Home Outdoors Garden
Mary HennUpdated: Jun. 01, 2023
Whether you tend an acre plot or a tiny vegetable patch, garden hose reels keep your yard neat and tidy for seasons of enjoyable watering.
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Agarden hosereel isn’t complicated. It neatly winds up and storeswatering hosesthat would otherwise be left lying on the ground, where they can be easily damaged or tripped over. Garden hose reels also prevent other sources of potential hose damage like tugging, twisting andwrestling with kinks.
Whether fixed to the side of your house or shed, rolled out from a portable cart or stashed away in a handsome cabinet, a well-designed, sturdy garden hose reel streamlines your above-groundirrigation efforts. According to seasoned gardeners, every reel should come with a short leader connector that threads into the end of your hose so it can be installed close to thewater spigot.
Here, we showcase the eight best garden hose reels forwatering your lawn, flower beds,fruit treesand vegetable gardens.
The Best Garden Hose Reels
- Best Overall: Liberty Garden Rotating Garden Hose Reel
- Best Wall Mount: Suncast Sidetracker Garden Hose Reel
- Best Self-Retracting: Giraffe Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- Best Vintage-Style: Liberty Garden Aluminum Garden Hose Reel
- Best Budget: Suncast Hose Hangout
- Best Box Style: Suncast Hideaway Hose Cart
- Best for Small Yards: BirdRock Home Hose Pot
- Best Heavy-Duty: Eley Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel
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Best Overall Garden Hose Reel
Liberty Garden Multi-Directional Garden Hose Reel
TheLiberty Garden Rotating Garden Hose Reelis a well-rounded find that’s durable, classic-looking and an A+ addition to helping keep your lawn hydrated. It rotates 360-degrees for effortless unwinding, sans snags or bends. Constructed of 18-gauge steel and powder-coated in bronze, it’s weather-resistant and holds up to 125 feet of hose. The handy attached storage tray is the cherry on top.
Pros
- 18-gauge steel construction
- Durable bronze powder coat finish for weather resistance
- 360-degree reel rotation
- 90-degree solid brass swivel prevents hose damage
- Fully assembled
Cons
- Not cheap, but excellent quality
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Best Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel
Suncast Sidetracker Wall Mounted Garden Hose Tracker
If you’re looking for a garden hose reel that keeps a low profile, theSuncast Sidetracker Garden Hose Reel is an excellent choice. The slim side reel mounts flush to surfaces and holds up to 100 feet of standard hose. It comes assembled and features a crank handle for quick and reliable hose winding. Just mount it, attach it to the spigot and spray away! Best of all, it’sremovable forgarden storage.
Pros
- Removable wall mount for easy storage
- Budget-friendly
- Compact
- Comes fully assembled
Cons
- Doesn’t retract automatically, must use crank handle
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Best Self-Retracting Garden Hose Reel
Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel
No more struggling to wind hoses back in place every time you water your plants. With theGiraffe Retractable Garden Hose Reel, just pull the hose to the length you need and it automatically locks in place. When you’re done, tug slightly and the hose retracts into its 180-degree-pivoting clam-shell casing. It comes with 100 feet of hose and a mounting bracket.
Pros
- Stable auto-rewind system is durable and prevents tangling
- Can lock at any length
- Easy to assemble
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Expensive
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Best Vintage-Style Garden Hose Reel
Liberty Garden Decorative Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel
Garden like it’s 1899! This filigreedLiberty Garden Aluminum Garden Hose Reel features a beautiful bronze finish and a charming, old-fashioned-style hand crank to add to its vintage vibe. The heavy-gauge reel holds up to 125 feet of hose. The lovely storage shelf neatly keeps nozzles, gloves and other garden tools on hand.
Pros
- Durable, non-rust decorative steel
- Convenient top shelf
- Rubber-grip rewind handle
- Classic bronze color
Cons
- Hose not included
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Best Budget Garden Hose Reel
Suncast Garden Hose Hangout
TheSuncast Hose Hangoutwill cost you about as much as a fancy coffee drink. Rust- and water-resistant, the no-frills, molded resin construction supports 150 feet of standard hose. It also has a built-in cubby to keep a fewmust-have garden toolson hand. It comes in light taupe for an unassuming look when mounted to your home or garage wall (hardware not included).
Pros
- Very affordable
- Built-in storage tray
- Taupe finish matches most outdoor decor
- Compact
Cons
- May not be as durable as other options
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Best Box Style Hose Reel
Suncast Wicker Hideaway Hose Cart
Use it and stash it. TheSuncast Hideaway Hose Cart cleverly tucks your hose away when not in use. The contemporary wicker-style cabinet, made of strong and pliable plastic, looks great in any yard. It can handle 225 feet of hose, with guide tracks that re-spool it neatly onto the reel. A tight seal with a strong, reinforced system prevents leaks at the garden hose spigot.
