Apr. 30, 2024
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Best Overall
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$68 At Amazon
$68 At Wayfair
$68 At Wayfair
Our Ratings
What We Like
Easily attaches to water spigot
Maneuvers well when full or empty
Crush-proof couplings
What We Don't Like
Only rated for use above 35 degrees Fahrenheit
If you’ve ever struggled to use or move a bulky, heavy hose around your outdoor space, you'll especially appreciate the Zero-G Garden Hose. Earning the best overall spot on our list, this hose stood out during our testing for being very durable and easy to use—if you find yourself using a hose almost daily, this workhorse can deliver.
We tested the 100-foot version and were impressed with how easy it was to coil or uncoil. After connecting it to a spigot, winding it on a hose reel, and pulling it through our testing environment, we thought this hose was well worth the higher price tag versus other hoses that didn't perform as well. The lead-free couplings are designed to be crush-proof under loads up to 900 pounds. Plus, we loved how easily the hose connected to the spigot and felt its overall design was sleek compared to other options on the market.
The Zero-G is constructed of a heavy-duty vinyl inner tube with a durable, abrasion-resistant jacket. (It has the appearance of an expandable hose, but this version isn’t expandable or retractable.)
We will point out that this hose is not best for colder climates as it is only rated for above 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly higher than most of the other hoses in this list. So if you need a hose that can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees, the Eley Garden Hose, our best heavy-duty pick, might be a better option. However, this is our favorite hose for most other scenarios and should hold up for many gardening seasons to come.
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
How It Performed Long-Term
After impressing us in our outdoor lab, we tested this hose in our own backyard for over six months. With almost daily use, including watering the grass and flower beds, filling up a hot tub, and clearing off our deck, this hose has proven to be a durable, splurge-worthy gardening tool. We've appreciated its lightweight nature and powerful stream, and never had any issues with it leaking anywhere or kinking,
Material: Vinyl | Length: 100 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Shutoff Valve: No
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best for Small Spaces
Dramm Rubber Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$100 At Amazon
$32 At Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Flexible in minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit
Available in a variety of colors
Easy to store
What We Don't Like
Not a potable water hose
In our testing, the Dramm ColorStorm Premium Rubber Garden Hose proved to be tidy, durable, and an excellent value. While these attributes would qualify it for a wide variety of uses, it’s our top pick as a garden hose for small spaces. With a 25-foot length, this hose is ideal for watering patio plants, a small garden, or for keeping handy on your deck or balcony. Just keep in mind that it’s not intended for drinkable water, so keep children and pets from drinking out of it.
The flexibility of this garden hose really impressed us, and the rare kinks that occurred were easy to shake loose. Even in cold-weather climates, you can expect this hose to stay limber and durable down to temperatures of minus-25 degrees Fahrenheit. The hose's durable EPDM rubber is available in a number of colors beyond the usual green hue associated with garden hoses. We tested the purple version, which we thought was fun and attractive.
How It Performed Long-Term
After six months of regularly using this hose, we're still happy with its overall durability and ease of use. Although it does kink occasionally, the kinks are easy to remove without fighting the hose too much. We also noticed that it has a strong flow, even when coming from a rain barrel, rather than a hose spigot.
Material: EPDM Rubber | Length: 25 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Shutoff Valve: No
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Best Heavy-Duty
Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Eley
$37 At Eley
Our Ratings
What We Like
Kink-resistant design
Very solid construction for a thick, durable feel
10-year warranty against leaks
What We Don't Like
Expensive
The Eley five-eighth-inch Polyurethane Garden Hose has everything you need in a heavy-duty garden hose: thick, durable construction, high-quality fittings, and a kink-free design. During testing, we found this hose to be solid and well-suited for heavy long-term use. That is no surprise since the polyurethane material is the same as what you find in inline roller skate wheels.
This heavy-duty hose also scored high marks for not kinking during our garden testing. The hose is reinforced with high-tensile threads that resist kinking and also provide a defense against the hose bursting under high water pressure. As you’d expect of a heavy-duty hose, you can use the Eley in temperatures down to minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit. The crush-proof brass fittings are lead-free and corrosion-proof.
