Best Overall
Kotto Expandable Garden Hose
- It’s very lightweight and we didn’t notice any kinks form during testing.
It’s very lightweight and we didn’t notice any kinks form during testing.
- It should be drained after usage to ensure it goes back to original, compact size.
It should be drained after usage to ensure it goes back to original, compact size.
A high level of performance and a super easy maneuverable design made Kotto’s Expandable Garden Hose the clear winner for our best overall garden hose. The hose is designed with a latex core and polyester fabric, which are intended to promote flexibility in the hose.
During testing, we found this option offered easy movability in comparison to a traditional hose. When it came time to move it around our property, it demanded less tugging due to its lighter profile.
This lightweight design didn’t sacrifice any strength or durability. At the end of the testing period, there were no leaks and we didn’t experience any kinks. Plus, it’s available in 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 foot options.
It’s worth mentioning that this option should be drained fully after usage to maximize its efficiency and resume its original, more compact size.
Product Details: Length: Up to 150 feet | Width: 0.75 inches | Material: Latex, polyester | Maximum Pressure Rating: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALEX CASTRO
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALEX CASTRO
Best Budget
Expert Gardener 50 Foot Medium Duty PVC Garden Hose
- A medium firmness prevents this hose from being compressed when empty, while still being soft enough to carry easily.
A medium firmness prevents this hose from being compressed when empty, while still being soft enough to carry easily.
- It only comes in one size, which is limiting.
It only comes in one size, which is limiting.
For a more affordable pick, our testing indicates that you can’t beat Expert Gardener’s 50 foot garden hose. We found it was easy to wind and unwind, smoothly moving off of the metal hose reel that we stored it on.
Designed with a “medium” firmness, this hose worked well to avoid being squished when empty or wound up, while still being soft enough to carry with ease when full of water. Additionally, we didn’t need to exert much energy at all to unwind it.
The “comfort grip” connector lived up to the brand’s description and was easy to connect and disconnect to the faucet and avoided leaks. The grip also worked to keep the coupling from being damaged. However, we did find that if the comfort grip connector slid down, it could cause kinking.
Overall, the four ply nylon construction worked well to promote sturdiness while still being flexible enough to maneuver around the yard. The only real drawback to note is that this hose only comes in a 50-foot option, and would benefit from more size choices.
Product Details: Length: 50 feet | Width: 5/8 inches | Material: 4-ply core | Maximum Pressure Rating: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY SCHAUBROECK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY SCHAUBROECK
Best 25-Foot
Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Garden Hose
- he garden hose wasn't too heavy when filled with water and was easy to connect to nozzles and spigots.
he garden hose wasn't too heavy when filled with water and was easy to connect to nozzles and spigots.
- The material got very hot while it sat out in the sun, so you'll have to be cautious when using it.
The material got very hot while it sat out in the sun, so you'll have to be cautious when using it.
The Briggs and Stratton 25-Foot Premium Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose is a shorter option that can get the job done. Although it's offered in four different lengths, we tried the 25-foot style and found it could cover quite a lot of surface area.
During testing, this pick was very easy to use. We noted that we didn’t have trouble carrying it and that it was fairly lightweight when filled with water. Plus, it easily connected to nozzles and spigots.
When determining the durability of this garden hose, we found that it stayed intact even when it was dragged across rocks, a rake, and grass. The rubber garden hose was given a perfect score for durability and we noted that it felt like it was made with high-quality material.
It's worth keeping in mind that during testing, the material became very hot while sitting out in the sun, so you'll want to be cautious while using it on a summer day.
Product Details: Length: 25 feet | Width: 5/8 inch | Material: Rubber, brass | Maximum Pressure Rating: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best 75-Foot
JandB XpandaHose
- The hose is lightweight, so it's easy to drag around a yard. It also comes with a 10-spray nozzle and storage bag.
The hose is lightweight, so it's easy to drag around a yard. It also comes with a 10-spray nozzle and storage bag.
- We felt the fabric construction was not as durable as hoses we tried.
We felt the fabric construction was not as durable as hoses we tried.
If you need a longer option, the JandB XpandaHose 75-Foot Expandable Garden Hose with Holder is a viable choice. During testing, we appreciated its design and ease of use, noting that it was lightweight and wasn't difficult to drag around.
