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The dream hose is durable, flexible, and kink-resistant with leak-proof fittings. It ensures a reliable water flow and is easy to store.
We tested over 50 hoses in the past five years. Our team of homeowners, gardeners, agricultural educators, and DIYers used each hose, reel, and other yard equipment weekly for over three months.
The Teknor Apex Zero-G decisively came out on top among all the contenders. This garden hose has a unique semi-collapsible design with a watertight inner tube surrounded by a tightly woven casing. This allows it to retain flexibility and resist kinks while being relatively lightweight and compact once drained. We found it easy to use and reliable for almost every watering job.
Our team also loved the Pocket Hose Silver Bullet. While “pocket-sized” may be an exaggeration, this expandable model shrinks to a third of its full length, making it easy to carry around and store. We found it a perfect option for smaller spaces where you might have patio planters or raised garden beds.
Who it is best for: The Teknor Apex Zero-G is a great choice for just about every kind of user and came out on top in our full garden hose review. It performed above average in every metric we tested and fits the bill for everything from lawn watering to washing the dog or spraying down your garden. Its lightweight, durable design especially appeals to those who value convenience but don't need a heavy-duty model for large landscaping projects. While its strong sheath helps protect against damage from rocks and vehicles, users wanting a more customizable hose or included accessories might prefer other options.
Why we love it: This hose stands out for its combination of convenience and performance. It is exceptionally lightweight: about half the weight of other top-scoring models. Its thin, flexible inner tube and abrasion-resistant woven casing create a hose that resists kinks and is easy to pull around the garden. Lead tester shared, “I loved using this hose. It slides easily and is very durable.” The couplings are round with oversized grips, making leak-proof connections simple. Our reviewer also noted, “Even when I was standing on the hose while spraying, it continued to shoot water.”
Should you buy it? This is an excellent buy if you prioritize a lightweight, durable, and easy-to-use hose. The main downsides are that dirt and debris stick more easily to its woven casing than rubber hoses and tend to tangle when empty. Because it collapses flat without water pressure, a nozzle or valve is necessary, which is not included. It's only available in 5/8-inch diameter and 25, 50, and 100-foot lengths. Despite these minor drawbacks, its benefits outweigh the cons, making it the best hose for most people.
Although it has a smaller diameter than other hoses, the Teknor Apex still impressed us with its spray performance when using our standard testing nozzle.
Who it is best for: The Dramm ColorStorm Premium is ideal for people with a large yard who need a tough, weather-resistant hose. It's perfect for anyone tackling big landscaping projects or dealing with rugged environments — rain, mud, rocks, etc. Available in 50, 75, 100, and even custom lengths up to 330 feet, it can reach just about anywhere. While it's a heavy-duty option, its significant weight (0.20 lb/ft) might make it too much hose for smaller yards or users who prefer something lighter.
Why we love it: Made from robust EPDM rubber, it is built for durability and easy handling. Its unique hexagonal shape improves kink resistance, and despite its weight, it's surprisingly maneuverable and easy to coil. Our tester said it “felt like it wanted to lay flat,” making it easier to drag around. Testers loved that it didn't wedge under car tires and that it shrugged off attempts to kink it. The hex-shaped couplings were easier to tighten by hand, especially the larger female-side coupling, making a leak-free setup simple.
Should you buy it? This is an excellent investment if you need a rugged, durable hose that handles tough environments and won't kink or fail under pressure. Its heavyweight construction means extra durability and heft, especially in longer lengths. While it might not be the best fit for those prioritizing lightness and convenience, anyone seeking a hose that can handle nearly anything, without worrying about wear and tear, will find the Dramm a smart choice. As our tester said, “I felt okay leaving this one out in the elements.”
Who it is best for: The Ayleid Retractable Reel is a great option for anyone who wants a complete, convenient watering setup without mixing and matching components. This was the best of all the models in our hose reel roundup. It's ideal for those who want the hose, reel, and nozzle ready to go, with guaranteed compatibility. Though the 1/2-inch diameter is relatively small, it didn't affect water pressure or spray volume during testing, and the 100-foot hose length in a compact reel makes it perfect for medium to large yards.
Why we love it: This stood out for its top-tier convenience and smart features. It includes a powerful retracting mechanism — “one of the best 'pullbacks'” according to testers — a debris-cleaning brush, and a 180° swivel mount for smooth unwinding at any angle. Our review says, “It was really easy to unwind, with intuitive latching stops every six inches.” Despite its 100-foot hose, easy-to-tighten brass couplings, and the fold-flat handle for effortless seasonal storage, we also liked the compact reel size.
