I remember the days when I watered my garden with a can quite fondly. But while that’s great for small gardeners, large gardens require hoses. And if you’re going to spend money on a quality garden hose, you’ll also want the best hose reel you can get.
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Using hose reels is a breeze. No longer will you find yourself laboriously coiling up the garden hose in a big, unsightly pile. Your hose’s lifespan will be longer because it’s protected from kinks and damage, and you can more easily move it to where you need it to be. And really, that convenience can spare you a lot of time!
Whether you need a fixed-position garden hose reel or one which is mobile, a hand-cranked model or one that’s fully automatic, we have options to choose from. So let’s go over our picks for some of the best garden hose reels! We’ll also explain what to look for when you’re shopping for your specific needs.
Top 11 Best Hose Reels
1. Suncast Powerwind Automatic Hose Reel
I happen to really love the entire concept of this automatic hosereel. When you’re done watering, simply walk over and press the foot pedal with the toe of your shoe. The garden hose will spool right up with no cranking required.
- HASSLE-FREE: Motor-driven Hose Reel provides the…HOSE GUIDE: Smart-Trak Hose Guide makes winding…RECHARGEABLE: 12 Volt battery is rechargeable and…
Powered by a 12-volt rechargeable battery, this model holds up to 100′ of hose. The battery lasts for 20 uses before you need to recharge, but just in case they’ve included a hand crank too. This garden hose reel comes fully assembled, but you’ll need to charge the battery before it’s fully automatic.
Verdict: If hand cranking isn’t for you, this is the best retractable hose reel for your needs.
2. AMES NeverLeak Cold-Weather Resistant Hose Cabinet
Do you get snow and ice where you’re at? This Ames garden hose reel will help. Its weather-resistant hose cabinet protects your hose from cold weather or hot. Some light assembly is required, but it’s easy to put together. It’s got a nice look that’ll blend in with most yard furniture, too.
- Built to withstand cold temperaturesHolds up to 150’ of hoseIncldues leader hose
This model holds up to 150 feet of hose, and features an aluminum never-leak water system that’s resistant to cross-threading. It comes with a sturdy leader hose. Because of its slatted design, rain won’t pool on it or cause corrosion. It’s a great hideaway model that’ll work really well for you.
Verdict: Hiding a hose away in this is a good, solid solution that blends into your decor and landscaping.
3. Liberty Garden Navigator Multi-Directional Hose Reel
With a capacity of 125 feet of 5/8-inch hose, this is one of the best hose reels you can wall-mount. It’s constructed of 18 gauge steel that’s been powder-coated to make it weather resistant in your garden. Pull up on the knob to enable full 360-degree rotation so that no matter where your hose is, you can easily reel it up.
- Holds 125-feet of 5/8-inch hose, (hose not…18 gauge steel construction with durable bronze…Pull-up knob for full 360 degree reel rotation for…
A basket is mounted on the side to hold your nozzles or other garden tools. It comes fully assembled, too; just pop on the handle and get it wall mounted.
Verdict: Great, swiveling wall mount option that’s well worth the money spent.
4. Suncast Hosemobile Reel Cart Hose Caddy
Made for use with 5/8-inch hose, the Suncast Hosemobile can hold 175 feet of hose easily. Constructed of durable resin, this cart provides an easy to use, fully assembled solution for your needs. It’s taupe in color, which means it won’t look strange or stand out prominently in your yard. And its wheels allow it to easily be pulled to wherever you need your garden hose reel.
- PORTABLE HOSE REEL CART: Back wheels and cart…DURABLE: Molded plastic cart is built to resist…SMOOTH CRANK HANDLE: Crank handle makes winding…
Verdict: Good, basic option for portability that won’t stand out like a sore thumb.
5. RL Flo-Master Retractable Hose Reel
Now we come to the RL Flo-Master. On the plus side, it’s retractable. It holds up to 65′ of 5/8″ hose, making it the lowest-capacity hose reel we recommend.
- Slow, Retractable spring-loaded hose with stopperThe automatic guide prevents the hose from…The mounting brackets allow for a 180 Degree…
Make no mistake, this is a budget hose reel intended for small garden spaces. But sometimes you don’t need anything fancy and saving some cash is a primary factor in your decisionmaking.
Verdict: If you don’t have a large yard and can make do with only 65′ of hose, grab the Flo-Master. You’ll receive a wall-mounted retractable hose reel at a fraction of the price.
6. Giraffe Metal Hose Reel Hideaway
Constructed of powder coated metal that won’t rust, this hose hideaway is a great garden hose reel. It can hold up to 130 feet of 5/8-inch garden hose or 200 feet of 1/2 inch hose. The hose link to its aluminum double seal water system is sturdy and won’t leak. Easy to set up and use, it’s sturdy and decorative and includes a reliable leader hose.
