Last Updated On November 18th, 2022
Whether you’re a natural green thumb, or you’re just trying to keep on top of your gardening, it’s safe to say that you’re going to need a garden hose. The best garden hose does a lot more than just feed your plants; it’s a useful tool when it comes to cleaning your patio, washing your car, or just keeping your yard tidy.
Whether you’re looking for a hose that expands to cover a 100-foot garden space, or you just want something simple to keep your lawn looking fresh and green, there’s something out there for everyone. The question is, what kind of hose do you need?
There are so many diverse options to consider including hoses made from different materials like rubber or plastic. Other hose options include those with automatic reels and more. With these in mind, it’s difficult to know where you should invest your cash. After all, you want to buy a hose that will last as long as possible.
Fortunately, to save you the time and effort of searching the internet for the right options, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve checked out the best hose pipe reviews on the market, examined the features of the biggest contenders, and brought you this list of excellent hoses to choose from.
Our Favourite Garden Hoses Compared
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Best Garden Hose Reviews – Top 7 Picks
1. Flexi Hose Upgraded Expandable (Editor’s Choice)
This garden hose is made from high-quality materials and, paired with the latest design, prevents leaks and ensures durability. It is lightweight, highly functional, and provides a convenient multifunctional tool.
Features
The Flexi Hose has an accommodating design that automatically expands up to three times its length when filled with water. When empty, it retracts to create a more compact shape. It has a thick structure consisting of two layers of 2mm latex and a high-strength polyester wall. The system is easy to roll up, flexible and promotes kink-free use. It is also easy to manoeuvre around your garden.
This pick has a premium rubber seal and brass connectors to help create a good connection. It comes with a spray gun featuring eight versatile modes. The device also has an ergonomic rubberised handle that is resistant to slipping. The unit is available in 15, 23, or 30-metre length options and several colours.
- Top-quality material build
- Flexible kink-free structure
- Versatile spray nozzle
- Space-saving design
- Lightweight and highly functional
- The casing may be likely to catch on surfaces
- It might be slightly shorter than expected
- The trigger could be less resilient
2. Hozelock Auto Reel 30 Meters (Luxury Choice)
Let’s look at the Hozelock auto reel solution that could be the best auto reel hose pipe with an incredible all-in-one spray. This hose is intended to be mounted on a wall, so you don’t have to carry your hose with you wherever you go.
Features
The 180-degree angle pivot means that you should be able to reach various areas of your garden pretty easily. What’s more, with 30 metres of hose to spare, there’s plenty of reach with this product.
The reel system automatically locks while you’re using it, so you can stop and water certain patches of your garden without having to always pull the hose taught. With a single tug, you can then unlatch the drum and move freely again. The auto reel also automatically pulls the hose back into the drum when you’re finished using it. This saves you time and effort when tidying up.
One particularly nifty feature for families is the added child lock to prevent your kids from running rampant with your water supply. Just bear in mind that the hose takes some time to geting used to at first – with frequent use, you’ll soon get the hang of it.
- Wall-mounted hose reel with self-layering
- Automatically rewind the hose
- 180-degree pivot
- Easy to remove from wall bracket for storage
- Child lock included
- You have to yank hard sometimes to engage the lock
- When mounting on a wall, it is difficult to screw into place
- Tough to get used to at first
3. GARDENA Comfort FLEX (Best Value)
With well-planned elements, this selection makes an excellent choice for most homes and gardens. It is designed to be weatherproof, less susceptible to UV rays, and easy to use.
Features
The GARDENA Comfort FLEX Garden hose features a power grip profile that ensures an optimal connection. It enables the components to interlock similarly to gears for a secure fit. The tube consists of PVC and a high-quality spiral mesh textile. Its build makes it pressure-resistant and allows it to keep its shape for better performance. Reassuringly, the materials are also free from heavy metals and harmful plasticisers.
This product has a 13mm diameter and remains flexible. It has thick walls for enhanced safety and longer service life. Available in 15, 30, and 50-metre length options, it is adaptable to various needs and preferences.
- UV-resistant by design
- Power grip profile for a secure connection
- High-calibre spiral mesh material
- Easy to use and flexible
- Several length options
- It may be somewhat heavier than other options
- This pick could be less durable
- It might have the potential to tangle occasionally
4. Hozelock Assembled Cart 50 Meters (Best for Manoeuvrability)
This is another excellent hose from the Hozelock brand. The pre-assembled 60m hose cart comes ready to use from the minute you take it out of the box.
Features
Equipped with a multi-purpose hose and a system that makes rewinding easy, this state-of-the-art product is excellent for people with big gardens. If you’re looking for the best hose pipe to take with you as you move around the yard, this Hozelock solution could be just the thing.
