How long can I expect a hose to last?

A high-quality garden hose will typically last for five to ten years, but there are numerous factors that can affect the lifespan of this tool. Proper storage and maintenance—which include draining the hose after each use and removing kinks—will help to ensure your hose lasts as long as possible. You’ll also want to bring hoses inside during the winter, as cold temperatures can cause hoses to crack.

How can I prevent kinking and knotting?

Garden hoses often get kinked, or bent in a way that restricts water flow, because they’re typically stored in tight coils for long periods of time, and the material develops a “memory” of this position. To combat this common problem, some hoses have anti-kink technology, but you also help to prevent it by changing the way you store your hose. The best thing you can do is to leave your hose straight when not in use, which can be done by stretching it along a path, but if that’s not possible, try storing your hoses in large, loose loops, which will minimize its changes of developing a coil shape.

What's the best way to store a hose?

There are lots of different ways to store garden hoses, including hose reels, pots, and holders, but as mentioned above, coiling a hose does increase its risk of kinking. For this reason, hose holders are often your best choice, as you can loosely loop the hose over them. However, if you have a kink-resistant hose, you can use any storage solution that works for your needs.

The 8 Best Garden Hoses of 2021

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Whether you want to water your lawn, tend your garden flowers, or just wash your car, a garden hose is definitely going to come in handy around the house. They can be used for a wide variety of tasks, from lawn care to cleaning and even entertainment—after all, who doesn’t love running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day?

There’s no shortage of garden hoses to choose from out there, including traditional rubber hoses, lightweight expanding hoses, and even heavy-duty metal hoses that can take a beating. You’ll want to think about how you plan to use your hose to figure out the best option for your home.

With that in mind, these are the best garden hoses to buy.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Craftsman Premium Garden Hose at Amazon

This 50-foot hose is made from durable rubber and can withstand a wide temperature range, making it great for hot climates.

Read Review

Runner Up, Best Overall:

Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose at Amazon

The bright green hose is easy to spot in your yard or garden and is flexible and easy to move around while you work.

Read Review

Best Expandable:

J&B XpandaHose at Amazon

Lightweight and compact, this hose has an elastic fabric exterior and expands to three times its original length when in use.

Read Review

Best Lightweight:

TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose at Amazon

It's easy to carry and store this latex and fabric hose, which weighs less than 2 pounds when it's empty.

Read Review

Best Rubber:

Briggs and Stratton Premium Rubber Garden Hose at Amazon

This durable rubber hose is tough enough for commercial use, making it a great pick for homes with big cleaning or watering jobs.

Read Review

Best Heavy-Duty:

Bionic Steel Garden Hose at Amazon

Thanks to its stainless steel construction, this lightweight and flexible hose resists leaks, punctures, and rips.

Read Review

Best Soaker:

Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose at Amazon

This soaker hose has PVC lining to prevent bursting and allows water to seep out along its entire length for stress-free watering.

Read Review

Best 100-Foot:

Zero-G Premium-Duty Kink Free Hose at Amazon

This extra-long hose has a sturdy inner core to help minimize kinks, and its outer cover is puncture-resistant.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ace Hardware

Our Ratings

Design

5/5
Durability

4/5
Size

5/5
Usability

5/5
Value

5/5

Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose Review

Length: 50 feet | Weight: 10 pounds | Material: Rubber | Coupling: Brass

What We Like

Durable
High burst strength
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Expensive

The Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose is durable and versatile, making it a worthwhile investment for any home. It’s a standard 5/8-inch size and 50 feet long, making it ideal for most outdoor applications, such as gardening, watering your grass, and more. It’s made from durable black rubber and features a crush-proof brass coupler on each end.

This hose is made to stand the test of time—it will remain flexible and usable in temperatures as low as -25 degrees, and its reinforced radial tire cord provides a single stream of water with 500 PSI (pounds per square inch) of burst strength. It’s kink resistant and light enough to drag around your lawn without breaking a sweat, and while it may be a little more expensive than your average hose, it’s worth it for improved performance and long-lasting durability.

What Testers Say

"We found that the hose fits easily onto our outdoor faucet and accessories, such as spray nozzles and sprinklers (the package didn’t include any attachments). There was no leaking and no muscle needed to connect or disconnect." — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ace Hardware

Our Ratings

Design

5/5
Durability

4/5
Size

5/5
Usability

5/5
Value

5/5

Flexzilla Garden Hose Review

Length: 50 feet | Weight: 8 pounds | Material: Hybrid polymer | Coupling: Anodized aluminum

What We Like

Bright, easy-to-spot color
Easy to maneuver
Durable

What We Don't Like

Low maximum pressure

A bit lighter than our best overall pick, the 5/8-inch 50-foot Flexzilla Garden Hose weighs just 8 pounds, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities. It also comes in 10, 25, 75, and 100-foot lengths, and it’s a bright green color that’s easy to spot on your lawn.

