When it is time to water the garden, wash the car, or hose off the dog, the last thing you want to do is fight with the garden hose! Most of us want to use a flexible, lightweight and durable garden hose that makes the job easier, rather than battle with a hose that kinks, has the wrong length, or does not deliver a steady stream of water.
Here’s how to make sure you choose wisely.
How to Pick the Best Garden Hose for Your Needs
The best garden hoses are made of rubber, polyurethane, PVC, or stainless steel and all have their pros and cons. There is a wide assortment of products available which can range in price from $19.99 to over $100.
The most common complaint about hoses is that they kink and thus many companies have strived to create the kink-free hose. Some are clearly better than others, but conventional wisdom assures us that virtually all hoses will kink at one point or another.
Before you begin shopping, it’s a good idea to consider your needs. Here’s a short buying guide on what to look out for when picking out the best garden hose for your needs:
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LengthDo you have a large garden or yard requiring a 50- or 100-foot hose (15m to 30m) or will 25 feet (7.6m) be enough for watering flowers on a deck? Remember that most hoses can be attached to create a longer one, but this is more like a makeshift solution than a permanent one. |
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DiameterHoses generally come in ½ inch, 5/8 inch or ¾ inch (1.2cm, 1.6cm,1.9cm) fitting diameters. The hose width determines water flow. |
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MaterialA vinyl hose will be easy to handle but a rubber one will be more durable and will withstand extreme weather conditions. But it will also be more expensive. New, hybrid materials may make pulling the hose around the yard an easier job. |
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FlexibilityMany people prefer expandable hoses which are easier to maneuver and store and are lightweight. Keep in mind that expandable hoses must be fully drained after each use. |
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Drinking Water SafeIf you plan on filling a child’s pool, providing water for your pets, or watering an edible, organic garden, it’s best to look for the best hoses which are labeled safe for drinking or are lead-free. |
Here’s a look at some of the best garden hose reviews to help you determine the right one for you.
The Best Expandable Hoses in 2019
J & B Xpanda Hose Review
J & B Xpanda Hose is called a pocket, or expandable, hose because it expands to three times its size when it is filled with water.
In other words, a 25- foot hose expands to 75 feet when the water is turned on. Turn the water off and it automatically shrinks back to 25 feet, making it easy to handle and store.
This hose was rated the best garden hose overall by thespruce.com in its 2019 garden hose review article due to its durability and kink-free flexibility.
The expandable hose by J & B also comes with a 10 -spray nozzle and storage bag, plus a two-year warranty.
- Length: 75 feet (22m)
- Material: nylon with a triple-layered latex core
- Fittings: solid brass
EnerPlex X-Stream Hose Review
The EnerPlex X-Stream hose was voted best lightweight expandable garden hose by thespruce.com in its 2019 review of hoses. It is another hose which expands to three times its size when the water is turned on.
It includes a 10- function nozzle and offers the convenience of a shut-off valve, which means you don’t have to walk back to the spigot to close the water.
In addition, EnerPlex provides a two-year warranty on the product.
- Length: range of 25 feet to 100 feet (7.6m to 30m)
- Material: multi-layer latex
- Diameter & Fittings: brass, ¾ inch (1.9cm)
Pocket Hose Top Brass Bullet Hose Review
Pocket Top Brass Bullet Hose by Bulbhead is an expandable hose designed like a fire hose with a double-layer construction. It expands and contracts for easy maneuverability and storage.
It is made from plastic with an elastomer lining which limits leaks, kinks, and tears.
To be fair, reviews on Amazon are mixed with some customers praising the flexibility and others complaining of leakage.
Despite its huge popularity, the Bullet Hose received an average of 3 out of 5 stars by customers of the biggest online retailer at the moment.
- Length: range of 50 ft (15m) to 100 feet (30m)
- Material: plastic with elastomer lining
- Fittings: brass
Flexi Hose Review
Flexi-Hose is a lightweight, expandable hose which comes with a free 8 function nozzle.
Its 17 feet (5m) length expands to 50 feet (15m) when the water is turned on, shrinking back when water is off.
Its size makes it easy to store and the manufacturer also claims to be kink- free. They even go as far as offering a lifetime guarantee for this hose, which makes me think they really trust their product.
- Length: 50 feet (15 m)
- Material: double latex pipe
- Diameter & Fittings: ¾ inch (1.9 cm), brass
Xhose Pro Review
Xhose Pro DAC-5 is an expandable hose which quickly coils to a compact size when the water is turned off. The inner hose is covered with a fiber webbing which strengthens the hose and makes it leak resistant.
Reviews on Amazon.com were mixed, however; some customers were pleased with the lightweight flexibility (the 25-foot hose weighs only 1 pound) and others were concerned with leaking.
- Length: range of 25 feet (7.6m) to 100 ft (30m)
- Material: inner hose covered in fiber webbing
- Diameter & fittings: brass
The Best Flexible Hoses on the Market
Flexzilla Garden Hose Review
The Flexzilla Garden Hose is a very flexible hose with an inner core design to prevent kinking. It also has “all-weather bendability” meaning that it will remain flexible in extreme temperatures.
The Flexzilla hose is drinking water safe, lead-free and offers a limited lifetime warranty.
