Traditional hoses have long been a staple, but in recent years, a new contender has entered the scene: the expandable hose pipe.

These innovative hoses are gaining popularity due to their unique features and convenience.

In this article, we’ll explore why you might choose an expandable hose over a regular hose and discuss the pros and cons of these versatile watering tools.

Why Use an Expandable Hose Pipe?

Lightweight and Compact Design:

One of the primary reasons to consider an expandable hose pipe is its lightweight and compact design.

Unlike traditional hoses, which can be bulky and heavy, expandable hoses are made from a flexible and lightweight material that expands when filled with water.

This makes them easy to maneuver and carry around the garden, making watering tasks less strenuous.

Space-Efficient Storage:

Expandable hoses are known for their space-saving qualities.

When not in use, these hoses contract to a fraction of their expanded size, making them easy to store in small spaces such as sheds or garages.

This is particularly beneficial for those with limited storage space or who prefer a clutter-free garden.

Flexibility and Maneuverability:

Expandable hoses are highly flexible, allowing for easy maneuverability around obstacles in your garden.

They can bend and curve effortlessly, reaching plants, flower beds, and other areas that may be challenging to access with a regular hose.

This flexibility also helps prevent kinks, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted water flow.

Expanding Length:

Expandable hoses are designed to expand when water is turned on, reaching a longer length than their compact size.

This feature is advantageous for gardens of different sizes, allowing you to water plants across larger areas without the need for multiple hose attachments or extensions.

It provides the convenience of extended reach without the hassle of a heavy and cumbersome traditional hose.

Pros of Expandable Hose Pipes:

Easy to Store: The compact size of expandable hoses makes storage a breeze, particularly in small spaces.

Lightweight and Portable: The lightweight design of expandable hoses makes them easy to carry and maneuver, reducing strain and fatigue during watering tasks.

Kink and Tangle Resistant: The flexibility of expandable hoses minimizes the risk of kinks and tangles, ensuring a continuous water flow.

Versatile Usage: Expandable hoses are suitable for various watering tasks, from gentle plant watering to more robust cleaning activities.

Adjustable Water Pressure: Many expandable hoses come with adjustable water pressure settings, allowing you to customize the flow based on your specific needs.

Cons of Expandable Hose Pipes:

Durability Concerns: While expandable hoses are convenient, their durability can be a concern. Some models may be prone to leaks or punctures, especially if exposed to rough surfaces or sharp objects.

Limited Temperature Range: Expandable hoses may not withstand extreme temperatures as well as traditional hoses. Freezing temperatures, in particular, can cause damage to the hose’s material and fittings. Ensure you keep it well protected and looked after.

Restricted Water Flow: Compared to traditional hoses, expandable hoses typically have a smaller diameter, which can restrict water flow, especially for tasks that require high water pressure.

Compatibility Issues: Certain expandable hoses may not be compatible with all types of hose connectors or fittings, requiring additional adapters or adjustments.

Price Variations: Expandable hoses come in a wide range of prices, and the quality varies with price. Cheaper options may be more prone to issues like leaks or bursts.

In Conclusion:

Expandable hose pipes offer unique advantages that make them a viable alternative to traditional hoses.

Their lightweight and compact design, flexibility, and easy storage make them popular among gardeners and homeowners alike.

However, it’s essential to consider potential durability concerns, limited water flow, and compatibility issues when choosing an expandable hose.

By weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision and determine if an expandable hose pipe is the right choice for your watering needs.

So, the next time you find yourself in need of a new hose, consider the benefits and drawbacks of expandable hose pipes. They may just be the versatile and convenient solution you’ve been looking for in your garden or outdoor cleaning routine.

The post Are Expandable Hose Pipes Any Good? appeared first on Best Hose.

To ensure its longevity and optimal performance, proper maintenance and storage practices are crucial.

Buy investing in a medium to high quality hose pipe and then spending a bit of time looking after it, you can avoid unnecessary waste if it were to break!

By following these guidelines, you can keep your garden hose in excellent condition and avoid common issues like leaks, kinks, and premature wear.

Cleaning

Ensure your hose pipe is cleaned if you are to put it away. Sometimes the hose can get wet and bits of debris or soil can stick to it. This can then cause damage when the hose gets tightly coiled back together.

It’s also important that you ensure no sharp objects such as rose thorns are left in a place that the hose may drag over – these can cause punctures.

Check for Damage

Before storing your garden hose or before the first use of the year, inspect it for any signs of damage.

Look for cracks, leaks, or splits along the length of the hose.

Check the connectors and fittings for any loose or damaged parts. If you identify any issues, it’s important to address them promptly by repairing or replacing the damaged components.

Preventing Kinks

Kinks in a garden hose can restrict water flow and potentially damage the hose.

To prevent kinks, make sure to remove any twists or loops from the hose before use. When watering, straighten the hose out fully to allow the water to flow freely.

If you notice a kink, carefully unravel it to avoid damaging the hose.

Proper Storage

Storing your garden hose correctly is vital for its longevity.

Avoid leaving it exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as prolonged sunlight or freezing temperatures, as these can cause the hose to deteriorate.

Instead, choose a storage location that is dry, shaded, and protected from extreme temperatures.

A hose reel or a wall-mounted hose hanger is an excellent option for organised storage. These are also often placed on house walls that will provide some protection against extreme frosts.

Protecting the Connectors

The connectors and fittings on your garden hose are vulnerable to damage, especially when the hose is in use.

It can be easy to be just watering away and then dragging the hose around. Those connectors can easily catch on steps or corners in your garden and split.

Keep it Off The Ground

Keeping your hose pipe off the ground, especially when being stored, is quite important to prevent damage.

Animals such as Mice can easily chew through the hose material when finding bedding causing a lot of damage to the hose.

If you leave it out and unraveled in the garden it can also be vulnerable to rodents and the extreme heat from the sun could even make it soften and split.

In Conclusion

Your hose will last you for years as long as you take care of it. Don’t forget, if you happen to damage your hose pipe or it gets leaks, you can upcycle it into a soaker hose. Some ideas can be found here.

