BBC Gardeners World Magazine 2026-06-08T09:30:49.000Z https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/feed/atom Cinead McTernan <![CDATA[The best 9 garden hoses in 2026, as tested and reviewed by our experts]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/best-garden-hoses/ 2026-06-08T09:30:49.000Z 2026-05-06T11:20:12.000Z

Jump to our 3 top-rated expandable garden hoses

Jump to our 4 top-rated garden hose reels

Jump to our 2 top-rated bare garden hoses

A hose is an essential bit of kit for a gardener. It makes the daunting task of watering your garden much easier when you don't have to heave a heavy watering can backwards and forwards from the tap.

There are a huge range of garden hoses available to buy:

Hozelock_Wonderhose_30m_IRL

In general, hosepipes are constructed with layers of vinyl, polyurethane and rubber, often reinforced with nylon or metal mesh. Expandable hoses feature a tough, woven fabric outer layer that allows them to expand and contract. On the whole, cheaper hoses have fewer layers, which affects their strength and durability over time. Rubber hoses kink easily and can even get in a tangle, whereas expandable hoses, with their fabric outer layers, are designed to be anti-kink and anti-knot.

And while it's great to have all these options, it can also be overwhelming if you're not sure which type of hose will work best for you. That's why our experts have tested a wide range of hoses and put together a guide on how to choose the best hose. Check out our garden hose guides and product reviews below to help you make the right decision.

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Our best garden hoses to buy at a glance

Our 3 top-rated expandable garden hoses

Our 4 top-rated garden hose reels

Our 2 top-rated bare garden hoses

Comparison table: best garden hoses

Our expertise

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team tested a range of hoses, using them through the year in different gardens and situations to see how they fared. Each hose in our review has a detailed list of pros and cons and has been rated according to preparation & storage, handling & performance, quality & features, and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on hoses that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list. Every hose in our round up below has scored a minimum rating of 3.5/5, so you can buy with confidence.

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Our 3 top-rated expandable garden hoses

Robert Dyas Extendable 30m hose

Our best expandable garden hose for performance

RRP: £37.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Robert Dyas (£27.99)

Robert Dyas Extendable 30m hose

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

It's great that this lightweight extendable hose comes with connectors and a seven-dial spray gun, both of which you have to buy separately with many of the other hoses I tested. When I filled the hose with water, it expanded up to 30m, or three times its length, retracting back to its original size in next to no time when the tap was turned off. It's made from hard-wearing materials, with the combination of polyester outer and rubber-like inner tube. The woven fabric also prevents the hose from getting tangled up when you unwind and use it. The only less durable elements are the plastic universal connectors that won’t last as long as brass alternatives.

The spray gun has seven settings, making it extremely versatile. It can tackle anything from gentle watering tasks with the mist spray, to more vigorous jobs that require a single jet of water, such as cleaning outdoor furniture, cars and windows. This hose is the cheapest I tested, and as the spray gun is included, I'd say it represents great value. Although there isn’t a warranty, Robert Dyas will offer an exchange or refund if it develops a fault within a year, as long as you can provide proof of purchase. Cinead McTernan

Read the full review of the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m hose

Latest Deals

Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m Hose

Our best expandable garden hose for durability

RRP: £78.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: OnBuy (£63.99) and Wickes (£52)

Our best expandable garden hose for durability: Hozelock Superhoze 30m expandable hose

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

I found this expandable hose easy to use in a small garden. Because it shrinks to a third of its length when empty, it's also convenient to store when not in use, making it good for small gardens, patios and balconies. It comes with two easy-to-attach universal connectors and one nozzle, and it's compatible with Hozelock’s range of hose ends and accessories, which can be bought separately. The hose comes in a range of lengths, including 7.5m, 15m and 40m. I also liked that you can attach two expandable hoses together - though you’ll have to buy a special connector - useful if you have a big garden.

The Superhoze can produce anything from a fine mist spray to a powerful jet of water, giving it real versatility whether you’re watering plants in pots or cleaning the car. It's lightweight and tough, with a five-year warranty. Another good point is that the packaging uses 100% recycled materials and water-based ink, so it can be composted or recycled. Cinead McTernan

Read the full review of the Hozelock Superhoze expandable 30m hose

Latest Prices

Hozelock Wonderhoze 30m

Our best expandable hose for flexibility

RRP: £82.49

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£57.99), Ebay (£68.89) and ManoMano (£64.99)

Hozelock_Wonderhoze_(3)_Large

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Wonderhoze is perfect for those who can’t manage a hose reel or don’t want the clutter and space that a hose reel takes up. This flexible hose is distinctly floppy when not in use, but the fabric shell is like a concertina, and the 12.5mm hose expands in use up to 30m, three times its original length. It’s very handy that it comes out of the box ready to use, with a spray gun with five different settings and a universal, multi-size tap attachment, so you can literally pop it on and get watering. I like the fact that it’s lightweight and incredibly flexible, which, in use, is kind to plants where it brushes up against them.

Hozelock Wonderhose 30m

It’s slightly unwieldy to handle, as it’s so very flexible. When not in use, I wanted to put it away or hang it on a hook; otherwise, it’s left as a messy pile on the floor. It comes with a five-year warranty, and the 30m length is easy and comfortable to use and covers a good portion of my garden. Jane Moore

Buying an expandable hose - video

Follow our guide to choosing the right expandable hose for your garden

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Our 4 top-rated garden hose reels

Claber Kiros Kit 20m

Our best garden hose reel for versatility

RRP: £53.14

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£52.90)

Claber Kiros Kit 20m

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This is a very neat, compact and low-key hose reel which comes neatly boxed, complete with spray nozzle and a universal, multi-size tap fitting. The black and silver hose, the Claber Silver Elegant Plus, has a 12.5mm bore, which makes for a good volume of water. It’s very smart, and the subdued colour doesn’t shout in the garden.

