How to Choose the Best Garden Hoses for You

Whether the sun is beaming down and your plants are in need of a good drink, you’re a year-round, green-thumbed gardener nurturing a seasonal vegetable patch, or are making space for a brand-new pond, a good garden hose is essential.

Without the right hose, the garden you’re tending to won’t be able to flourish, and all your planting, pruning and hard work will go to waste. Unless, of course, you don’t mind doing countless trips to and from the kitchen sink with a watering can…

To save yourself a whole lot of time and energy, get stuck into The Hosemaster guide to garden hoses to help you find the best one for your needs. 

What is the best type of hose for a garden?

To qualify as the best garden hose for your needs will depend entirely on aspects like what you plan to use it for, how often you’ll need to use your garden hose, and how you want (or are able) to store it.

A professional gardener, for example, will need a more durable garden hose that is portable, whereas maintaining a domestic garden will require something far less robust for irregular use. In a similar vein, pond hoses need to be heavy-duty to withstand constant use, often below ground as it keeps the water flowing in and around your pond.

As another example, an estate or property with a lot of land will be far more demanding in terms of garden hose requirements than a small terraced house with a modest patch of grass and a couple of plant pots. So, as you’ll find out in this blog post, a garden hose isn’t just any old hose – and it’s important you find the right one for your specific needs.

Different types of garden hoses

Aside from the standard long hose pipe you think of when somebody says ‘garden hose’, there are some other types that may be of interest to you, depending on what you need it for.

Soaker hoses

A soaker hose is what you would use if you want to irrigate your garden because it can distribute water evenly over a large surface area. This type of hose is porous so that water can seep through it straight into the soil or roots around it, which means it’s great for use both above and underground. 

However, soaker hoses and drip lines aren’t able to withstand high water pressure and aren’t the most durable option so will likely need replacing each year – which can become expensive.

Note: drip lines are similar, and you’ll often see the two terms used interchangeably.

Sprinkler hoses

Like soaker hoses and drip lines, sprinkler hoses are designed to cover more ground in a shorter space of time than a regular water hose. A sprinkler hose pipe has small holes along it which sprays water far and wide. This means you can leave it to do its thing (watering your lawn) and come back to it later. They’re also relatively inexpensive and lightweight.

However, sprinkler hoses do need draining properly before they can be stored, and some water will evaporate in the air before it actually lands on the lawn, so they aren’t entirely efficient.

Hybrid hoses

There are an array of hybrid hoses on the market that are designed to be used with multiple things such as air, water, and oil. This type of multi-functional option may be more suited to commercial use – but there may be a reason you need this capability in a domestic setting, so we’ve got you covered.

Buy now – Multipurpose 20 Bar Compressed Air, Water & Oil Hose

Expandable hoses

As the name suggests, this type of hose expands when water fills it and shrinks back once the water source is stopped. They’re incredibly light so they’re easy to move around the garden and roll up, but they do require high water pressure to work effectively.

It’s also worth pointing out that expandable hoses aren’t suitable for use with pressure washers, just in case this is a dealbreaker for you.

Do you need a special type of pond hose?

Yes, if you have a pond in your garden, you should be buying a specific pond hose for its water supply. Using the right type of hose will ensure that it’s durable enough, safe for aquatic life, and compatible with pond equipment.

Buy now – Black Corrugated Flexible PVC Pond Hose

The best types of materials to look out for in a pond hose are PVC (polyvinyl chloride), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and polyethylene. These materials are hard-wearing in all weather conditions, safe for a pond’s ecosystem, and resistant to UV rays.

Garden hose buying considerations

Once you’ve decided on the type of garden hose (or pond hose) you need, there are some additional factors you’ll need to consider. By taking these key aspects into account, you’ll be able to confidently choose the best garden hose for you.

Garden hose material

Garden hose material will help to determine important elements, like how long your garden shoe will last, and the kinds of environments you can use it in. Below, we briefly summarise the pros and cons of four common garden hose materials you will find on the market.

PVC/vinyl

PVC (AKA vinyl) is the most affordable type of garden hose material, which means it is also one of the most budget-friendly types of hose to buy. They’re also the lightest and most flexible types of garden hose, which means they're super easy to use.

PVC/vinyl hoses are great for typical domestic use like watering plants throughout the year, hosing down garden furniture, and car washing. However, they aren’t the most durable type of hose so they do need replacing more regularly.

Buy now – Extraflex Yellow PVC Reinforced Water Hose

Look for PVC/vinyl hoses made with more layers as this will be stronger and less likely to damage. This is what’s known as ‘ply’. A hose of 3-ply or less will be flimsy and easily damaged, while 4-ply or above will be sturdier. That’s not to say 3-ply is bad – in fact, this type of hose is just fine for stationary water dispersing (like a sprinkler).

