The Craftsman 50-ft Premium-Duty Rubber Red Hose was our overall winner
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Whether you’re a gardening pro like Christie Brinkley or just starting out with some flowers or vegetables in your backyard, you’ll need a good garden hose at your disposal. PEOPLE tested 30 of the best garden hoses to help you narrow down the choices—and there are many good choices. Fifteen hoses (half of those we tested) scored an average of 4 out of 5 or higher across testing categories. Three hoses scored a perfect 5 out of 5, one of which topped our list.
Jerry Gorchels, technical product representative at PanAmerican Seed North America, says the average consumer with watering needs should look for a couple of key elements in a garden hose. “Depending on their budget, they should look for one that is 25 feet longer than they feel [they need]. You always run short,” he tells PEOPLE. “Look for one that won't kink," he adds. "Some have a wire flex core that eliminates kinks. Hoses with a rubber lining and/or exterior have longevity.”
Read on for the best garden hoses PEOPLE tested in 2023 — varying in length, materials, and capabilities — in short, something for everyone.
Easy to maneuver around land or furniture
Easy to screw on and off the spigot
Doesn’t kink easily due to highly sturdy and durable material
No real cons, though the red color may not be every gardener’s first choice
Our overall winner was one of three hoses in our field of 30 that scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in each of our testing categories: design, ease of use, durability, and value. The CRAFTSMAN 50-ft red hose was solid and not lightweight, but not too heavy. We liked the red color and how this model is designed to hold up under rugged conditions. The red color will also make it stand out among the greens and browns in a typical yard or deck.
In our tests, the CRAFTSMAN hose was easy to maneuver and felt good in the hand and it was easy to screw on and off, thanks to its high quality brass threading. The hose also felt extremely durable, and didn’t kink a lot, whether empty or full. The price seems like a good deal for the product you get.
Length: 50’ | Material: Rubber | Type of Couplings: Metal
Solid construction; heavy-duty material that’s durable
Didn’t kink at all and had good water flow
None except that the 6.5-foot length doesn't work for larger yards/landscaping (though there are many other lengths to choose from)
If you’re seeking a heavy-duty hose that will hold up for many years of use, this hose is a good bet. It’s made with a thick polyurethane — a solid plastic that is strong with some flexibility, and a lead-free brass ring. It didn’t kink at all during our tests, so it should handle wear and tear with ease.
It wasn’t a hard hose to use apart from its short length. The water flow was good, and the actual hose was easy to grip. The short length (that pairs up with this excellent budget-friendly price) would best be used in small yards, possibly behind an apartment or patio home. Larger houses will absolutely need a longer hose, and this one is available with options up to 200 feet (with price increases accordingly).
How It’s Held Up
Echoing our lab results, our team found this hose to work well at home, but only for the short distance that it covered. We ended up stopping testing early because the hose didn’t reach the majority of our yard, but the construction definitely held up despite outdoor use, and with a larger length, we think this hose could be a great value.
Length: 6.5’ | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass fittings
Grippy silicone handles make this hose easy to work with
Sturdy and easy to straighten out, without kinks
No leakage, and has a strong abrasion-resistant polymer construction
Heavy when full, making it a bit challenging to maneuver
Bright yellow color may not appeal to everyone
Scoring just a half point below our overall winner, the Flexzilla 50-ft Water Hose comes in a bright yellow color that’s easy to spot in the yard. It scored a 5 out of 5 in design for straightening out nicely and being as heavy as expected. We liked the squishy silicone handles on both ends. They provide a good grip and make it easy to attach the hose to a spigot.
There was no leakage, but the hose was heavy when full, making it hard to swing over things while moving it around the yard. We gave it a score of 4.5 out of 5 for ease of use. The Flexilla closed out testing with a pair of 5 scores for durability and value. The hose was sturdy, with a great grip, and it did not kink at all. This is thanks to the unique abrasion-resistant polymer construction that allows for fantastic flexibility (hence the name) as well as no memory, so it constantly stays flat. We think it would hold up for a long time and noted that it’s got an affordable price point considering the quality.
