Read on for the best garden hoses PEOPLE tested that vary in length, materials, and capabilities.
For more information, please visit our website.
Jerry Gorchels , technical product representative at PanAmerican Seed North America, says the average consumer with watering needs should look for a couple of key elements in a garden hose. &#;Depending on their budget, they should look for one that is 25 feet longer than they feel [they need]. You always run short,&#; he tells PEOPLE. &#;Look for one that won't kink," he adds. "Some have a wire flex core that eliminates kinks. Hoses with a rubber lining and/or exterior have longevity.&#;
Whether you&#;re a gardening pro or just starting with some flowers in your backyard, you&#;ll need a good hose at your disposal. PEOPLE tested 30 of the best garden hoses to help you narrow down the choices &#; and there are many good choices. Fifteen hoses (half of those we tested) scored an average of 4 out of 5 or higher across our testing categories. Three hoses scored a perfect 5 out of 5, one of which topped our list.
Best Overall
Craftsman Premium-Duty Rubber Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$70 at Amazon
$34 at Ace Hardware
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Easy to maneuver around land or furniture
Easy to screw the spigot on and off
Doesn&#;t kink easily due to sturdy and durable material
Red Flags
Red may not be everyone's color of choice
Our overall winner was one of three hoses in our field of 30 that scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in each of our testing categories: design, ease of use, durability, and value. This Craftsman hose was solid and not lightweight but not too heavy. We liked how this model is designed to hold up under rugged conditions. Add this hose to your garden supplies along with your favorite garden shoes and rake.
In our tests, the Craftsman hose was easy to maneuver and felt good in the hand, and it was easy to screw on and off, thanks to its high-quality brass threading. The hose also felt extremely durable and didn&#;t kink a lot, whether empty or full.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: Rubber | Type of Couplings: Metal
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
Best Budget
Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose
PHOTO: Eley
$39 at Eley
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Solid construction with heavy-duty material that&#;s durable
Didn&#;t kink at all and had good water flow
Red Flags
The 6.5-foot length doesn't work for larger yards (though there are many other lengths to choose from)
If you&#;re seeking a heavy-duty hose that will hold up for many years of use, this hose is a good bet. It&#;s made with a thick polyurethane &#; a solid plastic that is strong with some flexibility &#; and a lead-free brass ring. It didn&#;t kink during our tests, so it should handle wear and tear with ease.
It wasn&#;t a hard hose to use apart from its short length. The water flow was good, and the actual hose was easy to grip. The short length (that pairs up with this excellent budget-friendly price) would best be used in small yards, possibly behind an apartment or patio home. Larger houses will absolutely need a longer hose, and this one is available with options up to 200 feet (with price increases accordingly).
Echoing our lab results, our team found this hose to work well at home, too. We ended up stopping testing early because the hose didn&#;t reach the majority of our yard, but the construction definitely held up despite outdoor use. With a larger length, we think this hose could be of great value.
Length: 6.5 ft. | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass fittings
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
Best Flexible
Flexzilla Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$40 at Amazon
$38 at Walmart
$90 at Ace Hardware
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Grippy silicone handles make it easy to work with
Sturdy and easy to straighten out
No leakage and has strong abrasion-resistant polymer construction
Red Flags
Heavy when full, making it a bit challenging to maneuver
Bright yellow color may not appeal to everyone
Scoring just a half point below our overall winner, this Flexzilla water hose comes in a bright yellow color that&#;s easy to spot in the yard. It scored a 5 out of 5 in design for straightening out nicely and being as heavy as expected. We liked the squishy silicone handles on both ends. They provide a good grip and make it easy to attach the hose to a spigot.
There was no leakage, but the hose was heavy when full, making it hard to swing over things while moving it around the yard. We gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use. The Flexilla closed out testing with a pair of 5 scores for durability and value. The hose was sturdy with a great grip, and it did not kink at all. This is thanks to the unique abrasion-resistant polymer construction that allows for fantastic flexibility (hence the name). We think it would hold up for a long time and noted that it&#;s got an affordable price point considering the quality.