Claber_kiros_IRL

While you can fit it to the wall, the brackets look a bit lightweight, and there’s no need, as the reel runs freely when pulling it out, but also winds in nicely without tipping or dragging on the ground. I like the fact that you can attach the handle on either side and that the hose reel works exactly the same each way round. It’s easy to carry, featuring a snap-on grip which is great for wet hands, and has a two-year warranty. Jane Moore

Hozelock Pico Reel

Our best mini hose reel

RRP: £59.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Tooled Up (£38.95), OnBuy (£42.24) and Wickes (£35)

Our best mini hose reel: Hozelock Pico hose reel

Reasons to buy:

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I found this tidy hose compact, lightweight and good value. It's useful that the hose comes completely assembled and ready to use: all that's required is to screw on the connector to your tap and clip on the hose. It's as easy as that. You can clip either end to the tap, so the reel can stay by the tap, or you can carry it with you, unwinding/winding the hose as you go. It has the advantage of both ends of the hose clipping upright onto the reel, preventing drips or dribbles when stored.

It's easy to rewind, with a large, comfortable-to-grip, rotating winding knob, and it has handy features such as drip-free storage with a parking port. There’s also an easy-to-use and adjustable spray gun with five spray pattern options. Plus, this hose comes with an impressive five-year warranty. Cinead McTernan

Read the full review of the Hozelock Pico hose reel

Latest Prices

Hozelock Fast Reel

Our best larger hose reel

RRP: £148.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: ManoMano (£144.99), OnBuy (£143.40) and Tooled Up (£106.95)

Our best larger hose reel: Hozelock Fast Reel

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Hozelock Fast Reel is supplied with an extra section of feeder hose already cut with connectors attached, so it's pretty much ready to go. You just need to clip the winding handle into place, which I found an easy task. The automatic self-layering feature on this hose made it extremely quick for me to wind and unwind, even though it's a very long hose. The casing fully encloses the hose and feels both sturdy and stable.

Given that 40m of hose is weighty and bulky, it’s best suited to gardens where the hose can be kept in one place for the season. If you have to move it, it does have non-drip storage features, so it can be stored under cover. Like all hoses, it needs draining and storing indoors over winter to avoid frost damage. This was the heaviest and priciest hose I tested, but it does come with a five-year guarantee. Cinead McTernan

Read the full review of the Hozelock Fast Reel

Latest Prices

Hozelock Auto Reel Mobile 35m

Our best portable hose reel

RRP: £247.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£193) and Wickes (£220)

Best Buy portable garden hose reel: Hozelock Auto reel mobile 35m

Reasons to buy:

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If you’ve ever struggled with a kinking, twisting hose or a reel that’s constantly toppling over, then this is the reel for you. The 35m anti-UV hose is housed within a sturdy portable case that you can wheel around the garden with ease. The handle is adjustable to suit your height and collapses down for storage, and I found it helpful that this product also has a folding kickstand to help it remain stable in use. It can then be tucked away for easy wheeling and storage. The hose was easy to pull out, and there’s a braking mechanism to keep it controlled and to lock it in place once you’ve got as much as you need.

Once I'd finished, I simply tugged the hose out another 25cm, and it automatically rewound into the case. There’s no handle to wind and no tangling. Five metres of feeder hose are included, giving you 35m in total, plus all the connectors you need, including hose-end and water-stop connectors, and threaded tap connectors of 21 and 26mm. There’s also a spray gun with the choice of three sprays: fine rose, jet and cone.

Although this is very easy to wheel around once built, it does weigh 17kg, and I found this noticeable when putting it together. There’s quite a lot to assemble, including attaching the wheels, handle and accessory basket, and this requires a screwdriver and about 30 minutes of your time. Until the wheels are attached, it’s heavy to lift and move around, and it’s all low down on the ground, so it may not be for the less able gardener. This reel is also one of the most expensive I've tested, but it's very well designed, with lots of storage for the feeder hose and accessories, it feels durable and sturdy and is backed up by a five-year warranty (when registered online). If you use a hose on a regular basis, this is ideal. You definitely get what you pay for, and this hose is well worth considering for the sheer ease of use. Cinead McTernan

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Our 2 top-rated bare garden hoses

1: Hozelock Ultimate hose

Our best premium hose

RRP: £51.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£51.93)

Our best premium hose: Hozelock Ultimate hose

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

I found the Hozelock Ultimate very easy to use. It's weatherproof, UV-resistant, and frost-protected, and it can withstand a range of temperatures from -20°C to 40°C. Constructed from five layers, including reinforced material, the Hozelock Ultimate has a smooth inner layer to enhance water flow. I found it lightweight and very flexible, making it easy and comfortable to use.

With five layers, this is an anti-kink and crushproof hose, and I was pleased to find it was flexible enough to uncoil easily. I found recoiling the hose a little harder, but not too frustrating. All in all, this is a strong hose for everyday use, and it comes with a 30-year guarantee. It's also free from phthalates, heavy metals and other harmful toxins, so it's reassuringly safe to use. Cinead McTernan

Read the full review of the Hozelock Ultimate hose

Latest Prices

2: Claber basic spiral hose kit 10m

Our best spiral garden hose

RRP: £32.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£44.99)

Claber_basic_spiral_hose_kit_10m

Reasons to buy:

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With a wildly different design to most hoses, the Claber spiral kit makes something of a statement in its own right, as a funky addition to the garden as well as a useful bit of kit. To my mind, it’s perfect for smaller gardens, such as courtyards, especially as the spiral hose tucks neatly against the wall held within its low-key bracket, requiring very little storage space.

