When it comes to outdoor faucets, the truth is that they become pretty difficult to maintain over time, specifically in the colder months of the year (or just colder areas in general). As any outdoor faucet can get damaged not only from cold weather, but also rain, dust, and other environmental factors.
It is important to look for a quality and long-lasting outdoor faucet cover. I grew up in Newfoundland, and the winters got cold, things freeze for long durations, and having the best faucet cover helps protect your outdoor faucets during the long, cold winters. Even if you live in a mild location, during a few freezes, having a faucet cover is a smart move.
Why Use an Outdoor Faucet Cover?
An outdoor faucet cover is the best way to protect your outdoor faucet/spigot from prolonged exposure to colder elements. If properly covered and sealed overtop of the faucet, they are extremely effective at preventing frozen pipes, and winter damage to the faucet itself.
No matter how much you can winterize your home, there’s still a chance that when the temperature is below freezing, your pipes will freeze and burst. You can always do your best to mitigate damages, like using one of the best freeze-proof outdoor faucets, but you never know what the cold can cause without some protection.
This is where outdoor faucet covers come into play. Not only can they help to prevent this from happening, but they also help to keep air and heat from escaping the home. Essentially, the faucet covers (which are insulated) trap the heat that naturally goes out of interior pipes to the outdoor spigot. Since they’re fully insulated, the heat cannot escape, meaning the water won’t freeze, and the spigot or pipes won’t break down. It can save you from a water leak!
What Temperature Are Outdoor Faucet Covers Good For?
While outdoor faucet covers are specifically designed to trap heat and prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, there is still a limit as to how much these items can handle, just like anything that deals with cold temperatures, outdoor faucet covers can only take on temperatures that drop below a certain point.
Most professionals argue that once the temperature outside drops further below anything around 28 degrees Fahrenheit, you should look for alternate solutions such as turning off the water supply to the faucet, ensuring its drained, and even insulating the pipe leading to the faucet.
10 Best Outdoor Faucet Covers for Winter
1. Thermwell Frost King FC2 Plastic Cover
The Thermwell Frost King FC2 Plastic Cover represents a durable and efficient solution to protect outdoor faucets from harsh winter conditions no matter where you live. Its unique design addresses some of the common issues found with typical foam faucet covers.
Unlike traditional hard foam faucet covers that are prone to damage, this cover is encased in a hard plastic shell, ensuring that it isn’t easily damaged by external factors. It is made of 1-inch-thick polystyrene foam, and it has excellent insulating capabilities, safeguarding your faucets from snow, rain, wind, and freezing temperatures.
The outer dimensions are 6.25 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep. The foam filling reduces the inner dimensions by about an inch, making it an ideal fit for standard hose bibs.
Noteworthy Features:
- Hard plastic outer shell for enhanced protection.
- Provides comprehensive protection against freezing, wind, and chill.
- Ideal for both regular and stand outdoor faucets.
2. Frost King Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover
Without question, the next absolute best outdoor faucet cover is the Frost King Outdoor Foam Faucet Cover. Not only is this remarkably inexpensive, but it’s also one of the more battle-tested faucet covers on the market. It’s made from a ⅝” thick expanded polystyrene shell, and features a ¾” thick one-piece foam gasket for enhanced security, and reliable coverage.
Past this, it also comes fully assembled, so no lengthy installation is required, and it’s completely reusable season after season. All together forming the top-rated outdoor faucet cover available to consumers.
If you have a lot of faucets to cover, this is the best affordable option compared to the plastic Frost King cover above.
2. ArtiGifts Pro Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks for Winter
The ArtiGifts Pro Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks for Winter is another fantastic alternative for any homeowner in the market for a quality outdoor faucet cover. First and foremost, these outdoor spigot covers are made from heavyweight polyester pongee waterproof fabric and special PP insulated cotton. Which possesses the same waterproof and insulation capabilities to help provide safety against severe weather conditions, like freezing rain, wind, and snow.
Furthermore, this is one of the more versatile options thanks to the flexibility and thickness of it’s design, and even comes with a handy string tie making it extremely easy to install or take off. All things considered, you don’t have to look far to see the exceptional value this faucet cover holds.
