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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
A reliable garden hose is the workhorse of the backyard, providing a source of water for lawn care, cleaning, and summertime fun.
We tested dozens of garden hoses over three weeks, evaluating flexibility, ease of use, and overall value. Our top pick, the Flexzilla HFZG550YW Garden Hose, is durable, won't kink, and comes in seven different sizes.
Here are the best garden hoses.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
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Best Overall
Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose
Buy at AmazonThis hose never kinked or tangled while testing, and the bright green color was easy to spot on the lawn or garden.
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Best Expandable
J&B XpandaHose
Buy at AmazonIt made garden chores a "true breeze" for our tester, who could not get it to twist or kink even when she tried.
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Best Lightweight
TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose
Buy at AmazonEasy to carry and store, our tester says this latex and fabric hose is a great choice for gardening tasks.
More To Consider
Reviews
Best Overall: Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose
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Bright, easy-to-spot color
Easy to maneuver
Durable
Maximum pressure is lower compared to some other hoses
Who else recommends it? Reviewed and BestReviews also picked the Flexzilla Garden Hose.
What do buyers say? 89% of 49,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose is durable, affordable, and versatile, making it an excellent everyday hose for your watering needs. A bit lighter than other options on this list, the 5/8-inch 50-foot hose weighs just 8 pounds, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities. After using it to water their flower beds and lawn, wash their minivan, and rinse out trash cans, our tester noted that it was a delight to use—it was very lightweight and easy to maneuver on any terrain.
It also comes in 10, 25, 75, and 100-foot lengths, and its bright green color is easy to spot on your lawn. 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, which is always a refreshing treat when working hard in your yard.
This garden hose is made using a flexible hybrid polymer that ensures it lays flat and won't kink under pressure, and it has anodized aluminum connectors. After a month of use, our tester noted that the hose still looked new, even after being dragged around the yard, and it always stayed solid and pliable and never twisted. Although the maximum pressure is lower than some other hoses, it wasn't an issue while testing and shouldn't be an issue for your everyday watering needs.
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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Expandable: J&B XpandaHose
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Courtesy of Amazon
Expands when water is turned on
Lightweight
Kink-free design
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.
After using the hose all around her property to water her lawn and garden, our tester found that it is really easy to coil and uncoil, never kinks, and is easy to fold and store in the included storage bag. She did note, however, that when she tried hanging the hose on the hook that was provided, it looked messy. She found that it was better to put the hose in the storage bag and store it that way instead.
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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Lightweight: TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose
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Courtesy of Amazon
Very easy to move around
Comes with spray nozzle
Stores compactly
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.
After using it for a total of three hours over the course of a few weeks, this hose worked great and was powerful enough for our tester's gardening needs. She noted that for washing the car, patio, or other cleaning tasks, she would use a more powerful hose.
Best Heavy-Duty: Bionic Steel Garden Hose
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Courtesy of Amazon
Very durable material
Lightweight
Flexible
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.
After a total of 10 hours of testing, including driving over it with her car, our tester especially appreciated the durability of this hose. She particularly recommends it for those that live in cold climates and want to leave the hose out all year long.
Best Rubber: Briggs and Stratton Premium Heavy-Duty Rubber Garden Hose
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Courtesy of Amzon
Extremely durable
Functional at extreme temperatures
Lifetime limited warranty
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.
Best 100-Foot: Zero-G Premium-Duty Kink Free Woven Hose
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Courtesy of Amazon
Very high burst strength
Easy to move around
5-year warranty
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.
Best Soaker: Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose
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Courtesy of Amazon
Hands-free watering
Stores compactly
Very lightweight
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.
Compare
Overall Rating | Design | Size | Ease of Use | Durability | Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall:
Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose
|
Amazon | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
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Best Expandable:
J&B XpandaHose
|
Amazon | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
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Best Lightweight:
TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose
|
Amazon | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
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Best Heavy-Duty:
Bionic Steel Garden Hose
|
Amazon | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | |
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Best Rubber:
Briggs and Stratton Premium Rubber Garden Hose
|
Amazon | ||||||
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Best 100-Foot:
Zero-G Premium-Duty Kink Free Hose
|
Amazon | ||||||
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Best Soaker:
Rocky Mountain Goods Flat Soaker Hose
|
Amazon |
The 50-foot Flexzilla Zillagreen Garden Hose is a great choice for most homeowners, as it has a durable rubber design and a lighter weight that can be used by people of all ages and abilities. 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.
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The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
How We Tested the Hoses
For this article, our testers used some of the top hoses on the market to see how well they worked in their own gardens and backyards. They put these hoses to the test, in some cases, dragging them all over their yards, twisting and tangling them if possible to see how they held up. They used them for tasks large and small and in cold and warm climates. Our testers then rated these hoses across a number of top categories including usability, design, value, size, and durability. We combined their testing results with our writers' and editors' own research to bring you this list.
What to Look for in a Garden Hose
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Why Trust The Spruce?
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.
When selecting picks for this article, Camryn considered a hose's material, length, coupling, and burst strength and combined her own research with our testers' results to make this list.