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Oct 17, 2024

The Best Hose Reels We’ve Ever Tested

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. We tested 26 popular hose reels to narrow down the very best. Rachel covers all

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

We tested 26 popular hose reels to narrow down the very best.

Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating.

In This Article

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

Hose reels keep your garden hose stored and tidy so you don’t need to worry about tripping over it or dealing with pesky kinks that get in the way of yard work. Whether you're doing minor yard maintenance or tackling a larger gardening project, a hose reel can help simplify the process.

To find the best hose reels, we tested 26 models in our Des Moines lab, assessing each one’s overall value based on ease of use, design, portability, and durability. Our top picks include various types of hose reels, including box reels and freestanding reels. For additional insight, we consulted Allison Vallin Kostovick, an organic gardening expert and owner of gardening education website Finch + Folly, and Brian Shaunfield, a store manager at Lowe’s.

This portable hose reel has durable, heavy duty materials and a convenient storage compartment for gardening tools.

The hose reel handle may be too short for a tall person.

Out of all the hose reels we tested, this hose reel was our personal favorite for its sturdy materials, easy portability, and comfortable handle. Crafted primarily from aluminum, the Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel is rust resistant and lightweight. The wheels are made of rubber, which is water resistant and flat free, so there's no need to worry about punctures. During our testing, the wheels easily maneuvered over any terrain, in part thanks to the rubber grip on the handle, which gave us better control. Plus, it's super easy to use—to unravel your hose, simply use the crank on the side. We found the hose reel handle to be fairly short, though, which could pose issues for taller individuals.

This machine comes with a six-foot-long leader hose and a storage compartment under the reel, which is a great place to store gardening tools. Plus, the manufacturer has tested it in extreme weather conditions, so you can rest assured that it can handle rain, shine, and snow. All things considered, we found this to be a reliable and quality hose reel that will last for years to come.

Hose Capacity: 150, 200, or 225 feet | Material: Aluminum | Wind-Up Mechanism: Manual crank | Dimensions: 16.7 by 18.9 by 23.8 inches | Weight: 22.7 pounds

This pick has commercial-grade materials and hefty flat-free tires for portability.

This high-quality pick comes at a higher cost than other selections.

This hose reel is great for people who have a large backyard and/or front yard and a regular to-do list of landscaping tasks. Although some may gawk at the high price, we found this hose reel to be durable, stable, and long lasting. The most noticeable part of this hose reel is the large, rubber flat-free tires, which make it easy to move around, especially along uneven surfaces or rough terrain—even with a heavy hose, it was still easy to carry around. Unlike other options on our list with shorter handles, we appreciate this wagon's higher build, which makes it comfortable for taller individuals to push.

The body of the hose reel is made of commercial-grade materials like rust-proof metal and stainless-steel hardware, which protect it against all kinds of weather. There is also a powder-coated finish on the hose reel for extra protection against the elements. The Eley 4-Wheel Portable Garden Hose Reel Wagon is compatible with drinking-water-safe plumbing, comes with a feeder hose, and has a ten-year warranty.

Hose Capacity: 125 or 200 feet | Materials: Metal, stainless steel, rubber | Wind-Up Mechanism: Manual | Dimensions: 36.5 by 29.5 by 25 inches | Weight: Not listed

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

The concealed design of this hose reel blends in with your yard.

This hose reel does not have wheels, so it may be more challenging to move around your yard.

If you prefer to have your hose completely concealed, check out this hose reel box from Giraffe, which can accommodate a 130-foot 5/8-inch garden hose or a 200-foot 1/2-inch garden hose. The box is quite sturdy and durable thanks to its aluminum material, which also has a rust-resistant coating. Plus, the aluminum is painted green, allowing it to blend in with your yard. It’s also looks way less mechanical than other hose reels we tested, making it a good option for people who are searching for gardening tools that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

We liked how neatly the hose wrapped up and stored inside the box and found it pretty easy to wind up the hose once assembled. While this hose reel doesn’t have wheels, we still easily moved it around thanks to the handles on the side of the box. That said, if you prefer to move your hose reel with wheels without lifting it, we suggest another pick from our list.

Hose Capacity: 130 feet for 5/8- inch hose or 200 feet for 1/2-inch hose | Material: Aluminum | Wind-Up Mechanism: Manual crank | Dimensions: 20.5 by 22.8 by 17 inches | Weight: 26 pounds

This compact model doesn't take up much space and has a sturdy design to withstand outdoor elements.

This hose reel doesn't have a crank, so you'll have to wind it by hand.

One of the biggest problems plaguing hose reels is their large footprint. Many tend to be bulky and take up ground space that could otherwise be used for landscaping. This hose reel solves that problem with its vertical design. The Artigarden Freestanding Hose Holder can hold a 150-foot hose, and is the simplest hose reel on our list: All you have to do is drive it into the ground and it stands up on its own. The sturdy steel body will survive inclement weather, while the lacquer finish helps prevent rust. Plus, it has a compartment dedicated to holding your hose nozzle (and is compatible with universal nozzles).

