Expert Tips for Buying a Garden Hose and Reel - Consumer Reports

Gardening season is in full swing, with pros and newbies alike snapping up seeds, pots, soil, and mulch to get this year’s crop started. Making plans for raising a bounty of vegetables, herbs, and flowers requires a plan for proper care, and hoses and a place to store them are key components of that plan. 

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You might think a hose is a hose is a hose, however, you can find a wide variety of hoses and hose reels that come in different materials and lengths and are best suited for different tasks. Before we break down which kinds of hoses work best for which jobs, there are some basic guidelines for any garden hose you buy.

Gardening expert and author Ron Daniels has been growing plants and flowers for about 50 years. His book, “Rose Therapy: My Journey of Growing and Caring for Roses,” highlights his love of roses, which has been his gardening focus for the last 30 years. Daniels has taken many a garden hose and hose reel for a test drive while cultivating his gardening skills. Here are some of his tips on best practices for hoses:

• Get a hose of at least 100 feet for its reach.
• Get a hose with a diameter of at least ⅝ inch. Anything smaller won’t produce enough adequate pressure. Most sprayer attachments are made to fit a ⅝-inch hose, though adapters are available. 
• Don’t get hung up on the “no kink” label. “There’s no such thing as a no-kink,” Daniels says. “They all kink if you don’t take care of them.”
• Look for brass fittings on both ends of the hose. Those are less likely to rust.
• Completely drain them of water and store them in a hose reel when not in use and definitely before any extreme heat or cold sets in.

These are the least expensive, around $40 and up, depending on how many “ply,” or layers, make up the tubing. The more layers the hose has, the less likely it is that the hose will spring a leak, Daniels says. 

Most vinyl hoses are best suited to light garden work and washing cars. They don’t have a long life, however. “You might get one season of use out of them,” Daniels says. “They are almost like a throwaway hose.”

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Rubber hoses are slightly more expensive. They start around $50 and can carry a price tag in the hundreds of dollars, depending on features. According to lawn care expert Rhys Charles, rubber is the choice for many industrial and commercial jobs because these hoses are flexible, durable, resistant to cracks, and can carry chemicals without compromising the hose’s integrity. These hoses are best suited for big gardening jobs that don’t need a lot of pressure, Charles says. 

Be sure to store rubber hoses out of the direct sunlight to prevent damage. Rubber is also heavier than PVC by a couple of pounds, something to consider if you will need to move the hose often or a good distance. Whereas a PVC hose has a limit of around 200 pounds per square inch (psi), a rubber hose can handle pressure up to 300 psi in bursts. 

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Hybrid options are made of rubber and reinforced with a vinyl weave, like tire cording. This mix is lighter to carry around than a 100 percent rubber hose and stronger than a vinyl-only hose. Cost generally falls between that of a good-quality PVC hose and that of a solid rubber model. 

These hoses are a good option when budget is a consideration, but strength and flexibility are important. This type of hose has an overall psi of 200 and is capable of bursts up to 600 psi. Combo hoses are a wallet-friendly choice for giving plants a quick drink, washing your car or giving your dogs a bath, Daniels says.

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Looking for a hose that can withstand high temps and major pressure? Stainless, braided steel might be for you. These hoses boast superior strength and corrosion resistance, are extremely flexible, and can handle temperatures up to 700° F and pressure from 500 to 10,000 psi, according to Charles. Surprisingly, because stainless steel is a poor conductor of heat, this type of hose won’t get too hot to the touch when left in the sun or when hot water is run through it.

The name says it all: This type of hose expands when water fills it and contracts once the water is turned off. Expandable hoses are about a third of the overall length before being filled with water. They are also much lighter than other types of hoses, which is useful if you have to move the hose longer distances. 

On the cons side, expandable hoses require strong water pressure to work properly. Like all hoses, you have to ensure that all water is drained when you’re not using the hose. Expandable models also are susceptible to damage when left in the sun or in extreme winter weather. They must be stored properly or they won’t last, Daniels says. 

