The 9 Best Hoses of 2024

Best Garden Hose for Most People

Teknor Apex Zero-G

The Teknor Apex Zero-G is somewhat of a nontraditional garden hose, but don't be thrown off by its unusual appearance; it is one of the best hoses we have tested to date. First off, it is a lightweight model. Weighing in at only 0.08 lbs/ft, it is just about half the weight of the Eley Polyurethane, one of our other favorite hoses. This is made possible by using a thin and flexible inner tube wrapped in a woven casing that is abrasion and snag-resistant rather than heavy rubber or polymer material. Though it looks limp and flimsy at first, once you turn on the tap, the hose stiffens with the water pressure, and we found that the design results in a thinner and stiffer hose that is easier to pull around the garden and better resists kinks. Lead tester Hale Milano notes that “it slides easily and is very durable.” When emptied out, the hose collapses nearly flat again.

Nozzle Included i	No
Available Lengths i	25, 50, 100 ft
Coupling Shape i	Round
Hose Material i	Tru-Flex polymer & woven fiber sheath
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.08 lb/ft

The combination of convenience and performance gives the Teknor its edge over other choices. It is just so darn easy to use, and it does its job well. For starters, the couplings featured on the Zero-G are round, they have an oversized plastic handle attached to them that makes it infinitely easier to get a tight and leak-proof connection by hand. We typically prefer hex-shaped couplings like the ones on the Eley, but according to our testers, “the Tecknor was the easiest hose to screw on so far.” The handles on each end also serve to prevent the hose from kinking at the spigot or the base of the spray nozzle. We also applaud this hose's kink resistance throughout the mid-lengths. The flexibility of the materials allows the hose to handle all sorts of twists and knots without retaining any “kink memory,” simply springing back into line with a simple flick of the hose from our end. We tried our darndest to disrupt the stream of water by stepping on it and manually kinking the hose over and over again, but we were unable to stem the flow. Hale Milano explains, “Even when I was standing on the hose while spraying, it continued to shoot water.”

This product is great for just about every kind of user. It performed above average in every single metric we tested, and it is the happy medium that most people are looking for. We find this hose fits the bill for everything from watering the lawn to washing the dog to spraying down your garden. Our team notes that it has “a strong sheath that would protect it” from being damaged by rocks, vehicles, and the like. Although its durable construction will allow it to fill in for a bigger hose in a pinch, it will especially appeal to those who value convenience and don't need a super long or heavy-duty model for big landscaping projects. The Teknor's convenience was only matched by a few other models, including the Dramm ColorStorm Premium, but many of these options cost significantly more.

The cons of this hose are few, but they are important to note. During our test, we noticed that dirt, mulch, and other debris stuck to the woven casing more readily than to rubber hoses like the Giraffe Tools Hybrid. Additionally, because it is made with flexible materials, the hose tends to tangle more easily when empty, especially when attempting to coil. If it is filled with water, this is not the case; in fact, it is the opposite. Hale mentions that while “in use, it stayed fairly taught, which helped resist kinking but didn't necessarily lay flat”. Another side effect of its reliance on water pressure to keep its shape is that it can't really be used without some sort of valve or nozzle, and there is no nozzle included, so you'll have to purchase one separately. It is only available in a 5/8 inch diameter and 25, 50, and 100-foot lengths — and while we found these sizes worked well for our use, it would be nice to have more options to suit different setups. If you are looking for a more customizable hose that you don't need to buy accessories for, then you can check out the Flexzilla 5/8-Inch. In the end, though, we felt that the benefits of the unique design outweighed the drawbacks, and we don't hesitate to recommend this hose to just about everyone.

Read more: Teknor Apex Zero-G review

Best Extra Long Garden Hose

Dramm ColorStorm Premium

The Dramm ColorStorm Premium is one of our favorite hoses for people who have a lot of yard and need a hose that is long enough and durable enough to handle it. It is made from EPDM rubber, which is more durable and weather-resistant, and the material makes us feel comfortable with a set-it-and-forget-it approach to watering. The unique hexagonal shape helps it to better resist kinking, and despite the larger diameter, it is easy to unwind, maneuver around the yard, and coil in a neat stack when you're done (if you are ok with dealing with the weight). Our tester compared it to the Continental ContiTech Premium, another hose that was very easy to store and to coil, saying it was “every bit as good as the continental, no noticeable difference.” The Dramm features hex-shaped couplings, which are easier to tighten by hand than round ones, and if you really want to cinch them down, you can use a wrench. As an aside, the coupling on the female end (spigot side) was larger and much easier to hand-tighten. There is a smaller hex coupling on the male end (nozzle side), and while we were able to get it tight enough to avoid leaks, it wasn't as easy.

Nozzle Included i	No
Available Lengths i	50, 75, 100 ft, and custom lengths up to 330 ft
Coupling Shape i	Hex
Hose Material i	EPDM rubber
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.20 lb/ft

As they say, it's the little things that count. Overall, the Colorstorm is a solid hose, but there were a few details that made us appreciate it even more during testing. For starters, it didn't get wedged under our car tires when washing the car, even when pulling at a sharp angle to the wheel, which allowed us to move freely about the vehicle without having to backtrack and untangle the hose. When working in the yard, it was easy to flick out twists, and even when we actively tried to kink it, the best we could get was a soft loop, and we could never manage to completely stop the flow of water. Lastly, due to the combined weight and flexibility, lead tester Hale Milano said the Dramm “felt like it wanted to lay flat,” making it easier to drag around and even less likely to kink from the beginning.

