The Best Expandable Hoses, According to Our Testing

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Simplify lawn care with a lightweight, expandable hose that stretches far, shrinks quickly, and stores easily.

Expandable hoses are self-draining kink- and twist-resistant alternatives to standard garden hoses. They weigh far less than their conventional counterparts while taking up very little space. Their outer fabric shell creates a rigid wall around the hose and protects the core from punctures and abrasion, while the inner core operates much like a balloon by stretching up to three times its resting length. Turn the water off, and the hose returns to its original size and shape.

We wanted to know if these new space-saving hoses lived up to the hype, so we tested them in our own yard and garden. Read on to learn more about which ones we think are among the best expandable garden hoses on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: HydroTech 100-Foot Expandable Burst Proof Garden Hose
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: XHose Pro-Garden Hose
3. UPGRADE PICK: Emsco 100-Foot Expandable Hose With Spray Nozzle
4. BEST DRAG-RESISTANT: BionicFlex 100-Foot Lightweight Compact Hose
5. BEST FOR COLD WEATHER: Flexi Hose Expandable Hose With 8-Function Nozzle
6. BEST FOR SMALL GARDEN: HydroTech 25-Foot Expandable Burst Proof Garden Hose
7. BEST NO-KINK: No-Kink 100-Foot Expandable Garden Hose

How We Tested the Best Expandable Hoses

We put these hoses through the wringer and didn’t play favorites. If they came with a sprayer, we tested each of the spray functions, noting whether the spray was uniform or the connections leaked. After varying the water pressure with each hose, we found they all work best with a water pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch (psi).

All hoses were pressurized with water and then left out in the elements for 24 hours, and we backed over each one of them with a car. To ensure that the fittings were strong, we banged them on the concrete, reconnected the hoses, and checked for leaks, indicating that the fitting had changed shape.

In addition, we noted how comfortably the sprayers fit in our hands and how easy the hose was to pull around the yard.

Our Top Picks

We tested numerous expandable hoses, basing our selection criteria on which hoses are currently among the most popular sellers. A hose had to be lightweight, strong, and durable to earn a spot on our lineup. Its fittings had to connect easily to spray nozzles and spigots without leaking. The following models excelled in our hands-on tests and are all top performers.

Best Overall

HydroTech 100-Foot Expandable Burst Proof Garden Hose

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The first thing we noticed when unboxing the HydroTech expandable hose was the high quality of its connectors. The spigot-end connector is made from heavy-duty molded plastic. The end section twists independently of the rest of the connector, so we could quickly attach the HydroTech to the outdoor spigot.

The other connector features heavy-duty brass, and it comes with a shut-off valve that makes it easy to connect a nozzle or sprinkler without needing to turn off the water to the hose before doing so.

To see how long the hose was when filled with water, we shut the valve and turned the spigot on—the HydroTech immediately went from a soft, floppy hose to one that felt smooth and firm to the touch. We laid the hose straight and measured it—it came to a few inches over 100 feet. We pulled the hose around the corner of concrete steps and through some bushes, but it didn’t snag or rupture. Likewise, backing over it with our car didn’t faze it. We left the hose filled with water (about 40 psi) for 24 hours, and it didn’t leak.

This lightweight hose is 5.4 pounds when empty. While it did tangle when empty in its loose and floppy state, when filled with water, it resisted kinking and tangling. Note that it doesn’t come with a spray nozzle.

Product Specs

• Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Expanded length: 100 feet
• Sprayer included: No

Pros

• Lightweight—just 5.4 pounds when empty—to be easy to carry where needed
• Thick latex core and reinforced nylon exterior resists rips and bursts
• Oversize ergonomic connector makes attaching the hose to the spigot a snap

Cons

• This expandable hose does not come with a spray nozzle

Get the HydroTech 100-foot expandable hose at Ace Hardware, Target, or Do It Best.

