Anyone who has ever used a garden hose may know the struggle of winding it up when it’s time to store it. Although there are many garden hose storage options on the market that seek to simplify this task, few make it as easy to bend an uncooperative garden hose to one’s will as a retractable reel.
These devices consist of a round box that contains a garden hose and a reel that is powered by a large spring. As the hose is extended from the box, a spring attached to the reel begins to wind and tighten. When it comes time for storage, the user simply tugs the hose to release a locking mechanism, engaging the spring-loaded reel, which automatically winds up the hose in about 20 seconds.
A retractable reel not only eliminates the need to wrap up a hose manually but also keeps the hose tidy inside an enclosed case that mounts conveniently to the side of a house or shed. Ahead, learn more about these simple-to-use garden devices, and find out why the list below includes some of the best retractable hose reels users can buy.
- BEST OVERALL: Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel—130 Feet
- RUNNER-UP: Fiilpow Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Stanley Accuscape Pro Series Automatic Hose Reel
- UPGRADE PICK: Macnaught Retracta Garden Hose Reel with 60-Foot Hose
- BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Gardena 8040 50-Foot, Wall-Mounted Retractable Reel
- BEST FOR MEDIUM YARDS: Pinwheel Garden Hose Reel
- BEST FOR LARGE YARDS: Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel—155 Feet
- ALSO CONSIDER: Eneacro Retractable Garden Hose Reel
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Retractable Garden Hose Reel
Although knowing the length of the retractable hose is key when purchasing a hose wheel, there are other important factors to consider, such as the hose diameter, nozzle type, and mounting design.
Length
Length is crucial when selecting a garden hose reel. Though other types of hose storage solutions may allow the user to add length by attaching an additional hose, the hose that comes with a retractable reel can’t be added to or replaced. With that in mind, be sure to purchase a
hose reel with a hose that’s long enough to suit the yard. The best way to determine this is by measuring from an outdoor spigot to the farthest point in the yard. Hose lengths for retractable garden hose reels typically range from about 50 to 150 feet.
Mounting and Portability
Retractable garden hose reels come with mounting kits that allow them to be installed on the side of a house, shed, or even a fence or post. The mounting kit allows the reel to hinge left to right 180 degrees, making it easier to direct the hose toward a flower bed, driveway, or other location.
Mounting the hose reel is necessary to provide a solid base while pulling the hose for retraction. A hose reel wall mount typically has a removable pin that allows the user to detach the entire device from the mount, which is convenient when storing the hose in a shed or garage for the winter.
Hose Size
Hose sizes for retractable garden hoses vary from ⅜ of an inch in diameter up to ⅝ of an inch in diameter. A larger diameter hose can carry more water and therefore produce a higher flow rate than a smaller diameter hose. With this in mind, a ⅜-inch or ½-inch hose is best suited for watering plants, while a ⅝-inch hose is ideal for uses that demand higher water volume, such as running a sprinkler or washing a car.
Nozzle Type
Some garden hose reels come with one of two types of nozzle: pistol grip or fire hose. Pistol-grip models fit ergonomically in the hand with a grip and trigger that allow the user to regulate the amount of output. The nozzle has a throttle tip that can be toggled between eight or nine spray patterns, including a stream, broad fan, and mist.
Fire-hose-style nozzles are long and straight. The user can adjust the spray from a high-pressure stream to a broad fan by twisting the nozzle. Though a fire-hose style doesn’t offer the same variety of spray patterns as that of a pistol style, it will typically be made from all-metal parts and therefore is more durable.
Both nozzle types use standard fittings, so they can easily be traded out for an aftermarket nozzle if necessary.
Our Top Picks
The lineup below includes retractable hoses that are easy to operate, with proven designs that will quickly reel in a hose without tangling. We’ve included a variety of hose lengths to suit various needs.
Photo: amazon.com
With its ample length and durable construction, this retractable garden hose reel from Giraffe is a suitable choice for just about any yard. It comes equipped with a 130-foot hose that can lock at any length, making it capable of reaching even the far corners of a large yard. The hose itself consists of abrasion-resistant hybrid material that can handle pressures of up to 600 pounds per square inch (psi)—nearly twice what most hoses can handle—without bursting, a key feature given that the hoses in retractable reels generally aren’t replaceable.
The auto-rewind system works with a tug on the line and is designed to roll up the hose without kinking. A mounting bracket allows the reel to rotate 180 degrees to aim toward all parts of the yard. A handy quick-release system on the bracket makes it easy to remove and store the hose reel during colder months.