- 【EASY WINDING】Make garden hose storage simple…【LARGE CAPACITY】The hose holder comes with a 5…【STURDY & DURABLE】The strong metal housing…
Verdict: A relatively stylish, very secure option which won’t rust or corrode.
7. Liberty Garden Decorative Garden Hose Reel
This wall mounted hose reel from Liberty Garden Products is a more aesthetically-pleasing design than many currently on the market. In fact, its decorative look makes it a personal top pick!
- Holds 125-feet of 5/8-inch garden hose (hose not…Constructed of non-rust, cast aluminum and feature…Easily pull your hose out for use, then rewind for…
It holds a bit less hose than some models, at 125 feet of 5/8-inch garden hose. It also doesn’t auto-retract but has an easy rewind handle attached to it, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
One unique feature of this hose reel is the shelf at the top to store some of your hose nozzles, fixtures, and garden tools. Make use of that shelf, it’s a great way to keep your essentials close by.
Verdict: If you need a wall-mounted hose reel and can’t spend much but still desire quality, choose this model from Liberty Garden Products.
8. Liberty Garden Industrial 4-Wheel Hose Reel Cart
Let’s face it — sometimes a wall mounted hose reel won’t do. If you’re a commercial gardener or you have a large yard, this hose reel cart is a top choice.
- Perfect for professional/commercial…Holds up to 300-feet of 5/8-inch hose (hose not…Features 13 gauge steel construction, durable…
It’ll hold at least 300′ of 5/8 inch thick hose, more than double most other reels on the market. It’s made of 13 gauge steel and the powder-coated for long-term durability.
There are four pneumatic tires, meaning you’ll have no problem navigating bumpy or rocky surfaces.
Verdict: If you need a portable hose reel that can hold a LOT of hose and will last for years and years, go with this pick.
9. HOSELINK Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reel
While it comes with a narrow 9/16 inch hose, this retractable wall mounted reel is a great option for those with small gardens. Only 82 feet in length, it comes installed on the reel, and all you’ll need to do is to wall mount it.
- HOSELINK GARDEN HOSE - Say goodbye to wasted water…AUTOMATIC REWIND SYSTEM - A complete solution to…EASY TO USE CONNECTORS - Experience hassle-free…
Automatically retracting due to its spring system, this simple device takes the stress out of watering and makes it easy and relaxing. Best of all, it swivels as you move around, enabling you to reach everywhere you need to go. And it includes a leader hose and mounting bracket.
Verdict: Narrow hose, but great functionality. Definitely worth consideration for smaller garden spaces.
10. Suncast Resin Hose Hideaway
One of the nicer garden hose reels, this hideaway model is visually appealing, surprisingly sturdy, and holds up to 225 feet of 5/8 inch hose. I consider it one of the best hose reels for those on a lower budget, easy to use and with a great look. Its design will make a good addition to virtually any outdoor space, unobtrusive and easy to look at.
- OUTDOOR GARDEN HOSE REEL: Features a wicker style…INCLUDES SMART TRAK HOSE GUIDE: Makes winding and…TIGHT SEAL: A strong, reinforced system ensures…
Verdict: Great price for a hideaway, and with a surprisingly good capacity for hose storage.
11. Yard Butler Wall Mount Hose Hanger
I’m not going to claim that this is the ultimate in hose reels because it’s not. What it is, though, is the perfect solution for your expandable hose. Since those are at risk of getting stretched out by other types of hose reel, a hose hanger like this is ideal.
- HEAVY DUTY 12 gauge powder coated steel with extra…MILLIONS OF UNITS SOLD Yard Butler is the original…PRO TIP Easily holds 100 of 5/8” hose. To store…
It can hold up to 100 feet of 5/8″ hose. Easy to install, it can be put anywhere that has the capability of bearing the weight of the hose and hanger. And using it is easy, too; simply loop your hose over its curved surface.
So yes, I realize this is not a reel by the truest sense of the word, but for some users, it’ll be the best way to preserve your hose.
Verdict: A great way to coil up those expandable hoses that won’t destroy them.
Why Use a Hose Reel?
Although it seems self-evident, using a hose reel is a much better choice than storing your hose haphazardly. Here are a few reasons why you should use a hose reel:
Longevity
Most of us use our hoses during the spring and summer for daily gardening. We also use it throughout the year to wash our cars or have an epic water fight with our family. Constant use puts even the best hoses under stress, so when it’s not in use it’s a good idea to keep it protected.
Using a hose reel will drastically increase the longevity of your garden hose. You’ll avoid tangles, sun damage, cracking, and other common hose deterioration issues. That’ll save you money on buying a new hose before you really need to!
Safety
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tripped over my hose. Maybe I’m naturally a clumsy person, but once I got a hose reel I don’t trip over it at all anymore. I don’t have kids right now, but if I did I’m sure I’d have avoided a ton of “boo-boos” by now!
