All gardens and yards need consistent water, but if your garden hose is leaky, heavy or just plain a mess, you’re probably not excited to get out and do that needed watering. It’s definitely happened to me more than a few times- I’d decide to take my chances hoping for rain in the near future rather than struggle with an unwieldy hose.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I decided to spend some time researching and testing the best garden hoses, and investing in a good one that makes watering convenient and will last for years. This article shows you the results of what I found out.

I’ve broken down my choices for the best garden hoses on the market right now, from flexible expansion hoses to commercial-grade heavy-duty ones.Next, you’ll also learn some helpful shopping tips to find the right hose for your needs. 

Ready to get excited about working in your yard again? Let’s jump in! 

Our Favorite Picks

• Best Overall Garden Hose: Flexzilla 5/8 Garden Hose
• Best Expandable Hose: TheFitLife Expandable Garden Hose
• Best Budget: Camco PureTaste
• Best Metal: Cesun 304 Stainless Steel Garden Hose
• Best Soaker: Swan Products Element Sprinkler Hose
• Best Heavy-Duty: Giraffe Tools Hybrid Hose
• Best Rubber: Briggs & Stratton Premium Rubber Hose
• Best for Drinking Water: Water Right 400 Series
• Best Coiled: Water Right Professional Garden Hose

1. Flexzilla 5/8 Garden Hose

**Best Overall Garden Hose

• Material Type: Flexible polymer blend
• Hose Length: 10, 25, 50 and 75-foot options, with connector pieces also available
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 1.7 to 11.34 pounds
• Burst Pressure: 150 psi
• Coupling Material: Anodized aluminum
• Safe to Drink From: Yes

This bright chartreuse garden hose from Flexzilla comes in as my top choice for several reasons.

First of all, it resists all of the annoying things hoses do: kinking, twisting, catching, and leaking. Instead, Flexilla has designed a lightweight, flexible hose with zero memory–meaning it lies perfectly flat without twisting.

With a durable covering and tough fittings, you can trust it to stay safe and strong in sun, rain, or snow. Special o-rings hold onto joints to stop leaks, and all of the materials are lead-free and drinking-safe.

And when you’ve finished all the watering, the Flexzilla hose coils right back up easy as pie.

The one downside to point out is that the outer material can develop unsightly mold growth in certain conditions. But while it affects the way your hose looks, it shouldn’t impact the perfromance.

2. TheFitLife Expandable Garden Hose

**Best Expansion Garden Hose

• Material Type: Triple layer natural latex covered by elasticated polyester fabric
• Hose Length: 25, 50, 75 and 100 foot options 
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 1.8 to 4.5 pounds
• Burst Pressure: 145 PSI
• Coupling Material: Solid brass valve
• Safe to Drink From: No

This expandable hose from TheFitLife is lightweight and flexible. Its elasticated exterior allows for easy storage and use, while never tangling or folding at awkward angles.

The expansion feature elongates the hose about three times its original length when the water pressure is on.

TheFitLife offers their expandable garden hose at lengths of 25, 50, 75, or 100 feet (that’s only 9, 15, 25, or 33 feet when contracted). You can also combine lengths to create an even longer hose. 

3. Camco PureTaste

**Best Budget Garden Hose

• Material Type: Made with BPA-free PVC
• Hose Length: 4, 10, 25, 50 and 75-foot options
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 0.45 to 8.25 pounds
• Burst Pressure: Information not available
• Coupling Material: Anodized aluminum
• Safe to Drink From: Yes

Ideal for camping, boating, RVing, and all the other outdoor fun you can think of, this safe drinking water hose from Camco is BPA, lead, and Phthalate free.

Not only is it safe to drink from, but it also makes the water taste good – not rubbery like a typical garden hose. It meets or exceeds all federal regulations for safe drinking water; and Camco is a prolific producer of water filter systems.

Even beyond its safety and filtration, the Camco TastePure hose is thick, durable, and does not leak. Plus, its white color is ideal for hot days when grabbing a dark garden hose might burn your hands.

Despite all its impressive features, this hose is still comes in at a surprisingly low price point.

