Whether you’ve taken up outdoor gardening or plan to wash your car, a quality garden hose can make a sizable difference. But with so many options on the market — along with various features and accessories — finding a hose that fits your specific outdoor needs can be tough. They can be an investment, too: A good quality hose, nozzle and reel combined can cost upwards of $150, said Bailey Carson, a home care expert at Angi with over seven years of experience with lawn care.
SKIP AHEAD Best garden hoses | Best hose nozzles | Best hose reels
There are great hose options at lower price points, though, especially if you're shopping for standard gardening and lawn care. “Less expensive options don’t last quite as long, but if you take good care of them — like storing them in the winter and rolling them up between use — you can still get a lot of use out of them,” said Carson.
To simplify your search, we consulted home and gardening experts and rounded up some expert-recommended and highly rated hoses worth considering right now, as well as some highly rated and expert-recommended nozzles and reels to pair with your hose.
Nikki Flickinger, a seasonal and outdoor living merchant at Lowe’s, said there are various types of hoses that can be used for different outdoor tasks and needs.
We spoke to gardening and landscaping experts about what to consider when shopping for garden hoses, nozzles and reels, and highlighted both their specific picks and highly rated options that align with their guidance.
If you expect to use your hose for typical outdoor tasks like watering your lawn or hosing down your car, experts recommended looking for a more affordable all-purpose hose like a standard vinyl hose. A soaker hose can be a great choice if you’re more of a hands-off gardener, while a more durable standard rubber hose can be a better option if you store your hose outside or often use hot water. To help you find the right hose for you, we recommend below highly rated options that align with our experts’ guidance.
This highly rated garden hose from Flexzilla is made from a flexible vinyl and rubber hybrid material, which experts previously told us offers varying levels of flexibility and durability. The Flexzilla hose is durable in weather conditions as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit and resists abrasion, UV and mold, according to the brand. The hose is the most versatile on this list — you can choose from seven different lengths ranging from 3 feet long up to 100 feet long. It also comes in a bright green color so it’s easy to spot while you’re working outdoors and features aluminum metal couplings. It has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 56,800 reviews on Amazon.
With small pores all over the hose that can slowly release water, a soaker hose can be a good investment for watering garden beds, flowers or other landscaping projects. This option by Gilmour is made from 100% recycled vinyl, which is flexible and lightweight enough to be woven through your plants and gardens for watering and can be folded flat for easy storage, according to the brand. It’s also covered in a clog-resistant fabric that can protect the hose against UV rays and wear, Gilmour says. You can purchase the hose in a 75-foot or 50-foot version, and it has a 4.2-star average rating from more than 2,900 Amazon reviews.
Julie Bawden-Davis, the master gardener behind the site Healthy Houseplants, said this coiled hose has lasted her over eight years in Southern California, “where the sun can do a lot of damage to plastics." She also noted that it fits well into tight spaces, yet can stretch up to 50 feet in length. The hose has a 4.3-star average rating from more than 100 reviews at Gardener’s Supply Company, and the brand also offers a 25-foot version.
Lacy Lange, a gardener and farmer at Homestead Farms, said she uses this NeverKink XP heavy-duty hose from Teknor Apex. “It’s heavy to drag around, but it can stand up to wear and tear,” she said, adding that the hose also has crush-resistant brass couplings that can be useful “in case they get run over by trucks or machinery” around her farm. The vinyl outer is abrasion-, puncture- and UV-resistant, according to the brand. It has a 4.2-star average rating from 30 reviews at Lowe’s.
This 50-foot rubber hose can be a good option for large outdoor projects like watering a larger chunk of your lawn or cleaning off your car, according to our experts. Bawden-Davis called this a “durable” option — according to the brand, the hose is kink-resistant and can withstand hot water up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also get this hose in a 25-foot or 50-foot length and it comes in a variety of bright colors, including Blue, Red, Orange and Yellow. It has a 4.6-star average rating from 1,600 reviews on Amazon.
Lange recommended this vinyl garden hose from zero-G as a lightweight option — according to the brand, it weighs less than five pounds. The hose itself doesn’t expand or retract, which means it stays consistently at the same length and “doesn’t seem to take away your water pressure,” Lange added. The hose features ergonomic metal couplings that are crush-proof up to 900 pounds, according to the brand. It has a 4.6-star average rating from more than 5,300 reviews on Amazon.