During testing,we appreciated that the hose didn't tangle or kink. We also noted that it's expandable and doubles in size when filled with water, making it a more compact option for storage between uses.
Unlike some other options, the 75-foot hose comes with a 10-spray nozzle that allows you to adjust the spray pattern based on your needs. Although the garden hose has a latex core, we were wary of how well the fabric hose would hold up long term in comparison to other material options on the market.
Product Details: Length: 75 feet | Width: 3/4 inch | Material: Polyester, latex, brass | Maximum Pressure Rating: 174 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best 100-Foot
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
- We noted that the hose was easy to coil and uncoil. We also appreciated that it was simple to connect to the water supply and it had heavy-duty hardware.
We noted that the hose was easy to coil and uncoil. We also appreciated that it was simple to connect to the water supply and it had heavy-duty hardware.
- It's more expensive than other hose options.
It's more expensive than other hose options.
If you need a long hose, we highly recommend the Zero-G 4001-100 Garden Hose. The hose was easy to use and durable during testing.
When determining the garden hose's ease of use, we appreciated that the sleek fittings made it easy to connect to the water supply. We also found that the hose was simple to coil and uncoil, which can sometimes be an issue with other hoses.
Although it's a bit more expensive than other options, we felt that the ease of use, as well as durable hardware, made it a worthwhile investment.
Product Details: Length: 100 feet | Width: 5/8 inch | Material: Vinyl | Maximum Pressure Rating: 600 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Rubber
Craftsman Premium-Duty Rubber Hose
- It was easy to maneuver and felt like a durable item.
It was easy to maneuver and felt like a durable item.
- It's only offered in one length, so it may not be suitable for every home.
It's only offered in one length, so it may not be suitable for every home.
According to Weinstein, rubber is one of the most durable materials for garden hoses, so the Craftsman Premium-Duty Rubber Red Hose is certainly worth considering. The 50-foot hose was one of our highest-scoring hoses overall.
When it came to the hose's design, we appreciated that it had a solid build and weighed as much as they expected it to—it's worth noting, however, that we wouldn't consider it lightweight.
We also appreciated that it was easy to maneuver and didn't kink a lot, regardless of whether or not it was filled with water. Plus, we liked the hose's red color, which is a departure from typical hose designs.
Overall, we felt that the design and durability made the hose worth the price. Just keep in mind that the hose is only offered in one length, so it may not work for every yard size.
Product Details: Length: 50 Feet | Width: 5/8 inch | Material: Rubber | Maximum Pressure Rating: 300 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Soaker
H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
- The hose proved to be durable and was easy to maneuver.
The hose proved to be durable and was easy to maneuver.
- We noted that it kinked a lot when being loaded onto the reel; however, we weren't sure that a flat hose should go on a reel.
We noted that it kinked a lot when being loaded onto the reel; however, we weren't sure that a flat hose should go on a reel.
Overall, the H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose was one of the best hoses we tested. When it came to ease of use, we liked that the hose was lightweight and easy to maneuver.
We found that the water began to seep quickly as well—according to the brand, the hose will dispense two gallons of water in two minutes. However, we felt like it wouldn't get the ground very wet overall.
After dragging the hose through rocks and a rake, the hose held up in perfect condition, proving its durability. When loading the garden hose onto a reel, we noted that the hose kinked quite a bit. However, we weren't sure that a flat style needs to be put on a reel to begin with so we didn’t think it was a dealbreaker.
Product Details: Length: From 25 feet | Width: 1/2 inch | Material: Polyvinyl chloride, rubber, metal, brass | Maximum Pressure Rating: 60 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Coil
Water Right Garden Hose
- The hose felt sturdy, was easy to use, and was lightweight. It's also offered in a variety of colors, so you can easily spot it in your yard.
The hose felt sturdy, was easy to use, and was lightweight. It's also offered in a variety of colors, so you can easily spot it in your yard.
- The longest length offered is 75 feet, so those with larger spaces may need to buy a few additional hoses to get their desired length.
The longest length offered is 75 feet, so those with larger spaces may need to buy a few additional hoses to get their desired length.