The post How to Look After & Store A Garden Hose appeared first on Best Hose.

• I could trust with my water bill.
• That would be easy to set up and use – no lengthy instructions please!
• Wasn’t going to cost a lot of money.

As a result of my usual lengthy research habits, I have rounded up EVERYTHING you need to know in an easy to follow guide, showing what each of the best water timers does and their excellent features and the downsides to each different model.

Happy watering!

1. Hozelock Sensor Controller Plus

This Hozelock sensor irrigation controller is one of the more advanced timers on the market, but it is not in the top price bracket like the Gardena advanced timer.

What can it do for me?

This clever little gadget mounts to your outdoor tap using a standard Hozelock connection.

• It has a day light / night time sensor so will automatically select the best time to water based on the sunrise or sunset. It even adapts to the changing seasons so you don’t have to reprogram it for when the sunset time changes.

• Tell the timer to water for 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 60 minutes.
• Really easy to adjust without loosing your settings incase you don’t need to water one day because the weather changed.
• There is a button to tell the timer to do an immediate water now, for a selected number of minutes.
• The sensor works even if your tap is situated in a shady spot.

Pros

• Easy to use – simple minimal settings

• Easy to set up – compact design and works with all Hozelock products.

• No digital screen – easier to see in bright sunlight

• Can be used with a two or three way splitter, to tackle different areas of the garden at once.

• Robust and hard wearing plastic

Cons

• Needs 2 AA batteries – these need changing, hopefully not too often – maybe once a year. There is a built in battery status indicator.

• Can’t be used with a water butt – then again, most timers cannot be used with a water butt.

• More expensive than the basic models available.

See Price on Amazon

2. Kingfisher Electronic Water Timer

This is most budget friendly electronic water timer that I have chosen to include.

The Kingfisher timer costs under half of the price of the Hozelock timer plus. But is it any good?

The functionality of this timer is pretty basic, for considering the low cost, you can’t really ask for much more.

Set the frequency of how often you want to water, from once every hour to once a week.

Next, set how long you would like the timer to run for each time it is on, from 1 minute to 120 minutes.

Pros

• It is the cheapest decent timer on the market.
• The Kingfisher is compatible with most brands of hosepipes including Hozelock.
• Very easy to set up, barely need to even look at the instructions as it is pretty self explanatory.

Cons

• Takes two AAA batteries – make sure you use good ones, so that they don’t run out and the water is left trickling out.
• Have the screw on the plastic water cover perfectly to avoid water damage inside. (Some timers do not need a protective cover at all.
• Feels a little flimsy.

See Price on Amazon

3. Orbit 94162 Buddy Single-Port Digital Tap Timer

This Orbit water timer looks pretty basic on the surface, but it actually does a fantastic job and suits all type of irrigation needs, from basic beginner to semi pro gardeners.

What can it offer?

• The large LCD screen makes it really easy and simple to read, even in the sunlight.

• The wheel dial makes it easy to change settings if you have trouble moving small buttons and knobs.

• Set the start time, the duration of the watering and how often you would like it to water your garden.
• Set the frequency from every 6 hours to once a week.
• Set the minutes of watering from 1 minute to 240 minutes.
• Use the manual override setting to water instantly – this won’t mess up your usual set programme.
• It has a built is manual ‘rain delay’ setting – so if you know it is going to rain you can tell the timer to skip the next water cycle.

Pros

• Very well built robust design, will withstand the British weather.
• Easy to programme and easy to manage controls.
• No fiddly lid or cover to put on – device is weather proof.
• Manual rain delay setting.

Cons

• More expensive than many other digital timers for the same features.
• No weather sensor or daylight sensor – the timer works on the time you set it to turn on.

See Price on Amazon

4. Hozelock Automatic Water Computer Timer Plus

The Hozelock automatic water timer is battery powered and can be set to automatically water your garden.

The dial programming is simple and uses manual dial turning to set. Many people are more familiar with this sort of timer setting dial and would prefer to manually see the numbers and dial than a digital screen,

Is it any good?

The Hozelock Simple timer does everything you would expect a water timer to do.

I like that it can be set for a full 24 hours in advance and repeat every day.

You can set the timer to water anything from once per day up to four times a day, which means if you forget to water your prized dahlias, this Hozelock timer has your back.

You can override the timer if you want to manually water too.

I really like that this timer is compatible with different brands and can be connected straight to your water butt. I am definitely in support of saving water wherever possible and using recycled rain water from a butt without having to stand there filling a watering can is music to my ears!

Pros

• If you’re clueless about how long the grass or your pots really need watering for, this timer would be ideal for you, you can follow the preset programmes and avoid overwatering for too long. Simply adjust the programme based on if your garden seems to be too wet or too dry.
• Simple one dial control – not screen or digital buttons. Ideal for the elderly.
• Trustworthy Hozelock name and reputation – with something like a water timer, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel totally comfortable leaving a cheaply made timer in charge of my water bill whilst on holiday – I would however, feel happier knowing that the timer in charge was made by Hozelock.
• Sturdy and robust model, – easy to handle set up and use.
• Can be used on a water butt.

Cons

• Needs 2 AA batteries, need to keep an eye on when they are likely to run out.
• I personally like have a screen or a way to know instantly if the timer is on or off. I hate the thought of relaxing in the garden and the sprinkler suddenly comes on! There is a audible notification to tell you when you have successfully set the timer.

See Price on Amazon

5. Hozelock Auto Off Controller

Another entry from Hozelock, this is one of the cheapest water timers in this post.

It is definitely the cheapest Hozelock irrigation timer available.

On first glance this timer looks pretty basic, so how does it differ to the other water timers?

How does it compare?

It is important to note that this water timer from Hozelock operates purely as a countdown of watering time with an auto shut off to the water supply at the end of the number of minutes you select.

(Set any time from 5 minutes to 120 minutes.)

There is no programmable feature on this water timer, so it is not suitable if you are looking for a water timer to take care of watering whilst you’re on holiday.

