundamentals | Decent resources focused on kit installations |
| Customer Service | Very helpful and responsive | Mixed reviews on responsiveness |
| Best For | Advanced projects, specialty agriculture | Simple residential gardens, basic systems |
Overview of DripWorks
Founded in 1999, DripWorks is a California-based company specializing in drip irrigation components. Their product selection includes dripline, tubing, emitters, filters, valves, fittings, controllers, sprayers, micro sprinklers, and garden accessories. Some key things to know about DripWorks:
Pros:
- Huge selection of drip irrigation products, with over 2000 items in stock
- Products available for home gardeners up to large-scale agriculture
- Budget-friendly prices on par with other online drip irrigation retailers
- Helpful resources like design guides, installation tips, and video tutorials
- Excellent customer service team knowledgeable about products
Cons:
- Website can be overloaded with options – may be confusing for beginners
- Limited selection of complete kits or bundled parts
- Some items may go out of stock frequently
Overall, DripWorks is a great supplier of drip irrigation components, catering well to DIYers with an expansive product selection and informational resources. Their à la carte approach gives flexibility but may require more effort designing your system.
Overview of Drip Depot
Drip Depot, established in 2006, offers a wide array of irrigation supplies with an emphasis on complete kits. Their inventory includes much of the same components as DripWorks – dripline, tubing, valves, filters, and accessories. Here are some notable features of Drip Depot’s offering:
Pros:
- Helpful complete kits available for most needs, from raised beds to orchards
- Bundled parts eliminate guesswork in component selection
- Clean website layout with clear categories and product descriptions
- Good prices, frequently running sales and promotions
- Informative articles and video tutorials on their blog
Cons:
- More limited selection compared to DripWorks, especially for large agriculture
- Individual components may be more expensive when not bought as a kit
- Lead times can be slow during peak season
- Customer service responsiveness varies
Drip Depot simplifies drip irrigation project planning with their curated kits targeting common garden setups. However, flexibility is reduced compared to the à la carte DripWorks model.
Drip Tubing and Emitters Comparison
The distribution tubing and emitters form the backbone of any drip system, so it’s important to compare these components from DripWorks and Drip Depot.
- Drip Tubing
Both offer a selection of drip tape/tubing in various diameters, wall thicknesses, and flow rates. Tubing is available in rolls from 25 ft up to 1000 ft.
DripWorks has a particularly vast range of distribution tubing, while Drip Depot focuses on their pre-configured kit tubing. For most gardens, either will have applicable tubing choices.
Emitters
Emitters are placed in the tubing at plant locations to control water output. DripWorks stocks over 75 emitter variants including pressure compensating types, while Drip Depot covers the most common emitter designs in their kits.
For intricate multi-zone irrigation, DripWorks’ huge emitter selection offers ultimate control. But for a basic veggie garden, Drip Depot kits include sufficient emitter options.
Verdict: For max flexibility get tubing and emitters à la carte from DripWorks. For simple pre-packaged convenience, Drip Depot kits suffice.
Filtration Components Compared
Proper filtration is crucial for drip system performance and longevity. Here’s how the companies compare for filters and accessories:
- Filters
Both offer a variety of filter types and sizes from screen to disc and sand media, accommodating water sources and system scales. Housings, strainers, and accessories are also available.
For small gardens under an acre, Drip Depot’s kits include adequate filtration. Large orchards and farms may benefit from DripWorks’ extensive commercial filtration line.
- Pressure Regulation
Regulators reduce water pressure entering the system to the optimal range. Both companies sell high quality pressure regulators compatible with their irrigation components.
DripWorks has a much wider selection of regulator types and models. But Drip Depot’s kits include regulators designed specifically for that system.
- Backflow Prevention
Backflow devices prevent contaminated water from reversing into the supply line. DripWorks has numerous backflow preventer models from hose bibb vacuum breakers up to commercial reduced pressure zone devices.
Drip Depot has a smaller backflow selection, but includes anti-siphon valves in most kits. For code compliance, opt for DripWorks’ wider backflow assortment.
Verdict: Both offer important filtration and accessories, with DripWorks having an edge for larger systems and specialty needs. For simpler gardens, Drip Depot kits include the essential components.
Valves and Control Equipment
Control valves and timers automate when and where water flows in your drip system. Expandability and precision come down to valve and controller selection.
