Garden hoses, one of the most useful landscaping tools, make washing cars and watering the grass and plants easier. They’re also great for cleaning equipment, the outside of the house and pets. With so many jobs to do, it’s important to get the best garden hose to meet your needs.
The 5 Best Garden Hoses
- TheFitLife 50-foot Expandable Garden Hose
- Legacy Flexilla Hybrid Garden Hose
- Flexi Hose 50-foot Garden Hose
- Riemex 25-foot Expandable/Retractable Garden Hose
- Stanley FatMax Garden Hose (Our Top Pick)
Our Top Pick for the Best Garden Hose
Stanley FatMax 50 Foot Garden Hose
Everyone wants a garden hose that is sturdy enough to do the job, easy to use and won’t tear up quickly. Of the garden hoses reviewed, the Stanley FatMax 50 foot garden hose is the best choice.
Check the price on AmazonWhat to Look for in a Garden Hose
They may look similar, but garden hoses are not all the same. Understanding their differences help to make a better choice when shopping for the best hose.
Materials
Garden hoses are typically made of rubber or vinyl but may be composed of other materials, including nylon or polyurethane. Some hoses are made of a combination of vinyl and rubber.
Vinyl is less expensive and works well for small tasks, such as watering plants. These hoses work better in mild climates. Hoses made of rubber are more expensive than vinyl and combination types. They are also more durable, capable of transporting hot water and hold up well in harsh weather.
Combination vinyl and rubber hoses are lightweight, durable and flexible. Some are reinforced with mesh to protect against punctures and snags.
Types
Different hoses have different functions. Some of the most common include the following.
– Standard
Standard or traditional garden hoses are the basic types found outside most homes.
– Expandable
Expandable hoses expand when filled with water and contract when empty. These collapsible garden hoses are lightweight but prone to rupturing and may lose the ability to contract over time.
– Flat
Flat hoses look like a much smaller version of a firefighter’s hose. When water flows through, the hose expands into a round shape, but when the water stops flowing, the hose flattens. Easy to roll up, these hoses require minimal storage space.
Flat hoses are made of vinyl, which makes them lightweight, but it also makes them more prone to kinks and punctures. They are not the best choice for gardening or heavy-duty use.
– Soaker
Soaker hoses have thousands of small holes throughout their length, allowing water to seep out slowly. Commonly used in gardening, these flexible hoses fit between rows of plants. While being on top of the ground is fine, many users place the hose under a layer of mulch.
Some users bury the hoses as much as six inches under the dirt. Soaker hoses work well on level ground.
– Sprinkler
Sprinkler hoses, which work like sprinkler systems, have hundreds of small holes on top that allow water to spray a mist upwards. Most sprinkler garden hoses are made of three thin hoses attached to each other and will spray a 10-foot-wide area.
Lengths
Garden hoses vary greatly in length, from sizes under 10 feet to those over 100 feet.
Common sizes are 25 or 50 feet long. Shorter hoses usually cost more per foot than longer ones but tend to be easier to drain and coil. Longer hoses are heavier and more difficult to handle.
Sizes
Size is one of the most important considerations in getting the best garden hose for your needs.
Hoses come in several diameters; three-eighths inch, one-half inch, five-eighths inch, three-fourths inch and 1 inch. Five-eighths and one-half inch hoses are the most commonly used sizes for household needs.
The diameter of a garden hose determines the force of water coming out and how much water comes out per minute. Even though these diameters are very close in size, there are big differences in how each performs.
Based on the average household water pressure, which is 40 gallons per square inch, a one-half inch hose that is 50 feet long will put out 12 gallons of water per minute. A 50-foot hose that is five-eighths-inch in diameter will put out 22 gallons per minute.
A 50-foot hose with a three-fourths inch diameter, which is often used in commercial settings, will put out 36 gallons of water per minute. Basically, the bigger the hose dimension, the more water flows.
Fittings
A fitting is what connects the garden hose to the water spigot. Plastic ones are less expensive but have a shorter lifespan. Brass fittings are more durable and maintain their threads longer. Crushproof brass is much stronger than stamped brass fittings.
Whether plastic or brass, female octagon-shaped fittings are easier to use than regular round fittings.
Kinking
Before purchasing a garden hose, open the package, unroll a couple of feet and fold it back against itself. If it kinks there it will kink even more once it sits outside in the sun.
Burst Strength
Check the label for burst strength, which is the amount of water pressure it takes for a hole to burst through the hose. Burst ratings range from 50 to 600 psi, or pounds per square inch. A stronger hose has a higher psi rating.
5 Best Garden Hoses Reviews
1. TheFitLife 50-foot Expandable Garden Hose
Pros
- Durable and strong because of the heavy-duty, triple-layer latex core and strong elasticated polyester outer fabric. The hose extends up to 50 feet and has good flexibility, which makes it easy to move about the yard without tangles, twists or kinks.
- At 2.7 pounds, the hose weighs less than some traditional garden hoses, which makes it easily portable and ideal for users will limited strength.
- Water flow is easier to control with a shut-off valve located at the end of the hose.
- Solid brass fittings prevent rust, corrosion, and enhanced seals stop leaks that are associated with some other hoses.
- The bonus nozzle offers you 8 spray pattern versatility.
- Ideal for any garden, the hose is available in 25, 75, and 100-foot lengths.