The Dramm is a great heavy-duty option that we trust to survive a wide range of environments, be it rain, shine, mud, or rocks, and one that our testers said they “felt okay leaving out.” The construction quality is one of the highest in the group, only matched by the Continental and beaten by the Eley. It is ideal for anyone who doesn't live in a perfectly manicured environment or for those who are gearing up to take on a big landscaping project. It is available in the standard lengths of 50, 75, and 100 feet, which are typical for many hoses, but the Colorstorm is different in that it is available in custom lengths up to 330 feet as well. This is long enough to reach pretty much everywhere, even in super big yards, and the bright color makes it more visible on the ground, so it doesn't get lost in the mix or accidentally run over by a lawn mower.

All of this heavy-duty material results in a heavier hose, especially if you are working with an extra-long version. However, even if you don't order the extra-long option, the weight per foot is still one of the highest in our lineup. Tester Hale Milano describes it as “very heavy and robust”, and at 0.20 lb/ft, it weighs twice as much as many other models we tested. Keeping this in mind, not everyone needs a hose that will withstand an apocalypse, and we think that the Dramm may be too much hose for some settings. Some people may be perfectly happy saving a few bucks and a few pounds and purchasing an option like the Bionic Steel, which focuses more on convenience than ruggedness and is still highly maneuverable and kink-resistant. However, if you were drawn to the Dramm Colorstorm because you were looking for something that can handle anything, then you are in the right spot.

Read more: Dramm ColorStorm Premium review

Best Hose Reel

Ayleid Retractable Reel

The Ayleid Retractable Reel is our pick for those who want a convenient, one-and-done purchase to keep their yard and garden hydrated. Whereas some models, like the Eley Wood Post Mount only come with the reel, the Ayleid is a complete package, including the hose and spray nozzle. It is a wall-mounted option that has a fairly standard six-foot connector hose, which gives you adequate flexibility in how far away from the spigot you can mount. The included hose is made from a PVC material, has hex-shaped couplings made from brass materials, and has plastic tabs that make it easier to tighten by hand. All of this is contained in a compact box with a retracting mechanism powerful enough to reel in the entire 100-foot length that we tested with ease. Our team noted that it “pulls back in really strong, so far one of the hardest “pullbacks” (a good thing) that we've tested.”

Hose Included i	Integrated
Hose Length Capacity i	65, 100, 130 feet
Connector Hose Length i	6 feet
Retraction Mechanism i	Retractable
Rotation Ability i	180°

The Ayleid Retractable Reel earned top marks for convenience, and after all, that's what buying a hose reel is all about, right? Beyond the basics, it offers thoughtful design features that help it outperform more expensive models. For one, an integrated debris brush helps keep the hose and reel clean and prevent clogging. The entire box sits on a hinge with a 180° swivel. Tester Hale Milano notes that it is “really easy to unwind, and it works smoothly from all different angles.” If you're looking for a larger swivel angle, you'll want to check out the Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator, which is the only reel in our lineup that offers a 360° rotation. When unwinding the Ayleid, we found the locking and latching zones to be intuitive to use. It has stops every six inches or so, making it easy to find the right length without fighting with the mechanism. Last but not least, a fold-flat handle at the top of the case makes it easy to remove from the mount when it's time to winterize your yard gear.

This hose would be a good choice for anyone who wants the complete package and doesn't want to worry about whether their hose/reel/nozzle will all be compatible. While not as customizable as buying all the individual components of your setup separately, we think that the size, lengths, and accessories chosen by Ayleid work well together. The included nozzle is of good enough quality that we didn't feel the need to exchange it for a different one, and Hale remarked that it had “good spray performance, the nozzle worked really well.” The 1/2-inch diameter is relatively small, but we didn't notice any problems with water pressure or spray volume, and it helps to keep the entire unit more compact. We tested the 100-foot length, and the reel box was smaller than that of the 82-foot Hoselink. The cherry on top of the list of convenience features is that the Ayleid is just as easy to use in action as it is when storing; our testing teams noted “no kinking” and “great, easy, and flexible movement” when pulling it around the yard.

Our two main complaints were the lack of valves on the hose ends and the suspicious missing gasket on the leader hose. When we first connected everything, we encountered a small leak at the connection point of the leader hose. We had a spare o-ring that we added to the end, which quickly solved the problem, but ideally, we wouldn't have had to make this slight modification at all. We also prefer to have valves to stop and start the flow of water if we attach a sprinkler head rather than a spray nozzle. If you want full customizability in your setup, you'll want to go for something like the Eley Wood Post Mount, which doesn't come with a hose but gives you the freedom to select one that best suits your watering needs, changing length, diameter, and material as the situation demands. If you're looking for a portable hose reel, the Flexzilla Pro Retractable is one of the only models we tested that can be mounted or used freestanding. However, for the convenience-minded folks out there, the Ayleid Retractable is one of the best choices.

