Best Garden Hoses

One of the essential gardening tools you should have in your equipment is a garden hose. But, given that there’s a wide array of types and models to choose from, yet almost no visible differences between them, finding one that’ll suit your needs best won’t be as simple as it seems to be.

Top Rated Hoses in 2020

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So, instead of spending hours doing research, take a look at the following reviews, where you’ll find the pros and cons of the best garden hoses on the market, and by the end of the article, the things you should pay attention to when buying one.

Best Expandable Hose – Superior Strength 3750D Hose

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When you’re in need of a heavy-duty, yet affordable garden hose, made of high-quality materials, and which includes some additional features, the Superior Strength is a must-have.

The hose features heavy-duty construction with four-layer latex core and 3750D fabric, because of which it doesn’t twist nor kink when being used. As water flows through, it expands from 17 to 50 feet in a second. It includes a shut-off valve too. Furthermore, the sprayer has a zinc alloy body to prevent leakage and provides nine different spray pattern options. It’s also designed for hands-free operation. But, it can be attached to a sprinkler, too.

The Superior Strength garden hose also comes with brass connectors, which are resistant to corrosion, and anti-kink and leak silicone protectors. Additionally, it features a 2-way splitter, so you can use two hoses at once, which is a nice bonus. But, seeing that it’s plastic, it doesn’t handle the pressure best, so it might start leaking.

The hose is lightweight, and thus very flexible and convenient to use. The package includes a storage bag too, so you can take the hose along, as well as a hanger to store it. When not in use, the hose should be drained and stored in a shaded area. In the winter, keep it indoors. Also, never use it with hot water.

Overall, featuring the anti-leak system and being made of high-quality materials, this Superior Strength garden hose is worth every penny. It works like a charm, and if you take care of it, it’ll last.

Best Heated Garden Hose – Flexzilla Garden Hose

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If you’re looking for a hose that you can use any time, regardless of the season, the Flexzilla heated garden hose is a good option.

Flexzilla garden hose is flexible enough to maneuver, coil, and store it with no trouble, yet not that flexible to kink easily under pressure. Being 50 feet long and 5/8 inch wide, it remains lightweight when the water flows through. Although, if it’s still short for you, you better connect it with another hose rather than getting a longer one. Moreover, the superior O-ring it comes with doesn’t leak when you connect it to a spigot. Also, it has zero memory, meaning it’ll lay flat where you drop it, so it won’t cause any troubles when connected to a sprinkler. It doesn’t include a spray nozzle, though.

The hose is made of hybrid polymer material, which is durable and abrasion-resistant. That is to say, it’s capable of withstanding the elements, and therefore you can use it throughout the whole year, even in cold temperatures. But then again, make sure to drain it after usage. Otherwise, if there’s any water left, it’ll freeze. Additionally, the inner tube material of the Flexzilla garden hose doesn’t leach any harmful chemicals, which means it’s safe for drinking water. On the other hand, black mold is reported to grow in the rubber after a while, which looks quite unpleasant. Lastly, the manufacturer backs the hose with a limited lifetime warranty.

Compared to the previously reviewed Superior Strength garden hose, the Flexzilla doesn’t come with any additional accessories. However, it does a very decent job for the price.

Best No Kink Garden Hose – Elk & Bear Garden Hose

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Very similar to the Superior Strength garden hose, but twice as long, the Elk & Bear hose is an accessory you should have in your garden.

That is to say, it’s flexible, lightweight but not flimsy, and expands three times its size when water flows through it, which makes it very easy to use and store. It’s designed to prevent leakage when connected to a faucet. The outer layer of the Elk & Bear hose is made of 5000D high strength polyester, while the inner tube of durable latex, measuring 100 feet in length and ¾ inch in width. If you have a smaller yard, a 50-foot hose of the same model is available too.

When it comes to anti-leak design, the hose includes brass fittings, which are resistant to rust, on/off valve, and rubber washers. Additionally, the spraying nozzle has a variety of spraying options, so you water each area of your garden. Also, it doesn’t kink and works well with a hose sprayer mixer, water meter, and chlorine holder.

