It is easier to maintain a lawn or garden with expandable hoses. After the water is turned off, they shrink back down to their original size. Its self-draining, kink-, twist-, and tangle-resistant hoses weigh less and take up less space than its conventional counterparts.
They have an innovative design that consists of two parts: an outer shell that protects and a flexible core that stretches.
While the shell acts as a rigid wall that protects the inner core from punctures and abrasion when water is applied, the inner core acts as a balloon when stretched up to three times its resting size.
When you turn off the water, the hose returns to its original shape and size, emptying itself as it deflates.
Our goal was to find out if these new space-saving hoses lived up to the hype. We didn’t hold back on our tests – we put them to the test as hard as we could. To find out which expandable garden hoses we think are the best, read on.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| Flexi Hose with 8 Function Nozzle | |
| Aterod 50FT Garden Hose | |
| Delxo Expandable Garden Hose | |
| Zalotte Expandable Garden Hose | |
| Gardguard 50ft Expandable Garden Hose |
1. Flexi Hose with 8 Function Nozzle
Leaving an expandable garden hose outside over winter is not a good idea, especially in harsh conditions. Nonetheless, some gardeners still need a hose when the weather gets chilly.
Brass fittings make garden hoses more durable than their plastic counterparts, which are ideal for living in areas where temperatures frequently drop below freezing.
Solid brass fittings on the Flexi Hose connected snugly to the spigot and did not leak. While there was a leak in the connection between the hose and the nozzle at the beginning, it was soon repaired when the connection was tightened. A maximum length of 50.5 feet was reached when filled with water.
In addition to its four layers of latex, the core of the hose is 10 millimeters thick to protect it against cold temperatures. Flexi Hose had only been out for 24 hours before getting rained on, and it still seemed to be fine.
A car drove over it, and the connectors were banged against the concrete without even a scratch. There are eight settings on the sprayer, but the sprayer is a bit smaller than competing models due to its ergonomics and slip-resistant handle.
2. Aterod 50FT Garden Hose
As soon as we turned on the water and connected the 17-foot Aterod hose to the spigot, it expanded to just under 52 feet. Its solid brass fittings, which are designed to handle high water pressure, prevented leaks at the nozzle and spigot connections. In order to eliminate blowouts, self-locking connectors are attached to the fittings themselves.
Although we spent a day and night outside and backed over the hose with a vehicle, it didn’t seem to be harmed in any way.
It comes with a nine-function nozzle that lets you choose the right spray pattern for a variety of tasks, including watering the garden, cleaning the windows, and even washing the dog.
With the yellow connector ring on the sprayer, we were able to change the spray options. The shell fabric was the only drawback, since it may damage when dragging across abrasive surfaces. Once expanded, though, the fabric was sturdy and stiff.
3. Delxo Expandable Garden Hose
Although the Delxo can reach 104 feet in length when fully expanded, it only measures 30 feet at rest. There is no tangling with the Delxo’s smooth exterior fabric casing, which is different from some of the other hoses.
The tough 3750D fabric shell on the expandable hose looked sleek and solid when filled with water. If you hadn’t known it was an expandable hose, you might have mistaken it for an ordinary hose.
In addition to being sleek, the hose is also less likely to snag when it is being pulled over gravel or around rough corners. It comes with a flexible double-latex core and can handle up to 180 PSI water pressure.
With nine spray patterns, the nozzle is suitable for all kinds of outdoor chores. Unfortunately, it’s a trigger-type sprayer – a thumb-controlled sprayer would have been nice.
4. Zalotte Expandable Garden Hose
When the water is turned on, Zalotte’s hose expands rapidly to its maximum length of 25 feet from just 9 feet when contracted. If you need something right next to your water source – may be to wash your dog? – this hose is a handy addition. It does the job well.
As it fills, the hose looks like a snake due to its striped black and green coloration, but that’s part of its charm. You will love this small hose if you are looking for something that is easy to store.
5. Gardguard 50ft Expandable Garden Hose
The Gardenguard brand of lawn and garden tools and accessories is highly popular. In addition to hoses, the company also makes expandable hoses.
While the price is reasonable, you still get 50 feet of hose for that price. You have nine spray options available to make it convenient for you to use.
The product comes with an average fitting size of 3/4 inches. Moreover, it comes with a 1-year warranty and is made of 3 layers of latex, which makes it quite durable. With this garden hose, you also get a selection of accessories that are always useful despite the lower price tag.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Garden Hose
It’s important to consider what features you need from your expandable garden hose before you buy. We will break down the length, material, and other factors to help you make an informed buying decision in this buying guide.
The length
Ensure that the hose you choose can water your whole lawn and all your plants. A longer hose may be needed if you have a large yard, but a smaller hose will be sufficient if you only need to water a few plants on your deck.
25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, and 100 feet are the most common hose lengths. Nevertheless, if your water pressure is low, the hose may not expand to its advertised length. If you connect a 75-foot hose to your spigot, it may only expand to 65 feet.
Fitting Material
Water hoses can be connected to water supplies and to nozzles by a variety of connectors.
In comparison to the other materials, plastic is more affordable but not as durable. Brass is more durable than plastic since it won’t corrode or rust. Metals like aluminum tend to last longer than plastics but not as long as brass.
Core Material
There is a good chance that your hose’s outer layer will be covered with fabric. The core of the hose, however, can be made from either of two types of materials.
Hoses made of latex typically have two, three, or four layers. The more layers you have in your core, the more protection you get, but it also makes the hoseless flexible.
A thermoplastic copolyester is more heat-resistant and durable than latex, but it is also more expensive.
Nozzle
You can change the spray pattern on some expandable hoses by using the nozzle. If your hose includes a nozzle, be sure to check the product description. An ergonomic design, durability, and a variety of spray patterns are some features to look for in a nozzle. It may be worth it to find the right model of each nozzle and hose separately, even if it costs a little more.