Protects Your Garden
I don’t know about you, but when I use my garden hose I often forget to roll it back up. Sometimes I’ll even leave it on my grass or garden accidentally, which can kill the plants underneath. With a hose reel, I always remember to spool it up so I never harm my plants.
Organization
I’m a recent convert to being organized in the garden. In the past I used to garden in a messy fashion, telling myself that it was more “natural” this way. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Along with other garden organization techniques, using a hose reel helps reduce the clutter in my yard.
Convenience
I’m all about doing less work in the garden if I can. In fact, I want all of my garden tools to do most of the work, and my role is just to operate them. Hose reels help me offload some of the cleanup work to a device.
No longer will I have to arduously unravel my hose, water my yard, and then make sure to carefully wrap it in loop when I’m done. The hose reel takes care of all of that for me.
How to Choose a Hose Reel
Now that you know the benefits of using a hose reel, let’s get into how to choose the best one for your particular needs in the garden.
Length & Diameter Of Hose
Before you do anything, you need to check how long your garden hose is. Without knowing this, you could accidentally buy a hose reel that is not large enough. You’ll also want to make sure what diameter hose is intended for use with the reel, as some are made for narrower hoses and others for wider ones.
As a general rule of thumb, pick a hose reel that can support a hose that is about 50 feet longer than your hose. You want to give your hose some extra room to expand and contract in the heat.
Type Of Hose
With the popularity of expandable hoses, you might be wondering if a hose reel is even necessary at all.
The answer, I’m afraid, is “maybe”. While it’s true that expandable hoses are much more compact in size, they still should be stored in some way to protect them. They’re even more vulnerable than standard garden hoses. But due to their lightweight nature, they can often be spooled up on a manual hose rack or tucked away in a storage box, thus eliminating the need for most traditional hose reels.
Because of their stretchy nature, you also wouldn’t want to use a retractable reel for these. It might damage the hose fabric. Be a bit more cautious with your expandable hoses and select manual types of reels.
Portable or Wall-Mounted
Ask yourself the question, “How portable do I want my hose reel to be?” Most people with large gardens — like myself — will choose a hose reel that is movable. Typically it will have wheels on it so it can be dragged around the garden.
An alternative option is a wall-mounted hose reel that stays in one place once it’s affixed. These are a good option if your hose is long enough to water everything that needs watering without moving the reel at all.
Retractable Or Non-Retractable
Retractable garden hose reels are useful if you have to de-spool your garden hose all the way during your daily watering tasks. They’re also a good idea if you just want to save energy reeling it in.
These work by automatically pulling the hose back onto the reel and rolling it up. They are quick and easy to use, but do require some strength to pull it out to begin with. Another potential issue is with long hoses — retractable hose reels sometimes have a hard time pulling them back onto the spool.
Hideaway Hose Reels
If you live in an area where snow is an annual consideration, or an area where it gets desperately hot during the summer, a hideaway model may be ideal for you. Hideaway hose reels allow you to keep your hose from being directly exposed to the wind, sunlight, or freezing conditions, thus extending the life of your hose.
Additional Accessories
Many hose reels come with different types of fittings or leaders to attach the reel to the water outlet. Aside from these standard fittings, you should consider a nozzle for the end of the reel so you can easily control the flow of water.
These are useful if you’ve got your hose fully unraveled from the reel and are doing some watering, but want to turn off the hose before you make it back to the water outlet.
Construction
Is your hose reel able to take what your local climate can throw at it?
Typically, most hose reels are made of metal or a poly resin. Metals can include anything from aluminum to stainless steel or cast iron. These can have great longevity, but may be subject to rust depending on the type of material. Resins also have great longevity, but will gradually weaken from intense sunlight over time.
Of the two, metals last longer overall, but most hideaway types are constructed of resin and protect the hose for longer periods of time. Take a look at what your unique needs will be and select a type that will last in your area.
How To Hook Up A Hose Reel
Most hose reels have a feeder hose that connects the reel to the faucet. This allows the center of the reel to spin and pull the hose on for storage purposes. The feeder hose should fit on most standard faucets, although adapters are usually included just in case. If you wish to attach a hose timer, water filter or other similar attachment, do so before hooking up the hose feeder.
If your reel is a wall-mounted variety, you then need to attach it to the wall or surface where you’d like it to go. Be sure to check for studs or other weight-bearing locations to attach your reel. Hoses can be quite heavy, particularly when they’re full of water.
Provided that your reel did not come with the hose already attached, you’ll need to also install the hose. First, look at the reel setup. Does it have a hose guide? If so, slide the end of your hose through the hose guide first before attaching it. This prevents you from having to feed your entire hose back through the hose guide later.
Once you’ve got it through the hose guide, simply screw the end of the hose onto the feeder attachment on the reel itself. If you have a hand-cranked model, you can now use the crank to draw the hose back onto the reel. For automatic models, push the retract button per manufacturer’s directions to install the hose.
That’s it! It’s really that simple to set up.