On the other hand, a few users have experienced problems with leakage. But then again, if you encounter any issues, the hose is covered by a lifetime replacement warranty.

Overall, the Elk & Bear Garden Hose is one of the best no kink hoses on the market, and therefore a great value for money.

Best Soaker Garden Hose – Teknor Apex 1030-100 Garden Hose

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The Tenkor Apex Garden Hose comes as a very efficient watering tool for flower beds and trees in your garden. Being made of vinyl with porous walls, it allows for the water to seep out into the soil and reach the plant roots. Moreover, the hose is lightweight and quite flexible to wind and install with ease. For a secure, no-leak connection, it features ABS Plastic E-Z Tite brass couplings. Also, the Tenkor Apex Garden Hose is designed in such a way to minimize run-off and evaporation, which saves on your water bill. However, it might be a bit kinky, so leave it for about half an hour on the sun first.

Although the hose is half an inch wide only, it’s 100 feet long, so make sure the water pressure is high enough in the first place. This way, the water will be able to ooze along the entire length of the tube. On the other hand, it’s long enough to reach all the plants in your garden. The hose also comes in 25-, 50-, and 75-foot lengths, appropriate for smaller yards.

[alert style=”info”]Note: Don’t use the hose in areas with heavy minerals in the water since it can get clogged with mineral deposits.[/alert]

Also, as some report, the holes might widen over time. Anyway, the manufacturer backs the product with a 7-year warranty.

All in all, with the Tenkor Apex Garden Hose you’ll have your lawn efficiently watered without spending a small fortune. It’s not as efficient as a sprinkler, though.

Best Rubber Garden Hose – Briggs and Stratton 8BS50 Rubber Garden Hose

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In this heavy-duty garden hose by Briggs and Stratton, there’s nothing cheap, except the price.

The hose is made of durable rubber that’s less likely to kink and coils with ease. Moreover, it features nickel-plated, crush-proof couplings, which are resistant to corrosion and which won’t wear. Also, it features a rubber washer to enhance watertight connections. The hose comes with a size of 50-feet in length by 5/8-inch in diameter, which is perfect for smaller gardens. However, it’s available in different sizes as well – that is, 25-, 75-, and 100-foot lengths.

The hose is capable of carrying hot water, even up to 200°F. Additionally, it can withstand any weather conditions, including temperatures to -25°F, so you can use it any time of the year. But, unlike the rest of the hoses on our list, this one is heavy to haul around the garden. On the other hand, it’s easy to maintain. Just make sure to drain it when done using it, and clean it with soap and water before storing it.

[alert style=”danger”]Warning: Seeing that the rubber leaches chemicals into the water, the hose isn’t drinking water safe.[/alert]

The Briggs and Stratton rubber garden hose doesn’t come with any additional features like some of the previously reviewed products. But, it does the job quite well. All things considered, it’s worth the money.

Types of Garden Hoses

Depending on the design and features, the garden hoses come in several types.

• Traditional Garden Hoses

These multipurpose hoses can be used for pretty much everything, from watering the garden to washing the car. They come in a range of lengths – that is, from 25 to 100 feet, and prices. Also, most commonly, they’re made from either rubber of vinyl.

• Flat Hoses

These are very similar to the fireman’s hose; they remain flat until the water flows through them. Furthermore, they’re lightweight, self-draining, don’t take much storage space, but might be difficult to store without a hose reel. Mostly, they’re made of vinyl, because of which they tend to kink and have a short lifespan.

• Soaker Hoses

They’re porous tubes that weep water along the entire length, and mostly, are used for garden irrigation. They’re made of plastic or recycled rubber and come in different lengths and diameters.

The soaker hoses can be either laid on the ground, covered with a layer of mulch, or buried 6 or more inches into the ground. They’re most appropriate for level landscapes.

• Coiled Hoses

These are most suitable for hand-watering smaller areas since they come in shorter lengths. The coiled hoses are formed into a tight spiral, which doesn’t stretch out to the fullest length. For instance, if the hose is 15 feet long, it may extend to 10 feet only. So, keep this in mind when buying a hose.