Length: Up to 100 ft. | Material: Flexible hybrid polymer | Type of Couplings: Metal with O-ring
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
Best Heavy-Duty
Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$46 at Amazon
$45 at Walmart
$37 at Home Depot
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Fit for commercial use with crush-proof metal couplings and industrial reinforcing
Not too heavy, even when filled with water
Screwed into the nozzles and spigot easily
Red Flags
Black rubber material got very hot after being in the sun
This garden hose was very durable in our testing and had a decent length to cover a lot of surface area. It's even fit for commercial use with its crush-proof metal couplings and industrial-style reinforcing to allow for heavy water flow. However, the black rubber material got very hot from sitting out in the sun, leading our testers to give it a score of 4 out of 5 for design.
In the remaining three categories, however (ease of use, durability, and value), the Briggs and Stratton hose scored a 5 out of 5. It was easy to carry and not too heavy when filled with water, and it screwed onto nozzles and spigots very easily. It held up well when dragged across surfaces, and the material felt like it would hold up to a lot of use. We think it's a great value for such a durable hose.
After one month of testing this hose at home, our tester has used it regularly to water their garden with no complaints. They also used it for washing patio furniture and garage cleaning. It is a bit short, but overall, we don&#;t think this hose needs any improvement.
Length: Up to 100 ft. | Material: Heavy-duty rubber | Type of Couplings: Nickel-plated brass
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek
The 9 Best Grills of , Tested with 9 Types of Meats and Vegetables
Best Lightweight
Flexi Hose Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$85 at Amazon
View on Flexihose.com
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Hose was easiest to maneuver around the yard
Good price for quality and value of features
Has stopper to keep water from free-flowing when you turn on the spigot.
Red Flags
Got caught on some patio furniture and a rake during lab testing, but this wasn&#;t an issue when testing at home
This flexible, lightweight hose is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to water their plants and flowers with ease. It coils without difficulty but also twists for flexible usage. The hose visibly expanded while the water was flowing, so you&#;re less likely to leave it on by accident. It was very lightweight to move around, but did get stuck on a rake in our testing; we also had to pull hard to get it around outdoor furniture.
The pressure was released while the water was running, so you have to control the release somewhat. We also noticed the hose actually stretched more when the water was on. There&#;s also a water shut-off valve feature should you need to move between areas or switch nozzles without wanting to turn the water off completely at the source. Despite being lightweight, the double latex material is quite strong and seems durable.
We tested this hose for up to six months, and it became part of our tester&#;s outdoor maintenance routine. The massive length allows you to move freely around your yard and get plants even on the other side of your house. We loved the stopper at the end of the hose, so you can turn the water off so it doesn&#;t start flowing out as soon as you turn on the spigot. We think this hose is one of the most versatile we tried &#; even allowing us to spray down patio umbrellas and furniture after the heavy-pollen season.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: Double latex piping | Type of Couplings: Solid brass fittings
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
Best 100-Foot
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$68 at Amazon
$68 at Wayfair
$68 at Lowe's
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Length is double that of most other hoses we tested
Easy to coil and uncoil
Heavy-duty hardware will last over time
Red Flags
One of the highest prices on our list
Everything about this aluminum garden hose was easy to use. With a length double those of most other hoses we tested, it still remained manageable to carry around. The zero-G hose was easy to connect, coil up, and uncoil to use. Maneuvering around buckets in our testing was a breeze, and the heavy-duty hardware impressed us. This is due to the coiled design, which helps keep the hose effortlessly serpentine and gliding through grass, dirt, and gravel without kinking. It's also puncture-resistant, so you can carry it with you through tough jobs without worrying about wearing away the material.
While the zero-G hose was more expensive than some others, we thought it was a good price for this hose. Yes, it&#;s more expensive, but it worked much better than others and it was very long. If you&#;ve got a space that calls for a longer hose, this one could fit the bill.
