I can listen you believe : “ A whole article on hoses ? It ’s just a hose , for heaven ’s rice beer ! ”
So , get me narrate about all those times when I purchase a bum one off the ledge at my local big box garden eye .
When , about the third time I turned it on , it separate and soak me , or started to leak like a screen when I was in the middle of a big project , so I had to take my cloudy , wet , dirty self back to the garden center to buy a new one .
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hosepipe matter , they really do . And I never realized it more than when I bit the bullet , spent the buck , and bought a really good one .
It ’s the first one I ’ve ever had that has both lasted for years , and is super well-heeled to use . It make me as happy to have it around as the flowers it irrigate .
The fact is that not all hoses are created adequate , which is why this guide is a must - read if you desire the unspoilt one for your needs .
And a decent modeling does n’t have to cost a lot . There are well - made products at every monetary value full stop , and for every sizing or type of garden .
New materials and applied science have even made it possible to create hoses that are virtually wrick - free , while they ’re still unclouded and easier to maneuver than those erstwhile , heavy arctic version of old .
Of naturally , those do still exist . And they have their place too , in situations where you might demand something that sturdy .
We recommend one made from the traditional safety , in fact , as well as the secure in course of study for other situations .
Our 7 Favorite Hoses
Before you go shopping , we ’ll also touch on a few more cosmopolitan period to keep in mind and other things you might require to roll in the hay about garden hoses :
Garden Hose Features
get ’s take a look at our seven favorite products !
1. Flexilla: Best For Most People
Many people who have used a Flexilla garden hosiery swear it ’s the greatest ever made . It also does well in expert testing , where it survive up to its kink - free claims .
Of course , as we must charge out so no one think we ’re vouch this : no mannequin is totally kink - liberal . But garden experts and homeowners say the Flexilla comes pretty darn nigh .
It ’s made of a proprietary , conciliatory intercrossed polymer that is engineered to rule out kinks when replete with water .
Flexzilla Garden Hose , 5/8 inches x 50 feet
Unlike many others , it does not try out to keep back its bod , which means it rest flat where you need it , rather than trying to undulate itself back up into a coil when it ’s fulfill with water , flipping your sprinkler in the process .
Flexzilla Pro Water Hose 5/8 in x 100 pes , via Amazon
The manufacturer pronounce the stuff is leading - free and drinking pee safe , although it ’s not tested or certified by any of the agencies that verify those claim . They also say it can withstand temperature from -40 to 150 ° degree Fahrenheit .
This modelling is a received 5/8 - inch diameter , andit comes in three- , five- , 10- , 25- , 50- , 75- , and 100 - ft lengths .
The 50- , 75- , and 100 - ft sizesalso come in a larger , 3/4 - in diam , if you need more H2O power .
The Flexilla is useable in only one gloss , a bright , chartreuse green . The producer proffer a limited lifetime warranty .
Check cost and read customer review on Amazon now .
2. Craftsman Premium Rubber: Best Heavy-Duty Choice
ask a tough garden hose for rinse your railway car , for powering a press washing machine , or that can live on outside during the worst winters ?
Then the Craftsman Premium offer should be at the top of your leaning .
This is a pop pick for landscape professionals and those who need something that can stand up up to light commercial-grade applications , such as conflate cement .
Craftsman 5/8 in . x 50 foot . L Premium Grade Black and Red Hose
It ’s made from a black and crimson condom vinyl compound that can withstand temperatures from -25 to 160 ° fluorine . The coupling material is anodized Al . However , it is not safe for drinking from .
This intersection is as perdurable as they come , and Craftsman includes a three year limited warrantee and that covers everything – including terms cause by running over it with a machine or mower .
The diam of the Craftsman Premium is the standard 5/8 column inch and it comes in 50- and100 - foot length .
Check price and read client reviews at Amazon .
3. Water Right 400 Series: Best for Small Spaces
ignitor and pliable , the Water Right 400 Series is a top choice for the smaller K or garden .
It ’s lightweight enough to choke up around at only three pound per 50 feet , yet resists kinking . owner describe that when it does crimp ( again , none are altogether kink - costless ) , it ’s leisurely to shake out without a circumstances of hassle .
water supply Right 400 Series Polyurethane Hose
Even gardeners with mobility issues say it ’s very wanton to brawl in the yard , even around planter and container .
At 7/16 of an inch , the Water Right is smaller in diam than the standard 5/8 of an inch , which is why it is so lightweight .
It ’s made of NSF and FDA - certified drunkenness water secure polyurethan , so it wo n’t harm anyone who want to dash by for a spry potable during a game of shred , or to hydrate while doing yard work – assume that your outside hookup is not gray water .
Water Right pop the question a choice of two appointment for this product : conduct free , chrome - plated brass instrument , or stainless steel .
It come in two colour – eggplant and olive green – so you’re able to agree it up with your garden interior decoration . It ’s alsoavailable in 25 , 50 , 75 , and 100 - substructure lengths .
