Expandable garden hoses grow to their full length when they’re filled with water and shrink when they’re no longer in use, making them easy to store and maneuver around your yard.

To help you find the right hose for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best expandable garden hoses on the market.

In this review, we break down our top picks, talk about various features to look for when buying, and provide answers to some common questions.

Top 5 Expandable Garden Hoses

  • Most Lightweight: TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose
  • Best Nozzle Grip: Flexi Hose Expandable Hose Kit
  • Best Entry-Level: Xhose Expandable Garden Hose
  • Most Customizable: Flexi Hose Lightweight Expandable Garden Hose
  • Best for Organization: Rolio Retractable Garden Hose with Reel

Most Lightweight: TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a bonus spray nozzle with eight spraying patterns✔ The internal rubber washer prevents leaks✔ Is able to withstand a maximum pressure of 145 psi

Compare Top Expandable Garden Hoses

TheFitLife Flexible Garden Hose

  • $33
          Prices taken at time of publishing.

This ultra-light garden hose weighs less than 2 pounds, making it easy to transport around your yard. The FitLife hose expands up to 25 feet but shrinks down 9 feet when not in use. Additionally, it features a brass valve at the end for better control over the water flow rate during use.

✘ Relatively pricey for a hose that’s only 25 feet long✘ Some users couldn’t reach the maximum length of the hose under low pressure

What Customers Are Saying

The majority of users who reviewed this 25-foot expandable garden hose said that it worked as advertised. They added that the hose was durable and quickly shrank back to its previous length after they turned the water off. However, some users struggled to fully expand the hose unless the water pressure was turned up high.

Best Nozzle Grip: Flexi Hose 100-Foot Expandable Hose

✔ Comes with a lifetime warranty and replacement guarantee✔ Withstands hot and cold temperatures✔ Offers eight spray patterns

Flexi Hose 100-Foot Expandable Hose

  • $80

The versatile expandable hose kit comes with eight different spray patterns on its nozzle, which has a textured rubber handle for better grip. The hose can withstand high water pressures of up to 12 bars and water temperatures between 41 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. 

✘ Nozzle is reportedly flimsy ✘ Can be difficult to reach the company to take advantage of the lifetime replacement guarantee

Customers who liked the Flexi Hose found it lived up to its promise of being easy to use and store, remaining kink-free even when coiled. Unfortunately, some customers said that the spray nozzle felt a little flimsy. They also had difficulty finding information on the lifetime replacement guarantee.

Best Entry-Level: Xhose Expandable Garden Hose

✔ Comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty✔ Features weatherproof, reinforced DAC-5 fiber jacket✔ Available in multiple lengths

Xhose Expandable Garden Hose

  • $19

This 25-foot hose is offered at a competitive price. It has solid brass brush-resistant fittings and is made of high-performance DAC-5 fiber, making it as strong as other expandable garden hoses. It also has a standard 5/8-inch diameter for utility.

✘ May become hot to the touch when left in the sun✘ Doesn’t include a sprayer attachment

Customers who used other expandable hoses in the past said that this model outperformed their expectations, especially given its entry-level price. They mentioned that the hose didn’t experience any leaks and that the connectors felt high-quality. Alternatively, some customers said that the hose got too hot when left out in direct sunlight, and for select users, the hose material tore easily.

Most Customizable: Flexi Hose 50-Foot Expandable Hose

✔ Collapses down to a third of its expanded size✔ Resists cracking and rotting✔ Features puncture protection

Flexi Hose 50-Foot Expandable Hose

  • $65

This expandable garden hose is available in four sizes, allowing you to choose a model that fits your watering preferences. Like other Flexi Hose models, it can withstand water pressures up to 12 bars and temperatures up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for long-lasting use.

✘ Lacks handles or grips✘ Does not come with nozzles or reel

Most customers felt that this hose delivered on the company’s promises, with a few even saying that the most recent design was an improvement on earlier incarnations that had less sturdy tubes and connectors. However, some customers also reported low water pressures or leaks during use.