Over six months, this hose became an integral part of our garden routine, watering the grass and plants almost daily. It helped speed up the process with its ease of use and sturdy construction (no kinks!). It performs with solid pressure while still being lightweight to move around. Despite using this hose every day for months, there were absolutely no signs of wear and tear.
Length: 100 ft. | Material: Woven | Type of Couplings: Metal
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
Best Coil
Water Right Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$45 at Amazon
$79 at Pottery Barn
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Durable material doesn&#;t easily kink or tangle
Spiral shape makes it compact and easy to store
Red Flags
Only about 20 feet of usable length, which may not be enough for some yards
A coil hose is one of the most durable options you can buy because they are hard to damage. Unlike a traditional hose, these do not easily tangle or kink and are easy to store since they bunch back up into place. We loved how sturdy this coil hose was during testing, and can confirm it&#;s easy to use. It&#;s not super long (shorter than most of the ones we tested), but it gets the job done and is lightweight to drag around.
The design was almost chic (a rare quality among garden hoses) and facilitated quick access and use (rather than having to slowly unreel a regular hose). The polyurethane material is thick and sturdy and should last for many years despite exposure to the elements. Considering the quality and performance of this hose, we think the price is very fitting.
Over the six months we tested this hose at home, it has held up well. It doesn&#;t extend as far as most other hoses we tested or snake around corners as neatly, but it works well. The manufacturer says that it&#;s 25 feet in length, but due to the tightness of the coils, it really only extends up to 20 feet. The materials are high quality and it doesn&#;t leak, so we think it will be durable for quite some time.
Length: 25 ft. | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson
Best Soaker
H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$19 at Amazon
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver
Material feels exceptionally durable despite dragging it across rocks and a rake
Dispensed water consistently (supposedly two gallons in two minutes)
Red Flags
Did not load well onto a reel
Soaker hoses are great for consistently and steadily watering ground plants without having to stand and administer the water yourself. Simply snake the flat hose throughout the plants, turn on the water, and allow it to slowly leak through the tiny holes throughout the hose until you've sufficiently wet the ground.
This soaker hose performed well in testing, despite the "soaking" feature being a bit deceiving. It felt like watching a cool science experiment, seeing the water condensate on the outside of the hose. It doesn't seem like it would get the ground particularly wet; however, the brand claims that it dispenses two gallons in two minutes.
The hose was extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, and after dragging it through rocks and a rake, the hose held up in perfect condition. It was durable, dispensed consistent water, and is priced affordably. The only major con we found was that this hole kinks a lot when loading on a reel, perhaps due to its flat shape. A pot or hanger would be better suited for storing this type of hose.
Due to the soaking nature of this hose, it didn&#;t become as much a part of our gardening routine as a regular hose might have. During home testing, we found it somewhat tricky to use for an entire garden since it doesn&#;t straighten easily to guide water toward a particular plant. However, it can easily connect to another hose if needed, and we appreciate the bright color and length.
Length: 50 ft. | Material: PVC | Type of Couplings: Brass
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Rachel Marek
Best Expandable
TheFitLife Garden Hose
PHOTO: Walmart
$20 at Walmart
Our Ratings
Star Qualities
Lightweight at just 4.5 pounds
Very durable &#; no fraying, even after being rubbed on top of rocks
Stretches to 100 feet and returns to original length within seconds
Red Flags
May be too short if you&#;ve got more than a small garden or patio to water
At just 4.5 pounds, this fabric hose's core is made of a triple-layer latex wrapped with interwoven elasticated fabric, stretching to 100 feet from its original 33-foot length. Within seconds, it returns to its original length for you to coil and stow away easily. Of all the fabric hoses we tested, this one felt the most durable to our team with its high-quality materials. While some other expandable models would snag on rocks in testing, this one did not. Easy to coil and lightweight when empty, it&#;s got a shutoff switch attached to the solid brass fitting at the end of the hose, and it was easy to attach to a spigot. When it was full of water, the hose remained stretchy but still durable, and it was easy to walk around with while testing.