The Eley resists cuts, punctures, abrasions, and tears, so you can expect to pull this hose across cement, garden tools, rocks, and more without puncturing or cutting it. Eley backs this heavy-duty hose with a 10-year leak-free warranty for added peace of mind.
All of these features contribute to the hose’s longevity but mean that you pay a premium price compared to a light-duty or budget garden hose. But if you need a heavy-duty hose, this one is worth the splurge and is available in a range of sizes.
Material: Polyurethane | Length: 6.5-200 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inches | Shutoff Valve: No
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Best Attachable
Flexzilla Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$39 At Amazon
$57 At Home Depot
$40 At Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Bright color is easy to spot
Comfortable silicone handles
Does not kink
What We Don't Like
Heavy when full
After testing in our lab and In a real-world setting, we found the Flexzilla super simple and pleasant to use for a multitude of tasks: watering the lawn and flower beds, washing a minivan; rinsing out compost bin and garbage cans; and adding water to a pool. This hose stands out for its bright color but also for its flexible, pliable nature. It’s a great pick as an attachable hose, since it needs no special connectors. Also, its squishy silicone handles at either end give you a comfortable grip when connecting hoses or attaching to a spigot. It is certainly durable, having survived all our tests.
We also were impressed with how well this hose straightened out and that it didn’t kink during garden tasks. This is especially important if you plan to connect multiple hoses and don’t want the hassle of shaking loose a long, kink-filled hose that doesn't lay flat. However, we found it heavy when full, which made it hard to swing over things to maneuver into different places.
Material: Hybrid Polymer | Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Shutoff Valve: No
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Lightweight
Flexi Hose Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$118 At Home Depot
View On Flexihose.com
Our Ratings
What We Like
Built-in water shutoff valve
Doesn’t become hot in the sun
Does not snag on concrete or rakes
What We Don't Like
Not suitable for use below 41 degrees Fahrenheit
Twists easily
Weighing less than 5 pounds but stretching up to 100 feet, the Flexi Hose is your best bet for a lightweight garden hose. "Lightweight" doesn’t always mean durable, but that wasn't the case for this garden hose, which we dragged through grass, across concrete, over a rake, and around patio furniture. We had to give it a hard tug around some obstacles; however, it did get stuck when we tried to pull it around patio furniture. We also noted that you do not need to control the water release because the hose actually stretched more since water was moving through it. It's important to note this hose does twist easily, which can result in kinks if you're not paying close attention.
We're tempted to chalk up the durability of this lightweight garden hose to its design. A 3750 denier stretchy outer fabric cover resists abrasions while allowing the hose to stretch up to three times its starting length. Inside the hose, a 2 mm thick latex tube gives the hose the capacity to handle water pressure up to 12 bar. You cannot use this hose in temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, so it may not be the best choice if you live in a colder climate. One other attractive feature of this garden hose is the attached water shutoff valve. We also found this hose was very convenient for switching nozzles or moving from one area to another while watering.
How It Performed Long-Term
We've enjoyed using this hose for several months to water and clear off patio furniture. It doesn't seem to kink as easily as we initially expected, and we're still very impressed by its compact and lightweight design. We have no issues wrapping it up and think it will winterize well compared to rubber hoses that crack while coiled.
Material: 3750D elastic outer fabric with latex inner tube | Length: 100 feet | Diameter: Not applicable | Shutoff Valve: Yes
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Soaker
H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$26 At Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Like
Very lightweight
Durable across rough terrain
Easy to maneuver
What We Don't Like
Water distribution seems slow
Give your plants a slow trickle rather than a steady shower with the help of a soaker hose. "The benefit of a soaker hose," notes LaGattuta, "is that it deposits water exactly where it's needed: directly to the plant roots. Because the water is not airborne, there is much less evaporation, and water is applied slowly and gently to the plants." Soaker hoses are placed directly on the soil surface and work best when you can lay them out in a straight line.
The H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose we tested started watering quickly and proved itself durable, making it our team’s top choice for a soaker garden hose. Made of porous PVC, this hose features tiny holes from end to end that deliver water droplets to the roots of plants rather than shooting tiny streams of water into the air, like some other soaker hoses. The unique material is also very lightweight, and the 50-foot hose winds up compactly.
