Keep Your Landscape Lush With The Best Garden Hoses Of 2022

Why Trust Us

The average household replaces their garden hose every three years and some may even need to replace them more frequently. Our team has also gone through quite a few hoses so we like to think we have some experience when it comes to separating the good ones from the not-so-good ones. Some of us are enthusiastic gardeners and use garden hoses every day to keep garden beds nicely hydrated, while others use their hoses for hosing down the driveways and washing their cars.

Who This Is For

This guide is for anyone shopping for a top-quality garden hose for home, commercial or recreational use. Garden hoses have come a long way over the years and are no longer just rubber tubes we connect to spigots. They've also gone a little hi-tech so it may not be easy to choose a good quality hose that will last through several seasons or more. This guide should help you decide on the best garden hose for your needs.

How We Picked

We looked at hoses for practicality and convenience but also for durability. Whether you're looking for light-duty hoses or something a little more robust for cleaning around the yard or commercial use, we chose a variety that offers something for everyone.

How We Tested

Testing a hose is easy. Attach it to your spigot and turn the water on. While that may seem a little overly simplified, we also tested for water flow and the durability of the outer layer when dragged over concrete, asphalt and rocks which you normally see in the average suburban garden. We also looked at how well the connectors performed, especially where water pressure was a little higher.

Features To Look For In Garden Hoses

Gone are the days when you would just walk into a store and grab the first (and possibly only) hose on the shelf. These days, many people opt for the most inexpensive hoses and usually regret the decision as cheap models need to be replaced before the first season is over. Here are some features to look for when shopping for a new garden hose:

Length - Bigger is not always better, especially when shopping for a garden hose. For example, if you have a yard of say 25 feet and you get a hose that is 50 feet, you are essentially paying for an extra 25 feet you don't need. Similarly, you don't want to grab a 25-foot hose if your garden stretches to 50 or 100 feet. A few feet of extra hose length is fine, but you definitely won't need 25 feet or more extra length.

Keep in mind that the longer the hose, the more weight you will have to drag around and the extra length may also affect the water pressure coming out from the other end.

Diameter - The diameter determines two things: how much water is released and how heavy the hose will be when it’s full of water. Most garden hoses are 5/8", although 1/2" and 3/4" inch hoses are also available. In most cases, a 5/8 inch hose will be appropriate for just about any backyard application. 1/2-inch hoses will also work for hand watering flower beds and such but anything larger than that and you are getting into the realm of large-scale commercial applications. Keep in mind that a 3/4 inch hose will carry twice the water volume of a 5/8 inch hose. And twice the water volume means twice the weight. If you are unsure which diameter to get, but the area that needs watering is nothing out of the ordinary, a 5/8 inch hose should serve you well.

Flexibility - Flexibility is important for a couple of reasons. First, when you finish with the hose you have to coil it up. If the hose is not flexible, coiling it may cause kinking which will eventually cause cracks to appear. Often sooner rather than later. Second, you need to be able to move the hose around backyard obstacles and often into out-of-the-way areas of your yard. This requires a good deal of flexibility, especially around trees.

Material - Garden hoses are no longer made of plain old rubber. These days, you can find them manufactured from several different materials:

• Rubber - For years rubber was considered the most reliable material in the making of garden hoses. This material is flexible and the hose is less likely to kink or puncture. Rubber is also durable and impervious to most weather conditions. So why isn’t every garden hose made of rubber? For one, because it’s heavy. A 50 or 100-foot rubber water hose full of water is going to present a challenge even for a healthy person to drag around the yard. Still, rubber hoses are fairly common for all the above-cited reasons. Plus the fact that many are rated safe to drink from and a rubber hose is also better at handling hot water. So if you ever need to drain the water heater for any reason you can use your rubber garden hose.
• Vinyl - The vinyl garden hose is a lightweight alternative to the rubber garden hose. They’re easy to drag around and easy to coil up when you’re done with them. They’re also typically the least expensive type of garden hose. The vinyl garden hose is good for use in moderate climates where it never gets extremely hot or cold. Extreme heat can warp a vinyl hose and extreme cold can cause it to become brittle, even if it’s sitting in your garage during the winter unused. When you take it out in the spring to get gardening, you may find that during the winter it developed cracks. Even in moderate climates, the vinyl hose will eventually develop cracks and leaks, particularly around the connectors.
• Polyurethane - Polyurethane occupies a kind of grey area between vinyl and rubber. The polyurethane hose is usually free of harmful chemicals so many of them are theoretically safe to drink from, it’s stronger than vinyl, almost as light and it’s very flexible like rubber. The polyurethane hose can also be used to transport hot water and does not develop kinks as easily as a vinyl hose will. So what is keeping every hose from being a polyurethane garden hose? Polyurethane hoses cost more than vinyl ones and many people don’t see the point of investing the extra cash in something that will only be used for watering garden beds. If you don't mind the extra cost, you won’t regret purchasing a polyurethane water hose.
• Hybrid - Some contemporary garden hoses are fashioned from hybrid polymers that provide reliable flexibility and extreme durability at the same time. Others feature multi-layered construction with latex or some other similar inner material and a tougher outer layer that is equally flexible. This type of construction makes for a very light and flexible hose, even when the temperature plummets to well below zero. Other hoses feature a polyurethane/PVC hybrid blend that is extremely durable, lightweight, and flexible.