The cart comes with a low centre of gravity and a wide stance which makes it easier to move. The hose is also very stable when you stop to water various parts of the garden. Having the towing handle collars mean that you can adjust the system to suit your needs anytime. You can even retract the handle so that it’s easier to put your hose in a garden shed for storage.
The durable reel will also protect the hose as you use it, reducing the risk of kinks and tangles. Just remember that if you’re tall, you might have to bend down to grab the handle, as it only extends a certain length. Anyone close to 6 feet might have trouble.
- Pre-assembled and ready to use
- One-piece winding handle
- Easy to move around the garden
- Robust and durable
- Great for storage
- Short handle not ideal for tall people
- Hose leaks a little at the tap
- The extendable handle makes it difficult to get a grip on the reel
5. HmiL-U Strong Double Latex Brass Fittings (Best for Sturdiness)
Simple and reliable, the HmiL-U Garden hose is probably the best anti-kink garden hose that we’ve found so far. Using some of the most innovative materials on the market, the manufacturer has created a way to simultaneously protect the latex pipe of your hose and prevent kinks.
Features
The HmiL comes with a multi-functional spray gun so you can either use a jet, an angled blast or a mist depending on what you’re trying to do in your garden. There’s no problem with using the same hose to wash your car, your dog, or even water your plants. To help protect your investment and for your hose to last a lot longer than other hoses in the market, the product comes with a storage bag too.
Complete with a 2-year guarantee, the HmiL garden hose is an excellent piece of gardening equipment. On the other hand, it doesn’t stretch quite as far as it claims. Rather than getting about 50 feet out of your hose, you’ll probably be able to manage about 30 according to most reviews.
- High-quality, durable material
- Kink-proof
- Built to last
- 2-year guarantee
- Includes a storage bag
- 9 Spray options
- Nozzle wall hook included
- Not metal hanger as described
- Doesn’t expand to 50 feet
- Doesn’t coil well when not in use
6. Hozelock 30m Compact Reel (Best Freestanding)
Simple and straightforward is usually the way to go when it comes to choosing a quality garden hose. The lightweight Hozelock 30m hose is one of the best garden hose reels on the market, thanks to its ease-of-use, and its durable construction.
Features
The hose comes with a 25m multi-purpose hose, and there’s a handle included so you can carry the system with you as you move around the garden. The sturdy frame offers a reliable experience for most gardeners and homeowners. Additionally, the hose is small enough that you shouldn’t have to struggle too hard to find a place to store the equipment in your garage when you’re done with it.
As with most Hozelock products, you can rest assured that this compact reel features some of the highest-quality materials on the market, so you should be able to rely on it to stand the test of time. However, it’s not as long as some hoses. Lastly, the spray gun included with this hose is basic so it does only one thing.
- Small and lightweight
- Quick storage
- Easy to use
- Has a sturdy and reliable frame
- Budget-friendly
- Great quality of material
- Spray gun only has one function
- Not very long hose
- Hose gets twisted easily
7. Lufeng Expandable with Metal Spray Gun and Double Latex (Best Multifunctional)
This Lufeng hose is a great choice since it comes with 9-in-one functionality. This means that you can just as easily wash your car, jet-spray your patio stones, or give your flowers a light dusting of water.
Features
As this hose expands, it has plenty of stretch to it, starting at about 17 feet and expanding up to 50ft. It is fantastic for lightweight portability, so you don’t have to worry about building up a sweat as you drag it around the garden. Additionally, the hose is made of highly durable materials, which makes it a wonderful accessory to add to your gardening toolkit.
The hose includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee which makes it easy to get your money back. However, once again, the fittings aren’t entirely standard, so you’ll have to buy an adapter to fit it onto your standard garden tap. Additionally, the spray gun can occasionally jam and end up stuck in the “on” position for a while.
- Nine functions to choose from
- Satisfaction guarantee included
- Flexible and designed to expand
- High-quality materials
- Lightweight and easy to use around the garden
- Includes storage bag
- Kinks and knots quite easily when walking around the garden
- Occasionally the gun jams in the on position
- Doesn’t have standard tap fittings, which means you’ll have to buy an adapter
What Is the Best Garden Hose on the Market?
Tending to your yard can take a lot of work. You’ll have to use different equipment like electric lawn mowers, lawn scarifiers, hedge trimmers and cordless strimmers to keep it in tip-top shape. Another important thing that every garden should have is a sturdy hose and finding the ideal one for your needs isn’t easy.
Before you buy, think if you want something that’s going to give you simplicity, flexibility, and versatility. After all, we don’t just use our hoses to connect to the tap and give the lawn an extra drink anymore. The chances are that you’ll also rely on this piece of garden equipment for washing your car, giving your muddy dog a clean, or even blasting the patio when it starts to get dirty during the summer months.
