Are flat soaker hoses better than round rubber ones?

It depends on durability priorities. Flat dual-layer hoses (like the RAINPOINT and Hourleey models) are easier to store and route, and verified-purchase reviewers report good water savings. But specialist gardening subreddits warn that crushed/recycled rubber hoses can dry out and seal themselves shut after a season of harsh sun, so longevity is the real differentiator, not flat versus round.