The Best Garden Hoses for Yard Maintenance
You probably already have a garden hose for watering the grass and potted patio plants and washing down the sidewalk. Still, if you’re like many, that hose might have hardened over the years, developed kinks that won’t straighten out, or even sprung a few leaks. If so, don’t buy another garden hose before finding out which hoses scored the highest in my hands-on tests. I didn’t go easy on the hoses—I put them through real-world watering (and life) situations.
I also spoke with Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, a pool and outdoor living area company in Jacksonville, Florida, to get his expert opinion on specific aspects shoppers will want to look out for. Keep reading to learn about the new materials that go into making today’s top hoses and to find out both the pros and cons of each hose I tested. Though the Zero-G ⅝-Inch by 50-Foot Black Aluminum Garden Hose was my favorite thanks to its exceptional durability and kink-resistance, many of the products I tested were great. Discover the strengths and weaknesses of different types of hoses—before you invest in a new one—and learn how the following hoses earned their way onto our list of the best garden hoses.
- BEST OVERALL: Zero-G ⅝-Inch by 50-Foot Black Aluminum Garden Hose
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Grace Green Hybrid ⅝-Inch by 100-Foot Garden Hose
- BEST STAINLESS STEEL: Bionic Steel 100-Foot Rustproof Garden Hose
- BEST EXPANDABLE: HydroTech 100-Foot Expandable Burst-Proof Garden Hose
- BEST DRINKING WATER–SAFE: Flexzilla ⅝-Inch by 25-Foot SwivelGrip Garden Hose
- BEST FLEXIBLE: Yamatic ⅝-Inch by 30-Foot Super Flexible Garden Hose
- BEST RUBBER HOSE: Briggs & Stratton 75-Foot Heavy-Duty Garden Hose
- BEST LONG HOSE: Giraffe ⅝-Inch by 100-Foot Hybrid Garden Hose
How We Tested the Best Garden Hoses
While garden hoses are far from complicated products, getting a substandard one can be frustrating. I wanted to test the most popular hoses on the market and see if they lived up to the manufacturers’ hype. To that end, I tested them for flexibility, durability, and whether they could withstand a normal-to-high amount of water pressure without damage. I also carefully examined the quality of their fittings. I used a rubric and awarded each hose points based on its performance in each category.
The tests included driving over a filled hose, tying the hose in a knot and turning the water on to see if it formed a fatal kink, and pulling the hose forcefully around planters, bushes, and curbs.
At the end of the testing, the hoses that didn’t make it were eliminated, and the scores for surviving hoses were tallied and used to help determine the award categories.
I’m not sure what I thought when I started the tests, but in the end, I was amazed at how much better the quality of today’s garden hoses are over those I’ve used in the past. The ones that made this lineup genuinely deserve to be in it.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Time spent testing | 10+ hours |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $35 to $100 |
Our Top Picks
To qualify as a top pick, the following garden hoses had to be strong, flexible, and durable and come with easy-to-attach (leak-free) fittings. I tested each of the following hoses at 55 pounds per square inch (psi) water pressure, which is standard to a little on the strong side for the average outdoor spigot.
I wound the hoses in tight configurations, pulled them about the yard—and then backed over them with a car (because that happens). I put them through their paces—and the ones that survived truly earned their spot in this lineup. I feel confident that any of the following hoses will be a beneficial addition to this year’s lawn and gardening arsenal of tools and supplies, including retractable reels, spray heads, and hose splitters.
Best Overall
Zero-G ⅝-Inch by 50-Foot Black Aluminum Garden Hose
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Durability 5/5; Quality 5/5; Couplings 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 50 feet
- Diameter: ⅝ inch
- Material: Vinyl core with high-density fiber sheath
- Shutoff valve: No
What We Like
- Comes with a high 600 psi burst rating with the help of the inner vinyl core and high-density woven fibers
- Flexible and nonkinking construction works in both warm and cool conditions
- No-leak fittings provide reliability when in use
What We Don’t Like
- Challenging to untangle it initially; packaging can be tough to work with
Out of the box, the Zero-G hose was plain looking and unimpressive—just a wrinkly gray hose that was problematic to untangle. Wow, are first impressions ever deceiving! Despite its initial drab debut, this hose ended up taking the top spot in the lineup. Once I got the hose untangled—note to manufacturer:a different packaging configuration might help—I attached the hose to the spigot, put a closed nozzle on the other end, and turned the water pressure up to full force. The wrinkly Zero-G hose transformed into a super-resilient hose that refused to kink, even when I looped it into a knot and pulled on the end. Impressive.
The Zero-G hose also stood up to being stretched across the driveway and then backed over without any sign of damage. The hose comes with a flexible inner vinyl core and is encased in a thick layer of high-density woven fibers that reinforce and protect the hose. The Zero-G hose comes with a high 600-psi burst rating and is one of the most robust hoses around. Yet it remains flexible—I found that its flexibility didn’t depend on the outdoor temps; it maintained uniform flexibility in both warm and cool weather.
The attachment fittings are made from rugged aluminum for strength, and they come with brass inserts for durability. I had no problems with leaks, either at the fixture or where I connected a nozzle.
Get the Zero-G garden hose at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., or Ace Hardware.