Length: Up to 100’ | Material: Flexible hybrid polymer | Type of Couplings: Metal with O-ring
Fit for commercial use with crush-proof metal couplings and industrial reinforcing
Not too heavy, even when filled with water
Screwed into the nozzles and spigot easily
The black rubber material got very hot after the hose sat out in the sun
This garden hose was very durable in our testing and had a decent length to be able to cover a lot of surface area. It's even fit for commercial use with its crush-proof metal couplings and industrial-style reinforcing to allow for heavy water flow. However, the black rubber material got very hot from sitting out in the sun, leading our testers to give it a score of 4 out of 5 for design.
In the remaining three categories, however (ease of use, durability, and value), the Briggs and Stratton hose scored a 5 out of 5. It was easy to carry and not too heavy when filled with water, and it screwed onto nozzles and spigots very easily. It held up well when dragged across surfaces, and the material felt like it would hold up to a lot of use. We think it's a great value for such a durable hose.
How It’s Held Up
After one month of testing this hose at home, our teammate has used it regularly to water their garden with no complaints. They also used it for washing patio furniture and garage cleaning. It is a bit short, but overall, we don’t think this hose needs any improvement.
Length: Up to 100’ | Material: Heavy-duty rubber | Type of Couplings: Nickel-plated brass
This hose was the easiest to maneuver around the yard
Good price point for the quality and value of features
Has a stopper to keep water from free-flowing when you turn on the spigot
It got caught on some patio furniture and a rake during lab testing, but wasn’t an issue when testing at home
This flexible, lightweight hose is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to water their plants and flowers with ease. It coils without difficulty but also twists for flexible usage. The hose visibly expanded while the water was flowing, so you’re less likely to leave it on by accident. It was very lightweight to move around, but did get stuck on a rake in our testing; we also had to pull hard to get it around outdoor furniture.
The pressure was released while the water was running, so you have to control the release somewhat. We also noticed the hose actually stretched more when the water was on. There’s also a water shut-off valve feature should you need to move between areas or switch nozzles without wanting to turn the water off completely at the source. Despite being lightweight, the double latex material is quite strong and seems durable.
How It’s Held Up
We tested this hose for up to six months and it soon became part of our teammate’s regular routine. The massive length allows you to move freely around your yard, and get plants even on the other side of your house. We loved the stopper at the end of the hose, so you can turn the water off so it doesn’t start flowing out as soon as you turn on the spigot. It’s super lightweight to move around (it didn't get caught like in our lab testing) and doesn’t kink at all. It coils well so storage hasn’t been an issue. We think this hose is one of the most versatile we tried — even allowing us to spray down patio umbrellas and furniture after pollen season. After using this hose at home for an extended period, we have absolutely no complaints.
Length: 50’ | Material: Double latex piping | Type of Couplings: Solid brass fittings
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
The length is double of most other hoses we tested
Easy to coil and uncoil
Has heavy-duty hardware that will last overtime
It’s got the highest price point of our winners
Everything about this aluminum garden hose was easy to use. With a length double those of most other hoses we tested, it still remained manageable to carry around. The zero-G hose was easy to connect, coil up, and uncoil to use. Maneuvering around buckets in our testing was a breeze, and the heavy-duty hardware impressed us. This is due to the coiled design, which helps keep the hose effortlessly serpentine and gliding through grass, dirt, and gravel without kinking. It's also puncture-resistant, so you can carry it with you through tough jobs without worrying about wearing away the material.
While the zero-G hose was more expensive than some others with a list price of $75, we thought it was a good price for this hose. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it worked much better than others, and it was very long. If you’ve got a space that calls for a longer hose, this one could fit the bill.
How It’s Held Up
Over six months, this hose became an integral part of our garden routine, watering the grass and plants almost daily. It helped speed up the process with its ease of use and sturdy construction (no kinks!). It performs with solid pressure while still being lightweight to move around. Despite using this hose everyday for months, there were absolutely no signs of wear and tear.