Read more: Ayleid Retractable Reel review

Best Expandable Hose

Pocket Hose Silver Bullet

The Pocket Hose Silver Bullet is an expansion-style hose that relies on water pressure to stretch from its contracted state to its full length. The pressurized system helps it resist kinks, and our tester noted that it “actively resisted kinks and flat spots” but found that it was still “really flexible and easy to use,” even when full of water. We appreciate the inclusion of a spray nozzle, which isn't the case with every hose. However, we weren't super impressed with the accessory and will discuss it in more detail below. The Silver Bullet has a 3/4 inch diameter and weighs 0.04 lbs/ft, which is average for expandable models, but it is half as light as a traditional garden hose like the Teknor Apex Zero-G, which weighs about 0.08 lbs/ft, making it a good options for those who don't want to lug around a heavy, unwieldy hose.

Nozzle Included i	Yes
Available Lengths i	25, 50, 100 feet
Coupling Shape i	Round
Hose Material i	Not specified
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.04 lb/ft

On that note: convenience, convenience, convenience. This is the main reason to choose an expandable hose, and the Silver Bullet hits that nail on the head. Features such as a low weight and easy-to-connect couplings make it a good choice for many users, but beyond that, the reliable contraction is what we appreciate most about this hose. It is essential that your expandable hose can stretch to water all the corners of your yard or garden that need it, but it is just as essential that it can contract back to its compacted length when you're finished watering. The Pocket Hose handles this task decently well, and our tester said it is “just about the same as the flex-able”. It expands from a 17.5-foot base length up to 52.1 feet when fully stretched and back again with no problems. This 3x expansion rate is not as great at a coil-style hose like the Flexon CH5850 Coil, which hits a 18x expansion rate, however, coil hoses often lose their elasticity over time and have trouble contracting back to their original state. We experienced no such issues with the Pocket expandable hose, although for the best retraction rate, you'll want to look at the Flexi Hose.

There are very few reasons not to recommend the Pocket Hose, but whether it's a good choice for you really comes down to how you plan to use it. Tester Hale Milano cites its benefits, saying it is “really flexible and easy to use, and holds its shape, but doesnt get caught or prevent movement.” The longest version you can buy is 100 feet, so while it holds its own against traditional models when speaking about length, due to the lighter-weight construction, we would recommend it to people who have lighter-duty watering jobs (e.g., more than a watering can, but less than a full-size hose). We like using expandable hoses for chores like washing the car, spraying down the back patio, or watering the flower boxes on the front porch. Because it outperforms most other expandable models and is relatively affordable, we think the Pocket Hose would be a good supplement to use in addition to a standard hose like the Dramm ColorStorm if you also have a larger yard to water.

The system of an expansion hose requires either a valve or a nozzle to build the necessary pressure. The Silver Bullet doesn't have a valve, and while we appreciate that a nozzle is included, it didn't last long in our testing. Unfortunately, it broke early on, and we had to replace it with a different nozzle in order to continue. This issue was disappointing, and caused the Pocket Hose to score relatively poorly in our construction quality metric. That's not to say it doesn't do its job — we didn't experience any issues with the rest of the hose; Hale Milano says of his experience, “once I put on another nozzle, it was fine, and had good spray performance.” But it is important to note. Additionally, the couplings, while easy to connect, are plastic and aluminum rather than a more corrosion-resistant material like brass. If you are comparing it to a traditional garden hose, most expandable hoses are not going to hold up in terms of durability and ruggedness. If you are concerned about durability but still want something compact, the Flexi Hose is another option that feels a bit more long-lasting. However, it is also more expensive, so for the best price-to-performance ratio, we recommend the Pocket Hose Silver Bullet for most people.

Read more: Pocket Hose Silver Bullet review

Best Coil Style Hose

Orbit Coil with ABS Threads

The Orbit Coil with ABS Threads is one of the top-performing expandable hoses that we have tested. It is a coil-style model made from a rubber-like material and has plastic couplings with small ridges that make it easier to attach to the spigot. Plastic couplings are not as durable as brass versions found on other hoses, like the Xhose Pro, but the up-side is that you don't have to worry about rust, and if you are using this hose for the more tame watering tasks that it is meant for, the couplings should hold up just fine. This model has a very narrow diameter of just 3/8 in. However, we were impressed with its ability to create a strong volume and pressure via the included hose nozzle. Our tester was a fan, mentioning the “8 different functions on the nozzle, each with really good spray performance.”

Nozzle Included i	Yes
Available Lengths i	50 feet
Coupling Shape i	Hex and round
Hose Material i	Rubber
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.03 lb/ft

Aside from its great performance, a few things about the Orbit made it a standout option. It is one of the more durable expandable options we tested, and we would feel fine mounting this hose to the spigot and leaving it on for the season, trusting that it would survive the elements. Secondly, it maintained a relatively good contraction rate during the time we used it. Typically, coil-style hoses tend to stretch out and have a hard time fully retracting after use, and this tends to get worse over time. The Orbit did this less than other models we tested. While it still wasn't able to contract to its out-of-the-box size of 2.4 feet, according to lead tester Hale Milano, “it reshrinks better than most of the others, back to around five feet,” even after we stretched it to its maximum length. For comparison, the Automan Recoil EVA and the Water Right Professional Coil were both only able to get back to 11 feet after being fully stretched.