4. Cesun 304 Stainless Steel Garden Hose

**Best Metal Garden Hose

• Material Type: Stainless steel
• Hose Length: 25, 50, 75 and 100-foot lengths, and connector pieces are also available
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 3.5 to 10 pounds
• Burst Pressure: 150 psi
• Coupling Material: Brass nozzle
• Safe to Drink From: Yes

This stainless steel garden hose from Cesun is light and flexible, and coils perfectly for easy storage.

One awesome benefit is that this hose never kinks or tangles, and it maneuvers naturally around bushes, rocks, and other obstacles. Plus, the top of the hose has an easy-grip rubber handle for comfort.

The strong metal casing makes it a durable choice, and it can’t be punctured by animal bites. Although stainless steel resists rust, certain conditions, like chlorinated pool water or saltwater, could cause rust spots on your hose. 

Cesun offers their stainless steel garden hose in sizes from 25 feet to 100 feet, so it’s versatile for any garden or yard space. You can also purchase connector pieces, allowing you to combine hoses for extra length.

5. Swan Products Element Sprinkler Hose

**Best Soaker Hose

• Material Type: 65% recycled and reinforced rubber
• Hose Length: 25 and 50-foot options
• Diameter: NA
• Weight: 2 to 4 pounds
• Burst Pressure: Information not available
• Coupling Material: Male and female brass fittings, with plastic couplings
• Safe to Drink From: No

This joint sprinkler/soaker wonder hose from Swan’s Element line is laser cut with six holes per foot of rubber.

Turned down, this hose waters the garden or narrow lawn space easily and effectively. Turned up, water sprays in a mist across the lawn for an even watering reaching up to 50 feet.

Swan’s Element Sprinkler Hose can water parts of the yard that sprinklers don’t reach, and it can keep your garden watered with ease. Plus, this hose is lead-free, making it safe for the kids to play in.

One thing to be aware of: This hose can spontaneously turn or flip over during use. Be sure to have U-shaped stakes or other weights to hold it in place.

6. Giraffe Tools Hybrid Hose

**Best Heavy-Duty Garden Hose

• Material Type: Rubber
• Hose Length: 10, 25, 50 and 100-foot options, and connector pieces are also available
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 2.29 to 14 pounds
• Working Pressure: 150 psi
• Coupling Material: Nickel-plated brass fittings
• Safe to Drink From: No

This garden hose from Giraffe Tools is made from a dual-layer hybrid polymer material that’s engineered for strength and durability. 

The hose’s inner layer maintains flexibility despite harsh ambient conditions, while its outer layer provides a durable, protective coating. 

No matter the weather you have in your region, this hose can stand up to it. Designed to withstand temperatures of -40 degrees to 150 degrees F, your hose should be safe from the elements. 

Both the hybrid rubber hose and the plated fittings withstand abrasion and weight, and the handgrips swivel and connect easily to attachments. The plated brass fittings are designed to lock and seal against leaking.

Giraffe Tools promotes their hoses as “tested tough,” so you know their products have been through the wringer and performed. 

7. Briggs & Stratton Premium Rubber Hose

**Best Rubber Garden Hose

• Material Type: Rubber
• Hose Length: 25, 50, 75, and 100 foot options
• Diameter: 5/8 inch
• Weight: 4.3 to 18.3 pounds
• Burst Pressure: 500 psi
• Coupling Material: Nickel-plated brass fittings, with rubber washer
• Safe to Drink From: No

Briggs & Stratton’s Premium Rubber Hose is exceptionally durable, making it not only appropriate for home gardens but also for commercial use.

The rubber material is ultra-strong, and its couplings are crush-proof. A rubber washer keeps connections leak-free, and the hose can withstand hot water up to 200 degrees F flowing through.

To top off its ultra-durability, the Briggs & Stratton Premium Rubber Hose boasts a burst pressure of 500 psi.

This hose is a no-nonsense, strong choice. The only downside of a big rubber garden hose is its weight, and the 100-foot model of this one weighs 18 pounds.

Regardless, the weight may be worth the power and resilience this heavy-duty rubber hose has to offer. 

8. Water Right 400 Series

**Best Garden Hose for Drinking Water

• Material Type: Polyether-based polyurethane
• Hose Length: 25, 50, 75 and 100-foot options
• Diameter: 7/16 inch
• Weight: 2 to 7.39 pounds
• Burst Pressure: 40 psi
• Coupling Material: Machined brass/chrome
• Safe to Drink From: Yes

This hose from Water Right is light, flexible, and thin. It resists kinks and remains flexible even when the temperature is below freezing, or when hot water is rushing through.

