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.

.. but they do have a fantastic range of purposes!
They are great for the summer holidays where you want to spend time in your garden relaxing.

(Not standing up, holding a hose or watering can!)

Owning a sprinkler enables you to keep the lawn/garden alive and watered and at the same time you can sit and enjoy the weather!

They also make great fun on hot days for children and dogs!

Here is a quick summary of our top picks for the best garden sprinkler, you can read more detailed and in-depth reviews further down.

Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler

• Price: ££
• Coverage: 180-260m
• Weight: 358g
• High quality with a range of settings

See Price

Hozelock Round Sprinkler

• Price: ££
• Coverage: 254m²
• Weight: 259g
• With its range of settings suits all your needs

See Price

Silverline Sprinkler

• Price: £
• Coverage: 3m²
• Weight: 154g
• For small gardens or patios

See Price

Karcher Sprinkler

• Price: £££
• Coverage: 320m²
• Weight: 954g
• A very high quality piece of kit by reputable brand

See Price

Best Garden Sprinklers

1. Hozelock Round Garden Sprinkler Plus 254m² / 314m²

What does it do?

The Hozelock Garden Sprinkler Plus has four arms that rotate and either spray as a jet for watering turf and established plants or a delicate mist spray for young plants or seedlings.

There are two jets and the unit has a ‘sled’ base so it will be stable sitting on any surface.

The second most expensive sprinkler in our list, for the extra money you are getting a lot of functionality.

• Coverage: 254m² (up to 18m total diameter) but can also be bought to cover 314m squared for a little more money.
• Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 23 cm
• Weight: 259g

See Price on Amazon

2. Hozelock Rectangular Garden Sprinkler Plus 180m² / 200m² / 260m²

What does it do?

The Hozelock Rectangular Sprinkler Plus is a great little gadget that comes in three sizes.

To suit all garden sizes.

The 180m², 200m² and the 260m²  Hozelock sprinklers are specially design to give powerful and even water coverage.

(It doesn’t matter what the water pressure is.)

You will still get an excellent flow thanks to the water powered gear drive motor.

There are 15 jets and the unit has a ‘sled’ base so it will be stable sitting on any surface.

There is no fine spray feature.
The Hozelock plus sprinkler shape is a rectangle, which could be more useful for standard square or rectangle lawns

(Area of coverage can be adjusted via the simple red lever.)

• Coverage: 180m², 200m² or 260m²
• Dimensions: The smallest sprinkler is measures 9 x 12 x 41.5 cm
• Weight: 358g

See Price on Amazon

3. Silverline Impulse Garden Sprinkler

What does it do?

A classic looking garden sprinkler from Silverline.

It has the ability to cover up to 520m².
An affordable sprinkler that pokes into the ground, so it wont blow away.

The only downside is that the spike is not as robust as you would probably like it to be.

(So you need to be a bit gentle with it.)
It takes a bit of getting used to – the instruction card is not the most informative.

But when you have worked it out it is a fantastic little gadget.
You are able to set the spray angle at 90, 180, 270 or 360 degrees, which is super useful.

Especially if you are wanting to be in one area of the garden whilst the sprinkler is in use (and not get soaked!)
The water flow is good, regardless of the water pressure.

You can also use your regular Hozelock connectors with it.

• Coverage: up to 520m²
• Dimensions: 33.3 x 11.9 x 6.6 cm
• Weight: 306g

See Price on Amazon

4. Wisdomwell Garden 3 Arm Sprinkler

What does it do?

A super simple and to the point sprinkler.

No fancy features or calibration needed.

Just plug in and go, you can use standard Hozelock connectors with the Bradas garden sprinkler.
It works very well even with low pressure water and is super small so easy to store.
It is the cheapest sprinkler in our list and the most basic.

But if you have never owned a lawn sprinkler before and only want to spend a few pounds to try one out then perhaps give it a go.
Its spray diameter is perfect for most gardens, and can easily be moved if you want to use in different areas.

One thing to bare in mind is that the unit is very light so could easily be blown or tipped up.

Maximum 4 bar pressure, if you have higher pressure, the sprinkler will leak.

This sprinkler can also be bought in a slightly larger size for bigger gardens, for just a couple of pounds more.

See Price on Amazon

5. Kärcher Premium Oscillating Sprinkler – OS 5.320SV

What does it do?

The most premium water sprinkler in our 10 picks.

This really is a wonderful, well though out product.

If you’re a proud gardener is the perfect accessory to fill you with joy every time you use it.
It’s a robust and well made beautiful device.

The oscillating sprinklers ensure a great, even coverage.

This garden sprinkler guarantees stability with a strong base and two fold out anchor spikes for extra stability.

(Ensuring it will stay put, even on the most uneven ground.)
We love the adjustable spray patterns and the individual turn off buttons.

(You can tailor the coverage perfectly to your garden.)
It has a huge area coverage of up to 320m² and has a long life.

The Kärcher Premium has a robust and durable gear system with a water flow regulator so you can fully customise the volume of water used.
Bonus features include a rotating spray guard, that flips over a portion of the nozzles so you don’t get soaked when making adjustments.

As part of the sturdy base, there is a hanging hook for easy storage and an integrated pin so you can clean the nozzles if any become blocked.

(This is hidden away and can be accessed by turning a dial.)
It can be used with your regular Kärcher / Hozelock hose connectors.

• Coverage: up to 320m²
• Dimensions: 54.6 x 16 x 8.8 cm
• Weight: 971g

See Price on Amazon

6. Gardena Premium Full or Part Circle Pulse Sprinkler

What does it do?

The Oasis Ahead sprinkler gives pulsating water coverage with up to 360 degrees rotation.

This sprinkler comfortable covers the largest area in our comparison list.

Ranging from 490m² depending on your water pressure.

You can easily set the distance you want the water to reach using the large adjusting knob.
It can be used, like most other water sprinklers, for simply watering your lawn or flower beds, for lawns or for just plain old Summer water fun.

Or as part of an irrigation system, or as a fun summer splashing activity for children or water loving dogs.
One great little features is the ‘connector thread’ on the unit, which allow you to connect multiple sprinklers onto the same loop.
The base unit is a robust and heard wearing, plastic sled with integrated metal inserts.

Being a Gardena product, it is definitely high quality, you have the ability for precise fine adjustment of the flow control. the metal hammer and precision nozzle are made of quality materials to endure years of use.

The cost of this sprinkler is significantly more than some of the other ones in this list, however, just like the Karcher sprinkler, the added quality, level of control and longevity of use is worth the extra upfront cost.

There is a 5 year warranty with this sprinkler also. If is cared for properly, it will likely last a lot longer though.

See Price on Amazon

7. Hozelock Round Sprinkler Pro 314m²

What does it do?

A great all rounder from Hozelock.

The sled design ensures stability on uneven ground and in borders, Although plastic can give off a ‘cheap’ vibe, actually, when it comes to water, having a plastic tool can ofter be better as there is no chance of rust.

The Hozelock loud sprinkler can water a full or part circle.
The coverage is up to 314m², which means up to 20m in diameter.

Much like the other Hozelock, this one also has two spray patterns, jet spray for lawns or fine spray for delicate seeds.

There are 5 jets, which give a great amount of water flow, regardless of the water pressure. It can be used with water pressure from 1 – 10 bar. This is good news are some of the sprinklers leak if you have the tap open too much and the water pressure is too high, they just can’t take it and leaks or break.

We like this one because it is quiet too.