Keeping the stretch factor in mind, the Orbit is a simple and effective hose for watering anything within a 20-foot radius of the spigot. The nozzle has enough variety in its offered spray options that we found it useful for everything from watering potted plants, spraying off muddy boots, or hosing down the patio. Our tester notes that although it is a “narrow hose, the pressure felt good.” Plus, we didn't have any troubles with nozzle functionality, like we did with the Pocket Hose. If you have a larger yard to water, the Orbit should not be your primary hose, but the relatively low cost means that it won't take a huge bite out of your budget if you want to use it as a supplementary hose.

One of the main drawbacks of the Orbit Coil is that there is only one size option available — 50 feet. In reality, we only got 44 feet when we stretched it to its full length and measured ourselves. On top of that, we experienced high tension at this length and do not recommend doing this regularly. When all is said and done, you get less than 44 feet of reach, plus whatever you can access with the spray feature, so take into account the size of your yard or garden before deciding if this is the right hose for you. Secondly, if you plan to use this hose in a garden with steps, planters, or other decorative objects, keep in mind that coil-style hoses tend to tangle more easily and can get stuck on objects around the yard. Tester Hale Milano says that while it is “okay to move around, it tends to get caught up, and the coils twist back on each other.” If you want to avoid this risk, the AmazingForLess Expandable is an expansion-style hose that is also more durable than other expansion options in our review and has more size options as well. If you prefer to stick with the springy style of a coil hose, then the Orbit is still one of the best options.

Read more: Orbit Coil with ABS Threads review

Premium Pick Garden Hose

Eley Polyurethane

While you may not think the words “premium” and “garden hose” go together, the Eley Polyurethane will prove you wrong. We were impressed with this hose straight out of the box, and noticed its quality build right away. When it came time to start using it, tester Hale Milano uncoiled the hose and noticed that it “laid flat immediately, which is really good.” Many other hoses hold what is called a coil or kink memory and stay loopy and twisted after being coiled in a box for so long — the Swan MaxLite Premium Rubber+ comes to mind. After we got over our first impressions, the details of the Eley are just as well designed. It has hex-shaped brass couplings that are more resistant to rust and corrosion than steel or aluminum options, and the spigot end, in particular, has a nice oversized connector that makes it that much easier to tighten with or without a wrench. The variability of this hose is nearly unmatched, only being beat out by the Dramm ColorStorm Premium thanks to its customizable extra long options. However, the Eley is available in 10 different lengths, starting at 6.5 feet and reaching all the way up to 200 feet, which is much more than the 2-3 length options offered by most hoses. It is only available in a 5/8 inch diameter, but we felt this provided adequate water flow for pretty much any scenario.

Nozzle Included i	No
Available Lengths i	6.5, 12, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 ft
Coupling Shape i	Hex
Hose Material i	Polyeurathane
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.15 lb/ft

Thanks to a combination of the materials and construction method, the Eley is oh-so-simple when it comes to daily use. It's almost like it wants to be flat, and after completing our routine kink test, Hale said of the Eley that it “actively resisted kinking, it wanted to just bend in a large loop vs. twist and kink,” and after we did manage to force it into a kink, it showed “no signs of marking.” We also appreciated how smoothly we were able to drag it through the yard and around obstacles, experiencing very few hiccups or snags.

The Eley is for people who want to purchase one hose and forget about it for the next decade (or more) and are willing to throw down some extra cash for that peace of mind. Though the design of any garden hose is relatively simple, the materials used can make a big difference in how well it holds up to being driven over, dragged across rocky surfaces, crushed by the garage door, and left out in the sun. Between the brass couplings and polyurethane casing, the Eley showed very little signs of wear during our tests, and we have confidence that it will perform well for the long haul. Additionally, during use our team noted “top notch screwing on, really quality connectors, and no leaks.” We usually only see this level of ease of use in hoses like the Bionic Steel, which have oversized grips near the couplings.

Unfortunately, you can't have it all, and the Eley is one of the heavier hoses we tested. Although we didn't feel that the weight affected maneuverability when dragging it across the yard, it made a difference when coiling, carrying, and storing the hose, but it didn't seem to bother our tester, who said it is a “heavier hose, but overall has a good weight per foot,” especially when taking into account the durability. Another noted side effect of its desire to remain kink-free is that when it is coiled for storage, it wants to spring out, and thus stays in a more round shape and takes up more space when we hung it up on a wall hook compared to other hoses that drop into a less voluminous elongated oval. If this sounds like it would be annoying to you, one solution would be to get a hose reel, and the other would be to check out an option like the Teknor Apex Zero-G, which also performed well in our tests, and is highly compact when empty. However, if quality and performance are your top priorities, the Eley Polyurethane will not let you down.

