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There’s nothing all that exciting about a garden hose. In fact, you might even be wondering why there are entire articles on the best garden hoses. After all, aren’t all garden hoses the same? Pick the length you need and you’re good to go, right?
Well, not exactly.
A high-quality garden hose can last you for years, but if you choose one that’s not up to par, it can kink, get sun-damaged, begin to peel, break or tear.
With today’s technology and advancements in materials, garden hoses are better than ever. A little research will help you zero in on a good hose that will last you for years at optimal performance. Which is why we’ve written this long guide on the best garden hoses. It might seem unnecessary but bear with us. There’s more to the garden hose than meets the eye, as this guide will show.
With that said, let’s take a look at 8 of the best garden hoses on the market including the pros and cons of each. In the second part of the article we’ve covered what you need to look out for when buying a garden hose.
Let’s get started!
Garden Hose Reviews
Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose
The Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose is one of the best options for a durable, capable hose for moving water.
This 50-foot hose has a 5/8-inch diameter is made of reinforced radial tire cord with 500 psi burst strength, crush-proof brass couplers and nickel plating on each hose end.
The hose, made of thick but pliant rubber, is extremely flexible, yet kink-free and it’s also crack-resistant even in temperatures less than -25 oF or as hot as 160 degrees.
The octagonal shaped couplings allow you to twist the hose onto or off a spigot, sprayer or sprinkler. All these features enhance the performance and durability of the Craftsman garden hose, making it one that will last for years.
The hose is versatile with endless uses that go beyond simply watering your garden. Use it for applications like draining a pool or flushing a water heater.
Pros:
- Built to last
- 500 psi burst strength
- 50ft length
- Withstands extreme temperatures
- Kink-resistant
Cons:
- The hose tends to leave scuff marks on certain surfaces
Water Right 400 Series Polyurethane Slim & Light Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose
Available in elegant designer colors, the Water Right Polyurethane Slim Garden hose is super slim and perfectly safe for use with potable water. With this hose, weight is not going to be an issue since it weighs far less than most other garden hoses that are just half its length.
The Water Right garden hose is made from durable, sturdy polyurethane that resists permanent kinks and has the ability to tolerate any conditions, be it sub-freezing or extremely hot temperatures. It’s completely free of lead, phthalates and BPA so there’s no need to worry about any dangerous chemicals that could leech into your water. In fact, you can drink water directly from it.
Designed for long-term use, the polyether-based polyurethane construction of this hose eliminates cracks, leaky connections and hose ruptures, making it perfect for practically any type of use.
Pros:
- Lightweight – weighs about 3 lbs
- Safe for use with potable water
- 50 ft length
- NSF and FDA certified for safe drinking water
- No lead, BPA, phthalates or other toxic chemicals
Cons:
- This product is rather pricey
Orbit 27389 Coil Garden Hose
The Orbit 27389 Coil Garden Hose offers something different with its stylish color and unique coiled design. It’s lightweight and easy to use, and although it looks deceptively short, it’s actually 50 ft. in length.
The Orbit features a sprayer head that offers 8 different spray patterns to suit a wide range of watering needs, including jet, shower, mist and cone. This offers versatility, making it ideal for a variety of uses. The hose is ideal for hanging baskets, porches, pools, patios and many more.
It quickly deploys when you need to use it, giving you enough reach and easy control, returning to its original shape easily for convenient and compact storage. You won’t have to go through all the trouble of coiling it up yourself. It has a comfortable grip that makes it easier to use and you’ll be pleased to find that’s it lightweight and easily maneuverable.
The design of this Orbit garden hose isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a hose to connect to a sprinkler that’s resting on your lawn or if you need high-pressure water to run through it. For everything else, however, it works perfectly.
Pros:
- Maneuverable
- Lightweight
- Self-coils easily
- Includes sprayer head with 8 different patterns
- 50ft length
Cons:
- Not suitable as a sprinkler
- May have occasional leaking issues
Aterod Expandable Garden Hose
1 used from $23.99
The Aterod Garden Hose is one of the best products on the market in terms of expandability and performance. The inherent elasticity of latex and knitted polyester cover is what gives this hose the ability to expand from 17 feet to a full 50 feet when water is flowing through it. After use, it contracts back.
