Reviews You Can Rely On

Orbit Coil with ABS Threads Review

Our favorite coil-style hose that shrinks back better than others, and has great spray performance
gearlab tested logo
Orbit Coil with ABS Threads Review
Hero
Credit: Hale Milano
Price:  $30 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Orbit
Hale Milano
By Hale Milano ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  October 1, 2024
64
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 10
  • Convenience - 35% 7.0
  • Performance - 35% 7.0
  • Construction Quality - 20% 5.5
  • Variety of Options - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Orbit Coil with ABS Threads is a well-made coil-style hose that has excellent spray performance and a space-saving design. We found this hose to be best for watering items in a small area, as stretching it past 25 feet hinders its ability to reshrink. It's also great for a more permanent mounting style, allowing the water connection to remain on and controlling the flow with a valve or nozzle, such as in a garden area or mudroom. Unfortunately, the Orbit is only available in one size option. It also tends to get stuck on its own coils and items in its path. Still, if you're looking for a quality coil hose, we recommend this model most.
REASONS TO BUY
Re-coils well
Great nozzle and spray performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Coils get caught on each other easily
Only one length option

Our Analysis and Test Results

One of the best coil hoses we tested is the Orbit Coil with ABS Threads. This hose is one of the most resistant to over-stretching, and even after use, it recoiled to near its original size. It also had great spray performance. If you're looking for a permanently mounted hose that can be used to water plants in close proximity without having to manually coil a large garden hose, this may be the best option for you.

orbit coil with abs threads - the orbit was easy to mount and leave out, keeping it handy for...
The Orbit was easy to mount and leave out, keeping it handy for quick and frequent watering's.
Credit: Hale Milano

Convenience


The Orbit recoils or contracts back to its original size better than most other hoses we tested. At its baseline length, the hose measures 2.4 feet from tip to tip. When we stretched it out to its maximum length of 44 feet, we felt a strong resistance. We wouldn't recommend stretching any coil-style hose to its maximum capacity. When we released the tension, the hose naturally shrunk back to around 5 feet. We heavily valued the ability to recoil well, which is one of the primary reasons for purchasing an expandable coil hose.


orbit coil with abs threads - the orbit won't shrink back to its out of the box size, but it does...
The Orbit won't shrink back to its out of the box size, but it does better than most at coiling back up to a manageable length.
Credit: Hale Milano

In use, the Orbit is relatively easy to move around with, unless you're at its maximum stretch length. The coils, like other coil-style hoses, tend to get caught on yard obstacles, such as shrubs and rocks. Connecting this hose is relatively easy. Although the threads are made of ABS plastic, they're still easy to screw onto spigots and nozzles.

Coil hoses are easy to use over short distances, but the coils can catch and get caught on obstacles.
Credit: Hale Milano

Performance


The performance of the Orbit Coil is one of its strong suits, and we were very impressed while using it to water plants, fill dog bowls, and wash off muddy paws.


We experienced no leaks, kinks, or flat spots while using the Orbit. Though it is possible to manually kink a coil hose, we found it unlikely to occur naturally while testing, given the springy design of these hoses. The spray performance of the Orbit is exceptionally good, especially considering the narrow hose diameter. We had excellent spray volume and pressure, and the included nozzle is impressive as well. It has eight different functions, and each works well.

orbit coil with abs threads - excellent spray pressure and volume, along with no errant leaks from...
Excellent spray pressure and volume, along with no errant leaks from the Orbit significantly boosted it's performance rating.
Credit: Hale Milano

Construction Quality


After several months of testing, we didn't notice any construction or durability concerns on the Orbit. We looked for signs of day-to-day wear, impact from exposure to the elements, and themes in online reviews related to durability.


Although the connectors on the Orbit were plastic, not metal, we didn't feel that they were likely to break. Instead, the plastic may help prevent rust damage over time. The majority of negative reviews we found online were minor and unrelated to quality concerns.

orbit coil with abs threads - though plastic, the abs threads on the orbit felt heavy duty.
Though plastic, the ABS threads on the Orbit felt heavy duty.
Credit: Hale Milano

Variety of Options


Unfortunately, the biggest downside to the Orbit is that it is only available in one size option. Still, given the specialized use case for a coil hose, we didn't find this to be detrimental to our opinion of the hose.


The Orbit is available in a 50-foot length option, with a diameter of ⅜ inch. The nozzle has eight spray modes, which is a nice variety.

The Orbit nozzle and water pressure was some of the best from any expandable hose we tested.
Credit: Hale Milano

Should You Buy the Orbit Coil with ABS Threads?


If you're looking to mount a hose in your patio, greenhouse, or deck, a coil-style hose like the Orbit Coil may be the ideal choice. It would also make a great option for a mudroom or a washdown hose, given its excellent spray performance and adjustable nozzle modes. The Orbit excels in watering items within a 20-foot radius of the spigot and shrinks nicely for easy storage. All of these features, plus the budget-friendly price, make the Orbit our top choice for coil-style hoses.

orbit coil with abs threads - the orbit is great for frequent watering's in a contained area, such...
The Orbit is great for frequent watering's in a contained area, such as a deck, patio, or greenhouse, where hose length isn't required.
Credit: Hale Milano

What Other Expandable Hoses Should You Consider?


The use case for a coil hose is fairly niche, and they're ideal when you don't need to water items far from the spigot. Another coil hose to consider is the Flexon CH5850 Coil, which also coils back up close to its original size. The Flexon comes in two different length options and two diameter options, although it doesn't stretch to its maximum length easily. If you're looking for a little extra reach but still want the benefits of an expandable hose, our expansion-style hoses may be a better option. Hoses like the Pocket Hose Silver Bullet, Flexi Hose, and AmazingForLess Expandable are all great options for expansion-style hoses that expand and contract with water pressure, as opposed to coils.

orbit coil with abs threads - coil hoses are quick and easy to use, but not the best for large...
Coil hoses are quick and easy to use, but not the best for large areas or compact storage.
Credit: Hale Milano

Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Orbit Coil with ABS Threads versus top competing products:
Or, compare up to 5 products side-by-side here.
Hale Milano


You Might Also Like