Read more: Eley Polyurethane review

Best Rotating Manual Hose Reel

Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator

The Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator is a simple and effective manual hose reel with a sturdy metal construction that feels borderline invincible. It is meant to accommodate a hose up to 125 feet with a 5/8 inch diameter, and the reel requires a large mounting area, but once fixed, it doesn't budge. Our model featured a shelf where we liked to store small but frequently used items like different hose nozzles, garden tools, or work gloves. Other versions include a basket in place of the shelf. The five-foot leader hose has, in the words of tester Hale Milano, “bomb big hex connectors,” which are made from corrosion-resistant brass, and we were easily able to get a snug and leak-free connection to our spigot.

Hose Included i	No
Hose Length Capacity i	125 feet
Connector Hose Length i	5 feet
Retraction Mechanism i	Rotating Manual Reel
Rotation Ability i	360°

We like the thoughtful design of the Liberty Garden. It is one of three manual models we tested, the other two being the Eley Wood Post Mount and the Suncast Sidewinder Mounted. Even though it doesn't have an auto retract feature, it still managed to be one of the most convenient models we tested. It has the durability of a metal manual option, with fewer parts to break or jam and less plastic overall, but it has the convenience of a full 360° swivel that isn't super common on manual models. This feature is nice when you're pulling your hose around to different parts of the yard, and our tester mentioned that it offers a “smooth unwinding process — no issues and the rotation is great for keeping it untangled.” Actually, because there is no auto retract, there is next to no resistance when pulling out your hose across the lawn, which we appreciate. It has a locking pin that holds the reel in one of seven positions, so you're not fighting the rotation when it's time to reel the hose back in.

This reel is a good option for anyone who already owns a hose, needs a way to store it, and wants to keep it simple but not too simple. The basic but sturdy construction of the Liberty is easy to keep clear of debris and would be quite difficult to jam. Simple additions like the rotating reel and storage shelf step it up a few notches from true old-school reels or simple wall hooks. We didn't run into any durability issues during testing, and the sturdy construction also means that this reel will likely outlast any hose you put on it, as well as the next one, and the next one. The Eley Wood Post Mount is another option that you can count on to hold up through time, weather, and daily use.

The most obvious downside of the Navigator reel is that it doesn't come with a hose. You have to supply your own, whereas many other reels, like the Hoselink Retractable Reel come in a more complete package with an integrated hose and nozzle. However, the bonus of buying a reel and hose separately is that you have the freedom to select the exact model, length, and materials you prefer to have in your setup. The lack of an auto-retracting mechanism may also throw off some users; the manual winding process takes a bit more time (and more muscle power) and requires you to use your free hand to guide the hose into the proper position. Lastly, our testing team cautions that “because of the size, it does require a wall mount,” for stability reasons. If you'd prefer a reel with more features and more versatile mounting options, the Ayleid Retractable is an option we like for its intuitive use and powerful rewind ability. However, if you are in the market for something that will do its job well for years to come and you are ok with putting in a bit more elbow grease, the Liberty Garden is a great choice.

Read more: Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator review

Best Hose for Boats, RVs, and Campers

Flexi Hose

The Flexi Hose is an expandable hose made with a flexible latex sheath and sturdy brass couplings. As with many expandable hoses, the reliance on water pressure for the expansion also helps prevent kinks. Despite the build-up of water pressure, the Flexi is true to its name, staying flexible and smoothly maneuverable when we were pulling it around the garden. When it's time to pack up, it had one of the best contraction abilities we saw in our lineup. Lead tester Hale Milano said, "So far, one of the best “re shrink” options out there," and he appreciated that the Flexi basically drains on it's own. It has a 3x expansion factor, going from 17.7 feet to 51.4 feet and back again without skipping a beat.

Nozzle Included i	Yes
Available Lengths i	50, 75, 100 feet
Coupling Shape i	Round
Hose Material i	Latex
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.04 lb/ft

The Flexi Hose stood out in our lineup for its above-average performance in all metrics, but most notably, it earned one of the highest convenience ratings in our lineup. Not only does it come with a spray nozzle included, but the connectors also feature an integrated valve. We love this, as having a valve makes it easier to control the flow of water without having to go back to the source if you don't have a spray nozzle. Because it allows you to control the flow of water, you can also use the valve as a makeshift nozzle in a pinch. At 0.04 lb/ft, it is significantly lighter than traditional garden hoses, and it weighs a grand total of 2.2 pounds. However, this is on the heavier side for an expandable model; the Flex-Able Xtreme is the lightest model we tested, weighing 1.4 pounds for the same 50 foot length.

If you have spent any time on a boat or RV, you know that space is a hot commodity, and you want to use every bit of it efficiently. The Hale Milano loved that “the hose shrunk back up on its own as it drained”. Once empty, the Flexi is small enough to fit in whatever nook or cranny you have available. The flexible nature of the hose also means it can squish into oddly shaped receptacles without a problem, whereas a coil style hose like the Water Right Professional Coil. The soft outer sheath will be especially appreciated by those using the hose on and around recreational vehicles. It moves up, over, and around obstacles without snagging, and the cover is gentle enough that it won't scuff your paint job. 3/4 inches is the only diameter option available, but we found it to work well for everything we used it for, and it is available in 50, 75, and 100-foot lengths, so you can choose the option that best suits your vehicle.