Best Bang for the Buck
Grace Green Hybrid ⅝-Inch by 100-Foot Garden Hose
Our Ratings: Durability 5/5; Quality 4/5; Couplings 4/5
Product Specs
- Length: 100 feet
- Diameter: ⅝ inch
- Material: Multilayer latex core and polyester sheath
- Shutoff valve: No
What We Like
- Flexible even in cool temps of up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Nonslip end grips provide control while in use while adding comfort
- Included hanging strap for keeping the hose safe and rolled up
What We Don’t Like
- Advertised as “sprayer included” but didn’t receive one
The flexible Grace Green garden hose is a good price for a lengthy hose, and it’s kink-resistant and remains supple in cooler temperatures. I tested that premise outdoors when the temperature was just 43 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s true—Grace Green was flexible enough to easily loop around the base of a flagpole without kinking.
The Grace Green Garden Hose comes with crush-resistant attachment fittings, but the nonslip, ergonomic grips located at both ends were my favorite feature. Who hasn’t struggled to loosen (or tighten) metal hose fittings and come away with sore fingers? That’s a thing of the past with the Grace Green hose fittings that allowed me to attach the hose using my entire hand to turn the comfortable grips.
The hose withstood the full force of the water pressure, even when backed over with the car—no leaks and no tears. I did experience a spurt out of the fitting when I connected the hose to a spray nozzle (not included), but upon inspection, that was the fault of the rubber washer having fallen out of the nozzle—it wasn’t a hose issue. Once I replaced the washer, there were no leaks. A nice bonus is the hanging hose holder that allows users to stow the hose on a fence post or even a large hook.
Get the Grace Green garden hose at Amazon.
Best Stainless Steel
Bionic Steel 100-Foot Rustproof Garden Hose
Our Ratings: Durability 4/5; Quality 4/5; Couplings 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 100 feet
- Diameter: ⅝ inch
- Material: Reinforced vinyl core, stainless steel sheath
- Shutoff valve: Yes
What We Like
- Stainless steel construction won’t kink or tangle when in use or when being stored
- Strong and durable construction did not bend or break when run over
- Nonslip grips at ends provide control and comfort while in use
- Lightweight and flexible construction will not cause a lot of strain on the arms or a hose reel/holder
What We Don’t Like
- Slippery to carry—slides right out of the arms
Shiny, slinky, and excellent grips were my first impressions of the Bionic Steel garden hose, and I didn’t change my mind about it even after extensive testing. I’d never used a stainless steel hose before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the Bionic Steel hose came through with flying colors. It comes with brass fittings and ribbed rubber sleeves at each end that provide a sturdy, nonslip hold while attaching the hose to the spigot or nozzle.
Without water, the Bionic Steel hose is rather limp and slippery, and just carrying it was interesting since it wanted to slip out of my arms. Once it was filled with water, I understood what the hype was all about. The Bionic Steel hose remained flexible enough to pull it around corners, and it didn’t kink, although I tried to loop it into a knot. I thought about skipping the test where I backed over it with a car—after all, steel bends—but I knew I had to do it. I stretched the Bionic Steel hose across the driveway and drove over it. Surprisingly, it didn’t bend at all. I did the drive-over test with a compact car, so I can’t say what would happen with a full-size pickup, but I was pretty impressed. I expected some compression, at least.
This is a powerful 100-foot garden hose, but it’s not heavy despite having a protective sheath made from stainless steel. When empty, the hose weighs just 3 pounds. It winds nicely around hose reels and keeps its shape.
Get the Bionic Steel garden hose at Amazon.
Best Expandable
HydroTech 100-Foot Expandable Burst-Proof Garden Hose
Our Ratings: Durability 4/5; Quality 4/5; Couplings 4/5
Product Specs
- Length: 100 feet
- Diameter: ⅝ inch
- Material: Latex liner with polyester sheath
- Shutoff valve: Yes
What We Like
- 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
What We Don’t Like
- This expandable hose does not come with a spray nozzle
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.
Get the HydroTech garden hose at Ace Hardware, Target, or Do It Best.
Best Drinking Water–Safe
Flexzilla ⅝-Inch by 25-Foot SwivelGrip Garden Hose
Our Ratings: Durability 4/5; Quality 5/5; Couplings 4/5
Product Specs
- Length: 50 feet
- Diameter: ⅝ inch
- Material: Hybrid polymer core with reinforced sheath
- Shutoff valve: No
What We Like
- Flexible hybrid polymer material is lightweight and maneuverable
- Inner tubing material is drinking water–safe; suitable for homes with children and pets
- Comfort swivel grips naturally release coils for easy connecting or uncoiling
What We Don’t Like
- Neon green color that stands out like a sore thumb
Hose-testing can work up a thirst, so I was more than happy to take a drink out of the end of the Flexzilla garden hose. However, keep in mind that drinking water hoses are only as safe as the water they’re carrying. In addition, a hose left outdoors can become contaminated with bacteria over time, so consider that before taking a sip.
The Flexzilla hose is ⅝ inch in diameter and measures 50 feet long, although a few other sizes may be available. It’s heavy-duty yet lightweight at just 8 pounds, and I found it easy to loop and store on a wall hook in the garage. The Flexzilla remained flexible in cool temps in the lower 40s, and it resisted kinking, although it finally formed a kink after I knotted the hose and pulled on it. However, it took some effort on my part to make it kink. My favorite part was the hose’s SwivelGrip action, which allowed me to attach and detach the fittings from the spigot and the nozzle with ease.
The hose is made from a flexible hybrid polymer designed to remain supple even in cold weather, and it didn’t suffer from being driven over by my car. This is an all-around top garden hose with a chemical-free inner core that makes it preferable for watering pets and allowing children to enjoy playing in the sprinkler.
Get the Flexzilla garden hose at Amazon or Ace Hardware.
Best Flexible
Yamatic ⅝-Inch by 30-Foot Super Flexible Garden Hose