To thoroughly test this soaker garden hose, we dragged it across rocks and a rake and then checked its performance and condition. It was still in perfect condition after all of our durability tests. We also let the soaker hose run on a concrete surface to check the distribution of water output. We found that the water began to condensate quickly, but we noticed the distribution did feel a bit slow from one end of the hose to the other. The brand claims it dispenses 2 gallons in 2 minutes.
How It Performed Long-Term
With regular use, we discovered this hose is best for flat beds with straight rows. We tried to use it to water a curved flower bed and curving the hose interrupted the flow rate of the water. However, we still think this soaker hose is a great pick due to its size and lightweight material.
Material: PVC | Length: 50 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Shutoff Valve: No
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Read on for the best garden hoses PEOPLE tested that vary in length, materials, and capabilities.
Jerry Gorchels , technical product representative at PanAmerican Seed North America, says the average consumer with watering needs should look for a couple of key elements in a garden hose. “Depending on their budget, they should look for one that is 25 feet longer than they feel [they need]. You always run short,” he tells PEOPLE. “Look for one that won't kink," he adds. "Some have a wire flex core that eliminates kinks. Hoses with a rubber lining and/or exterior have longevity.”
Whether you’re a gardening pro or just starting with some flowers in your backyard, you’ll need a good garden hose at your disposal. PEOPLE tested 30 of the best garden hoses to help you narrow down the choices — and there are many good choices. Fifteen hoses (half of those we tested) scored an average of 4 out of 5 or higher across our testing categories. Three hoses scored a perfect 5 out of 5, one of which topped our list.
Best Overall
Craftsman Premium-Duty Rubber Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Ace Hardware
$34
Our Ratings
Pros
It's easy to maneuver around land or furniture.
It's easy to screw the spigot on and off.
It doesn’t kink easily due to highly sturdy and durable material.
Cons
There aren't any real cons, though the red color may not be every gardener’s first choice.
Our overall winner was one of three hoses in our field of 30 that scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in each of our testing categories: design, ease of use, durability, and value. This Craftsman hose was solid and not lightweight but not too heavy. We liked the red color and how this model is designed to hold up under rugged conditions. Add this hose to your garden supplies along with your favorite garden shoes and rake.
In our tests, the Craftsman hose was easy to maneuver and felt good in the hand, and it was easy to screw on and off, thanks to its high-quality brass threading. The hose also felt extremely durable and didn’t kink a lot, whether empty or full. The price seems like a good deal for the product you get.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: Rubber | Type of Couplings: Metal
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Best Budget
Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose
Eley
View On Eley
$37
Our Ratings
Pros
It has a solid construction with heavy-duty material that’s durable.
It didn’t kink at all and had good water flow.
Cons
There are none except that the 6.5-foot length doesn't work for larger yards (though there are many other lengths to choose from).
If you’re seeking a heavy-duty hose that will hold up for many years of use, this hose is a good bet. It’s made with a thick polyurethane — a solid plastic that is strong with some flexibility — and a lead-free brass ring. It didn’t kink during our tests, so it should handle wear and tear with ease.
It wasn’t a hard hose to use apart from its short length. The water flow was good, and the actual hose was easy to grip. The short length (that pairs up with this excellent budget-friendly price) would best be used in small yards, possibly behind an apartment or patio home. Larger houses will absolutely need a longer hose, and this one is available with options up to 200 feet (with price increases accordingly).
Length: 6.5 ft. | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass fittings
How It's Held Up
Echoing our lab results, our team found this hose to work well at home. We ended up stopping testing early because the hose didn’t reach the majority of our yard, but the construction definitely held up despite outdoor use. With a larger length, we think this hose could be a great value.
People / Dera Burreson
People / Rachel Marek
People / Rachel Marek
Best Flexible
Flexzilla Garden Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
$39
View On Walmart
$40
View On Ace Hardware
$100
Our Ratings
Pros
The grippy silicone handles make this hose easy to work with.
It's sturdy and easy to straighten out.
There's no leakage and it has a strong abrasion-resistant polymer construction.
Cons
It's heavy when full, making it a bit challenging to maneuver.
The bright yellow color may not appeal to everyone.
