Best Garden Hoses: Our Top 4 Picks
Garden hoses can end up being quite an expensive purchase (although you should get many years of good use) so its worthwhile spending some time to choose the best one.
Expect to pay around the £20 to £50 for a good quality hose, the price usually being determined by the length of the hose and the storage option.
In this review, we take a look at the current top-selling garden hoses in the UK to help you choose which is the best one for you.
Best Selling Garden Hoses Compared and Reviewed
![HOZELOCK - 2-in-1 Compact Hose Reel 25m : Portable or Wall-mounted Plastic Reel, Easy Rewind Function, Supplied with Nozzle, Fittings and Fixings [2415R0000]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41UnAtx0sOL._SL160_.jpg)
![HOZELOCK - Mini Reel "Pico Reel" 10m : Ideal for Patios, Balconies and Small Gardens, Compact Streamlined Reel, Effortless Rewinding, Supplied with 1 Multi Spray Gun: Ready to Use [2425 0000]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RzZ4GAsmL._SL160_.jpg)
Last update on 2023-12-08 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hozelock 60m Hose Cart with 50m Hose
Hozelock pretty much dominates the UK garden hose market, which is why you’ll see 3 of their products in this list of best selling products. This version is from their wheeled hose reel range. These type of hoses are very easy to manoeuvre and although the wheels are plastic, they are large enough to cope with most garden lawns and patios. The wheeled versions are also handy if you want to connect to multiple taps in your garden as it saves you have to buy a hose reel for each.
These reel carts come in a number of different designs and reel capacities. This version has a 60m hose length capacity and comes with a 50m hose. The cart has a small diameter reel drum so it makes it quick to wind the hose, especially as the reel has a long handle.
The cart’s handle itself is also adjustable and has a clip for attaching the hose nozzle. The great thing about hose reel carts is that they offer a compact storage solution along with kink free hoses.
Hozelock Compact 2in1 Reel with 25m Hose
This is another different take on hose reel storage from Hozelock. The Compact 2in1 features a tough plastic case for storing the hose (this version includes a 25 metre hose which is long enough for most gardens). At the front of the case is a slider that you move when rewinding the hose to ensure it winds smoothly across the inner reel.
Again, this model features a long plastic handle for easier winding and there is also a viewing window in the case to ensure that you don’t get the hose tangled when winding.
The “2in1” name comes from the option of either wall mounting this reel or using it free standing. If you go for the latter option you’ll find that the built-in carrying handles make moving the reel about easy. The water inlet is in the centre of the case which provides a quick and easy connection.
The great thing with Hozelock products is the ability to connect to a wide range of watering accessories including jet spray guns and sprinklers, so once you have purchased this product you can add extra items as your needs require.
Suplong Expandable Garden Water 30m Hose
This hose is different from the rigid types offered by Hozelock in the fact that whole hose is both expandable and very flexible. There are many different version of flexible hoses (and most look identical), however, this version is one of the best sellers as well as being reasonably priced.
The idea is that you get a similar extended hose length to rigid types (30 metres in this case) but because the hose is expandable (by around 3 times its original length), it can be made very compact for storing (a handy storage back is also included). So essentially you don’t have to unwind and rewind the reel, you simply turn the tap on and the hose starts to expand. Turn off the water (and make sure the hose is empty) and the hose will shrink back to its original size.
The hose is supplied with all the necessary connection fittings, which on this version are brass which is a nice touch. Also included is a trigger spray gun that has 8 different spray patterns to choose from. There is even a plastic hanger to use for the storage bag.
Two things to bear in mind though are because the inner hose is latex then the hose cannot be used with hot water (unlike rigid hoses). Also, you cannot use this hose to connect to pressure washers.
Hozelock Pico Reel with 10m Hose
Last but not least in our best seller picks is the Hozelock Pico reel. This hose reel is only intended to be used in smaller gardens and yards, but it is well designed for this environment. The hose length is only 10 metres so you are not going to be able to stray too far away from your tap.
The good thing though is that the Pico reel is very easy to carry around (if you need to). The carrying case itself houses the reel but also includes neat storage for the tap connector and spray nozzle. The feeder hose (from the tap) can also be neatly stored. The case can be wall mounted but this is not really its intended purpose.
It’s nice to see a trigger spray gun included with the Pico and it features adjustable flow control and 5 different spray patterns. There are a few complaints about the quality of the trigger gun but you do get a 2 year guarantee in case anything goes wrong.
What You Need to Look for When Buying a Garden Hose
Buying a garden hose needn’t be complex, here are a few key points to consider:
- Intended usage – hoses are available for all garden sizes. If you have a large garden then consider getting a 30-50 metre hose. If it’s a long reel length then you should consider how you will move the hose around – a reel cart is good for this.
- Storage – when it comes to storage of the hose reel itself you have a number of options: a manoeuvrable cart, plastic case or in the case of the flexible hose, a storage bag. If you need to move the reel a lot then an easy to carry hose reel or cart would be best. You may also want to mount the hose reel to a wall and this can usually be done on most models but its worth checking beforehand.
- Nozzle – check to see what nozzle (and tap connectors) are included with the hose. Companies such as Hozelock have a wide range of hose attachments if you need to upgrade at a later stage.