Pros
- Wicker-style exterior is stylish and functional
- Crank handle has a smart track for tangle-free winding
- Resistant to fading
- Durable and easy to maintain
Cons
- Top of box is curved and can’t be used as a storage shelf
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Best Garden Hose Reel for Small Yards
BirdRock Home Metal Hose Pot
A jumble of hose can really clutter up asmall yard. Why not camouflage yourcoiled hoseinside this charming copper-colored pot? TheBirdRock Home Hose Pot is a picture-perfect way to store 100 feet of hose on a terrace, patio or deck. Practical features include a matching lid to keep your hose hidden and free of debris.
Pros
- Compact, stylish design
- Hides garden hose discreetly
- No assembly required
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy or extra-long hoses
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Best Heavy-Duty Garden Hose Reel
Eley Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel
Passionate gardeners need a reliable and sturdy garden hose reel they can count on. TheEley Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel, which features stainless-steel mounting hardware and rugged rustproof metal construction, delivers years of commercial-grade durability and performance. The reel easily handles 125 feet of hose, and it comes with an industry-leading 10-year no-rust, no-break factory guarantee.
Pros
- Durable, no-break aluminum-alloy construction
- Set up for either parallel or perpendicular use
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive, but top-notch quality
What to Look for When Buying a Garden Hose Reel
When in the market for a garden hose reel, you’ll encounter a range of options, varying from simple and budget-friendly to intricate and pricey. While personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the style and price, it’s crucial to consider a few important features before making a purchase. Pay close attention to the reel’s capacity to hold hose length and whether it can be mounted, as these aspects greatly impact usability.
Typically, garden hose reels accommodate hoses up to 100 feet in length, with some capable of accommodating longer hoses. If you opt for a wall-mount reel instead of a freestanding one, ensure compatibility with the wall or siding you plan to mount it on. Keep in mind that most wall-mount garden hose reels do not come with mounting hardware.
How We Found the Best Garden Hose Reels
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
How much does a garden hose reel cost?
You should budget around $100 for a standard, well-made garden hose reel. However, some budget options can cost as low as $10 to $20, and some high-end versions may set you back a few hundred dollars.
How does a garden hose reel work?
There are two basic types of garden hose reels. Some wind-up with a hand crank or an automatic load and release button. Others require you to unroll (and roll up) the hose manually with each use.
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Originally Published: December 31, 1969
Mary Henn
Mary Henn, MFA is an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman. She’s also a national award-winning writer and journalist. Her expertise lies in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. When she’s not working on the latest content at FHM, you can find her reading poetry or hiking with her dog, Henry.
FAQs
How do I choose a garden hose reel? ›
Measure the distance from one end to the other to find the length of your hose. Your hose measurement will be your hose reel's capacity. Hose reels range in capacity from less than 50' to 50' – 100', 101' – 150', 151' – 200', 201' – 250', and over 250'.
Is there a garden hose that doesn t kink? ›The Bionic Steel Garden Hose is a sturdy, compact, and flexible option to use outdoors that doesn't kink. We tested the pro version, which comes in a 100-foot length and has sturdy brass fittings.
What is the ideal height for a garden hose reel? ›The ideal height for the reel would be about 4 feet (120cm) between the bottom of the reel's body and the ground's surface.
What size hose gives more pressure? ›Does hose diameter affect water pressure? A Larger diameter hose helps maintain the current water pressure as there is less resistance to the natural flow. A smaller diameter restricts the water flow, and in turn reduces the water pressure, but it increases the velocity (speed) the water travels.
Should I use 3 4 or 1 2 for garden hose? ›The outlet of your hose bib likely matches the size of the water pipes inside your home. Pipes that are 3/4 inch have greater water pressure than those that are only 1/2 inch wide. So, if you want good water pressure coming out of your garden hose, you should go with a 3/4-inch hose bib.
What is the maximum pressure for hose reel? ›Standard Hose Reel
These reels are rated up to 3500 PSI. It is not recommended to attach a reel to any machine weighing less than two hundred pounds.
- Not placing the fire hose in a strategically positioned place. ...
- Not replacing or controlling the supply of the fire retardant such as water or foam after being utilized.
- Inspecting the fire hose reel infrequently. ...
- Not investing in a high-quality fire hose cover.
