The best garden hoses, nozzles and reels, according to experts
Keep your garden lush with these highly rated and expert-recommended hoses and attachments.
Gardener’s Supply Company 50-foot Featherweight Coil Hose
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Flickinger says the type of hose you choose will depend on the tasks you need it for. All of the expert-recommended options in our list fall into three major categories:
Our experts also offer guidance on how to shop for accessories like hose nozzles and hose reels below.
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Below are expert-recommended standard, soaker and coiled hoses, along with a few more highly-rated options that align with our experts’ guidance.
This garden hose comes recommended by DeVito. Its material is a mix of vinyl and rubber, which have varying levels of flexibility and durability in weather conditions as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit while resisting abrasion, UV and mold, according to the brand. The hose is the most versatile on this list — you can choose from seven lengths, ranging from 3 feet long up to 100 feet long. It also comes in bright green so it’s easy to spot while working outdoors and includes durable aluminum metal couplings. It has a 4.4-star average rating from 91,323 reviews on Amazon.
Type: standard | Material: hybrid polymer
With small pores that slowly release water, the steady and even flow of a soaker hose can be good for watering garden beds, flowers and other landscaping projects, according to our experts. This option by Gilmour is flexible and lightweight enough to be woven through your plants and gardens, and it folds flat for easy storage. It’s also covered in a clog-resistant fabric that can protect the hose against UV rays and wear, Gilmour says. You can purchase the hose in a 75-foot or 50-foot version, and it has a 4.2-star average rating from 2,210 Amazon reviews.
Type: soaker | Material: vinyl
Bawden-Davis says this coiled hose has lasted her over eight years in Southern California, “where the sun can do a lot of damage to plastics.” She also says it fits well into tight spaces, yet can stretch up to 50 feet long. The brand also has 25- and 75-foot versions.
Type: coiled | Material: polyurethane
Lange uses this NeverKink XP heavy-duty hose from Teknor Apex. “It’s heavy to drag around, but it can stand up to wear and tear,” she says, adding that the hose also has crush-resistant brass couplings that can be useful “in case they get run over by trucks or machinery” around her farm. The hose’s outer is abrasion-, puncture- and UV-resistant, according to the brand. It has a 4.2-star average rating from 256 reviews at Lowe’s.
Type: standard | Material: vinyl
DeVito suggests this heavy-duty hose for large outdoor projects, like watering a larger chunk of your lawn or cleaning off your car. Bawden-Davis calls this a “durable” option — the hose is kink-resistant and can withstand hot water up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand. You can also get this hose in a 25- or 50-foot length and it comes in several bright colors, including blue, red, orange and yellow. It has a 4.5-star average rating from 1,973 reviews on Amazon.
Type: standard | Material: rubber
Lange recommends this garden hose from zero-G as a lightweight option — the brand says it weighs less than five pounds. The hose itself doesn’t expand or retract, which means it stays consistently at the same length and “doesn’t seem to take away your water pressure,” says Lange. The hose includes ergonomic metal couplings that are crush-proof up to 900 pounds, according to the brand. It has a 4.4-star average rating from 8,255 reviews on Amazon.
Type: standard | Material: vinyl
If you’re looking to save time and money with an all-in-one hose, nozzle and reel, Lange recommends this option from Hoselink. It comes with an all-season hose, an eight-pattern thumb-control spray nozzle and a hose reel that can pivot 180 degrees for easy maneuverability. The reel also integrates carry handles for easy transport, and the set includes hardware so you can install the reel on your wall. This hose has a 4.7-star average rating from 136 reviews on Amazon.
Type: standard | Material: vinyl
DeVito also recommends this expandable garden hose from GarrettWade, which can expand from 28 feet to up to 75 feet long. The hose is very light-duty and weighs only three pounds, according to the brand. It’s also non-kinking and made with food-safe materials, the brand says.
Type: standard | Material: vinyl
Below are expert-recommended and highly rated garden hose nozzles that include pistol grip, watering wand and thumb-control nozzles. The nozzles also have various spray patterns, including single-pattern and multi-pattern.
This metal hose nozzle from Melnor has five water spray patterns — shower, stream, mist, flat and full — that can accommodate most basic gardening activities. It’s made from a combination of metal, plastic and rubber, so it’s lightweight, though not as durable as a nozzle made fully from metal. Lange says she uses this nozzle “mostly for cleaning purposes due to the different spray patterns.” It has a 4.3-star average rating from 235 reviews on Amazon.