If you’re looking to save time and money with an all-in-one hose, nozzle and reel, Lange recommended this 50-foot option from Hoselink. It features an all-season hose, an eight-pattern thumb-control spray nozzle and a hose reel that can pivot 180 degrees for easy maneuverability. The reel also features integrated carry handles for easy transport, and the set includes hardware so you can install the reel on your wall. This hose has a 4.9-star average rating from more than 1,200 reviews at Hoselink.
Carmen Devito, founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult, recommended this rubber garden hose from FITT FLOW, which can expand from half an inch up to 60 feet long. The hose is light-duty and features metal couplings with kink-resistant collars for durability, according to FITT Flow. The hose also comes with a four-pattern thumb control spray nozzle, as well as a portable storage bag that is water- and mold-resistant, the brand says. It has a 4.8-star average rating from 100 reviews at Walmart.
Lange recommended this option from Flexon due to its Guard N Grip connector, a slip-resistant handle that the brand says puts less strain on the wrist and fingers when attaching and detaching the hose from a faucet or a nozzle. Lange noted this can be a great option for those with arthritis or who have a hard time tightening hoses onto spigots due to grip strength. According to the brand, this 100-foot hose is made from abrasion-resistant vinyl material. It has a 3.5-star average rating from more than 2,000 reviews at Costco.
Below, we compiled expert-recommended and highly rated garden hose nozzles that include pistol grip, watering wand and thumb-control nozzles. The nozzles also offer various spray patterns, including single-pattern and multi-pattern.
This metal hose nozzle from Melnor features five water spray patterns — shower, stream, mist, flat and full — that can accommodate most basic gardening activities. It’s made from a combination of metal, plastic and rubber, so it’s lightweight, though not as durable as a nozzle made fully from metal. Lange said she uses this nozzle “mostly for cleaning purposes due to the different spray patterns.” It has a 4.3-star average rating from more than 800 reviews at Home Depot.
Bawden-Davis recommended this 30-inch watering wand from Dramm, which can easily reach areas in your garden or lawn that may be harder to access. While it doesn’t have adjustable spray patterns, it produces a gentle rain shower that won’t damage plants, according to the brand. The watering wand, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, is offered in a 16-inch size and features a thumb-control valve for ease of use.
With a full metal construction, this single-pattern nozzle is durable and easy to use — you can simply push down on the trigger and adjust water flow as needed, according to the brand. It has a hold-open clip to keep water streaming continuously, and a small dial at the top allows you to control the force and flow of the water that comes out, Gilmour says. This nozzle has a 4.4-star average rating from more than 7,700 reviews on Amazon.
For a more comfortable option, Devito recommended Dramm's spray nozzles. This thumb-control one has a one-touch valve that can be quickly adjusted to control water flow without squeezing a trigger. It features nine spray patterns — from cone and shower to mist and fan — that can be selected using a quick-change dial. This nozzle has a 4.5-star average rating from more than 900 reviews on Amazon. If you prefer a pistol grip nozzle, Bawden-Davis recommended this nine-pattern option from the brand.
Below, we compiled expert-recommended and highly rated hose reels across price points and functionality, including wall-mounted and portable options. In line with expert guidance, each of the following reels are open for easier storage and less bulk.
For a simple and affordable storage option, Lange recommended this hose hanger that can be mounted. It’s crafted from durable steel and features a curved design that can prevent your hose from sagging or getting tangled, the brand says. It’s also sturdy enough to hold 100 feet of a standard, 5/8-inch diameter garden hose, according to Yard Butler. It also comes in four colors — Green, Blue, Purple and Verdigris — and has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 4,600 reviews on Amazon.
Lange also called this decorative, wall-mounted hose reel from Liberty Garden a great option if you don’t want to sacrifice style for utility. It’s constructed from non-rust cast aluminum with a nickel powder-coated finish that can help prevent water damage, according to the brand. Liberty Garden says it can hold up to 125 feet of a standard hose and features a shelf at the top to hold any outdoor gardening tools. It also includes a hose guide that lets you roll and unroll your hose without it getting bunched or tangled. This reel has a 4.7-star average rating from more than 2,800 reviews on Amazon.
