Have you ever dreaded reeling in the hose? Does it take away from the pleasure of gardening or admiring your beautiful new lawn? Of all the tools needed for successful gardening, a hose reel may be overlooked. If yours is worn out or not properly installed, bringing in the hose can be wet, messy, and frustrating. This article will examine the best garden hose reel selection and their benefits so you can finish your gardening chores with a smile.
Types of Garden Hose Reel
There are a variety of garden hose reels available on the market, so make to choose the best for your needs.
- Wall-mounted hose reels – they require installation;
- Portable and free-standing hose reels – particularly good for use in a large yard.
- Auto-retractable hose reels – the advantage of reeling in its hose automatically, thus keeping the hose from exposure to the elements (and saving your labor!).
- Heavy-duty garden hose reels – beneficial for commercial purposes where heavy hoses are used.
A garden hose box can be an attractive solution to outdoor hose storage.
Generally, hose reels are made from the following materials: polypropylene, weather-resistant resin, aluminum, or steel. All will offer good hose storage and contribute to good hose maintenance. For more information on how to select the right hose, check my article on the best garden hose you can buy.
The best garden hose reels on the market
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1. Hoselink Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reel
PROs
✔️ good value;
✔️ quality 9/16- inch spring-loaded hose;
✔️ smooth pull-out and rewind;
✔️ 2-year warranty.
CONs
❌ expensive;
❌ if the rewind mechanism breaks a whole new product must be purchased.
The Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reel from Hoselink is the first product on our list and, by far, our favorite. While this garden hose reel provides a complete watering solution, it also comes in an attractive package that includes an 82- foot, high-quality lead-free hose and a 7-function spray gun.
It has a pull-out rewind function that works smoothly, and it is mounted on a 180-degree swivel wall bracket.
It can also be lifted off its bracket and carried around by its handles if desired.
Capacity:
82 feet
Placement:
Wall mounted, retractable
Maintenance:
Medium
Dimensions:
24 x 10.6 x 19.3 inches2. Suncast Aquawinder 125’ Wicker Garden Hose Reel
PROs
✔️ hands-free guided re-winding;
✔️ suitable for people with mobility issues;
✔️ holds 125- foot hose;
✔️ made of durable resin in attractive wicker patter.
CONs
❌ hose not included;
❌ gears can fail, making it difficult to retract the hose.
The Suncast Aquawinder combines a retractable hose reel with a decorative one. It does not include a hose but is capable of housing a 125- foot standard vinyl 5/8-inch one.
To rewind the hose, all you have to do is press a lever, and the water-powered system will guide the hose onto the reel.
Several gallons of water are flushed out of the apparatus while reeling in the hose, which can be accumulated for other gardening needs.
Since it’s only necessary to press a level to begin reeling, this garden hose reel is well-suited to people with back or mobility problems. It has a decorative wicker pattern and is made of resin.
Capacity:
can house 125- foot 5/8-inch standard hose Type:
Retractable and Decorative Maintenance:
Medium Dimensions:
24.4 x 24.4 x 16.9 inches3. Liberty Garden 704 Decorative Cast Aluminium Wall Mounted Garden Hose Reel
PROs
✔️ attractive appearance;
✔️ easy to use and retract;
✔️ brass fittings.
CONs
❌ mounting hardware not included;
❌ hose not included.
This wall-mounted garden hose reel from Liberty Garden is made of non-rust cast aluminum, which is covered in a weather-resistant durable bronze finish.
It can house a 5/8-inch, 125 feet hose, and includes a small storage shelf. The lovely, antique look makes it look perfect on any wall.
Capacity:
holds 125 foot, 5/8-inch hose Type:
Decorative Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
15 x 22.8 x 15.4 inches4. Eley/Rapid Reel Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel
PROs
✔️ holds either 150-feet 5/8-inch hose or 100 foot, ¾ inch hose
✔️ rust-resistant die-cast aluminum
✔️ can be mounted parallel or perpendicular to the wall
✔️ smooth winding capability
✔️ 10-year warranty
CONs
❌ cannot be used with power washer;
❌ expensive;
❌ not drinking water safe.
This modern-looking die-cast aluminum hose reel is one of the most popular and loved products in this category.
It is a hand-cranked model that holds either a 150- foot, 5/8inch hose, or a 100- foot 3/4-inch hose.
It has brass fittings, and while some assembly is required, mounting hardware is included. It can be mounted either parallel or perpendicular to the wall and can be set up for either right or left-handed users.
Capacity:
150 feet Type:
Wall-mounted Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
20 x 9 x 19 inches5. Gardena Retractable Hose Reel Box
PROs
✔️ easy to install as all hardware and fittings are included;
✔️ spring-loaded mechanism and guide allow for tangle-free retraction;
✔️ 180-degree swivel;
✔️ the box can be folded to a wall or removed for winter storage.
