That beautiful lawn or those healthy plants in your garden will not just happen. It takes a lot of care and watering to grow healthy plants and so a garden hose is always a must-have in every home.

Garden hoses come in various types and for different uses. Whether you want something for multipurpose or general use, for soaking or sprinkling there is a hose out there for you.

These hoses will also differ in factors like length, diameter, weight, material and also the types of couplings and fittings that they use.

What this means is that you will have plenty of options to pick from when choosing one for your yard or garden. But, you should always aim to get the best garden hose for your particular needs.

With our reviews of some the best garden hoses in the market and buying guide below, it should be easier for you to pick something that will be helpful in your lawn or garden.

You can also read other product reviews such as expandable hose, soaker hose, hose reel, garden hose wand, garden sprayer.

14 Best Garden Hoses - Reviews

A garden hose might seem and look like a simple equipment but there is much more to it than you might think. Below we compare different types and brands using factors like length, material, and diameter to help you choose one that suits your needs.

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

The Dramm ColorStorm is a heavy duty all-purpose garden hose that features a heavy-duty rubber construction and with some crush-poof, nickel-plated couplings.

This no kink garden hose is hot water resistant up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will always coil easily even when the weather is cold.

The 50-foot long hose comes with an inside diameter of 5/8 inch which will work with most household spigots, and it uses a sure grip technology with a durable cover that is also resistant to abrasion.

With this heavy-duty hose, you will also get to choose from six colors that include red, blue, green, yellow, orange and berry.

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

The Briggs and Stratton 8BS50 is one of the toughest items on our garden hose reviews, and it will be ideal for various applications in the garden and lawn.

This heavy-duty rubber hose comes in 25, 50 and 75 feet length options, and so you can be confident of finding something that suits your garden.

The males and female couplings are nickel plated brass, and they are tough enough to withstand regular abuse.

Also, the hose features an industrial-style reinforcing to provide high burst strength. It will also come with a rubber washer that ensures a watertight connection.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

This kink-free garden hose from Teknor Apex is a great product for you if you hate having to deal with annoying kinks every time you want to use your hose.

It is a heavy duty water hose that will be great for general use around the home and it is available in 50, 75 and 100-foot length options. And it is also available in both 5/8 and 3/4-inch diameter options.

The industrial strength aluminum couplings on the hose are lead-free and also both leak and crush-proof to ensure that the hose serves you for a long time.

With this garden hose, you will also never have to worry about mold and mildew as it has Microshield to prevent them. 

And it will also remain flexible even when the temperature falls as low as 45 degrees which makes it great for use all seasons and one of the best rubber garden hoses out there.

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

This Gilmour Flexogen garden hose is a more affordable option on our list for anyone shopping for a heavy-duty multipurpose hose on a tight budget.

The garden hose is available in 25, 50, 75 and 100-foot options and it is as tough as it can get thanks to the patented 8-layer construction.

Gilmour uses some crush and corrosion-resistant brass connections that will last for the lifetime of the hose. And you never have to worry about kinks as it comes with stainless steel springs that are useful in preventing kinks at the spigot connection.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

If you are looking for a cost-effective and reliable irrigation solution for your garden this Miracle Gro soaker hose will be very useful.

The fully customizable irrigation hose makes it easy to customize the watering in your garden by cutting and joining the section to suit your needs.

With this garden hose, you will get a couple of male connectors with caps and female connectors to go with them. The hose is available in 50, 75 and 100-foot options and with a 3/8-inch diameter.

There is also minimum water wastage with this hose as it will save up to 70% of the water that you would use with a standard garden hose.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

Melnor Flat Soaker is the cheapest garden hose on our list and it also comes in a pack of two to offer you even more value. But, despite the affordable price tag, it is still a high quality and reliable garden soaker hose.

You get to choose between 25, 50, 75-foot length options when buying this hose and so you can be confident of finding something that suits your garden size.

It has a compact design that makes storage easy and a diameter of 3/4 inch that will fit most garden hose threads. And the hose has some rust-resistant end cups that make it possible to connect several of these hoses.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

If consistent soaking is your main concern, this Teknor Apex garden soaker hose will be the perfect choice for you. It guarantees even soaking on both flat and uphill terrain and you can link up to 400-foot of this hose.