The Water Right 300 Series Coil Garden Hose surpassed our expectations as a durable, sturdy pick that's compact and easy to coil after each use.
This coil hose is one of the best selections to consider due in part to its ease of use and its lightweight feel. The garden hose was easy to drag around, so you'll be able to maneuver it around your outdoor space without straining your body.
During testing, we thought the garden hose was durable as it seemed to be made with a sturdy material that could withstand wear and tear.
It’s worth noting that the garden hoses only offered in a 75-foot length, which is shorter than some other hoses. However, it's offered in three sizes so you'd be able to connect a few different ones to achieve the length you need for your outdoor space.
Product Details: Length: From 25 feet | Width: 3/8 inch | Material: Polyurethane, brass | Maximum Pressure Rating: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Lightweight
Gilmour Aquaarmor 1/2 in. x 50 ft. Black Hose
- It’s not heavy, even when full of water, and is very easy to wind up.
It’s not heavy, even when full of water, and is very easy to wind up.
- It does kink easier than other models.
It does kink easier than other models.
We were impressed by the Gilmour Aquaarmor hose because of how easy it was to pull around, regardless of if it had water in it or not.
The lightweight stature of this hose doesn't come at the expense of quality. We didn’t experience any leaks when we connected the hose to the spigot, and after being dragged over concrete and rocks throughout the testing period, we didn’t notice scratches or holes either.
An added benefit of this hose’s lightness was just how easy it was to remove kinks. While other hoses were difficult to wind up, this one was easy to wind in our stationary reel.
This model was easier to bend than other hoses we tested and it did experience some mild kinking. However, this was easy to undo with a mild shake. Our only regret was opting for the shorter length, noting that the lightweight nature makes the longer version more appealing than other large hoses which can be cumbersome.
Product Details: Length: Up to 100 feet | Width: 0.5 inches | Material: PVC, metal | Maximum Pressure Rating: 300 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / VIVEKA NEVELN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / VIVEKA NEVELN
Best Extra Long
Hydrotech Burst Proof Expandable Garden Water Hose
- We experienced no kinking or flow stoppage.
We experienced no kinking or flow stoppage.
- The extra length will require more vigilance to avoid damage.
The extra length will require more vigilance to avoid damage.
For people with larger properties seeking a hose that can handle the larger workload, Hydrotech’s garden hose is our pick. Measuring at 200 feet long, it is one of the more substantial options on the market and it’s by far the longest of all the hoses we tested.
Even with all of the extra length, we never experienced any kinking or flow stoppage. Plus, it was lightweight and easy to move. We found this to be the most flexible hose we had ever used, and noted that it was easy to coil when full or empty.
Despite being 200 feet long, it was easy to maneuver and remove from landscape rocks when it got caught, even when the hose was full. Plus, we were able to store it without it taking up much space at all thanks to its expandable design.
Just be mindful that while this option is light and durable, 200 feet of hose is quite lengthy and will require extra attention to where all parts of the hose are to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged.
Product Details: Length: 200 feet | Width: 0.75 inches | Material: Latex | Maximum Pressure Rating: 250 PSI
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / STEPH HUNTER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / STEPH HUNTER
Best Metal
Rosy Earth Metal Hose
- It is highly durable and looked new at the end of the testing period.
It is highly durable and looked new at the end of the testing period.
- We didn’t like the color of the hose, which would stand out in your yard.
We didn’t like the color of the hose, which would stand out in your yard.
If you prefer a metal option, we recommend Rosey Earth’s metal hose. During testing, we never experienced anything close to the kinking that you may with a PVC hose. While people may expect a metal option to be heavier, this one was exceptionally lightweight and easy to maneuver, regardless of whether it had water in it or not.
This hose proved to be a very durable pick. It handled consistent usage well and looked new at the end of our testing period. Plus, it lived up to Rosy Earth’s claims of it being puncture-proof.
The only thing we would change is the color of this hose; if you want something more subdued that blends in better, this pick won’t be the best choice for you. However, we didn’t think it was a dealbreaker given the quality and performance.
Product Details: Length: Up to 100 feet | Width: 0.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Maximum Pressure Rating: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOHN BEARD
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOHN BEARD