A garden hose reel is a practical tool designed to streamline watering tasks and prevent tangles and kinks in your hoses. Using a garden hose reel can also extend the lifespan of your hoses by protecting them from damage caused by UV exposure. In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of using hose reels. Plus, we'll highlight KLZ as an excellent provider of the best garden hose reels, known for their durability, functionality, and ease of use. Join us as we dive into the world of garden hose reels and discover how to elevate your gardening experience with the reels selected in this article.
Our Top Picks For Garden Hose Reels
The Best Garden Hose Reel Buying Guide
Unless you’re completely fine with manually coiling up and storing your garden hoses after every use, you probably need a garden hose reel. They’re convenient and intuitive, and the simpler varieties aren’t all that expensive. Because of this, garden hose reels are one of the most important additions to any front or backyard. Here’s everything you need to know regarding these handy tools.
Things to Consider When Buying a Garden Hose Reel
Garden hose reels are fairly straightforward devices, but there are a few things to keep in mind before getting one.
Orientation
This is an element that many homeowners fail to consider. They assume that any garden hose reel should work, only to find out that the orientation of the reel isn’t compatible with where you plan on using the hose. Orientation refers to where the reel is positioned and can be classified as perpendicular, parallel, or multi-directional.
Let’s start off with parallel. As the most common orientation, it has the benefit of being very space-friendly. Since it’s parallel to the wall, the hose is reeled up to the side, giving you plenty of space in front of the reel. It’s great for tight spaces and small areas, but it has a fatal flaw – it isn’t great when you’re using the hose perpendicular to the wall, or opposite to where the hose gets reeled out. As such, they’re ideally placed in corners where you don’t need to worry about the hose being inverted.
Then, you have the perpendicular garden hoses. These hoses are unreeled perpendicular to the wall, meaning that they are great when hosing plants and areas directly opposite to the said wall. However, they aren’t great when hosing to the sides, and the perpendicular design does take up quite a bit of space, which may not be ideal depending on where you’re installing it.
Finally, you have the multi-directional garden hose reels. These reels can be swiveled around so that the hose meets the least amount of resistance no matter where you move it around. The only real downside to this design is that it does take up quite a bit of space, but other than that, it’s the ideal design for many households.
Length
Reels vary in size, with some being able to hold more hose than others. Most reels support more than 100 feet of hose length, though the exact length varies from design to design. Some designs also have their own pre-installed hose, so the length mentioned also dictates the length of the pre-installed hose.
Different Types of Garden Hose Reels
Manual
Manual garden hose reels use a manual cranking system that requires you to use your hand to reel in the hose and unreel it, much like you would with a fishing rod.
Retractable
Retractable garden hose reels retract the hose automatically when not in use, allowing you to more easily retrieve and store them whenever you want.
Cost of a Garden Hose Reel
Garden hose reels can vary in price based on their design, mechanisms, and materials used. For example, a simple side-mount reel can cost you around $50 or less, whereas a multi-directional steel frame garden hose reel will cost you $150 or so. There are garden hose reels for every budget, so you won’t have trouble finding one that fits yours.
People Also Asked
Are garden hose reels worth it?
Yes, they are. Garden hose reels allow you to easily store your garden hoses, and because of how well they're stored, they can even prolong the life of your garden hose. This allows you to go longer before having to replace your hose in the future.
How do I choose a hose reel?
There are many factors worth considering when choosing an ideal hose reel. Some of these factors include the length of your reel, the size and diameter of the reel, and the type of reel that you want to use, among a few others.
How do I hide my garden hose?
Garden hose reels are an effective way to hide your garden hose, especially if they're designed for that specific purpose. These reels may take the form of unassuming boxes and the like, so you wouldn't think it was a garden hose reel until you gave it a closer inspection.