The Best Hose Reels for a Tidier Yard

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The hose-reel showdown—our tested and proven winners revealed!

The bushes are pruned, the lawn is mowed, and the planting beds are weeded. The yard and garden look great—except for that pile of twisted garden hose. To put it in its place, consider a hose reel: a cylindrical spindle made of metal, fiberglass, or plastic on which to wind and neatly store a garden hose.

There are several types of garden hose reels available, and getting the right one can make the difference between a tidy yard or a disheveled one. Which reel is the right one? We spoke to Rafi Friedman, the CEO of Coastal Luxury Outdoors based in Jacksonville, Florida, which specializes in pools and outdoor living areas. He shared his insights on what shoppers might want to prioritize when shopping for a hose reel. We also researched dozens of models and selected the top-rated ones for hands-on testing in our own yards. We scrutinized ease of use, overall quality, hose capacity, and more. Below, learn what to look for when choosing a hose reel, and find out how the following models earned a spot in our lineup of the best hose reels.

1. BEST OVERALL: Liberty Garden 712 Single Arm Navigator Hose Reel
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Yard Butler IHCWM-1 Deluxe Hose Hanger
3. BEST WALL-MOUNTED: Liberty Garden 707 Wall Mount Hose Reel With Guide
4. BEST YARD STAND: TomCare Freestanding Garden Hose Holder 
5. BEST DECORATIVE: BirdRock Home Water Hose Holder 
6. BEST DUAL-MOUNT: Liberty Garden 709 Dual-Mount Hose Reel
7. BEST PORTABLE: Gorilla GRM-200G 200-Foot Mobile Hose Reel
8. BEST CONCEALMENT: Giraffe Tools Heavy-Duty Metal Garden Hose Reel Box

How We Tested the Best Hose Reels

We researched more than 35 top-rated hose reels in various categories, carefully evaluating their design, material, hose capacity, and other essential features. Our thorough analysis helped us narrow down the field to 10 top models that we wanted to put to the test. We opted for models made with durable materials such as steel and heavy-duty plastic, which are capable of withstanding long-term use. Our picks for testing included manual and automatic reels with hose guides, automatic retraction, and/or bracing to keep standard garden hoses in place.

After assembling the reels (where applicable), we installed the ones designed to be mounted, connected our garden hoses, and began our rigorous testing process. Our tests evaluated the stability of the hose reels and whether or not they held the advertised hose length. For reels with handles, we tested the smoothness of the turning mechanisms and noted any additional features, such as added spray nozzles, that enhanced their functionality. We employed a rubric to score the hose reels; those that performed better received more points.

After testing, we averaged the scores to determine the winners. However, not all the models we tested met our high standards. We’ve included them in the “Also Tested” section below so that you can read about their performance and find out why they didn’t make the cut.

Friedman stresses the importance of choosing the right material: “While plastic is a good choice since it’s lightweight, affordable, and pliable enough that it won’t damage your hose, it also tends to fade easily in the sun, looking old and weathered after only a season or two. Metal hose reels are a much longer-lasting choice.” With that in mind, we made sure that our list of recommendations spans the full range of material and budget options available. 

Testing Stats
Products tested	11
Hours spent testing	12 hours
Tests performed	7 to 8
Price range	$10 to $200

Our Top Picks

The following hose reels stood out in our rigorous hands-on testing process for their stability, durability, and innovative features. With both mounted and freestanding options available in a range of styles and prices, there’s a perfect pick for every messy hose problem. Don’t let tangled hoses get in the way of your gardening game; grab one of our top hose reel picks today.

Best Overall

Liberty Garden 712 Single Arm Navigator Hose Reel

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Product Specs 

• Material: Steel 
• Hose capacity: 125 feet of ⅝-inch hose
• Leader hose: Yes

Pros

• Weather-resistant coating prevents this reel from wearing down over time 
• Leader hose included, and a built-in storage tray holds accessories 
• Pull-up handle allows for 360-degree rotation for ease of use 
• Reel can be locked into 8 height options so the hose does not fall off or move

Cons

• Spool may be too small for hoses that are thicker than ⅝ inch 
• Large hands may find it challenging to connect hose to fitting on reel
• Some retailers may not provide the 5-foot leader hose

The Liberty Garden Single Arm Navigator hose reel is a durable, traditional-style mounted reel with solid steel construction and a weather-resistant coating. It can hold up to 125 feet of ⅝-inch hose and includes a 5-foot leader hose and a wire storage basket for additional nozzles and tools.

