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Best Retractable Water Hoses

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Twinkle Star Retractable Hose
Twinkle Star
Retractable Hose
Extra Long

With a hose length of 98.5 feet, this option is great for use on a larger lawn.

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Extra Long
Bottom Line

With a hose length of 98.5 feet, this option is great for use on a larger lawn.

Pros

Locks automatically at any length, and shortens with a simple tug. Retraction ability is slow for added safety, and the casing comes fitted with a plastic stopper to avoid any damage. The 9-pattern nozzle includes a jet and mist setting. Mounts to various wall types.

Cons

It can be a bit difficult to pull the hose out. The spray nozzle is not the best quality.

Giraffe Tools Retractable Hose Reel
Giraffe Tools
Retractable Hose Reel
Customer Favorite

This option has a flexible hose reel that can be locked at a preferred length for convenient use.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This option has a flexible hose reel that can be locked at a preferred length for convenient use.

Pros

Hose is 84 feet in length in addition to a 6-foot lead-in hose. Comes with a 9-pattern nozzle, has automatic rewind capability, and a carrying handle for easy use throughout the yard. Can be wall-mounted.

Cons

The automatic rewind is very fast, making it potentially unsafe for kids to be around when it’s retraction.

DEWENWILS 1/2 in x 100 ft. Retractable Hose Reel
DEWENWILS
1/2 in x 100 ft. Retractable Hose Reel
Portable Option

A convenient retractable hose with a long reach, length lock, and a carry handle for portable use.

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Portable Option
Bottom Line

A convenient retractable hose with a long reach, length lock, and a carry handle for portable use.

Pros

Fits on standard 4 x 4 posts or cement. Long 100-foot hose offers extensive reach. Can lock at desired length. Retracts neatly without kinking. Weather-resistant hose and housing. Included carry handle for portable use. Swivels 180 degrees on its mount.

Cons

Long-term durability can be questionable.

BluBird RMX BluSeal Retractable Hose
BluBird
RMX BluSeal Retractable Hose
Durable & Rugged

A sturdy 50-foot hose that has the capability to handle up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit of water.

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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

A sturdy 50-foot hose that has the capability to handle up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit of water.

Pros

Hose is lightweight and flexible. UV-resistant and doesn’t kink easily. The steel casing is powder-coated for durability and resistance to rust, flaking, and other environmental elements. Comes with a spray nozzle.

Cons

The hose tends to come off the reel when retracting.

Sunneday 65 ft. 5/8 in. Retractable Garden Hose Reel
Sunneday
65 ft. 5/8 in. Retractable Garden Hose Reel
Flexible Retraction

A hose that offers slow rewinding, locking length, and a neat guidance system.

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Flexible Retraction
Bottom Line

A hose that offers slow rewinding, locking length, and a neat guidance system.

Pros

Gentle tug and release retraction. Stops and locks at specific desired length. Guidance system ensures neat rolling. Offers slow rewind when hose is dropped for controlled retraction. Mounting system swivels 180 degrees for flexibility.

Cons

Interior hose is not replaceable.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
October 14, 2021
35
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best retractable water hoses

Lauren Corona
Written by Lauren Corona

Updated October 2024

From watering flowers to washing your driveway, hoses are incredibly useful for a range of outdoor tasks, but they can be a pain to store, especially extra-long models. If you choose a retractable water hose, however, you can neatly wind up the hose when it’s not in use.

But how do you find the best retractable water hose? There are a couple of varieties of retractable hoses available. Pair that with all the features to pick between, and you might end up more confused than when you started. Our guide will tell you all you need to know about retractable water hoses, so you’ll wind up with the right model to fit your needs.

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Kinks in a hose can affect the way it retracts. Your retractable water hose should be flexible enough for easy maneuverability but not so flexible that it kinks easily.

Types of retractable water hoses

Retractable reel hoses

Retractable reel hoses are models that retract onto a reel. This reel normally needs to be mounted onto an exterior wall, but you can find freestanding options, which are great for renters who might not have permission from their landlord to make holes in the wall. What we like about retractable reel hoses is that they’re no different from standard hoses apart from their ability to retract, so you can expect the same quality and performance. You can find them in various lengths, diameters, and materials to best suit you.

Expandable hoses

They might be called expandable hoses, but in order to expand every time you use them, they must be able to retract when not in use. Expandable hoses have a concertina design. When water is running through the hose, the water pressure causes the hose to expand. When you turn off the water, the hose retracts back into its original shape. These hoses are less expensive and less bulky than retractable reel hoses, but they’re more prone to leaks.

Features

Manual vs. automatic retraction

Some retractable water hoses retract automatically, whereas others require a little input from you. Expandable water hoses automatically retract to their original size as soon as you turn the tap off, but you do need to coil them up by hand if you want to pack them away neatly. Some retractable reel hoses wind back onto the reel automatically when you press a button or pull the hose a particular way, but inexpensive models usually require you to retract the hose manually by cranking a lever.

