Awarded a BBC Gardener’s World magazine Best Buy, this mini hose reel comes enclosed in a square box with smart colouring and excellent drip-free storage features. It has a one-year warranty, two if you buy directly from Kärcher.
What's the Kärcher Compact Hose Box suitable for?
This is just the thing for small gardens, patios, courtyards or balconies. Its drip-free storage features make it ideal if you have to store your reel under cover and if your only tap is indoors, the option of connecting the long section of hose to the tap and carrying the reel around means there’s no danger of drips in the kitchen.
Does the Kärcher Compact Hose Box need much preparation or assembly?
No, it comes almost fully assembled. Just clip in the winding knob, which is easily done and fit the connector to your tap (a dual fit ½ / ¾ in connector is supplied). Clear pictorial instructions on the outer packaging help if you do get stuck.
What's the Kärcher Compact Hose Box like to use?
The handy option of connecting both ends to the tap means the reel can either stay there or be carried around, unwinding/winding the hose as you go. The hose pulls out smoothly and is equally easy to rewind, with a large, ergonomic, rotating winding knob. Its only minus point was that the shorter section of feeder hose was a little awkward to wind behind the plastic holder, which doubles as the wall bracket. Unlike, most narrow-diameter hoses, this model can also be used with Kärcher K2 pressure washers.
How easy is the Kärcher Compact Hose Box to store?
This has exceptionally good storage features and was the stand-out small reel in our test. The stout, square box will sit securely in a corner or on a shelf and comes with a bracket for the option of wall mounting if you need it. Both ends of the hose clip upright on the box for drip-free storage.
Is the Kärcher Compact Hose Box built to last?
Both the reel and fittings and the enclosed box are very solidly made and inspire confidence. The enclosed reel will protect the hose from sunlight when it's outdoors too, helping it to last even longer.
Is the Kärcher Compact Hose Box good value for money?
Although this is the dearest small hose reel in our trial, its solid design, ease of use and outstanding storage features make it worth the price tag. Plus, if you buy it directly from Karcher it comes with a two year warranty.
Buy other Karcher watering kit on Amazon
For more tried and tested models, you may be interested in our round-up of the best hoses and best garden hose spray guns on test. If you're after something to help clean the patio, see our guide to buying the best pressure washer.
Hoses - Buyer's Guide video