The main downside to having all these convenience features is that they tend to cost more. The Flexi is significantly more expensive than our other favorite expandable option, the Pocket Hose Silver Bullet, so you'll just have to decide if the added features are worth it to you. Our only few gripes are with the round connectors and the mediocre nozzle. As we mentioned above, we like that the connectors are made from corrosion-resistant brass, but we aren't the biggest fans of the round shape. They aren't as easy to tighten down as hex-shaped ones. However, they do have a ribbed texture that makes it easier to get a grip when tightening by hand. Our testing team had this to say about the included nozzle, “There's 8 settings, but none wow'd me with performance.” If these caveats don't seem like a big deal to you, and you like the idea of having an easy-to-use hose that will be gentle on glossy painted surfaces, then the Flexi Hose is a great option.

Read more: Flexi Hose review

Best Budget Garden Hose

Expert Gardener Light Duty

The Expert Gardener Light Duty is a basic but functional garden hose made with vinyl tubing and plastic couplings. It doesn't leak, and it is relatively easy to connect to the spigot or other attachments like a spray nozzle or sprinkler head. It has an oversized handle and a flanged plastic coupling on the spigot end, which our tester mentioned “was easy to connect” when tightening by hand. However, its thin casing material kinks at the drop of a hat, so keep in mind the pros and cons when considering this budget option.

Nozzle Included i	No
Available Lengths i	25, 50 ft
Coupling Shape i	Round
Hose Material i	Vinyl
Measured Weight Per Foot i	0.12 lb/ft

We appreciate that at 0.12 lb/ft, the Expert Gardener is relatively lightweight in the world of garden hoses. If you get it in a shorter length (which we recommend for the sake of your sanity), it is quite easy to move around the yard or patio. Tester Hale Milano mentions that “it twisted a bunch, but at least it is small and manageable.” While not our first choice of material, plastic couplings have the benefit of being guaranteed not to rust, although they may not hold up through extreme heat and cold snaps as well as brass connectors found on hoses like the Giraffe Tools Hybrid or the Eley Polyurethane. Surprisingly though, the hose was pretty easy to connect. Hale mentioned appreciating that “there are protruding flanges on the valve that help you screw it in, and they rotate freely around the hose.”

The Expert Gardener is nothing to write home about, but it gets the job done. If your garden has outgrown the capacity of a watering can, and you're tired of making trips back and forth to the spigot to get your weekly watering chores done, it will cover your bases just fine. One of our testers describes it as “a wide hose, no issues impacting spray,” but didn't have a lot to say otherwise. It's not super durable, and it tends to kink of its own volition, but it also costs next to nothing, which can be a big draw, freeing up your budget for other (more exciting) home purchases. The nearest step up in price is the Bionic Steel, which cost more that five times as much as the Expert Gardener, so it is kind of hard to complain.

As you may expect of a hose at this price point, the build quality of the Expert Gardener is not its strong point. It is sufficient for light watering tasks, consisting mainly of waiting porch planters or washing the car, but we aren't confident it will hold up to more rugged landscaping projects. It only comes in 25-foot and 50-foot length options. However, we feel this is appropriate for this hose. Even at this shorter length, our testers noted that “when in use, the hose tended to stay looped and bent, resisted being pulled flat, and turned into twists and kinks easily.” If you want a longer hose that can handle heavier watering jobs but don't necessarily need the most heavy-duty option, then you should check out the Teknor Apex Zero-G, a hose that is much more convenient to use and is still pretty budget-friendly relative to other garden hoses. Plus, it managed to score near the top of the pack in most metrics. If you are ok with dealing with shorter lengths and minor inconveniences for the sake of cost savings, then the Expert Gardener Light Duty will do the trick.

Read more: Expert Gardener Light Duty review

How We Tested Hoses

We have been testing garden hoses and all sorts of related yard accessories since 2020. In that time, we have gotten our hands on over 45 lawn hydrating products, ranging from your sturdy standard garden hose to pocket-sized counterparts and the accessories that make them easier to use, such as hose reels and spray nozzles. In our most recent round of testing, we used the hoses and accessories over the course of a full summer for every yard task imaginable. Not only that, but we also pulled out these hoses for other chores, like washing the car or even giving the dog a bath. All the while, we evaluated and compared all the little details that might make one setup more useful than another. Build quality, versatility, and convenience came into play for traditional garden hoses, while weight and size were more considered for expandable hoses. In addition to simply using these items, we also put them through stress tests, intentionally kinking the hoses, dragging them around obstacles to asses their flexibility, and swapping out different nozzle heads with different hose models. After several months of consistent use, we found clear standouts in each category.

Why Trust GearLab

Leading testing for all things hose is Hale Milano. Hale is a self-proclaimed outdoor adventurer, data nerd, and home improvement aficionado all in one. After testing the full gamut of garden hoses, expandable hoses, hose reels, and spray nozzles, he is possibly now the owner of the world's best-watered lawn, too. Needless to say, maintaining this many hobbies requires a good knowledge of the appropriate gear, and in the search for the best, Hale is not afraid to dig in and get his hands dirty during testing. His willingness to get into the nitty gritty, in addition to his acute attention to detail, helps him parse out the differences between different hoses and guide you to the right option. Hale also heads up testing for many of our other yard and garden tool reviews, including leaf blowers and string trimmers, giving him a good idea of which of these hoses will best fit into your entire yard care regimen. Bix Firer lives on an urban farm in Boise, Idaho, and has led educational initiatives for multiple community gardens. He uses his extensive knowledge of gardening techniques to inform our hose nozzle review.

