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Flexi Hose Review

This hose has a lot of nice features and reshrinks well, making it ideal for boat or RV owners looking for a hose to store on board
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Flexi Hose Review
Flexi Hero
Credit: Hale Milano
Price:  $55 List
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Manufacturer:   Flexi Hose
By Hale Milano ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 1, 2024
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 10
  • Convenience - 35% 8.0
  • Performance - 35% 6.0
  • Construction Quality - 20% 5.5
  • Variety of Options - 10% 6.5

Our Verdict

The Flexi Hose is an expansion-style expandable hose and performed well across a variety of our tests. It is easy to use and has several features that enhance performance and convenience. That said, these features add up, and the Flexi costs more than most other expansion hoses in our lineup of the top expandable hoses. This type of hose is ideal for when you're limited on space, but still want to be able to water or fill items with a hose versus other means, such as a bucket. Though they offer different pros and cons than traditional garden hoses, if you're looking for a space-saving option, expandable hoses can be an excellent choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Shrinks well
Included valve
Resists kinking
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor quality nozzle
Heavier than average
Most of the expandable hoses in our lineup performed equally across our testing process. Slight advantages that some hose models had make them better for certain use cases. Which you prefer best can be a matter of opinion based on the pros and cons we outline below.

Compare to Similar Products

 
flexi hose
This Product
Flexi Hose
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Boat, RV, and Camper Owners
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall
Top Pick Award
Best Coil-Style Expandable Hose
  
Price Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at AmazonCheck Price at Amazon$30 List$38 List
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Bottom Line This hose is easy to use, performs well, and has plenty of features that make it ideal for boat or RV ownersA great hose for those short on storage space who are looking for an economical blend of convenience and performanceA compact coil-style hose with great spray performance at a budget-friendly priceWe love that this expandable hose is available in a variety of lengths, and its expansion & contraction performance is top-tierThis hose is ease to use and sprays water well, with four length options
Rating Categories Flexi Hose Pocket Hose Silver... Orbit Coil with ABS... AmazingForLess Expa... Xhose Pro
Convenience (35%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Performance (35%)
6.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
Construction Quality (20%)
5.5
4.0
5.5
6.0
4.0
Variety of Options (10%)
6.5
6.0
4.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Flexi Hose Pocket Hose Silver... Orbit Coil with ABS... AmazingForLess Expa... Xhose Pro
Available Lengths 50, 75, 100 feet 25, 50, 100 feet 50 feet 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 feet 25, 50, 75, 100 feet
Nozzle Included Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Coupling Shape Round Round Hex and round Round Round
Hose Material Latex Not specified Rubber Plastic DAC-5 fiber
Measured Weight Per Foot 0.04 lb/ft 0.04 lb/ft 0.03 lb/ft 0.03 lb/ft 0.05 lb/ft
Coupling Material Brass Aluminum Plastic Plastic Brass
Measured Expanded Length 51.4 ft 52.1 ft 44.3 ft 47.8 ft 51.5 ft
Measured Contracted Length 17.7 ft 17.1 ft 2.4 ft 17.5 ft 16.7 ft
Expansion Multiplier 2.9x 3.1x 18.5x 2.7x 3.1x
Valve Included Yes No No Yes Yes
PSI Limit 175 PSI 150 PSI Not stated Not stated 500 PSI
Available Diameters 3/4 in 3/4 in 3/8 in 5/8 in 5/8 in
Diameter Tested 3/4 in 3/4 in 3/8 in 5/8 in 5/8 in
Length Tested 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft 50 ft
Measured Weight 2.2 lb 1.8 lb 1.6 lb 1.4 lb 2.3 lb
Expansion Type Expansion Expansion Coil Expansion Expansion

Our Analysis and Test Results

One impressive model that we tested is the Flexi Hose. This hose is very convenient to use, and excels at shrinking back to its original size. It is more expensive than some of the other top-performing expansion hoses, but it also includes both a valve and a nozzle. Because of its convenience, features, and construction quality, we think this hose is the best option for boat, RV, or camper owners looking for a hose to store onboard their vehicle while on the go.

Performance Comparison


flexi hose - the 50-foot flexi was more than adequate to reach around a 38-foot...
The 50-foot Flexi was more than adequate to reach around a 38-foot sailboat, including dodging and weaving through all the decking hardware, yet still tucks up inside the washdown bucket with ease.
Credit: Hale Milano

Convenience


Hoses are relatively straightforward to use, but certain features can enhance their possibilities and convenience. We studied how easy each hose was to shrink and store, drag around a yard, and screw onto spigots and nozzles. The Flexi Hose excelled at some of these individual metrics.


The Flexi Hose is one of the best expandable hoses we tested at shrinking back to its original size. Because expandable hoses expand and contract based on water pressure, we did notice a slight backward tug every time we sprayed water, but it didn't negatively impact performance in the long run. With no pressure, the Flexi is 17.7 feet long; when fully expanded, it reaches 51.4 feet long, expanding to almost three times its original length. We had no issues using the hose when it was fully expanded, and it was flexible and easy to maneuver.

The Flexi excels at quick expansion when the water is on and rapidly shrinks back down when we turn the spigot off.