There Are Many Different Kinds of Garden Hose Available
- Heavy-duty hoses
- Expandable hoses
- Automatic reel hoses
- Free-standing reels
- Wall-mounted reels
Frequently Asked Questions When Buying A Hose
While everyone will have their own idea of what the perfect garden hose should be like, here are a few basic factors to keep in mind when making your decision.
1. How Long Does the Hose Need to Be?
Hoses come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The length that you require will depend on how big of a garden you’re caring for. Usually, you’ll be able to find anything up to a 100 feet hose on the market today. However, while it might be tempting to buy a longer hose “just in case,” remember that the more hose you have to deal with, the harder it is to move around.
Unless you have an automatic reel that can hold your hose taught for you as you move, it’s better to stick with either the exact amount of length you need or just slightly over. Else, this will result in snags, tangling, or even reduced water pressure.
Remember, hoses that can expand could be misleading too. Although these hoses are popular and may claim that they can stretch to three times their contracted length, the truth is that they’re actually much shorter than that. Such a hose that claims to reach 100 feet will probably only stretch to 80 or 60 feet instead.
2. What Kind of Material Do You Want Your Hose to Be Made Of?
Buying a garden hose made with the right material will help to ensure that your product remains safe and sturdy for years to come. You’re looking for something that’s both durable and lightweight so you can rely on it to stand the test of time and move around the garden with ease. A few of the most common materials used in hoses include:
a. Opt for a Rubber Hose
Rubber hoses are generally quite strong but they’re also very pricey and heavy. After you connect the hose to the tap, it’s difficult to move large chunks of rubber around. On the other hand, a rubber structure will mean that this kind of hose is not as prone to kinks and tangling as its other hose counterparts.
b. Choose a Vinyl Hose
A Vinyl hose is one of the least expensive hoses on the market and also comes with the least weight attached to it. However, a vinyl hose can crack and split over the years when you’re not careful. You’ll have to make sure that your hose isn’t exposed to the elements for long periods.
3. What Kind of Hose Design Are You Looking For?
Garden hoses are designed differently depending on the job that you want them for. For instance, most people who will be using their hose for garden purposes only might wish to a wall-mounted hose that they can simply connect to the tap, grab, and pull to the right part of their lawn when necessary.
On the other hand, if you want more flexibility or if the tap is far, then buying a hose that you can carry with you wherever you go on a free-standing reel is better. In this case, you’ll opt for a hose design that also prioritises lightweight performance. Whatever option you choose, make sure that your hose comes with a storage solution you can use to keep it safe when not in use.
Most hoses will also come with a protective covering to help keep them in good condition for longer. It’s a good idea to look at the quality of the outer cover carefully, as this can have a massive impact on the lifespan of your hose.
It’s also important to choose a hose that’s long enough to cover your garden but also small enough to store when not in use so that it doesn’t take up too much valuable storage space.
4. What Sort of Performance Do You Need in Your Hose?
Finally, think about the purpose of the hose you’re buying. Are you looking for something you can use just to water your lawn every now and again? If so, you probably don’t want a hose with a lot of extra bells and whistles. However, if you want a hose that can also clean your car and patio, then you’re going to have to find a product that comes with a multi-function nozzle. Other things that can affect hose performance include:
- Strength/Durability: After connecting to the tap, how much water pressure can the hose handle?
- Portability: How easy is it to move the hose around?
- Simplicity: Is there an auto-reel feature or something similar to make rolling up the hose easy?
- Flexibility: How good is the hose at moving around corners?
- Kink Protection: Does the hose usually tangle and kink?
Choosing the Right Garden Hose
As with most things in life, choosing the best garden hose is a process that will depend on your personal preferences and needs. Before you begin buying, you’ll have to think about what kind of hose you’re shopping for and what sort of things you want to do with it. If you want a multi-functional hose, then you might have to pay a little more for a flexible spray gun. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a hose that can cover a large garden, you’ll have to find something that’s durable, lengthy, and flexible enough to reach all areas in your yard.
Out of the options we’ve covered today, the best hose pipe has to be the Flexi Hose which features a top-quality material that is highly functional. It has a flexible kink-free structure that automatically expands up to three times its size when it is filled with water. When empty, it also retracts for space-saving purposes. The thick build consists of two layers of 2mm latex and a high-strength polyester wall. This garden hose is lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and available in varying lengths and colours to suit almost any demand. In addition, it comes with a spray gun that allows for eight different modes and has a rubberised design that promotes a steady grip.
What are you looking for in the ideal garden hose? Join the conversation in the comments below, and good luck finding the right garden accessory.
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