Weeping pores on the hose are what allows for even soaking, and the water goes directly to the root.  The soil soaker will also help to save up to 30% water when irrigating.

This gardening hose is also more flexible for easy handling and winding, and placement is also quick and easy as it will lay flat.

The soaker hose is available in 75 and 100-foot length options which will be ideal for most households.

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

Expandable garden hoses are very convenient as they are both easy to store and handle. This GrowGreen one comes in 4 length options (25, 50, 75 and 100-foot) and it is one of the few types that will actually get to the full length when full of water.

It is also the most long-lasting option on our expandable garden hose reviews, but what many users will love about it is that it will never kink, twist or tangle even when in storage.

This top rated garden hose offers an amazing space efficiency as it starts out at just 17 feet, and you will also get some great add-ins on your purchase that include a shutoff valve and storage sack.

Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)

The incredibly durable Hospaip expandable garden hose might cost more than most other 50-foot expandable hoses, but you pay for what you get.

Flexibility, durability, and ease of storage are all guaranteed with this expandable hose. For durability, the hose uses a double latex core and tough polyester cover while the ability to expand to three times its size is what guarantees flexibility.

The lightweight overall construction and the free storage bag make storage easy and more convenient but there is more to it than this.

With this hose, you will also get an 8 function spray nozzle that will be very handy for a variety of applications and also saves you on the cost of having to buy one separately.

Editor's Rating: (4.7 / 5)

You do not have to spend much on your expandable garden hose because an affordable one like this GenLed one can still work fine.

But besides the affordable price tag, this is also a highly reliable garden hose that will feature a triple latex core and some high-quality fitting that can withstand wide temperature fluctuations.

This garden hose is also compatible with various spray nozzle attachments and so it will be useful for a variety of other applications, besides from gardening. And you can get it in blue and green colors and it 25, 50 and 75-foot length options.

Editor's Rating: (4.2 / 5)

Camco Premium hose is one of the best water hoses out there as it is not only relatively affordable but is also heavy duty and will not give the water a rubbery taste.

The water hose is available in 10, 25, 35 and 50-foot options and it is lead, phthalate, and BPA-free to ensure that the water remains clean and safe.

The 5/8-inch inside diameter will fit most faucets and it also has some machined fittings and strain relief ends to improve its lifespan.

This water hose is up to 20% thicker than regular garden hoses and it also has an anti-kink design for durability and convenience.

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

This slim and light water hose from Water Right is the most expensive item on our list. But, the high price comes from the fact that it is tough and durable and will last for many years.

It is available in 25, 50, 75 and 100-foot lengths and although it is soft, flexible and slim, it will never kink permanently.

You can also be confident that this water hose is safe as it does not contain any lead, BPA or other toxic chemicals. And it has some industrial grade and lead-free brass fittings that are also long lasting and crush resistant.

Another factor that makes this one of the best garden hoses out there is that it will remain flexible in all weather conditions including in sub-freezing temperatures and when the temperatures go as high as 140 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

Coiled hoses are some of the best flexible garden hoses out there, and this is more so if you get one like this from a reputable company like Water Right.

The lead-free and drinking water safe hose is available in 25, 50 and 75-foot length options, and six fantastic color options that include cranberry and olive green.

This lightweight hose comes in a compact size for easy storage but it stretches out to several times its size when full of water to make it very handy for small watering needs around the house.

And it has a 3/8-inch diameter to make it compatible with most spigots and some chrome plated and machined brass fittings.

Editor's Rating:  (4.3 / 5)

Flexon PCH5850 is one of the best-rated garden hoses out there if you are looking for a reliable and durable coiled garden hose.

The hose is 50-foot long and with a 5/8-inch diameter to make it more suitable for use on most spigots, and to ensure excellent water flow and pressure.

This self-coiling garden hose is UV resistant and with a weather resistant outer cover. It will also recoil without kinking or tangling and also comes with some solid brass compression couplings and coil spring hose protector.

Types of Garden Hoses

You may not realize the wide variety of garden hoses available on the market until you start shopping for one. While the many hose and types from different manufacturers is a great thing as it offers more you options, it can make it hard for you to pick one.

But, knowing some of the most common types is always very helpful. Here are 5 of these common garden hose types.

1. Soaker Hose

With soaker hoses, gardeners have the freedom to lay them below a thin layer of mulch, bury them under the surface or even 6 or more inches into the ground.