Claber_spiral_IRL

To keep things compact and small, the 10mm-gauge hose is the smallest I’ve ever used, but it does deliver, and that lack of bulk is ideal for tight spaces. The kit comes complete with a universal, multi-size tap fitting and a spray nozzle. Featuring a 2-year warranty, this kit is a useful and fun item for the small garden. Jane Moore

The best of the rest

Although this model didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, it still has great features that makes it worth recommending.

Hozelock 2-in-1 Hose Reel With 25m Hose

RRP: £58.99

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£42.39) and Tool Station (£47.68)

Hozelock 2-in-1 Hose Reel With 25m Hose

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This is a sturdy and versatile hose reel that is easy to assemble and comes complete with a universal tap fitting and a simple spray nozzle so you can start watering straight away. Although it’s described as assembled, it does require some basic assembly before you can get going. The option to wall mount, complete with all the necessary bracket assembly kit, including screws and raw plugs, is a boon for tidy storage. But as a free-standing reel, I found it weighty enough to pull out and rewind the 12.5mm hose without tipping up and also light enough to carry around.

The Hozelock 2-in-1 Hose Reel is sturdy and versatile. Image: Jane Moore

There is a definite front and back to this reel, with the handle only fitting on one side, which may be a problem if you’re tight on space. But the top handle drops down, which makes for easy storage, and it’s a neat, compact reel that comes complete with a quality hose and a five-year guarantee. Jane Moore

Need an attachment for your hose? Discover which of the garden hose spray guns we tested came out on top. If a watering can is all you're after, we've chosen 10 different designs to suit your gardening needs. You may also be interested in our guide to buying the best pressure washer.

How to choose the best garden hose

Think about the following before you choose:

What accessories are available?

While a nozzle or spray gun isn’t essential - using your finger on the tip of the hose to adjust the water flow works well - they are practical. Some hoses come with these accessories included, which often makes them good value for money. However, there are plenty of attachments available to buy separately.

It’s also worth checking if the connectors that come with your hose are ‘universal’, which means they'll fit on any hose or with any accessory - a benefit, if you change the hose but don’t want to have to buy a new spray gun, for example. Connectors are usually made in either plastic or brass, and while there are different grades of plastic, it’s fair to say that the brass connectors will be the most long-lasting.

In general, a textured outer layer will attach more securely to the tap connector than smooth alternatives, and will be less likely to burst off the nozzle or tap connector while it’s in use.

Water-wise gardening

With water conservation becoming more important than ever, check out this fascinating discussion between Arit Anderson and water expert Janet Manning on the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine podcast.

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Gardening with less water

A few basic techniques will help you save precious water resources while still giving you a beautiful space to enjoy

Target your watering

All plants have different water needs. The best method is to water each plant individually, so you can control exactly the right amount around the roots at the base of the plant, minimising wasted water.

Pick drought-tolerant plants

Plants like perennial herbs, ornamental grasses and many established shrubs need very little extra water in summer. Planted in the ground, they may never need any extra watering after establishment. Selecting plants that don’t wilt in dry spells will lower effort and water use.

Plant spreading ground-cover

Although it’s recommended to use a compost mulch around plants to lock in moisture – and this does work – this may be impractical for an entire garden. In addition to mulching, look to low-growing, mat-forming plants that spread between your larger plants, reducing evaporation and locking in moisture.

Collect water from roofs

Every drop of rainwater you collect counts. To work out how much you could collect, multiply the local average annual rainfall by the total area of your roof. Reusing old washing-up water, called ‘grey water’, helps too.

Let lawns go brown

During summer dry spells, lawns are prone to turning brown and looking dead, but they aren’t. Grass naturally goes dormant to survive dry periods, and although it can look less inviting, it’s perfectly fine for the plants. Lawn grasses will naturally bounce back to their luscious green selves when rain returns.

Make a planted soakaway

In addition to collecting rainwater in a water butt, directly water areas with drain-pipe extensions. Doing so reduces water going into drains and the risk of flooding during heavy rain. Water will slowly filter through the ground naturally instead.

How we tested garden hoses

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Reviews team tested a range of different types of garden hose, using them across the spring and summer to water beds and borders, plants in containers and in the greenhouse. The hoses were compared, and the following criteria were used to assess each hose, with equal weight attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we Review.

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in May 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Alex David <![CDATA[Best 8 garden hose spray guns in 2026 – tested and reviewed by our experts]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/best-spray-guns/ 2026-07-23T13:51:21.000Z 2026-04-30T15:15:09.000Z

Jump to our 4 top-rated hose spray guns, under £30

Jump to our 3 top-rated hose spray guns, £30+

Watering can be an everyday task in summer, but to ensure you use only the water you need, and that it goes just where you want it, a spray gun attached to the end of your hose is an essential piece of kit. With as many as nine different spray patterns, including a shower setting for watering borders, a mist for fragile plants, and a jet spray for cleaning or filling buckets, they're equally at home lightly misting seedlings as they are washing down a path. A hose spray gun can make light work of the most common gardening watering tasks and turn the garden hose into one of the most important tools in your garden.