Should you buy it? This is a strong buy if you value convenience and want a reliable, easy-to-use hose reel. The included nozzle impressed us with good spray performance, and the overall system had no kinking and great, flexible movement while in use. The downsides include the missing gasket on the leader hose, which needs a quick O-ring fix, and the lack of valves at the hose ends. However, for a plug-and-play solution that works beautifully out of the box, few options compete with the Ayleid for overall ease and functionality.
The Ayleid Retractable Reel is the king of convenience in the world of hoses. From mounting, to watering, to retracting, we found the process to be streamlined and intuitive.
Who it is best for: The Pocket Hose Silver Bullet is perfect for anyone who needs a lightweight, easy-to-manage hose for lighter-duty tasks like washing cars, patios, or watering smaller garden beds. It rose to the top of our expandable hose tests. It's especially good for people who don't want to wrestle with a heavy traditional hose but still need decent reach, lengths up to 100 feet. This is a great choice if you're looking for something to supplement a heavy-duty hose or prioritize compact storage and simple handling.
Why we love it: Convenience is the name of the game with the Pocket Hose Silver Bullet. It expands from 17.5 feet to over 50 feet without issues and contracts reliably when unused. Our reviewer praised it as, “Really flexible and easy to use. It holds its shape but doesn't prevent movement.” It actively resists kinks and flat spots while remaining easy to maneuver. Its lightweight design makes it half as heavy as many traditional hoses, making it especially comfortable for quick chores.
Should you buy it? If lightweight convenience is your main priority, then the Pocket Hose offers great performance for the price. However, the included nozzle broke early in testing, and the couplings are plastic and aluminum rather than brass, meaning durability isn't its strong suit. If ruggedness matters more, there are other options. But if you're after a flexible, compact, and affordable hose that's ideal for lighter-duty watering, this may be your Silver Bullet.
The Pocket Hose Silver Bullet is lightweight, flexible, and has a good enough water output to handle most yard chores, though you may want to get your own nozzle for the best experience.
Who it is best for: The Orbit Coil with ABS Threads is a great choice for people who need a compact, durable hose for light watering tasks close to the spigot, like potted plants, patios, or cleaning boots. It's ideal if you want something lightweight to leave attached to the faucet all season without worrying about weather damage. However, it's best suited for small areas — anyone needing longer reach should look elsewhere.
Why we love it: It impressed us with its good pressure despite a narrow 3/8-inch diameter, reliable retraction, and better-than-average durability for a coil hose. Our tester noted, "It reshrinks better than most of the others after stretching. We loved the included nozzle, which has eight different functions, each with really good spray performance. It's also affordable, and the plastic couplings avoid rust, making it an easy, low-fuss addition to your watering setup.
Should you buy it? This is an excellent buy if you want a small, durable, flexible coil hose near the house for quick watering tasks. Just know that its stretched length is closer to 44 feet (not 50), and it can get tangled on steps or planters. You might prefer an expansion-style hose for longer reach or less risk of snagging. The Orbit remains one of the best options for a simple coil-style solution.
We didn't have too many complaints when using the Orbit Coil, but due to the nature of coil-style hoses, we prefer to use this expandable model for areas closer to the spigot.
Who it is best for: The Eley Polyurethane hose is perfect for anyone willing to invest in a long-lasting, high-performance garden hose that feels premium from the first use. If you want a hose you can buy once and forget about for years, and don't mind a little extra weight, this is a top choice.
Why we love it: From the moment we uncoiled it, the Eley was impressed with its flat-laying, kink-resistant design and high-quality build. Our tests found “It actively resisted kinking and showed no signs of marking even after being forced into a twist.” Its durable polyurethane body, rust-resistant brass fittings, and outstanding ease of use (no leaks, excellent flow) stand above cheaper hoses. Plus, the variety of length options — up to 200 feet — is unmatched.
Should you buy it? This is worth every penny if you prioritize quality, durability, and flawless day-to-day performance. However, it's heavier than some hoses and takes up a bit more storage space. If that sounds like a dealbreaker, you might prefer a lighter option. Otherwise, the Eley is as good as garden hoses get.
Who it is best for: The Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator is a great choice for anyone who already owns a hose, needs a durable storage solution, and prefers a simple, low-maintenance setup. It's ideal for users who don't mind manually winding their hose and want a system that can withstand years of weather, use, and potential abuse without failing. However, because of its size and stability needs, our testing team cautions that it requires a wall mount, so it's best for those with a suitable installation space.
