Orbit Coil with ABS Threads Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Orbit Coil with ABS Threads | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Coil-Style Expandable Hose |  Best Overall Expandable Hose | |||
| Price | $30 List Check Price at Amazon | $30 List Check Price at Amazon | $40 List | $38 List | $40 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A compact coil-style hose with great spray performance at a budget-friendly price | A great hose for those short on storage space who are looking for an economical blend of convenience and performance | We love that this expandable hose is available in a variety of lengths, and its expansion & contraction performance is top-tier | This hose is ease to use and sprays water well, with four length options | This coil hose will get the job done, and the included nozzle is better than most |
| Rating Categories | Orbit Coil with ABS... | Pocket Silver Bullet | AmazingForLess | Xhose Pro | Automan Recoil EVA |
| Convenience (35%) | |||||
| Performance (35%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (20%) | |||||
| Variety of Options (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Orbit Coil with ABS... | Pocket Silver Bullet | AmazingForLess | Xhose Pro | Automan Recoil EVA |
| Available Lengths | 50 feet | 25, 50, 100 feet | 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 feet | 25, 50, 75, 100 feet | 25, 50 feet |
| Nozzle Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Coupling Shape | Hex and round | Round | Round | Round | Hex and round |
| Hose Material | Rubber | Not specified | Plastic | DAC-5 fiber | EVA |
| Measured Weight Per Foot | 0.03 lb/ft | 0.04 lb/ft | 0.03 lb/ft | 0.05 lb/ft | 0.03 lb/ft |
| Coupling Material | Plastic | Aluminum | Plastic | Brass | Brass |
| Measured Expanded Length | 44.3 ft | 52.1 ft | 47.8 ft | 51.5 ft | 49.4 ft |
| Measured Contracted Length | 2.4 ft | 17.1 ft | 17.5 ft | 16.7 ft | 2.3 ft |
| Expansion Multiplier | 18.5x | 3.1x | 2.7x | 3.1x | 21.5x |
| Valve Included | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| PSI Limit | Not stated | 150 PSI | Not stated | 500 PSI | Not stated |
| Available Diameters | 3/8 in | 3/4 in | 5/8 in | 5/8 in | 3/8 in |
| Diameter Tested | 3/8 in | 3/4 in | 5/8 in | 5/8 in | 3/8 in |
| Length Tested | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft |
| Measured Weight | 1.6 lb | 1.8 lb | 1.4 lb | 2.3 lb | 1.5 lb |
| Expansion Type | Coil | Expansion | Expansion | Expansion | Coil |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
—Hale Milano