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These slow-drip hoses keep water on the ground, reducing evaporation, according to Daniels. Because water is going directly into the roots and not on plant leaves or blooms, the risk of fungus issues is also reduced. 

You can run soaker hoses on the ground or under it, and they are available in PVC or rubber. As with all-purpose hoses, the PVC soaker varieties typically last only a season or so and are less able to withstand strong water pressure than those made of rubber. Prices start around $40 for a 100-foot hose. 

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Whereas soakers slowly drip water into a plant’s root system, sprinkler hoses have tiny holes along their length and spray water onto grass or other plants rather than keeping the watering only to the roots. 

These are good for small patches of lawn when you aren’t able to water by hand or would rather not. The disadvantage of sprinkler hoses is that by spraying above ground a bit (how much is controlled by how high you turn up the pressure), you will have some evaporation and water waste. Sprinkler hoses are usually made of vinyl and are fairly inexpensive. Even though they are flat and release water slowly, they will still need to be drained and stored the right way to ensure any longevity.

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So what is the best way to store any and all of your garden hoses? On a hose reel. Not only will this look tidy, you also will be less likely to have water left in the hose, as the act of rolling up a hose on a reel will force any lingering water out. That means less chance of breeding dangerous pathogens and less chance of weather-related damage to the hose. Not all reels are created equally, however. Daniels offers tips that apply to any of the several types of hose reels out there, and all should meet certain criteria for effectiveness.

Size: Reels must be able to handle the diameter and length of the hose you wish to store on it. If it is too small, the hose will bunch up and be difficult to wind up and to remove. Too large and it will also be unwieldy. 

Construction: You can buy plastic or metal models. There can be a big difference in the plastic’s sturdiness, so look for either heavy-duty plastic or, preferably, a metal reel for durability.

This type of hose reel attaches directly to the outside or your home or garage wall. You can buy them either with a handle to wind up the hose (around $50 and up) or without a handle, requiring that you manually wind the hose (starting around $10). 

Self-winding gives you more control over how the hose is wrapped, and that can make it easier to unwind when it’s time to use the hose again, Daniels says. Wall-mounted units keep hoses looking tidy and out of the way when not in use.

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Several types are available in this category. One sits on a sort of plant stake, with metal legs that push into the ground for stability. These start around $55 and could come in handy if you use your hoses frequently but want to get them off the ground between jobs. A disadvantage is that this type is not mobile, and you will still need to store your hoses out of the elements during extreme weather. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Flexible Metal Hose. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Next is a plastic or metal reel, with or without a crank handle, that stands on a base and can be picked up and moved around your yard and then into a garage or shed for longer storage. You can even buy one that looks like a box and completely hides the hoses, though winding and unwinding can be difficult with this type. 

Some models even come with wheels, making it easier to move the hoses as needed. This is particularly welcome when using long hoses made of heavier material, such as rubber.

For both garden hoses and the reels used to store them, your best bet is to weigh your needs and preferences with budget considerations and performance particulars, then tackle your lawn care with confidence.

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Garden hoses are an important part of maintaining your home and garden, but before you buy a new hose, there are some important things you need to know. Swan has all the information you need to make a good decision.

Types of Garden Hoses

All garden hoses are not created equal. You'll find there are many sizes, colors and styles. Some hoses are made of different materials and serve different purposes. Some hoses even have water flow control. The type of hose you select will depend on the type of work you plan to do this summer.

Light/medium-duty garden hoses include Swan’s WeatherFLEX Hose and other garden hoses found here. These types of hoses are designed for light use in the garden and low-pressure watering needs. Many of them are made of vinyl, but they can last through many gardening seasons when you properly care for them. This is the type of hose you need if you are watering delicate plants or simply filling the family pet's water dish. The standard light-duty garden hose diameter is 1/2", and most are between 50' and 100' in length.