This hose is designed to take up minimal storage space and deliver high water pressure for most common commercial and residential tasks. It features rust-resistant brass fittings and an ON/OFF valve that’s built into its end. The hose also includes a removable spray head which offers 9 different spray modes ranging from a simple, light shower to a powerful stream.
The Aterod garden hose is an excellent option for anyone needing a relatively long hose without the hassle of dealing with a large, bulky piece of hardware. It’s highly durable and won’t kink, twist or tangle, making your work a lot easier.
Pros:
- Requires minimal storage space
- Includes a spray nozzle
- Lightweight and flexible
- Expands up to 3 times in length
- Heavy duty hose with double layered latex core
- Solid brass fittings
Cons:
- Extension and retraction can waste water
- May crack in extreme temperatures
Tardigrade 50-Foot Steel Hose
When we think about garden hoses, we rarely think of steel ones. But the Tardigrade Steel Hose is just such a hose, with the exterior constructed of bands of solid 304 stainless steel. While steel hoses tend to be heavy, the Tardigrade is lightweight and can easily be moved. The entire hose weighs just under five pounds when its dry, so you can easily haul it around without any difficulty.
The impressive thing about this hose is its ability to resist any kind of damage from shovels, rakes, dog bites or crushing. It’s rust-, thorn-, puncture- and kink-proof. It’s also corrosion- and rust-proof due to the nickel and chromium content. All these make it a truly durable product.
It’s impervious to the effects of UV radiation, stays cool in the summer and will never freeze in the winter. If the 50-foot hose isn’t long enough for you, you can always attach another one to it and expand it further.
The Tardigrade can tolerate high water pressure, making it perfect for pressure washing but the real selling point is its affordability. Its value is excellent when compared to certain other steel hoses on the market.
Pros:
- 304 Stainless Steel hose
- Lightweight, kink-free, puncture-proof, durable
- A heavy duty garden hose
- Affordable
- Resists damage
- High water pressure
Cons:
- May crack at connectors
Melnor Flat Soaker Garden Hose
This product is a little different to the others on our list as it’s made for irrigation purposes. The Flat Soaker Garden Hose from Melnor features a permeable exterior that allows the water to slowly and steadily leak out all along the length of the hose. Its flexible and versatile design makes it easy to use and it’s a great alternative to invasive and more expensive irrigation systems.
Although this soaker hose is completely ineffective for pressure washing or powering a sprinkler, it’s a great choice for keeping your plants, flowers, trees and patches of ground healthy and well watered.
It features a rust-resistant end cap which lets you connect multiple hoses together easily and it also includes 2 extra washers so you can replace them in case they become worn out or lost.
It’s important to keep in mind that this hose doesn’t tolerate freezing or hot temperatures more than 115oF so when not in use, make sure to drain it and store indoors, away from harsh conditions.
Pros:
- Flexible and versatile porous hose
- Perfect for raised garden beds
- Delivers soft and gentle watering without waste
- Flattens for easy storage
- Reasonably priced
- Includes 2 washers for leak-free seal
Cons:
- Not for use with sprayers or sprinklers
Flexzilla Garden Hose
1 used from $28.55
If you want to fight the kinks, the Flexzilla Garden Hose is the product for you. This outstanding product has been engineered with a lightweight flexible Hybrid Polymer to lie flat and eliminate the problem of kinking under pressure.
Although it may not look it, it’s extremely flexible and easy to maneuver around bushes, trees or other obstacles. The best part about it is that it’s easy to coil and won’t fight you when you try. Instead, it will lay flat wherever you drop it.
This hose comes with a superior O-ring that offers long-term, leak-free connection at its spigot. It’s perfectly safe for drinking water and is far lighter than other traditional garden hoses. It also tolerates extreme weather conditions and won’t crack or burst even in sub-zero temperatures. This hose is currently used in oil companies located in Alaska and is highly popular product for residential and commercial purposes.
Pros:
- Kink-proof
- 50-foot length
- Zero memory prevents twisting
- Super strong flexible hybrid polymer material that’s drinking water safe and abrasion-resistant
- Comes with crush-resistant aluminum fittings
- Solid construction
Cons:
- Tends to change color after long use
FILDANCO 50 FT Flexible Pocket Expandable Garden Hose
This Flexible Pocket Expandable Garden Hose from Fildanco is very unique in its appearance. It’s quite a pretty hose, and yes, we know pretty isn’t a term typically used to describe garden hoses.