Why we love it: We appreciated the sturdy all-metal construction, 360° smooth-swiveling reel, and thoughtful design details like the handy storage shelf. The five-foot leader hose connects easily with big hex connectors made from corrosion-resistant brass, providing a snug, leak-free setup. Without an auto-retract feature, there's almost no resistance when pulling out the hose, and the seven-position locking pin keeps the hose reeled in tidy. Our tester noted, “The smooth unwinding process had zero issues and the rotation is great for keeping it untangled.”
Should you buy it? If you're looking for a simple, reliable reel that will probably outlast multiple hoses and you don't mind more elbow grease, this is one of the best options. Just be aware that it doesn't come with a hose, unlike more complete systems, and that manual winding requires guiding the hose with your free hand. Other models may suit you better if you'd prefer a model with auto-retraction and more flexible mounting options.
Taking the basic idea of a traditional hose reel and putting it on a swivel mount gives the Liberty Garden a good balance of durability and convenience.
Who it is best for: The Flexi Hose is a smart pick for anyone needing a lightweight, space-saving hose that's easy to manage, particularly those with limited storage space, like RV or boat owners. The hose shrank back up on its own as it drained, making it perfect for stashing in small or oddly shaped compartments. Its soft outer sheath is gentle on surfaces, making it ideal for use around vehicles where preventing scratches and scuffs is important.
Why we love it: It impressed us with its smooth maneuverability, kink-resistance, and outstanding contraction ability — “one of the best 're shrink' options out there,” according to our tester. It boasts sturdy brass connectors with an integrated valve, allowing you to control water flow without returning to the spigot. It balances durability and convenience well with a 3x expansion factor and overall weight of just 2.2 pounds. Plus, it includes a spray nozzle, giving it a leg up in overall usability compared to basic hoses.
Should you buy it? If convenience, flexibility, and easy storage are top priorities, this is an excellent choice, though it comes at a higher price than other options. Downsides include the less ergonomic round connectors, despite their helpful ribbed texture, and a nozzle that, according to testers, had “8 settings, but none wow'd us with performance.” Still, if those minor flaws don't bother you, and you want a simple and gentle hose on surfaces, it is well worth it.
The Flexi Hose offers a step up in durability from other expandable models. This, in addition to the softer casing, is why we recommend it for use on recreational vehicles and boats.
Who it is best for: The Expert Gardener Light Duty is ideal for someone looking for a low-cost hose to handle basic, light watering tasks like porch planters or washing a car. If you're upgrading from a watering can but don't want to spend much, this hose gets the job done. It's available in 25-foot and 50-foot lengths, which is appropriate given its lightweight but kink-prone construction.
Why we love it: It is relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver, especially in shorter lengths. Our reviewer noted, “It twisted a bunch, but at least it is small and manageable.” We also appreciated the ease of connecting it to attachments, thanks to its oversized handle and flanged plastic coupling that rotates freely around the hose. While plastic couplings aren't as durable as brass ones, they won't rust.
Should you buy it? Get this if you can tolerate occasional kinks and a general lack of ruggedness in exchange for major cost savings. Don't expect stellar durability — testers reported that when in use, the hose tended to stay looped and bent, resisted being pulled flat, and turned into twists and kinks easily. You might want to look elsewhere for a more durable but still budget-friendly option. But if budget is king, this hose will do the trick.
Round connectors aren't the easiest to loosen and tighten, but the plastic flanges on the female coupling help snug the hose to the spigot.
Credit: Hale Milano
How We Tested
We have been testing garden hoses and related yard accessories since 2020. In that time, we have gotten our hands on over 45 lawn hydrating products, ranging from your sturdy standard garden hose to pocket-sized counterparts and the accessories that make them easier to use, such as hose reels and spray nozzles. In our most recent round of testing, we used the hoses and accessories throughout a full summer for every yard task imaginable. We also pulled out these hoses for other chores, like washing the car or even giving the dog a bath. We evaluated and compared all the little details that might make one setup more useful than another. Build quality, versatility, and convenience came into play for traditional garden hoses, while weight and size were more considered for expandable hoses. In addition to simply using these items, we also put them through stress tests, intentionally kinking the hoses, dragging them around obstacles to asses their flexibility, and swapping out different nozzle heads with different hose models. After several months of consistent use, we found clear standouts in each category.