Best for Organization: Rolio Retractable Garden Hose with Reel

✔ Features highly visible reel for storage✔ Includes a 10-function sprayer nozzle✔ Shrinks to only 17 feet when the water is turned off

Rolio Retractable Garden Hose with Reel

  • $40

Though expandable garden hoses are designed not to kink, this one includes a handy reel to store it when it’s not in use. The reel not only prevents kinking in the retractable hose but will prolong its life. The sprayer includes functions such as mist, center, full, cone, and more.

✘ Heavier than some 50-foot competitor models✘ Reel may tip over during use

Happy reviewers of this retractable garden hose were attracted to it due to the included garden hose reel, which helped them stay organized in their backyard while minimizing the hose’s potential tripping hazard. Customers also appreciated that the hose came with a multi-function nozzle attachment. However, some customers didn’t like that the entire length of the hose needed to be un-reeled and re-reeled to properly store it.

Buying Guide for Expandable Garden Hoses

Before buying an expandable garden hose, it’s important to consider what features you require in your model. In this buying guide, we will break down length, hose material, and other factors that will inform your purchasing decision.

Length

Choose a hose that’s long enough to water your entire lawn and all of your plants. If you have a large yard, you may want a longer hose, but if you only need to water a few plants on your deck, a smaller hose will suffice.

Common hose lengths are 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. However, remember that a hose may not expand to its advertised length if your water pressure is low. For example, a 75-foot hose may only expand to 65 feet when hooked up to your spigot.

Fitting Material

The connectors that attach your hose to the water supply and to the nozzle can be made of different materials.

  • Plastic: Plastic is affordable, but it isn’t as durable as the other materials.
  • Brass: Brass won’t corrode or rust and is more durable than plastic.
  • Aluminum: Aluminum typically lasts longer than plastic but not as long as brass.

Core Material

The exterior of your hose will likely feature a durable fabric cover. However, the hose core can be made of one of two materials:

  • Latex: Hoses with a latex core usually have two, three, or four layers. A core with more layers will give you more protection, but it also makes the hose less flexible.
  • Thermoplastic copolyester: This material is heat-resistant and more durable than latex, but it’s also more expensive.

Nozzle

Some expandable hoses come with nozzles that allow you to change the spray pattern. Pay close attention to the product description of your hose to ensure you know whether a nozzle is included.

Some features to look for in a nozzle include an ergonomic design that helps with ease of use, durability, and several spray patterns. Although it costs a little more to buy a hose and nozzle separately, it may be worth it to find the right model for each one.

Color

The color of your expandable garden hose isn’t the most important consideration, but you may want a hose that’s highly visible and easy to spot in your backyard. Conversely, you might want a dark green hose that blends in with the color of your grass. It’s worth noting that black hoses will get hotter in direct sunlight than green, blue, or orange-colored hoses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expandable Garden Hoses

What are some of the disadvantages of purchasing an expandable garden hose?

Here are some of the most significant drawbacks of choosing an expandable hose:

  • It doesn’t last as long as a regular garden hose
  • It may be easier to puncture than a regular garden hose.
  • It’s difficult to locate and repair holes hidden by the fabric sheath

Is a hose reel necessary for a hose to work?

Hose reels are not necessary to operate expandable and regular garden hoses. Retractable hoses also don’t require a reel, although you may prefer to use one. Reels keep your garden hose organized and kink-free, so while they’re not necessary, they are helpful.

How can I maintain my garden hose?

To maintain your hose, follow these tips:

  • Turn the water off when the hose isn’t in use
  • Store the hose out of direct sunlight
  • Keep the hose away from sharp objects
  • Drain the hose after using it
  • Keep your hose in a safe, dry spot
  • Invest in a hose holder or, better yet, build a wooden hose holder yourself

Can I fix my expandable garden hose if it has a leak?

Most expandable hoses can’t be fixed once they start leaking because of the material they’re made of. If you notice that your hose leaks, consider reaching out to the manufacturer, especially if your hose is under warranty. Otherwise, consider purchasing a new one.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.