Hozelock Ultramax spray gun View Affiliate Playlist on the source website

Our best hose spray guns to buy at a glance

Our 4 top-rated hose spray guns, under £30

Our 3 top-rated hose spray guns, £30+

Also recommended: hose spray guns

Comparison Table: Best Spray Guns

Our expertise

To help you get the right spray gun for your hose we tested a range of spray gune, looking at performance and ease of use, but we focused on eco credentials, too. Water is a precious resource and it’s vital a spray gun doesn’t leak or drip, wasting water every time you use it. A controllable flow option that adjusts the volume of water from 40-100 per cent is also helpful and finally, we noted whether we thought the guns were robust enough to last for longer than just a single summer. All the models tested were the gun grip type, made from plastic or metal and were compatible with a standard 13mm water stop hose connector. All had a trigger on the handle that was squeezed to turn the water on or off and most had a dial to change the spray pattern. Each spray gun has a detailed list of pros and cons, and has been rated according to ease of use, performance, eco considerations and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on spray guns that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to the best hose spray guns:

Jump to hose spray gun advice:

Our 4 top-rated hose spray guns, under £30

Claber Multi-Jet Confort

Our best all-round hose spray gun, under £30

RRP: £19.80

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£24.75) and B&Q (£29.13)

Claber Multi-Jet Confort

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

A step up from the simple shower pistol, the Claber Multi-Jet Confort is only a fraction more expensive yet offers four spray patterns, a classic twist flow control and a lockable on/off trigger. The four settings are exactly the ones I tend to use day-to-day, including shower, jet, fan spray and mist. Changing the setting is easy via a twist of the head, although this sort of ‘undoes’ the head, exposing a greased section, which I fear could become worn with grit or even seized as the grease wears away.

Claber Multi-Jet Confort

As a whole, this spray gun is beautifully lightweight, featuring a trigger lock that’s easy to use, and it sits well in the hand with a rubber handle that’s perfect for gripping with wet hands or gloves. With a two-year guarantee, this is an affordable and versatile choice. Jane Moore

Gardena EcoLine Watering Sprayer

Our best hose spray gun for sustainability, under £30

RRP: £21.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£19.99) and Original Organics (£16.99)

Best Buy for sustainability: Gardena EcoLine spray gun

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid:

A BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for sustainability, this sub-£30 gun is made using at least 65% recycled household waste for the plastic parts, and the metal parts consist of more than 45% recycled material, plus it comes in totally cardboard packaging printed with water-based ink, so it can safely go on your compost heap or in the recycling. It’s also both frost and UV-resistant, so it won’t degrade if it’s left out outside, and it’s durable and long-lasting, which also helps its sustainability credentials. It’s light and neatly designed, featuring an ergonomic handle, which means it’s comfortable to hold and use. It also has a lockable trigger and a roll lever at the back of the spray head, so you can adjust the flow whilst you’re watering. However, there’s no choice of sprays.

Unlike others, which offer the choice of sprays, like jet, mist and pulse, you just have the one, and for the price of over £20, we would have liked more. This is a reasonably expensive spray gun, and although it comes with a 5-year warranty, once registered, you’re really paying for the eco qualities of this gun. It performs well, but it’s limited, so if you’re after more spray options, this isn’t the gun for you.
But, if all you need is a gun to water pots and borders, and sustainability is important to you, then this is a great green option.

The Gardena EcoLine Basic Set is also available, which includes an adjustable jet nozzle as well as a tap connector, adapter, hose connector and water stop.

Latest Deals

Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Multi Function Spray Gun

Our best hose spray gun for features, under £30

RRP: £23.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£11.99) and Ebay UK (£27.98)

Our best hose spray gun for features: Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Multi Function Spray Gun

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

With a whopping nine patterns, the Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Multi Function Spray Gun is a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for features, under £30. Our favourite of these patterns is the ‘angle’ pattern, which sprays water downwards at a 45° angle, making the gun much more comfortable to hold. Like the Draper 8 pattern gun, the shower function is powerful enough to reach the very back of flower beds, and it has a sliding thumb catch, which can be moved with one hand to vary the water flow. It also means you don’t have to hold down a button if you’re watering for any length of time, which makes it one of the most comfortable guns to hold and use. It has a high-quality brass connector too, but bear in mind that the black handle gets hot in the sun.

Latest Deals

Gardena Comfort Multi Spray

Our best premium spray gun, under £30

RRP: £28.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£22.57), Argos (£29) and Electrical World (£22.90)

Our best premium spray gun: Gardena Comfort Multi Spray

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This premium spray gun is easy and smooth to use. It has a large spray head with a good range of sprays and comes with a long warranty. It has five spray patterns, including a soft spray, a fast jet, a bubble spray, a fine mist and a flat spray, and all perform well with a strong jet of water. Although other spray guns have more spray patterns, these are enough to cover most jobs in the garden, from filling up cans, watering fragile seedlings and irrigating borders and pots.

Read the full review: Gardena Comfort Multi Spray review

Latest Deals

Our 3 top-rated hose spray guns, £30+

Hozelock Multi Spray Pro

Our best eco spray gun, £30+

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£30.95) and Ebay (£19.99)

Our best eco spray gun: Hozelock Multi Spray Pro II

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This spray gun is sturdy and built to last. It comes with a water-saving aerated flow, and the adjustable flow works well and efficiently. It's a well-designed and thought-out spray gun. The different spray patterns simply click into place along the dial, and it feels solid and secure in the hand.

Read the full review: Hozelock Multi Spray Pro review

Latest Deals

Hozelock Multi Plus Spray Gun

Our best lightweight hose spray gun, £30+

RRP: £47.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£28.49) and B&Q (£27.99)

Hozelock Multi Plus Spray Gun

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This is a sturdy and versatile spray gun with seven different settings that are easy to switch between and include everything the gardener could possibly want. I use a fine mist setting for delicate plants, along with a powerful jet for washing off dirt, shower and aerated settings for seedlings, and a fast fill setting – a must for filling watering cans.

