Best Overall
Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel
- Big rubber wheels make the hose reel easy to maneuver through the yard.
Big rubber wheels make the hose reel easy to maneuver through the yard.
- The screws were a little tough to install, so it may be difficult for some to assemble the reel alone. We also noted that some people may have to stoop down to maneuver it as it’s on the shorter side.
The screws were a little tough to install, so it may be difficult for some to assemble the reel alone. We also noted that some people may have to stoop down to maneuver it as it’s on the shorter side.
Overall, the best Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel. The reel can hold up to 200 feet of hose and has 7-inch rubber wheels, so you’ll be able to easily transport it around your outdoor space.
The hose reel is made of an anodized aluminum frame, which one tester said felt solid. We also appreciated the rubber grips on the reel, which made it easier to handle as we maneuvered it around the grass. Overall, we felt we’d be comfortable leaving this durable option out in the open between uses.
Part of what makes this design the best hose reel is that according to one tester, it’s lightweight and easy to use. Forged brass fittings on the side of the reel allow you to connect your hose to this unit. Plus, there is a sliding hose guide on the front that keeps the hose organized and kink-free while reeling and unreeling.
It’s worth noting that the reel is on the shorter side, so some may have to stoop to maneuver it around the garden. We also found that while the assembly was fairly easy, the screws were a little tough to install, so it could be difficult for some to assemble the reel alone.
Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: 22.5 x 27.5 x 32 inches | Hose Capacity: 200 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Metal
Liberty Garden 2-Wheel Pneumatic Tires Garden Hose Reel Cart
- The tall pneumatic tires make it easy to cover any terrain.
The tall pneumatic tires make it easy to cover any terrain.
- It took us about half an hour to assemble the hose reel, as opposed to some other picks that come assembled.
It took us about half an hour to assemble the hose reel, as opposed to some other picks that come assembled.
If you need a heavy-duty hose reel cart to maneuver long hoses around the yard, this Liberty Garden is one to consider. The frame is made of durable steel, and it has brass fittings for a leak-free connection. Plus, the 16-inch spoked pneumatic tires on this hose reel easily travel over grass or an uneven landscape.
When evaluating this hose reel, we appreciated the wire basket that could fit a water bottle, hose nozzles, or gardening gloves and tools while you work. We also appreciated that the handle was easy and comfortable to use.
Although we felt this was a quality reel overall, it’s worth noting that the assembly for this one took 33 minutes, unlike other picks that either arrived assembled or were easier to put together. We also felt that one hose was difficult to put on and off the reel, and the placement to attach the hose was in an awkward spot overall. Overall, it’s recommended you use this reel with a more flexible hose design.
Product Details: Material: Steel | Weight: 36 pounds | Dimensions: 22 x 38 x 39 inches | Hose Capacity: 300 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Hose Cart
Eley Portable Garden Hose Reel Cart
- We found it durable and stable, so we think it will last a long time. There’s also the option to add two more wheels for additional mobility.
We found it durable and stable, so we think it will last a long time. There’s also the option to add two more wheels for additional mobility.
- It’s more expensive than other similar styles.
It’s more expensive than other similar styles.
Eley’s Portable Garden Hose Reel Cart is the best option to consider for those who may have a few faucets around their yard. The wheeled style is made of durable aluminum and makes it easy to transport a heavy-duty hose around your garden.
The reel features 10-inch rubber tires that make it easy to maneuver this hose cart across any landscape. We were impressed by the performance of just the two tires; however, you could add on two more wheels if you go with the option that includes the quad-wheel kit.
Set up took 35 minutes, which is longer than some other assembly times during testing. Once assembled, however, we appreciated the look of the reel and liked that it was a taller style, and found that it rolled smoothly.
The hose reel features brass and copper fittings that make it easy to attach the hose to the cart and inlet hose. Though it has a 125-foot hose capacity, you can opt for the extra capacity kit option if you have a longer hose. Just keep in mind that like the quad-wheel kit, the extra capacity option will be a bit more expensive.
Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight: 33 pounds | Dimensions: 22.5 x 25 x 36.6 inches | Hose Capacity: 125 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Plastic
Suncast Hosemobile Hose Reel Cart
- There is no assembly required and it’s less expensive than other options on the market. There's also a small storage compartment, so you can keep gloves and gardening tools handy.
There is no assembly required and it’s less expensive than other options on the market. There's also a small storage compartment, so you can keep gloves and gardening tools handy.
- Testers found that the wheels are not easy to maneuver on grass.
Testers found that the wheels are not easy to maneuver on grass.
For those who prefer a simple, plastic option, consider KLZ’s Hose Reel Cart and Hideaway.
The unit comes fully assembled, so all you have to do is attach your hose and start watering. Plus, we found that it was lightweight and easy to use.
The simple design is made of a plastic material and has a two-tone design that’ll blend in with your yard. We found that the hose reel was fairly lightweight, so you may want to consider storing it in a shed or garage between seasons.
Part of what makes this pick one of the best to consider is the 5-inch plastic wheels that make it easier to move the hose cart around the yard. While we found that it worked easily on hard surfaces, keep in mind that it was more difficult to maneuver on grass.
Unlike some other picks, this hose reel features a storage area near the handle. There is enough space to set your gardening gloves or a pair of clippers, so you’ll have them on hand while you tend to your yard.
Product Details: Material: Plastic | Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: Not listed | Hose Capacity: 150 feet
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Hanger Hose Holder
Artigarden Freestanding Garden Hose Holder Hanger
- It’s easy to install and is less expensive than other options.
It’s easy to install and is less expensive than other options.
- You have to wind the hose yourself, which will take extra time after each use.
You have to wind the hose yourself, which will take extra time after each use.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your hose tidy without winding it, this Artigarden style is worth considering. This black lacquer-coated steel frame can hold up to 150 feet of hose. Plus, with three 7-inch tines that dig into the ground, this hose holder is sturdy and easy to install.
Unlike other styles, there’s no need to secure it to your house or attach a leader hose—all you have to do is dig it into the ground near the faucet and you’re ready to start using it. Overall, we appreciated the simplicity of it.
Unlike a typical hose reel that has a handle to help wind up the hose after use, this hose holder offers storage only. While it was easy to drop the hose onto the stand, you do have to wind it up yourself, so it’s worth considering using lightweight hoses with this pick.
Product Details: Material: Alloy steel | Weight: 4.27 pounds | Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 45 inches | Hose Capacity: 150 feet
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Industrial
GroundWork Hose Reel Cart
- It has the highest hose capacity of all the hose reels on this list.
It has the highest hose capacity of all the hose reels on this list.
- It’s heavier and more expensive than some other picks.
It’s heavier and more expensive than some other picks.
If you need a hose reel that can traverse a wide variety of terrain and hold a large hose, try the GroundWork Hose Reel cart. Whether you have a large piece of land or just have a lot of plants to water, this heavy-duty steel cart will make your garden chores a little easier.
This hose reel cart can hold up to 400 feet of hose, making it the reel with the highest hose capacity on our list. The cart is sturdy and our tester reported that reeling a hose in and out was seamless. Though it’s heavier than other picks, we found that it was easy to maneuver over grass and uneven ground, due in part to the four rubber wheels. The style also features a wire basket that’s a great place to store garden tools while you work.
Overall, we liked the solid construction of the reel and felt that even though it’s more expensive than some other picks, it’s worth the investment. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit larger than some other pick, so you’ll want to be sure it’ll fit in your space.
Product Details: Material: Steel | Weight: 46.24 pounds | Dimensions: 42.5 x 19.69 x 38.19 inches | Hose Capacity: 400 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Retractable
Flexzilla Water Hose Reel
- This retractable hose reel comes with a hose already attached.
This retractable hose reel comes with a hose already attached.
- The reel did not come with mounting bolts and installation instructions are vague.
The reel did not come with mounting bolts and installation instructions are vague.
The Flexzilla Retractable Water Hose Reel impressed us during testing. Conveniently, this garden hose reel comes with a hose that is already connected to the reel. Connecting the hose to the water supply was easy, and using the reel was a breeze. To connect, simply unwind the hose, screw in the mounting connector to the wall, and then connect the hose to the water faucet.