So you can be peacefully reading at one end of the garden whilst hands free watering the garden at the other end!

• Coverage: up to 314m²
• Weight: 227g
• Can be bought with a sled base or a spike base

See Price on Amazon

8. Silverline 8-Pattern Dial Sprinkler

What does it do?

The Silverline, considering its very budget appeal, is packed with quite a few features.

How long it will last is another question.

But at the end of the day, if you’re only after a cheap sprinkler to keep your grass alive through the short British summer.

And the sprinkler you buy will most likely end up ‘somewhere’ in the shed over winter… this one might be just be for you!

• It can be used with Hozelock fittings
• Has 8 patterns
• 360 degree rotation

Pretty impressive!

The spray patterns are:

• single jet
• double jet
• small circle mist
• large circle spray
• large circle mist
• large circle spray
• small semi circle
• large semi circle

That all sounds pretty confusing but if you look at the top of the sprinkler, there is a convenient little symbol code for each setting, that logical describes the setting.

It is not going to be the very best sprinkler in the world at this price.

But will certainly keep you amused for a while playing with all the different settings.

It doesn’t cover a huge area, so if you have the patience to pull it around the garden every now and again then you will be well away.

• Coverage: around 3m²
• Dimensions: Very small and round.
• Weight: 154g

See Price on Amazon

9. Greenkey Metal Base Pulsating Sprinkler

What does it do?

The Greenkey sprinkler looks high quality straight away thanks to its robust looking solid metal base.
It is kind of vintage looking, like an old piece of farm machinery.

Which is always a bonus.

It feels luxurious and is heavy. The components feel durable and resilient to knocks.

The upside: there’s no spike that goes into the ground that could snap.

The downside: If you accidentally kick it with bare feet you will regret it!!
It covers a circle of up to 25 metre diameter and needs 2 bar water pressure for the most effective operation.

(The water bar pressure scale goes from 1 – 10).
The head in made of zinc and the hose connector is brass for a long lasting life.

In terms of dispersing the water, it uses a traditional pulsating head to spray the water evenly.

This works very effectively.

An all round great addition to the garden.

• Coverage: circle of up to 25 metre diameter
• Weight: 862g

See Price on Amazon

10. GRÜNTEK Garden Oscillating Sprinkler System

What does it do?

A cheap and cheerful oscillating sprinkler. It costs less than half of the Karcher and Gardena similar alternatives.

The sprinkler comes with quick adaptor screws to fit your hose and covers up to 336m², with a blasting width of up to 21 x 25m.
It has 16 nozzles and oscillates (the nozzles move back and forth in a regular rhythm) for even water distribution.

This water sprinkler has been designed with garden life in mind, with a sturdy frame to withstand dogs, kids, weather and even accidental drops.

According the the manufacturer, this sprinkler can easily withstand the weight of an adult male standing on it, (as proven in their pictures of the product). So if you accidentally tread on it, not looking where you’re going in the garden, you won’t have to buy a replacement sprinkler.

It is designed for rectangular lawns ideally, If you have large circular lawn, you may be frustrated that it doesn’t cover your entire grass area.

You need a fairly good water pressure to make the most if this water sprinkler.

It has universal connections so can be used with your Hozelock hose for example. there is also a hidden pin inside the sprinkler unit- the pin is to help you unblock any heads than become clogged.

• Coverage: up to 336m²
• Weight: 298g

See Price on Amazon

Are Garden Sprinklers Good for the Environment?

Garden sprinklers are popular tools for maintaining lush, healthy lawns and gardens. They also provide hours of fun for children in the garden.

However, when considering their impact on the environment, it’s important to assess their benefits and potential drawbacks. Let’s explore whether garden sprinklers are truly good for the environment.

Water Conservation

One of the key concerns regarding garden sprinklers is water usage.

While it’s true that sprinklers consume water, modern sprinklers are designed with water conservation in mind. Many models feature adjustable settings, allowing you to control the water flow, duration, and coverage area.

By customising these settings to match your garden’s needs, you can minimise water wastage and promote efficient water usage.

Targeted Watering

Unlike traditional methods such as hose watering, garden sprinklers offer targeted watering capabilities.

By directing water precisely where it’s needed, you can avoid overwatering non-garden areas, reducing runoff and water waste.

Additionally, some sprinklers feature mechanisms that prevent water loss due to wind or evaporation, further enhancing water efficiency.

Timing & Automation

Garden sprinkler systems sometimes come with programmable timers, allowing you to schedule watering sessions during optimal times of the day.

By avoiding peak sunlight hours, you can minimise water loss through evaporation.

Automated systems also eliminate the risk of human error, ensuring consistent and efficient watering, even when you’re not available to manually operate the sprinklers.

If you are buying a basic sprinkler that attaches to your hose, you can opt to pair it with a hose timer that will ensure it only comes on when you want it to.

Drought Resistance

In regions prone to drought or water scarcity, garden sprinklers can be beneficial.

These systems help maintain the health of lawns and plants, reducing the risk of plant stress or death during dry spells.

By providing controlled and targeted watering, garden sprinklers assist in preserving green spaces and supporting biodiversity, even in water-restricted areas.

Reduced Pesticide Usage

When used correctly, garden sprinklers can reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Proper watering techniques promote healthy plant growth, making plants more resilient to pests and diseases.

With a well-maintained lawn or garden, you may find yourself relying less on synthetic chemicals, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Erosion Prevention

Garden sprinklers play a vital role in preventing soil erosion.

By providing consistent moisture to the soil, they help stabilize the ground, reducing the risk of runoff during heavy rain.

This helps maintain soil structure, prevents nutrient loss, and protects nearby water bodies from sediment contamination.

Environmental Responsibilities

It is essential to use garden sprinklers responsibly to ensure their environmental impact remains positive:

1. Water Conservation Practices: While garden sprinklers are designed for efficiency, responsible water conservation practices are still crucial. Avoid watering during periods where water is restricted such as during a hose pipe ban, adjust settings according to the specific needs of your garden, and regularly check for leaks or malfunctions that could lead to water wastage.
2. Native Plant Selection: Consider incorporating native plants into your garden, as they are better adapted to local conditions and require less water. Native plants often have deeper root systems, making them more resilient to drought and reducing the need for excessive watering.
3. Regular Maintenance: Keep your sprinkler properly maintained to ensure optimal efficiency. Check for clogged nozzles, damaged pipes, or misaligned sprinkler heads, as these can lead to water waste or inefficient watering.

By employing these practices, you can maximize the benefits of garden sprinklers while minimizing their potential drawbacks.

Garden sprinklers can be environmentally friendly when used responsibly.

Through water conservation practices, targeted watering, and proper maintenance, garden sprinklers help promote efficient water usage, reduce chemical reliance, prevent soil erosion, and support healthy plant growth.

By considering the specific needs of your garden and employing responsible watering practices.

Pros of Garden Sprinklers:

1. Efficient Watering: Garden sprinklers provide even and controlled water distribution, ensuring that plants receive adequate moisture without wasting water. They allow for targeted watering, reducing runoff and evaporation.
2. Time-Saving: With a garden sprinkler system, you can automate the watering process, saving you time and effort. You can set timers to water your garden at specific intervals, even when you’re not available.
3. Consistent Watering: Sprinklers offer consistent and regular watering, which is beneficial for plant health. They eliminate the risk of forgetting to water or underwatering your plants.
4. Coverage Area: Garden sprinklers can cover large areas, making them suitable for lawns and expansive gardens. They provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring that all plants receive the necessary water.
5. Versatility: There are various types of garden sprinklers available, including oscillating, rotary, and impact sprinklers. This variety allows you to choose a sprinkler type that best suits your garden size and layout.

