How to choose the best garden hose
Depending on your needs and the size of your garden, there’s a garden hosepipe out there for you. You can buy a bare hose pipe, one with attachments or one in a reel. There’s not a huge difference in price and often it’s worth plumping for a reel so you can store the hose away when not in use in order to protect it.
Most garden hosepipes are a standard size – roughly one cm in diameter, but can vary in length. The main thing dictating quality and price is the construction of the pipe itself. Most hosepipes are made from rubber, but check out the composition as it will dictate how flexible it is, and therefore how easy it is for you to use, but it will also give you an idea of how long it’s going to last (see more details about materials to consider below).
Things to think about:
Length
Storage
Hose pipe construction
Water pressure
What length of hose should I buy?
This is very important as you don’t want dry flower beds at the far end of your garden, but nor do you want excess hose cluttering up your patio or garage. You basically want enough hose pipe so you are within sprinkler range of your furthest watering patch.
What material is best for garden hoses?
The best garden hose pipes have a technical composite construction – layers of vinyl, polyurethane and rubber, often reinforced with a nylon or metal mesh. Are you still with us? Basic options tend to be made mainly from vinyl, and the more expensive options will be constructed with materials which improve their durability, like rubber or strong fabrics that offer anti-kink protection.
It’s worth spending a few quid to avoid annoying leaks and punctures. Bear in mind that although a rubber hose might be a more expensive option with the expectation of durability, it can crack if left in heat and sunlight. So it’s worth thinking through where and how you’re going to store your hose if you want it to last.
What is the best garden hose to buy?
The Gardena Comfort Flex Hose comes out best in reviews. It’s available in a variety of lengths to suit your home and is easy to use. It’s also affordable and durable so it’s a sound investment. The hose features a convenient click system that makes it easy to connect and disconnect from other Gardena components, so you can easily switch between attachments. The hose is designed to be flexible, which makes it easy to manoeuvre and handle, allowing you to reach every corner of your garden easily.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which garden hoses discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their homes. We compiled a list of hoses they recommended for being durable and offering value for money.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which garden hose pipes had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers reviews said about them.
Having collated all that information, we picked the best garden hoses we thought would make the best buys.
Why you should trust us
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