Hozelock Multi Plus

I especially like the flow regulator, which is a slider on the main body of the gun, as it makes those gentle adjustments while I’m watering so easy to do with my thumb of the hand holding the gun. This reduces the flow up to 50 per cent, which is perfect for more delicate plants and seedlings. With its combination of metal and plastic construction, this spray gun hits a sweet spot of being robust but lightweight, and it comes with a two-year guarantee. Jane Moore

Hozelock Ultramax Multi Spray Gun

Our best hose spray gun for durability, £30+

RRP: £69.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: B&Q (£44.99)

Hozelock Multi Spray Ultramax

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Ultramax is something of a Rolls Royce of spray guns: sturdily made, heavy and built to last. It’s not for the weak of limb as it features a die-cast metal body, so it’s heavy, but it is also the ultimate in control with seven different spray patterns that are easy to switch between by twisting the clearly marked head. These include fine rose, mist, powerful jet, cone, fan, aerated and fast fill. For even more control, these settings combine with a flow control that can be easily adjusted from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, which not only saves water but also allows for gentle watering of my more delicate plants and seedlings.

Hozelock Ultramax

The trigger is lockable for long periods of watering, while the handle is ergonomically designed and nice to grip. It’s pricey and heavy to hold, but it comes with a five-year warranty and would make a good choice for gardeners who want a robust and durable spray gun and who have a lot of watering to do. Jane Moore

Also recommended: Hose Spray Guns

Draper 7 Pattern Aluminium Spray Gun

Our best value for money budget spray gun

RRP: £18.90

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£11.15), B&Q (£14.99) and Power Tools Direct (£13.13)

Our best mid-range spray gun: Draper 7 Pattern Aluminium Spray Gun

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

Solid and well-made with quality materials such as a brass connector, this easy-to-use spray gun has seven spray patterns, including fine mist, jet, shower, fan, cone, soaker and mist, which are adjusted by a simple dial that has the type of pattern written around the edge and clicks clearly into place with each twist. It feels comfortable and light in the hand with a trigger that's operated with the palm rather than the fingers and has a soft, textured rubber grip on the handle.

However, the ring lock on the top of the handle that holds the trigger in place needs two hands to engage, and the adjustable flow behind it is fiddly and stiff to twist up and down. But with the choice of seven spray patterns and excellent pressure combined with quality materials, this is great value for money.

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The best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Flopro Softflo Advanced Gun

RRP: £19.99

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: B&Q (£16.98)

Flopro Softflo Advanced Gun

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

The Flopro Softflo Advanced Gun has four functions –a container-watering shower, gentle enough for delicate plants, a car-washing setting, ideal for watering borders, a softer, aerated bubble-flow and a jet for filling watering cans, and even cleaning. The jet is very strong, so while it can’t match a pressure washer, it gets some dirt up off paving slabs. The best feature is the bubble flow, which mixes air and water so it's better for the environment, reduces your water bill and is softer on plants. We love the roll-lever thumb switch, too, which allows you to further control the amount of water use.

This spray gun is lightweight, but the ridges on the handle rub on hands uncomfortably, and although the hook is useful, it gets in the way when you’re watering. We also found it inconvenient that the functions are labelled with unclear diagrams rather than words, and it drips, so it wastes water. Other guns, like the Wilko 8 pattern and Spear and Jackson 9 pattern, also have more functions. It comes with a one-year warranty.

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Hozelock Multi Spray Soft Touch

RRP: £18.99

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: Amazon (£14.98), Argos (£22) and Tool Station (£15.98)

Hozelock Multi Spray Soft Touch

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This spray gun is ideal if you have mobility issues, thanks to a soft-touch grip and lockable trigger, which make it easy to squeeze and comfortable if you’re watering a large area. However, it’s made entirely from plastic and feels a bit flimsy compared to the more robust Wilko 8 Pattern and Flopro Softflo Advanced Gun, which are also plastic. We like the simplicity of the roll-lever flow control, which you can easily reach with your thumb while using the spray gun, and it features five spray patterns. However, it did dribble on test, but it comes with a one-year warranty, should it need to be replaced.

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Claber Ergo Shower Pistol

RRP: £18.85

Our rating: 3.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£25.37) and LBS Horticulture (£18.85)

Claber_Ergo_Shower_Pistol

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This affordable, lightweight little shower pistol does just that – it showers, but that’s all it does. In use, I had to forget filling a watering can with the tap setting, or washing away bird poo with the jet setting, as this shower pistol has only the one setting, and that’s a nice rain shower that's suitable for most plants.

Claber_Ergo_Shower_Pistol_IRL

The only things that are adjustable are the force via the jet adjustment lever and the flow rate, which is via a twist switch on the end of the body. The lockable trigger is also located here, which makes it awkward to use as you need both hands, unlike many other spray guns on the market where the lock is on the trigger. Still, there’s little to go wrong, which I consider is always a plus, and its simplicity will suit many gardeners. It also comes at an affordable price with a two-year warranty. Jane Moore

Draper 8 Pattern Spray Gun

RRP: £20.99

Our rating: 3.75/5

Available from: Amazon (£11.65), Ebay (£17.99) and Power Tools Direct (£12.62)

Draper 8 Pattern Spray Gun

Reasons to buy:

Reasons to avoid:

This gun offers eight different spray patterns, from gentle mist to jet. The best of these sprays is the mist, which makes tiny droplets that are perfect for gently watering cuttings and seedlings and keeping tropical plants humid. We also love the shower pattern, which, like the Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Multi Function Spray Gun, is powerful enough to reach the back of flower beds.