This garden hose is made from a flexible hybrid polymer that ensures it lays flat and won’t kink under pressure, and it has anodized aluminum connectors. The brand claims the hose will withstand temperatures into the negatives, and its maximum pressure is 150 PSI. It’s also safe to drink out of—always a refreshing treat when you’re working hard in your yard.

What Testers Say

"We used it for watering the lawn and flower beds. We also used it for washing my minivan and rinsing out my compost bin and garbage can, as well as using it to add water to our pool. In all cases, this hose was super simple and pleasant to use and performs well for any watering task." — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

The 7 Best Hose Reels of 2021

J&B XpandaHose 75ft Expandable Garden Hose with Holder

4.6

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Our Ratings

Design

4/5
Durability

4/5
Size

5/5
Usability

5/5
Value

5/5

J&B Lawn XpandaHose Review

Length: 75 feet | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Material: Four-layer latex core and elastic fabric exterior | Coupling: Brass

What We Like

Expands when water is turned on
Lightweight
Kink-free design

What We Don't Like

Difficult to coil neatly for storage

Expandable hoses offer a number of benefits, including that they’re lightweight and more compact than standard rubber hoses. In particular, the J&B Lawn XpandaHose is an excellent choice for anyone on the hunt for a new garden hose, as it’s reliable and easy to use. This expanding hose comes in 50-, 75- and 100-foot options, both of which feature a durable four-layer latex core and elastic fabric exterior that comes in several colors, and it expands to three times its original length during use, so the 75-foot option is only 25 feet long when the water is off.

This hose features solid 3/4-inch brass connectors on both ends, and it can withstand 174 PSI/12 Bar water pressure. It can be used in temperatures up to 120 degrees, and the 100-foot hose weighs less than 3.5 pounds, making it easy to move around your yard. Plus, the hose comes with a ten-setting nozzle that you can use to water flowers, wash your car, and more.

What Testers Say

"When using, we found this hose super lightweight and maneuverable—so much so that it makes what used to feel like a chore (the uncoiling and re-coiling of the hose before and after use) a true breeze. Happily, the hose does not twist. We repeat: This hose does not twist, bend, or get kinks, even if you try to make it happen." — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose

4.6

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

Design

5/5
Durability

4/5
Size

4/5
Usability

5/5
Value

5/5

Length: 25 feet | Weight: 1.8 pounds when collapsed | Material: Triple layer of latex wrapped in elastic fabric | Coupling: Brass with nozzle

What We Like

Very easy to move around
Comes with spray nozzle
Stores compactly

What We Don't Like

Not rated for high water pressure

If you just have a few small tasks to take care of around the house, TheFitLife Garden Hose is an inexpensive choice that will get the job done. In addition to the 25-foot options we're featuring, it comes in several lengths, including 50, 75, and 100 feet, and you can choose between green or blue color options.

This hose is incredibly lightweight, weighing less than 2 pounds when collapsed. When the water is turned off, this 25-foot model is just 9 feet long, making it easy to move and store—water pressure stretches it out to more than twice its original size. It’s made from a triple layer of latex wrapped in an elastic fabric, and it connects to standard 3/4-inch fittings. The hose is endurance tested up to 2000 uses under the water pressure of 145 PSI/10 Bar, and it comes with a spray nozzle that offers eight water patterns, including shower, jet, mist, and more.

Briggs and Stratton Premium Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot

Length: 25 feet | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Material: Rubber | Coupling: Nickel plated brass

What We Like

Extremely durable
Functional at extreme temperatures
Lifetime limited warranty

What We Don't Like

Stiff material

This Briggs and Stratton Rubber Garden Hose is extremely durable and designed for commercial and residential use. It features industrial-style reinforcing to prevent bursting from high water pressure, and the 5/8-inch diameter coils easily and remains flexible in temperatures as low as -25 degrees.

This 5/8-inch rubber hose is also available in 50, 75, and 100-foot lengths, and it has heavy-duty crush-proof couplings. It can be used with hot water up to 200 degrees, resists kinking, and comes with a lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects, to boot.

The 5 Best Sprinklers of 2021

4.2

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot

Our Ratings

Design

4/5
Durability

5/5
Size

5/5
Usability

3/5
Value

4/5

Length: 100 feet | Weight: Under 7 pounds | Material: Steel | Coupling: Aluminum

What We Like

Very durable material
Lightweight
Flexible

What We Don't Like

Leaks may be difficult to fix

If you tend to be rough on your hoses, you may want a product like the Bionic Steel Garden Hose, which is made from lightweight stainless steel for unbeatable durability. It has a 1/2-inch diameter and also comes in 25, 50, and 75-foot lengths, and it’s even resistant to leaks, punctures, and dragging over rough surfaces—because let’s face it: sometimes it happens!