It goes back to its original size very quickly for easy moving around and it did not kink at all while being dragged across the ground. This short hose would be a good pick if you had a small garden or patio you needed to water.
We tested this garden hose for three months, and its expandable design made it a great asset for our gardening needs. It&#;s lightweight and easy to move around the yard, yet has a heavy-duty construction. We had no trouble reeling it in, and it takes up very little space. It&#;s also easy to tell when all the water is drained from this hose compared to other rubber hoses.
Length: 25 ft. | Material: Multi-layer latex | Type of Couplings: Brass with shutoff valve
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: PEOPLE / Henry Wortock
As a veteran gardener, I love expandable hoses. They&#;re light, agile and kink-free. The Flexi Hose maneuvers around obstacles with ease and is less likely to damage plants in its wake than a heavy rubber hose.
After sending way too many kinky and inferior hoses to the landfills, I&#;ll admit, I&#;ve become a hose snob. I bought my first expandable hose at a home and garden show before they were ever &#;Seen on TV&#; and I never wanted to use anything else again. When the plastic connectors popped off within a month, I was devastated that I couldn&#;t find them in the big box stores&#;yet.
I generally use a reliable 50-foot hybrid polymer hose plus an expandable hose for maximum maneuverability. When you&#;ve been gardening as long as I have, it&#;s a pain to drag around a heavy hose.
To top it off, I&#;m hard on hoses. I try to take care of them, but I&#;ve definitely been hosed in the past with subpar products. As a result, I&#;m pretty darn picky now and I&#;ll pay more for quality. Expanding hoses have been around for decades now. Unfortunately, my experience is that they only last a season or two. I had to find out why 49,000 Amazon customers love the Flexi Hose, for myself.
What is a Flexi Hose?Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman
Flexi Hose is a kink-free expandable garden hose that shrinks to a compact size and fits into a small box when not in use. It expands up to three times its length and is super soft to the touch. This hose is absolutely kink-free and easily travels with you.
Flexi Hose comes with a rotating spray nozzle with eight settings. With the 3/4-inch diameter and brass connectors, expect great water pressure. If you&#;re looking for lightweight, this 50-foot hose only weighs 4.69 pounds. Flexi Hose is available in 25, 50, 75 and 100-foot lengths and has four color options.
Product FeaturesFlexi Hose is not only lightweight and flexible, it&#;s strong. It&#;s been tested for over uses and is designed for heavy-duty use. The four-ply inner tube is puncture resistant. The crush-proof solid brass fitting has a convenient on/off toggle and is adjustable to control water pressure. Bonus points for four extra rubber washers included in the package.
How We Tested ItSheri Kaz/Family Handyman
At the dawn of the spring, I pulled out my trusty Flexzilla hose and the expandable hose that I purchased three years ago (with a five-year warranty). I winterized them and stored them in the garage. But the expandable hose sprung a gusher before the gardening season even began.
I have a 1/4-acre property and no water spigot in the front, so an expandable hose is a necessity to reach the far corners of the lot. When the Flexi Hose arrived, I was struck by how strong the outer material felt compared to other expandable hoses I&#;ve owned. Once filled with water, it felt more substantial than others and very smooth. It felt less like fabric and more like strong vinyl. I was immediately impressed.
Maneuverability with the Flexi Hose was sleeker than others, it slid through the tall dry grass and around rocks without a hitch. I love that this hose doesn&#;t need to be wound up after each use, whereas other hoses can grow mold or damage grass if left on the lawn. Flexi Hose quickly shrivels into a soft little pile that can be stowed in a flower pot.
One of my least favorite chores in the fall is finding room in my single-car garage to store my big rubber hose. Whereas an expandable hose takes up such little space it might even be hard to spot in the spring.
