The 4 Best Garden Hoses of 2024

Best Garden Hose for Most People

Teknor Apex Zero-G

Available Lengths: 25, 50, 100 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in

While the Teknor Apex Zero-G wasn't the most elite hose we tested, it delivered convenience and performance at an excellent price point. While the Eley Polyurethane and Dramm ColorStorm Premium give a better variety of available lengths, the Teknor is .12 pounds per foot lighter and easier to connect than the Dramm ColorStorm and offers a much more palatable price point than the Eley. The Teknor is a little different than more traditional rubber hoses, and one of our testers said the sheathed body is “lightweight and easy to drag around the yard”. The design features and construction make the hose pleasant to use, whether you're watering a garden, a large yard, or just washing your car.

One of the downsides to the Teknor is that it's only available in 3 length options. While they're likely able to meet your needs, you may end up paying for, and trying to coil and store, more hose than you need. Additionally, given the pressurized nature of this hose, it needs a nozzle to function well; otherwise, the water pressure is unusable. If a hose that expands when pressurized sounds appealing to you, the Gorilla Extremelite Heavy Duty is lighter by .02 pounds per foot. It also lays flat when empty, making coiling and storage easy, though it doesn't match the quality and spray performance of the Teknor. If you need more options in hose length, the Flexzilla 5/8-inch has seven different length options ranging from 3 feet all the way up to 100 feet, though we found it does tend to get twisted up easier when in use.

Read more: Teknor Zero-G review

Best Premium Garden Hose

Eley Polyurethane

Available Lengths: 6.5, 12, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in

The Eley Polyurethane is a high-end hose. Its performance was unmatched in testing, though its price tag might be higher than most people want to pay for a hose. The quality of construction was evident even when we unboxed this garden hose, and both its performance and ease of use leave little to be desired. We used this hose straight out of the box, where it had been coiled tightly for days, and had no trouble laying it flat or pulling it across the yard. Eley also makes a garden hose nozzle, which is a premium and well-featured option. It's engineered with heavy brass fittings, multiple spray tip attachments, and an ergonomic rubber handle and lever-like flow control valve. From heavy-duty brass fittings to a kink and twist-resistant body, it is hard to find any flaws with the Eley.

It comes as no surprise that the Eley also commands a premium price point given the quality of materials and construction. It's also one of the heavier hoses in our lineup, weighing .15 pounds per foot, though the weight is not very noticeable in hand. The nozzle is also incredibly heavy but so ergonomic that we didn't mind the weight during testing. The heavy-duty materials that contribute to the weight also lend credibility to the durability of this hose. Several other hoses in our lineup, like the Briggs and Stratton 8BS50, are very heavy-duty. We like the Briggs and Stratton for a more permanent fixture that doesn't demand as much from a flexibility or maneuverability perspective. If you'd prefer a lighter-weight option, we found the Teknor Apex Zero-G weighed about .7 pounds less per foot than the Eley and worked almost just as well. The materials are of a bit lower quality, but they are also lighter on the bank account. Still, if you're looking for a high-quality hose that you can use, abuse, and leave outside in the elements, and you're willing to pay the price, we highly recommend the Eley.

Read more: Eley Polyurethane review

Best Garden Hose on a Tight Budget

Expert Gardener Light Duty

Available Lengths: 25, 50 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in

The Expert Gardener Light Duty hose is a bargain buy, and one that's well suited if you need a basic hose for the simplest watering tasks. This plain hose does everything that you need it to; it moves water from one point to another and doesn't leak. Our tester found the connectors relatively easy to use as well. As long as you don't need extra long reach or aren't concerned about top-notch handling and durability for all-day usage, the Expert Gardner is a perfectly adequate pick.

