Even though it may not be something that one typically puts a lot of thought into, believe it or not, there can be quite a bit that goes into determining how to buy a good hose reel.
Since this is a subject that can be a bit difficult to get into, we decided to create this article to help you out. In this article, we are going to be looking at the best hose reels that are currently on the market today.
We will be reviewing a bunch of different types of hose reels as part of this article. If you want a quick recommendation, the hose reel that stood out the most was the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Hose Reels 2022:
Hose Reel Reviews
Gardena Retractable Hose Reel
- With a short pull on the hose, the lock releases and the hose is drawn into the box-no bending over or...
- An integrated steel spring provides even, powerful retraction; The integrated hose guide prevents...
- Includes a Hose Guide bracket to mount on wall or corner mount; Nozzles, sprayers and wash brushes can be...
- In winter, the Hose Box can be taken by the ergonomically-shaped handle and effortlessly removed from the...
- Wall bracket, screws, wall plugs are all included
We have decided to kick off this best hose reels list right by taking a look at an extremely high-quality option that is sure to wow anyone who is in the market for a good hose reel.
The Gardena Retractable Hose Reel is a pricey option, to say the least, but if ever there was a product deserving of the title of “best hose reel,” then the Gardena would be it.
It is a very high-end product with a lot of really useful features that you wouldn’t initially think about when buying a hose reel, but that ends up being surprisingly useful.
Obviously, the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel’s main draw is its great reel system. As you can see from the product itself, it has a very large box where the hose is stored in.
As you can’t reach inside the box, you have to rely on the reel mechanism exclusively to pull the hose back in. Thankfully, the reel system works very well. All you need to do to activate it is give a short pull on the hose and the machine kicks into gear. It will pull the hose the rest of the way in.
Now, we know what you are saying “this sounds like it is just going to lead to a twisted hose.” While that is certainly a problem with some hose reels, that isn’t an issue that you are going to encounter with the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel.
This is because the Gardena comes with an integrated hose guide, which helps to prevent the hose from becoming misshapen or tangled while being reeled in.
Likewise, you may be worried that the garden hose that you happen to use is too heavy to be reeled in easily. Again, while this might be an issue for lesser hose reels, it isn’t something that is going to be an issue for you if you go with the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel.
This is because it is equipped with an integrated steel spring that helps to give the reel the power that it needs to reel in a hose of any thickness or weight.
Despite being very large and bulky, when it does come time to move the hose reel, it is surprisingly easy thanks to a very conveniently placed handle on the top of the unit. Once it has been unscrewed from the wall, you just have to grab the handle, pick up the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel, and move it to your garage.
Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel
- Holds up to 200-feet of 5/8-inch garden hose (hose not included)
- Industrial Grade, heavy duty, solid wall mounted reel that can also be used as a non-skid floor mount...
- Made of tough 13 gauge Steel with industrial strength powder coated finish that is weather resistant
- 5-Feet of leader hose included, elbow at the center of drum to attach your garden hose
- Mounting hardware not included
For the next review on our best hose reels list, we are going to be doing a review of the first of a few hose reels from Liberty Garden that we will be reviewing in the course of this article in the form of the Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel.
This is a fairly basic, but otherwise very well-made hose reel that is perfect for just about any length or kind of hose and any kind of household setup.
First off, this is definitely a tough, durable hose reel. It is made from very reliable, industrial-grade steel. This means a few things. First and foremost, it means that you can rely on the Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel to last for basically ever, assuming the steel doesn’t rust from being left out in the rain. Secondly, it also means that you can rely on the hose reel to not break.
Often with a lot of cheaper hose reels, a big issue is that some internal component breaks or the part that connects it to the wall breaks. Thankfully, that isn’t an issue that you will have to worry about with the Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel. You can trust that every part of this hose reel is going to last.
In addition to being well-made, the Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel helpfully comes with about 5 feet of leader hose attached to the reel.