Ample Water PressureSheri Kaz/Family Handyman
I was blown away by the pressure that came out of this garden hose, especially compared to the previous expandable hoses. It&#;s sized properly for a standard outdoor faucet with 3/4-inch fittings and diameter for maximum flow (no wonder the others blew up so quickly). It works really well to clean the patio using the spray nozzle on the jet or angle setting. The user manual warns that water pressure must be in the range of 40-145 PSI. Not sure what that means for you? Learn more about water pressure from our Family Handyman experts.
Nozzles and Sprinkler HeadsI used all my favorite nozzles and sprinkler heads with the Flexi Hose. When using the sprinklers I fully extended the hose out about 20 feet, set it down and turned on the water. Once it was filled with water, I could stretch it out to its 50-foot length, but I got wet. My former expandable hoses couldn&#;t handle a sprinkler head without recoiling. Although light, this garden hose has bulk that keeps it in place when using the soaker or a sprinkler.
Multi-function Nozzle IncludedSheri Kaz/Family Handyman
It&#;s nice to have a free lightweight spray head. My last expandable hose seemed too fragile for the solid metal Dramm I enjoy using. The eight features on the Flexi Hose spray nozzle work for almost any situation, from soaker mode to mist, I easily adjusted the flow of water to match my needs by using the toggle on the fitting.
ProsLightweight
Kink-free
Easy to use
Spray nozzle included
Compact
Solid brass hardware
Pricey
Some users report snags with concrete surfaces
Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman
What is the downside of expandable hoses?In my experience, the biggest downside is longevity compared to more durable hoses. The fittings pop off or they develop a gushing leak near the faucet. Getting a longer hose than you need helps to reduce over-pulling and stress near the spigot.
The lack of longevity is one of the reasons why I searched for a reliable 50-foot polymer hybrid hose in addition to an expandable hose. Getting a properly sized expandable hose (3/4-inch) will reduce water pressure stress. Likewise, hoses with brass fittings are stronger than plastic fittings.
Storing your new expandable hose in the shade will also help to prolong its life.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say&#;This is a great hose&#;, says five-star Amazon reviewer Jay Handley, adding, &#;I could really not be any happier with this purchase. This is a highly flexible and durable product. I had purchased a half-inch cheaper hose and had no water pressure from my garden spigot. This hose which is 3/4-inch works beautifully and provides a great flow. There are cheaper flexible hoses on the market but this one is made to last. Great product!&#;
Another verified Amazon reviewer, Fagan E. Brown wrote, &#;I recently purchased the Flexi Hose with the 8 Function Nozzle, and I must say, it has been a game-changer for my gardening needs. This expandable garden hose has exceeded my expectations in every way, making watering and cleaning tasks a breeze.&#;
Product ComparisonThe Flexi Hose has a 3/4-inch flow to accommodate high-pressure watering, compared to cheaper 5/8-inch expandable hoses. The fabric itself feels stronger than other expanding hoses I&#;ve owned and it&#;s significantly lighter than rubber hoses. Plus, it&#;s kink-free, unlike plastic hoses.
Final VerdictI was so happy when the Flexi Hose arrived that I&#;ve now come to rely on an expandable hose. They&#;re easier to carry, drag and store. The Flexi Hose is less likely to take out a pepper plant than a heavy rubber hose and generally makes watering a joy, rather than a chore.
This hose easily navigates and avoids obstacles so I can water the flowers and bushes behind my fence with its generous flow. Flexi Hose feels solid and strong with its brass couplings and strong material.
The free spray nozzle is a bonus and it was extra nice of them to include four extra washers. This expanding hose works great and based on its construction I&#;m confident it will last longer than the last ones.
If you&#;ve never experienced an expandable hose, you&#;ll love the kink-free feature that Flexi Hose offers. No more struggling, tugging and wasting time winding it up.
Where to Buy the Flexi Hosevia merchant
Flexi Hose makes watering fast, fun and easy. You&#;ll be a smooth operator with this slick expandable hose. Grab one today at Home Depot or Walmart for around $60.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Flexible Rubber Hose.