It features a high-quality brass connector, which feels smooth to connect, and the thumb switch works well. It means this gun can be used with one hand, so you can choose exactly how strong you want the flow. It was initially stiff to move between the different spray patterns, but this eased up with use, and while the ergonomic grip is a nice idea, it can be tricky to adjust your grip if needed. The brass connector means it’s quite heavy, and the black handle gets hot in the sun.

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Need a hose? Discover which of the garden hoses we tested came out on top. Or, if a watering can is all you're after, we've chosen 10 different designs to suit your gardening needs. If you're after more power for some of your garden cleaning tasks, our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

How does a hose spray gun work?

Unlike a more traditional twist nozzle, a spray gun has a variety of spray patterns for different tasks. Once you’ve picked your pattern, a spray gun works as its name implies - you squeeze the trigger on the handle of the ‘gun’ to control the distance and intensity of the jet of water. To choose the right gun for you, think about is what you need your spray gun for. If you’ll just be watering plants, look for a gun with a few different, gentle spray patterns, so you don’t damage leaves and stems. For a more general-purpose hose, look for as many settings as possible, so you can clean your car as well as tend to plants.

Will I need any connectors?

Hose pipe connectors are the plastic or brass clips at the top of a hose pipe. They’re universal, and with very rare exceptions, most hose guns will fit your hose. If you don’t have a universal connector or need a new one, we recommend a brass connector, as these tend to last longest.

Top tips for watering your plants

Get the most from your spray gun by following our tips -

How we tested hose spray guns

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Reviews team tested a range of different hose spray guns, with a variety of sprays. Each gun was unpacked, attached to a hose and then used to water different plants in a number of locations, including seedlings, plants in pots and containers, as well as borders. They were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in April 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> Alex David <![CDATA[Draper 30m Recoil Hose review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/draper-30m-recoil-hose-review/ 2023-11-14T13:43:21.000Z 2021-07-30T08:21:37.000Z Latest Deals

Buy the Draper 30m Recoil Hose on Amazon

What are the main features of the Draper 30m Recoil Hose?

This bright green, rubber recoil hose expands up to 30m, three times its normal length. It comes with a plastic spray gun attachment, which has five settings: mist, sharp spray, flat spray, gentle shower, and full action and also has a universal tap connector.

What is the Draper 30m Recoil Hose like to use?

Although it’s 30m long, the hose doesn’t quite extend to its full length and there’s a lot of tension on the hose when extending it down the garden. We found it doesn’t snap back to its original shape and it’s heavy to move about. That said, we love the luminous green colour, which makes it easy to see if the hose is left on a lawn. The spray gun is, if anything, too strong. Though it has an impressive five settings, all labelled and easy to switch between, there’s almost no difference between any of the settings. Each of them spurts out a powerful jet of water, which isn’t great for watering delicate plants.

What is the Draper 30m Recoil Hose suitable for?

A hose of this length and with this type of spray gun is best suited to watering small gardens and containers. However, the power of this hose’s spray gun means it’s ill suited to delicate tasks and would only suit shrubs and more robust plants. Because the water jet is so strong, this hose is great for washing windows, furniture and cars - if it will reach.

How easy is the Draper 30m Recoil Hose to store?

This is a recoil hose, so it curls back up to about 140cm long, or if bent into a U-shape, to about 70cm, which makes it easy to store in a small garden. However, we noticed that it recoiled less and less with every use, so it may become a little trickier to store with age, especially as no reel or storage is included.

Is the Draper 30m Recoil Hose good value for money?

This hose pipe is good quality, but isn’t expandable - rather it extends like a telephone cord. This means it’s more likely to tangle, which could cause damage and leaks further down the line. It comes in at the average price for an expandable or recoil hose and does the job, but because of its poor hose spray gun and reach, we think this isn’t fantastic value for money.

Need more power for some of your cleaning tasks? Our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

This review was last updated in July 2021. If you spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at website@gardenersworld.com.

]]> Alex David <![CDATA[Gardena Terrace Hose 10m review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/gardena-terrace-hose-10m-review/ 2022-09-08T10:47:53.000Z 2021-07-29T15:23:40.000Z Buy the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m on Amazon

What are the main features of the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m?

The spiral hose is made from thick, durable rubber and it has a water stop and universal connectors that are very easy to connect and screw onto the tap. It comes with a spray gun which is excellent quality and has a spout that's capped with steel and has no drips or leaks.

What is the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m like to use?

The various intensities of shower from the hose gun are controlled with a simple thumb switch. It can't mist or provide a single strong jet of water, and although this is perfect for potted plants or herb gardens, it’s a little frustrating for other tasks like cleaning a patio or washing a car. There’s also a lot of tension on the hose when it’s extended to its full length, so it can easily catch on pipes, pots, or garden ornaments.

What is the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m suitable for?

This hose is best suited to watering plants in small gardens, courtyards, patios and balconies within reach of 10m.

How easy is the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m to store?

At 10m, this is a short hose, so it’s great for storage. It recoils well to 50cm and holds its spiral shape and although it has no extra storage features it can be draped easily over the tap when not in use.

Is the Gardena Terrace Hose 10m good value for money?

This hose is fantastic value. It comes with a good, five year warranty, is a reasonable price, and it’s well-made. However, although we love its performance for gentle watering, you couldn’t use this hose or its gun for cleaning a patio or washing a car.

Need more power for some of your cleaning tasks? Our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

This review was last updated in July 2021. If you spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at website@gardenersworld.com.

]]> Alex David <![CDATA[Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/sarah-raven-self-extendable-hose-review/ 2022-09-08T10:47:59.000Z 2021-07-21T12:18:52.000Z Buy now from Sarah Raven

What are the main features of the Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose?