Right out of the box, the 712 impressed us with its quality. The reel comes mostly assembled, so we just had to attach the handle and mount the reel to our wall. The necessary hardware for installation is included. We installed the reel on a concrete wall, but if you’re attaching it to an exterior wall with lap siding, it’s best to mount it to a stud.

We had no issues attaching the leader hose to the outside of the reel—the easy-twist fitting connected snugly and sealed well, and there were no drips when we turned the water on. Attaching the garden hose to the inner-reel fitting was a bit more challenging, as the fitting is located near the inner reel and it was tough to get our fingers in to twist the fittings together.

We liked the pull-up handle on top, which allows for 360-degree rotation, and the reel can be locked into eight secure positions, which makes rolling up the hose a snap from any direction. This hose reel comes fully assembled; all we had to do was attach the handle. The Liberty Garden 712 is attractive and functional, and it will keep that long hose neatly stowed.

Read our full review:Liberty Garden 712 Single Arm Navigator Hose Reel

Get the Liberty Garden 712 hose reel at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Northern Tool + Equipment. 

Best Bang for the Buck

Yard Butler IHCWM-1 Deluxe Hose Hanger

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Product Specs 

• Material: Powder-coated steel 
• Hose capacity: 100 feet of ⅝-inch hose 
• Leader hose: No

Pros

• Versatile design that can be mounted anywhere on a wall, fence, and more 
• Extra bracing on this patented design prevents disfiguration or sagging
• Comes in a verdigris green, purple, green, or blue finish to match many backyard styles

Cons

• No hose reel or leader hose built in; all rolling must be done manually 
• No hanging hardware included, so installation may be tricky

This reasonably priced hose hanger from Yard Butler holds up to 100 feet of ⅝-inch hose. Users can mount it at a regular height (3 to 5 feet above the ground) or a little higher, using big loops to hang a longer hose.

While it’s not much to look at compared with some of the other decorative hose reels we tested, the Yard Butler is a study in efficiency. We mounted it about 2 feet above the spigot on our exterior wall. It didn’t come with screws, so we used a couple of exterior stainless steel screws we had on hand. Make sure to locate a stud when mounting this or any hose reel to keep it from pulling off the wall when loaded with a heavy hose. 

The 12-gauge steel, arch design, and added wall bracing prevent sagging, and the powder-coated finish is made to withstand the elements. This hose holder is as manual as it gets; we had to loop the hose onto the holder—one loop at a time—but the back wall sure looked a lot tidier than when the hose was lying twisted on the patio. 

The hose hanger comes in a weathered verdigris finish in purple, green, or blue. And it also comes in a floral and spiral design to add a little style to the yard. The manufacturer claims the Yard Butler will hold a ⅝-inch hose up to 100 feet long. It will, but we had to make the hose loops longer to accommodate our 100-foot hose. If you’re looking for a pleasing circular hose pattern, this holder is better suited to a shorter 50-foot hose or a lightweight expandable hose.

Get the Yard Butler hose reel at Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg.

Best Wall-Mounted

Liberty Garden 707 Wall Mount Hose Reel With Guide

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Product Specs 

• Material: Powder-coated cast aluminum 
• Hose capacity: 125 feet of ⅝-inch hose 
• Leader hose: Yes

Pros

• 5-foot leader hose adds to user-friendliness and convenience 
• Large hand crank makes it easy to pull the hose in after use 
• Top tray built in for hose nozzles and other accessories
• Decorative and stylish way to store garden hoses and eliminate mess

Cons

• Mounting hardware is not included with purchase; may be tricky for first-time buyers 
• Attaching hose to inner reel fitting can be challenging due to restricted space
• Users may need to stretch out the hose straight before winding it

This Liberty Garden wall-mount hose reel has an aluminum body with a durable powder coat finish for added rust resistance. If you’re looking for a decorative hose reel that mounts securely to an outside wall, the 707 might be just the ticket. 