Hose reels are especially helpful if you have a large yard or garden that needs watering or several types of hoses to store. They're also convenient because they allow you to keep the hose organized and are easy to find when you need them again. Using a hose reel instead of manually coiling garden hoses saves time.
Do I need a 3 4 or 5 8 hose? ›If you compare both hoses, you will find that the overall discharge rate of a ¾ inch water hose is significantly higher than that of a ⅝ inch pipe. At a length of 25 feet, a ¾ inch water hose is capable of delivering up to 72 gallons of water every minute, which is nearly twice as compared to ¾ inches.
How do I increase water pressure in my garden hose? ›Your regulator will have an adjustment screw that can be adjusted to increase pressure with a clockwise turn of the main screw. It's usually a good idea to consult a plumber if you have to make a large adjustment to the water pressure coming into your home.
How can I make my garden hose more powerful? ›
Check for leaks, twisting, and blockages. Fixing these issues will increase the pressure. If your hose is in good shape, then try a high-pressure nozzle or pressure booster to increase your hose's power. Also check your home water pressure and turn it up if it's too low.
What kind of hose won't kink? ›Thicker materials such as rubber or heavy-duty garden hoses are generally more kink-resistant.
Does Flexzilla garden hose kink? ›It is flexible and does not kink like your normal hose would.
What is the most common garden hose fitting? ›The diameter of threaded fitting inside a hose is referred to as the thread size. Hose diameters range from 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. The bigger the diameter, the more water is delivered. The most common garden hose thread size is 3/4 inch.
At what angle should a water hose be aimed in order for? ›Ideally, the greatest range should be for water launched at a 45° angle. Why? First, let's assume that a piece of water in the stream has only one force acting on it after it leaves the hose. That one force is the gravitational force and it pulls straight down.
What is the most common hose bib size? ›The most common hose bibs are ½ inch or ¾ inch, correlating with the diameter of your home's pipes. A compatible fit is essential to keep the flow rate consistent, so make sure your hose bib matches the diameter of your pipes to maintain good water flow.
Does length of hose affect PSI? ›Assuming a best-case scenario – working on flat ground and normal operating conditions – you typically won't lose much pressure as you increase the length of hose that you use. For instance, on a 3/8-inch hose with a 3 gallon/minute flow, the loss of pressure per 100 feet is about 50 PSI.
What PSI is a standard hose? ›Water Pressure
You may not have noticed, but hoses come with a pound per square inch, or PSI, rating. The average pressure for home faucets falls in the range of about 50 PSI, but it can be as high as 80.
India exports most of it's Hose reel and HSN Code 8424 to Nepal, Kenya and Netherlandsand is the 2nd largest exporter of Hose reel and HSN Code 8424 in the World.
Why does my hose keep kinking on the reel? ›Hoses usually kink because they've been rolled or looped up. Rigid hoses also kink more readily if they are old. Kinks can lead to cracks and leaks as well as impeding the flow of water and occasionally causing the hose to blow apart from the tap fitting.
Why do hose reels always leak? ›
If you're hose reel is leaking, there are only three possible sources for the leak: The inlet hose has failed. The brass swivel has failed. The connection between the inlet hose and the swivel has loosened.
Does it waste water to leave hose on? ›Don't leave hoses or sprinklers unattended. Garden hoses can waste hundreds of gallons of water in just a few hours.
What is the best hose reel in the world? ›Overall, we recommend the Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel for its easy portability, sturdy materials (which can survive outside with ease), and extra features, including a leader hose and storage compartment for garden tools.
Which type of reel is the most accurate? ›Baitcasting Reel. The baitcaster is arguably the most advanced type of fishing reel. Often used by experienced anglers and fishing pros, this reel is unmatched in both power and precision.
What makes the best reel? ›Make your Reels engaging
Adding music, playing around with transitions and incorporating text are all great ways to wow your audience. Check out these tips for easy ways you can drive engagement in your next reel.
In summary, both 3/4 inch and 5/8 inch hoses have their unique advantages. The 3/4-inch hose offers a higher water flow, making it perfect for large lawns and pressure-washing tasks. Meanwhile, the 5/8-inch hose is more affordable, flexible, and easier to handle, making it suitable for everyday gardening tasks.
How much water comes out of a 5 8 garden hose per minute? ›| Garden Hose Diameter | Garden Hose Length | Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5/8" | 100' | 8.5 GPM |
| 3/4" | 100' | 9 GPM |
| 1/2" | 50' | 8.5 GPM |
| 5/8" | 50' | 9.5 GPM |
As you probably guessed, a smaller diameter means less water. 1/2" hoses are perfect for light hand-watering tasks where flow rate is not a large concern; the 5/8" size covers pretty much every home-based application, and can deliver nearly twice as many gallons per minute.