During our testing, we found this hose reel to be simple yet effective. We had no problem setting it up and found it pretty easy to store the hoses we used during testing. The hose reel was fairly stable while in dry soil, although it might be less sturdy if in loosely packed or wet soil. The biggest con with this hose reel is that you have to wind it up yourself. If that kind of labor is arduous for you, you’re better off with a crank-style hose reel.

Hose Capacity: 150 feet | Material: Steel | Wind-Up Mechanism: None | Dimensions: 12 by 5 by 45 inches | Weight: 4.27 pounds

Real Simple / Dera Burreson

This hose reel has an impressive capacity of 400 feet and a high-quality steel construction.

The faucet connection on this hose reel could be more durable.

If you have a massive yard or garden, a regular hose reel might not reach the far edge of your space. This heavy-duty GroundWork Hose Reel Cart can store 400 feet of hose, which is more than twice the capacity of the other reels on our list. In addition to its large storage capacity, it boasts a durable steel construction that we think will last for many years to come, even if exposed to outdoor elements.

Though this hose reel is a larger and heavier selection compared to our other options, we still found it easy to maneuver thanks to the rubber wheels and flexible handle. It also features a steel basket beneath the reel to store hose attachments, gardening tools, and more. While most yards don’t need more than 200 feet of hose length, if you want a well-made, long-lasting reel with an impressive reach, this one's for you.

Hose Capacity: 400 feet | Material: Steel | Wind-Up Mechanism: Wind-up crank | Dimensions: 42.5 by 19.69 by 38.19 inches | Weight: 46.24 pounds

The stand is made from durable, weatherproof steel that should last a long while.

You may need to buy a separate short hose to connect it to your house.

Instead of using a traditional reel to store your hose when not in use, consider opting for a hose stand, like this great option from Aqua Joe. The useful device can store up to 125 feet of a standard garden hose, and is made from sturdy, durable steel with a built-in brass spigot and weatherproof design.

When we tried out this hose stand for ourselves, we were impressed by how easy the installation process was (no tools required) and its stable, high-quality construction. It’s important to note that this is more of a hose holder than an actual reel, as there are prongs meant to hold the hose in place, but it keeps the hose completely secure and requires minimal effort to use.

One small downside is that you may have to purchase a separate short hose to connect the stand to your house, depending on the size of your yard. However, on the upside, it’s fairly inexpensive, comes in three finishes (beige, grey, and white), and is lightweight enough to allow you to move it around the yard or place into storage as needed.

Hose Capacity: 125 feet | Material: Steel | Wind-Up Mechanism: None | Dimensions: 42.5 by 11.75 by 6 inches | Weight: 9.9 pounds

Overall, we recommend the Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel for its easy portability, sturdy materials (which can survive outdoor conditions), and extra features, including a leader hose and storage compartment for garden tools. If you're seeking an extra heavy-duty option, the GroundWork Hose Reel Cart can store hoses up to 400 feet in length, with durable rubber wheels and a flexible handle for easy maneuvering.

We tested 26 hose reels in our lab (including a mix of standing and mounted options, as well as hose stands and pots) and assessed them based on a variety of criteria, including ease of setup, ease of use, design, portability, durability, and value. Our first test involved setting up each hose reel, which is when we examined the materials to evaluate their quality and then recorded how long it took to assemble (if assembly was required) and how difficult the process was.

For the hose reels that had a wind-up system, we tested to see how easy it was to wind the hose onto the reel and vice versa. We took note if the reel smoothly winded and unwinded as well as if the reel stayed steady or tipped over while doing so. We did a similar test on retractable hose reels.

For portable hose reels, we attached our hose and transported it across our testing area to see if it glided smoothly across the ground. For hose pots, we winded up the hose, put it in the pot, and gave it a good push to see if the hose fit securely and didn't move around.

To evaluate the value of the reels we tested, we considered whether the listed price felt reflective of each reel’s features, ease of use, and effectiveness. We took all this information and used it to come up with the best hose reels.

There are a variety of hose reels available for purchase, all of which look different and serve specific purposes. According to Shaunfield, the most common types include, standing/stationary reels, wall-mounted reels, cart/portable reels, and hose pots.

Many people prefer a stationary (often called standing) wind-up hose reel, which works for medium-sized yards or people who simply don’t want to have to manually wind up their hose. The biggest pro of this type of reel, per Shaunfield, is that it's mobile, meaning you can relocate and easily install it in soil within minutes.