The downside to a budget hose option is that the durability and performance won't match up against more expensive options. However, if you're not comparing them side by side like us, it's unlikely that you'll notice much of a difference. Our testers found the Expert Gardener tends to kink quite easily and severely, causing a complete stoppage of water flow. The kinks also tend to linger in the hose; even hours after our kink test, we could still see the lasting damage from repeated wear on that spot. Not many hoses can compete with the Expert Gardener on price, but for a step up in performance, the Giraffe Tools Hybrid is available in plenty of short options, starting at three feet, that would be ideal for light watering chores. The Teknor Apex is very lightweight and didn't cause as many kinking issues in our testing. It has a higher price tag than the Expert Gardener, but it is also of much better quality and will give you the most bang for your buck.

Read more: Expert Gardener Light Duty

An Excellent Premium Garden Hose with Super Long Options

Dramm ColorStorm Premium

Available Lengths: 50, 75, 100 ft, and custom lengths up to 330 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in, 3/4 in

The Dramm ColorStorm Premium is another excellent hose. We like the Dramm for its variety of length and diameter options, letting you customize your hose to your needs. Available in custom lengths up to 330 feet and two different diameters, this means you can pay for exactly the amount of hose you need. The Dramm has a hexagonal shape versus traditional round hose bodies, and this likely contributes to its anti-kink design and what felt like a desire to lay flat no matter how we pulled and twisted it. The hex connectors on both ends of the hose spin freely and screw on easily and are also able to be tightened or loosened with a wrench.

Despite the Dramm's size and weight, our lead tester said “This hose is very flexible and maneuvers easily.” Additionally, although the hex connectors were easy to screw on, we found that a half twist with a wrench was needed to really snug up the connections and prevent leaks, especially if you plan to leave the spigot on and control water flow with a valve or nozzle. The Dramm doesn't come with a nozzle — most of the garden hoses we tested don't — but we tested all our hoses with a popular Dramm nozzle found online. Overall, we're neutral on the Dramm nozzle but very impressed with this durable and quality hose. If you're looking for something a little further down the price scale, the Flexzilla 5/8-Inch is another hose with various length options that does come with a nozzle, but we think most people will be happy to buy an aftermarket nozzle to get the best performance. If you're looking for a high-quality long hose, the Eley is the other model we tested that is available over 100 feet. Its options stop at 200 feet, so if you're looking for extra long hose lengths, consider the Dramm.

Read more: Dramm ColorStorm review

Garden Hose with Convenient Small Space Lengths

Giraffe Tools Hybrid

Available Lengths: 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in

The Giraffe Tools Hybrid is a convenient-to-use garden hose that shines in an area where other hoses lack, namely shorter hose lengths. While larger yards may demand 100-foot hose lengths, the opposite is true for smaller yards or niche hose needs. Having just the right amount of hose can save space, reduce twists, kinks, and tangles, and make storing and maneuvering the hose much easier. The Giraffe comes in several length options, four of which are under 15 feet, making it ideal for compact areas or gardens. It is relatively easy to use, and we found it to be just as easy to screw on as our top hoses in this lineup, thanks to a large rotating rubber handle that slides over a hex brass connector. This design gives you the best of both worlds; a connector that's easy to screw on by hand but can be tightened or loosened with a wrench if needed.

Not much stands out for the Giraffe, whether good or bad, which for a simple tool like a hose may not be that surprising. Its spray is a little on the lighter side for a 5/8 inch diameter hose, and although it didn't kink frequently during our testing, it does tend to want to fall into large loops and twists while pulling around the yard or out of storage. The Flexzilla and Eley Polyurethane are also available in shorter length options. The Flexzilla's shortest length is 3 feet, and the Eley comes as short as 6.5 feet. The Eley is a higher quality hose, and it comes in at a higher premium for better performance and robust materials. Overall, if you're looking for an above-average hose with shorter-length options for a small garden or even a hose to permanently connect a spigot to a hose reel several feet away, we recommend considering the Giraffe.