The 50-foot Flexi is long enough to reach around a campervan, while compact enough to tuck into a storage compartment.
We measured the interior and exterior diameter of the hoses to estimate the thickness of the sidewalls and gauge durability.
We used and abused these hoses, washing cars, watering plants, and even intentionally kinking them to see how well they held up.
Why Trust GearLab
Leading testing for all things hose is Hale Milano. Hale is a self-proclaimed outdoor adventurer, data nerd, and home improvement aficionado. After testing the full gamut of garden hoses, expandable hoses, hose reels, and spray nozzles, he is possibly the owner of the world's best-watered lawn. Maintaining this many hobbies requires a good knowledge of the appropriate gear, and in the search for the best, Hale is not afraid to dig in and get his hands dirty during testing. His willingness to get into the nitty gritty and acute attention to detail help him parse the differences between different hoses and guide you to the right option. Hale also heads up testing for many of our other yard and garden tool reviews, including leaf blowers and weed eaters, giving him a good idea of which of these hoses will best fit into your entire yard care regimen. Bix Firer lives on an urban farm in Boise, Idaho, and has led educational initiatives for multiple community gardens. He uses his extensive knowledge of gardening techniques to inform our hose nozzle review.
The basic function of any hose remains the same; transport water from here to there. However, there is a wide variety of styles that make each one better suited for a different type of work.
Credit: Hale Milano
Types of Hoses and Accessories
Depending on the layout of your home and yard, certain hose, nozzle, and storage combinations will work better for you. Before we start dishing out recommendations, we'll review the main differences between hose styles and the various attachments that can make your yard care routine much simpler.
Ranging from heavy-duty and ultra-durable to lightweight and portable, each hose style has its pros and cons.
Credit: Hale Milano
Style and Material
The first thing to pay attention to when looking at ways to water your lawn is the difference between a traditional garden hose and an expandable hose. Each has pros and cons, and each type is useful for a different situation.
We tested all of our garden hoses with the same nozzle so we could get a fair comparison of their different functionality.
Credit: Hale Milano
Traditional hoses are great for more typical watering needs, where you set up your hose with a sprinkler head or attach it to a soaker hose, drag it out to the yard, and leave it for a few hours before moving it to the next patch of grass. In some cases, you can find models made of rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, and even stainless steel. They come in lengths ranging from 25 feet to 200+ feet and can weigh anywhere between 5-10 pounds for a 50-foot length. You'll want to pay attention to the thickness of the sidewalls and the overall weight of the hose you choose. As many experienced gardeners know, pulling around a hefty, indestructible hose can be tiring, so choose a level of durability that corresponds to your watering needs. Because of their length and weight, garden hoses are better for stationary watering tasks requiring a higher water flow. You can go for a shorter, lighter-weight hose for lighter tasks or occasional watering, even if that means sacrificing some durability.
Garden Hose Metric Ratings
Product
Convenience
Performance
Construction Quality
Variety of Options
Eley Polyurethane
8.5
9.0
9.0
9.5
Dramm ColorStorm Premium
9.0
8.0
8.0
10.0
Teknor Apex Zero-G
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Giraffe Tools Hybrid
9.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
Flexzilla 5/8-Inch
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.5
Bionic Steel
9.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Water Right 400 Series Slim and Light
7.5
7.0
6.0
6.0
Gorilla Extremelite Heavy Duty
7.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Briggs and Stratton 8BS50
7.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
Continental ContiTech Premium
6.0
7.5
8.0
3.0
Swan MaxLite Premium Rubber+
7.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
Expert Gardener Light Duty
4.0
3.5
5.5
5.0
Expandable hoses are great when you need more than a watering can but less than a full-size hose. They come in coil, expansion, or stretch styles, all of which are light and highly mobile, perfect for spraying down your garden, washing your car, or watering the flower boxes on the front porch. We also like them for boat and RV use because they are easier to transport and store.
Here, you see an expansion hose in action. Water pressure causes these hoses to expand up to three times the original length.
Credit: Hale Milano
Coil hoses typically start at a contracted length of 2-3 feet, while expansion and stretch hoses have a base length closer to 15-20 feet. All three types can reach lengths of 50-100 feet, depending on the model you choose, and all are a fraction of the weight of traditional hoses, at just 1-4 pounds for a 50-foot length. This is one of their main benefits, as they are much easier to carry around if your watering routine involves a handheld spray nozzle. The other big plus is that they don't require as much storage space as traditional hoses when putting them away. The main downside is that they are not always as durable, so they may not be ideal for heavy use during your next DIY landscaping project.