Does putting your thumb over a hose increase pressure? ›The more you cover the end of the hose and constrict the flow, the faster and farther the water shoots out! And you can feel the increased pressure on your thumb as you block off the opening. The constriction you created is like the neck in the pipe in Figure 1. You have demonstrated the Bernoulli effect!
Does reducing hose size increase pressure? ›As per Bernoulli's theorem, pressure can be reduced when the area of conveyance is reduced. In the narrower pipe, the velocity can be high; hence the pressure will be lower.
Do bigger pipes increase water pressure? ›
Yes and no. Larger pipes increase the water flow through the line, but if the water isn't up to that necessary flow, it won't increase your water pressure. Municipal water systems have impressive pressure, but that doesn't mean a larger line can help. Bigger lines do not always help things get faster o stronger.
What hose is best for low water pressure? ›The Water Right 400 Series hose performs the best when connected to low-pressure sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, or when connected to a lower-pressure water source. The Water Right hose has high quality, durable components.
How many sprinklers can I run off one hose? ›You can operate 2 or 3 sprinklers at one time with 'Y's and extra hoses, depending on your water pressure. To run more than one sprinkler off the same faucet, attach a 'Y' to your faucet and run a hose to each sprinkler.
What makes a garden hose heavy duty? ›Heavy-duty garden hoses, such as the Swan FlexRITE PRO 100' 5/8" Water Hose and others found here, have a larger diameter, which means more water pressure. These hoses are also made of a thicker construction and more durable materials. They are designed for cleanup jobs in addition to watering your plants.
What is the strongest material for a garden hose? ›Rubber: Among the most durable choices for a garden hose, rubber is optimal, but it tends to be heavier than other materials and can cost more. Premium hoses often contain rubber. Vinyl: Flexible and lighter in weight than rubber, vinyl is a popular choice of hose manufacturers.
Does a hose splitter reduce water pressure? ›Q: Does using a garden hose splitter affect water pressure? A: Garden hose splitters allow you to split up the water coming from one source into separate directions at the same time. Because the water source remains singular, the water pressure can decrease in each junction.
What are the three types of hose reel? ›The most common styles of hose reels are spring driven (which is self retracting), hand crank, or motor driven. Hose reels are categorized by the diameter and length of the hose they hold, the pressure rating and the rewind method.
How do I know what size hose fitting I need? ›To measure the size of a hose, what you need are matching connectors. By taking a tape, you can measure the fittings' internal diameter as well as external diameter. The inside diameter is for female threads and the outside diameter is for male threads.
What are the disadvantages of hose reel? ›Fire hose reels do have a couple of disadvantages which are important to considerations when choosing to install a fire hose reel. The first issue is that if used inside you cannot close any fire door that the hose has passed through so increasing the risk of fire spreading. The second consideration is the trip hazard.
What is a leader hose on a hose reel? ›Hose reel leader hoses are short hoses that connect the hose reel inlet and the source of supply to prevent misalignment and binding. These hoses are also known as lead-in hoses or air leader hoses, and are necessary connections to hose reels.
What is the difference between 1 4 and 3 8 hose? ›
3/8” hose allows much more air to flow through the hose, compared to using a 1/4″ hose. If you are constantly running an air tool or just want more power, pick 3/8”. Quick disconnects–and most standard air hose fittings such as NPT–are offered in carbon steel, stainless steel, and brass construction.
What is a high pressure hose reel? ›High pressure hoses are often used with pressure pumps to clean areas with high pressure water or steam. The high pressure hose reels are used to store the high pressure hoses safely.
What is the most common garden hose fitting size? ›The most common garden hose diameters are ¾ inch, five-eighths inch and half inch. These measurements are based on the inside diameter of the hose, not the outside. The bigger the diameter, the more water the hose will carry. A hose width of five-eighths inch is generally most useful.
What is the most common hose fitting size? ›Hose diameters range from 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. The bigger the diameter, the more water is delivered. The most common garden hose thread size is 3/4 inch.
What is the outside diameter of a 5 8 garden hose? ›GARDEN HOSE, 5/8 IN INSIDE DIA, 0.813 IN TO 0.969 IN OUTSIDE DIA, 75 FT, EPDM.
What is the ID of a 3 4 garden hose? ›3/4" Garden Hose Thread (This thread has a nominal diameter of 1-1/16") standard for American Garden Hoses and garden hose valves, and washing machines. 3/4" HOSE ID (Your hose must read 3/4" ID or 0.75" ID for the barb to work properly.