Heavy-duty garden hoses, such as the Swan FlexRITE PRO 100' 5/8" Water Hose and others found here, have a larger diameter, which means more water pressure. These hoses are also made of a thicker construction and more durable materials. They are designed for cleanup jobs in addition to watering your plants. You will also find that many heavy-duty garden hoses include extra features, such as kink resistance and crush-proof couplings.

Premium-duty hoses are made to tackle the large, tough jobs with heavyweight reinforcement to withstand greater water pressure. These hoses are preferred by commercial users and professional landscapers. The Element CommercialGRADE Hose and other hoses found here are examples of hoses in this category. Good for everything from pressure washing to crop watering, these hoses are extremely durable.

Rubber hoses are built to last under the harshest conditions, with Swan rubber hoses made twice as strong and 40 percent lighter than traditional rubber hoses. Some also remain flexible at extreme temperatures. Look to Swan’s Goodyear MAXLite Premium Rubber+ Hose and other rubber hoses found here.

A soaker hose works well when you need to saturate vegetable gardens with a nice, low-pressure form of application. The Element 50 ft. Sprinkler and Soaker Hose is great for getting into those narrow areas where large-scale watering is not an option. These hoses distribute water in a uniform pattern thanks to their design, and many of them feature Virgin PVC construction. You can find all of Swan’s soaker hose offerings here.

Garden Hose Sizes

The size of a garden hose refers to its diameter. This is an important consideration when choosing the right garden hose for your project. The wrong size could mean you might not have enough water pressure to get the job done properly.

A 5/8” vs. 3/4" hose can mean a vast difference in the amount of water pressure your hose generates. Pressure is something you have to consider, especially if you intend to use your hose for outdoor cleaning projects. A 1/2" diameter hose might be fine for basic watering and such, but you might need a standard garden hose diameter that is larger to cover a bigger area or clean the driveway. Swan offers hoses that come in both 5/8” and 3/4” diameters, such as the Element ContractorFARM Hose.

Here's the thing to remember about garden hose dimensions: A larger diameter of hose carries more water per minute. A larger diameter hose can also be useful in handling differences in water pressure. For example, if you are pushing water uphill through a hose, it will be more beneficial to use a large diameter hose.

Garden Hose Lengths

The length of the garden hose you select should be determined by your personal needs. You can find hoses in lengths of 25', 50' or 100'. Choosing a hose that is too short will prevent you from getting the coverage you need. Selecting a hose that is too long can yield frustration, especially if you are trying to navigate confined areas.

A shorter garden hose such as the Swan Utility Hose is great for watering plants in containers or filling pet dishes. It works best when you have a small coverage area and don't need a lot of pressure. A longer garden hose is more efficient at covering larger areas and tackling cleaning projects.

If you select a long garden hose, be sure to choose a hose that provides kink resistance such as the 100’ PROScape Hose. You'll also want to make sure you get a hose that doesn't kink at the spigot, and Swan has many of these available. Most of them use a special hose armor that helps to prevent such kinks.

One important thing to remember: It is much more efficient to get the garden hose dimensions you require than it is to couple multiple hoses together. Using multiple hoses can create more wear and tear, and it also makes the process of watering more tedious and tiresome when you need to move a hose.

These are the considerations you need to be aware of when purchasing your next garden hose. As a final suggestion, remember that spending a little more for a better-quality hose will likely save you money in the long run. All the garden hoses here at Swan have a reputation for durability, and you'll find that they are made by the top names in the industry. We also have a wide selection of garden hose accessories that will simplify taking care of your garden, such as spray nozzles. You can find all of Swan’s accessories here.

Now, get out there and make your yard beautiful again!

All content provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. All use of products referenced in this article should be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

For more general information on hoses, read the following articles:

Understanding Burst Strength in Garden Hoses: A Comprehensive Guide

Garden Hoses: An Essential Tool for Cleaning Up After Natural Disasters

Garden Hose Couplings: The Complete Guide

Get to Know Garden Hose Layers Before You Buy

Drinking From a Hose

The Flow Rate of a Garden Hose

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