Couplings - The connectors on a garden hose may be made from any of several different materials, including:

• Plastic - Yup. Plastic. Some garden hose connectors are made from high-quality plastic that’s tough and light and relatively durable. But their main attraction is that they’re inexpensive. That said, even the most durable plastic coupling isn’t going to be able to compete with brass or stainless steel in strength and durability and you may find yourself replacing the couplings more often than you planned to.
• Stainless Steel - Stainless steel connectors are likely to outlive your hose. They’re unaffected by weather extremes, won’t chip or crack like plastic connectors can and are virtually impervious to damage from being dropped or dragged across the yard or the driveway.
• Brass - Brass connectors come in two forms: either cast or stamped. Stamped or formed brass couplings are the more fragile of the two and can be damaged without much effort. Even so, they’re still more durable than plastic. Cast brass connectors are the classic garden hose connectors. They’re heavier and tougher than stamped brass and as tough as stainless steel. Brass has the added benefit of being naturally antimicrobial. This is why brass connectors have long been a garden hose favorite.
• Aluminum - In recent years aluminum couplings have become increasingly popular. They’re light, inexpensive, corrosion-resistant and tough. Couplings cast from aircraft-grade aluminum are almost as tough as those cast from brass or stainless steel. If aluminum has a downside it’s that it is susceptible to microbial development.

Types Of Garden Hoses

While many folks tend to think a garden hose is a garden hose, there are actually quite a few different types of garden hoses ranging from the traditional to the expandable and they also run from the incredibly cheap to some pretty pricey ones.

Traditional - The traditional garden hose has been around for decades and is as familiar a part of the domestic landscape as the porch light or mailbox (although the mailbox is becoming something of an endangered species of late). This is an all-purpose hose used for everything from watering the lawn to washing the car. It’s usually made from vinyl, rubber or polyurethane and can be anywhere from 25 to 100 feet in length. Most of the garden hoses on our list are a form of traditional garden hose.

Flat hoses - The flat hose looks like a miniature version of the firefighter’s hose. It lays flat on the ground with a deflated appearance until the water is turned on. Flat hoses are typically made of vinyl and are best for applications that don’t require a lot of flexibility. It’s not common to find them in homes but many homeowners seem to like them.

Sprinkler hoses - The sprinkler hose is perforated along its length and sends a mist into the air that settles on the garden or lawn. Some people turn them around so that the perforations are face down and use them as a soaker hose. Typically sprinkler hoses don’t work well in flower beds because the plants prevent the mist from rising.

Soaker hoses - Soaker hoses can be found in gardens nationwide where they are used to seep water into the soil so it can be soaked up by plant roots. Soaker hoses make efficient use of water and many are used on a semi-permanent basis in gardens, although they’re often covered in mulch because they can be negatively affected by direct, prolonged sunlight.

Pocket hoses - The pocket hose, also known as the expandable garden hose, expands to about 3 times its empty size when you turn on the tap. Several of the hoses on our list are expandable garden hoses for good reason. They’re good for around the yard like long hoses but they pack away neater than even a short garden hose. The downside of the expandable hoses is that they tend not to last very long and they can be damaged by regular exposure to sunlight.

Q: How long can I expect a hose to last?

A: In a perfect world, a good garden hose should last from 5 to 10 years. However, this will depend on the quality of the hose you buy and how you store it. Some of the more inexpensive hoses will need to be replaced after 3 years or less.

Q: What's the best way to store a hose?

A: The best way to store a hose that is not in use is to wrap it around a hose reel or a hose rack. Try to keep the hose relatively loose and keep it out of direct sunlight. If you live in a region with harsh winters, you should ensure the hose is completely devoid of water and store it in the garage or garden shed.

Q: How can I prevent kinking and knotting?

A: The best way to prevent kinking and knotting of your garden hose is to wrap it around a hose reel when you are not using it. Hoses kink when they are not properly rolled or coiled but the main problems arise when the hose is just left on the ground in a heap.

Q: Do I need a garden hose nozzle for my hose?

A: Technically speaking, you don't need a garden hose nozzle for your hose. Most people have simply placed a finger over the end of the hose to create a spray. While this does work to a certain degree, it does not allow for accurate watering and you may get more water everywhere but where it's needed. A garden hose nozzle allows you to choose the type of spray for different plants and many also give you the option to turn the water flow off so you are not wasting water on your way back to the spigot.

Q: Is drinking water from a garden hose safe?

A: You haven't had a normal childhood unless you drank water from the garden hose. That being said, it's not a good idea to do this unless you have a garden hose that is certified as drinking water safe. Keep in mind that hoses are often left out in the sun and heat can result in toxins leaching from the materials directly into the water. You are much better off disconnecting the hose from the spigot and drinking from your hands.

Q: What does PSI mean on a garden hose?

A: PSI refers to "pounds per square inch" and this denotes how much pressure the hose can take before bursting. Most households have water pressure up to 80 PSI and it is recommended to have a garden hose with a PSI of 300 or more.

Sources:

1. Pressure Gauge For Garden Hose - SF Gate
2. Is It Safe To Drink Water From A Hose? - ThoughtCo.