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When compared with other irrigation systems, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has advantages and disadvantages that should be carefully considered. There are many design and management similarities to surface drip irrigation (DI), but there are also some unique differences that affect uniformity, operation, and system longevity. Factors that affect SDI uniformity are emitter clogging, root intrusion, root pinching, mechanical and pest damage, soil overburden and compaction, soil hydraulic parameters, and, possibly, system age. A typical SDI system often requires additional components, compared to DI, such as flushlines, additional air/vacuum relief valves, and pressure gauges and a flowmeter for system monitoring. Emitter flowrate and spacing, and dripline diameter, wall thickness, spacing, and depth are all important design criteria for SDI systems. Flushing of SDI driplines is also a key design criterion, and some designers prefer to begin their design with the flushing system. SDI can potentially provide a more consistent soil water and nutrient environment for optimum crop growth, but there can also be challenges in some regions, such as crop establishment, salinity management, soil water redistribution, and application of some agrochemicals. The application of SDI for some of the lower-value grain and fiber crops has been increasing, and this trend is likely to continue.