Water Right also makes large diam role model of the same textile , but they ’ll be correspondingly heavy as well : the 500 Series is 1/2 inch in diameter , andthe 600 Series is 5/8 of an inch .
The product come with a 30 - day money back guarantee if you ’re dissatisfied for any reasonableness , and a limited five - year warrant . It’smade in the USAin Oregon .
4. Ultra Lightweight Coil: Best Value for Small Spaces
If you ’re looking for something that ’s sluttish to wrangle in a small-scale garden , we recommend the Ultra Lightweight Coil Hose .
It ’s a lightweight 3/8 - in , made from ultraviolet light - resistant polyurethane . The material is FDA okay to be drinking water system good . The union are nickel plate . It only come in John Brown .
Ultra Lightweight Coil
The loop construction pass water it easy to store , but it can be concentrated to draw in to its full 50 - foot length . This makes it a good pick for smaller gardens without a lot of warehousing space .
see prices and read customers reviewson Gardener ’s Supply Co. now .
5. Hoselink Retractable with Hose Reel: Best All-In-One
The Hoselink Retractable with Reel bill itself as “ the complete lacrimation system , ” and owners say it hold up up to that claim .
This setup includes the reel , a 9/16 - inch diameter , 82 - foot hosepipe with an eight affair nozzle , a 6.5 - foot drawing card hose , a mount angle bracket , and all required neutering .
The Hoselink is intended to be wall - get on and , when mount , the reel can pivot 180 degree . You will need a drill for the installment , so keep that in nous .
Its “ stop anywhere ” technology locks it in place when you stop , so you do n’t have to uphold pull up .
Hoselink Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reel
Users say the reel is wanton to install and use , and the hose retracts very easily with the reflexive rewind . The whole setup weigh 30 pound sterling .
The hosepipe and reel are made from PVC and polypropene with memorial tablet coupler , and stainless steel and credit card trying on . It is not food grade , so it ’s in all probability best to avoid filling the dog ’s bowl with this one .
The hose in entire to the Virginia reel and can not be replace . One nice feature is that the bobbin keeps the hose protected even in extreme weather condition conditions .
It come with a two - year warranty . It is usable in beigeor charcoal .
6. Melnor Flat: Best Soaker
While watering a lawn usually involve spraying , many plant do n’t like to be spray too often . Damp foliage can facilitate advance and spread disease .
Instead , a deep watering at the theme of the works is expert , and the Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose is just the shaft to do that with .
It ’s a flat , flexible model that is well-to-do to weave around plants and through planters . It ’s a very popular intersection among nurseryman with straw bale garden . This case of structure also makes it prosperous to fold and store .
The fitting size is a received 3/4 inches . It comes in 25- , 50- , and 75 - foot lengths , and you could dispatch the pileus to connect multiple hoses .
Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
you’re able to eat up it under a swooning layer of mulch for semi - permanent installment in the garden , but a covering that is too heavy will affect its performance .
It ’s not as sturdy as a traditional simulation , and if it is leave out continually year - daily round it can devolve and leak .
This production is made from PVC , ABS plastic , and polyester . It comes with a two - year limited warranty .
Check prices and read customers revue at Walmart now .
7. Gilmour Vinyl: Best Sprinkler Hose
Ideal for watering ticklish new pasture or long , narrow areas like the side of a house , the Gilmour Vinyl Sprinkler Hose is a very versatile choice that can also function as a soaker .
Just position it with the white side up for aspersion , and the ashen side down for soaking .
Made from recycled credit card , this model is very sturdy and durable , although it ’s steady to handle than the more elastic Melnor .
Gilmour 2 - in-1 Sprinkler - Soaker Hose
At full power , it spray about four to five foot on either side of the center in sprinkler mode .
The fittings are nickel plated . It measures the standard 5/8 in in diam . It only descend in a 50 - foot distance , but you could attach up to three hoses . Gilmour offers a lifespan warranty .
Check prices and customer reassessment on Walmart now .
Water hoses formthe basis of irrigationfor the abode yard and garden . But did you know there are various flair that can make your life easier ?
Types
There are three basic type that admit : spray , soaker , and sprinkler .
These are the most plebeian , and this type is just a hose that attach to a faucet .
Water streams out in a single flow – you generally practice a nozzle with these , or confiscate them to a sprinkler .
These are ideal for using in planters , or veg garden where things are engraft in row .
They ’re also a good alternative for plants that prefer cryptical lacrimation to sprinkling .
Rosesare a good example of this , as spray and getting the leaves wet leaves them susceptible to various diseases . They prefer a deep watering alternatively .
If you only have one or two roseate bushes , a spray hose set on a low flow at the root of the plant is fine , but if you have a whole row , a dedicated soaker is practically a must .
These are less common , but can be very utile in sure situation . They operate like a sprinkler , but are long , appropriate for more coverage at one time .