The connectors on the Flexi Hose were average. They were round in shape, versus hex, which we prefer for its ability to be tightened and loosened with a wrench. That said, it is easy to hand-tighten, and the valve is convenient in the event you don't have a nozzle.

flexi hose - a built in valve on expansion hoses makes it quick and easy to...
A built in valve on expansion hoses makes it quick and easy to remove or swap the nozzle; otherwise you need to turn the hose off and let it drain first.
Credit: Hale Milano

Performance


The Flexi Hose can adequately accomplish everything you need a hose to do, but it doesn't stand out in any one category. We considered the job accomplished as long as a hose didn't leak or kink excessively. During testing, we looked for features or attributes that helped a hose perform above and beyond this minimum level.


First and foremost, we experienced no leaks while testing the Flexi Hose. Like most other expandable hoses, we also didn't experience any flat spots or kinking due to the fact that the water pressure helps the Flexi actively resist any accidental kinking. We were slightly underwhelmed with the included nozzle. Though there are eight different settings, they don't click into place nicely. We were able to use the valve as a makeshift nozzle, which is a great bonus if you don't have, or don't want, a nozzle.

Eight settings and a locking feature enable the Flexi nozzle to be useful across a variety of scenarios.
Credit: Hale Milano

Construction Quality


We tested the Flexi Hose in a variety of conditions throughout months of testing: direct sun, humid and hot temperatures, rain, and more. We drug it across rocks, dirt, grass, driveways, and even ran over it with our car. We noticed no issues with the hose outside of normal wear and tear from usage.


The brass connectors and valve on the Flexi helped it stand up to the elements well. The hose sheath is latex, and we noticed no issues from exposure or abrasion during use. We also checked reviews online; there is a trend of reviewers stating that this hose worked great until, all of a sudden, it failed completely, but we didn't experience that in our testing.

flexi hose - this large diameter hose boasts excellent spray performance, and we...
This large diameter hose boasts excellent spray performance, and we loved the confidence in leak prevention thanks to a valve on the nozzle end of the hose.
Credit: Hale Milano

The sheath of the Flexi is a soft woven fabric that protects both the hose and whatever you might be using it on. This may not be as important in the home or garden, but if you're using it on a campervan or boat, protecting your paint job can be paramount. When testing this hose on our boat, we found it slid around obstacles with ease, and also didn't scuff or scratch the boat's white gelcoat at all.

There's a maze of obstacles on boat decks that can hang up a hose; unlike traditional rubber hoses the Flexi slid around all of these with ease.
Credit: Hale Milano

Variety of Options


Users looking for a little variety of choices will be pleased with the different size options in which the Flexi Hose is available. When looking at expandable hose lengths, it's important to note that a little extra room can be beneficial, as using the hose at max extension isn't always the easiest.


The Flexi can be found in 50, 75, and 100-foot options. This variety allows you to purchase the right amount of hose for your needs. The Flexi is only available in one diameter, ¾ inch, and we found this suitable for all kinds of intended usage. We like that the Flexi comes with some extra features like a valve and an included nozzle, adding to its attractiveness as an option.

We tested the 50-foot Flexi and had no issues using it to wash our cars and camper vans. RV or boat owners who have a longer vehicle might consider the 75 or 100 foot models instead.
Credit: Hale Milano

Should You Buy the Flexi Hose?


If you own a boat, RV, or camper van, you've likely experienced the frustration of trying to fit everything you need into small storage compartments, as well as the frustration of dirt and mud everywhere. A compact hose like the Flexi can alleviate both of those concerns. It shrinks up small enough to be shoved under seats or in oddly shaped cabinets, and it expands long enough to wash off your entire vehicle and then some. Though this hose is more expensive than others in our lineup, we appreciated the convenience and features that it included and recommend it because of this.

flexi hose - the 50-foot flexi hose and nozzle shrink down small enough to fit...
The 50-foot Flexi hose and nozzle shrink down small enough to fit inside most external storage compartments on campervans or RV's making it ideal for when space and weight are at a premium.
Credit: Hale Milano

What Other Expandable Hoses Should You Consider?


Expandable hoses are ideal for many people because they provide the advantages of a hose in a space-saving design. Not all expandable hoses are created equal, though; in fact, there are two separate types: coil and expansion. If you liked the concept of expansion hoses, most of the options in our lineup performed very similarly. The Pocket Hose Silver Bullet, AmazingForLess Expandable, and Flex-Able Xtreme all boast very similar features and performance. The other type, coil hoses, are ideal for watering items in a small space and can be mounted permanently for an even more convenient watering experience. Our favorite coil hose is the Orbit Coil with ABS Threads for its contraction and performance capabilities. On the other hand, if after reading this review you're not sure that expansion hoses are the best type of hose for your watering needs, we also reviewed the best hose reels. Hose reels combine the benefits of a top-rated garden hose in a space-saving design, retracting into a storage unit.

flexi hose - we loved the expandable flexi hose on boats and rvs where storage...
We loved the expandable Flexi hose on boats and RVs where storage and portability is at a premium.
Credit: Hale Milano

Hale Milano
 

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