It’s great for boating, RVing, and camping. It is totally free from lead, BPA, and phthalates, making it an excellent choice for drinkable hose water.

Water Right offers their 400 Series hose in a variety of colors, lengths, and diameters, so you have plenty of options to pick from. All the materials are high quality, so you know you can count on it to last.

With a fairly low burst pressure, this hose is ideal for house projects, small gardens, at-home car washes or drinking from an RV.

9. Water Right Professional Garden Hose

**Best Coiled Garden Hose

• Material Type: Polyurethane
• Hose Length: 15, 25, 50, and 75 foot options
• Diameter: 3/8 inch
• Weight: 2.1 to 4.8 pounds
• Burst Pressure: Information not available
• Coupling Material: Brass fittings with nickel and chrome double plating
• Safe to Drink From: Yes

This super-coiled hose from Water Right may look short, but it can stretch up to 80 percent more than its rolled-up length. When you’ve finished your watering, this hose springs back to its tight coil for easy storage.

This hose is perfect for watering small-scale spaces like potted plants on the porch or backyard gardens. Since it coils tightly, it stores easily in boats and RVs, so you can take it anywhere on the go!

It is a lightweight hose and can endure all weather conditions. While it can get caught on obstacles, it is designed to prevent kinks and cracks.

The FDA grade polyurethane coating is durable and leak-resistant. Eco-friendly and American-made, Water Right creates their products with heart, while still promising the same durability and performance as a big-name hose.

What To Look for When Buying a Hose?

A good hose is definitely near the top of the list of essential garden or landscaping tools. But if you’re standing in the garden hose aisle of a hardware store, not knowing what you’re looking at- you’re not alone!

Choosing a hose can be confusing, and there is a lot of jargon on the labels that might not make sense. In this section, I’m breaking down some of the key factors to consider when it comes to shopping for a hose.

The big things are:

1. The type of material the hose is made out of
2. The hose length
3. The hose diameter
4. How much the hose weighs
5. How much water pressure the hose can withstand
6. What material the connecting end pieces are made out of
7. If it is safe to drink from

Here’s a quick breakdown of how the hoses here stack up:

Let’s look at each of the categories in more detail. 

1. Material Type

Vinyl. Vinyl hoses are typically the cheapest, so they likely won’t offer the perks a more upscale hose will. They can feel stiff and be prone to holding permanent kinks. Vinyl hoses are best for budget-conscious shoppers who can leave their hose laid out in a straight line.

Rubber. Rubber hoses are heavy, which can be hard if the hose is long or you’ll have to carry it over long distances. However, rubber hoses are often thick, durable, and offer the best lifespan.

Polyurethane. Polyurethane hoses are light, but they can be stiff and hard to coil. Some of the best polyurethane hoses come pre-coiled. For instance, the Water Right hose we reviewed above can stretch several times its length but still springs back to a size and shape that is easy to store neatly.

Polymer. Polymer hoses are light and flexible, so they maneuver easily through yards with obstacles like rocks, shrubs, pots, corners, and patio furniture. These hoses tend to be easy to control and straighten out, unlike vinyl hoses which kink without ever unkinking. The Flexzilla hose we looked at above is an example of a popular polymer hose. 

Metal. Metal hoses like our recommended Cesun 304 stainless steel hose are often strong enough to avoid puncturing. They are also lighter than you might imagine, and they never kink. The only problem to look out for is the potential for rust.

Expansion fabric. Expandable hoses grow in length when you turn the water pressure on, then contract back to their original size when the water turns off. These hoses are often covered in a thick fabric that can stretch and maneuver, then shrink back for easy and efficient storage.

Always make sure to pick a durable fabric, and check what material the interior of the hose is made of. These factors can greatly affect the hose’s durability and weight.

2. Length

Key takeaway here: Longer is not always better!

Instead, consider what you will use your hose for.

For example, a 50 or 75-foot hose might be practical if you only have one spigot to use, and you need your hose to reach the opposite side of your yard.