The nozzles and connectors that come with this hose are plastic, but they are thick and sturdy and feel robust. All its parts fit together very easily, although it doesn’t have any spare connectors. As an expandable hose, its pipe is expandable latex covered in stretch fabric webbing. However, this expandable fabric cover could deteriorate in the rain, so like all hoses, it’s best to store this in a shed, particularly over winter.

What is the Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose like to use?

We found this hose a joy to use. It quickly expands from 5 to 15m, and it’s comfortable to hold. The twist nozzle is fantastic - it easily switches between different sprays and all of them are effective without being overly powerful. There’s a little tension as it gets to its full length, but not worryingly so and after use, it quickly springs back to its original size without tangling.

What is the Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose suitable for?

This hose is great if you have a small garden or lots of pots close to the house and need a multi-purpose hose. Its nozzle twists from mists and showers up to a single jet of strong water, so you can use it to water delicate plants as well as clean paving or wash a car.

How easy is the Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose to store?

Thanks to the plastic hanger, which can slot over the hose tap or fasten to a wall, this hose is easy to store. If you’d rather not use the hanger, it shrinks to 5 metres long after use, and can be tucked inside a large pot or trug, so is still great for storage.

Is the Sarah Raven Self-Extendable Hose good value for money?

This is a great expanding hose at a reasonable price and it's easy to use, stores well and has a nozzle with a choice of sprays. It comes with a two year warranty and we think it's good value for money.

Need more power for some of your cleaning tasks? Our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

This review was last updated in July 2021. If you spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at website@gardenersworld.com

]]> Cinead McTernan <![CDATA[Robert Dyas Extendable 30m hose review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/robert-dyas-extendable-30m-hose-review/ 2023-12-12T10:50:31.000Z 2021-07-16T14:03:06.000Z Latest Deals

What are the main features of the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m Hose?

The combination of the polyester outer and the rubber-like inner tube means this is made from durable, hard-wearing materials. The woven fabric also prevents the hose from getting tangled up when you unwind and use it. The universal connectors are plastic, however, which won’t last as long as brass alternatives.

What is the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m Hose like to use?

Simply attach the universal connector to a tap and the spray gun to the other end of the hose and you’re ready to go. Lightweight and tangle-free, this hose expands up to 30m and is really easy to move around the garden to reach the areas that need watering. The manufacturer recommends soaking the hose in a bucket of water a couple of times to remove any excess dye, but as we were testing in old clothes, we didn’t worry too much about this – and after we finished, we didn’t have any blue marks on our hands or clothing.

What is the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m Hose suitable for?

Thanks to the spray gun, which has seven settings, this hose is extremely versatile and will tackle anything from gentle watering tasks with the mist spray, to more vigorous jobs that require a single jet of water, such as cleaning outdoor furniture, cars and windows. Reaching 30m when fully expanded, this hose is best suited to small-sized gardens.

How easy is the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m Hose to store?

Retracting quickly and tightly to its original length, this 30m-sized hose would fit in a small trug or similar.

Is the Robert Dyas Extendable 30m Hose good value for money?

This hose is one of the cheapest we tested, and as the spray gun is included, we think it represents great value. While there isn’t a warranty, Robert Dyas will offer an exchange or refund if it develops a fault within 12 months, as long as you can provide proof of purchase.

Need more power for some of your cleaning tasks? Our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

]]> Cinead McTernan <![CDATA[Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m hose review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/hozelock-superhoze-expandable-30m-hose-review/ 2023-12-11T14:38:21.000Z 2021-07-16T13:45:28.000Z What are the main features of the Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m Hose?

This stretchy rubber hose with a fabric outer layer is compatible with Hozelock’s range of hose ends and accessories, which can be bought separately - although it does come with two easy-to-attach universal connectors and one nozzle. Flexible and lightweight, it comes in a range of lengths, including 7.5m, 15m and 40m, and you can also attach two expandable hoses together - although you’ll have to buy a special connector - which is useful if you have a big garden. We like that the packaging uses 100% recycled materials and water-based ink, so it can be composted or recycled.

What Is the Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m Hose like to use?

The woven-fabric outer layer makes it lightweight as well as kink and tangle-free, which ensures there’s a continuous water flow and that it’s easy to manoeuvre around the garden. Once the water is turned off at the tap, it quickly shrinks back to its original size as the remaining water drains out through the nozzle. Hozelock recommends letting water run through the hose before using it to remove any air - you only need to do this for a few seconds before closing the nozzle to let the water expand the hose, ready for use. They also suggest soaking the hose in water twice before use, for 5-10 minutes each time, so the dye doesn’t stain hands or clothes - as with the other hoses we tested, we didn’t do this and didn’t have a problem with stained hands or clothing.

What is the Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m Hose suitable for?

The nozzle on the Superhoze can be adjusted to produce anything from a fine mist spray to a powerful jet of water, so all tasks are covered, whether you’re watering plants in pots or cleaning the car. As it doesn’t take up much room to store, it’s good for small gardens, patios and balconies and the universal connector means you can buy and use other spray guns if you want.

How easy is the Hozelock Superhoze Expandable 30m Hose to store?

This expandable hose doesn’t come with a reel but fits on the Hozelock Hoze Hanger, which can be bought separately, for convenient storage, or alternatively store it in a trug or small-sized bucket. It can also be attached to the end of an auto reel if you prefer to store and use your hose with this type of housing.

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Need more power for some of your cleaning tasks? Our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

]]> Kay Maguire <![CDATA[Hozelock Pico Hose Reel review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/hozelock-pico-hose-reel-review/ 2026-03-02T15:18:35.000Z 2020-04-22T11:09:58.000Z What is the Hozelock Pico Reel suitable for?