These typically have a two-fold rowing of small hollow down the center , and when you attach the coupling to the spigot and change state it on , the piss softly arches out to each side .
Sprinklers are a ripe option for newly plant eatage , and for narrow-minded , prolonged garden spaces .
Materials
hosepipe are made from a salmagundi of materials , from cheap vinyl to tough rubber , to proprietary blend developed for specific purposes , such as resistance to twirl , low weight , or durability .
Some are made from recycled or partly reprocess cloth .
material can admit :
The textile you choose will in big part determine how long it will last . A cheap vinyl group or prophylactic mathematical product will be lightweight , but it wo n’t hold up to weighty usage or the elements as well as a more expensive , heavier rubber mannequin .
Safety
One authoritative consideration if you , other family members , or dearie will be drink from the hosiery :
It ’s authoritative to buy NSF and FDA certified nutrient grade mathematical product . These are guaranteed to be lead , BPA , and phthalate devoid .
food for thought grade mean the flavour of the water system wo n’t be affected either , so it will taste as clear as if it came straight from a tap .
Remember never to drink water that has been posture in the hose in the live Lord’s Day ( flush it out first ) and only drink outdoor water if it comes from a safe , filter tap . If gray body of water is usable for consumption out of doors in your expanse , do not drink it !
A garden hose should be run out after use and allowed to be function a bit prior to using for potable water supply , peculiarly if you are conk to be using it with a nebuliser snoot .
allow the water to stagnate between uses can provide the habitat where both Legioneolla bacteria ( responsible for Legionnaires ’ disease or Pontiac pyrexia ) and free - living amoeba ( FLA ) get it on to develop .
When the spray nozzle is used , aerosol bomb may be produced with droplet smaller than 10 μm and which can be inhaled by people or fauna . If this water is stagnate and contains either Legioneolla or FLA , this can mayhap cause disease infection .
Couplings
The couplings ( also anticipate fitting ) are just that – the metallic element threads at the end of the hose that attach them to a pee faucet , sprinkler or honker , or another hosiery .
These are almost always comprised of some type of metal , and only the cheap examples have plastic couplings .
The most rough-cut alloy used for union is brass , either true face or chrome - plated . But aluminum , stainless , and other character of metallic element can be used as well , reckon upon the hose ’s designate use . Heavy tariff model commonly feature unsullied couplings .
The serious couplings are octagon - shaped , fix them well-fixed to grip and fasten . If the coupling gets stuck , an octagonal rather than round shape is also gentle to spellbind with a pair of pair of pliers . placid , round sexual union are definitely harder to get a clutch on .
And , again , be sure the couplings are indorse booster cable free if you ’ll be drinking from the hosiery . Or easily yet , persuade a water bottle with you when you ’re work in the garden , or scare inside for a quick boozing before you manoeuvre back out .
Diameter
The stock diam for a residential garden modeling is 5/8 inch , but 1/2- and 3/4 - inch sizes are also widely usable .
There are even a few pocket-size , 7/16 - inch selection out there . These are intended for enjoyment in the smaller garden , as they are very light and easy to channelise .
Larger size , such as 3/4 inch , are generally used for commercial-grade applications .
While a larger model will technically deliver more water faster , this does n’t count if it ’s more ( or less ) rate of flow than you call for . If you have a small garden , or strength or mobility issues , buy a littler , lighter model – you’re able to still find well - made , longsighted go products in those size of it .
If your needs are standard , buy a 5/8 - inch size . And if you need to power rinse your b , you might want to move up to the 3/4 - inch sizing .
Length
There is no end to the vast potpourri of lengths available on the market , from tiny , three - infantry - tenacious leader hoses to 100 - foot options that can reach around a upright - sized garden .
The most popular standard duration is 50 feet , which is a well-chosen spiritualist for most people .
Since water pressure decreases with a longer framework , the good duration is one that will reach all around your yard without a batch of superfluous duration .
Now matter how you irrigate your lawn or garden , having a quality equipment make water your task well-situated and less frustrating .
No More Water Worries
contract some time to suppose about what eccentric of hosepipe you want and need , rather than just scarper to the local garden center and grab something cheap off the shelf , will make up off in the foresighted run . I know from personal experience .
A product that twirl , is hard to attach and come off , or that disintegrate in the sunlight midway through a hot summertime , is a thwarting you do n’t need .
After all , horticulture is imagine to be fun and reposeful ! So buy the right hose for your outdoor space , and preserve your sweat for found more flowers .
As a kink - test copy pick that ’s usable in a salmagundi of sizes , lengths , and colors , theFlexilla , available via Amazon , is our favorite choice . Which one will you choose ?
And for more info abouthow to water your landscape , check out these templet next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . Originally published February 9 , 2022 . Last updated March 13th , 2024 . production photos via Craftsman , Flexilla , Gardener ’s Supply Company , Gilmour , HoseLink USA , Melnor , and Walmart . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .
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Kelly Burgess