The hose is made from high-quality materials and its convenient design makes it lightweight, flexible and easy to carry while also saving a lot of space. It isn’t prone to kinking, twisting or tangling and the extra-flexible polyester fabric cover allows it to be expanded from 16.6 feet to its full length of 50 feet.
This garden hose is compatible with most standard spray nozzles on the market. It’s made to meet all your watering needs including watering plants, cleaning gardens or pools, showering your dog or washing your vehicle. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this hose doesn’t have the ability to handle temperatures higher than 113oF.
The Fildanco water hose is tear-proof, crack-proof and leak-proof and can withstand water pressure of 3-12 bars. It’s excellent for long-term use and makes an ideal gift for any gardener. The one drawback we noticed was that it’s slightly difficult to drain since water collects in the pockets when the hose has retracted. Other than that, it’s a great product that’s well worth its price.
Pros:
- 50-foot length
- No twisting, kinking, tangling
- Flexible, easy to handle and store
- Made from high-quality modern and sturdy materials
- Multifunctional
Cons:
- Difficult to drain completely
How to Choose a Garden Hose
Garden hoses are extremely useful tools that every gardener should have since they eliminate the hassle of carrying water buckets to every single inch of your lawn, to your flowers or shrubs.
They can be used for many purpose aside from just gardening such as washing your dog, washing your vehicle, transporting water and outdoor cleaning of building exteriors and equipment. When connected to sprinkler attachments, they irrigate your lawn in a less expensive way.
When it comes to finding the best garden hose for your needs, there are a few important points to take into consideration. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on something that won’t function properly and give you a hard time getting twisted, kinked or springing a leak.
Here’s what to look out for when buying your garden hose.
- The hose materials:
Most hoses for garden use are made out of rubber and vinyl. If you’re thinking of buying a vinyl hose, take a look at the ‘ply’ of the hose. The higher the number, the thicker and more durable it would be.
Buying a cheap four-ply garden hose may seem like a good idea at the time but can find its way to the repair station quickly.
Rubber hoses are generally the best for garden purposes or other outdoor uses. They are usually kink resistant, flexible and durable with the ability to handle difficult temperatures and abuse.
- Fittings and couplings:
A good quality garden hose should have ends made of solid brass or stainless steel. Metal garden hoses are great choices since they can handle a lot of abuse and aluminum or brass fittings are far more durable than plastic.
However, the good thing about plastic connectors is that they can be molded in many ways for quicker connection.
- The length:
Purchase the proper length that you need. Most garden hoses are available in 50-, 75- and 100-foot lengths. The length you choose would depend on the jobs you need it for. However, note that the longer the hose is, the heavier it can get to drag around.
You can also opt for an expandable hose if you have trouble determining the exact length you’ll need for your gardening chores. Expandable hoses can be a little more costly than other types of hoses but are easier to store.
- The weight:
Weight is an important factor to take into consideration, since the heavier the hose is, the more annoying and difficult it can be to work with. It can also give you trouble when storing and getting it out.
The easiest hoses to deal with are flat garden hoses. These are lightweight, easy to use and easy to store as well. However, they may not be as durable or powerful as other types of hoses.
- The features:
Garden hoses come with different features, but just because a hose has heaps of features doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you.
Some hoses have the capacity to handle higher water pressure which can be important if you’re running off a drip irrigation pump. Others are rated highly to handle hot water, which sounds like a great thing, but how often do you need hot water spraying out of your garden hose?
If you have little children, you may want to purchase a hose that’s safe for potable water. Choose the according to your needs and consider the safety of yourself and your family members as well.
The Bottom Line
So, as we promised at the start, there’s more to a garden hose than meets the eye.
Buying a high-quality garden hose that suits your watering needs depends on length, diameter width, durability and ease of handling, among other things.
As the list above demonstrates, there are a range of garden hose styles to choose from, so a little research will go a long way. Before you purchase, the key factor is to consider what exactly you’ll be using the hose for as this will help you to zero in on the right features and style.
And finally, check the product carefully before you buy it to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