Scoring just a half point below our overall winner, this Flexzilla water hose comes in a bright yellow color that’s easy to spot in the yard. It scored a 5 out of 5 in design for straightening out nicely and being as heavy as expected. We liked the squishy silicone handles on both ends. They provide a good grip and make it easy to attach the hose to a spigot.
There was no leakage, but the hose was heavy when full, making it hard to swing over things while moving it around the yard. We gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use. The Flexilla closed out testing with a pair of 5 scores for durability and value. The hose was sturdy with a great grip, and it did not kink at all. This is thanks to the unique abrasion-resistant polymer construction that allows for fantastic flexibility (hence the name). We think it would hold up for a long time and noted that it’s got an affordable price point considering the quality.
Length: Up to 100 ft. | Material: Flexible hybrid polymer | Type of Couplings: Metal with O-ring
People / Dera Burreson
People / Rachel Marek
Best Heavy-Duty
Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Garden Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
$37
View On Walmart
$45
View On Home Depot
$37
Our Ratings
Pros
It's fit for commercial use with crush-proof metal couplings and industrial reinforcing.
It's not too heavy, even when filled with water.
It screwed into the nozzles and spigot easily.
Cons
The black rubber material got very hot after the hose sat out in the sun.
This garden hose was very durable in our testing and had a decent length to cover a lot of surface area. It's even fit for commercial use with its crush-proof metal couplings and industrial-style reinforcing to allow for heavy water flow. However, the black rubber material got very hot from sitting out in the sun, leading our testers to give it a score of 4 out of 5 for design.
In the remaining three categories, however (ease of use, durability, and value), the Briggs and Stratton hose scored a 5 out of 5. It was easy to carry and not too heavy when filled with water, and it screwed onto nozzles and spigots very easily. It held up well when dragged across surfaces, and the material felt like it would hold up to a lot of use. We think it's a great value for such a durable hose.
Length: Up to 100 ft. | Material: Heavy-duty rubber | Type of Couplings: Nickel-plated brass
How It's Held Up
After one month of testing this hose at home, our tester has used it regularly to water their garden with no complaints. They also used it for washing patio furniture and garage cleaning. It is a bit short, but overall, we don’t think this hose needs any improvement.
People / Dera Burreson
People / Rachel Marek
People / Rachel Marek
The 10 Best Grills of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight
Flexi Hose Garden Hose
Amazon
View On Flexihose.com
View On Home Depot
$118
Our Ratings
Pros
This hose was the easiest to maneuver around the yard.
It's a good price point for the quality and value of features.
It has a stopper to keep water from free-flowing when you turn on the spigot.
Cons
It got caught on some patio furniture and a rake during lab testing, but this wasn’t an issue when testing at home.
This flexible, lightweight hose is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to water their plants and flowers with ease. It coils without difficulty but also twists for flexible usage. The hose visibly expanded while the water was flowing, so you’re less likely to leave it on by accident. It was very lightweight to move around, but did get stuck on a rake in our testing; we also had to pull hard to get it around outdoor furniture.
The pressure was released while the water was running, so you have to control the release somewhat. We also noticed the hose actually stretched more when the water was on. There’s also a water shut-off valve feature should you need to move between areas or switch nozzles without wanting to turn the water off completely at the source. Despite being lightweight, the double latex material is quite strong and seems durable.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: Double latex piping | Type of Couplings: Solid brass fittings
How It's Held Up
We tested this hose for up to six months, and it became part of our tester’s outdoor maintenance routine. The massive length allows you to move freely around your yard and get plants even on the other side of your house. We loved the stopper at the end of the hose, so you can turn the water off so it doesn’t start flowing out as soon as you turn on the spigot.
It’s super lightweight to move around (it didn't get caught like in our lab testing) and doesn’t kink. We think this hose is one of the most versatile we tried — even allowing us to spray down patio umbrellas and furniture after the heavy-pollen season. After using this hose at home for an extended period, we have absolutely no complaints.
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Best 100-Foot
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
$68
View On Walmart
$74
View On Wayfair
$68
Our Ratings
Pros
The length is double that of most other hoses we tested.
It's easy to coil and uncoil.
It has heavy-duty hardware that will last over time.