It is however, very suitable and useful if you have a sprinkler or water dripper system set up and just want to let the system work for a limited amount of time without having to remember to turn off the tap!

(The number of times I have seen our next door neighbours grass sprinkler going for what seems like ages – thinking has he forgot to turn the tap off?)

The Hozelock auto off controller would also be ideal when you are doing things such as filling a pond or garden pool with water – a time when you really need to remember to turn the tap off to avoid wasting water.

Pros

• Very easy to use, the device clips onto the tap, turn the dial like an egg timer and that’s it.
• Large dial is easy to grasp and turn.
• No complex features to confuse.
• Secure water cut off to avoid wasting water.
• Cheap – costs around a third of some of the other Hozelock water timers.

Cons

• Basic limited functionality – cannot set timer in advance or programme it to start at a certain time.
• Wont take care of watering whilst you’re on holiday.

See Price on Amazon

6. Gardena Water Computer FlexControl

This is the most expensive irrigation timer in my list and the most advanced.

Apart from feeling very well made and the more advanced features what else can the the Garden timer offer?

Is it worth the extra cost?

I would say that if you are a passionate gardener or if watering the garden gives you pride and joy, then the Gardena timer is perfect for you.

Aside from the timer functions, I love that this is the only water timer I have found where you can lift the control panel off the main unit to change the settings.

Many outside taps are positioned at an awkward height to be being for a period of time to set the time functions. – Being able to lift the panel off and walk around the garden with it or perhaps sit on a bench is such a simple but useful feature.

It might look a little complex to understand how to work, but I assure you, Gardena have made is very easy and once you have had a look at the instructions, and realised what the symbols mean, you will have no problem in reprogramming the timer.

This water timer has a clear digital LCD screen, to make it easy to read even in the sunlight.

There are two buttons and on dial – so minimal number of controls to master.

I appreciate and I’m sure you will too, the days of the week that are permanently on the screen – the current day is underlined.
There is a clear digital battery display to ensure that you won’t accidentally run out of battery (the battery for the Gardena is a 9V battery – most take AAA or AA. The battery lasts around a year.

The settings are the usual – select number of days or with the Gardena – you can select specific days of the week.

Select frequency of watering and for how long.

One final thing that makes the Gardena irrigation timer stand out for me above the rest (for the more serious gardeners).

This timer can be connected to a range of Gardena accessories including ‘Gardena Rain’ and ‘Soil Moisture Sensor’.

Both of these sensors help you to not only conserve water and your water bill if it rains, but to avoid over watering if not needed and avoid drowning your plants if the soil is already damp or wet.

Pros

• Advanced functionality – perfect for serious or even professional gardeners.
• Ability to use rain and soil moisture level sensors to avoid over watering.
• You can take the settings screen off the main unit and adjust settings without having to bend down.
• Easy to read screen and easy to understand buttons and control wheel.
• Will easily take care of your watering whilst you’re on holiday or at work.

Cons

• More expensive than other water timers.

• Maybe not suitable for people who struggle with new technology and screens with small text.
• Would be nice if it had an optional second water port built in – for the more serious gardeners with multiple dripper loops set up as well as sprinklers.

See Price on Amazon

7. Orbit 96781 ‘Buddy HF’ Single-Port Digital Tap Timer

This Orbit tap timer is very similar to the other Orbit tap timer that I mentioned earlier.

They are quite similar in price too, the main difference is the design, and the slightly better digital screen

What does it do?

Choose how often you would like to water, from every 6 hours to every 7th day.

Then choose how long you want to water for, from 1 to 240 minutes.

You can also use the manual watering function to keep your set programme but to water immediately. Or, if the inevitable rain starts, you can use the delay button to skip the next watering session to save wasting water.

Pros

• Very easy to set up and to change programmes without having to consult the instruction manual.
• Large digital dial is easy to see, even in sunlight.
• Compatible with all major hose brands.

Cons

• In the higher price bracket of water timers, £30-£40.
• Slightly more tricky buttons to navigate, especially if wearing gardening gloves.
• Have to bend down to the level of the tap to adjust settings.

See Price on Amazon

8. Orbit ‘Buddy II’ Two-Port Digital Tap Timer

This Orbit Buddy II is a slightly more advanced version of the Buddy I timer.

It has two ports which means you can set up two different programmes for the two water feeds.

This helps you to take your watering to the next level and to set up multiple sprinklers or drip feeders.

What does it do?

Pretty much the same as the other Orbit Buddy water timers.

Use the dial and the simple buttons to set the start time, how long to water for and how often. It’s really simple.

The good thing is that you can isolate one of the water feeds, or programme them both to a separate time pattern.

Pros

• Two water feeds, with independant timer settings to water more of your garden more quickly.
• Doesn’t cost much more than the Orbit timer with only one water feed.
• More advanced ‘rain delay’ feature – delay the next watering for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours without disturbing the preset programmes.

Cons

• Screen is quite small and basic.
• No battery life indicator.
• Have to bend down to adjust the timer settings.

See Price on Amazon

Best Luxury / Advanced Irrigation Timer

It is pretty hard to choose between the Hozelock Sensor Controller Plus and the Gardena Water Computer FlexControl.

They both rank highly with me. The Gardena I think just had the edge over the Hozelock, thanks to its ease of use.

The Gardena dial controls can be lift off the unit that is attached to the tap to make it easier to tinker with the settings without having to bend down for a period of time.

The screen is also a good quality easy to read LCD screen – however if you struggle reading small numbers, go for the Hozelock instead as the numbers are bigger.

The features of the Hozelock Sensor Controller mean it is also one of the best luxury buys in water timers.

The daylight sensor is clever and means you don’t have to preset a time to water, it will water based on the light levels.

Best Budget Hose Timer

The best budget timer would either be the Hozelock Auto Off Controller, or the Kingfisher Electronic Water Timer.

The reason I would choose the Kingfisher timer over the Hozelock one is the functionality.

They are quite similar in price, both can be bought for around £15.

The Kingfisher timer can do all of the things that the more expensive timers can do, like set the time to water, the frequency and the length of time to water for.

