6 Best Garden Hoses (2023 Guide)

If you’re looking for a garden hose to water your lawn or complete other jobs outside your home, our team is here to help. We researched the best garden hoses on Amazon and created a buyer’s guide to help you make an educated purchasing decision.

Here are our top garden hose picks.

Top 6 Garden Hoses

• Best Garden Hose Overall: Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose
• Best Heavy-Duty Hose: Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose
• Best Compact Hose: Giraffe Tools 5-Foot Garden Hose
• Best Stainless Steel Hose: TheFitLife Metal Garden Hose
• Best Expandable Hose: Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose
• Best Soaker Hose: LINEX Garden Soaker Hose

Best Garden Hose Overall

Pros and Cons

✔ Made of a polymer blend that lays flat
✔ Available in over five lengths
✔ Has an abrasion-resistant exterior to handle any environment

✘ Doesn’t feature a comfortable grip like other options
✘ Is susceptible to black mold growth, according to some customers

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied reviewers said this product lived up to its name, as it offers a flexible and leak-free operation. Others said its bright green color made it easy to find in their yards. Customers who gave the product a poor rating said that the hose’s heavy weight made it difficult to maneuver and that moisture caused it to grow black mold.

Best Heavy-Duty Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Withstands hot water up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
✔ Stays flexible in cold weather
✔ Built for commercial, residential, and recreational use

✘ Less flexible than other models due to its heavy-duty construction
✘ Left black residue on some customers’ hands

What Customers Are Saying

Several customers said this garden hose from Briggs and Stratton was durable and sturdy, noting that it didn’t kink and could handle hot water. However, a few reviewers mentioned that the hose left black residue on their hands.

Best Compact Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Made with three layers to resist kinking, cracking, and bursting
✔ Includes nickel-plated solid brass fittings to prevent leaks
✔ Works in temperatures ranging from -40 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit

✘ Has a short length that limits its reach
✘ Doesn’t include a nozzle

What Customers Are Saying

Most customers said this hose could handle high water pressures and extreme temperatures, specifically high heat. However, a few low-rated reviews mentioned issues with leaking.

Best Stainless Steel Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Resists rust thanks to its stainless steel material
✔ Has a kink- and fray-resistant design
✔ Includes a multi-function spray nozzle

✘ Isn’t as comfortable to grip or hold compared to other garden hoses
✘ Is expensive

What Customers Are Saying

The majority of customers who reviewed this metal garden hose thought that it was durable, powerful, and easy to control. Those who purchased the garden hose in its 100-foot length added that it offered ample reach to access the corners of their yards. However, some customers said that it was difficult to tighten the hose to spigots or nozzles.

Best Expandable Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Reinforced with a double latex core
✔ Has solid brass connectors to screw on any standard spigot
✔ Includes eight-pattern rotating hose spray nozzle

✘ Relatively expensive
✘ Leaked in less than a year for some customers

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who purchased and reviewed this expandable garden hose said that the materials were high quality and the hose rapidly expanded and contracted. However, negative reviews mentioned that the hose sprung multiple leaks in less than a year, presenting longevity concerns.

Best Soaker Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Available in multiple lengths
✔ Lightweight and easy to carry and store
✔ Has a kink-resistant plastic inner core to protect the hose from knotting

✘ Can’t be used for traditional garden applications, such as watering targeted areas
✘ Has a shorter warranty than other garden hose products

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers reported that this vinyl soaker hose was easy to unbox and operate and that it met their expectations during the first few uses. Users said the soaker hose stayed in place where they needed it despite its light weight. However, some users found that their hose had holes in it even after gentle use.

Buying Guide for Garden Hoses

Before buying a garden hose, it’s important to understand how its design and specifications impact its performance. Here are six factors to consider before making a purchase.

Length

A garden hose’s size is measured by its length, with most models being between five and 100 feet long. If you have a small lawn, a hose such as the Giraffe Tools Five-Foot Garden Hose may be a good option. If you have a larger yard or need your garden hose to weave through a variety of objects, a long hose such as the Flexzilla Garden 50-Foot Hose is a better option.

Diameter

The diameter of a garden hose affects its water flow. Most standard garden hoses are 5/8 inches in diameter, but some hoses have larger or smaller diameters of 3/4 or 1/2 inches. A larger hose diameter provides greater water volume and pressure, but typically makes the for a heavier, more cumbersome design.

Material

Any quality hose from a trusted brand will be lead-free, but it’s always worth double-checking your hose’s material composition, especially if there’s any chance it could be used to transport potable water. In that case, verify that the hose is dead free, non-toxic, BPA-free hoses that are certified as drinking water safe by a neutral regulatory authority.

Most water hoses are made out of vinyl rubber or polyester and latex. The most durable rubber hoses like the Briggs and Stratton 50-Foot Premium Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose have a crush-proof, scratch-resistant shell. However, they’re typically more expensive and less flexible than their polyurethane and latex counterparts.

Expandable garden hoses typically have a latex core and a polyester covering. This combination of materials allows the hose to expand and contract without sacrificing flexibility and durability.

Flexibility

A flexible hose is easier to handle and less likely to kink or twist during use. If you want a flexible hose, look for an expandable garden hose or any hose that’s advertised as “kink-resistant” or “no-kink.”

Couplings

Couplings are the fittings on the end of a garden hose. Aluminum or brass couplings are the most common type, but some manufacturers use plastic fittings instead. Couplings are important because they allow users to connect the end of the hose to the spigot as well as pressure washers, sprayers, sprinklers, and other garden hose nozzles and accessories.

Additional Features

Some types of hoses come with additional features to help with water supply transportation. For example, some garden hoses are capped with a brass fitting that doubles as a shut-off valve. Other models have swivel grips that make connecting to a spigot easier.

Tips for Using a Garden Hose

To get the most use out of your garden hose while keeping your plants healthy, consider the following tips.

• Check for leaks before use. Before using your garden hose, look for any visible holes or puncture marks. If you see holes or puncture marks, try to fix them using duct tape or consider replacing the hose.
• Water early or late in the day when it’s cool outside. Using your garden hose during the heat of the day causes some of the water to evaporate, resulting in wasted water and a higher water bill.
• Don’t overwater your grass, plants, or other vegetation in your yard. While it’s easy to add more water as needed, you can’t remove water.
• Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to adjust the spray pattern and water pressure. Delicate flowers may need a gentle mist, while other vegetation can handle a stronger stream of water.
• When you’re finished using your garden hose, store it properly. Consider using a hose reel or hanger to keep it organized and out of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Hoses

What are the advantages of an expandable garden hose?

The advantages of an expandable garden hose include that it drains and coils after you’re done using it. Unlike rubber hoses that are known to bend, expandable garden hoses are resistant to kinks.

Is there a hose that doesn’t kink?

Though many garden hoses are designed to resist kinks, we can’t claim that any garden hose on the market is 100% kink free. Generally, the better you take care of your hose, the less likely it will kink. Look for a garden hose that’s long enough for your needs with built-in kink resistance if you’re concerned about the hose kinking.

Does the diameter of my garden hose matter?

Yes, the diameter of your garden hose matters. Hoses with large diameters dispense more water at once than hoses with small diameters.

Is a 25-foot hose too short?

A 25-foot garden hose may be too short if your spigot is located more than 25 feet away from the area you intend to water. Homeowners with large yards should opt for at least a 50-foot garden hose, if not a 75- or 100-foot hose.

How long will my garden hose last?

Your garden hose will likely last between five and 10 years. The lifespan of your garden hose depends on a variety of factors, including the climate, hose material, and frequency of use. To increase your hose’s lifespan, drain the hose after each use.

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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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