Best garden hose?

[oneplustwoplustwoplusone]

Looking to get a new garden hose and need recommendations!

Expandable ones seem to be in… are they good? How do you store? Does it go back into the shed each time?

Is traditional better? Probable need at least 30m

Not sure of your set up / but I have this one and it’s great. It’s wall mounted and retracts back once you’ve finished watering. It’s on the wall by my outside tap. If you get this one, make sure you attach it so the hose faces your garden - i didn’t!

www.diy.com/departments/hozelock-auto-reel-wall-mounted-hose-reel-hose-l-30m/5010646059565_BQ.prd

I’ve had 3 extendable and never will again. The stainless steel hoses are reliable and strong.

Thanks!

@Trueloveneverdiesthat looks great and would work for the back garden but assume it would be a bit of a pain to get through to the front if needed?

@Slatterndisgraceare they like the hose on a shower??

Yes. It coils up neatly too.

I have a side gate - so ok to walk round to the front. Annoying if you had to run it through the house though.

A tip, OP. If you’re using an outside tap, don’t leave it turned on when you’ve finished watering. Whatever hose you have, it isn’t good for it. I always turn my tap off now.

@oneplustwoplustwoplusone I have had two expanding ones. They both broke fairly quickly, which is a shame as they are perfect for a small space - they are light and don’t take much room. I used them for my small front garden. They are just not durable.

One design flaw with expanding hoses is that you can’t replace the hose gun with anything - it’s permanently fixed to the hose. I like to feed my garden with a hose attachment feeder, but you can’t attach that, or use a sprinkler etc with an expanding hose.

Also, beware the brand (flexi hose) that comes with a “lifetime warranty” - they are impossible to contact and don’t respond to emails, so the warranty is never honoured.

I’ve had a Hozelock auto reel for 10+ years, it’s starting to show its age and get more kinks, but I’d say it’s served me well and was worth the money. Amazon does a cheaper version that has good reviews, I may get that when I need to replace mine in the near future.

The expanding ones are brilliant until they explode and then they are regrettable.

I agree that the Hozelock auto reel is good. It's so nice not to have to manually wind them up. Just control the speed as it rewinds to prolong the life and avoid injury! My first lasted well (10 plus years) and I was happy to buy a second. Tried the coiled type and it was very short lived (and annoying to use).

You may find this helpful.

Personally I find the Gardena hoses and fittings to be the best, I also use a 19mm hose, as the larger diameter allows roughly twice the flow rate, so watering takes less time etc.

Although it's heavy when filled and best stored on a wall hanger.

I’ve got the hozelock auto reel one linked above. 5 years now and it’s still fine. The expandable ones lasted 2 years max even when kept in garage when not in use. I’ve got a side gate so easy to use front and back garden or washing car etc.

I love an extendable hose because I use it so often and once you have finished with it, I use the water in it to top up the cat water bowls and then hook it onto the side of the water butt or over the tap and it is good to go without all the unravelling and heaving it about. I've had 3, the first one someone stood on and it burst, the second one was one I bought from one home to another and the fittings just didn't work so I do still have it for emergency if my 3rd one, which does fit the fittings breaks. I use it every day, multiple times a day and as long as you empty the water out once the tap is off, it is brilliant.

We have just bought a Gardena hose too. It seems excellent.

Had Hoselock for years and the hoses last but the spray heads didn't. I'm hoping the Gardena spray head will be longer lasting.

First answer is correct.

Neat, tidy, decent quality hose, decent connectors.