Whereas the Hozelock timer is simply an egg timer style, so when the time you have set runs out, the water cuts off.

If you’re going on holiday or want to not have to think about setting the timer each time you want to water your garden, go for the Kingfisher timer.

I hope this Top 8 Irrigation Timers post was useful to you. When I first decided to get one, I thought they would all be really complicated and annoying to set up.
Having done my research as to which one is the best to which needs, it has become clear that they are actually really easy to use set up and do not cost a lot of money.

The post Best Hose Timer / Water Irrigation Timers 2023 appeared first on Best Hose.

They are perfect for the modern family home, as they require minimal effort. The last thing you want is a hose left out on the floor to trip over.

They also take up very little space.

Once fully shrunk down, they can usually be stored in a small tub, basket or bag, which is very useful if you have a small garden or a small shed / garage to store it in over winter.

The other real benefit is that they are very lightweight compared to regular hoses. They do not need a reel or to be wall mounted either.

A typical lightweight expandable hose can easily be held in one hand and carried – making them ideal for the elderly, or people who would struggle to manoeuvre a heavy bulky hose.

Having done the research, I have rounded up the best expandable hoses I can find on the market.

In a hurry? Here is a quick table featuring our top picks, more detailed reviews and information can be found further down the page.

Flexi Hose Expandable Hose Pipe

• Price: £
• Length: 50-100ft
• Type: Expandable
• Well priced, high quality expandable hose

See Price

Homoze Expanding Hose Pipe

• Price: ££
• Length: 50ft
• Type: Expanding
• Good quality, well priced and durable

See Price

Lufeng Expanding Hose

• Price: £
• Length: 50ft
• Type: Expandable
• Amazon choice product, good quality brass fittings, durable

See Price

Suplong Expandable Hose

• Price: £
• Length: 100m
• Type: Expandable
• Well priced, good quality expanding hose

See Price

1. Flexi Hose Expandable Hose, 50ft, 75ft, 100ft

This is a great all round expandable hose. Available in three sizes to suit every garden and with brass fittings for added durability.

It comes with a spray gun that has 8 functions, so you can have anything from a concentrated stream spray for powerful cleaning for the car to a delicate sprinkle or mist for your seedlings.

They have spent years refining the product to fix teething problems that used to happen with earlier expanding hoses.

Weighing only 1.32kg for the 50ft hosepipe, it is nice and lightweight.

This hose has a sturdy on/off valve and is sturdy enough to withstand up to 12 bars of water pressure, which is much higher than other expandable hosepipes that have come before such as the King Top.

This hosepipe expands to 3 times its length – reaching 100ft when filled with water;

Ideal for most large sized back gardens and home car washing uses.

Positives:

• Lightweight, and compact
• Robust – redesigned over its years of being for sale to become as good as it can be.
• Available as 50ft, 75ft and 100ft lengths when expanded.
• On Off valve for easy use

Negatives

• Spray gun can be a little stiff at first.
• Hose is a more delicate than traditional hose reel hoses. Must be careful when using on uneven surfaces not to snag or pull the hose risking damaging it.
• Must be stored indoors over winter and kept in shade in summer when not in use.

See Flexi Hose on Amazon

2. Hozelock 40m Superhoze Hosepipe

I would always lean towards the Hozelock brand, having owned a Hozelock hosepipe for many years with no problems.

The beauty of the Superhoze, although a little more expensive than some over the other expandable hose brands, is that you get a 5 year guarantee.

That is a massive deal for an expanding hose as they have been known to be quite temperamental and not always reliable and long lasting!

So a 5 year guarantee speaks volumes for the quality of this expanding hose.

The hozelock expandable hose is available in 7.5m, 15m, 30m and 40m. So there is one for every garden.

That is the advice from Hozelock themselves – but I would still be cautious..

The Superhoze has a durable outer layer – unlike some other expandable hoses – it has been designed to ‘withstand abrasion on any terrain’.

A polyester woven tough fabric is always going to be more easily damaged than a tradition rubber hose.

Positives:

• Robust and long lasting elastic core – better quality.
• Comes with a 5 year guarantee.
• Never kinks – thanks to the composition of materials inside the hosepipe.
• Available in small sizes as well as large 7.5m to 40m so you only need to buy a hose as big as your garden.
• Lightweight hosepipe.
• Comes in a convenient plastic tub – perfect for easy storage in between uses and over winter.
• Comes with the classic Hozelock spray nozzle – which is what I have used for years – does everything I need it to.
• Easy to use.

Negatives:

• Slightly more expensive than other expandable hoses.
• Comes with a basic spray nozzle, this may not be a downside – it wouldn’t be for me – but some people may prefer a spray gun.

See Superhoze on Amazon

3. Ailuze 100ft Garden Hose Pipe

The Ailuze expandable hose is built with 4 outer layers for increased durability with a natural latex core.

It comes with brass fittings which are known to be more robust that plastic connectors when it comes to expandable hoses.

The one year guarantee is reassuring and says that this is a quality product.

I like the fact it comes with little extras, like a storage bag and hook that you can attach to the wall to coil the retracted hose around when not in use.

This means you are less likely to accidentally stand on it and risk splitting or damaging the expandable material.

I also really like that its one of the only expandable hoses that comes with a two way tap splitter;

So you can still have access to the regular tap even when the expandable hose is connected.

Positives:

• The tap connector piece has a two way water flow valve so you can use the hose on one nozzle and fill up a watering can with the other hole.
• Quality materials – one year guarantee.
• Comes with storage bag and hook for keeping the hose off the ground.
• Spray gun with 8 setting included as standard.

Negatives:

• Only available in 100ft – might be a bit too long and get in the way in small gardens when is expands to 100ft.

See Ailuze Hose on Amazon

4. ‘TheFitLife’ Expandable Garden Hose Pipe

This hose pipe called ‘TheFitLife’ expandable hose comes in 4 different sizes.

Making it more suited to a range of gardens.

It is available in 25 feet / 7.5m, 50 feet / 15m, 75 feet / 22.5m and 100 feet / 30m.