- Control Valves
Both feature manual and automatic control zone valves in various configurations. DripWorks has more valve types including hydraulically operated valves lacking at Drip Depot. For high zone count gardens, DripWorks gives better control.
But Drip Depot valves sufficiently operate typical residential systems.
- Smart Controllers
These programmable timers water on schedules and with weather-based sensors. Drip Depot focuses on basic hose faucet timers. DripWorks has those plus advanced WiFi controllers integrating phone apps and Alexa. DripWorks takes the lead controlling complex or commercial systems.
Verdict: DripWorks provides ultimate control for expansive drip irrigation with numerous valve options and smart controllers. Drip Depot covers essential automatic valves in their kits for average homeowners’ needs.
Kits and Bundles
Drip Depot’s specialty is pre-packaged kits, while DripWorks focuses on individual components.
- Drip Depot Kits
Their kits for gardens, beds, trees, and bushes contain all tubing, emitters, fittings, filter, and valves needed, taking the guesswork out of part selection for DIYers. All parts are matched and labeled for the included layout diagrams.
Their kits accommodate typical residential irrigation needs but cannot handle large specialty projects.
- DripWorks Bundles
Although they don’t offer complete kits, DripWorks groups their best-selling items into sensible bundles around hose bibb systems, raised beds, orchards, etc. Their bundles give a parts starting point, but lack the full integration and diagrams of Drip Depot’s kits.
DripWorks’ bundles offer more customization and expandability. Here is how it works!
Verdict: Drip Depot kits are ideal turnkey drip solutions for common garden types. For advanced projects or maximum flexibility, DripWorks’ bundles plus à la carte parts work best.
Ease of Use
Convenience factors like website usability, guidance resources, and customer service also impact the user experience.
- Website Design
Drip Depot’s website highlights their kits in clearly labeled categories with guided browsing. DripWorks shows individual components organized across a massive set of filterable product listings – this provides ultimate selection but may overwhelm novices.
- Learning Resources
Both companies provide useful blogs, video tutorials, design guides, and charts to aid DIYers. Drip Depot focuses specifically on installing and using their kits.
DripWorks has broader guides covering fundamentals and best practices for planning any drip irrigation system. DripWorks’ resources are more educational for those new to drip irrigation.
- Customer Service
In online reviews, DripWorks receives consistent praise for exceptional customer service and responding promptly to questions. Drip Depot earns more mixed reviews when it comes to service responsiveness. DripWorks appears superior resolving issues and providing guidance.
Verdict: Drip Depot offers a friendly website and resources focused on their kits. DripWorks has better learning material for drip irrigation beginners along with top-notch customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For simple residential gardens, Drip Depot’s complete kits are ideal. For larger, more complex irrigation across gardens and agriculture, DripWorks’ expansive à la carte selection excels.
Drip Depot’s main competitors in online drip irrigation sales are DripWorks, Sprinkler Warehouse, and Irrigation Direct Canada. They all offer drip components, but Drip Depot focuses on pre-packaged kits.
Some of the largest irrigation companies worldwide based on market share are Jain Irrigation Systems, Netafim, Rain Bird, Hunter Industries, and Toro.
The four main types of drip irrigation are:
1. Surface drip – dripline laid on soil
2. Subsurface drip – buried below ground
3. Bubbler drip – fixed emission devices
4. Micro-spray or micro-sprinklers – pop-ups to spray small areas
Final Thoughts
In summary, DripWorks and Drip Depot take differing approaches to supplying drip irrigation components.
Drip Depot’s pre-configured kits make it simple to get started for typical home garden situations. Their bundled parts take the complexity out of designing a system.
DripWorks provides unmatched product selection and customization possibilities. Their à la carte options accommodate unique situations and allow advanced configurations not possible with Drip Depot’s kits. DripWorks’ deep expertise provides guidance lacking with the one-size-fits-all kit approach.
For most homeowners looking to easily sprinkle their garden beds, shrubs, and trees, Drip Depot’s kits offer turnkey simplicity. Advanced growers with expansive or unconventional drip irrigation needs will appreciate DripWorks’ immense selection and customization flexibility.
Whichever you choose, either company will provide quality drip irrigation components to help maximize your garden and landscaping water efficiency.