Bawden-Davis recommends this 30-inch watering wand from Dramm, which can easily reach areas in your garden or lawn that may be harder to access. While it doesn’t have adjustable spray patterns, it produces a gentle rain shower that won’t damage plants, according to the brand. The watering wand, which has a 4.3-star average rating from 981 reviews on Amazon, comes in a 16-inch size and features a thumb-control valve for ease of use.
With a full metal construction, this single-pattern nozzle is durable and easy to use — simply push down on the trigger and adjust water flow as needed, according to the brand. It has a hold-open clip to keep water streaming continuously, and the small dial at the top allows you to control the force and flow of the water that comes out, Gilmour says. This nozzle has a 4.4-star average rating from 9,119 reviews on Amazon.
For a more comfortable option, DeVito recommends Dramm’s spray nozzles. This thumb-control one has a one-touch valve that can be quickly adjusted to control water flow without squeezing a trigger. It features nine spray patterns — from cone and shower to mist and fan — that can be selected using a quick-change dial. This nozzle has a 4.3-star average rating from 564 reviews on Amazon. If you prefer a pistol grip nozzle, Bawden-Davis recommends this nine-pattern option from the brand.
Below are expert-recommended and highly rated hose reels across price points and functionality, including wall-mounted and portable options. In line with expert guidance, each of the following reels are open for easier storage and less bulk.
This kink-free hose from Gorilla is made from a roof-proof aluminum frame that can hold 175, 200 or 225 feet of hose, depending on the model, according to the brand. The seals are designed to be leak-proof, to prevent any water spillage, and it has stainless steel hardware for increased durability. The reel also has a stable, pyramid-frame design that includes a set of wheels for easy mobility, and has a 4.6-star average rating from 379 reviews on Amazon.
Capacity: 175-200 ft of hose
Lange recommends this mountable hose hanger for its simplicity and affordable price. It’s crafted from durable steel and features a curved design that can prevent your hose from sagging or getting tangled, the brand says. It’s also sturdy enough to hold 100 feet of a standard, 5/8-inch diameter garden hose, according to Yard Butler. It also comes in four colors — green, blue, purple and verdigris — and has a 4.6-star average rating from 4,713 reviews on Amazon.
Capacity: 100 ft of hose
Lange also calls this decorative, wall-mounted hose reel from Liberty Garden a great option if you don’t want to sacrifice style for utility. It’s constructed from non-rust cast aluminum with a nickel powder-coated finish that can help prevent water damage, according to the brand. Liberty Garden says it can hold up to 125 feet of a standard hose and features a shelf at the top to hold any outdoor gardening tools. It also includes a hose guide that lets you roll and unroll your hose without it getting bunched or tangled. This reel has a 4.1-star average rating from 1,124 reviews on Amazon.
Capacity: 125 ft of hose
Choosing the best garden hose depends on several factors, including the type (mentioned above), length and material of the hose to fit your specific needs. Other factors to consider include how often you use your hose, the local climate and your budget. Experts say the length, diameter and fittings on a hose determine its water flow capacity.
The material of the hose typically determines its flexibility and durability. According to Flickinger, hoses are usually made from one of three materials:
A hose’s kink resistance — an important factor — depends on the material. Polyurethane and rubber are fairly kink-resistant, while vinyl is more prone to kinking.
Hoses are labeled as light-, medium- or heavy-duty — each has its own specific uses and outdoor needs.
The experts we spoke to say length is among the most important considerations when buying a hose.
“The length of the hose is determined by the project requiring water or the size of your yard, patio or area that would be supported by the garden hose,” says Flickinger. She says popular lengths are 50 and 100 feet, with the latter being a better option if you have a larger yard or rely on just one water spigot (the device used to turn water on and off).
It’s important to pay attention to the couplings (also called fittings), which are the end pieces that connect the ends of the hose with water supplies like spigots, sprinklers and nozzles. According to Carson, they can be made of plastic or metal (typically brass, but also sometimes zinc and aluminum) — the latter is usually the more durable option. However, metal couplings can be harder to tighten on the spigot, while plastic fittings attach more easily due to their nylon or thermoplastic materials.
Ultimately, Carson says both metal and plastic couplings have their individual benefits. High-quality metal couplings “can withstand frequent use without breaking,” she said. Plastic couplings, on the other hand, “are less expensive than metal couplings and stay cooler, so they can be a good option for really hot climates.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select and covers a wide range of gardening and outdoors topics, including pruning shears, indoor gardening kits and sunscreen for kids. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter covering wellness, gardening and more for NBC Select, including stories on low-maintenance plants and gardening gloves. For this story, Godio spoke to five gardening and lawn care experts to get their recommendations on how to shop for garden hoses, hose nozzles and hose reels, and gathered highly rated ones they recommended.
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