This is great because a lot of the expandable hoses only come in the largest 100ft lengths – (which puts them at risk of ending up coiled on the floor and accidentally getting trodden on!)

The manufacturer claims that is is tested and proven to last for 1100-1200 uses, which is pretty impressive.

TheFitLife hose also has a 180 day risk free service so you can buy, knowing you will be able to test it out and make sure you’re happy without losing money.

Positives:

• Available in different sizes to suit different gardens.
• Piping inside is triple latex reinforced – this means it will be able to expand and contact more times before the rubber wears out.
• Has a tough polyester fabric on the outer of the hose – much better at protecting from rogue thorns or holly!
• Metal fittings.
• 8 pattern spray gun fitted as standard.
• ‘No kink’ technology – so it should get all tangled up when you’re using it.
• Affordable.

Negatives:

• The reinforced inner tubing means you need good water pressure to enable the hose to fully extend – very important with this hose in particular.
• No storage bag or hook – you would need a container or hook to safely store the hose between uses.

5. HOMOZE Expandable Garden Hose Pipe 50FT 

The Homoze expandable hose is a cheap and cheerful 50ft hose.

It is very lightweight and perfect for light uses – such as daily watering of potted plants, seedlings and the lawn.

Homoze include a convenient storage bag to safely store your hose inside over winter.

It comes with a standard spray gun with 8 functions – most expandable hoses seem to have a variation on this.

This hose does not have brass or metal fittings but instead a toughened plastic connectors – like the Hozelock fittings.

This expanding hose is very easy to use and can be set up in minutes.

Conveniently, there are different sized tap attachments included, so if you have a threaded outside tap, you will be able to get going immediately without having to order more parts.

Positives:

• Very lightweight – easy to carry and lift.
• Works with most water pressures, even if yours is a bit low.
• Storage bag included.
• Simple but effective spray gun included.
• Easy to use and set up.
• Cheap to buy.
• 50 ft – half the size of many expanding hoses – easier to store.

Negatives:

• More fragile than other expanding hoses – not as robust internally or externally. (You probably don’t want to be dragging it over gravel or areas where there could be rogue thorns or brambles.
• Looks pretty basic, not very fancy.
• Plastic connectors – for me this isn’t a negative, I have always used plastic, but some people prefer metal.

See Homoze Expandable Hose on Amazon

6. LUFENG Garden Hose 50FT / 15M with Strongest Double Latex Core

This bargain magic hose is one of the cheapest priced hoses for the length and strength of the hose and the accessories included.

I like that the hose has a double latex core and a high strength polyester silk on the outer surface of the hose which makes it lightweight but durable. 

The tight skin on the outside makes it less susceptible to accidental nicks and pulls from spiky or rough objects on the ground like rose thorns.

Although that’s not to say it’s completely safe around sharp objects, if it caught on a rose thorn for example and then you pulled the hose pipe, it could tear. 

It is very easy to use and has everything you need including a bracket to hang it on when not in use. 

The spray gun has 9 functions, like most other expandable hoses. So you can delicately water your seedlings but also blast your car.

Unlike other brands of expandable hose, there is not big shout out about a guarantee or product satisfaction period..

This hosepipe is not going to last forever, but for just over £20, to get a 50ft hose, spray gun and all accessories, it is a bargain. 

Positives:

• Premium quality – it costs the same for a 50ft hose as some 100ft expandable hoses because it is higher quality.
• Lightweight hose.
• 9 function spray gun included.
• Anti kink and tangle materials.
• Good quality brass fittings.
• Easy to set up.
• Can withstand 3 – 12 bar pressure. 

Negatives:

• More expensive that many other expandable hoses.
• No mention of a product guarantee – but their after sales service seems to be good.
• Handle os spray gun is not particularly ergonomic for the higher price bracket – although being rubber and non slip, it may start to make your hand ache if pressing the lever for long periods.

See LUFENG Hose on Amazon

7. Expandable Garden Hose Pipe 100FT

A bargain hosepipe, at just over £20, you get a hose pipe that can extend to 100ft. Which is double the length of the Lufeng hose for almost the same price. 

The accessories included are good, including a bracket to hang it on and a bag to store it in over winter. 

With a 12 month warranty and 180 day money back guarantee, you know you will be covered if anything happens.I think for such a budget price, this is a generous offer. 

This expandable hose has brass fittings, thank goodness that manufacturers seem to have stopped using plastic ones now as they were just never up to job. 

Its excellent that there also two adaptors included, one 3/4″ and one 1/2″ so it will fit most outside taps and pressure washers with no problem. You can use this as a feeder hose to your pressure washer.

Positives:

• Tough high strength polyester helps to aid in stopping the hose from kinking and tangling. 
• Brass connectors. 
• Rubber handle is non slip and ergonic. 
• Bracket and storage bag included.
• Good warranty and money back guarantee. 
• Can be connected to a pressure washer input. 
• Two adaptors included. 3/4″ and 1/2″

Negatives:

• Not the most durable inner rubber tubing, compared to others available. 
• You need to look after this hose, keep it out of harsh summer and winter weather or it will get damaged and split. 
• Only available in 100ft size. Might be too much excess hose if you have a small garden.
•  

See 100ft Expandable Hose on Amazon

I hope this article may help you in your choice of expandable hose. I did a good few hours or research trying to figure out the best ones that are currently available.

I think as long as you avoid the ‘X-hose’ you will be okay!

The main things to consider when buying an expandable hose are:

Price – This reflects the quality dramatically. Sometimes, when we have a rainy season and people are not buying hose pipes, the really cheaply made expandable hoses go down in price, sometimes to like £10, which is crazy cheap an they generally break quite quickly.

If you can – go for a good branded expandable hose, like the Hozelock Superhoze or the recently updated ‘Flexi Hose’. That way, at least you have a guarantee to cover your hose purchase and anything that could go wrong with the product.

The post Best Expandable Hose Pipe 2023 appeared first on Best Hose.

They are ideal for keeping on whilst you are at work during hotter weather or even overnight to really soak the ground.

Soaker Hoses are also great for establishing younger plants or hedges.