Soaker hoses will work best for relatively flat gardens and you can get them in diameters of between 1/4 and 3/4 inch.

2. Flat Hose

Some will come with reels but many others will not, and so it is important to make sure that they are compatible with your existing reels.

Most flat hoses are made from vinyl for maximum flexibility, and so they are more prone to kinking and puncturing than most other garden hose types.

Also, they do not work very well when you have to pull them around a corner. And you have to spread them out completely before you can turn on the water.

These garden hoses are the best option when you have limited storage space and you intend to use them in a straight line and on a level surface.

3. Coiled Hose

However, because of the coils, most will not stretch out to full length and so a 25-foot hose will in most cases stretch out to about 20 feet.

Coiled hoses are best for use in smaller areas and for hand watering. But storing them can be hard as they tangle when you place them in storage bins, and the coils can get caught on wall hangers.

4. Expandable Hose

However, these hoses tend to be more prone to rupturing because they have a thin, non-reinforced and very flexible inner tube. Hence you should not leave them exposed to the sun for extended periods.

5. Sprinkler Hose

For the hose to work as a sprinkler the tiny holes must be facing up. But you can use it as the soaker if you keep the holes facing downwards.

Sprinkler hoses are ideal for watering irregular parts of the yard, raised bed or newly seeded sections. However, you cannot weave them around plants or tight sections and they will not work well in a bed with taller plants or shrubs.

How to Buy the Best Garden Hoses

A garden hose is an important element in keeping the plants in your garden in good health and so it is important to make sure that you choose the best.

And while our reviews will help to narrow down your choice it is still vital to consider the following points when choosing your garden hose.

Length

A good garden hose should be long enough to reach all the corners of the yard because anything short will be very inconvenient unless you have several water faucets all over the garden.

Most garden hoses will come in 50, 75 or 100 feet, and contrary to what most people think, you should not just go for the longest. Instead, go for the length that you need.

A simple way to determine the right length is to measure the distance between the spigot and the furthest corner of the garden.  What you get will be the minimum hose length that you need.

Diameter

Garden hoses will come in various diameters. But, picking the right one should not be a problem as you only need to go for something that is as wide as your pipes.

For most households, a hose with a 1/2-inch diameter should be perfect. However, the 5/8-inch ones can also work well, but they are likely to add unnecessary weight.

If you want a hose for doing a lot of watering or for commercial landscaping applications, something wider like the 3/4-inch garden hoses can also work well.

Material

The material determines the durability of the garden hose, and since you do not want to buy a new hose every other season, it is a crucial factor that you cannot afford to overlook.

Most garden hoses will be made from vinyl and rubber. Some will have a combination of the two materials while others will use either.

Vinyl hoses tend to be inexpensive but less durable while rubber ones are flexible, durable and can withstand a wide range of temperature.

And besides, from picking between rubber and vinyl, you will also need to choose the right duty from the four main options which are light, medium, heavy and super duty as this also determines the price and durability.

Hose Strength

The hose or PSI strength is the maximum amount of pressure that the garden hose can withstand. And this information should be clear from the hose description.

A high PSI strength means that the hose can handle higher water pressure spikes without puncturing or tearing. And this is vital for keeping it in good shape for long.

If you intend to use the hose on a sprinkler or anything else with high pressure you should make sure that it has a PSI of at least 350.

Hose Couplings

Couplings will connect the garden hose to your faucet and other watering tools and so they are an important part of the hose that you also need to consider.

Brass or metal couplings are way much better than plastic ones as they are more durable and they will withstand constant pulling, twisting and temperature fluctuations.

However, plastic couplings can also be quite convenient as they can be molded in various ways and require minimal hand strength to tighten and loosen on the outdoor faucet.

Conclusion

A garden hose is a must have if you want to keep your yard or garden in good shape. Not only does it provide an efficient way of watering plants but it can also help to save water.

With the many garden hose types out there from various brands, picking one can be a little tedious. But, this is only so if you do not know what to look for on the best garden hose.

Once you understand what the different types like coiled, sprinkler, soaker and expandable hoses are all about, and consider factors like hose diameter, length and strength it will be easier for you to pick the right one for your home.

All in all, the garden hose that you pick should provide sufficient water flow, be easy to handle and also be easy and convenient to handle.