Despite being made from metal, this hose only weighs a few pounds, and it’s still extremely flexible and can be maneuvered around trees and other obstacles in your yard, resisting kinks and laying flat. It has crush-resistant aluminum fittings, and it offers a 500 PSI burst strength.

The 7 Best Self-Watering Planters of 2021

View On Amazon

Length: 25 feet | Weight: 12 ounces | Material: Vinyl with a PVC liner | Coupling: Plastic

What We Like

Hands-free watering
Stores compactly
Very lightweight

What We Don't Like

Plastic coupling isn't the most durable

If you have plants that need daily watering, it might be worthwhile to invest in a product like the Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose. Instead of having water come just out of one end, this soaker hose allows water to seep out slowly along its entire length, so you can lay it near your plants for hands-free watering.

This popular soaker hose also comes in 50 and 75-foot lengths, and it has a heavy-duty double layer design with a PVC liner. The hose is backed by a lifetime guarantee, and it can actually help save water by delivering moisture straight to the root of your plants.

The 11 Best Watering Tools of 2021

Zero-G Premium-Duty Kink Free Woven Hose

View On Amazon View On Lowe's

Length: 100 feet | Weight: 8.4 pounds | Material: Vinyl | Coupling: Crush-proof couplings with brass inserts

What We Like

Very high burst strength
Easy to move around
5-year warranty

What We Don't Like

Needs to be stored indoors in temperatures below freezing

A 100-foot hose like the Zero-G Kink-Free Woven Hose will allow you to water further from your faucet, and this particular model is designed to be lighter, making it less of a hassle to move around your yard. It has a flexible inner core covered by an abrasion, leak, and puncture-resistant outer cover, and it remains flexible at temperatures down to 35 degrees.

This 100-foot hose is 5/8-inch in diameter and much lighter than most vinyl hoses of the same length, and it has commercial-grade, crush-resistant couplings with brass inserts to prevent corrosion. It has a 600 PSI burst, and its inner core is designed to help minimize kinking for uninterrupted water flow.

Final Verdict

The 50-foot Craftsman Premium Rubber Garden Hose is a great choice for most homeowners, as it has a durable rubber design that can be used in temperatures as low as 25 degrees below 0. If you like expanding hoses, the J&B Lawn XpandaHose shrinks down to 1/3 its full length when empty, making it easy and compact to store.

Material

Vinyl hoses are the most lightweight and easy to store, but they aren’t as durable as other materials. Rubber and reinforced hoses are less likely to snag, kink, or break, plus they hold up to extreme temperatures. If strength is a concern, check the ply too. (Ply usually ranges from one to six, with six being the strongest.)

Length

Hoses come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a few feet all the way up to 100 feet. The longer the hose, the more reach you’ll have—but unfortunately, a longer hose also means there’s more tubing to store and carry around. Water pressure also decreases as the hose lengthens. If you only need a long hose occasionally, consider buying two shorter hoses and combining them for the times when you need to reach further.

Coupling

Coupling refers to the point at which a hose connects to its water supply. Generally, there are two options: brass, which is stronger and lasts longer, and plastic, which is easier to maneuver but is less durable overall. Some hoses have aluminum couplings, which last longer than plastic but may break down faster than brass.

Burst strength

Many hoses list a burst strength, which is the amount of water pressure the hoses can handle before they tear. A higher number means the hose will be more durable, so if you're working with higher water pressure for some reason, look for a higher-than-average burst strength.

FAQ

How long can I expect a hose to last?

A high-quality garden hose will typically last for five to ten years, but there are numerous factors that can affect the lifespan of this tool. Proper storage and maintenance—which include draining the hose after each use and removing kinks—will help to ensure your hose lasts as long as possible. You’ll also want to bring hoses inside during the winter, as cold temperatures can cause hoses to crack.
How can I prevent kinking and knotting?

Garden hoses often get kinked, or bent in a way that restricts water flow, because they’re typically stored in tight coils for long periods of time, and the material develops a “memory” of this position. To combat this common problem, some hoses have anti-kink technology, but you also help to prevent it by changing the way you store your hose. The best thing you can do is to leave your hose straight when not in use, which can be done by stretching it along a path, but if that’s not possible, try storing your hoses in large, loose loops, which will minimize its changes of developing a coil shape.
What's the best way to store a hose?

There are lots of different ways to store garden hoses, including hose reels, pots, and holders, but as mentioned above, coiling a hose does increase its risk of kinking. For this reason, hose holders are often your best choice, as you can loosely loop the hose over them. However, if you have a kink-resistant hose, you can use any storage solution that works for your needs.

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, who recently bought a house that has more gardens than she knows what to do with. To keep them all looking their best, she relies on several rubber hoses, as well as a soaker hose, to keep her plants watered and happy.

Camryn has been contributing to The Spruce since 2017. To make this list, she considered a hose's material, length, coupling, and burst strength.