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If you’re looking for a garden hose to water your lawn or complete other jobs outside your home, a high-quality garden hose is a must. Typically, you can expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $40 on standard hoses, while high-quality expandable garden hoses or hoses over 50 feet can sometimes exceed $50 or $75.
To find the best garden hose for your home, I examined over 50 of the top hoses on the market and read over 200 customer reviews. Overall, my top pick is the Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose, which is durable, kink-resistant, and works in any weather condition. Read the buying guide below for more of my top 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 Connector: 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
Compare Top-Rated Garden Hoses
| Product | Available Lengths | Material | Operating Temperature Range | Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose | 3, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 75 feet | Polymer and aluminum | Between -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit | 7.8 pounds | ||
| Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose | 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet | Rubber and brass | Between -25 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit | 9.7 pounds | ||
| Giraffe Tools 5-Foot Garden Hose | 2.5, 3, 5, 50, and 100 feet | Polymer and brass | Between -40 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit | 1.2 pounds | ||
| TheFitLife Metal Garden Hose | 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet | Stainless steel | Not listed | 11 pounds | ||
| Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose | 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 feet | Latex, rubber, and brass | Between 41 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit | 2.7 pounds | ||
| LINEX Garden Soaker Hose | 15, 25, 50, and 75 feet | Vinyl | Not listed | 7.2 ounces | ||
| Product | Available Lengths | Material | Operating Temperature Range | Weight |
Best Garden Hose Overall
Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose
- $39.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Homeowners seeking a long, flexible hose that works in any weather conditions.
What Are People Saying About the Flexzilla 50-Foot Garden Hose?
“Amazing hose that worked perfectly for what I needed. It is easy to move, resists kinking up, and the ends are metal and are of very high quality! Will for sure be getting more Flexzilla hoses in the future!” — Amy H via Amazon
“…There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this one, but it’s not for me. I find the hose to be heavy and not easy to snake in between flowers when I’m watering. I end up dragging the hose across my flower bed and smashing some of the more delicate plants. I also find this hose difficult to wind up in my hose pot.” — Hockey Mom x2 via Amazon
Best Heavy-Duty Garden Hose
Briggs and Stratton Rubber Garden Hose
- $44.9
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Customers seeking a durable hose for large lawns or commercial use.
What Are People Saying About the Briggs and Stratton Rubber Garden Hose?
“…This hose combines durability and flexibility in a way that makes garden work seem almost effortless. Made from heavy-duty rubber, it withstands any weather condition and resists kinks, ensuring a steady water flow even when maneuvering around corners or furniture. Its length is perfect for reaching all corners of a medium to large garden without having to constantly move the tap.” — Vic R via Amazon
“…This hose says “premium rubber”, and it smells and feels like a car tire. I left it out in the rain in hopes that some of it would wash off, but it leaves black “greasy” marks on my hands after use. On the positive side, it appears to not want to kink, especially when it’s pressured up.” — Who Knows via Amazon
Best Connector
Giraffe Tools 5-Foot Garden Hose
- $16.14
- $18.99
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Those looking for a long, durable hose connection to extend the length of their hose or attach it to another device, like a water timer.
What Are People Saying About the Giraffe Tools 5-Foot Garden Hose?
Most customer reviews that I read said this hose could handle high water pressures and extreme temperatures, specifically high heat. However, a few low-rated reviews mentioned issues with leaking, and others said it was prone to cracking.
“I needed a leader hose to be able to place my hose pot a bit farther away from the spigot, but wanted one which could take a bit of wear. This fit the bill exactly! It’s a darker color to be less noticeable, heavy-duty both in the hose and fittings, and longer than average which gave me more flexibility. Perfect solution!” — Amber B. via Amazon
“I bought 2 of these hoses to connect outdoor faucets to a couple automatic water timers. One has lasted the whole summer. The other ruptured where the tubing met the metal male connector after only a month of use. Maybe it happened [because] the hose was under constant pressure with the automatic timer? Regardless haven’t had this problem with other hoses. Good not great.” —kelly via Amazon
Best Stainless Steel Garden Hose
TheFitLife Metal Garden Hose
- $69.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Customers seeking a heavy-duty steel hose that waters lawns quickly.
What Are People Saying About the TheFitLife Metal Garden Hose?
In my research, I noticed 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, and others complained that it had a bad smell.
“This hose is heavy-duty and sturdy. There are no leaking issues with the hose nor the nozzle. The hose rolls up easily and holds it shape. The nozzle is easy to switch the different spray types. This hose is well made for the price, highly recommend.” —Haley Fox Blog via Amazon
“I guess the hose itself is fine. It’s not my first stainless steel hose. The problem is the vinyl hose inside makes the water that comes out smell horrible and it makes lots of suds. There is a chemical plastic smell. It stays on my hands and anything you try to wash with it, in my case, storage containers. I don’t dare fill the cats’ water bowl with it.” —freeflier1 via Amazon
Best Expandable Hose
Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose
- $59.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Homeowners looking for a flexible hose that takes up minimal storage space.
What Are People Saying About the Flexi Hose Expandable Garden Hose?
Customers who purchased and reviewed this expandable garden hose said that the materials were high quality and the hose rapidly expanded and contracted. However, I did read some negative reviews that mentioned the hose sprung multiple leaks in less than a year, presenting longevity concerns.
“After years of wrestling a long plastic hose to water my 5 garden plots and potted outdoor plants, I ordered this retractable hose. Not only is it lightweight, but it doesn’t tangle so I don’t have to battle with it to get my watering done. Now I can’t believe I waited so long to order this one. Works great and then recoils when finished when I leave the handle on to drain all the water out of it.” — Henderson via Amazon
“I liked the features (shut off valve, expandability) and flexibility as well as light weight and compactness, but after owning it for two years it exploded when I used the shut-off valve. I typically used it [with] the valve open. A sprayer nozzle would have caused the same failure. A hose should last longer than two years! Especially when they charge a premium price for it!” — M via Amazon
Best Soaker Hose
LINEX Garden Soaker Hose
- $13.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good For: Homeowners in the market for a soaker hose for gardening.
What Are People Saying About the LINEX Garden Soaker Hose?
I found that 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 and others claimed it was not long lasting.
“I bought a couple different soaker hoses and this is the best by far. Unlike the rubbery ones that are heavier and more difficult to intertwine and stay where you place them within your plantings, these are easy to curve around, reposition, or remove. They have clamps to securely connect the hose at the hose ends which helps avoid leaks or breaks.” —Gail via Amazon
“The concept is great and in theory would work well for drip irrigation in my garden. However, the hose started leaking heavily at some of the holes, and water would not make it to the end. This hose lasted about two months before it was no longer useful. It was very nice for the first two weeks, then the pressure started to decline.” —Anand Shan via Amazon
What To Know Before Buying Garden Hoses
Before buying a garden hose, you should first look at the length of the hose and see if it’s big enough to water your entire area. The diameter is also a critical factor, as it can affect water flow.
From there, you can begin to examine factors such as material, flexibility, couplings, and any extra features a hose has that will help it work best for your application. Read my buying guide below for more information selecting the best garden hose.
How long should your garden hose be?
A garden hose’s size is measured by its length, with most models being between five and 100 feet long. If you are only watering your garden, a 15 or 25-foot hose may be sufficient, depending on the location of the spigot. 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.
How does diameter affect garden hoses?
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.
What materials are garden hoses typically made from?
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.
How do you tell if a garden hose will be flexible?
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.”
What type of couplings typically come with a garden hose?
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.
What other features should you look for in a garden hose?
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, I 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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