Impressively Kink-Free Garden Hose

Bionic Steel

Available Lengths: 25, 50, 75, 100 ft | Available Diameters: 5/8 in

The Bionic Steel is vastly different from any other hose we tested, and it is these differences that make it exceptional at resisting kinks and catching during use. This steel-bodied hose excels at slipping around tires, trees, rocks, and more as you pull it through the yard. It is also virtually impossible to kink. Despite being made from metal, it is very lightweight, making it easy to carry and maneuver.

The downside to the Bionic Steel is that it is as equally frustrating to coil as it is amazing at resisting kinks. The slippery steel slides all around and can even pinch your skin if you're coiling it around your shoulders. It also slips out of the coils easily when storing it on a hook; not ideal if you're in a compact garage where it might be bumped easily. And, when laying out in your driveway, the steel hose can create a bit of a slipping hazard; we accidentally stepped on it during testing and almost fell to the ground as it rolled out from under us. Several of the more traditional hoses we tested also resisted kinking, but we were able to drive over the Bionic without causing a major dent, just one small spot where a pebble was beneath the hose. The Eley and Dramm both actively resisted and rolled out of kinks, and the WaterRight was so snappy that it practically bounced out of kinks during our testing. Still, if you're fed up with kinking, the Bionic Steel is a great hose that will slide around obstacles and leave those days of frustration and blocked water behind.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	89	Eley Polyurethane Best Premium Garden Hose	$220
	86	Dramm ColorStorm Premium An Excellent Premium Garden Hose with Super Long Options	$199
	83	Teknor Apex Zero-G Best Garden Hose for Most People	$68
	76	Giraffe Tools Hybrid	$100
	72	Bionic Steel	$60
	70	Flexzilla 5/8-Inch	$70
	70	Gorilla Extremelite Heavy Duty	$70
	69	Water Right 400 Series Slim and Light	$105
	66	Continental ContiTech Premium	$85
	64	Briggs and Stratton 8BS50	$98
	61	Swan MaxLite Premium Rubber+	$85
	42	Expert Gardener Light Duty Best Garden Hose on a Tight Budget	$11

How We Test Garden Hoses

Here at GearLab, our testers are no strangers to uncovering the nuanced and often overlooked details that make products stand out. At first glance, a hose might seem like a straightforward product — how much really separates a great hose from an average hose to an underperforming option? As it turns out, not much, but some minor details have a very big impact on ease of use and performance. We tested these hoses over the course of an entire summer, using them to water plants and bushes during dry spells, wash dirty cars, and cool ourselves off during a heat wave. We compared how easy they were to use, how convenient it was to coil and uncoil, to screw on and unscrew each. We monitored the performance of each and whether design features or construction impeded or supported a hose's ability to seamlessly deliver water from our spigot to our nozzle. We evaluated each hose model and the manufacturers to determine how many different options are offered with each hose; after all, some people might want a 25-foot option, while others need over 100 feet of reach. Lastly, we took careful note of the construction quality throughout the course of our testing, noting any defects or faults.

We test for four key metrics:

• Convenience (35% of overall score weighting)

• Performance (35% weighting)

• Construction Quality (20% weighting)

• Variety of Options (10% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

If you're looking for unbiased reviews backed by research, data, and real-world testing, then you've come to the right place. GearLab buys all the products we test at retail value, so there are no financial incentives to favor any brands or options. Our lead hose tester is a veteran at GearLab who has put many different yard tools and equipment to the test. Equipment collector and avid home project DIYer Hale Milano knows a thing or two about how the right tools can make or break a job. For anyone who's gotten soaked from a leaky hose or fought a tangle of twisted rubber, you know the right hose can make watering much easier. Hale has years of experience pulling heavy hoses through his front and back yards to water plants, fill the pond, and wash the car, and he was up for the challenge of testing our garden hose lineup.

