What is the best garden hose? The answer is not the same for every garden or yard. Your choice of garden hoses mainly depends on the needs of your users and the climate. From different materials and styles to the right length, you have a large selection of garden hoses.
If you're feeling overwhelmed with garden hose selection, read on to learn how to choose the best option.
Hose types
Standard hoses are suitable for general irrigation and washing purposes. Some are advertised as reinforced or kink-free hoses.
Stretchy hoses become longer when they fill with water. This is a space-saving option, but you also need to empty the water every time to make it shrink back to its smaller size.
A similar option is a flat hose. It lies flat until you turn on the water. The water fills it up and makes it round.
A sprinkler hose has holes along its length. Sprinkler hoses shoot water out of the holes into the air. Soaking hoses let the water gently drip out of the holes to get the floor wet.
Commercial or industrial hoses are more durable. They are suitable for tough use. You can also handle hot water.
Essential considerations
Vinyl and rubber are the two main material options for garden hoses. Some use a combination of the two.
Vinyl tubing is usually cheaper and is sometimes reinforced. They work best in mild climates. You can cope with light irrigation needs.
Rubber hoses cost more and weigh more than vinyl hoses, but are much more durable than vinyl hoses. Rubber is better if you live in a climate with extreme temperatures and harsh weather. It also works best if you use the hose with hot water.
A combination hose offers the best of both, including the durability and flexibility of rubber. They are lighter due to the vinyl component. Some hoses, such as the Parker Push Lok hose, are supplied with different cover materials.
flexibility
A flexible hose is easier to handle and maneuver to different parts of your yard. If the hose is too flexible, it is more likely to kink. Kinking is not only annoying, it can also cause the hose to splinter or tear. You can check the flexibility by bending the hose. Check to see if it bends slightly when bent to see how easy it is to use.
Garden hose length
Garden hoses are usually available in 25-foot increments from 25 to 100 feet. You can find shorter hoses that are only 10 feet long, or longer hoses that are up to 250 feet long. Longer hoses offer convenience when you have a large lot, but they're more difficult to handle. Water pressure also tends to decrease if you have a longer hose.
Choose a hose that is long enough to reach the areas you want to irrigate. Avoid taking a little longer to get the best results. Don't forget not to consider the hose diameter either. They are usually 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in diameter. With a larger diameter, the hose can deliver more water. This increases pressure and allows you to water or wash things faster.
Choose the best garden hose
The best garden hose for you largely depends on your climate and your watering needs. Consider the important features of garden hoses to choose one for you. You can find more useful DIY information in our archives!
