If you want to maintain a perfect yard or garden, then the best expandable hose will make routine lawn care much easier. You’ll no longer have to worry about dragging out a heavy hose to water your lawn or garden. These hoses are self-draining, lightweight, and contract to a very small size for easier storage and transport. But since their rise in popularity, manufacturers have flooded the market with these hoses, making it difficult for buyers to narrow down their choices and find a high-quality model, one that doesn’t have to be replaced every season.
If you don’t know what features to look for, or the type of material a hose should be made out of that will ensure you end up with a hose that’s designed to last, then you may end up with a cheap expandable hose that has to be replaced often. If you want to avoid buying a cheap knockoff, then read my buyer’s guide, which includes all of the features an expandable hose should have that will indicate quality.
I’ve done my homework, testing out many of the leading models and I’ve narrowed down my choices to eight expandable hoses that are the real deal. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes each of the models that made it to my list, their best features, and how they rated.
Table of Contents
- Expandable Hose Comparison Chart
- GrowGreen Expandable Hose
- GrowGreen Heavy-Duty Expandable Garden Hose
- Gpeng Sunhoo Expandable Garden Hose
- TITAN 50FT Garden Hose
- Panda Grip Expandable Hose
- KAREEME 50ft Expandable Garden Hose
- Crenova Garden Hose
- IPSXP Expandable Water Hose
- Expandable Hose Buyer’s Guide
- Benefits of Expandable Hoses
- Other Important Features
- How to Use an Expandable Hose
- Expandable Hose Do’s and Don’ts
- Final Thoughts
Expandable Hose Comparison Chart
Product | Outer Material | Nozzle Included | Length | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
GrowGreen Hoses Expandable Garden Hose | Latex | Yes | 13 ft. | |
GrowGreen Heavy Duty Expandable Garden Hose | Latex | No | 25 ft. | |
Gpeng Sunhoo Expandable Garden Hose | Latex | Yes | 9 ft. | |
TITAN 50FT Garden Hose | Polyester | Yes | 19 ft. | |
Panda Grip Expandable Hose | Polyester | Yes | 75 ft. | |
KAREEME Expandable Garden Hose | Polyester | No | 17 ft. | |
Crenova Garden Hose | Polyester | Yes | 33 ft. | |
IPSXP Expandable Water Hose | Polyester | No | 15 ft. |
GrowGreen Expandable Hose
This expandable hose by GrowGreen is very space-efficient and is able to expand to three times its size once you switch on the water pressure. It can also shrink back down to its original size once you shut the water off. The hose is specifically designed to never kink, twist, or get tangled. This model also comes with a good quality spray nozzle, complete with a total of eight adjustable patterns. All of the connectors are made out of brass, which is durable and corrosion-resistant.
Pros
- Nozzle included
- Lifetime warranty
- Kink-free design
- Expands up to three times its size
Cons
- Not designed for larger properties
Conclusion
This model is covered by a lifetime warranty, can expand up to three times its original size, is durable and features a kink-free design that will make watering your garden or yard, fast and easy. The corrosion-resistant hardware allows you to leave this hose out year-round, without the fear of damage. This model will be the last one you ever need to buy for your yard, thanks to the unique design combined with high-quality hardware.
GrowGreen Heavy-Duty Expandable Garden Hose
This is another best-seller from GrowGreen and its earned top marks for its tougher than nails design and its ability to expand up to three times its original size. This hose will never kink, twist, or tangle. The hose itself is very easy to handle and flexible, so rolling it up is fast and simple. The compact design makes it very space efficient, so you won’t have to deal with struggling to roll up and store a long hose. Also included is a heavy-duty storage sack, so if you don’t want to leave the hose out, roll it up, place it in its sack and store it in the garage for later use.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Heavy-duty design
- Kink-free design
- Storage sack included
Cons
- Nozzle not included
Conclusion
Before you switch on the water, this hose measures in at twenty-five feet. Once you turn on the water, this model is able to expand up to seventy-five feet, which is pretty impressive. The durable design consists of a thick latex exterior, which is highly flexible, and all brass hardware, so you can leave the hose outdoors, year-round. The included storage sack is a nice extra and allows you to neatly store your hose away when not in use, so you can keep your yard looking neat and clean.