Expandable Hose Metric Ratings
Product
Convenience
Performance
Construction Quality
Variety of Options
AmazingForLess Expandable
7.0
5.0
6.0
9.0
Flexi Hose
8.0
6.0
5.5
6.5
Pocket Hose Silver Bullet
8.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
Xhose Pro
8.0
5.0
4.0
7.0
Lefree Expandable
5.0
5.5
5.5
8.0
Orbit Coil with ABS Threads
7.0
7.0
5.5
4.0
Water Right Professional Coil
6.5
6.0
4.5
6.0
Flex-Able Xtreme
6.5
6.0
5.0
5.0
Flexon CH5850 Coil
5.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
Automan Recoil EVA
3.0
4.0
4.5
4.5
Accessories and Fittings
The basic functionality of different hoses is often quite similar, but fittings, couplings, and accessories vary from model to model. The most common coupling materials are brass, steel, aluminum, and plastic. In general, brass fittings will be the longest-lasting as the material is more corrosion-resistant than steel and more durable overall than aluminum or plastic. You will encounter couplings with either a round shape or a hex shape, and if you have the choice, we recommend going with a hex shape, as it is much easier to tighten or loosen with a wrench if needed. We also like options with collars or handles for their couplings for their improved ease of use when connecting your hose to the spigot.
Garden Hose Materials and Fittings
Hose Material
Coupling Material
Coupling Shape
Eley Polyurethane
Polyurethane
Brass
Hex
Teknor Apex Zero-G
Tru-Flex polymer & woven fiber sheath
Brass and steel
Round
Bionic Steel
304 stainless steel
Steel and plastic
Round
Flexzilla 5/8-Inch
Flexible hybrid polymer
Anodized aluminum
Hex
Expert Gardener
Vinyl
Plastic
Round
Features like hex-shaped couplings or oversized handles can make it that much easier to attach your hose to the spigot on one end and to a sprinkler head or spray nozzle on the other.
In addition to the materials, the included accessories can also vary between different hose models. If you're having difficulty deciding between two hoses with similar specs, performance, and pricing, sometimes add-ons like valves or spray nozzles can be the deciding factor.
Using a hose reel can help you get through your yard work with more ease and efficiency, not to mention keeping your backyard looking tidier.
Credit: Hale Milano
A hose reel is an accessory that we would consider essential, especially if you are working with longer lengths. It helps keep your yard neat, your hose tangle-free, and prevents undue wear from being left in a heap on the ground. Many reels even include a hose, so you don't have to worry about diameter and length compatibility. These usually have a self-retracting mechanism that makes it much easier to stow away your hose, and an external casing also offers some built-in UV protection. Of course, if you select a hose reel that comes with the hose, you have less freedom in your choice of material, length, and diameter — you have to accept what the manufacturer chooses to give you, so be sure to check the specs before making a decision. Once you have your reel, we recommend installing it in an area with less sun exposure to prevent UV damage when possible.
Hose Reel Metric Ratings
Product
Convenience
Performance
Construction Quality
Variety of Options
Ayleid Retractable Reel
8.0
8.0
7.0
9.5
Eley Wood Post Mount
7.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
Hoselink Retractable Reel
8.0
8.0
7.5
7.0
Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Flexzilla Pro Retractable
6.0
7.0
6.5
9.0
Giraffe Tools Retractable
7.5
6.0
6.0
8.0
Gardena Wall Mount
8.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
Glahoden Retractable
5.0
5.0
6.5
7.5
Macnaught Retracta Retractable Garden
4.5
6.0
5.0
5.0
Suncast Sidewinder Mounted
3.5
2.0
5.0
3.0
Lastly, you'll likely want a hose nozzle. For our garden and expandable hose testing, we used the Dramm Touch'N Flow Revolver nozzle for a fair comparison, and we liked it a lot. We also tested the brand's proprietary nozzle to see if one was included with the hose. Most traditional garden hoses don't include nozzles, but many expandable models do, as do many hose reel setups. Typical options are pistol and twist-style nozzles, which can be found in metal, plastic, or a combination.
Some hoses come with the nozzle included, and for others, you will have to purchase one separately.
Credit: Hale Milano
How to Choose a Hose
Selecting the right hose and accessories can be quite straightforward if you know what to look for. To find the best fit for your lawn, porch, garden, etc., you can ask yourself a few questions to determine your watering needs and narrow your options.