Cons of Garden Sprinklers:

1. Water Waste: Improper use or malfunctioning sprinklers can lead to water waste. Overwatering or leaks can result in water runoff or excessive water usage.
2. Inefficient Watering in Windy Conditions: Wind can affect the efficiency of sprinklers, causing water to disperse unevenly or drift away from the intended target areas. This can lead to inefficient watering and water waste.
3. Limited Customisation: While some sprinklers offer adjustable settings, others may have limitations in terms of spray radius, water flow rate, or coverage area. It’s important to choose a sprinkler that suits your specific garden needs.
4. Potential Damage to Delicate Plants: Certain plants, such as delicate flowers or foliage, may be sensitive to direct water spray. Sprinklers that produce a strong spray or water droplets can damage or dislodge these plants.
5. Maintenance Requirements: Sprinkler systems require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. This includes cleaning or replacing clogged nozzles, checking for leaks, and adjusting sprinkler heads as needed.

It’s important to weigh these pros and cons based on your specific garden requirements, climate conditions, and water availability.

Additionally, proper installation, regular maintenance, and responsible water usage practices can help mitigate some of the drawbacks associated with garden sprinklers.

The post 10 Best Garden Sprinklers UK 2023 (Tried & Tested) appeared first on Best Hose.

However, it can be easy to forget to water plants, and even when we do remember, it can be difficult to know exactly how much water they need.

This is where watering spikes come in.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what watering spikes are, and whether or not they actually work.

What are watering spikes?

Watering spikes are devices that are designed to help plants get the right amount of water they need to thrive.

They are typically made from plastic or ceramic, and are shaped like long, thin tubes.

A normal sized plastic bottle is then filled with water and screwed to the spike.

The spikes are inserted into the soil near the plant’s roots. The water slowly seeps out of small holes in the spike, delivering it directly to the plant’s roots.

Do watering spikes actually work?

The effectiveness of watering spikes is a topic of some debate.

Some people swear by them, while others have found them to be ineffective.

So, do watering spikes actually work?

The answer is: it depends. There are a few factors that can influence how well watering spikes work, including the type of plant, the soil conditions, and the climate.

One of the main benefits of watering spikes is that they deliver water directly to the plant’s roots, which can be especially beneficial for plants with deep root systems.

However, if the soil is very compacted or dense, the water may not be able to penetrate deep enough to reach the roots.

If the soil is too loose, the water can come out quickly and drench the plant.

Another factor that can affect the effectiveness of watering spikes is the type of plant.

Some plants, such as succulents, are able to store water in their leaves and stems, so they may not need as much water as other plants.

In these cases, watering spikes may actually deliver too much water, which can be harmful to the plant.

Climate is also an important consideration when using watering spikes. In hot, dry climates, plants may need more water than they would in cooler, wetter climates.

Watering spikes can be especially helpful in these types of environments, as they can help ensure that plants are getting enough water without wasting any.

Tips for using watering spikes

If you decide to use watering spikes for your plants, there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of them:

1. Choose the right spike for your plant. There are many different types of watering spikes available, so be sure to choose one that is appropriate for your plant’s needs.
2. Check the soil moisture regularly. Even with watering spikes, it’s important to keep an eye on the soil moisture to make sure your plants are getting the right amount of water.
3. Adjust the amount of water as needed. Depending on the climate and other factors, you may need to adjust the amount of water you add to the watering spike to ensure your plants are getting the right amount of water.
4. Clean the spikes regularly. The small holes in the watering spikes can become clogged with dirt and debris, which can prevent water from seeping out. Be sure to clean your watering spikes regularly to keep them functioning properly.

Conclusion

Watering spikes can be a helpful tool for keeping your plants healthy and hydrated. While their effectiveness can vary depending on a variety of factors, they can be especially useful for plants with deep root systems and in hot, dry climates.

By following these tips and taking the time to choose the right watering spikes for your plants, you can help ensure that they are getting the water they need to thrive.

You can buy watering spikes here on Amazon.

The post Do Watering Spikes Work & What Are They 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.

Whether its cleaning cars, or slabs, patio, decking, windows, outdoor furniture or bikes.

These pressure washers can do it all.

Who wants to spend hours on their hands knees scrubbing?

Not you, not when you can power blast the dirt and grime away in seconds with no effort at all!

Here is a detailed breakdown and comparison of the best pressure washers.

With all of their features, pros and cons listed ready to help you pick your next garden toy!

1. Kärcher K2 Full Control Home Pressure Washer This is a fantastic all rounder, the perfect beginners pressure washer. The Karcher K2 comes with everything you need to get going, including special attachments for different surfaces. Water Pressure There are 4 unique water power speeds on the Karcher K2. The lowest setting for mixing and applying detergents. Level 1 – for softer more easily damaged surfaces like wooden benches, decking etc. Level 2 – for general all round use, like washing cars, windows and bikes. Level 3 – an intense pressure that is concentrated for removal of really tough algae and years of dirt from slabs and driveways. Features The 4 metre length of hose with an easy hold handle means you can walk around whilst using the Karcher pressure washer. You are not limited to standing in one position. There are two ‘lances’ (the spray pipes that you add to the handle). One has a rotating pressure control, which means you can adjust the pressure on the go – without having to go back to the Karcher  main switch every time. (This is called the vario lance.) The other lance has a tiny concentrated rotating pencil jet, which supplies you with the most powerful water jet The third attachment – Is a tool specifically design for jet washing patios. It has an encased dome, which means that all the water that is forcefully sprayed does not bounce back onto you or your windows! It means that cleaning the patio is quicker and easier, this extension is also best used with the specially designed cleaning liquid. (You get a big bottle of this included too.) Storage and ease of use The Karcher K2 is very straightforward to use. You just need a basic hosepipe from a tap to supply the water to the Karcher. Setting up is easy, everything is pre built and ready to plug in and go. Storage wise, the main unit holds most of the accessories – just not the larger patio circular cleaner. This makes it easier to keep all of the bits together and not lose them! The weight of the K2 is 4.34kg, so it is super light and easy to mover around, especially with the inbuilt wheels and extending telescopic handle. Pros This kit contains everything you need to get going. Really easy to work and set up. We love the additional patio cleaner with no spray feature! Up to 110 bar pressure – high enough for even the toughest of jobs. Cons The cleaning liquid has to be sucked through a little tube with the the bottle placed on the ground – (This could get knocked over pretty easily.) Not all of the Karcher attachments fit onto the main unit for storage. There is no brake for on the main unit for when in use. If you’re a bit too vigorous, you may indeed pull the whole thing over. See Price on Amazon