Gpeng Sunhoo Expandable Garden Hose
This expandable hose features a three-layer latex design, for improved durability. The manufacturer claims that this model is three times more durable than a two-layer hose. The hose measures in at nine feet in length and can expand up to twenty-five feet, making it a poor choice for potential buyers with a larger property. The hose itself is very flexible and will never burst, twist, become tangled, or kink. It comes complete with a nozzle that features nine pattern choices and a buckle stent that offers uninterrupted use.
Pros
- Three-layer latex design
- Flexible
- Twist-free design
- Includes nozzle with nine pattern designs to choose from
Cons
- May be too short for larger properties
Conclusion
This flexible, expandable hose may be too short for a large yard, but for smaller lawns and gardens it will be a great buy. Offering a flexible, durable design, complete with three layers of latex, brass hardware, and an ergonomic handgrip for improved comfort, this hose is built tough and comes complete with a one-year warranty, which is a big plus for any buyer.
TITAN 50FT Garden Hose
This hose is sixteen feet long and can expand to three times its original length as soon as you switch on the water pressure. The hose is made with polyester webbing that comes in at 375 denier with all brass hardware, including a nozzle. The lightweight design allows you to easily move this hose around your yard. If you’re tired of untangling your hose when you’re watering your lawn, then you’ll appreciate the kink, tangle, and twist-free design. This product is also covered by a twenty-four-month warranty and a thirty-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Kink-free
- Twenty-four-month warranty
- Made out of 375D polyester
- Sixteen feet long
Cons
- Begins to leak at the brass fittings after six months of use
Conclusion
This hose is easy to attach and detach, features a crush-proof design and allows you to easily roll up and store your hose once you’re done for the day. The compact design makes the hose perfect for buyers who are short on space in the garage. The thirty-day money back guarantee allows homeowners to purchase this hose risk-free and receive a full refund, no questions asked, if they’re unsatisfied with this expandable hose.
Panda Grip Expandable Hose
This super lightweight expandable hose features a high-tech design that allows the hose to expand up to three sizes, with a total length of seventy-five feet. It’s made out of 375 denier polyester and comes complete with all brass hardware for increased durability. It also includes a high-density rubber gasket that’s designed to handle high pressure water levels. The included nozzle features ten spray patterns to choose from, including mist, shower, angle, jet, full, soaker, cone, center, and ½ vert. The hose is covered by an eighteen-month warranty, with a one hundred percent satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Nozzle with ten spray patterns included
- Includes all brass hardware
- Super lightweight design
- Able to withstand high water pressure
Cons
- Hose must be manually drained of water when water pressure is turned off
Conclusion
This model is flexible, lightweight, and comes with all brass hardware and a lightweight design that makes watering larger properties a breeze. Built tough, flexible, and featuring a tangle-free design, this model comes with all the features buyers are looking for, including a lengthy warranty, a one-hundred percent satisfaction guarantee, and a tough nozzle, complete with ten spray patterns to choose from.
KAREEME 50ft Expandable Garden Hose
This expandable hose by Kareeme features an advanced leak-proof design, that prevents leaks at the fittings. The hose measures in at seventeen feet but can expand up to fifty feet in length. The hose can handle water pressure ranging from forty up to eighty PSI. The hose is made out three layers of latex with a polyester cover that prevents leakage and breakage. The hose is covered by a one-hundred percent satisfaction guarantee, so buyers can contact the manufacturer within sixty days of purchase, if they’re unsatisfied with their purchase.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Can handle a high water pressure level
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Flexible design
- Decent price to value ratio
Cons
- Can be difficult to stretch hose out when water pressure is applied
Conclusion
The hose will work for larger properties, can handle exposure to higher temperatures without the fear of cracking or damage, and features a thick latex core, with a cloth polyester exterior that further improves the hose’s durability. The one-hundred percent satisfaction guarantee shows me that the manufacturer clearly stands behind their product, which will give homeowners a huge incentive to buy.
Crenova Garden Hose
This model features a three-layer latex design and is made with a 375 denier polyester cover, for increased durability. This model measures in at thirty-three feet in length and can expand up to one hundred feet. The hose is flexible, easy to handle, and will not burst, twist, or kink. The fittings are made out of brass, complete with a heavy-duty nozzle that features seven spray functions to choose from.
Pros
- 375 denier polyester cover
- Three-layer latex core
- Expands up to one hundred feet
- Brass fittings
Cons
- This hose will be overkill for smaller properties
Conclusion
There’s no doubt this hose is built tough. Its durable triple latex core and polyester design will prevent the hose from leaking and cracking, while the included brass nozzle and fittings offer the type of durability you wouldn’t expect from an expandable hose. This model is a great buy for the homeowner with a larger property and is a steal for the price.