Types of Hoses and Accessories

Depending on the layout of your home and yard, certain hose, nozzle, and storage combinations will work better for you. Before we start dishing out recommendations, we'll go over the main differences between hose styles and the various attachments that can make your yard care routine that much simpler.

Style and Material

The first thing to pay attention to when looking at ways to water your lawn is the difference between a traditional garden hose and an expandable hose. Each has its own pros and cons, and each type is useful for a different situation.

Traditional hoses are great for more typical watering needs, where you set up your hose with a sprinkler head or attach it to a soaker hose, drag it out to the yard, and leave it for a few hours before moving it to the next patch of grass. You can find models made of rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, and even stainless steel in some cases. They come in lengths ranging from 25 feet to 200+ feet and can weigh anywhere between 5-10 pounds for a 50-foot length. You'll want to pay attention to the thickness of the sidewalls and the overall weight of the hose you choose. As many experienced gardeners know, pulling around a hefty, indestructible hose can be tiring, so choose a level of durability that corresponds to your watering needs. In general, because of their length and weight, garden hoses are better for stationary watering tasks that require a higher water flow. For lighter tasks or occasional watering, you can go for a shorter length, lighter-weight hose, even if that means sacrificing some durability.

Garden Hose Metric Ratings

Product	Convenience	Performance	Construction Quality	Variety of Options
Eley Polyurethane	8.5	9.0	9.0	9.5
Dramm ColorStorm Premium	9.0	8.0	8.0	10.0
Teknor Apex Zero-G	9.0	9.0	7.0	6.0
Giraffe Tools Hybrid	9.0	6.5	7.0	8.0
Flexzilla 5/8-Inch	7.0	7.0	6.0	8.5
Bionic Steel	9.0	7.0	5.0	6.0
Water Right 400 Series Slim and Light	7.5	7.0	6.0	6.0
Gorilla Extremelite Heavy Duty	7.0	8.0	6.0	5.0
Briggs and Stratton 8BS50	7.5	5.5	6.0	6.0
Continental ContiTech Premium	6.0	7.5	8.0	3.0
Swan MaxLite Premium Rubber+	7.5	5.0	5.5	6.0
Expert Gardener Light Duty	4.0	3.5	5.5	5.0

Expandable hoses are great for when you need something more than a watering can but less than a full-size hose. They come in coil, expansion, or stretch styles, all of which are light and highly mobile, perfect for spraying down your garden, washing your car, or watering the flower boxes on the front porch. We also like them for boat and RV use because they are easier to transport and store.

Coil hoses typically start out at a contracted length of 2-3 feet, while expansion and stretch hoses have a base length closer to 15-20 feet. All three types can reach lengths of 50-100 feet, depending on the model you choose, and all are a fraction of the weight of traditional hoses, at just 1-4 pounds for a 50-foot length. This is one of their main benefits, as they are much easier to carry around if your watering routine involves a handheld spray nozzle. The other big plus is that they don't require as much storage space as traditional hoses when it's time to put them away. The main downside is that they are not always as durable, so they may not be ideal for heavy use during your next DIY landscaping project.

Expandable Hose Metric Ratings

Product	Convenience	Performance	Construction Quality	Variety of Options
AmazingForLess Expandable	7.0	5.0	6.0	9.0
Flexi Hose	8.0	6.0	5.5	6.5
Pocket Hose Silver Bullet	8.0	7.0	4.0	6.0
Xhose Pro	8.0	5.0	4.0	7.0
Lefree Expandable	5.0	5.5	5.5	8.0
Orbit Coil with ABS Threads	7.0	7.0	5.5	4.0
Water Right Professional Coil	6.5	6.0	4.5	6.0
Flex-Able Xtreme	6.5	6.0	5.0	5.0
Flexon CH5850 Coil	5.0	6.0	5.0	5.0
Automan Recoil EVA	3.0	4.0	4.5	4.5

Accessories and Fittings

The basic functionality of different hoses is often quite similar, but fittings, couplings, and accessories vary from model to model. The most common coupling materials are brass, steel, aluminum, and plastic. In general, brass fittings will be the longest lasting as the material is more resistant to corrosion than steel and more durable overall than aluminum or plastic. You will encounter couplings with either a round shape or a hex shape, and if you have the choice, we recommend going with a hex shape, as it is much easier to tighten or loosen with a wrench if needed. We also like options that have collars or handles for their couplings, again, for their improved ease of use when connecting your hose to the spigot.

In addition to the materials, the included accessories can also vary between different hose models. If you're having a hard time deciding between two hoses with similar specs, performance, and pricing, sometimes add-ons like valves or spray nozzles can be the deciding factor.