If you've got a lot of ground to cover (literally), then a long and durable garden hose is essential, and a hose reel can help you stay tangle-free while you work.
Credit: Hale Milano
How Big is Your Yard?
The first thing you should consider is the amount of yard you need to water. If you have a sprawling 1/2 acre lawn with room for a trampoline and a dog run, you will want a heavier-duty hose that offers longer lengths to reach every corner. A more durable model may also be necessary if you drag your hose around obstacles like trees or rocks.
For smaller yards and gardens, most people appreciate the lighter weight and easy breezy functionality of expandable and coil-style hoses.
Credit: Hale Milano
On the flip side, if you have a neat little patch of grass surrounded by a few flower beds close to your front door, you can probably get away with a shorter, lighter, expandable hose. Another common scenario is watering a large back lawn and a small flower or vegetable garden on a different side of the house, rather than dragging a super long hose around the corner and over who knows what kind of obstacles, we recommend opting for a combo, using the full-size hose just for the backyard, and hooking up an expandable hose to use elsewhere.
Having a mounted hose reel can help your yard stay organized and keep your hose in better shape for longer. Ones that have a small platform for other yard tools, like the Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator, get bonus points in our book.
Credit: Hale Milano
Do You Have a Plan for Storage?
An expandable version is a good solution if you don't want to deal with the hassle of coiling and storing a 100-foot hose. Both coil and expansion styles are less wiley to deal with than a full-size hose and generally take up less storage space. However, if you have a large yard, you'll need a traditional garden hose with enough length to handle the space. If this is the case, we also highly recommend getting a hose reel. Using a reel helps to protect your hose from damage and keeps it tangle-free and out of the way when you're not using it. Just do it — you'll thank us later.
If you live in a climate where temperatures never dip below 50, you can skip this tip. For the rest of us, the arrival of colder months means winterizing your lawn gear, including your hoses. This involves removing any attachments that have been fixed for the summer (this is where a hex coupling and a wrench can come in handy), draining all the water, coiling the hose, and storing it out of the weather, ideally in a shed or garage. Again, expandable hoses will be easier to deal with simply because of their smaller weight and size. Still, full-size garden hoses are durable and more likely to last through multiple seasons of heavy use if stored properly.
Although it is rather heavy compared to other hoses we tested, the Eley Polyurethane is also one of the easiest to use thanks to its kink-resistant construction and smooth connecting couplings.
Credit: Hale Milano
Consider Ease of Use
You might think, “It's a hose, how hard can it be?” And you'd be partially right — hoses are a pretty straightforward bunch. All of the garden hoses we tested function similarly, and most expandable ones do as well. However, some little quirks and differences give certain models a more streamlined feel or make them better suited to certain tasks. Perhaps the dreaded kink is the most important ease-of-use aspect to consider (after storage). Material and build are the two main factors that dictate how well your hose will resist kinking, and hoses with thicker sidewalls and stiffer materials will perform better here. If they do kink, high material resiliency will help them recover their shape better and not form what is called a “kink memory.” Polyurethane hoses are generally better at resisting kinks, followed by rubber models, while vinyl hoses are the most kink-prone in our experience. Expandable and coil-style hoses are almost impossible to kink or tangle normally. So, as long as you don't stretch them too far, they should be safe.
We prefer oversized hex-shaped couplings like the one seen here on the Eley. It is easier to screw on tightly on the first go.
Credit: Hale Milano
In terms of fittings, solid brass couplings are less susceptible to corrosion from being constantly wet, and they are also less likely to be dented, bent, or damaged, which will keep the connection process smooth over long-term use. The shape of the fitting is also important to consider. Suppose you are disconnecting and winterizing all your yard gear after a long summer. In that case, there is a big difference between loosening a perfectly round coupling with your bare hands versus being able to twist open a hex-shaped coupling with a wrench.
Whether you go traditional, expandable, or one of each, choose a hose that works well, doesn't kink, and reaches every corner of your yard.
Credit: Hale Milano
Conclusion
Whether cultivating your own private Eden or just trying to keep your lawn green so the neighbors don't complain, you need a hose to get water from point A to point B, sans leaks, kinks, or snags. While this may seem straightforward, not every hose performs the same. Some models make it look like a cakewalk, while others will have you fighting twists and tangles every time you turn a corner. When narrowing down your options, it is important to factor in how you plan to use the hose to select the right one for your home. Armed with the information above and the will to keep your garden flourishing, we hope you can make the best hose selection for your home. Happy watering.