Lightweight but heavy duty, the Flexzilla has been rated “most kink resistant and best maneuverability” by thewirecutter.com and was the #1 best seller on Amazon in the Garden Hoses section at the moment of writing, which says a lot about its quality.
Flexzilla reviews on Amazon were mixed, although 66% of over 2000 reviewers gave the product 5 stars.
- Length: 3 feet (1m) to 100 feet (30m)
- Material: rubber/PVC polymer
- Diameter & Fittings: 5/8 inch (1.6 cm), brass
Zero-G 40001 Hose Review
Zero-G 40001 Hose is a flexible hose which claims to be 50% lighter compared to other commercial vinyl hoses. It maintains flexibility in cold weather and is crushproof up to 900 pounds!
Leak and puncture resistant, it is recommended for the avid home gardener as well as the professional tradesperson.
It is also lead-free and drinking water safe.
- Length: range of 25 ft to 100 ft (7m to 30m)
- Material: vinyl
- Diameter & Fittings: for all sizes 5/8 inch (1.6 cm) except the 75 foot (23 m) which is ¾ inch (1.9 cm)
Water Right 400 Series Garden Hose Review
The Water Right 400 Series garden hose was voted the best lightweight garden hose of 2019 by businessinsider.com with a weight of 3 pounds per 50 feet.
It is drinking water safe and remains flexible in all temperatures.
It can also run hot water up to 140F (60C) degrees – not a lot, but unlike most manufacturers, at least Water Right is transparent about its products’ limitations.
- Length: range 25 feet to 100 feet (7.6 m to 30m)
- Material: polyurethane
- Diameter & Fittings: 7/16 (1 cm), brass
The Best Heavy Duty Hoses in 2019
Stanley Fatmax Hose Review
Stanley FatMax Professional Grade Hose is an Amazon Choice of a heavy- duty hose aimed at professionals such as farmers or construction workers. However, it is definitely workable for the average gardener!
It is lead-free and has “anti-kink technology” which allows the user to maneuver and roll up the hose easily.
Stanley offers a lifetime warranty on this product.
- Length: 50 and 100 feet (50m and 30m)
- Material: Polyurethane and PVC
- Diameter & Fittings: 5/8 inch (1/6cm), couplings aluminum with titanium coating
Teknor Apex Neverkink Hose Review
Teknor Apex Never-Kink is another heavy-duty hose aimed at professional use, but flexible enough for everyday garden use.
Due to its heavy gauge power coil, it is guaranteed not to kink or tangle. It remains flexible even in cold temperatures (down to 45F/7C) and it is treated to prevent mold and mildew.
However, it is not suitable for drinking water use.
- Length: 50 feet to 100 feet (15m to 30m)
- Material: rubber
- Diameter & Fittings: 5/8 inch (1.6cm), aluminum
The Best Stainless Steel Hoses of 2019
Bionic Steel Hose Review
The Bionic Steel 304 Stainless Steel Garden Hose is a heavy-duty hose that is lightweight and easy to use.
Its latex lined inner hose is encased in stainless steel which makes it tear-proof and kink-free.
Also, 304 stainless steel is an alloy which increases rust resistance. Although steel, it is flexible and rolls easily.
The Bionic Steel hose is particularly good in extreme temperatures as it is ice- and heat-resistant.
- Length: range of 25 feet (7.6m) to 100 feet (30m)
- Material: latex hose covered in stainless steel
- Diameter & Fittings: brass
Pocket Hose Hercules Garden Hose Review
The Hercules Garden Hose has an interlocking metal casing design which gives the hose durability. Although made of stainless steel, it is lightweight and coils easily.
One advantage of a stainless-steel hose is that it will withstand being left out in the sun or being run over by the lawnmower!
This hose comes with a 50-foot reel for handy storage. Pocket Hose also offered a lifetime warranty for this model at the moment of writing.
- Length: 25 feet to 100 feet (7.6m to 30m)
- Material: vinyl hose cased with stainless steel
- Diameter & Fittings: 1/4-inch
The Best Soaker Hoses in 2019
Water Right Premium Soaker Hose
The Water Right Premium ½ inch Soaker Hose is considered by gardeners.com to be the best soaker hose on the market.
A soaker hose is a flexible hose which is laid flat in a garden bed or any area that needs irrigation. The hose has many small holes along its length and “weeps” water at a constant rate.
Generally speaking, a soaker hose consumes 80% less water than a sprinkler so is economical and environmentally friendly.
The Water Right Premium Soaker Hose is drinking water safe and good for organic vegetable gardens. It lays flat and is almost invisible in the garden!
- Length: range of 25 feet (7.6m) to 100 feet (30m)
- Material: latex hose covered in stainless steel
- Diameter & Fittings: brass
Conclusion
Even though I went through more than 20 models and reviewed 13, these examples of top garden hoses barely scratch the surface of available products.
Determining your needs, reading some expert reviews, and doing your research before heading to the hardware store will go a long way toward choosing a quality hose that will last for many years.
When purchasing from a store, you can try the “kink test”: bend the hose in two – if it bends, rather than kinks, you are less likely to suffer the frustration of a hose that is not performing due to a kink around the corner!
Also, look for brass couplings or fittings. Brass fittings usually indicate a well-made hose and they are less likely to leak at the faucet.
You Had Me at Gardening
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