Length: 100’ | Material: Woven | Type of Couplings: Metal
Durable material that doesn’t easily kink or tangle
Spiral shape makes these compact and easy to store
There’s only about 20 feet of usable length, which may not be enough for some yards
A coil hose is one of the most durable options you can buy because they are hard to damage. Unlike a traditional hose, these do not easily tangle or kink, and are easy to store since they bunch back up into place. We loved how sturdy this coil hose was during testing, and can confirm it’s easy to use. It’s not super long (shorter than most of the ones we tested), but it gets the job done and is lightweight to drag around.
The design was almost chic (a rare quality among garden hoses), and facilitates quick access and use (rather than having to slowly unreel a regular hose). The polyurethane material is thick and sturdy and should last for many years despite exposure to the elements. Considering the quality and performance of this hose, we think the price is very fitting.
How It’s Held Up
Over the six months we tested this hose at home, it has held up well. It doesn’t extend as far as most other hoses we tested or snake around corners as neatly, but it works well. The manufacturer says that it’s 25 feet in length, but due to the tightness of the coils, it really only extends up to 20 feet. The tightness does facilitate easy storing, however, since it’s so compact. The materials are high quality and it doesn’t leak, so we think it will be durable for quite some time. Our only con is the length which would be more helpful if it was longer.
Length: 25’ | Material: Polyurethane | Type of Couplings: Lead-free brass
Very durable — no fraying, even after being rubbed on top of rocks
Stretches to 100 feet and returns to original length within seconds to stow easily
At 25 feet, this model is likely too short if you’ve got more than a small garden or patio to water
At just 4.5 pounds, this fabric hose's core is made of a triple-layer latex wrapped with interwoven elasticated fabric, stretching to 100 feet from its original 33-foot length. Within seconds, it returns to its original length for you to coil and stow away easily. Of all the fabric hoses we tested, this one felt the most durable to our team with its high-quality materials. While some other expandable models would snag on rocks in testing, this one did not. Easy to coil and lightweight when empty, it’s got a shutoff switch attached to the solid brass fitting at the end of the hose, and it was easy to attach to a spigot. When it was full of water, the hose remained stretchy but still durable, and it was easy to walk around with while testing.
It goes back to its original size very quickly for easy moving around and it did not kink at all while being dragged across the ground. This short hose would be a good pick if you had a small garden or patio you needed to water.
We tested this garden hose for three months, and its expandable design made it a great asset for our gardening needs. It’s lightweight and easy to move around the yard, yet has a heavy-duty construction. We had no trouble reeling it in, and it takes up very little space. It’s also easy to tell when all the water is drained from this hose compared to other rubber hoses.
Length: 25’ | Material: Multi-layer Latex | Type of Couplings: Brass with shutoff valve
Extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver
The material feels exceptionally durable despite dragging it across rocks and a rake
Dispensed water consistently (supposedly two gallons in two minutes)
Did not load well onto a reel, likely due to its flat shape
Soaker hoses are great for consistently and steadily watering ground plants without having to stand and administer the water yourself. Simply snake the flat hose throughout the plants, turn on the water, and allow it to slowly leak through the tiny holes throughout the hose until you've sufficiently wet the ground.
This soaker hose performed well in testing, despite the "soaking" feature being a bit deceiving. It felt like watching a cool science experiment, seeing the water condensate on the outside of the hose. It doesn't seem like it would get the ground particularly wet; however, the brand claims that it dispenses two gallons in two minutes, though, which is pretty impressive.
The hose was extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, and after dragging it through rocks and a rake, the hose held up in perfect condition. It was durable, dispensed consistent water, and is priced affordably. The only major con we found was that this hole kinks a lot when loading on a reel, perhaps due to its flat shape. A pot or hanger would be better suited for storing this type of hose.
How It’s Held Up
Due to the soaking nature of this hose, it didn’t become as much a part of our gardening routine as a regular hose might have. During home testing, we found it somewhat tricky to use for an entire garden since it doesn’t straighten easily to be able to guide water toward a particular plant. This type of hose might be best for a vegetable garden with rows rather than flowers in various bushes, etc. However, it can easily connect to another hose if needed, and we appreciate the bright color and length. It emits good water pressure, and it’s easy to store since the majority of it is flat.
