5 Best Expandable Garden Hoses (2023 Guide)

In This Review: Our Top Picks | Buying Guide | Garden Hose FAQ | Additional Resources | Our Methodology

Unlike traditional garden hoses, expandable hoses grow to their full length when filled with water and shrink when they’re no longer in use, making them easy to store and maneuver around your yard or in your garage.

We’ve lined up the best expandable garden hoses on the market to help you find the proper hose for your tool kit. In this review, we break down our top picks, discuss various features to look for when buying, and answer some common user questions.

Top 5 Expandable Garden Hoses

• Best Overall: TheFitLife Metal Hose
• Best 100-Foot Hose: Flexi Hose Expandable Kit
• Best 25-Foot Hose: Xhose Expandable Hose
• Best 50-Foot Hose: Flexi Hose Lightweight
• Most Durable Hose: zero-G 4001-100 Garden Hose

Best Expandable Garden Hose Overall

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a wide water-release diameter
✔ Has one nozzle that includes eight water patterns
✔ Has a portable, easy-to-maneuver design

✘ Does not work well with hot water
✘ Some customers felt it lacked water pressure

What Customers Are Saying

We noted that customers who liked this product liked that it was maneuverable, durable, and did not tangle. On the other hand, we also saw some customers say that this product lacked water pressure, and others were disappointed it could not be used outdoors.

Best 100-Foot Expandable Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a lifetime warranty and replacement guarantee
✔ Withstands hot and cold temperatures
✔ Offers eight spray patterns

✘ Nozzle is reportedly flimsy
✘ Can be difficult to reach the company to take advantage of the lifetime replacement guarantee

What Customers Are Saying

Our team found that customers who liked the Flexi Hose found it lived up to its promise of being easy to use and store, remaining kink-free even when coiled. Unfortunately, we also saw that some customers said that the spray nozzle felt a little flimsy. They also had difficulty finding information on the lifetime replacement guarantee.

Best 25-Foot Expandable Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty
✔ Features weatherproof, reinforced DAC-5 fiber jacket
✔ Available in multiple lengths

✘ May become hot to the touch when left in the sun
✘ Doesn’t include a sprayer attachment

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers who used other expandable hoses in the past said that this model outperformed their expectations, especially given its entry-level price. They mentioned that the hose didn’t experience any leaks and that the connectors felt high-quality. Alternatively, we did see some customers who said that the hose got too hot when left out in direct sunlight, and for select users, the hose material tore easily.

Best 50-Foot Expandable Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Collapses down to a third of its expanded size
✔ Resists cracking and rotting
✔ Features puncture protection

✘ Lacks handles or grips
✘ Does not come with nozzles or a reel

What Customers Are Saying

Our research showed that most customers felt that this hose delivered on the company’s promises, with a few even saying that the most recent design was an improvement on earlier incarnations that had less sturdy tubes and connectors. However, we also saw some customers report low water pressure or leaks during use.

Most Durable Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Is abrasion- and puncture-resistant and leakproof.
✔ Is crush-proof up to 1,800 pounds of force
✔ Works in cold temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit

✘ Can be difficult to wind up
✘ Some customers had issues with this hose leaking

What Customers Are Saying

We noticed that customers who were happy with this garden hose liked that it didn’t kink and was lightweight. Others also were pleased by its length. However, we did find that some customers did have issues with leaking, and others were disappointed with the water pressure.

Buying Guide to Expandable Garden Hoses

Before buying an expandable garden hose, it’s important to consider what features you require in your model. In this buying guide, we will break down the length, hose material, and other factors that we think are most critical to choosing a quality hose for your home.

Hose Length

Choose a hose that’s long enough to water your entire lawn and all of your plants. If you have a large yard, you may want a longer hose, but if you only need to water a few plants on your deck, a smaller hose will suffice.

Standard hose lengths are 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. However, remember that a hose may not expand to its advertised length if your water pressure is low. For example, a 75-foot hose may only expand to 65 feet when hooked up to your spigot.

Fitting Material

The connectors, couplings, and fittings that attach your hose to the water supply and nozzles or sprinkler heads can be made of different materials.

• Aluminum fittings: Aluminum typically lasts longer than plastic but not as long as brass.
• Brass fittings: Solid brass fittings won’t corrode or rust and is more durable than plastic.
• Plastic fittings: Plastic fittings are typically more affordable but less durable than alternatives.