Cons
It has one of the highest price points on our list.
Everything about this aluminum garden hose was easy to use. With a length double those of most other hoses we tested, it still remained manageable to carry around. The zero-G hose was easy to connect, coil up, and uncoil to use. Maneuvering around buckets in our testing was a breeze, and the heavy-duty hardware impressed us. This is due to the coiled design, which helps keep the hose effortlessly serpentine and gliding through grass, dirt, and gravel without kinking. It's also puncture-resistant, so you can carry it with you through tough jobs without worrying about wearing away the material.
While the zero-G hose was more expensive than some others, we thought it was a good price for this hose. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it worked much better than others and it was very long. If you’ve got a space that calls for a longer hose, this one could fit the bill.
Length: 100 ft. | Material: Woven | Type of Couplings: Metal
How It's Held Up
Over six months, this hose became an integral part of our garden routine, watering the grass and plants almost daily. It helped speed up the process with its ease of use and sturdy construction (no kinks!). It performs with solid pressure while still being lightweight to move around. Despite using this hose every day for months, there were absolutely no signs of wear and tear.
PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
Best Coil
Water Right Garden Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
$45
View On Walmart
$100
View On Pottery Barn
$79
Our Ratings
Pros
It has durable material that doesn’t easily kink or tangle.
The spiral shape makes these compact and easy to store.
Cons
There’s only about 20 feet of usable length, which may not be enough for some yards.
A coil hose is one of the most durable options you can buy because they are hard to damage. Unlike a traditional hose, these do not easily tangle or kink and are easy to store since they bunch back up into place. We loved how sturdy this coil hose was during testing, and can confirm it’s easy to use. It’s not super long (shorter than most of the ones we tested), but it gets the job done and is lightweight to drag around.
The design was almost chic (a rare quality among garden hoses) and facilitated quick access and use (rather than having to slowly unreel a regular hose). The polyurethane material is thick and sturdy and should last for many years despite exposure to the elements. Considering the quality and performance of this hose, we think the price is very fitting.
Length: 25 ft. | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass
How It's Held Up
Over the six months we tested this hose at home, it has held up well. It doesn’t extend as far as most other hoses we tested or snake around corners as neatly, but it works well. The manufacturer says that it’s 25 feet in length, but due to the tightness of the coils, it really only extends up to 20 feet. The tightness does facilitate easy storing, however, since it’s so compact. The materials are high quality and it doesn’t leak, so we think it will be durable for quite some time.
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
People / Dera Burreson
Best Soaker
H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
Amazon
View On Amazon
$26
Our Ratings
Pros
It's extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver.
The material feels exceptionally durable despite dragging it across rocks and a rake.
It dispensed water consistently (supposedly two gallons in two minutes).
Cons
It did not load well onto a reel, likely due to its flat shape.
Soaker hoses are great for consistently and steadily watering ground plants without having to stand and administer the water yourself. Simply snake the flat hose throughout the plants, turn on the water, and allow it to slowly leak through the tiny holes throughout the hose until you've sufficiently wet the ground.
This soaker hose performed well in testing, despite the "soaking" feature being a bit deceiving. It felt like watching a cool science experiment, seeing the water condensate on the outside of the hose. It doesn't seem like it would get the ground particularly wet; however, the brand claims that it dispenses two gallons in two minutes.
The hose was extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, and after dragging it through rocks and a rake, the hose held up in perfect condition. It was durable, dispensed consistent water, and is priced affordably. The only major con we found was that this hole kinks a lot when loading on a reel, perhaps due to its flat shape. A pot or hanger would be better suited for storing this type of hose.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: PVC | Type of Couplings: Brass
How It's Held Up
Due to the soaking nature of this hose, it didn’t become as much a part of our gardening routine as a regular hose might have. During home testing, we found it somewhat tricky to use for an entire garden since it doesn’t straighten easily to guide water toward a particular plant. This type of hose might be best for a vegetable garden with rows rather than flowers in various bushes. However, it can easily connect to another hose if needed, and we appreciate the bright color and length. It emits good water pressure, and it’s easy to store since the majority of it is flat.
PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PEOPLE / Rachel Marek
PEOPLE / Rachel Marek
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