So, you just need to quickly attach your existing hose up to the leader and you can have this working in no time. Attaching the hose reel to the wall is also pretty simple, so in general, the Liberty Garden 709 is quite an easy, hassle-free product to use.
Suncast JSF175 175 ft Hosemobile Reel Cart
- PORTABLE HOSE REEL CART: Back wheels and cart handle allow for easy transportation throughout your yard,...
- DURABLE: Molded plastic cart is built to resist rusting and corrosion for long-lasting outdoor use
- SMOOTH CRANK HANDLE: Crank handle makes winding and unwinding of the garden hose easy and kink-free
- TIGHT SEAL: Strong, reinforced system ensures water-tight connection between reel and hose
- IDEAL SIZE: Hose reel measures 24.5" x 24.5" x 24.5" and has a 175' hose capacity, perfect for your...
For the next review on our best hose reels list, we are going to be doing a review of the very first reel cart that we have featured on this list. So far, we have exclusively looked at hose reels that need to be mounted on a wall.
Now, those are the most common option, so it makes sense that they would make up the bulk of entries on this review list. Still, there are alternatives for those who either can’t use a wall-mounted model or who don’t want one.
They typically take the form of hose reel carts, a prime example being the Suncast JSF175 175 ft Hosemobile Reel Cart. This is a well-made reel cart that is a good example of why these sorts of products can be very useful.
For starters, despite seeming small from the outside, the Suncast JSF175 175 ft Hosemobile Reel Cart is capable of holding a surprising amount of hose. As you can see from the product name, it is actually capable of holding up to 175 feet of hose.
So, it is actually able to hold fairly large hoses. Likewise, it is also good at compacting very thick and heavy hoses as well. So, no matter what type of hose you happen to use, you can trust that the Suncast JSF175 175 ft Hosemobile Reel Cart will work for you.
One issue that some of you may have with the Suncast, especially when compared to the other hose reels that we have looked at so far is the lack of metal used to make the hose reel cart. A lot of the other entries on our best hose reels list have been made from very high-quality stainless steel, which ensures durability.
Suncast, on the other hand, is made from plastic. However, don’t let this raise durability concerns for you because we can confirm that the cart is made from some surprisingly durable plastic. The molded plastic used to make the reel cart is tough and able to weather the elements surprisingly well, so there is no need to panic if it gets left out in the rain.
The crank mechanism also works very well. It is super simple and easy to work the crank on the side of the reel cart, which does a suitably good job of bringing the hose in quickly and without causing any kinks or anything like that.
Suncast Sidetracker Garden Hose
- MOUNTABLE: Ability to mount on fence, side of house, or wall. Ideal for small yards that need extra...
- EASY SET UP: Reel comes full assembled and is ready to go out of the box
- CONVENIENT STORAGE: Reel is removeable allowing for quick and easy winter hose storage
- EASY REEL: Crank Handle allows for quick and reliable hose winding
- COMPACT SIZE: Hose Reel measures 11. 5" x 15. 75" x 15. 75" x and has a 100' hose capacity
The next product that we want to take a look at on our best hose reels list is a good option for those who just want something cheap and simple, while still getting the benefits of using a hose reel. That is why we are going to be reviewing the Suncast Sidetracker Garden Hose.
If you have ever used a product from the Suncast line before, then you probably already have a very good idea of what to expect. Their products tend to be affordable and pretty light, at the same time, they tend to be durable.
All of this applies to this hose reel cart. It is made from durable plastic, so it is lightweight and very simple for you to use.
Giraffe Tools Retractable Hose Reel
- [DURABLE ANY LENGTH LOCK] Giraffe garden hose reel is pre-installed with 84+6ft hybrid hose, which can...
- [STABLE AUTO REWIND SYSTEM] Give the hose a gentle tug, the water hose reel will retract automatically...
- [HIGH-GRID GARDEN HOSE]All weather flexible and abrasion-resistant hybrid hose ensures the hose reel...