Here we have a selection of the Best Soaker Hose Pipes!

(Looking for regular hose pipes? Check out our guide to the best garden hose here)

Benefits of Soaker Hose Pipes:

• They use up to 70% less water than a conventional hose – this is because the soaker hoses gradually drip the water either onto the surface of the soil right next to the plants or straight under ground if is buried.
  When using a conventional hose pipe, the water is often wasted as it goes everywhere uncontrollably when in use!
• It is cheaper to operate if you are on a water meter. Houses on water meters are likely to rack up hefty bills when using a hose pipe, a soaker hose can help reduce water bills by using significantly less water more effectively than a conventional hose.
• If you bury the hose in the garden, you don’t have to worry about reeling it in or storing it, simply plug it onto the tap and turn on when you need to use it!
• Great for people with borders, beds or hedges in particular.
• When several lengths are joined together with connectors and positioned correctly, it can provide a watering solution for your entire garden, even if it is a massive garden!

Why not to use a soaker hose:

• Soaker hoses wont be good for general or pot-based watering. They are primarily designed to stay in situ around a specific area or part of the garden.
• A regular conventional hose pipe will have more uses such as watering pots, the grass, the car, filling up the pond or swimming pool.

Soaker Hose FAQ:

What is the difference between a soaker hose and a regular garden hose?

A soaker hose is a special type of hose pipe that contains a number of holes or “slashes” along its length allowing a slow release of water. It is ideal for borders, hedges and beds to provide a consistent level of water throughout the day/night.
It utilises less water than a regular hose as it is more accurate so can save money on water bills.
A regular garden hose does not do what a soaker hose does, but you can provide water all around the garden and direct it rather than be fixed to one location like a soaker hose.

Do you need anything else when you buy a soaker hose?

• Pegs – due to the nature of their design and how they are made, soaker hoses will require some form of pegs to stop them from moving around. You can pick these up quite cheaply on Amazon.
• Connectors – make sure you have the right connectors before buying a soaker hose – ideally you want an existing hose pipe or length of hose to run from your tap and join up with the soaker hose at the point where you want to start watering your garden. If the soaker hose is attached directly to the tap, you will have water seeping out of it right there rather than next to the plants!

What is a soaker hose used for?

• Gradual seeping of water through a hose length with holes in, this ensures water goes directly to where the hose length is situated.
• Ideal for hedges, establishing new plants, borders and beds. Also great for warmer weather when you are concerned that your plants may not be getting enough water throughout the day, a soaker hose can help. By using a soaker hose you don’t risk things like scorching plant leaves or damaging flower heads when directing water from a regular hose.

How long can a soaker hose be?

This depends on the manufacturers guidelines. But traditionally you shouldn’t go above 50 meters in length. This is because the hose will be so long, the water will find it difficult to reach the very end of the hose length as the water will be seeping out of the previous meters of length.

Does a soaker hose need full water pressure?

No – this is important! If you turn the tap on full for a soaker hose, you will most likely damage the hose or break it completely. It needs low pressure, about half that of a regular hose pipe to allow water to gradually travel down and permeate through the hose length.

The post Best Soaker Hose 2023 appeared first on Best Hose.

This particular Hozelock hose is fairly new to the market when compared to most of the range, it only came out in early 2017. The marketing budget has obviously skyrocketed now because you see them everywhere you go!

Let’s dive right in to the review:

How does the Hozelock Superhoze work?

If you aren’t familiar with the “expandable hose,” to put it simply, it is a hose pipe that is almost scrunched up and when filled with water it expands to a longer length. Like a piece of elastic that contains water!

The Hozelock Superhoze expands up to 3 times its original length. So if you have the 30m version, it would be around 10m in length before any water goes through it, then gradually fills up and expands to the 30m size.

When you turn the water off, it gradually shrinks back down again to its original size as the water leaves the hose pipe – fun to watch!

The most innovative thing about the expandable hosepipe design is that you cannot kink it! This is the main reason that people tend to buy one.

See Price on Amazon

How does it feel?

Like any Hozelock product, it feels incredibly high quality. It feels robust and like it is going to last.

The Hozelock Superhoze does come with a 3 year manufacturers guarantee – something that should ultimately show that Hozelock are pretty confident on the quality and life of the hose.

The first think you notice about it, is when you pick it up it is incredibly lightweight. In fact, the Hozelock Superhoze only weighs just over 1kg. 4 times lighter than a regular hose pipe of a similar length!

You can use it just like a regular hose, the only difference is how it appears differently when in use versus not in use and most importantly, how it is stored.

How does it compare with similar designed hose pipes?

I purchased the X Hose hose pipe during the first month of its release. It was and still is a product that is shown everywhere in a lot of shops with stands, videos playing and on TV.

It should be noted that when I bought the X Hose it was also much more expensive than it is now!

To cut a very long story short, the X Hose broke on my first try using it – the water did not reach the end of the hose, it ballooned up near the tap connector and it kind of “exploded” off the tap causing the hose to split and the connector to snap. I took it back, I got a refund, I never bought one again.

Reading about it now, I presume that they have improved the design and quality somewhat, but that experience (one that others appear to have had as well as other faults) was enough to put me off not buying one again.

There are plenty of reputable expandable hose pipes on the market (note that X Hose has one of the worst ratings (enough said about X Hose…)), but after trying many out and having a good feel and play with them, I don’t think any expandable hose pipe compares to the quality of the Hozelock Superhoze.

Hozelock produce high quality products, I love the range of fittings and attachments that you can buy for any Hozelock hose. They are made to last and they have the ability for you to repair a broken component of a hose pipe without having to throw the whole old one away and buy a new one. I once dropped the end of my hose pipe on concrete causing the nozzle to shatter – so simply bought a new one. A feature that you won’t get with many other brands.

People giving Expandable Hosepipes a bad name!

Earlier I mentioned it was important to how you store your hosepipe. More precisely, it is important how it is stored over the winter months.

You don’t need to use a hosepipe over the winter, so why do people feel the need to leave it outside or in a place where the cold can really get to it.