A hose reel is an accessory that we would consider essential, especially if you are working with longer lengths. It helps keep your yard looking neat and tidy, your hose tangle-free, and prevents undue wear from being left in a heap on the ground. Many reels even come with a hose included, so you don't have to worry about diameter and length compatibility. These usually have a self-retracting mechanism that makes it that much easier to stow away your hose, and an external casing also offers some built-in UV protection. Of course, if you select a hose reel that comes with the hose, you have less freedom in your choice of material, length, and diameter — you just have to accept what the manufacturer chooses to give you, so be sure to check the specs before making a decision. Once you have your reel, we recommend installing it in an area with less sun exposure to prevent UV damage when possible.

Hose Reel Metric Ratings

Product	Convenience	Performance	Construction Quality	Variety of Options
Ayleid Retractable Reel	8.0	8.0	7.0	9.5
Eley Wood Post Mount	7.0	7.0	10.0	8.0
Hoselink Retractable Reel	8.0	8.0	7.5	7.0
Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator	8.0	7.0	8.0	7.0
Flexzilla Pro Retractable	6.0	7.0	6.5	9.0
Giraffe Tools Retractable	7.5	6.0	6.0	8.0
Gardena Wall Mount	8.0	6.0	6.0	7.0
Glahoden Retractable	5.0	5.0	6.5	7.5
Macnaught Retracta Retractable Garden	4.5	6.0	5.0	5.0
Suncast Sidewinder Mounted	3.5	2.0	5.0	3.0

Lastly, you'll likely want a hose nozzle. For our garden and expandable hose testing, we used the Dramm Touch'N Flow Revolver nozzle for a fair comparison, and we liked it a lot. If there was one included with the hose, we also tested the brand's proprietary nozzle. Most traditional garden hoses don't include nozzles, but many expandable models do, as do many hose reel setups. Typical options are pistol and twist-style nozzles, and both can be found in metal, plastic, or a combination of the two.

How to Choose a Hose

Selecting the right hose and accessories can be quite straightforward if you know what to look for. To find the best fit for your lawn, porch, garden, etc, you can ask yourself a few questions to get to know your watering needs and narrow down your options.

How Big is Your Yard?

The first thing you should consider is the amount of yard you need to water. If you have a sprawling 1/2 acre lawn with room for a trampoline and a dog run, you're going to want a heavier-duty hose that offers longer lengths options so you can reach every corner. A more durable model may also be necessary if you have to drag your hose around obstacles like trees or rocks.

On the flip side, if you have a neat little patch of grass surrounded by a few flower beds close to your front door, you can probably get away with a shorter and lighter expandable hose. Another common scenario is needing to water a large back lawn and a small flower or vegetable garden on a different side of the house. Rather than dragging a super long hose around the corner and over who-knows-what kind of obstacles, we recommend opting for a combo, using the full-size hose just for the backyard, and hooking up an expandable hose to use elsewhere.

Do You Have a Plan for Storage?

If you don't want to deal with the hassle of coiling and storing a 100-foot length of hose, an expandable version is a good solution. Both coil and expansion styles are less wiley to deal with than a full-size hose and take up less storage space in general. However, if you have a large yard, you're going to need a traditional garden hose with enough length to handle the space. If this is the case, we highly recommend getting a hose reel as well. Using a reel helps to protect your hose from damage, as well as keeping it tangle-free and out of the way when you're not using it. Just do it — you'll thank us later.

Consider Ease of Use

You might be thinking, “it's a hose, how hard can it be?” And you'd be partially right — hoses are a pretty straightforward bunch. All of the garden hoses we tested function very similarly, and most of the expandable ones do as well. However, there are some little quirks and differences that give certain models a more streamlined feel or make them better suited to certain tasks. Perhaps the most important ease of use aspect to consider (after storage) is the dreaded kink. Material and build are the two main factors that dictate how well your hose will resist kinking, and hoses with thicker sidewalls and stiffer materials will perform better here. If they do kink, high material resiliency will help them recover their shape better and not form what is called a “kink memory.” Polyurethane hoses are generally better at resisting kinks, followed by rubber models, while vinyl hoses are the most kink-prone in our experience. Expandable and coil-style hoses are almost impossible to kink or tangle with normal use. So, as long as you don't stretch them too far, they should be safe.

In terms of fittings, solid brass couplings are less susceptible to corrosion from being constantly wet, and they are also less likely to be dented, bent, or damaged, which will keep the connection process smooth over long-term use. The shape of the fitting is also important to consider. If you are disconnecting and winterizing all your yard gear after a long summer, there is a big difference between loosening a perfectly round coupling with your bare hands versus being able to twist open a hex-shaped coupling with a wrench.

Conclusion

Whether you are cultivating your own private Eden or just trying to keep your lawn green so the neighbors don't complain, you need a hose that can get water from point A to point B, sans leaks, kinks, or snags. While this may seem like a straightforward task, not every hose performs the same. Some models make it look like a cakewalk, while others will have you fighting twists and tangles every time you turn a corner. When you are narrowing down your options, it is important to factor in how you plan to use the hose in order to select the right one for your home. Armed with the information above and the will to keep your garden flourishing, we hope that you will be able to make the best hose selection for your home. Happy watering.