Product Specs
- Length: 130 feet
- Size: ½-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Not included
Pros
- Long length can serve large yards
- Easy-to-operate retrieval system
- Hose resists kinking
- All-weather hose design for winter use
Cons
Get the Giraffe Tools 130-foot retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This retractable hose is available in two hose sizes and is made of a durable hybrid material, making it one of the top retractable garden hose reels on the market. The reel comes in an 82-foot ⅝-inch-diameter hose or a 100-foot ½-inch-diameter hose. The hybrid polymer hose is freeze-resistant and can withstand pressures of up to 350 psi.
The hose can be locked at any length and retracted with a tug, and it includes a safety lock on the reel to prevent it from being accidentally retracted. The wall-mounted bracket swivels 180 degrees for better access, and the hose sprayer features eight different spray patterns. A handle on the top of the hose makes it easy to remove and carry for storage.
Product Specs
- Length: 82 or 100 feet
- Size: ½-inch or ⅝-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Pistol style with 8 spray patterns
Pros
- Easy to lock and retract
- Child-safety lock
- Freeze-resistant hose
Cons
- Smaller ½-inch diameter has lower flow rate than other hoses
Get the Fiilpow retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Stanley has made a name for itself by manufacturing bargain-priced tools, and such is the case with its retractable garden hose. The affordable hose offers many of the same functions as higher-priced models. It locks automatically at any length and retracts with a gentle tug. There’s also a wall-mounting bracket that provides 180 degrees of horizontal movement. A removable pin and carrying handle makes it easy to remove and transport the reel for winter storage.
There are some trade-offs with the Stanley retractable hose reel, however. It’s smaller in diameter than other hose reels, does not include a nozzle, and should be taken indoors during the winter months to prevent damage to the hose. And with its 65-foot length, it’s suitable for mainly small-to-medium-size yards.
Product Specs
- Length: 65 feet
- Size: ½-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Not included
Pros
- Bargain price
- Self-locking system
- Detaches quickly from bracket
Cons
- Doesn’t include nozzle
- Narrow diameter hose
Get the Stanley retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
If investing in a higher-priced retractable hose reel, it’s best to get a sturdy one that’s designed for ease of use. Such is the case with this Macnaught model, which features heavy-duty construction and a high-quality hose. Although the 60-foot hose has a smaller ½-inch diameter, it’s made from a hybrid polymer material that has no memory, so it won’t hold a coiled shape, making it easier to reel out and less likely to kink.
The reel is made of durable plastic, and the mounting bracket has a metal pin that makes it easy to detach the reel from the mount for storage. Similar to other retractable garden reels, this one locks automatically and retracts with a gentle pull on the hose. A mechanism on the winding reel prevents it from overwinding and damaging the reel.
Product Specs
- Length: 60 feet
- Size: ½-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Not included
Pros
- Durable construction
- Flexible hybrid hose
- Easy to remove from mount
Cons
- Expensive for 60-foot retractable hose
- Nozzle not included
Get the Macnaught retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This shorter 50-foot hose is ideal for keeping flower beds and landscaping in smaller yards well irrigated. Similar to other hose reels, this Gardena model mounts to a wall and swivels 180 degrees to access different parts of the yard. There’s also a bracket on the mount that works with a standard padlock to prevent theft. The reel can also be taken off easily for winter storage.
This retractable reel comes with a handy hose guide that can direct the hose around sharp corners of the house or hardscaping to prevent damage to the hose. Other notable features include a fire-hose-style nozzle that can be adjusted from a tight stream to a broad fan by twisting the tip.
Product Specs
- Length: 50 feet
- Size: ½-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Fire-hose style
Pros
- Includes hose guide
- Can be locked to mount
- Nozzle included
Cons
- Hose should be stored during freezing temperatures to prevent damage
Get the Gardena retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
A medium-size yard requires a longer hose to reach its farthest corners. With its 100-foot hose length, the Pinwheel is a good option for those who need to cover more ground. Its rewinding mechanism includes an integrated hose guide that prevents jams from tangles and kinks. The hose locks at any length and retracts with a simple tug, taking about 20 seconds.
It comes equipped with a nozzle that has a separate control for adjusting water flow, a nice feature for watering more delicate plantings. The nozzle also has nine different spray patterns to handle tasks ranging from watering potted plants to washing the car.