A huge selling point of hose pipes such as the expandable variety, hozelock auto reel or any reelable hose for that matter, is that is is easy to store.

But a lot of people tend to leave a hosepipe out on the ground all year round, sometimes including the winter. It gets walked over, ridden over by bike or car wheels and then it ends up splitting or leaking. Then individuals tend to blame it as being faulty by the manufacturer!
Another common theme is people storing it outside or in a garden shed over winter then complaining that it has leaks or isn’t working like it did the previous summer. The issue here is that if it is -10 degrees outside, it is probably not far off being that in your shed. If left outside, it can be prone to leaks from exposure to extreme temperatures and even crazy things like mice chewing the hose pipe itself can cause leaks – unfortunately not manufacturing defects.

Almost every 1 star review you read of a hosepipe is normally written after someone has stored their hose away, gone to use it again the following summer, and then found one of the above problems with it.

If you invest in a hose pipe, it is important you store it away safely and look after it!

Final opinion – why get this versus a conventional Hozelock hose?

The Hozelock Superhoze is ideal for those with small to medium sized gardens. Perhaps those who are fed up of kinks, having to trace back down the length of hose to find the cause of the problem around a corner or plant pot!

Maybe you are taken with the idea of getting an expandable hose pipe, you like the thought of how it expands and shrinks down and the non-kinking functionality. When many have invested time and money into a specific type of product – they stick with it!
If you have owned an expandable hose pipe before and want to invest in a new one, the Hozelock Superhoze is the perfect hose pipe for you!

If you have a larger garden and have no worries over concerns about owning an expanding hose in particular, I would recommend opting for a product like the Hozelock Autoreel (review here) which is an exceptional conventional hose pipe.

See Price on Amazon

The post Hozelock Superhoze Expandable Hose Review appeared first on Best Hose.

If your hose has split somewhere in the length of the hose (not at the tap join) from being left out over winter or perhaps you ran over it with your car.. (like I once did) the good news is you don’t need to buy a whole new hose pipe.

Read on to find out how to fix and what you will need.

Of course you could just buy a new hose pipe – if you own basic hose, like a Hozelock starter kit or something similar, you may want to upgrade your hose system.

However – as hosepipes cannot be recycled, (unless you can use it in an inventive DIY project) then the responsible and sensible thing is to repair it.

Don’t just reach for the gaffa tape – although this would work as a temporary measure if you really needed.

Here’s what you will need to repair your split hosepipe:

A hosepipe repair piece – it will look something like this once on your fixed hose and cost around £10 if you choose a metal one.

Alternatively, you could use a plastic repair piece, like the one below from Hozelock.

I would trust the Hozelock brand 100%. A plastic repair connector can be purchased for around £5.

Step One:

You need to cut the hose pipe either side of where the hole or split has appeared.

This seems a bit weird I admit – it feels like you are making the problem a whole lot worse by physically cutting the hose in two. But stay with me.

This gives you two nice clean cut ends of the hose to join back together.

Step Two:

The connector you buy will create a join that is something like what a plumber would use when joining two lengths of pipe with a compression joint.

(Except you don’t need any plumbing knowledge to do this.)

Do the following:

1. Put the hose through the ‘nut’ part – the bit with the tightening grips around the edge.
2. Next, depending on which connector you have, you may need to thread on a plastic ‘inner’ part over the end of the hose – This piece acts like the ‘olive’ in a plumbing compression joint. (By adding enough pressure to stop any leaks.)
3. Push the cut end of your hose onto the central meta or plastic piece (the bit that has two identical ends.)
4. Repeat these steps on the other piece of cut hose and tighten everything up – this can be done by hand, so you don’t need any fancy tools to complete the job.

You’re done!

The first product I referred to above has both metal and plastic parts – which would do a very good job. It is worth mentioning that this kit is only suitable for hoses of 12mm diameter.

The repair connector with metal parts can be purchased on Amazon with free delivery here.

Alternatively, you could go with a Hozelock branded hose connector. This would be my personal preference, as I have always had good success with the Hozelock brand in the past.

Note: check the diameter of your hose, if you have a Gardena hose, a Kärcher hose or another brand, it may not fit!

See the bottom of this article for other mentions of Hose repair connectors for other brands of hose.

The Hozelock connector is also cheaper than the metal one and can be ordered in two sizes to fit either 12.5mm diameter hose or a 19mm hosepipe.

The Hozelock connector can be purchased on Amazon for less than £10 with free delivery.

And that’s it.

So you really don’t have to worry if you accidentally damage your hose, a simple quick connector part fix will save your hose from landfill.

Hose repair pieces are a permanent solution, so they are designed not to ever come off unless they are cut off.

Other hose repair products to consider.

I would also trust Gardena and Kärcher when it comes to hoses. They make their own neat little hose repair connectors – which can be bought for around £5.

Above is the Gardena hose connector that I found here on Amazon.

This is for hoses of 13mm or 15mm diameter – (so for Gardena hoses). So if you have a Hozelock hose, don’t buy this one!

Also, if you have a Gardena hose, likewise, don’t buy a Hozelock or the metal one I mentioned.

Above is the same thing but the Kärcher version, this can also be bought for around £5, I found this one available on the Halfords website.

If you are a fan of the Hozelock premium ‘Pro’ range (it has a grey design and uses more metal parts where possible). There is also a hose repair connector in this range.

I have never bought into the Hozelock Pro range but I know they are very reliable. This one works in the same way as the others but is reinforced by using some metal parts for extra durability.

Due to the slightly more premium parts, this connector is a bit more expensive, it can be bought here on Amazon for just over £10.

The post How to Fix a Garden Hose Pipe appeared first on Best Hose.

This means if you own a Hozelock hose and wish to buy Gardena accessories to fit it, or vice versa, you can do so without risk of them not fitting.

Sometimes a great way to save money is by purchasing items cheap in the sale (I know I have bought hosepipe bits and bobs at the start of Autumn cheap!)
So if you see any reduced Hozelock or Gardena products and don’t own the other brand, you can be confident that they will fit each other fine!