Analysis and Test Results

There are countless hose options on the market, and to the untrained eye, many are very similar in construction and design. We started our testing process by thoroughly researching top-rated styles, options, and models online. Once we had a feel for the industry's leading options, we selected the top 12 most promising garden hoses to compare side by side. We put each through a battery of tests designed to objectively evaluate each hose's strengths and weaknesses. We coiled, uncoiled, connected, sprayed, and drained each hose over the course of several weeks in the heat of summer. After objective tests and measurements, we rated each in their real-world performance as we used them to water plants, wash cars, and even cool off like kids in the summer. By the end, we had a feel for which hoses would leave you and your plants happy, and which would not.

What's the Best Value?

Even though hoses are relatively simple pieces of equipment, there's a vast range of price options that you can choose to spend on one. We selected our lineup to consist of the best hoses on the market, regardless of what they cost. But when recommending hoses, we factor in price for our results and like to provide options for all budgets. A hose's overall value for what you get is an important part of the buying process. Generally speaking, the heavy-duty hoses tended to cost more than lighter-weight counterparts, and in most cases, it was clear that you get what you pay for. But, all the hoses in our lineup accomplished what a hose is supposed to do — move water from one location to another without leaks. With that in mind, any of the garden hoses in our lineup can accomplish that task, and you should feel empowered to choose the one that aligns with your unique buying position.

The Teknor Apex Zero-G stands out as one hose that delivers on performance for a budget price. At well under half the cost of other top-scoring hoses in our lineup, it is only a few points behind the leaders in overall score. We felt the tradeoff was well worth it in savings, earning this hose its place as our most recommended option in our lineup.

While the Expert Gardener Light Duty was the lowest scoring hose in our lineup, the price of this hose was unmatched. For a tight budget, the Expert Gardener is enough to get the job done, albeit with a few compromises. The hose does tend to kink in use and those kinks do tend to leave a noticable depression in the hose for a while after, but if a great price is what you seek, this hose meets the criteria.

Convenience

Our first priority was to evaluate how convenient each garden hose was to use across common hose tasks. We coiled and stored each hose numerous times to see if it wound up and hung nicely or twisted and fought the process. Then, we uncoiled and stretched out each hose to its maximum length, checking for twists, kinks, and tangles.

There were a number of hoses that scored equally well in our convenience test. We found that a few standard features helped hoses stand out here. Our top performers in the convenience metric were the Dramm Colorstorm Premium, Teknor Zero-G, Giraffe Hybrid, and Bionic Steel. All of these hoses were exceptionally easy to screw on to a spigot. They also lay flat when stretched out, making it easy to maneuver around your yard and obstacles.

The Eley hose is a close runner-up to these other top models. It is most impressive in its uncoiling and flexibility. It pulled straight out of any coil or storage pile and laid flat. It is also one of the most flexible and maneuverable hoses we used, despite its heavier weight.

A heavy hose may not be the most convenient to haul across your yard, though sometimes other perks outweigh this factor. To get a good baseline, we calculated the weight per foot of each hose.

Weight isn't everything, and though the Water Right 400 Series Slim and Light, Gorilla Extremelite, and Swan MaxLite Premium Rubber+ were among the lightest hoses in our lineup, our testers found they tended to twist during use, and the Swan MaxLite kinked up constantly. What really helped these hoses cinch the top score in convenience is how easy they are to screw onto a spigot. Screwing on a hose to a hard-to-reach spigot is a pain point for many hose users, especially those with limited dexterity in their hands. A user-friendly connector can make a world of difference in attaching a hose to a spigot without any leaks or stripped threads. Both the Giraffe and Teknor have oversized rubber or plastic attachments to the connector that spin freely around the rest of the hose, letting you firmly hand tighten with ease. The Bionic Steel also has a large grip for this purpose. The Dramm is easy to screw on but only has a metal hex connector; if hand tightening results in any leaks, a small wrench could finish the job with a half twist.

With the exception of the Bionic Steel, all of these models are quite easy to coil and store. The Bionic is almost too flexible and slips right out of coils when storing or wrapping it up.