3. Demedo XXL Outdoor Faucet Cover
Another remarkable option is the Demedo XXL Outdoor Faucet Cover. This massive faucet cover is about 3 or 4 inches larger than most other faucet covers, meaning that it’s not only more versatile, but more reliable with larger spouts as well. Beyond this, it’s also made of 3M Thinsulate insulation cotton and strong waterproof coating to help protect against the elements. As well as a double layer, 210D Oxford cloth coasting and Polyester Taffeta inner to prevent water from getting inside the cover.
As if this wasn’t enough already, the Demedo XXL Outdoor Faucet Cover is easy to use as you simply cover the faucet, fasting it with the rope, and you’re all set!
4. Thermwell Frost King FC@ Plastic Cover
The Thermwell Frost King FC2 Plastic Cover represents a durable and efficient solution to protect outdoor faucets from harsh winter conditions no matter where you live. Its unique design addresses some of the common issues found with typical foam faucet covers.
Unlike traditional hard foam faucet covers that are prone to damage, this cover is encased in a hard plastic shell, ensuring that it isn’t easily damaged by external factors. It is made of 1-inch-thick polystyrene foam, and it has excellent insulating capabilities, safeguarding your faucets from snow, rain, wind, and freezing temperatures.
The outer dimensions are 6.25 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep. The foam filling reduces the inner dimensions by about an inch, making it an ideal fit for standard hose bibs.
Noteworthy Features:
- Hard plastic outer shell for enhanced protection.
- Provides comprehensive protection against freezing, wind, and chill.
- Ideal for both regular and stand outdoor faucets.
5. Tipkits Outdoor Faucet Cover
Finally, our list simply wouldn’t be complete without the Tipkits Outdoor Faucet Cover. This unique design is double insulated with an applied aluminum foil insulation layer as well as a heavily PP insulated cotton pad. It also carries a larger size than the average faucet cover, while still snugly fitting around any standard faucet. Plus, the outer fabric is made from heavy duty 210D waterproof Polyester Oxford, which effectively keeps wind, frost, rain, and snow from entering the cover. Additionally, this design is also completely reusable, and easy to install.
6. Rocky Mountain Goods Outdoor Faucet Cover for Winter
Rocky Mountain Goods Outdoor Faucet Cover stands as one of the best covers on the market for homeowners wanting to combat the ruthless chills of winter. Engineered to protect both pipes and spigots from the wrath of freezing temperatures, it makes sure that you won’t face the inconvenience of frozen pipes. Its ultra-insulating polystyrene foam shell is robust and specifically designed to repel the cold.
Installation is a breeze – you only need to place the loop over the spigot and tighten it up. The self-sealing design elevates its efficiency by making sure a snug and secure fit, adding an extra layer of insulation. A key feature that sets it apart is its reusability for years.
As you can see in the image above the simple design makes it easy to use on all types of walls and outdoor faucets. The design is very similar to the Frost King cover mentioned above, which is why it is such a good recommendation!
7. Tohonfoo Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks
The Tohonfoo Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks are designed for homeowners who prioritize both functionality and aesthetics. These covers fit all standard-size faucets you will have. The installation process is simple, slide the cover onto the faucet and secure it using the Velcro strap & cord – a simpler method than many foam covers.
Its construction features a triple-layer design for optimum protection: a heavy-duty 600D Oxford fabric layer for waterproofing, a cotton insulation layer for warmth, and a PE silver-coated cloth layer for additional insulation. This unique blend makes sure you get top-notch protection against harsh elements like rain, wind, and sunlight, and also safeguards against corrosion and rust.
The Tohonfoo covers are built to last a long time so you can use them year after year. They are moisture-proof, cold-proof, and resistant to tearing, allowing them to provide year-round protection. Moreover, they come with a guarantee of excellent customer service. These faucet covers do not only protect your outdoor spigots from the cold but they also add an elegant touch to your exteriors as they look amazing.
8. FYYZY Outdoor Faucet Cover for Winter
When it comes to outdoor faucet covers, FYYZY has a great sock-style faucet cover that is good quality at a great price point. It is made of 100% Oxford cloth, these covers have great durability and will last a very long time. This cover is known for its generous size, which is 50% larger compared to many other products on the market. This makes sure of a good fit around larger faucets, providing enough protection against the elements.
Whether you have a garden faucet, sprinkler valve, irrigation system faucet, or an outdoor shower head, this cover fits them all. Installation is also so simple like any sock-style cover, just grip the faucet and fasten the velcro strap!