Cons
- May leak near the faucet connection if not connected securely.
- May retract while in use if water pressure is too low.
- The material can rip when dragged across sharp objects.
- Shutoff valve may be difficult to turn. May need a wrench or pliers to open the valve for the first time.
2. Legacy Flexilla 50 Foot Hybrid Garden Hose
Pros
- Lightweight, flexible and easy to maneuver due to its premium hybrid polymer construction.
- Designed with a bend restrictor so that the hose is memory-free, meaning it will lay flat on the ground where you put and will not coil back on itself.
- Coils easily when you roll it up to store the hose.
- Resistant to abrasions.
- Kink-resistant design includes a ribbed inner core that keeps the hose from kinking under pressure.
- Drinking water safe.
- Male and female fittings are made of crush-resistant anodized aircraft aluminum.
- Extremely weather-resistant, it maintains flexibility in temperatures between 40 degrees below zero and 150 degrees.
- PSI strength: 150 psi working pressure and 500 psi burst strength.
- High-quality O-ring provides a stronger seal to prevent leaks where the hose connects to the water spigot.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Hose may sometimes kink when not in use.
- Hose sometimes twists.
- Sunlight may cause the hose to lose its distinctive lime green color.
- At eight pounds, the hose is lightweight but still heavier than some other hoses.
- May develop black mold on the hose exterior.
3. Flexi Hose 50-foot Garden Hose
Pros
- Lightweight and compact, this garden hose is easy to handle and maneuver.
- Featuring an incredible expandable design, the hose is only 17 feet in length when the water is shut-off. When in use, the hose grows wider and expands to 50 feet. After use, it quickly shrinks to 17 feet, one-third of its maximum length, which makes it easy to store in a limited space.
- Made of durable pressure-resistant latex with a double core, the hose is sturdy and strong – strong enough to handle forceful water pressure.
- It can withstand up to 12 bars of pressure and withstand temperatures up to 113° Fahrenheit.
- The hose is designed so that it does kink, twist or tangle.
- It is very flexible and easy to maneuver around as you water your garden.
- The spray nozzle has an ergonomic design and its eight adjustable settings let you control the water flow. Choose between full, angled, flat, center, cone, soaker, mist, and shower.
- Solid brass ¾-inch fittings allow for easy attachment to a faucet and deliver a leak-resistant performance.
- For great peace of mind, the hose is covered by a 100% refund or money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Plastic nozzle is not very durable
- Material may snag on sharp objects
- Potential leaking at sprayer coupling
4. Riemex 25-foot Expandable/Retractable Garden Hose
Pros
- Made of a triple-layered latex that is crack resistant.
- Construction material allows the hose to be flexible enough to maneuver easily throughout the yard.
- Weighing just 1.1 pounds, the hose is light enough for anyone to use, which is ideal for people with limited strength or physical challenges.
- Designed to be tangle, twist, and kink free.
- Expands to 25-feet quickly and only when in use. When not in use, the hose collapses and shrinks quickly to 8-feet so that it is easy to store. The hose also dries out quickly.
- ¾-inch fittings are made of solid corrosion-resistant brass, which allows for a high-pressure water flow that is not prone to leaking.
- Easily attaches to water spigot or sprayer.
- Includes a built-in shutoff valve, which means fewer trips to the spigot to turn water on and off.
- Available in 50-foot, 75-foot, and 100-foot lengths.
Cons
- Even with water pressure at its full level and hose extended its full length, the water stream may not be strong.
- May leak at the connection when attached to a sprayer.
- Some hoses left outside have developed pinhole leaks.
5. Stanley FatMax 50 Foot Garden Hose
Pros
- Professional grade, meaning it is durable enough for professional use.
- Made with polyfusion technology that combines PVC and polyurethane. This process makes the hose lightweight and easy to handle.
- Weighs seven pounds.
- AntiKink technology used to create extreme elasticity in the hose and limit kinking.
- Maintains flexibility in harsh weather conditions, working well in temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero.
- Burst strength of 500 psi.
- Couplings are made of forged aluminum and have titanium coatings. This design should prevent leaking. The female end of the hose includes an integrated washer.
- Abrasion and scratch-resistant.
- Safe to drink water from.
- Sturdy plastic hose collars surround couplings. This allows easy attachment to a spray nozzle or spigot and easier handling for hose users, especially those with limited strength or hand and arm mobility.
- Limited lifetime warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship for the useful life of the hose.
Cons
- AntiKink technology does not prevent all kinking
- The hard hose collar makes wrapping the hose around a hose reel difficult and may result in kinks near the collar.
Our Top Pick for the Best Garden Hose
Stanley FatMax 50 Foot Garden Hose
Everyone wants a garden hose that is sturdy enough to do the job, easy to use and won’t tear up quickly. Of the garden hoses reviewed, the Stanley FatMax 50 foot garden hose is the best choice.
This hose combines PVC and polyurethane to give it extra strength and make it scratch and abrasion-resistant. It’s also strong enough to handle sub-zero temperatures and extremely powerful water pressure. The Stanley FatMax hose has anti-kinking technology and a flexible design. It is lightweight and has a sturdy collar that makes it easy to handle.
That’s good news for users who don’t want the hassles of lugging a heavy hose across the yard. Super strong aluminum and titanium fittings prevent leaks. As an added bonus, this hose is safe to drink from.
Check the price on Amazon