Convenience is definitely a key factor in selecting a garden hose. How well it connects to a spigot, other hoses, and nozzles can change the user experience for better or worse. If you're dragging a hose through a maze of trees, shrubs, light posts, and car tires, you'll want an option that doesn't make the job more difficult.

Performance

While we tested the convenience of each hose to use across a variety of tasks, we simultaneously evaluated how well it accomplished each of them. This metric involved evaluating the hose's coil memory and whether it developed permanent kinks or flat spots from being repeatedly kinked or run over by a car. We scored hoses on whether the connectors and valves leaked or the design supported a snug fit. Lastly, although most hoses didn't come with a nozzle, we evaluated many models that did come with one. For the others, we used a standard nozzle. During use, we compared the spray performance across volume, pressure, and distance, noting how the length or diameter of the hose impacted this.

The Teknor Zero-G was once again one of the highest-performing models in our lineup. Thanks to the ergonomic connectors, there are no leaks when screwing on this model. Its fabric sheath prevents any sort of coil memory and helps it resist kinking and flat spots. It doesn't lay completely flat, but we didn't find this to be a negative; rather, it helped prevent kinks. Even when standing on this hose, water continued to flow. The Teknor had some of the best spray pressure and distance of any we tested.

Another excellent score in our performance metric was earned by the Eley. The large hex connector is easy to screw on and when only finger-tight, yields no leaks. Uncoiling the hose, it lays completely flat immediately and is one of the most kink-resistant rubber hoses we tested. Even when trying to intentionally kink the hose, it wants to bend in a large loop versus twist and kink. The Eley also has great water flow and spray performance.

The Dramm also earned high marks for its performance. This model, possibly because of its hexagonal shape, has no coil memory and snaps out of kinks on its own. We also tested the Dramm with a nozzle by the same manufacturer and found that it has great spray performance. There was a slight leak from the female end of the hose when we first connected it, but a quarter twist with a wrench cinched the connector up to the spigot and stopped the leak.

The Gorilla Extremelite Heavy Duty is yet another high-performing hose option. This hose also has no coil memory and lays flat wherever we pull it. Its design is different from most hoses; whereas others have a rigid structure, the Gorilla will flatten out when empty. It is almost impossible to completely stop the flow of water, even with a kink in it, but it does have a tendency to twist up on itself when empty.

We noted that especially the Eley Polyurethane, Dramm Colorstorm Premium, Teknor Zero-G, Giraffe Hybrid, and Bionic Steel actively resist kinking. We found that even forcing a kink in these hoses can be challenging, adding to their acceptable performance ratings. The Giraffe, in particular, only didn't score as highly as the others because of its much lighter spray for its size.

When considering a garden hose, performance is certainly a key factor in deciding which to purchase. A hose that kinks constantly or has poor spray performance may not be the best tool for the job.

Construction Quality

It is immediately clear that the Eley has some of the highest construction quality and material standards of any hose we tested. Though we didn't factor it into our score, even the packaging and instructions for this hose were high quality. The hose is also made from thick materials, including solid brass fittings, which are much more likely to last than thin-coated fittings found on other models. The nozzle has separate screen attachments and spray tips for changing the water, as well as solid brass fittings and construction. If you need a hose nozzle that might survive the apocalypse — this is probably it.

The Dramm again found its way to the leader pack, thanks to a thick and durable construction. We are confident you could leave this hose outside year-round - provided it is drained appropriately - and it would keep functioning.

Lastly, the Continental ContiTech Premium is a very heavy-duty hose and another that we'd feel confident leaving outside around the clock. The durable brass fittings lend credibility to its construction quality, along with the fact that nothing we threw at it had any impact on its visual appearance or performance.

Because construction quality can be hard to evaluate over a short period of time, we judged each hose on its perceived construction quality. We noted whether there were any signs of wear and tear from our testing and day-to-day usage. We also left the hoses exposed to the elements. We tested hoses throughout the East Coast summer, exposing them to heat, humidity, rain, and direct sunlight. We recorded any impacts to the material from this exposure. Lastly, we factored in any noteworthy user reviews online that had similar findings for a hose rather than fluke occurrences.