Another very popular option is a wall-mounted reel, which Kostovick says is ideal for use in smaller, more contained areas. “Some wall mounts are available with a hand-cranking feature that helps with easy winding up, whereas others are merely just a wall-mounted holder that you would need to hand-wind to put away," she explains. Shaunfield adds that certain wall-mounted models even offer convenient storage shelves for gardening accessories, while others are designed to be easily retractable or decorative.

Portable/cart wind-up hose reels are great for people who have large yards and need to travel with their hose to get their outdoor watering tasks done, as well as for individuals with mobility issues. And even if you don’t plan to move your hose reel around very much, having wheels attached will make it a lot easier if you do need to move it in the future. Kostovick says that you should consider the landscape in which you’ll be lugging these carts to see which will be best for your watering needs and your back.

Hose pots, meanwhile, are a decorative, versatile hose storage solution that keep your water hose neatly hidden. Most feature a raised interior base to help guide the hose within the container and drainage holes.

You want a hose reel that will withstand whatever weather comes your way. Luckily, many hose reels are made with weather-resistant materials, so your likelihood of finding a durable design is high. According to Kostovick, the choice really is between metal or plastic. While both materials are durable, she says use and placement will determine which is best for your needs.

Metals are sturdy and are usually rust resistant, especially when they have a weatherproof coating like powder coating. “If it’s just a static mount, then metal more than suffices and you can even invest in some very attractive wrought-iron mounts that offer both looks and use,” Kostovick says.“If you’re going to be moving all around your yard with it, then I’d recommend plastic, not only because of its lighter weight but its ease and durability as well." Plastic also holds up well but may become warped if placed in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. If you opt for a plastic hose reel, keep it in the shade to ensure a longer lifespan. Do the same with iron, as it will get very hot to the touch while sitting in hot weather.

To ensure that your hose fits your selected reel, be sure to take proper measurements before making a purchase. “To determine the best capacity/size for a hose reel, measure the length of your hose from end to end. You’ll want double that length for your reel capacity,” says Shaunfield. Hose reels can usually handle between 100- and 400-foot hoses, with 200 feet being the standard. The GroundWork Hose Reel Cart, our Best Heavy-Duty Hose Reel, can fit hoses up to 400 feet in length.

Width matters with some hose reels, but many are designed to be compatible with all hose sizes. Diameter matters more, though. "If your tasks require higher water volume, consider opting for a hose and hose reel that supports heavier water output,” Shaunfield suggests.

Manual hose reels have a crank that winds up the hose, while retractable hose reels have automated spring mechanisms. One of the benefits of retractable hoses is that they eliminate the manual task of storing your hose, making them ideal for those with mobility issues. However, manual models generally have better capacity and a simpler design that is low maintenance and longer lasting.

Sorbus Garden Manger Style Garden Hose Stand: A great budget pick, this no-frills freestanding option holds up to 125 feet of hose. We found that it wasn’t quite as durable as the Artigarden Holder and it’s slightly more expensive.

Hoselink 82-Foot Retractable Hose Reel: This wall-mounted option is one of the more visually appealing hose reels on our list, and it's durable enough to withstand all sorts of inclement weather conditions. However, the installation process was a pain and didn't justify the high price tag.

While hose reels are not a requirement for yard work, they can certainly make your gardening experience much simpler. The first benefit of using a hose reel: safety. “No one wants a tripping hazard in the garden, especially if it’s by thorny plants like roses,” Kostovick says.

In addition to hazard prevention, Kostovick says hose reels can also ensure durability, keeping prolonging your hose's lifespan. "Coiling it up after each use prevents kinks, which often become tears in the hose," she says. "It also shields the hose from too much sun exposure, which can cause the hose to brittle over time.”

You should place your hose reel close to a spigot on the side of your house for easy access to your water line. However, the material of your hose reel may be affected by where you place it. If you have a plastic hose reel, keep it out of direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure could cause it to break down over time. If you have a hose reel made of iron, know that it will get hot to the touch when placed in the same conditions. Either avoid buying a hose reel made with these materials or store them in the shade if you can.

Manual hose reels have a crank that winds up the hose, while retractable hose reels have automated spring mechanisms. While retractable hose reels eliminate the manual task of storing your hose, manual models generally have better capacity and a simpler design that is low maintenance and longer lasting.

Attach the male connector on the hose reel to the hose’s female end—usually by feeding the female end through the opening on your reel. After they are firmly connected, you wind up the hose length with the crank or lever.

Real Simple / Renee Scott

This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best hose reels and tested 26 of the most popular options in our lab, evaluating them on setup, ease of use, design, portability, durability, and value. Additional reporting was done by Quinn Gawronski, who interviewed organic gardening expert Allison Vallin Kostovick, owner of gardening education website Finch + Folly. Rachel Simon, a contributing writer for Real Simple later updated this article with additional tested picks, along with expert advice from Brian Shaunfield, a store manager at Lowe’s.

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

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