It is important to buy fittings from the UK and not to import them from the USA as potentially there may be some compatibility issues. The sizing of USA fittings are different to UK ones.

Rejoice in the knowledge that Gardena and Hozelock are indeed interchangeable!

The post Is Hozelock Compatible with Gardena? appeared first on Best Hose.

See Price on Amazon

What is the Hozelock Auto Reel? 

• The Hozelock Auto Reel is a wall mounted hosepipe in a hard and strong plastic casing.
• It has a unique and patented automatic rewind mechanism which means there is no effort required in putting the hose away each time you use it.
• The auto reel is available as a 10m, 20m, 30m or 40m length of hose. (The plastic outer casing is sized accordingly.)
• Everything you need to get set up and the hosepipe working is included (no need to cut feeder lengths of hose).
• It features a convenient child lock.
• The unit has to be wall mounted but can easily be lifted off in one move.
• There is space for a padlock to secure the hose to your wall whilst you’re away.
• You never need to hold the hosepipe taught to stop it recoiling.

Key Features of the Auto Reel

 

Hozelock benefits

 

• Everything you need to get set up.
• Tap connectors
• Hose attatchments including adjustable spray nozzle
• Feeder hose (this connects your outside tap to the hose unit.) The feeder hose supplied is 2m long, so should suit most needs.
• Wall bracket and fittings (screws and wall plugs are provided and are suitable for brick, concrete and stone.)

Guarantee & Extras

Hozelock offer a 5 year guarantee (you need to register online).

1. Makes using a hosepipe and putting it away a doddle. Every minute counts when you live in a busy household!
2. You can easily remove the unit from the wall for winter storage.
3. Hozelock have included safety features like the ability to padlock the unit to deter theft and a convenient child lock.

1. It is more expensive than most other hoses for the same length of hose. The premium price is for the convenience of the auto reel feature.
2. It is more difficult to set up than regular hoses, you need a little knowledge and confidence in drilling holes to be able to securely attach the bracket to the wall.
3. You can’t really use it anywhere other than in your garden. Its not really possible as you need to wall mounted bracket in order to use the hose.

Honest review

Setting the Hose Up

Tip*

Don’t ‘over buy’ the length of hose you actually need for your garden. Think about how far the water sprays with the hose fully extended. You may be able to get a smaller hose and save yourself some money!

Attatching Accessories Like Karcher Pressure Washer

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Auto Reel

See Price on Amazon

The post Hozelock Auto Reel Review – My Favourite Hose Reel! appeared first on Best Hose.

When these were first out and sold, there wasn’t really much else you could buy like it – but since then plenty of alternative “magic” hosepipes have appeared on the market. (Like these ones on Amazon)

I was excited getting this home and wanting so desperately to try it out, little did I know my garden would be getting no water on that fateful night…

First Xhose Bought:

When I took the Xhose home and unboxed it, I was immediately not that overly impressed with the quality. It felt kind of cheap and a bit plasticy – the connectors on either end of the hose as well as the spray gun attachment seemed poor quality. (It seems Xhose have since remedied this by introducing metal connectors with their Xhose Pro)

Anyway, I attached the hose to my tap connection and turned it on.

The water immediately started pouring out of the section between where the hose pipe joins the connector that is then attached to your tap, so much so that the pressure of water was not enough to fill the hose let alone get water to the spray gun head.

I took it back to the retailer that I had purchased it from the next day, and opted to swap it for another one (why not!)

Second Xhose Attempt:

Same story, got it home, unboxed it and went eagerly to water the garden (things were wilting by this point from yesterdays efforts).

This time the hose decided to do something different, the connector worked and water started flowing through (yes!) but after a few seconds, the hose started expanding strangely.

Next thing you know, theres this bulge appearing from the hose length about two thirds of the way down and it pops and water starts shooting out.

Turns out there was a tear or some sort of mis-manufacture in the blue material along the length of the hose leaving a gap. Whatever is inside (rubber I think) tried to escape via the hole with water in it and simply exploded.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… shame on me and congratulations to Xhose. I got a refund after the second go.

(oh, and if you were wondering about my poor plants wilting and dying off, don’t worry I threw plenty of water on them via watering cans!)

A great video showing a fault after 3 uses:

Plenty of reasons not to buy an Xhose:

I don’t think I have ever felt so annoyed or wound up when continuing to see a product on the shelves, that is a best seller on multiple retailer websites, that is this poor. It isn’t only myself that thinks so.

• Reviews of the Xhose online on places like here on Amazon or B&Q’s own website are pretty poor. Yet people continue to buy them! The current Amazon rating as I write this is a measly 2.8/5, yet people continue to add it to cart and buy it! It continues to stay on the top sellers lists within its category…
  My only thoughts are that people want one because they just do, its a fad, the next door neighbour has one, they’ve seen it on TV repeatedly and just buy it – even if its badly made.
• The product has been out for a few years now and has sold plenty! Yet more recent reviews echo my experience as well as the experiences of others a few years ago – why have the manufacturers not ironed out the kinks in their product after all this time? I guess they are probably happy and content with high rates of returns if they still make some £££ rather than looking at customer satisfaction.
• It uses “High Street TV” to sell itself.  I think any product that includes the label “As seen on High Street TV” should actually be a turn off for the purchaser.
  I believe if you have any product in the world, present it well and rabbit on about it enough for 30 minutes and show off all the pros and how it works then unfortunately some gullible people will buy it.
  Its a shame that when you look at any High Street TV Product that they are normally things by brands you have never heard of. A quick search will find alternative similar performing products at lower price or alternatives by big reliable brand names that are even better.
• You can’t use it with a pressure washer.
• Plenty of reports and chatter on the Internet about Xhoses exploding (like mine did) or leaking (like mine did) or not lasting very long.

What hose pipe shall I get instead?

There are plenty of great ones out there, we recommend the Hozelock Auto Reel or Gardena hose pipes available on Amazon.

If you go to our home page, you will also find our in-depth guide to finding a great hose pipe.

The post Xhose Review (Is this the worst hose pipe ever made?) appeared first on Best Hose.