In that case, measure how far you need your hose to reach, and pick a hose that is just a little bit longer. You don’t want to have to pull on it or get it stuck on something in the yard.

A longer hose, however, is not necessarily better. It can get heavy, cumbersome, and catch on obstacles in the yard. Plus, it’ll be easier to coil up and store if it’s shorter.

3. Diameter

A garden hose’s flow rate measures how many gallons of water flow through in a minute, so it’s how much water is going into your yard or garden and how quickly that water makes it through the hose.

This rate is influenced by three factors:

• The hose diameter (wider means more water coming out)
• The amount of water pressure
• How long the hose is (a longer hose means slower flow rate)

Most garden hoses are 1/2, 5/8 or 3/4 inches in diameter, and any of these should work well for normal home and garden use.

The average rate is about 10-15 gal/min, but it could get up to 25 or more.

4. Weight

Although heavier hoses seem like the toughest and sturdiest choices, lighter models can be just as durable as a thick, heavy one. 

A lighter hose can be especially practical if you’re lugging it around the yard, you have kids helping to water the plants or you’re an older person.

Note: Don’t miss this post for more suggestions on senior-friendly garden tools!

What’s more, lightweight models are also readily available at a variety of price points and material choices. For example, our reviews above include metal, rubber blend, vinyl, polyurethane, PVC, polymer, and expansion hoses that are just a few pounds per 25-foot length.

5. Burst Pressure

Different hoses have different maximum pressures they can reach before the water flow will cause the hose to rupture. Rupturing leads to cracks, bursts, and leaks.

Most residential homes have water pressure somewhere between 40 and 80 pounds per square inch (psi). But the actual water pressure in the hose can increase if there’s a kink or other obstruction.

A hose with higher burst pressure (above about 350 psi) is less likely to rupture under pressure, but it isn’t the only factor of durability to consider. For example, make sure your hose can withstand freezing and hot weather so it survives all seasons outside.

Beyond that, you might not even need a high burst pressure. For simple at-home gardening needs (think patio plants or giving the dog a bath in the driveway), a good garden hose with low burst pressure does just fine.

6. Coupling Structure

A hose’s coupling is the plastic or metal piece on its end that connects it to a tap, another hose or a sprinkler.

This piece must be durable enough not to be crushed if it gets stepped on or if something drops on it.

You will also want your coupling material to resist rust or corrosion, so consider the type of metal your tap or connector hose is made of. If they are incompatible (like aluminum and brass), they could corrode.

A pretty fool-proof choice for coupling material is brass, which is durable and commonplace. Stainless steel is also a great choice. 

7. Drinking Safety

Some garden hoses are processed with toxic chemicals that can contaminate water as it runs through. Be sure to look out for lead-free options or hoses that are marked as having a low environmental impact.

Some hoses (like the Water Right 400 Series and Camco TastePure) are totally BPA- and phthalate- free, so they don’t have harmful chemicals. And the water that comes through them actually tastes good!

Potable water from a garden hose is going to be super important if you’ll use the hose for boating or RV camping, but it can also be practical if you’ve got pets and kids running around your yard. 

Tips for Caring For a Garden Hose

Picking the right hose in the first place is key, but how you care for your hose over the long run can make the biggest impact on lifespan and function. 

And at the end of the day, you should never overlook the power of taking good care of your garden hose. Keep it stored in a safe, dry place- coiled tidily rather than bunched in a messy pile, and work out any kinks before coiling it up.

Drain the hose after each use, and take care not to drop or pull the nozzle. This will keep the connection to the coupling tighter and less likely to leak.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of hoses out there, and it can be hard to distinguish which is right for you and your garden.

Before you buy, try to gather a basic sense of what you’re looking for. In my experience, these are some questions that are helpful guidelines:

• Do you want a hose that is lightweight and drags easily across the yard?
• Do you want one that springs up tightly for easy storage?
• Do you want one that can sprinkle mist into your yard?
• Does it get really cold or really hot where you live?  

With these tips in mind, you can choose the garden hose that meets your garden or yard’s specific needs.

I’d love to hear from you! What kind of garden hoses have you used in the past, and did you run into any problems with them? Do you have any hose suggestions or care tips to add? We learn best as a gardening community, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!