IPSXP Expandable Water Hose
This model is leakproof, durable, and features a double layer latex design, complete with a polyester cover. The brass fittings are durable and rust-resistant, while the controlling knob allows you to easily and quickly adjust the waterflow. The hose features the standard expandable hose tangle-free design, so it won’t kink, burst, or get tangled. The hose measures in at fifteen feet in length and expands up to fifty feet.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Tangle-free design
- Rust-resistant fittings
Cons
- Not recommended for larger yards
Conclusion
This model is a good choice for medium sized yards and features a durable design that can handle water pressure from three up to eight bars. This model comes with a twenty-four-year warranty, a mounted wall holder, three rubber gaskets, and the expandable hose. This hose is built tough, is easy to handle, and will give you plenty of bang for your buck.
Expandable Hose Buyer’s Guide
The biggest issue most gardeners and homeowners have with traditional hoses is how difficult they are to roll up. Additionally, these hoses are notorious for kinking and can be a real hassle to use if you have a larger backyard. If you want to ditch the extra work, then an expandable hose is the answer. You’ll no longer have to worry about rolling and unrolling a hose, untangling it, or dealing with kinks. These days, many of the leading manufacturers are also offering longer expandable hoses, which are perfect for big properties. So, why are these hoses so popular?
Expandable garden hoses are lightweight, compact, and easy to store. They are also self-draining, so you won’t have to shake the hose out to free any trapped water before you store it. This type of hose are made of two sections of pipe that consist of an outer polyester layer that’s designed to protect the inner latex core.
Despite their small size, these hoses can extend three times its original length, once the water pressure has been released. The hose will shrink down to its normal size once the water pressure is turned off. These hoses are sturdy, elastic, and highly durable. If you’re tired of dealing with a garden hose kinking, then you’ll lose the tear and kink-free design.
While there are many brands available on the market these days, there are some factors you should look for, that will make it easier to narrow down your choices and find the ideal hose for your yard or garden.
Before I go over the other important features to look for in an expandable hose, I’ll discuss many of the benefits that make these hoses a great choice for bigger yards and gardens.
Benefits of Expandable Hoses
Below, you’ll find some benefits that come with using this type of hose for routine lawn maintenance and garden care.
- These hoses are very lightweight and easier to maneuver compared to a standard rubber hose.
- These hoses can expand up to three times their size once the water is turned on. This makes them easier to roll up, unroll, and store.
- Once the water is shut off, these hoses instantly shrink back down to their original size, which makes them easy to store.
- Unlike rubber hoses, you won’t have to worry about the hose becoming tangled or dealing with knots or kinks. An expandable hose is more flexible, which helps to prevent kinks.
- This type of hose also drains automatically. With a traditional hose you may have to hold the hose at different angles to ensure that water has drained completely. An expandable hose drains water automatically as soon as the water is shut off. This is due to the internal core material. Latex core material contracts and forces the water out once the water has been shut off.
- You also won’t have to worry about the hose cracking and fading from sun damage like you would with a standard rubber hose.
- These hoses are more affordable than traditional hoses, so they’re perfect for the family on a tight budget.
Below, I’ll go over the important features to look for that will help you choose a model that’s designed to meet your watering needs.
Other Important Features
Aside from durability and design, there are many other important features you’ll want to look for before you hit that buy now button, including:
- Length
- Width
- Construction
- Outer material
- Hose fitting and size
- Pressure
- Nozzle design
Below, I’ll go over each of these features, starting off with one of the most important; the length of the hose.
Length
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the length of the hose. The length is what will differentiate one model from another. You’ll want to consider the length of the hose before it expands, and the length of the hose during use. There are many lengths to choose from ranging from twenty-five feet up to one hundred feet. For a smaller garden a hose that’s twenty-five to fifty feet should be sufficient. If you have a large property, then a one hundred foot hose will be perfect.
Width
The width determines the amount of water that will flow from the hose. Hose width can range from half an inch up to one inch. You’ll more commonly run into models with a half-inch diameter, which is the standard size for most household piping. Hoses that are larger in diameter will work well for commercial landscapers.
Construction
In terms of hose design, an expandable hose will have both an outer material and internal material. The internal material is designed to improve durability, while preventing leaks.
This type of core is specifically designed with TPC core or latex. Both types have their own pros and cons, which I’ll go over below.