CONs
❌ expensive;
❌ can rust inside;
❌ poor customer service.
Here’s another retractable hose reel option. This one has a steel spring-loaded mechanism, allowing the hose to be retracted with no bending or cranking.
Its integrated hose guide prevents twisting or tangling and the included bracket allows for 180-degree swivel as well the ability to fold the box to the wall.
It can also be easily removed from its bracket and brought inside to avoid winter damage. An 82- foot hose is included; however, this company does make similar models with longer hoses.
Capacity:
82 feet Type:
Wall-mounted and retractable Maintenance:
Medium Dimensions:
20 x 11 x 20 inches6. Goodyear Enclosed Retractable Air Compressor/Water Hose Reel
PROs
✔️ versatile as an air compressor or water hose;
✔️ spring-loaded mechanism;
✔️ brass connectors;
✔️ swivel 180- degree bracket;
✔️ wall or ceiling mounted.
CONs
❌ expensive;
❌ a few customers reported leaking issues.
This product from Good Year differs from the others we have looked at, as it is useable as both an air compressor and a water hose.
It is useful for the gardener who also wants to inflate their tires or for the small commercial auto business owner.
The box is heavy-duty polypropylene and the included 50-foot 3/8-inch hose is a rubber/PVC polymer.
Its spring lock mechanism eliminates kinks and the 180-degree swivel bracket can be mounted on the wall or ceiling.
Capacity:
50 feet Type:
Wall-mounted and Retractable Maintenance:
Medium Dimensions:
16.6 x 7.5 x 10.3 inches7. Suncast Swivel Hose Hide-Away
PROs
✔️ no assembly required;
✔️ variety of styles available;
✔️ has an integrated storage bucket;
✔️ 360-degree swivel base.
CONs
❌ must use ground stakes for stability.
This garden hose reel from Suncast is contained in an attractive hose box which has a 225-feet hose capacity.
It sits on a 360-degree swivel base giving you the flexibility to reach all areas of the garden.
It has an integrated hose guide that facilitates winding and unwinding by a crank handle.
Ground stakes are included for stability.
Capacity:
225 feet Type:
Decorative Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
26 x 21 x 29 ¾ inchesThe best garden hose butlers
Liberty Garden 671 Wall Mount Decorative Garden Hose Butler
PROs
✔️ low-cost;
✔️ attractive appearance;
✔️ sturdy and durable finish;
✔️ holds up to a 125-foot hose.
CONs
❌ hardware not included;
❌ hose not included.
A hose butler differs from a hose reel because it is stationary and provides a fixture to loop the hose around.
This Liberty hose butler has a similar look to the Liberty product mentioned above and is made of the same cast aluminum, rust-resistant patina.
It is easily mounted with a keyhole mount (although the hardware is not included) and can hold a 125 foot, 5/8-inch standard rubber hose.
Capacity:
Hold up to 125-foot 5/8-inch hose Type:
Decorative butler Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
7 x 12 x 12 inchesYard Butler Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Hose Hanger
PROs
✔️ durable and sturdy;
✔️ holds at least 125-feet hose;
✔️ less expensive than other similar products;
✔️ can organize anything that needs to be coiled;
✔️ no risk, satisfaction guaranteed.
CONs
❌ mounting hardware not included;
❌ hose not included.
This yard butler is a back to basics model. It is the original classic design of a hose holder, made of heavy-duty steel with extra bracing to hold at least a 125 foot, 5/8-inch hose.
It is an Amazon No. 1 Best Seller product and is overwhelming well-reviewed by customers as a practical, sturdy hose holder.
It is very reasonably priced and comes in three designs and a variety of colors.
Capacity:
125 feet Type:
Basic hose butler Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
5.8 x 12.5 x 6.5 inchesThe best garden hose holder
TomCare Garden Hose Holder
PROs
✔️ low-price;
✔️ no drilling into brick required;
✔️ freestanding;
✔️ easy to move around but stable;
✔️ easy assembly.
CONs
❌ no indication of what weight it can support.
For those who want a hose holder that can be moved anywhere, this simple and durable product from TomCare provides detachable hose storage.
It is free-standing with 3 stable anchor points that can be pushed into the lawn with the foot.
Its simple design and rustproof material, and its versatility have earned it strong ratings from customers at Amazon.com.
Capacity:
N/A Type:
Holder Maintenance:
Easy Dimensions:
7 x 15.8 x 42 inchesConclusion
A garden hose reel is an important garden tool.
Not only does the reel provide good storage, but it also protects the hose from weather and sun damage, saving you money in the long run.
If you have a large yard or garden, you will need to consider hose reel capacity and portability. An auto-retractable type of reel is appealing to anyone who wants to avoid the mess of a tangled hose or for those with mobility issues.
There are many factors to consider and I hope this article has been helpful in teasing through them!
You Had Me at Gardening
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