Best Hose Reels of 2022

What is a garden hose reel?

A garden hose reel is a piece of equipment designed to hold your garden hose untangled when not in use. This cylindrical spindle can be made of either plastic, fiberglass, or metal. The former two are more affordable but have a shorter lifespan. Metal hose reels are durable, resistant, and will usually last for several years.

Besides keeping the hose untangled, a garden hose reel can also help you prevent clutter in your garden while making your outdoors safer.

Different types of garden hose reels

Based on their design, there are three types of garden hose reels you can choose from:

• Wall-mounted hose reel: Perhaps the most popular, it can be mounted on most exterior walls. Depending on the design, wall mount hose reels can have either a manual handle you can turn to rewind the hose on the drum or a spring load system that rewinds the hose automatically.
• Freestanding hose reel: Also called hose reel box, it is perhaps the best choice for heavy-duty domestic applications. Because it sits on the ground, this type of reel is usually bigger than the wall-mounted one. As a result, it can hold a longer hose, while the larger handle makes it easier to crank the hose back on the reel when work is done.
• Hose caddy: Similar to a trolley garden cart, these hose reels are mounted on wheeled caddies that are easy to move from one place to another. These carts are also very spacious. Indeed some of the best hose reels in this category can hold hoses up to 400 feet long. More often than not, the hose reel cart is employed by professional gardeners and landscapers.

What is a leader hose? Do I need one?

A leader hose is a short hose that connects the reel to your garden faucet, allowing you to mount it farther away from the water source. The garden hose will then connect to the leader hose at the reel level through a water coupling system, so you will be able to use the full length of the garden hose for watering.

Most hose reels available on the market require you to use a leader hose, although it might be unnecessary on stationary types of hose racks that connect directly to the faucet. Some of the best garden hose reels already come with leader hoses included in the package, or you could buy one separately. Leader hoses usually vary in length from 3 to 10 feet.

What hose reel capacity is best for me?

Garden hose reels can usually have capacities from 100 feet to 400 feet or over. However, the capacity stated by the manufacturer rarely matches the reality. For this reason, you should first determine how long you need the hose to be, then buy a reel with a higher capacity, as highlighted in the table below.

Besides the actual hose length the reel can accommodate, you should also check the hose diameter the reel you want to buy is compatible with. Most hose reels work with either ½-inch or 5/8-inch hoses, so check the diameter of your hose and buy accordingly.

Our expert top tip: When determining the garden hose length, remember that the longer it is, the weaker the water pressure will be. For this reasons, it is important to buy a hose of the exact length you need and not longer, especially if you need higher water pressure for tools such as gas or electric pressure washers, for example.

Manual vs. retractable hose reel. Which is best?

Once you determined the reel capacity, you must decide whether you want a manual or automatic hose reel.

• Manual hose reels: Require you to manually turn a crank to wind the hose back onto the drum. There is some effort involved, but these reels are very sturdy, durable, and affordable.
• Retractable hose reels: Ideal for beginners, the automatic hose reels come with a spring-load mechanism that winds the hose as soon as you release it. These wall mounted hose reels typically come with an included hose that cannot be changed, but a plastic box usually keeps it protected from elements. There is little to no effort involved in using these reels, but on the downside, if the spring load mechanism brakes, you won’t be able to rewind the hose.

Professionals may also opt for a heavy-duty hose reel with a spring load mechanism and retractable hose or a motorized reel. These options are usually ideal for hoses longer than 150-200 feet.

How to put the hose on a hose reel?

If your reel doesn’t come with a hose, it is essential to learn how to wind it properly. Follow the quick steps below to learn how to put the hose on a hose reel like a pro.

1. Unpack your new hose or, if your old hose is in good condition and you plan to use it, disconnect it from the garden faucet, drain the water, then remove the water coupling on the inner drum.
2. Insert a new rubber washer into the bottom of the hose coupling on the female end of the garden hose, then thread the end on the inner drum of the hose reel.
3. Use the handle to wind the hose on the drum, paying attention to feeding the hose in even coils.
4. Connect the leader hose to the water coupling on the outer drum. This will connect the entire hose system to the main water source. That’s it! You now have a neat system for keeping your garden hose organized.

Features to look for when buying the best hose reel

Not one reel is the best hose reel for everyone. If you want to make sure the one you want to buy is right for you, don’t forget to check the features below:

• Material: Water hose reels can be made of either plastic, fiberglass, or metal. Considering that the hose is often heavy, we recommend buying a metal garden hose reel if you want to invest in a durable product.
• Design: Hose reel designs vary from utilitarian to decorative. Utilitarian reels are perfect for gardening, but they won’t add any aesthetic value to your property. Decorative reels can vary from wall mounted hose holders with shelves for hose attachments to cabinet reels that also double as the ideal hose storage space for winter.
• Portability: If you have a bigger plot but don’t want to invest in a long hose, you could consider investing in a portable hose reel. Models vary from freestanding cabinets to two-wheeled hose caddies and even four-wheeled carts.
• Ease of use: Automatic hose reels are by far the easier to use, but most models come with pre-mounted hoses that can’t be replaced. Even if some of the best retractable hose reels allow you to change the hose, your best bet for a smaller garden is a manual reel.
• Safety: If you have small children, remember that it is important to prevent them from playing with the hose and reel. You can either mount the reel high enough on a wall so that your child can’t reach it or opt for a cabinet model with hose storage to prevent access when you’re not using the hose.

Best Hose Reel for the Money

Best value

AMES 2416500 NeverLeak 100-Foot AutoWinder Retractable Wall Mount Hose Reel

Best retractable hose reel

Included hose and auto-winding capacity deliver exceptional value for money.

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