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Let's take a look at the garden hose that's best suited for your horticultural needs.
Hosing About
A hose is essential for watering a large area and saves you endless trips back and forth with a watering can even if you only have a small yard.
In addition, if you're a container gardener, a hose means you can make your garden vertical - giving you more space to grow the plants you love.
The 5 Best Garden Hoses - Reviews
Best for Light Watering: APEX REM, 15ft
The Apex REM is a 15ft 3-ply remnant hose designed for light watering only. Being a hose remnant, it is not durable enough to cope with regular high-pressure use.
This hose comes with brass connectors although it can be difficult to attach these securely enough to prevent leaks whilst the hose is in use.
“Overall, this would be adequate for light low-pressure watering of delicate flowers, small herb planters, and plant containers.”
Pros
Affordable
Cons
Only suitable for light watering/low pressure systems
Connectors can be tricky to fit securely
Value for Money?
As long as you're aware of what you're buying and that this hose is not designed for high-pressure systems, this is an affordable way to make watering your garden that bit easier.
Most Puncture-Resistant: Metal Garden Hose, 50ft
This is a stainless steel 50ft garden hose designed to withstand everything, from fraying to dog bites! It also comes in 25ft, 75ft, and 100ft lengths, so, whatever the size of your garden, there'll be a hose to suit.
The hose is lightweight and the output is smaller than an average hose making it ideal for watering containers - especially those planted with delicate plants. However, it can get a little frustrating for larger areas of more durable planting.
“As with many hoses, it can be a struggle to get the connector tight enough to avoid leaks.”
This hose does not twist or kink which ensures that water flow is not inhibited during use.
Pros
Puncture-resistant and fray-resistant
Non-kink
Lightweight
Ideal for watering delicate planting areas
Cons
Smaller output than average hose
Difficult to get connector tight enough to avoid leaks
Value for Money?
If you're a container gardener, and your “garden” is a concrete yard, this hose could be a good investment. The smaller output means you won't flood your pots when watering, while the stainless steel hose won't snag on the rough ground of your yard.
Best for Rough Terrain: Flexzilla Garden Lead-In Hose
Available in lengths from 3ft (ideal for watering your windowsill herbs) to 100ft, the Flexzilla hose lays flat and coils easily. It will not kink whilst in use. It is also abrasion-resistant, making it suitable for use on rough terrain or in concrete yards.
The connectors on this hose are easy to fit tight and are not prone to leaks. However, they can blow out under high pressure so be aware of this when using.
Also, it is necessary to periodically remove the hose from the spigot over the course of the season and allow it to dry out. When left wet, it is prone to developing mold.
“The hose itself is lightweight making it ideal for older gardeners or those with limited upper body strength.”
Pros
Abrasion-resistant – won't scuff or rip on rough ground
Lightweight
Cons
Needs to be dried out regularly to prevent mold
Value for Money?
This is a reasonably priced lightweight hose.
Best Long Hose: GrowGreen 50ft Expandable Hose
The GrowGreen hose expands to 50ft from a starting 17ft with water pressure (larger and smaller options are also available, from 25ft to 100ft). This gives you the benefit of a long hose without the hassle of having to store 50ft of hose which can get bulky!
It is lightweight which makes it easy to carry over larger areas without back or shoulder pain. It does perform better with low pressure systems, however, the connectors fit snugly and easily.
“Customer service also seem to address issues around poor quality of individual hoses very promptly and professionally.”
Pros
Lightweight
Easy to store
Good customer service
Cons
Best with low-pressure systems
Value for Money?
A reasonably priced hose that is ideal for general-purpose gardening work.
Best for Water Flow: Apex Never Kink 25ft Hose
While this hose, like all hoses, does kink, it doesn't hold those kinks whilst in use and therefore water flow is not impeded.
The Apex Never Kink is a lightweight hose that is ideally suited to light gardening work. The connectors attach easily and securely to minimise leaks, and the hose itself is durable.
“This hose also comes in a 50ft option.”
Pros
Kinks fall away once in use
Lightweight
Connectors fit easily and securely
Cons
None that we could find
Value for Money?
This is a reasonably priced durable hose which is ideally suited to general gardening needs as well as other general-purpose uses.
If you liked our garden hose reviews, please share it with your Garden Club! And do check out our list of the best garden hose nozzles to see what's fresh this year.
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