2. Kärcher K4 Full Control Pressure Washer Could the Karcher K4 be the ultimate pressure washer? It has many of the same features as the K2 as standard, so we won’t rewrite all of them again. (It includes the same three extensions – lances for different pressure settings.) The design of the K4 is also pretty similar to the K2, except it is just slightly bigger to accommodate the extra features and power. Water pressure: The Karcher K4 water pressure can be set anywhere between 20 up to to 130 bar pressure. So it is more powerful than the K2. The extra power may not be necessary though, it you only have a small garden area to deal with. The power can be adjusted, just like with the K2 using the dial on the front of the Karcher unit or using the adjustable lances. Unique Features The more advanced K4 has a water cooling feature for the motor. This means it is more robust and can be used for longer periods of time. (That is not to say that the K2 can’t be used for long periods of time!) This is a unique feature to the K4 and not many other jet washers on the market have such a feature. Unique LED Screen When trying to multitask using the Karcher power washer and not get covered in water spray, it can be difficult to accurately select the correct pressure for the surface you are working on. Or you may forget which level of pressure you are on. (The Karcher is pretty noisy and distracting!) The unique Led screen on the Karcher handle lights up and tells you exactly what power setting you are using so that you can easily adjust the water flow accordingly. Pros This Karcher has an led screen to help you figure out the best speed setting for the thing you are jet washing. (You don’t have to worry about accidentally damaging painted surfaces.) The K4 is slightly larger, so all of the attachments fit neatly into the unit for easy storage. The handle is adjustable, and the wheels make it easier to manoeuvre. The larger unit also allows for the detergent bottle to sit inside the unit to feed the water supply when wanting to add a cleaning liquid to your jet washing. (This is way better because the bottle can’t accidentally get knocked over. The pressure can be selected from 20 to 130 bar pressure which is tough enough for even the worst surfaces you need to tackle. Cons It is quite bit more expensive than the K2 and doesn’t actually come with all of the additional cleaning accessories, these are sold as additional items with the K4.  The unit is quite large and apart from the retracting handle, the unit isn’t very compact for storing between uses. See Price on Amazon

4. Bosch AQT 33-11 High Pressure Washer The shining feature of this pressure washer is its unique ability to become really tiny when packed away. It could even be stored in a reusable bag in between of uses its that small! The Bosch High pressure 33-11 is the smallest and most entry level pressure washer of the Bosch series but this doesn’t stop it from having some awesome features. It comes with everything  you need in the box, just clip the lance to the handle and connect the water supply and you’re good to go. The Bosch also comes with a bottle for cleaning detergent for working on extra tough areas. Key Features This is a budget friendly, small and compact jet wash. Perfect for people who live in an apartment or small house with little storage. You don’t necessarily need an outside tap or water butt to power the jet wash. As you can see in the image, you can actually use a large tank of water or water butt if you do not have access to a tap facility. Pros Can give you 110 bar pressure, which is huge for such a small jet wash.  There are a number of good attachments that will fit the Bosch 33-11 0 including a patio washer. (The dome where the water doesn’t spray upwards.) Budget friendly. Cons This is a basic starter kit, there are no fancy attachments included. There are no wheels or adjustable handle – this just makes moving the unit a little more awkward when in use. See Price on Amazon

5. Hozelock Pico Power Pressure Washer I have always been a massive fan of Hozelock hosepipes and believe they are the king of hosepipes. But how do Hozelock perform when it comes to pressure washers? Features The Hozelock pressure washer features an impressive 14o bar pressure. – This is the highest in our review so far! Excellent! When it comes to the hose pipe – Hozelock don’t let us down there either, the Pico is supplied with 6 metres of length – so you can cover a huge area without having the move the pressure washer. The Pico power washer comes with everything you need to get going quickly. It is super small and really easy to store if you have a small shed or garage. Pros The Pico really is small and mighty! It is capable of achieving a whopping 140 bar water pressure. All of the accessories fit neatly into the back of the Pico The Pico has large robust wheels for use on gravel (always useful) and rough terrain. The adjustable handle make pushing and pulling the Hozlock Pico a doddle. Cons There are no special attachments included with the Hozelock Pico. All you get is the Hozelock motor unit and handle which the spray lance clips into. No feature for added cleaning fluid – the Karcher and Makita come with a spray bottle for concentrated cleaning products. See Price on Amazon

6. Makita HW101 Compact Pressure Washer, 240 The Makita pressure washer is a super simple, to the point pressure washer.  It is classed as ‘compact’ and it is pretty small – so it’s easy to store. It looks sleek, simple and it would be really easy to keep clean. Features The Makita comes with everything you need to get going, the main power unit, the spray gun, which is in two parts and a spray bottle to use for mixing cleaning fluids with the water jet. This pressure washer will get the job done and is super affordable, after the Karcher Compact, it is the second cheapest pressure washer in our review. Makita is a tried and trusted name, their tools and brand are renowned for being affordable and very high quality. The water power is up to 100 bar pressure, which is pretty good for a compact pressure washer in general. (But sadly no match for the Hozelock Pico pressure.) Pros The pressure washer is light and easy to store away. Makita is affordable and robust, there are no flimsy attachments and it won’t let you down. The spray bottle enables you to use cleaning detergents easily. Cons No cleaning detergent is supplied – only the bottle. There is only one lance sprayer included with the Makita pressure washer. No wheels or extendable handle means that you have to bend and lift it every time you want to move the pressure washer. The hose is only 3m long, so you may have to hold the Makita unit whilst walking around the garden. See Price on Amazon

7. Kärcher K2 Compact Pressure Washer Back to Karcher for now – they really do own such a large segment of this market… ..And with good reason. This little compact pressure washer gives you 110 bar pressure and is absolutely tiny! Perfect for storing in small sheds or cupboards. It comes with everything you need to get started. This is a bargain buy which will fulfil all of your needs. (If all you really need it for is to clean your patio!) Features The Karcher Compact has a spray gun which conveniently can be stored in the back of the unit. You get one lance with the ‘dirtblaster’ nozzle. (A specially designed nozzle that provides up to 50% greater cleaning power than regular spray nozzles.) Pros The Karcher K2 compact is super small and lightweight – weighing under 5kg. It is really affordable – you will probably be shocked at the price! Even though it is the miniature version of the K2, you still have the high 110 bar pressure and the suction tube for the cleaning fluid. Cons There are no wheels and the handle is quite low down – (this is to aid with the small size of the unit though.) You only get one spray lance – although it is the Dirt Blaster one – which is a great feature. See Price on Amazon

8. Spear & Jackson 1800W 130Bar High Pressure Washer The Spear and Jackson pressure washer is a superior pressure washer, on par with the Karcher K4. It literally offers everything you could want or need. The look of the Spear and Jackon model is completely different from all the other pressure washers we have seen. It feels luxurious, robust and is very high quality. The Spear and Jackson looks more like a race car than a pressure washer. Features The Spear and Jackson pressure washer comes with: The patio cleaner head, a special dome attachments for jet washing patios – so you don’t get lots of spray going everywhere! A fixed brush – perfect for cleaning car wheels. The vario lance – so that you can instantly change the water pressure via the handle and lance, instead of going back to the main unit. A turbo lance, for concentrated areas – perhaps the moss that has been growing on your slabs for years and years might need this attachment! 1.5l Detergent Bottle – for cleaning patios and slabs. The cleaning fluid is mixed with the water flow when on a gentle pressure. This gives you the ability to apply cleaning fluid to a large area quickly and easily. All thats left to do it blast it off when the cleaning detergent has done its thing. Pros The standard pressure is 110 bar and the max power is 130 bar – this matches the Karcher K4. The kit contains everything you need to get going straight away. The unit has robust large wheels, perfect for pulling across a gravel driveway. The handle is at a convenient height too. You get 7m of hose which enables you to walk 7 metres away from the unit whilst retaining the full water pressure. Can be used with an outdoor tap, hose pipe or water butt. Every attachment, including the large  patio head can be conveniently stored on the back of the Spear and Jackson pressure washer, so you won’t lose any important bits! Cons Slightly higher priced than some of the smaller models. More bulky than some of the other models. See Price on Amazon