If you’re planning on moving your hose across your yard, Lange suggested this reel cart from AMES as a portable option. It conveniently folds down for easy storage, and the handle features hose and nozzle notches to hold them in place when in use and prevent a tripping hazard. The reel, which can hold hoses up to 175 feet long, has a 4.2-star average rating from more than 3,500 reviews on Amazon.
Choosing the best garden hose depends on several factors, including the type (which we mention above), length and material of the hose to fit your specific needs. Other factors to consider include how often you use your hose, the climate you’re in and your budget. Experts told us the length, diameter and fittings on a hose determine its water flow capacity.
Experts told us the material of the hose typically determines its flexibility and durability. According to Flickinger, hoses are usually made from one of three materials:
Experts said that a hose's kink resistance — an important factor — depends on the material. Polyurethane and rubber are fairly kink-resistent, while vinyl is more prone to kinking.
The experts we spoke to noted length is among the most important considerations when buying a hose.
“The length of the hose is determined by the project requiring water or the size of your yard, patio or area that would be supported by the garden hose,” said Flickinger. She said popular lengths are 50 and 100 feet, with the latter being a better option if you have a larger yard or rely on just one water spigot (the device used to turn water on and off).
Hoses can be categorized as light-, medium- or heavy-duty — each has its own specific uses and outdoor needs.
Light-duty hoses are the most affordable option and can be good for small gardens and plant care since they’re typically lightweight and easier to maneuver, wind up and store. However, they’re best for infrequent gardening since they’re more susceptible to damage from the elements, bursts or punctures, according to Flickinger.
Medium-duty hoses (also called standard hoses) can be a decent option for residential lawn and landscape maintenance, such as general gardening work. These offer a “better value than light-duty when watering more frequently” since they are more durable, explained Flickinger.
Heavy-duty hoses have thicker walls and are usually the most durable and sturdy option. “These hoses will most likely contain key features such as kink resistance, flexibility and durability” that let you leave them outside and exposed to the elements without risking damage, according to Flickinger. These hoses can be used for some pressure washer tasks, like washing outdoor walls and sidewalks.
It’s important to pay attention to the couplings (also called fittings), which are the end pieces that connect the ends of the hose with water supplies like spigots, sprinklers and nozzles. According to Carson, they can be made of plastic or metal (typically brass, but also sometimes zinc and aluminum) — the latter is usually the more durable option. However, metal couplings can be harder to tighten on the spigot, while plastic fittings attach more easily due to their nylon or thermoplastic materials.
Ultimately, Carson said both metal and plastic couplings have their individual benefits. High-quality metal couplings “can withstand frequent use without breaking,” she said. Plastic couplings, on the other hand, “are less expensive than metal couplings and stay cooler, so they can be a good option for really hot climates.”
A nozzle, which attaches to one end of your hose, can be a convenient way to control the flow and distribution of the water stream. Nozzles are usually either single-pattern or multi-pattern. Single-pattern nozzles have a set stream of water that you can adjust using the trigger, from a light spray to solid stream. Multi-pattern nozzles give you the added value of multiple spray settings like mist, jet and shower to fit whatever project you are working on.
Single- and multi-pattern nozzles can come in a variety of styles and with specialized attachments, according to Flickinger.
The material of the nozzle can also be an important consideration when it comes to durability. “Standard nozzles are usually metal or plastic, [though] some are both,” said Carson. Metal is the most durable option, but if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, you can opt for a nozzle made of a combination of metal and plastic. Flickinger added that an all-metal construction will “last longer and hold up to more use,” while nozzles that contain more plastic will be “lighter and less expensive.”
When it comes to storage, a hose reel can prevent a tangled heap on the floor and extend the life of your hose. It can also help you save time — without a reel, it can be difficult to untwist a hose and have it lay flat when you’re ready to use it.
Carson suggested thinking about how you want your setup to look. “There are options that mount to the side of your home, which are less visually imposing but also require you to manually wrap up the hose each time you finish with it,” she said. Some hose reels have handles or cranks that’ll help wrap up the hose, making it easier to use and store it, Carson added. While some reels are enclosed boxes that keep the hose away from the elements, Lange said they typically feed the hose through the mechanism incorrectly and “end up getting too bulky” — she recommended an open hose reel instead.
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Mili Godio is an updates editor for Select on NBC News.
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