Core Material

The exterior of your hose will likely feature a durable fabric cover. However, the hose core can be made of one of two materials:

• Latex: Water hoses with a latex core usually have two, three, or four layers. A core with more layers will give you more protection, but it also makes for a less flexible hose overall.
• Thermoplastic copolyester: This material is heat-resistant and more durable than latex, but it’s also more expensive.

Garden Hose Nozzle

Some expandable hoses have nozzles that allow you to change the spray pattern. Pay close attention to the product description of your hose to ensure you know whether a nozzle is included.

Some features to look for in a nozzle include an ergonomic design that helps with ease of use, durability, and several spray patterns. Although it costs a little more to buy a hose and nozzle separately, it may be worth finding the corresponding model for each one.

Color

The color of your expandable garden hose isn’t the most important consideration, but you may want a hose that’s highly visible and easy to spot in your backyard. Conversely, you might want a dark green hose that blends in with the color of your grass. It’s worth noting that black hoses will get hotter in direct sunlight than green, blue, or orange-colored hoses.

Expandable Hose Uses

Expandable garden hoses are excellent, versatile tools for numerous outdoor tasks. Here are some of our favorite alternative uses for a hose. 

• Bathing pets: The gentle water flow from an expandable hose makes it a good tool for bathing your dog or cat. Connect a suitable attachment or use a handheld sprayer to give your furry friends a comfortable and thorough cleaning.
• Cleaning windows and outdoor furniture: Attach a soft bristle brush or sponge to the end of the hose to clean windows, outdoor furniture, and other delicate surfaces. The adjustable spray settings will help you achieve the proper water pressure for each task.
• Emergency uses: An expandable hose can serve as a temporary water source for tasks like extinguishing small fires or flushing wounds.
• Farming applications: Expandable hoses can also be useful in a pinch for certain farming tasks like irrigating small fields or watering livestock.
• Filling pools and inflatable items: If you have a small inflatable pool, expandable hoses can quickly fill them up. 

• Washing automobiles: The expandable hose can be useful for washing cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and other vehicles. Attach a nozzle with adjustable spray settings to provide gentle or high water pressure for effective cleaning.
• Washing off surfaces: Use the hose to clean surfaces around your home, such as patios, decks, driveways, and sidewalks. It can help remove dirt, debris, leaves, and stains. You can also use hoses to prewet landscape to help avoid the materials getting burned with a cleaner. This Old House‘s Mark McCullough demonstrates how to clean the hardscape around your home in the video below.

Expandable Garden Hose FAQ

What are some of the disadvantages of purchasing an expandable garden hose?

Here are some of the most significant drawbacks of choosing an expandable hose:

• It doesn’t last as long as a regular garden hose
• It may be easier to puncture than a regular or soaker hose.
• It isn’t easy to locate and repair holes hidden by the fabric sheath

Is a hose reel necessary for a hose to work?

Hose reels are not necessary to operate expandable and regular garden hoses. Retractable hoses also don’t require a reel, although you may prefer to use one. Reels keep your hose organized and kink-free, so while they’re not necessary, they are helpful.

How can I maintain my garden hose?

To maintain your hose, follow these tips:

• Turn the water off when the hose isn’t in use
• Store the hose out of direct sunlight
• Keep the hose away from sharp objects
• Drain the hose after using it
• Keep your hose in a safe, dry spot
• Invest in a hose holder or, better yet, build a wooden hose holder yourself

Can I fix my expandable garden hose if it has a leak?

Most expandable hoses can’t be fixed once they start leaking because of the material they’re made of. If you notice that your hose leaks, consider reaching out to the manufacturer, especially if your hose is under warranty. Otherwise, consider purchasing a new one.

Additional Gardening Resources

In case searching for the right hose is just part of a larger mission, we’ve compiled some of our top-rated gardening and lawn care tips, guides, and videos below.

Roundups and Reviews

• Best Fertilizer Spreaders
• Best Gifts for Gardeners
• Best Lawn Care Service Companies
• Best Sprinklers
• Tools for First-Time Gardeners

Tips and Tutorials

• Best Year-Round Lawn Care Schedule
• How to Create a Backyard Oasis
• How to Treat Your Lawn Organically
• When to Fertilize Your Lawn
• Which Grass is Best for Your Area?

How We Selected the Best Expandable Hoses

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of expandable hoses with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

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