• Expandable

In terms of space-saving and ease of use, nothing beats these hoses. Once the water flows through, they can expand from 50 to 150 feet in a second. Also, they’re lightweight, easy to move around, and are less likely to kink. However, they aren’t capable of withstanding the elements and high water pressure.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Garden Hose

Although garden hoses seem to differ one another in color only, there are many not-so-obvious features that differently impact their performance and quality, too. With that said, here are a few factors you should pay attention to when looking for a quality product.

Length

Even though the longer hose might be more appealing to you, it doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Not only are they more expensive, but also they’re heavier to haul around the garden, need more space for storage, and less water pressure and amount of water will be delivered.

So, if you don’t have a large yard, don’t get a long hose that you might never need. Instead, measure the farthest distance from the spigot that you need to reach and choose the length accordingly. If you need a longer hose occasionally, you better connect two shorter instead.

Materials

Most commonly, you’ll come across gardens hoses with outer layers that are made of either vinyl, rubber, or combination of both.

• Rubber Hose

Rubber hoses are the toughest and most durable ones, but the most expensive too. That being said, the rubber is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, as well as carrying both hot and cold water. Moreover, the rubber hose won’t fall apart when exposed to direct sunlight and is less likely to kink, but on the other hand, it’s heavier to carry around.

• Vinyl Hose

Contrary to the rubber, the hose made of vinyl is lighter, and hence easier to move around. But also, it’s less sturdy, more prone to cracking and kinking, and it’ll degrade if exposed to the sun. In other words, it has the shortest lifespan. On the other hand, it’s a budget-friendly option.

• Combination of Both

These hoses come with the best features of both rubber and vinyl. That is to say, they’re lightweight and very durable.

Also, consider the number of plies the hose comes with. The more the plies, the stronger the hose. But then again, a 5-ply rubber hose will perform better than the 7-ply vinyl hose.

Width

The diameter of the hose affects the amount of water that can be delivered. Most commonly, the hoses come with ¾, 5/8, and ½ inch inner diameters. Consequently, the larger the diameter, the more water the hose will carry, however, it’ll supply less flow of water.

If you need to cover a larger area, a wider hose would be more suitable. In general, the most useful hose width is that of 5/8 inch, which is a good combination of water flow and pressure that’s easy to handle. On the other hand, for light-duty tasks, the ½-inch hoses are ideal. But, they don’t work best with sprinklers or anything that requires higher pressure.

Strength

Garden hose strength actually states the burst pressure, which is the pressure the hose can handle before rapturing. Therefore, to prevent it from bursting, choose a hose with a PSI rating four times the PSI at the faucet.

Couplings

Speaking of couplings, they should be leak-proof and capable of resisting the elements. That is to say, look for hoses with cast brass couplings since they’re thick, durable, and leak-resistant. Stamped-brass fittings, on the other hand, are thin and bend easily. Avoid cheaper hoses that come with plastic couplings, too. They tend to leak, crack, and break, and can’t be tightened to the faucet properly.

Extra features

Sometimes a regular garden hose simply won’t do. So, some of them come with additional features, which have a huge impact on the performance of the hose.

• Kink-Free

When the hose is prone to kinking, it’s most likely to leak at that same spot where the kink occurred. So, instead of wasting time to straighten the hose, go for one that’s kink-free.

• Drinking Water Safe

In terms of safety, ensure that the hose comes with a drinking water safe label in the first place. In other words, if you’re going to use the hose for drinking purposes or to fill the pool, go for a product that’s made of materials that don’t leach chemicals into the water. Speaking of which, the hoses made of polyurethane are free of toxic chemicals, unlike those made of vinyl and rubber.

• Hot Water Use

Not all the hose are designed to carry hot water. With that said, if you’re going to use it for such purpose, make sure it’s capable of withstanding high temperatures in the first place.

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Martha M.

I'm passionate about small DIY projects and my modest garden. I'm always up for a challenge! Soon after getting out of university, I realized I won't find many if I don't set the ground myself. Soon after, TopYardDesign.com was created.