9. Bosch AQT 35-12 High Pressure Washer The Bosch AQT 35-12 is a fantastic all rounder, if offers the high power of 130 bar. And just about every attachment you could wish for. (Its worth noting that this pressure washer is also available as a simple unit with one spray nozzle – this is around £40 cheaper – so its good if you’re on a budget and only really need if for one or two cleaning uses.) But if you’re thinking about all the different ways you can use a pressure washer after reading this article, it may be worth investing the extra bit of money and getting the full set of accessories. The Bosch AQT 35-12 is very similar to the Spear and Jackson model mentioned previously, it also has a similar price tag. Pros This model has a hard plastic outer shell that will survive and knocks or bumps your shed throws at it. The handle is extremely sturdy and can fold down. This means the unit is actually really small when you want to store it away.  The Bosch 32-12 comes with 6 different attachments including a brush extension for car wheels.  Hose pipe wise, you get 6m of extension, so you dont have to drag the unit around with you as you use it.  The wheels are strong and stable, for use on all terrain. There is a Bosch liquid bottle for incorporating the use of detergent when using the pressure washer.  Cons Most of the attachments can be stored away by fixing to the main body of the pressure washer, but not all. There is no room for the larger items – like the patio head cleaner.  The attachments and joints are of course, fit for purpose, but when compared the fittings on the Karcher or Spear and Jackson models, they do not feel quite as robust. See Price on Amazon

Best Pressure Washer Overall

The Karcher K2 Pressure Washer

The absolutely deserving winner of the best pressure washer kit goes to the Karcher K2. 

This is most certainly the best all rounder, it comes with everything you need to get going and enough hose length for you to use the Karcher with ease.

The wheels and adjustable handle make moving it around a doddle and we love the fact that most of the attachments can be neatly and securely stored on the body of the Karcher in between uses.

It is very affordable and great value for money considering everything that in included.

The various click and go nozzles attachments (lances) mean you can quickly and easily switch from pressure washing the windows to the patio to the car.

Pressure washers, including this one are now designed to conserve power and only use it when necessary.

So the pressure washer only kicks in when you press the trigger.

We love the fact that this pressure washer comes with a 1.5 litre bottle of concentrated cleaning fluid.

You don’t need a lot, and it really does help to stop dirt from building back up of flat surfaces.

Karcher is one of leading brands in pressure washers and with good reason.

The main body is extremely well built with quality materials and easy to clean. 

The nozzle extensions and universal fitting Karcher/ Hozelock fitting mean you can use it with your existing hosepipe or outside tap easily.

The fittings themselves are made of extremely strong plastic and last for a very long time, even after being worked hard many times in the garden.

See Price on Amazon

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The post Best Pressure Washer 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.

We have done the hard work for you, breaking down and reviewing the best electric lawnmowers and the best petrol lawnmowers.

All thats left for you to do is have a read and pick out the key bits that relate to your garden and needs.

We cover all types from electric, to cordless, to robotic and petrol machines.

1.Bosch Rotak 32R Electric Rotary Lawnmower The Bosch Rotak 32R is a fantastic piece of equipment for such a low price. It is very different from the hover technology of its leading competitor Fylmo, but the Bosch has some unique features that make it preferable for some people. The wheels make it really easy to push along the grass. And because it doesn’t hover, you can leave beautiful striped trails across your lawn and make your neighbours jealous! It is really easy to set up and requires very little maintenance. We love the special edge trimmer that makes cutting the borders and edge easier. This means you do’t have to worry about scraping the lawn mower blade on slabs or gravel when you attempt to do the edges. It folds fairly small for easy storage and requires minimal effort to hold the trigger. (Some lawnmowers require you to press two handles, whereas this one only has one trigger to hold, with a button for safe starting) Pros Lightweight and really easy to push. Can be lifted with one hand. Very affordable and achieves and excellent finish time and time again. Unique edge trimming ability for awkward spaces and edges. Cons Does need to be pushed, this lawnmower does not hover like the Flymo, so this requires a little effort. The wheels do not turn, which can make manoeuvring a bit awkward until you get used to it. Who it is Best For A lawnmower for just about anyone, it is really affordable and requires minimal effort. Good for someone who struggles to maintain holding two power triggers at once, (this mower only has one.) (you can visit Bosch’s website here) Perfect for someone who has flower borders or paving at the edge of their lawn, the Bosch 32R makes it easier to cut edges. Features 30 litre grass collection box 32cm cutting width Leaves stripes in grass Edge blade trimmer 10m cable cord Very Light – 7kg See Price on Amazon

2. Flymo Easi Glide 300 Electric Hover Lawn Mower The Flymo Easi Glide is the cheapest entry of the top ten. It is the cheapest lawnmower and does an incredible job on a budget. Flymo has a unique ability to hover over the grass to make it really easy to push and go side to side over the lawn. The small unit is light and fairly easy to move around and set up. The convenient container catches all the grass cuttings in a basket which can be quickly taken out to empty. There are 4 grass cutting heights too, which helps you to maintain the lawn all year round without going too close and churning up mud and moss! Pros Lightweight and really easy to set up. 4 height settings. Small and compact to store. Grass collecting basket is easy to remove and empty. Cheap lawnmower. Cons If your ground is uneven it can be hard to get into a fluid motion of grass cutting. It is almost impossible to achieve any sort of line pattern in the grass because of the hovering feature. The handle and triggers can be a little awkward to hold – you have to press two at all times to keep the mower going. Who it is Best For First home gardeners with a small lawn who want minimal maintenance. (Flymo’s website is here) People who struggle to lift heavy things or push a standard lawn mower – the hovering takes most of the strain out of pushing. Features 20 litre collection box 30cm cutting blade 10 metre mains cable Lightweight 8.5kg See Price on Amazon

3. Flymo 1200R Lithium-Ion Robotic Lawn Mower This is a super awesome luxury lawn mower that you will literally not be able to sop talking about. Imagine never having to cut the grass manually again! When you first hear of a robotic lawn mower, you may imagine it would cost an absolute fortune. Well, yes, they used to, but over the past year have started to become for more affordable and accessible to anyone with a garden. The Flymo 1200R is extremely capable and worth every penny. Once you have set it up and entered a safety code you can set it down and leave it to work its magic. (The safety code is to deter thieves, if the machine is picked up, a loud alarm sounds and can only be silenced if you input your code.) This awesome little machine can just be left to work, you don’t need to empty it or recharge it. It can even tackle hills and uneven terrain. The Flymo can actually be left out day and night to run. The special sensors make the machine travel in a random pattern to avoid track marks and to get an even coverage of cutting. Definitely a “Lawnmower of the future” you can buy today! You can read up more on the history of lawnmowers at Wikipedia. Pros Self charges, you don’t have to plug it in to use it. You don’t have to empty it. It can go up hill of 14 degrees. Its super quiet!! A super sensitive sensor to keep everyone safe whilst it is in use. – It also stops the mower from bumping into things or knocking things over. Cons More expensive than other lawnmowers – with good reason though. It is understandable slower than cutting the grass manually, Who it is Best For Literally anyone who cannot be bothered with the hassle of cutting the grass ever! It is quiet, so it won’t disturb you reading your paper in the garden. Someone who works long hours and cannot face dealing with cutting the grass after work or on days off, this lawnmower is most certainly for you. Seriously, we want one now after experiencing how awesome it is! Features It has an inbuilt security alarm with a code, to keep it safe in your garden. If someone picks it up, the alarm will sound continuously until you put the code in. The 1200R can go up hills of 14 degrees. It mulches the grass clippings at the same time as mowing so you don’t have to keep emptying it! This Flymo is very quiet. Cutting height of 20-50mm. 30m² area capacity per hour. Super lightweight 7.4kg See Price on Amazon