The hose reel came mostly assembled but we had to attach the handle—a simple step that required the use of an Allen wrench (included). We used exterior screws to mount the reel to the wall. It features mounting holes spaced 16 inches apart, which is the exact spacing of standard wall studs. 

Connecting the leader hose to the outside fitting was a snap—connecting our garden hose to the reel fitting gave us fits, though, because there wasn’t much space (only a couple of inches) for our fingers to attach the hose to the fitting. This was also an issue with other reels, but the 707 was especially challenging due to its design—the upper tray and front guide arm further restricted finger space. 

We attached our 125-foot heavy-duty hose, and the Liberty Garden reel supported the entire length without a problem. However, we felt that one of the unique features of this reel was a detriment. 

The 707 features a hole guide through which users feed the end of the hose before attaching it to the reel fitting. As we turned the crank to wind up the hose, the hole guide moved back and forth along a bar. While the intention is to distribute the hose uniformly on the reel, we found it was more trouble than it was worth. The hose hung on the small hole unless we stretched it out perfectly straight before we started winding.

We felt that it would be less work to guide the hose with our hand as we wound it up, but this is a personal preference. We tested the reel using a heavy rubber hose; perhaps a nylon-coated hose wouldn’t hang during winding.

Get the Liberty Garden 707 hose reel at Amazon, Wayfair, or Target.

Best Yard Stand

TomCare Freestanding Garden Hose Holder

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Product Specs 

• Material: Rust-resistant metal
• Hose capacity: Unlisted; less than 50-foot rubber hose (tested)
• Leader hose: No

Pros

• Freestanding design—no need to drill holes in a wall or mount it
• Portable design allows the user to move it around as needed
• Heavy-duty spikes help secure the hose holder firmly in ground

Cons

• Has a tendency to tip if used with a heavy hose or located in loose soil

The TomCare metal garden-hose holder proves that tidying up hose clutter doesn’t mean permanently installing a reel on the wall. This portable hose-holder option makes sense for renters, and we feel it’s also a good choice for gardeners who want to move it from spot to spot as necessary to hold hoses. 

The hose stand came in two parts: upper hose holder and spiked stand. The fasteners and a little wrench were included for attaching the parts. Once it was assembled, we found the TomCare stand to be very sturdy, but the key to holding heavy hoses lies in the soil. If the soil is firm, it will better support the stand when it’s loaded down with a hose. 

We tested the TomCare holder in several spots in the garden. When we inserted it in loamy soil, it leaned under the weight of a 50-foot rubber hose and eventually toppled. When we inserted the stand in the lawn next to the garden (clay-based soil), it didn’t move at all when we wound the hose around the holder. So the best spot to put this holder will be in stable soil.

Get the TomCare hose reel at Amazon.

Best Decorative

BirdRock Home Water Hose Holder

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Product Specs 

• Material: Steel (copper-look)
• Hose capacity: Up to 75 feet of ⅝-inch thick hose (as tested) 
• Leader hose: No 

Pros

• The attractive copper finish complements many outdoor settings or styles
• Lightweight and sturdy construction—can be transported wherever needed in the backyard 
• Drainage hole allows for any condensation or excess water to drain and also provides hose access

Cons

• Not as ergonomic as comparable options; hose must be spooled manually 

This water-hose holder from BirdRock Home provides a charming way to store a garden hose so that it’s out of the way, orderly, and untangled. The copper finish on this hose pot is so realistic we had to scrutinize it to determine that it was made from steel—not copper. This hose pot is all about portability and looks—the copper color complements many outdoor settings, and there’s nothing to install or mount. 

The BirdRock pot comes with a center pole that makes it simple to wind the hose by hand. The manufacturer says the center pole is removable to give the user more room to store gardening accessories, but we found it was essential for keeping the hose in place and from tangling. 

The pot has a hole and a removable rubber stopper at the bottom to feed the hose to the spigot. We liked this feature—it kept us from digging around in the pot to find the end of the hose to connect to the spigot. The hole does double duty as a drain hole to keep the pot from filling with rainwater. The BirdRock pot is advertised as holding hoses up to 100 feet long. We could only store ⅝-inch hoses up to 75 feet long, but perhaps a longer but thinner hose would fit.

Get the BirdRock hose reel at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Walmart, or Target. 

Best Dual-Mont

Liberty Garden 709 Dual-Mount Hose Reel