Latex core is made out of rubber tree sap and is commonly used in expandable hoses. It’s heavy-duty, durable, and flexible, allowing the hose to contract or expand easily, without tearing. This type of stretchy material is used as a double or triple layer inside of the hose to improve flexibility and durability. You can choose from a couple of different types of latex cores-synthetic and natural. Keep in mind, latex core material can add some serious weight to the hose and must feature two to three layers in order to prevent rips and tears. However, It’s very flexible and highly durable.
TPC core material is also tough and flexible. This elastic material is often used in manufacturing tubing and hoses. It’s a durable material with a high heat resistance, even if only a single layer is used. Expandable hoses that come equipped with TPC core material are usually more expensive than models with a latex core.
Outer Material
The layer of latex core or TPC would get damaged if it was exposed to the elements. In order to protect the internal material, an expandable hose will have a protective shell. Most will come with a shell that’s made out of nylon. This fabric can retain it’s shape and stretch along with the internal core.
Nylon
As I mentioned, this type of shell acts as a cover to protect the internal material. It also has the ability to easily shed water and dries quickly. It provides a stretchy, heavy duty, thick and durable cover that’s breathable and moisture-wicking.
Keep an eye out for how thick the outer shell is. The shell’s thickness is often measured in deniers. The higher the denier count, the more durable the material will be. Most of the top expandable hoses will be made out of three to five thousand denier nylon.
Hose Fitting
The fitting or coupling is the end piece o f the hose that attaches to a water supply, such as a spigot, nozzle, or sprinkler. Most hoses will come with plastic, aluminum, or brass fittings.
Brass
This is the most common type of fitting material used for an expandable hose. The exceptional hardness and durability improve the lifespan of the hose. It won’t rust if left outdoors and is also heat-resistant.
Aluminum
You’ll come across some models with a coupling made out of aluminum. This material is much lighter than brass and it’s also more affordable, so hoses with this type of fitting won’t be as expensive as models that have a fitting that’s made out of brass. However, while it works well, some models will use aluminum fittings that are too thin, which makes them prone to bending or breaking.
Plastic
Many brands use plastic fittings. While hoses that have a plastic fitting are priced more affordable, they won’t last as long as hoses that have aluminum or brass fittings.
Fitting Sizes
Pay attention to the size of the fitting to ensure you can use traditional hose accessories with your new hose. Fitting sizes can range from half an inch up to one inch.
Pressure
An expandable hose is designed to handle common household water pressure, easily. However, using these hoses with lower water pressure will be problematic since water pressure is what allows the hose to expand. If your home has higher than average water pressure then buy a hose that’s rated for high pressure, otherwise, the house will burst. You can also get a pressure regulator on your faucet to protect the hose and prevent damage.
Nozzles
Most models will come with a built-in nozzle in addition to a storage bag. I recommend avoiding buying a hose with a built-in nozzle since most don’t have the same type of pressure settings that a standard nozzle will. These nozzles are usually made cheaply and feature spray options that are very limited. Purchase an expandable hose that either comes without a nozzle or one that’s removable so you can upgrade it if needed.
How to Use an Expandable Hose
If you’ve never used an expandable hose before, I’ve included some steps below that will increase the lifespan of your hose, while going over the do’s and don’t of expandable hose use.
- When your hose arrives in the mail, the first time you use it, you’ll want to fill it with water, then shut off the valve. This allows the hose to stretch and expand. Once it’s fully expanded, release the water slowly, then repeat the process an additional time before using the hose.
- Next, attach the spray nozzle
- Once the hose has expanded it’s ready for use
- After you water your lawn, turn the water off
- Squeeze the nozzle in order to thoroughly drain the hose, after which the hose will begin to contract automatically
- Store the hose properly
Expandable Hose Do’s and Don’ts
- Avoid using this type of hose for drinking
- Do not leave this hose out year-round
- Keep the hose in a shaded area to extend its lifespan
- Avoid dragging the hose over jagged or rough surfaces
Final Thoughts
The best expandable hose is a great option if you need a longer hose for your large properly. These hoses take up less space on your hose reel or in the garage and can last significantly longer than a traditional hose, with proper care. Each of the models that made it onto my top eight list feature a durable, flexible, design that will ensure they last season after season.
This guide is designed to help you choose the best model, based on your watering needs and lawn and garden size. I’ve included models that are available in a variety of price brackets, so you’ll be sure to find a great hose that’s designed to last and one that won’t break the bank.