Diameter

The diameter of your chosen retractable water hose dictates the amount of water flow. The larger the diameter of your hose, the more water comes out per second, but the heavier the hose is when full of water. The most common hose diameters are 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, and ¾-inch, though you can find slightly smaller and larger options. The most popular option is usually 5/8-inch because it’s a good compromise between weight and water flow.

Hose material

Not all hoses are created equal. Check the material of any retractable water hose you’re considering as it can mean the difference between a hose that will last you decades and one that will need replacing within a couple of years.

Vinyl hoses are inexpensive and lightweight, but they’re not the most durable options. They’re prone to splitting and cracking, especially when left outside between uses.

Rubber hoses are much more durable, able to stand up to sun exposure and cold temperatures without splitting. However, they are more expensive and heavier than vinyl options.

Hoses made from a rubber/vinyl composite are a good middle ground. They’re stronger and more durable than vinyl hoses and lighter and cheaper than pure rubber models.

Length

The length of hose you need depends on the size of your outdoor area. If your yard measures 20 feet end to end, a 100-foot hose will be overkill. Conversely, if you buy a 50-foot hose for a 100-foot yard, nothing farther than halfway down is going to get watered. Think about the size of your yard and choose a hose length accordingly.

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Expert Tip
Some retractable water hoses are reinforced with mesh to increase durability and decrease kinking.
STAFF
BestReviews

Price

How much should you expect to pay for a retractable water hose? Basic retractable water hoses, such as expandable models, start at around $20 to $40.

If you want a retractable reel hose, you’ll need to spend at least $60 to $100 for a mid-range option.

High-end retractable hoses can cost as much as $150 to $250, depending on the hose length

and material and the overall quality of the unit.

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Did you know?
Retractable water hoses with metal couplings are more durable and less prone to leaks than those with plastic couplings.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Check the hose’s burst pressure. This is the amount of water pressure it can withstand before springing a leak. We recommend a burst pressure of at least 350 psi.
  • Find out the overall weight of your chosen retractable water hose. The overall weight includes the weight of the reel if it’s not wall-mounted or you can lift it off its mounting. The hose shouldn’t be too heavy for you to comfortably handle.
  • Decide what kind of nozzle you need. Many retractable water hoses come with a spray nozzle that gives you several spray functions for tackling different outdoor tasks. Some, however, feature a simpler nozzle.
  • Consider how often you’ll use your retractable water hose. If you’re an avid gardener and you use your hose daily in warmer weather, it’s worth splashing out for a high-quality model. On the other hand, you can get away with a more basic hose if you only need to use it a couple times a year.
"A retractable water hose’s ply is the number of layers of material it’s constructed from. The more plies, the stronger the hose, but it will also be heavier and less flexible."
STAFF
BestReviews

Other products we considered

We considered a huge number of retractable water hoses on our mission to discover the best. Some were extremely close to making our top five and are worth your consideration. The Flexzilla Retractable Enclosed Plastic Air Hose Reel includes the excellent Flexzilla hose, which is flexible in all weathers, kink-resistant, and drinking water-safe. The reel it comes on is also highly durable and makes it easy to retract the hose. Another notable option is the TACKLIFE Wall-Mounted Retractable Garden Hose Reel. The 65-foot hose retracts automatically into its sturdy housing. It comes with an eight-function spray gun for tackling a multitude of outdoor tasks. Let’s not overlook the RL Flo-Master 65HR8 Retractable Hose Reel, which features a slow automatic retraction function and hose guide to prevent tangles when retracting. The hose itself is 65 feet long and has an eight-function nozzle.

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With some mounted retractable reel hoses, you can lift the whole reel from its mounting so that you can easily store it in a shed or garage during the winter.

FAQ

Q. Is it safe to drink from my retractable water hose?
A.
Whether it’s safe to drink from a hose depends on two factors: the water source the hose is linked to and the materials the hose is made from. Assuming the hose is connected to a safe source of water, check whether your chosen hose is listed as drinking water-safe. If it’s not, it may be made from materials that can leach harmful substances into the water, so you should avoid drinking from it and make sure kids and pets don’t drink from it either.


Q. Can I buy a reel to turn a standard hose into a retractable hose?
A.
While you can buy hose reels separately, it usually works out far cheaper to buy a retractable hose that’s already on a reel. Plus, you know that the hose is compatible with the reel, which isn’t always the case when you buy the hose and reel separately.


Q. How do I attach my retractable water hose to my outdoor tap?
A.
Outdoor taps are generally a standard size, so the coupling should screw straight onto the tap. If it’s not the correct size, you can buy an adapter to make your hose fit the tap.

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