Guide · Microtubing and connectors
Vinyl vs polyethylene 1/4 in tubing: sizes, heat and barbs
DIG says poly 1/4 in tubing is less bendable than vinyl but holds up better in heat, and both take 1/4 in barbs. Sizes and ratings makers list for each.
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Picks that fit
- Raindrip 016010T 1/4 in black polyethylene supply tubing (0.170 x 0.250 in, 100 ft)Check price on Amazon
- Rain Bird T22‑50S 1/4 in blank distribution tubing (0.165 x 0.245 in, 50 ft)Check price on Amazon
- DIG B38PB 1/4 in polyethylene micro tubing (.170 x .250 in, 50 ft, brown)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
DIG says its poly 1/4 in tubing is less bendable than vinyl but holds up better at high temperatures, and that both accept 1/4 in barbed fittings. Vinyl sizes vary more than poly, so check the ID x OD of the exact roll before you mix the two.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
What DIG says about the two
DIG says its 1/4 in poly microtubing is less bendable than vinyl but holds up better at high temperatures, and that both accept 1/4 in barbed fittings.[1] That is DIG's comparison of its own tubing.
Heat matters at the fittings. Drip Depot, a specialist retailer, lists vinyl tubing used in high temperatures among four reasons microtubing pops off 1/4 in fittings.[2] The other three are in our pop-offs and leaks guide.
Sizes
Poly 1/4 in tubing clusters around .170 x .250 in:
- Rain Bird XQ: polyethylene, 0.17 in ID by 0.25 in OD.[3]
- DIG's 2016 greenhouse catalog: .170 x .250 in, linear low-density polyethylene.[4]
Vinyl comes in more sizes:
- DIG's vinyl table lists .156 x .245, .160 x .220 and .170 x .250 in, plus a 1/8 in size of .118 x .187 in.[5]
- One DIG shop SKU, 12-018, is listed at .160 x .270 in, a size not on DIG's main vinyl table.[6]
- Mister Landscaper lists its vinyl at .145 x .295 in.[7]
A .145 in ID tube on a barb made for .170 in tubing, or the reverse, is a different fit. Do not assume Mister Landscaper's vinyl fits the same barbs as .170 x .250 in poly.
Ratings and materials
- DIG vinyl: rated for operating pressure up to 30 psi and described as vinyl with at least 2% carbon black.[5] DIG's 2016 greenhouse catalog listed the same family up to 60 psi;[4] the current page is the one to follow. DIG publishes no temperature rating.
- DIG poly: DIG says it adds a minimum of 2% carbon black to its polyethylene tubing for UV protection.[4] That is a formulation statement, not a service-life figure.
- Rain Bird XQ poly: rated 0 to 60 psi and can be installed above or below grade.[3]
Side by side
| Poly | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes makers list | .170 x .250 in (Rain Bird XQ, DIG) | .145 x .295, .156 x .245, .160 x .220, .160 x .270 (one SKU), .170 x .250 in |
| Bend | Less bendable (DIG) | More bendable (DIG) |
| Heat | Holds up better at high temperatures (DIG) | Linked to pop-offs in high heat (Drip Depot) |
| Pressure the maker lists | 0-60 psi (Rain Bird XQ) | Up to 30 psi (DIG, current page) |
| Barbs | 1/4 in barbed fittings (DIG) | 1/4 in barbed fittings (DIG) |
Poly tubing and barbs with stated sizes
If you choose poly, a tube with stated dimensions and barbs from the same maker keeps both sizes known. Rain Bird rates its 1/4 in barbed couplings, elbows and tees at 0 to 50 psi.[8]
Picks that fit6 products
Choose XQ100 for 100 ft of Rain Bird XQ poly tubing (0.17 x 0.25 in), Raindrip 016010T for 100 ft of Raindrip black polyethylene tubing (0.170 x 0.250 in), T22-50S for 50 ft of Rain Bird polyethylene blank tubing (0.165 x 0.245 in), DIG B38PB for 50 ft of DIG polyethylene tubing (.170 x .250 in, up to 60 psi), and BC25/10PS or BC25-30PS for a bag of 10 or 30 Rain Bird 1/4 in barbed couplings.
1/4 in polyethylene tubing with ID and OD stated
1/4 in polyethylene tubing, 100 ft, ID and OD stated
Raindrip 016010T 1/4 in black polyethylene supply tubing (0.170 x 0.250 in, 100 ft)
1/4 in polyethylene blank tubing, 50 ft
Rain Bird T22‑50S 1/4 in blank distribution tubing (0.165 x 0.245 in, 50 ft)
1/4 in polyethylene tubing, ID and OD stated
DIG B38PB 1/4 in polyethylene micro tubing (.170 x .250 in, 50 ft, brown)
1/4 in barbed coupling
1/4 in barbed coupling, bag of 30
On Amazon, check that "Ships from / Sold by" is Amazon.com or the brand before you buy.[9]
Next
Questions
Is vinyl or poly tubing better for drip irrigation?
It is a trade-off. DIG says its poly 1/4 in tubing is less bendable than vinyl but holds up better at high temperatures, and that both accept 1/4 in barbed fittings.[1]
Does vinyl tubing pop off fittings in the heat?
Drip Depot lists vinyl tubing used in high temperatures as one of four reasons microtubing pops off 1/4 in fittings.[2]