Top tip: if you’re looking for a more sustainable option, go for a garden hose made from recycled PVC.

Rubber

Rubber hoses are more expensive because rubber is a denser, more robust material than PVC. That said, the cost could be worth it if you use your garden hose more than a couple of times a year because rubber is far more damage- and weather-resistant. Plus, they can withstand higher water pressures than PVC.

Buy now – Standard Duty 20 bar Rubber Compressed Air & Water Hose

However, you should note that rubber garden hoses are much heavier and therefore require more effort to carry around and store. Rubber is also more prone to cracking in extreme weather conditions (both extreme heat and extreme cold).

Rubber and PVC hybrid

You can get hoses that are made of a combination of rubber and PVC, which give you the best of both worlds. They provide a good middle-ground if you want something that will be easy to use but have a decent lifespan. 

Braided stainless steel

Braided stainless steel hoses are more typically associated with commercial and industrial applications because they’re built for use with high water temperatures and pressure. They’re extremely flexible and also resistant to corrosion, which makes them perfect for use with chemicals. 

One reason why somebody might consider a braided stainless steel hose as the best garden hose for them is if they live in a very hot country – because it can withstand high temperatures and won’t conduct heat. If you don’t need something as serious as stainless steel but still want something with reinforcement, check out a water hose with braided PVC reinforcement instead for more tensile strength.

Buy now – Reinforced PVC Braided Air & Water Hose

Length

To get an idea of how long your garden hose should be, calculate the longest distance from the end of your garden to your water source. Take this distance and add on a little extra (for slack and comfortable movement) and this is how long your garden hose needs to be.

You may think that buying one with lots more length is a good idea, but it can actually be counterproductive. All this will do is reduce water pressure, cause a tripping hazard, and make the hose harder to stow away after use.

Water pressure

Most hoses are designed to handle the standard amount of water you’ll need for regular use in a domestic garden. However, if you plan to use a pressure washer in your garden, you’ll most probably need to find a hose that’s designed to withstand high pressure. 

Hose reel frame construction

When your garden hose isn’t in use, you’re going to want to wind it around a storage reel for tidiness and safekeeping. Plastic or metal are the most common materials used to make hose reel storage frames. While there are some heavy-duty plastics that can do the job just fine, metal is generally more robust and reliable. Plastic, on the other hand, is generally more budget-friendly. 

As well as the material of the storage reel, you also need to consider the type of frame you’d like. There are two main options: freestanding or wall-mounted. 

Freestanding (AKA hose carts)

Freestanding hose reels – or ‘hose carts’ for the larger variations on wheels – don’t have to be mounted anywhere permanently. This means they’re portable and easy to move from one water outlet to another. 

However, this type of hose storage features some of the most heavy and expensive options. Plus, it’s worth considering that a freestanding reel will take up more floor space than a wall-mounted alternative. 

Wall-mounted

A wall-mounted hose reel works by being attached to your property. Most people will attach the reel to a wall out in the garden while others will mount it in a garage or outhouse. Some come with a handle to help wind the hose up and others (cheaper options) come without. 

Top tip: whatever type of hose reel you choose, make sure it’s suitable for use with the diameter and length of the hose you’re storing on it.

If your hose reel is too small or tight, it will be hard to wind the hose around and will probably cause long-term damage. If it’s too big, the hose will be hard to control, and you’ll only end up with an unnecessarily cumbersome piece of kit to store.

Additional garden hose top tips

As you can see, there are a lot of factors you should consider before you buy a new garden hose – and you should always match up your needs with the best hose within your budget. To help you out, we’ve included some extra tips to make buying a new garden hose easier.

• Choose a garden hose with a diameter of at least ⅝ inch for a good amount of pressure. You should find that most sprayer attachments are made to fit a ⅝” hose but if not, adapters will be available.
  
  
• Don’t let “no kink” claims completely influence your decision. Although anti-kink technology is incredibly useful, it’s not always completely reliable. Instead, prioritise your other needs first to ensure you choose the best garden hose for you.
  
  
• Look for a garden hose that has brass fitting on both ends to avoid having to deal with rust.
  
  
• Make sure you completely drain your garden hose of water and store it in a hose reel when you’re not using it to extend its lifespan. Also, keep the hose out of extremely high or low temperatures and away from sharp or abrasive materials to reduce accidental damage.
  

Find your new garden hose at The Hosemaster

Here at The Hosemaster, we have a superb range of garden hoses – so why not explore our website to find the best garden hose for your needs? 

Of course, if you have any questions or need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch online, or call 01282 604 002 to chat with a member of our team.

Shop high-quality air and water hoses at The Hosemaster today

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