Product Specs
- Length: 100 feet
- Size: ½-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Pistol style with 9 spray patterns
Pros
- Nozzle includes flow control
- Integrated hose guide prevents tangles
- Retracts in just 20 seconds
Cons
- Smaller-diameter hose reduces water pressure
Get the Pinwheel retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
With a whopping 155 feet of hose length, this Giraffe Tools option is one of the longest retractable garden hose reels on the market, making it ideal for yards that extend far from the spigot. The reel functions similarly to that of other retractable hose reels, locking automatically at any length and retracting with a simple tug.
The hose is constructed of hybrid material that makes it suitable for all weather conditions, and it features a wider ⅝-inch diameter to carry more water. A durable, impact-resistant mounting kit features a bracket that makes it easy to remove the hose for storage. A nine-pattern pistol-style spray nozzle is included.
Product Specs
- Length: 155 feet
- Size: ⅝-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Pistol style with 9 spray patterns
Pros
- Long hose length
- Durable, heavy-duty reel
- Sprayer with 9 spray patterns
- Thick ⅝-inch hose
Cons
Get the Giraffe Tools 155-foot retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This retractable garden hose from Eneacro is reasonably priced and well-made. It auto locks at any length, making it easy to use, and retracts slowly using an internal breaking mechanism. With its 100-foot length, it is suitable for medium-to-large-size yards. The reel comes with a side mount and can rotate 180 degrees to reach all parts of the property, and it can be removed from the bracket for easy winter storage.
It’s made of kink-resistant material and comes with a pistol nozzle featuring nine spray patterns. But at a diameter of just ⅜ of an inch, the hose has a lower flow rate than that of most garden hoses.
Product Specs
- Length: 100 feet
- Size: ⅜-inch diameter
- Nozzle: Pistol style with 9 spray patterns
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Strong coil spring
- Ample length for medium-to-large-size lawns
- Detaches easily from mount
Cons
Get the Eneacro retractable garden hose reel on Amazon.
Our Verdict
The Giraffe Tools 130-foot retractable garden hose reel differentiates itself from the competition with a retractable garden hose that’s longer than most at 130 feet, plus it’s better built, with the ability to handle pressures of up to 600 psi without bursting. Those looking for a retractable hose on a budget should consider the Stanley retractable garden hose reel, which is affordably priced and has enough length to suit medium-size yards.
How We Chose the Best Retractable Garden Hose Reels
A retractable hose reel is designed to make collecting and organizing a garden hose quick and easy. With that in mind, we chose models that use proven spring mechanisms that are effective at reeling in a hose without becoming tangled. These reels use hoses that are custom-made for the mechanism, meaning it’s impossible to replace the hose, so we chose models with hoses that are built to endure high pressures, ensuring they will last a long time. A retractable garden hose should be easy to store during the winter months, so all our selections include hose mounts that are easy to disconnect. Finally, since yards vary in size, we chose reels with hoses ranging in length from 50 feet to up to 155 feet.
The Advantages of Owning a Retractable Garden Hose Reel
Although retractable reels are one of the more expensive storage solutions for garden hoses, there are several good reasons to invest in one. With its ability to handle hoses up to 150 feet long, a retractable hose reel makes it easy to collect and store a garden hose, eliminating the need to do so manually. Garden hose reels also feature wall mounts, which can inconspicuously attach to the house or shed. These reels detach easily from their mounts, which double as a storage container for the hose during winter months.
- Eliminates the need to manually wind up a hose
- Stores the hose in an out-of-the-way place
- Makes it easy to transport the hose for winter storage
FAQs
If you’re wondering how to use your new retractable hose reel or want to know what to do if the hose becomes damaged, read on for answers.
Q. Why do I need a retractable garden hose reel?
A retractable garden hose reel makes it easier to collect and store the hose by eliminating the need to manually wind it up. A good retractable hose also provides a tidy place to store the hose during the winter months.
Q. How do I use a hose reel?
To use a hose reel, grab the nozzle end and pull it to the desired location for watering. The hose will automatically lock when you stop pulling. To retract the hose, give it a quick tug. The hose reel will automatically wind up the hose in about 20 seconds.
Q. Can I replace a hose in a retractable hose reel?
Most hoses on retractable hose reels are not replaceable. If the hose is damaged, there are patch kits you can use to attempt to repair it.