- [EASILY ASSEMBLE & DISASSEMBLE] Assemble the garden hose reel on the wall with just the 180-degree...
- [LEADING SERVICE AWARENESS] Giraffe's in-house research & development team continuously works to provide...
The Giraffe Tools Retractable has a variety of uses. Designed for personal gardens and commercial lawns, they feature an auto-rewind system that automatically controls the retraction of the watering hose. This allows water to be distributed evenly throughout the reel.
The Giraffe hose reel comes with a 115-foot hybrid hose. You can lock the hose length with the help of a 180-degree swivel bracket. This allows you to cover every corner of the garden. The auto-rewind system is stable and the guidance system ensures that you will get perfect roll-ups every time.
This retractable hose reel has a leak-proof, hybrid hose. This hose is rated for up to 600 PSI bursting pressure, making it a good choice for commercial and residential gardens. The hose will lock at any length you need and retract efficiently and neatly. The hose is crafted with intricate detailing and is made of 100% Spanish wool.
This Retractable Hose Reel is backed by a two-year warranty. The manufacturer will replace defective products without charging you additional fees. The Giraffe Team is dedicated to helping you improve your life and your yard. Aside from the warranty, you will also find a convenient storage basket, which makes it easy to move and store.
When it comes to safety, this hose reel comes with a wall mount so it will provide a solid base while pulling the hose. The mount also usually features a pin that you can remove when you’re done using the Reel. This feature makes it easy to store the Reel in a garage or shed.
This is a great retractable hose reel that features four non-snag rollers to reduce abrasion and wear on the hose. Its durable steel construction will last for many years and it also has a powder coat finish. It also has bend resistors to make it more durable.
It is simple to use and comes with a handle to carry it. The 130-foot spring-loaded hose retracts automatically, making rewinding easy. The wheel is sturdy and pivots 360 degrees, making it easy to operate in a variety of conditions. The hose comes with a 10-year warranty, so you won’t have to worry about the durability of your tool.
When shopping for a retractable hose reel, you should consider how much water you need. Large-diameter retractable hoses can carry more water and produce a higher flow rate. For smaller watering jobs, a 3-inch or a half-inch hose is recommended. For large-volume projects, the 5/8-inch model is best.
Hose Reel Buying Guide
In the second part of our best hose reels article, we are going to look at some of the features that go into deciding whether to buy a hose reel or not.
As we said way back at the start of this article, hose reels aren’t exactly a product that one puts a lot of thought into. So, you might not know about all the various features that can set a regular hose reel apart from one that is worthy of being profiled on our best hose reels list.
Reels vs Stands
One thing that we should clarify at the beginning of this best hose reels buying guide is that there is a difference between hose reels and hose stands. Even though these two types of products are often sold side by side, there is a key difference.
A hose reel is any product that has some mechanism (whether it be automatic or manual) that brings the hose in. A hose stand is just a stationary object to keep a hose elevated and prevent it from getting clumped together.
Still, they do largely fill the same niche, so you might want to look at some hose stands anyway since they tend to be cheaper and they might fit what you are looking for better.
Automatic vs Manual Reels
One of the major divides when it comes to hose reels is between automatic hose reels and manual hose reels. As you can probably tell just from the name alone, the main difference is how much work you have to put in to get the hose reeled in.
With an automatic hose reel, you usually just have to press a button or pull on something and the reel does the rest of the work. With a manual hose reel, there is almost always a crank that you have to pull.
A good example of each kind of product from our best hose reels list would be the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel (an automatic option) and the Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Hose Reel (the manual option).
Ease of Storage
Unless you live in an area that remains warm all year long, then you are going to eventually have to move your hose reel around when the colder weather comes.
While this might seem like a distant consideration when actually buying the hose reel, it is a good idea to keep in mind features that might help to make the hose reel easier to move.
A good example of a feature that you might want to look out for is something like a carrying handle. For example, the handle placed on top of the Gardena Retractable Hose Reel is a good example of a feature that really helps with moving the hose reel during the winter.
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