Ideal for any small garden, patio, courtyard or balcony with a pistol-grip spray gun that’s particularly good for anyone with stiff hands. If your only tap is indoors, the option of connecting the long section of hose to the tap and carrying the reel around is handy as any drips are kept outside.

Does the Hozelock Pico Reel need much preparation or assembly?

This comes supplied completely assembled and ready to use: simply screw on the connector to your tap (a dual fit ½ / ¾ in connector is supplied), clip on the hose and you’re all good to go. The outer packaging has helpful, clear pictorial instructions too.

What is the Hozelock Pico Reel like to use?

The versatile design means you have a choice of which end to clip on to the tap, so the reel can either stay by the tap or you can carry it around, unwinding/winding the hose as you go – rather like using an extension lead. The hose pulls out smoothly and was equally easy to rewind, with a large, comfortable to grip, rotating winding knob. The only minus point is that the shorter section of feeder hose is a little fiddly to wind up and tuck behind the plastic holder.

How easy is the Hozelock Pico Reel to store?

Both ends of the hose clip upright onto the reel so there’s no drips or dribbles when stored - ideal if you’re keeping it indoors, in a cupboard or on a shelf.

Is the Hozelock Pico Reel built to last?

Despite being lightweight, the reel feels solid and the hose doesn’t twist or kink. This, along with being able to easily store the reel under cover away from the damaging ultra-violet rays in sunshine, should make for a long life. The manufacturer’s five-year warranty (which requires registration) gives extra confidence too.

Is the Hozelock Pico Reel good value for money?

This is not the cheapest model we tested but is of sound quality, easy and simple to use, with a good range of features and with its long warranty we think it’s excellent value for money.

For more tried and tested models, read our round-up of the best hoses and best garden hose spray guns on test. In the market for a pressure washer too? See our guide to choosing the best pressure washer.

Hoses - Buyer's Guide video

View Green Video on the source website]]> Kay Maguire <![CDATA[Gardena Hose Reel 30 review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/gardena-hose-reel-30-review/ 2025-10-28T16:57:34.000Z 2020-04-22T11:06:38.000Z

What is the Gardena Hose Reel 30 suitable for?

This is a good, general-purpose hose reel for small to medium sized gardens. It comes with 15 metres of hose but you can add more and it has a total capacity of 30 metres. The same reel is also available to buy with more hose.

Does the Gardena Hose Reel 30 need much preparation or assembly?

Yes, despite the website description of ‘ready to use’. Like most of the larger reels, the hose needs to be completely unrolled as the reel end needs clipping to the interior. Thankfully this is easier to do than some of the others, as there’s plenty of space inside the reel and the angled interior connector makes it easy to clip the hose on. You also need to cut a short section of feeder hose to connect the reel to the tap.

What is the Gardena Hose Reel 30 like to use?

This hose reel is very smooth and easy to use. Designed with a low centre of gravity it stays stable whilst pulling out the whole length of the hose and it’s smooth to rewind too with a large plastic handle. The angled interior connector prevents the hose from kinking or pinching inside the reel and the chunky, twist-grip nozzle is comfortable and simple to use.

How easy is the Gardena Hose Reel 30 to store?

This has no special storage features you need to remember to drain the hose before putting it away to avoid drips. However, it’s very light so it’s easy to move around.

Is the Gardena Hose Reel 30 built to last?

The five-year warranty inspires confidence and both the reel and hose are good quality. There’s no problem with kinking or twisting of the hose either, which will help it to last longer.

Is the Gardena Hose Reel 30 good value for money?

This is a good, simple, easy-to-use product with a long warranty. We think it’s excellent value for money.

For more tried and tested models, head to our round-up of the best hoses and best garden hose spray guns on test. If you're looking for something to help clean the patio, see our guide to choosing the best pressure washer.

Hoses - Buyer's Guide video

View Green Video on the source website]]> Kay Maguire <![CDATA[Hozelock Fast Reel review]]> https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/tools/watering/hozelock-fast-reel-review/ 2025-10-28T16:59:50.000Z 2020-04-22T11:04:13.000Z All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

Buy Hozelock hose reel kits on Amazon

What is the Hozelock Fast Reel suitable for?

This is great for larger gardens that need a long, easy-to-use hose that can live outside tidily, neatly and unobtrusively.

Does the Hozelock Fast Reel need much preparation or assembly?

This is supplied ready to use with an extra section of feeder hose already cut with connectors attached. You just need to clip the winding handle into place, which is easy.

What is the Hozelock Fast Reel like to use?

The weight of this helps the reel sit securely even while pulling out the whole 40 metres of hose and an automatic self-layering system means the hose can be rewound quickly without any help from you. This hose is super-smooth and simple to both pull out and wind back in. The chunky twist-grip spray nozzle is also easy to use.

How easy is the Hozelock Fast Reel to store?

The reel feels heavy and bulky and it’s not easy to carry around, so it’s best suited to gardens where the hose can be kept in one place for the season. If you do need to move it, it does have non-drip storage features so it can be stored under cover and like all hose should be drained and stored indoors over winter to avoid frost damage.

Is the Hozelock Fast Reel built to last?

This feels very solidly made, with premium quality hose that doesn’t kink or twist. The long warranty gives confidence too.

Is the Hozelock Fast Reel good value for money?

Although this is expensive, this reel is durable and sturdy and backed up by a five-year warranty (when registered online). If you use a long hose on a regular basis we think it’s good value and well worth considering for the ease of use.

Buy Hozelock hose reel kits on Amazon

Buy Hozelock watering kit on Amazon

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