Variety of Options

Hoses are available in a variety of options, and this is good as not everyone needs the same size hose. We studied manufacturer websites and recorded the different lengths and diameters of each available model. We also noted whether or not the hose came with a nozzle or whether one is available by the same manufacturer. Though we evaluated valves as a component of our testing, none of the hoses included an integrated valve. It's worth noting that regardless of the hose diameter — the measurement of the inner hose tube — all of the connectors utilize the standard garden hose connector threads.

The clear leader in our lineup of garden hoses for its variety of options is the Dramm ColorStorm. It is available in four standard length options and custom lengths up to 330 feet. It also comes in two diameter options, ⅝ inch and ¾ inch, letting you tailor the hose you buy to your needs. Though the Dramm doesn't include a nozzle, the manufacturer makes a popular and inexpensive nozzle that is readily available.

Standing out for the number of standard options, the Eley can be purchased in one of 10 different length options, from a compact 6.5-foot option to a whopping 200-foot model. It is only available in the ⅝ inch diameter size. The nozzle, though not included with the hose, also has plenty of options. A built-in ball valve controls the water flow. The cone nozzle has four different mesh inserts that let you change the water pressure, and a separate spray attachment varies the stream from a wide angle to a narrow jet.

Both the Giraffe and Flexzilla 5/8-Inch hoses are available in a variety of sizes as well. The Giraffe is one of our favorites thanks to its plethora of shorter-length options. It comes in three, five, 10, and 15-foot segments and the standard longer length options. The Flexzilla also comes in three, five, and 10-foot options before jumping up to standard length options ranging from 25 to 100 feet. The Flexzilla is available in either a ⅝ inch or ¾ inch diameter, and it comes with a nozzle included. The nozzle is all plastic but includes a push button valve and six stream types.

Most hose options range from 25-100ft. Anything less or more than that is worthy of note and can be very useful for the right job. Having multiple diameters can also be a perk, though most hoses we tested just come in a 5/8 inch option.

How to Choose a Garden Hose

What length of hose do you need?

Garden hoses come in a variety of lengths. If you are simply watering a few potted plants on your deck, a shorter hose may be sufficient. However, if you're trying to wash your car or water a larger garden or yard, a longer hose is the obvious choice for the job. Many hoses come in 25, 50, and 100-foot lengths, but certain options include longer and shorter varieties. Getting a good idea of how much hose you need will help you begin narrowing down your search.

Kink Resistance

To determine how important it is that your hose never kinks, think about how you will be using it. Will you be dragging it across a yard, or simply moving back and forth along a flower bed near the spigot? In many cases, it will be more of a hassle to deal with kinks and twists in your hose if you are having to drag it through the grass or around car tires. If the space you are moving around in is much smaller, a kinked hose may be easier to deal with. Reaching over and fixing the blocked water flow may not be as much of a hassle. Ask yourself how important it is to you that you aren't having to fix an occasional kinked hose as you go about your work.

Durability

How often do you plan to use your hose? Will it be pulled over rocks and through shrubs? These are questions to ask when deciding how sturdy your hose needs to be. If you plan to use it occasionally along your porch or flower bed, finding a sturdy option may not be of the utmost importance to you. However, if this is a tool you'll need nearly everyday, or you plan to pull it along over tree root and rock or over driveways, solid construction may be on the top of your requirement list.

Other Considerations

Some hoses come with extra features, like an included nozzle or a shut off to allow you to switch nozzles. Some connectors are free spinning so you can connect your hose without it twisting up on you, and the size and shapes of the connectors vary.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, most people need a hose for washing the car and watering their garden or yard. For those purposes, almost any of the garden hoses in our lineup will get the job done. Still, if you want to know that you're spending your hard-earned dollars wisely or have some demanding hose requirements and want the best on the market, we hope that our hose review provides you with all the information you need to make a well-informed decision.