4. Flymo Mighti-Mo 300 Cordless Battery Lawn Mower & Mighti-Trim Twin Pack Wires on lawn movers can be an absolute pain. Especially if you have a garden with many obstacles or it is particularly long. The Flymo Mighti-Mo is perfect for you. You just need to fully charge the battery before hand and you will easily be able to cut your lawn without worrying about tripping over the wire! Pros This lawnmower can be bought as a bundle, including an electric strimmer to save money. Not having to worry about a wire is a blessing. Large clipping box means you don’t have to keep stopping to empty it. There is absolutely no loss of power through not having a wire and you can achieve the same great finish as with a mains powered lawnmower. Cons You need to remember to charge the battery fully before needing to use the mower. It requires two triggers to be pressed at all times to keep the mower going. – This is obviously a safety feature but it can make it a little more awkward to operate. Who it is Best For The Flymo Mighti Mo is perfect for elderly people as it is really easy to push and to empty. There is also no cord to worry about tripping over. This lawnmower is also perfect for people who have awkwardly long gardens, who don’t want the hassle of setting up a really long extension cord. Features Five cutting heights Large 30L clippings box Up to 250m sq cutting from one charge Weighs 10kg See Price on Amazon

5.Aerotek Cordless Lawnmower 40V Lithium-Ion  The AeroTek cordless is kind of like an amplified version of the Flymo Mighty Mo. It comes with everything you need to get going and the battery once fully charged will give you 300 – 400m² cutting. (More than enough for a front and back garden.) The bag for the grass clippings is a whopping 50 litre, so you will hardly have to stop and empty it. The blade measures 40cm so you can cut the grass quicker! We love the unique handle, which makes it much easier to hold and to continually press for large lawns. The small wheel and the front and large at the back make pushing the lawnmower very easy. It is much easier to turn corners and to navigate and cut grass in tight areas thanks to the small front wheels. Pros Folds easily and quite compact – the removable bag means it is easier to store. Very easy to start the mower and to push it along the grass. Large bag for less emptying! Wide berth, ideal if you have a large rectangular lawn. Cordless! Cons For people with small gardens, the width of this lawnmower may prove problematic. There is not special edge trimmer, so you may also need to use a strimmer to get a good finish on the edges.  Heavier than other electric mowers, 14.8kg Who it is Best For Someone with a large flat area of grass. If you have borders with log edges or decorative walls you may have difficulty getting close enough to the edge. This lawnmower is perfect for someone who just hates wires but doesn’t want to go for a petrol lawnmower. Features 50 litres grass clipping box Quickly charging battery – 35minutes! Can be used with a mulcher attachment. See Price on Amazon

6. Frisky Fox PLUS 20″ 5.5hp Self Propelled Petrol Lawn Mower The Frisky Fox Plus is a fantastic petrol mower. If you have a large garden and don’t want to worry about extension leads, cables and batteries then a petrol one might be for you. It is really easy to start, two pulls and you’re away, the self propelled feature also makes it less of a chore to cut a large lawn. You don’t have to do all the pushing! Pros Has a really large cutting blade! Self propelled for easy pushing. The clippings can be mulched to provide nutrition for your grass. You can set the engine speed, so you stay in control. Cons More expensive than electronic alternatives. Requires a little more maintenance, in terms of refuelling and storing carefully. Heavy – 38kg Who it is Best For People with a large garden or large lawn to cut. If you struggle to push an electric lawnmower, this one will help you by pushing itself along at a speed that you control. Features Cut height of 25mm to 75mm 4 options – cut, cut and collect in the bag, mulch or side discharge the clippings. Grass bag collector is a huge 50L Self propelled 508mm blade, huge cutting area! 173cc motor See Price on Amazon

7. Hyundai Petrol Push Rotary Lawn Mower The bargain buy petrol mower of this review. It is a similar price to some of the cordless electric mowers on the market. The Hyundai is an extremely well made affordable petrol lawn mower, it has a sleek anti rust body and weighs only 18kg. (Which is still heavy but actually half the weight of many other petrol mowers.) The clipping collection bag is large for ease of use, and the handle has a soft grip finish. Pros Lightest petrol lawnmower in the review. Effective and quick, perfect for large gardens. Cutting heights of 25mm to 75mm. Cons This petrol mower is not self propelling, all the pushing has to come from you. It is difficult to change the blade height as this has to be done through changing the heights of the wheels. Who it is Best For People with a large garden who don’t want to invest a lot of money in a very expensive petrol mower. The pull handle has the option to pull the starting cord up to towards the handle, so you don’t have to bend down for a long time when starting it. Features One of the lighter petrol mowers out there – 18.5kg 99cc engine Wheels have individual height settings. 40cm blade cut. See Price on Amazon

8. WEBB R41HP Push Petrol Lawnmower This Webb petrol lawnmower is a ticks all boxes lawnmower. It is very affordable and can easily be adjusted with on lever to achieve the desired height. You don’t have to half take it apart to adjust the blade height. The base is made of a strong steel and the whole thing weighs 25kg. The cutting bag is a really good size on the Webb. The last thing you want when you have a large garden is to keep stopping every minute or two to empty the collection bag! A long lasting petrol lawnmower that has an incredible amount of power, considering how tiny it is.   Pros Easy to push, not too heavy or wide. Grass bag is 50L. Starts quickly and easily. Requires very little maintenance. Really cheap for a petrol mower, but very high quality. Cons Bits can fly out of the back and miss the collector bag – hitting your legs occasionally. The wheels are quite small, not the best for uneven ground. Not self propelled, so you have to do the hard work of pushing. Who it is Best For A home or business with a large grass garden. If you don’t want to be doing maintenance on an engine or having to mess around too much with a complicated lawnmower and settings. Not suitable for very uneven terrain, but it is perfectly fine to cope with a few lumps and bumps. Perfect for someone who is considering the switch from an electric to a petrol lawnmower. Features 118cc engine 50L grass collection bag Single lever height adjuster 40cm blade cut 25kg weight See Price on Amazon

9. Einhell GC-PM 46/1 S Self Propelled Petrol Lawnmower with Briggs and Stratton Engine A self propelled lawnmower is an absolute must if you have a lot of grass to cut. It will save you so much effort in pushing. This is an all singing all dancing mower that will completely change how to view cutting the lawn. (Especially if you have a big lawn.) Everything about this petrol mower is built to last and with the user in mind. The handle is nicely shaped, the blade can be adjusted quickly and easily and the wheels have been specially designed to be really easy to push even on uneven terrain. The Einhell has a really powerful motor engine that can cope with even the most daunting gardens with ease. Pros Self pushing motor, you just have to guide it. Doesn’t need much maintenance, just a little oil top up every now and again. Easy start mower, the cord is attached to the handle. Large grass clipping bag that indicates how full it is. Cons More expensive model than others. Who it is Best For Anyone with a decent sized lawn, it is also suitable for very large areas of grass. It uses minimal petrol and doesn’t require much maintenance. Perfect if you can’t bend very much, as the starter cord is joined to the handle. If you would struggle to push a heavy lawn mower for long periods of time, the Einhell might be for you. Features 40cm blade cutting Large 50L grass clipping collection bag 9 different cutting heights 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine See Price on Amazon