Best Bang for the Buck

XHose Pro-Garden Hose

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There’s no need to spend a lot to get the benefits of an expandable hose. We tested the XHose in a 25-foot version, but longer lengths are available, depending on the retailer. The hose was very light when empty—just 1 pound—but it comes with solid brass connectors on each end, a thick latex core, and a heavy-duty polyester outer layer that is smooth and snag-resistant.

The nozzle end of the hose comes with a shut-off valve, so we closed the valve, connected the spigot end to our faucet, and filled the hose to capacity. It measured 25 feet when fully expanded.

We pulled the hose around the corner of concrete steps and through some thorny bushes. We did notice a slight snag in the black outer layer, but it did not affect the overall integrity of the hose—it was just a single-thread snag. It may have been there before we tested and we just didn’t notice. The XHose didn’t show any damage after backing over it with our car, and we found no leaks after leaving it pressurized with water for 24 hours.

Product Specs

• Weight: 1 pound
• Expanded length: 25 feet
• Sprayer included: No

Pros

• Tough polyester-fiber outer layer protects the durable inner latex core
• Solid-brass connectors are crush-resistant, and the nozzle-end features a shut-off valve
• Weighs just 1 pound when empty, making it easy to carry and stow

Cons

• No spray nozzle is included with this expandable hose

Get the XHose expandable hose at Ace Hardware, Lowes or Gardener’s Edge.

Upgrade Pick

Emsco 100-Foot Expandable Hose With Spray Nozzle

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The bright red color is not the only attribute of this handsome hose! The Emsco hose came neatly wound in a clear plastic cylinder, but (our bad!), we pulled it out without paying attention, so spent the next 5 minutes untangling the knots. With all that handling, one thing was clear—the protective outer fabric was high quality and felt tough and durable.

The hose has quality brass connectors but no shut-off valve (we would’ve preferred one, since it’s such a convenience). We connected the Emsco to our spigot and attached the included sprayer with 10 different spray patterns, including jet, flat, and spray. Each of the spray selections offered a different water pattern—a nice feature.

We then removed the sprayer, put a shut-off valve (from one of the other hoses we tested) on the hose, and filled it completely with water; it measured just under 100 feet, which is close enough. We then backed the car over the hose and dragged it around the corner of our concrete steps and through the bushes. No snags or tears. After being pressurized for 24 hours, we drained it and wound it on a hose reel.

The Emsco hose felt a bit more resilient than some of the other models we tested, maybe because the inner hose core felt thicker. We can’t guarantee this hose (or any hose) will last an entire summer season or longer, but we think it will.

Product Specs

• Weight: 2.75 pounds
• Expanded length: 100 feet
• Sprayer included: Yes

Pros

• The bright red color of this hose means it won’t get lost in the yard or on a garage shelf
• Comes with an 10-pattern sprayer that adds versatility and convenience
• The hose feels durable to the touch, and it didn’t snag in testing

Cons

• This expandable hose doesn’t come with a shut-off valve

Get the Emsco expandable hose at Amazon.

Best Drag-Resistant

BionicFlex 100-Foot Lightweight Compact Hose

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Anyone who’s had an expandable hose burst after being pulled over sharp rocks or through thorny brambles should check out the BionicFlex hose. Unlike the other expandable hoses we tested, the BionicFlex expands widthwise but not lengthwise when filled with water—so it’s somewhere between a traditional rubber hose and an expandable one. When empty, the BionicFlex weighs just 6.1 pounds and is easy to coil and stow on a hook or a shelf in the garage.

Out of the box, the BionicFlex looked more like a flat ribbon than a garden hose, but once we attached it to our spigot and filled it with water, it morphed into a regular-looking round hose. It comes with heavy-duty aluminum connectors that twist independently of the hose, making it a cinch to attach the hose to the spigot. It doesn’t come with a shut-off valve, but we borrowed one from another model for our testing.

The fabric covering on the BionicFlex feels like a thick canvas, which we found very protective for the hose’s inner core. We dragged it over rocks, around concrete steps, and through the rose bushes, and it didn’t suffer a scratch or a snag. Likewise, it withstood being backed over by the car and then sitting for 24 hours fully pressurized with water.