FYYZY delivers on its promise as one of the best faucet covers available, ensuring maximum protection for your property!
9. Homsky Outdoor Faucet Cover Socks
Homsky has engineered an Outdoor Faucet Cover Sock tailored for those especially cold regions where snow and ice can wreak havoc on outdoor faucets and pipes. This cover sock is a suitable fit for standard garden lawn faucets and yard hydrants!
The thick design provides a safeguard against freezing, ensuring your outdoor water faucets are safe from potential damage. Crafted with 420D oxford protection and a water-resistant coating on the outer surface. The interior is lined with collodion and a 190t polyester taffeta waterproof coating, ensuring the faucet remains dry and warm.
Beyond freeze protection, this faucet cover guards against snow, rain, wind, and sun, preserving the faucet’s structural integrity and increasing the life of the faucet. The Homsky Outdoor Faucet Cover Sock is something I recommend for tall-large outdoor faucets because of its longer length, similar to the Demedo XXL Outdoor Faucet Cover above at number 3.
10. Teal Turtle Reusable Outdoor Faucet Cover
The Teal Turtle Reusable Outdoor Faucet Cover is another astounding alternative that carries a plethora of benefits for any homeowner. Firstly, this cover comes fully assembled and is extraordinarily easy to apply by simply sliding the rubber ring around the faucet, and pulling tight on the string for it to lock into place.
Moreover, it’s made with a durable polystyrene shell that is ⅝” thick with a ¾” thick foam gasket in order to safely seal the shell against any home surface. However, perhaps the greatest feature with this faucet cover is the fact that it’s reusable, and sticks firmly to any vinyl, brick, concrete, steel, or stucco home exterior.
Outdoor Faucets in Winter FAQs
Can You Buy a Freeze Proof Outdoor Faucet?
Absolutely! A freeze-proof outdoor faucet, or a frost-proof outdoor faucet, is the perfect solution for anybody looking to avoid the headache of frozen or broken pipes. It essentially acts as a compression-style spigot with an extra-long barrel that can be easily installed on the side of your house. They differentiate from standard outdoor spigots in that the traditional version carries a compression valve, and is built-in so close to the supply line that it becomes the most vulnerable part of the faucet.
Whereas freeze-proof outdoor faucets carry a similar design but instead it comes with an attached tube that is up to 24 inches in length, as well as a compression valve at the end of the supply line. This design essentially places the water connection deeper inside your home, where the air is warmer and less likely to freeze in frigid temperatures.
Is it Okay to Use Outdoor Faucet Covers in Warm Weather?
Even though the primary reason homeowners install outdoor faucet covers is to reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes in the winter. Even people surrounded by warm weather can make use of these inexpensive items. Regardless of how warm the weather is around you, unexpected cold fronts can show up out of nowhere, and it doesn’t take very long for the water in your pipes or spigot to freeze.
Plus, it’s much cheaper to pay for an outdoor faucet cover than it is to potentially have to pay for the damage caused from not having one. Beyond this, outdoor faucet covers also help to prevent drafts, as well as pests like mice, insects and other small critters from crawling up in the cracks in and around the faucet during the colder months of the year. Plus, they can also help to keep curious hands (i.e., children) from fiddling around too much.
Can I Use a Freeze Miser with a Cover on My Outdoor Faucet?
The Freeze Miser is a fantastic device for any homeowner to add an extra layer of protection to their outdoor faucet. However, they are far more effective in the warmer months of the year as they are specifically designed to leak water when it gets cold to make sure that the water (and your pipes) don’t freeze. They’re exceptional products because they essentially guarantee that your pipes won’t freeze and burst, but the water leakage brings about a new set of challenges.
In fact, if you’re in a warmer environment, you could argue that they’re even more effective than outdoor faucet covers. But due to the water leakage, this becomes problematic once the temperature drops below zero. Check out the link to learn more about the Freeze Miser.
Why Trust The Backyard Pros?
This article was written and researched by Jamie Penney, the founder and CEO of The Backyard Pros. Jamie worked at a garden center (Canadian Tire) where he helped customers buy faucet covers for the winter months in Newfoundland. He has first-hand experience selling these types of products to customers.
Jamie was also a Realtor in Nova Scotia for two years and has been writing about home improvement tips since 2015. Each article is carefully crafted to ensure the readers are gathering the best and most up-to-date information.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.