10. McCulloch M40-110 Classic Petrol Rotary Lawnmower  A compact petrol mower with a fantastic engine that suits all small to medium sized gardens. It makes cutting the grass a breeze. The large bag collects a lot of grass clippings before needing to be emptied. It is an easy to start machine, usually starting first time, if not, then on the second pull. The McCulloch doesn’t need much maintenance and folds surprisingly well, if you take off the grass bag and fold down the handle completely, it is very compact. Of course, the machine is heavy, but this is to be expected when there is a petrol engine involved! The McCulloch is available as a 40cm blade model or a 46cm blade. Pros Compact machine with a high powered engine. The petrol goes quite far, it is economical. The blade height can be easily adjusted. Cons It is not self propelled. The instructions are a little basic and hard to understand. The wheels are all the same size, this makes it a little more difficult to navigate around corners. Who it is Best For Someone with a medium or small sized lawn who wants the convenience and freedom of a petrol lawnmower. The machine is fully assembled when delivered, so you don’t have to worry about building it. You also don’t need to do much maintenance either, apart from refuelling. Features 50L collector bag 110cc engine 23.8kg – not the heaviest machine which makes it more manageable   See Price on Amazon

Best Electric Lawnmower

Bosch Rotak 32R Electric Rotary Lawnmower

The best budget electric lawn mower goes to the Bosch Rotak. It ticks every box and has a solution for cutting those awkward edges.

We love how lightweight it is, which makes the job easier.

It also leaves those lovely stripes on the lawn that will make all your neighbours jealous!

The Bosch is affordable and easy to use. A good all rounder and the perfect first lawnmower purchase or replacement for your 10 year old broken lawn mower!

Best Cordless Lawnmower

Flymo 1200R Robotic Lawn Mower

Absolutely has to got to the Flymo 1200R, this machine is a game changer in the world of cutting grass.

You literally never have to worry about cutting the grass again.

This machine charges itself and can run continuously through the day and night.

You don’t have to worry about your garden ornaments as the sensors will stop it from hitting obstacles.

Robotic lawnmowers have come down a lot in price over the last year or so and it is definitely worth checking out the price, you will probably be surprised!

Best Petrol Lawn Mower

Frisky Fox Petrol Lawn Mower

This is an unbelievably good lawn mower for the price and for the features it comes with.
It is so easy to use and designed with the user in mind.

There are lots of options for blade heights and for what to do with the grass clippings.

The extra large 50L bag stores more so you don’t have to keep emptying it.

The fact that the Frisky Fox is self propelled is an absolute winner. Petrol mowers are really heavy and the thought of not having to push all of that weight is great!

The Fox has a powerful engine that is more than capable of dealing with long and over grown lawns of considerable size.

The post Best Lawnmower 2023 – Electric and Petrol appeared first on Best Hose.

Whether you’re looking for a watering can for yourself or trying to find the perfect present for an avid gardener, we have rounded up the 9 best watering cans on the market.

Covering both indoor and outdoor watering cans and including budget and more premium watering cans to suit everyone. 

1.The Haws Professional Deluxe 7 Litre ‘Cradley Deluxe’ Watering Can       The Haws deluxe watering can is certainly favoured amongst pro gardeners (and with good reason.) We were lucky enough to be given the green version of the Haws 7 litre watering can as a gift years ago. It has been used many, many times, has rolled around the ground after being knocked over, dropped, moved house and it is still standing strong. After all this watering can abuse, the Haws emblem badge is still intact and shiny and the watering can is still as good as new, (barring a few scratches and scuffs on the plastic body.)       The brass rose sprinkler is included and produces the finest shower of water, perfect for seeds and delicate flowers. Seriously, having seen other watering cans, this is by far the finest and most delicate sprinkler rose. The body of the Haws watering can is made from a fairly heavy, injection moulded plastic, which makes it robust and extremely long lasting. The weight of the watering can means that it does not blow over in the wind! We did have a cheaper watering can once, which blew away in a storm, oops.       Key features of the Haws watering can: 7 litre capacity Fine brass sprinkler rose and simple spout pour function Well designed body, easy to hold and pour Anti spill top, to minimise splashes Can be used with one or two hands Doesn’t blow over or away Negatives about the Haws watering can: Expensive, (it is a much higher price to pay, but will last longer than most watering cans) Heavier than most watering cans     See Price on Amazon

2. Budget Buy – Ward 6.5 Litre Budget Space Watering Can     This Ward watering can is designed to be space saving can, it has a slim body, but can still hold 6.5 litres of water. Ideal for storing in a greenhouse or shed. The simple and wide filling hole makes it easy to align underneath a water butt, (sometimes when turning the water butt tap, the water sprays everywhere before being opened fully.) The wide neck of this watering can would catch the splashes, meaning dry feet for you!   The Ward watering can is a great budget buy, at under £10 with free delivery you can’t really go wrong if you’re after a cheap and practical watering can.   Key features of the Ward watering can: Good shape / design of can, no water is left in the can after using. Very cheap Comes with a sprinkler rose Easily to fill Lightweight (ideal for elderly people) Slimline small design and shape Negatives about the Ward watering can: Feels like very cheap plastic – would be reluctant to fill it to capacity Might blow away in a big gust of wind, it is so light!     See Price on Amazon

3. Apollo Gardening 9 Litres Traditional Watering Can     The Apollo Gardening watering can has a unique vintage style, and would double as a nice garden ornament when it is not being used. The body is made from galvanised steel, and there are two handles to spread the weight of the water. This is one of the larger watering cans at 9 litres, you need to be pretty strong to hold this watering can when it is full. But on the plus side, this does also mean less trips back to the tap or water butt for refilling. Apollo added an attractive screw on sprinkler rose in a contrasting gold colour to complete the look.     Key features of the Apollo watering can: Attractive vintage design Galvanised steel – will not rust Fine sprinkler hose included Easy to fill – large hole on top Not too heavy – considering it is made of steel   Negatives about the Apollo watering can: Requires strength to carry it when full Large and awkward to carry Wont last as long as a moulded plastic one     See Price on Amazon

4. Prosperplast 14 Litre Watering Can     The Prosperplast watering can is the largest capacity watering can for the least amount of money. It is really affordable and made to last. Whilst this watering can might not be the most attractive watering can on the market, it definitely gets the job done. The moulded plastic makes it strong and durable in all weathers and the handle is a continuous loop so that it can be help in any position – whatever is most comfortable to you. The large sprinkler attachment works pretty well and it detachable for watering different plants. As watering can roses go, this one is pretty temperamental and if you catch it on a bush whilst walking past, it is liable to snag and fall off – annoying. The Prosperplast holds a whopping 14 litres of water, the largest amount of all the watering cans. This is going to be heavy to carry, so unless you are strong, don’t get a watering can that is too big and that you won’t be able to use easily. When it comes to filling this 14 litre watering can, the hole is a little bit inconvenient, as the handle partially blocks the filling hole. (This is a design flaw of many plastic moulded watering cans, and can’t be helped because the handle is part of the structure and the strength that makes the watering can able to hold a large capacity of water.)   Key features of the Prosperplast watering can: Very large capacity Easy to hold handle Very cheap to buy Light when empty, lightweight plastic moulded body   Negatives about the Posperplast watering can: Heavy when full – large capacity Rose can fall off easily Awkward to fill watering can without splashing water everywhere Feels a bit cheap – thin plastic     See Price on Amazon

5. Haws Professional Metal Galvanised 1 Gallon Long Reach Watering Can – ‘The Warley Fall’

This is only long reach watering can you need. It is the most expensive one on our list, but also the most premium and long lasting, with a 10 year guarantee.