However, despite the manufacturer’s claim that it won’t tangle, it probably will; it did for us, but by turning on the water and pressurizing the hose, it was fairly simple to untangle it. The main downsides are the lack of a sprayer and shut-off nozzle, but those are available everywhere. It also came in a little short: Our measurement put the BionicFlex at just 96 feet. Those complaints notwithstanding, it is a seriously tough hose that will withstand much outdoor abuse.

Product Specs

• Weight: 6.1 pounds
• Expanded length: 100 feet (measured at 96 feet)
• Sprayer included: No

Pros

• Canvaslike fabric offers durable protection against tears, snags, and bursts
• Easy-connect fittings make it easy to attach the hose to spigots and nozzles
• Returns to flat, ribbonlike state when empty for easy carrying and storage

Cons

• No shut-off valve or nozzle included with this hose

Get the BionicFlex expandable hose at Amazon or Wayfair.

Best for Cold Weather

Flexi Hose Expandable Hose With 8-Function Nozzle

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It’s never a good idea to leave an expandable garden hose outdoors over winter, especially in harsh conditions. But some gardeners may still want a hose for outdoor chores in colder weather. Those living in areas where temperatures frequently come close to freezing should consider a garden hose made with brass fittings, which are more durable than plastic.

The Flexi Hose features solid-brass fittings that connected snugly to the spigot and didn’t leak. Although the connection between the hose and the nozzle started out with a leak, it was quickly remedied by tightening the connection. When filled with water, it expanded to a maximum length of 50.5 feet.

The hose’s four-layer latex core is 10 millimeters thick, which the manufacturer claims gives it extra protection from cold temperatures. We only left the Flexi Hose outside for 24 hours—and it just happened to get rained on—but it didn’t seem the worse for it. It withstood a car driving over it and having its connectors banged on the concrete without even a scuff. Its eight-setting spray nozzle features an ergonomic, slip-resistant handle that’s especially nice, but the sprayer is slightly smaller than competing models.

Product Specs 

• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Expanded length: 50 feet
• Sprayer included: Yes

Pros

• Rubber anti-slip sprayer grip is comfortable in hand and won’t slip even when wet
• Detachable shut-off valve allows you to switch nozzles without turning off the water
• Very lightweight; at just 2.7 pounds, this hose won’t weigh you down

Cons

• Fabric isn’t quite as dense as some—we noticed a snag after use

Get the Flexi Hose expandable hose at Amazon or Flexi Hose.

Best for Small Gardens

HydroTech 25-Foot Expandable Burst Proof Garden Hose

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Small but mighty, the 25-foot HydroTech hose is a compact version of our Best Overall pick, and while it’s shorter in length, it’s made with the same high-quality materials. It features a brass shut-off valve on the nozzle end and a durable molded plastic fitting on the spigot end that twists independently of the hose for making quick connections.

We filled the hose and stretched it out to measure—it was within a couple of inches of 25 feet. Then we backed the car over the hose, pulled it around concrete steps, and dragged it through bushes. It came out with one tiny snag from a thorn, but the snag didn’t seem to impact the integrity of the hose—it didn’t affect the fiber covering that protects the inner latex core. Likewise, leaving it pressurized for 24 hours with water didn’t negatively impact the little HydroTech. When we drained it, it was just as soft and floppy as when we unboxed it.

This little hose weighs just 2.4 pounds, and when empty, it’s small enough to store on a garage or even closet shelf. It doesn’t come with a sprayer, however.

Product Specs 

• Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Expanded length: 25 feet
• Sprayer included: No

Pros

• Small and lightweight (just 2.4 pounds) and can be easily stored on a shelf or hook
• Nylon connector resists rust and corrosion and twists independently of the hose
• Shut-off valve on end of hose allows you to change nozzles without turning off water

Cons

• This 25-foot expandable hose does not come with a sprayer

Get the HydroTech 25-foot expandable hose at