We connected the reel to the side of a brick house and found throughout use the reel remained sturdy and securely attached to the wall with no wiggling. Pulling the hose required a simple tug, and the reel retracted it back quickly.
We loved the design of this reel—it features a large covered base that hides the majority of the hose. It’s compact and comes with a handle, making portability super convenient. The hose reel is designed so it can be freestanding or mounted, so it’s a great fit for most professional or personal uses.
The reel also includes a latching mode switch so the user can latch the hose every 3 feet for extended use. It’s well constructed, and based on the build we expect it to last against harsh weather conditions. However, we were disappointed to find the reel does not include mounting bolts, and the installation instructions were vague.
Product Details: Materials: Poly combo | Weight: Not available | Dimensions: 19. 5 x 11 x 18 inches | Hose Capacity: 100 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LORY STEWART
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LORY STEWART
Best Mounted
Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- This reel comes with a 180-degree swivel bracket that allows you to use the hose in a variety of different directions.
This reel comes with a 180-degree swivel bracket that allows you to use the hose in a variety of different directions.
- The included brackets are a little wider than a standard 4x4 post, so we wished it was slightly more narrow.
The included brackets are a little wider than a standard 4x4 post, so we wished it was slightly more narrow.
For those looking for a wall mounted reel, the Giraffe Tools 5/8 in Retractable Garden Hose Reel is top tier. Not only was this reel easy to install, all the hardware was included and it remained securely attached throughout daily use.
The directions included a template for mounting, and the bracket easily detached from the main reel by unscrewing a set screw. This made the installation process so much easier since we didn’t have to hold the reel while we attached it to the wall.The bracket was a little wider than a standard 4x4 post, so we wished it was slightly more narrow.
The hose came out smoothly without any tugging or resistance, and the retraction was just as smooth. It did retract at a moderately slow but steady pace. We loved that the reel includes a mechanism that retracts the hose in such a way that it’s almost impossible for the hose to get knotted up or kinked.
It holds up to 90 feet of hose, and it came with both a hose and a nine-setting hose spray nozzle. The reel is made of polypropylene plastic, and was durable enough to withstand everyday use during our testing.
One of our favorite features is this reel has a 180-degree swivel bracket, so the entire hose reel can smoothly turn from side to side. Overall, this reel is great for daily use, and definitely worth the price point.
Product Details: Materials: Polypropylene | Weight: 28.4 pounds | Dimensions: 22.44 x 11.81 x 19.49 inches | Hose Capacity: 90 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA MILLER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA MILLER
Best Hideaway
Suncast Resin 225 ft Hideaway Outdoor Storage Hose Reel
- This hideaway hose reel has a hose capacity of up to 225 feet.
This hideaway hose reel has a hose capacity of up to 225 feet.
- This hose reel doesn’t have wheels.
This hose reel doesn’t have wheels.
For those who prefer a hideaway option, we recommend the Suncast Resin 225 ft Hideaway Outdoor Storage Hose Reel. It’s made from a durable plastic resin material, and it’s designed to give the appearance of a simple wicker box.
The box came assembled, and all we had to do was attach the connecting hose to the water spigot and stake the box to the ground. There is a positioning guide that guides the hose to wind easily and directs it seamlessly onto the reel.
The design is simple and blends in with most outside aesthetics. It felt sturdy and weighs 20 pounds, and it never tipped over during use. We also experienced strong winds while testing this hose reel, and it still didn’t tip over and didn’t sustain any damage.
We used a 100-foot hose during testing, though this reel has a hose capacity of 225 feet. During testing, we found that the hose came out of the reel easily, and we didn’t have to exert any extra strength to pull the hose out.This hose is made from weather-resistant plastic with a resin that makes it super durable. It’s also an affordable option since it costs less than $100.
Product Details: Materials: Plastic resin material | Weight: 20 pounds | Dimensions: 23 x 22.50 x 21.50 Inches | Hose Capacity: 225 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EHRICH
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EHRICH