The long reach Haws can hold 4.5 litres of water and feels extremely easy to carry and to use.

Perfect for hanging baskets, pots and other hard to reach areas (where you may struggle with a large and cumbersome regular watering can.)

The brass rose on this Haws can is a fine brass oval, meaning a more direct sprinkle of water, so you won’t splash water all over your feet when watering the hanging baskets.

The neck opening for filling this Haws can is high up and more smaller than on other watering cans – so you have less chance of spilling water everywhere when reaching hard to get to places.

Some ‘long reach’ watering cans hold hardly any water and are more like the size of indoor watering cans, however, the Haws one holds 54.5 litres, so you can carry and use it for a good distance around the garden before running out of water.

It is galvanised metal, so will last a long time and has extra strength to cope with weight of the water.

Key features of the Haws long reach watering can:

• Long watering arm for hard to reach places, like the back of borders, directly to the base of pots or for hanging baskets
• Small neck filling hole, means less spillage when reaching
• Easy to fill – no handle in the way
• Holds a good amount of water – 4.5 litres
• Much higher quality that other brands of watering can – feels extremely robust yet lightweight considering it is metal.

Negatives about the Haws long reach watering can:

• More expensive than other long reach watering cans (because it is more high quality)
• Doesn’t have the shiny ‘Haws’ badge on the side of the can. just the smaller one on the top of the can.

See Price on Amazon

6. Stewart 10 Litre Watering Can     Stewart make their 10 litre plastic watering can in at least four colours; red, green, pink and blue. It is a simple and no frills watering can that gets the job done. Very cheap (the green version is actually so cheap that it is an add-on item on Amazon, which means that if you buy it alongside other products of your choice and spend £20, you get free shipping.) (The other colour variations all have free shipping included in the price.) The handle on the Stewart watering can is easy to hold as it is a continuous handle that curves around the watering can. Unfortunately there is the common problem of it being awkward to fill, especially from a water butt. (You couldn’t easily just stand the watering can under a running tap without risk of water splashing everywhere.) For its size, the Stewart watering can is extremely light, (not great on windy days when the can is empty), but this also means that even with 10 litres of water inside, it doesn’t feel as heavy as some other watering cans.     Key features of the Stewart watering can: Lightweight and easy to hold Large capacity of 10 litres Detachable sprinkler rose included Cheap and cheerful Available in different colours to go with your garden Pretty robust – feels higher quality than some of the other cheap moulded watering cans available   Negatives about the Stewart watering can: Sprinkler rose is quite fast flowing, whilst this is good if you are impatient, it is bad for seedings as they are likely to get drowned Awkward to fill – handle in the way Big and cumbersome (large capacity)     See Price on Amazon

7. Haws 700ml Indoor Watering Can – Duck Egg Blue / Yellow / Red / Classic Green

Isn’t this just the most adorable little watering can! Love that Haws have released loads of different colours of this indoor watering can, including baby blue, dark blue, dark green, red, pink, purple, red and more!

We have the red one and it sits proudly on the shelf at home waiting to be used to feed and water our house plants.

It is incredibly easy to use and holds a good amount of water, enough for all of our house plants! Quick to fill from the tap and easy to empty when finished.

Amazingly, these lovely little Haws watering cans seem to have come down in price over the last few years and now do not cost much more than few pounds more than your average supermarket own brand watering can.

It even holds the lovely little shiny Haws emblem badge to complete the look.
The sprinkler rose is made of brass and clips onto the end of the spout, this watering can gives a very accurate pour or sprinkle, the rose gives a perfectly fine sprinkle so as not to drown delicate things like new seeds.

Accuracy is paramount with an indoor watering can, you do not water dripping on your lovely wooden table, floor, fabrics, electrics or anything else for that matter. This ‘mini me’ Haws watering can certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Key features of the Haws watering can:

• Cute mini version of the full sized classic Haws watering can
• Holds enough water to water lots of house plants
• Accurate pouring and delicate neat sprinkler, no leakage or drips
• Easy to fill and to empty
• Complete with mini Haws gold emblem badge
• Available in lots of colours – perfect for gifting!

Negatives about te Haws watering can:

• No peg to put the sprinkler rose onto when not in use on some models (not a huge deal)
• Awkward shape to store, doesn’t fit into a drawer or cupboard well

See Price on Amazon

8. Burgon & Ball Indoor Watering Can 0.7L Thin Spout

This Burgon and Ball indoor watering can is as much as a show off ornamental item as your prized houseplants themselves.

When I saw it, I felt it was so unique that I just had to include it. Such a beautiful design and finish for something so useful and practical.

The metallic grey finish and contrasting wooden handle make it look like a designer object, custom made straight out of Harrods!

The downside to this watering can is that it is more expensive than other similar watering cans. But the good news is that it would be a memorable and long lasting purchase.

If you’re looking for the next statement piece for you home or looking for a luxurious present for a keen plant grower, this may just be the perfect gift!

I love this watering can!

It has that high quality feel of a Haws product and has an exceptionally fine sprinkle, with a long neck, making it perfect for watering bonsais, cacti and delicate seedlings.

Key features of the Burgon & Ball watering can:

• Excellent design and craftsmanship
• Perfect luxury gift
• Great pouring motion, with thin and fine head, perfect for getting in between branches
• Easy to keep looking perfect, unlike brass or copper finishes which quickly dull.

Negatives about the Burgon & Ball watering can:

• More expensive than other indoor watering cans
• Takes a bit of getting used to the different pouring action. – The water balance and the spout means the water comes out slightly differently to standard watering cans.

See Price on Amazon

9. Fallen Fruits 1 Litre Indoor Watering Can         The Fallen Fruits watering can is like a budget version of the Haws copper handmade watering can. Except this one looks like it comes from a high end designer retailer. The elegant and simple sleek design with shiny finish make it the perfect indoor watering can that doubles as an ornament. This indoor watering can is unique, in that the water is drawn up through the top of the watering can when it is tilted, fed through the handle and finally it comes out of the narrow spout. A unique style and design, and if you are a bit of a home accessories geek like me, you may certainly be charmed by this feature. This Fallen Fruits watering can holds 1 litre of water, which is probably more than enough for mot households to water all of their house plants. However, if you want something bigger, there is also a 1.5 litre watering can, with similar design features but with subtle differences, the colour and finish is also a shiny stainless steel instead of the rose gold effect one above. Both are equally as beautiful, (why not invest in both- one for upstairs and one for downstairs, including the patio – the water capacity is big enough!)         Key features of the Fallen Fruits watering can: Unique water feeding design Small spout for precise watering – ideal for small house plants like cacti or a bonsai Shiny metallic finish, makes it the perfect contemporary house ornament that also has a function Cheaper than the similarly designed Haws copper watering can and easier to clean   Negatives about the Fallen Fruits watering can: The pouring technique takes some getting used to, as the water is poured in a different way to usual watering cans No sprinkler rose, pouring spout only These watering cans would need to be cleaned to remain looking their best, fingerprints would easily show up     See Price on Amazon

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