If the space where you choose to mount your reel is some way from the outdoor tap, you may need to acquire an extra ‘leader hose’ to connect the reel to the water supply. Also referred to as a ‘feeder hose’, sometimes you will have to create this yourself by cutting a piece of the hose pipe. After we tested 26 different hose reels, the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel is the clear winner, able to maneuver over different types of terrain with ease. We also found it simple to put the product together. Plus threading, reeling, and unreeling a hose was a breeze. If you simply want a place to keep your hose neat and tidy and have a small space, the Artigarden Freestanding Garden Hose Hanger is a great budget-friendly option. It doesn't have the benefits of a hose reel, but it's simple to install, it keeps your hose tidy, and it can be placed anywhere there is dirt. Other Options We Tested

In addition, the better quality the hose, the easier it will be to use and less likely to kink or fail to rewind. Superior garden hoses also come with better tap fittings meaning they are less likely to leak. Whilst some people love the bright colours of gardening equipment, there are others who cry out for something a little more understated. If you find yourself in the latter category, you’ll be pleased to know the TRESKO Auto Garden Hose Reel has got you covered. Do you need a reel for your flat garden hose? One more additional benefit to a flat garden hose is that you can wind it up on a reel without getting it tangled. We sell hose reels separately or with the hose included. If you don’t have a flat garden hose already and would like a reel included with it, consider purchasing our hose and reel combination products.Traditional garden hoses are round and easily susceptible to punctures and kinks. Think about how many times you twisted your round garden hose and had to spend several minutes straightening it out. Wouldn’t you like a better alternative? If you will be using your garden hose reel regularly, and plan to leave it outside, it is worth spending a bit more money on a good-quality reel to ensure it last for years. If you are looking for a high-quality hose reel to store and transport your hose (up to 200 feet), the Gorilla Aluminum Hose Reel is the perfect choice. After we tested 25 other reels of different shapes and styles, this product shines above the rest for its durability and design.

Weighing 8.1 kg, installation is relatively straight forward; however, the included pieces of mounting hardware are only just up to the job. To avoid any future disasters, it might be an idea to use stronger bolts. Harry has real-world tested 46 products for DIY Garden, and is one of our more experienced testers. We tested 26 different hose reels in a range of styles and sizes, in the rooftop garden of our lab in Des, Moines, Iowa. We first set up each hose reel according to the manufacturer's instructions and recorded the time and assembly process. We then evaluated each reel’s design: For those that were simply reels, we connected a hose to the couplings and wound the hose around the reels, noting how much effort it took to do so. For the other styles, we simply coiled a hose into the pots or hangers, recording how easy this deceptively ornery process can be. Next, we tested the products' usability and practiced fully unwinding the hoses from the reel or taking the hoses out of the pots. We noted whether the hose unwound smoothly or was difficult to remove and whether the container tipped over during the process or needed a hand or two to steady it. We repeated this process with two different hoses of varying lengths and styles. We’ve covered the best expandable garden hoses extensively on DIY Garden, and there are some great options on the market. One of the main advantages of expandable hoses is that they can be longer than hoses in reels, whilst taking up less storage space.Automatically reeling in 40 m of hose, and winding it on to the wall unit without tangling or kinking, this popular auto-reel saves time and effort. The result: a neatly stored hose in minutes. You want a hose that will reach the end of your garden without stretching. However, you also don’t want to spend extra money on a hose which is much longer than you need. Measure your garden to find out what length of hose will best suit your needs. As with most garden pots, this option isn't ideal to transport your hose or any other garden accessories. We found that lightweight hoses were the best choices for this pot, because you have to take the whole hose out and drag it around when in use—you don’t have the benefit of a reel to roll up the hose for you, but if you are looking for a hose pot, you can’t go wrong with this stylish choice.