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Expandable hoses are self-draining kink- and twist-resistant alternatives to standard garden hoses. They weigh far less than their conventional counterparts while taking up very little space. Their outer fabric shell creates a rigid wall around the hose and protects the core from punctures and abrasion, while the inner core operates much like a balloon by stretching up to three times its resting length. Turn the water off, and the hose returns to its original size and shape.
You are watching: The Best Expandable Hoses Tested in 2023
We wanted to know if these new space-saving hoses lived up to the hype, so we tested them in our own yard and garden. Read on to learn more about which ones we think are among the best expandable garden hoses on the market.
We put these hoses through the wringer and didn’t play favorites. If they came with a sprayer, we tested each of the spray functions, noting whether the spray was uniform or the connections leaked. After varying the water pressure with each hose, we found they all work best with a water pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch (psi).
All hoses were pressurized with water and then left out in the elements for 24 hours, and we backed over each one of them with a car. To ensure that the fittings were strong, we banged them on the concrete, reconnected the hoses, and checked for leaks, indicating that the fitting had changed shape.
In addition, we noted how comfortably the sprayers fit in our hands and how easy the hose was to pull around the yard.
We tested numerous expandable hoses, basing our selection criteria on which hoses are currently among the most popular sellers. A hose had to be lightweight, strong, and durable to earn a spot on our lineup. Its fittings had to connect easily to spray nozzles and spigots without leaking. The following models excelled in our hands-on tests and are all top performers.
Expandable hoses do all the jobs that conventional garden hoses do. They’re a great choice for tight spaces where other hoses kink and twist, for homes where storage space is limited, and for anyone who is tired of lugging around heavy, traditional rubber hoses. The best expandable garden hoses swell under moderate water pressure, drain themselves, and resist wear and tear thanks to their lightweight, kink-free outer shell.
The quality of these products varies based on materials, hose length, fittings, weight, and spray nozzles. Most of the hoses we tested came with multifunction spray nozzles, although virtually any spray nozzle will fit.
Quality hose materials can make the difference between a long-lasting quality expandable hose and one that’s dead in the water. The exterior of the hose, which protects the core from damage, should be tough enough to resist abrasion and punctures; it also needs to dry quickly to resist mildew.
The core must be extremely pliable and resilient to easily expand to full length under pressure and shrink back to its original size when not in use. Expandable hoses come in two different core materials:
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For the most part, protective shells are made of nylon. Rugged and mold- and mildew-resistant, nylon stands up to the rigors of lawn and garden care.
The cores of the best expandable garden hoses are both stretchable and strong. Though the shell protects the core, grit can work its way through the shell over time and threaten the core with puncture and abrasion. For this reason, most hoses feature at least a double-layer core, though some have as many as four layers.
Extra layers, however, add extra resistance. A thicker core requires greater water pressure to expand to full length. Too little water pressure means, for instance, that a 30-foot hose stretches an additional 25 feet.
A more resistant hose core also absorbs some of the water pressure from the spigot in order to stretch it out, which may lead to a noticeable reduction in the pressure coming out of the hose. For overall performance, especially where water pressure is concerned, added layers don’t necessarily make for the best expandable garden hoses.
Hose fittings, which connect the hose to the water supply and to the spray nozzle, may come in brass or plastic. Plastic fittings are inexpensive and often durable, but they tend to become cross threaded after repeated use, which can lead to leaks.
Solid brass connectors hold up much better through repeated threading and unthreading to the water supply and nozzle. Some expandable hoses also come with a quick-connect fitting, which allows you to attach the hose to the water supply without threading. Quick-connect couplers are also available separately.
The approximate hose length listed on the manufacturer’s packaging corresponds to the length of the fully extended hose. A 50-foot expandable hose, for example, may only extend 17 feet without water pressure. Longer hoses allow for increased mobility. Keep in mind that multilayered cores and weak water pressure can shorten the operational hose length, so it doesn’t hurt to buy the next size up.
Weight is almost a nonfactor with expandable hoses. They weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds, or about one fifth that of a conventional hose. Fixtures and nozzles play the biggest part in the weight of the hose. Brass fixtures and nozzles are heavier (and more durable) than plastic.
Most expandable hoses come with either plastic or metal nozzles. The nozzles have different spray patterns for different uses. Some of the best hose nozzles include a dial for switching between different spray patterns, from a gentle mist perfect for watering seeds to a high-pressure jet stream that can rinse caked mud off the sidewalk.
In addition to mist and jet, these nozzles often have several other patterns, including:
An expandable garden hose’s flow rate depends on your home’s water pressure as well as the hose’s dimensions. The standard water pressure in American homes runs between 40 and 60 psi. Longer hoses have lower flow rates, while a wide diameter increases that rate.
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A standard garden hose measures ⅝ inch in diameter, which results in a 17-gallon-per-minute flow rate on a spigot with a standard water pressure of 40 psi. A thicker hose with a ¾-inch diameter, however, pushes out up to 23 gallons per minute. Since some homes have high water pressure, garden hose specs typically include a rating for how much pressure they can handle without causing a blowout.
Generally, a quality expandable hose is not as durable as standard garden hoses and won’t withstand as much internal water pressure. If your spigot’s water pressure is over 50 psi, consider attaching a flow reducer to keep the water from exerting too much pressure in the hose.
Expandable garden hoses have become enormously popular over the past few years thanks to advances in materials and technology. They bring several distinct advantages to the lawn and garden. One of the major benefits to consider is how flexible and maneuverable these hoses are, making them easy for walking around the backyard or storing.
Another thing users love is the lightweight nature of expandable hoses, ranging from just 1 to 5 pounds. These options are also durable enough to last for a long time and can withstand abrasions, punctures, and weather conditions. Plus, many options on the market come with solid-brass connectors and adjustable spray nozzles for specific tasks. Here are a few other benefits to consider when choosing an expandable hose:
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for care and use of a collapsible garden hose. Doing so will ensure many seasons of easy watering. Below are answers to some common questions about expandable garden hoses.
Attach the hose, with nozzle already in place, to the water supply. Turn on the water to full pressure or use a hose timer. Although we did so in testing, you will want to be careful not to drag the hose against rough surfaces or drive over it, as this can puncture or decrease its lifespan.
To repair an expandable hose, cut cleanly through the hose at the site of the leak, and use a hose repair kit to reconnect the cut ends.
When the expandable hose is not in use, turn off the water supply, disconnect the hose, and allow it to self drain. Then store the hose out of extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. Most expandable hoses come with either a hanging hook or a carrying bag.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.
Additional research provided by Mark Wolfe and Savannah Sher.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Garden news
This post was last modified on 08/10/2023 21:44
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