Length: 50’ | Material: PVC | Type of Couplings: Brass
The sentiment applies with some products more than others, and our expert says it absolutely applies here. “You get what you pay for,” says Gorchels. “In other words, the more inexpensive, the shorter the lifespan.” The hoses we tested ranged from $17 to $70. Our Best Overall pick comes in somewhere toward the middle at $33, so while it certainly isn't the most expensive offering, it is not a "cheap" buy.
"The newer expandable garden hoses give me all the length I need but easily shrink down into a clean and manageable size that is lightweight and easy to move around,” says home and lifestyle blogger Kelli Bateman from My House of 8. “These hoses have made a huge difference in offering the flexibility we need while removing the need for a hose reel.”
“Will it be attached and stretched out all summer, for example, supplying water to the garden?” asks Bateman. “Maybe it is more likely to experience intermittent use with frequent attachments, disconnects, and roll-ups and recoils. You want the hose to match the durability or flexibility of the expected task.” If you plan to use your garden hose for big tasks, an offering like the Flexzilla would be perfect. However, if you want a steady and consistent watering of your garden, you might consider the H2O Works Soaker Hose to do the trick. Consider your projects, and match your needs to the right hose.
“Basic vinyl hoses with little or no reinforcement or mesh layer, or those using a low number of layers/plies, will typically be lower-quality,” adds Bateman. “This makes them prone to easier kinking, which is annoying and eventually leads to splitting. Plastic fittings can be easier to work with but become more brittle and susceptible to breaking when exposed to longer hours of heat or frost.” Heavy-duty rubber or UV-resistant metal hoses as well as brass or steel couplings tend to be the most durable and reliant of materials.
The answer here depends on where the leak is occurring. If there is a leak at the end of the hose, you may need to replace the washer at the end of the hose. If the leak remains, consider replacing the coupling altogether. However, if the leak is in the hose itself, consider cutting off the rupture and installing a hose repair fitting. (Keep in mind, though, that a heavy-duty hose could prevent any sort of heartache from having to purchase a repair kit in the first place.)
You can expect a durable garden hose to last anywhere from five to 10 years; however, this depends on a myriad of factors. First and foremost, the material you choose will determine your hose's lifespan. “For longer-lasting options, the rubber hoses with brass connections will hold up the best to the elements,” says Bateman. “Also look for a hose using reinforced mesh for strengthening if you want it to last longer. These qualities can make for the longest-lasting hose, but they may be heavier and harder to drain and connect, so you really want to think about the usage before you spend extra for features that might last longer but be harder to work with.” You'll also want to ensure that you're storing your hose safely, which brings us to our next point.
The type of storage you choose for your garden hose depends upon the type of hose you're working with; for example, a standard kink-free hose can be wound on a hose reel, while a fabric, metal, or soaker hose would fare better in a storage drum. You may also decide to coil your hose and hang it on a wall-mounted or free-standing hanger.
NJ garden center owner Elaine Summers suggests lying a hose flat on the ground before lifting one end up and walking your hands down to the other end while letting all excess water run out behind you to reduce the weight of the hose and prevent freezing before stowing it away: "When water freezes inside a hose, the material expands and can rupture," she explains. To that point, never leave a hose outside in cold weather, and be sure to store yours in a cool, dry place when the temperature dips.
Our team evaluated 30 garden hoses, rating them on their setup, design, ease of use, durability, and value. We looked for lightweight, flexible hoses that were easy to maneuver and built with long-lasting materials. We also made special note of those hoses with high-quality, solid fittings that did not leak or spray water out of the couplings. We dragged each hose across grass, cement, and a garden rake, making note of any signs of wear or kinking. We also noted how each hose worked on a garden hose reel, winding it when the hose was both empty and full of water. For the soaker hose, specifically, we left the water running for two minutes while the hose sat on a concrete area to see exactly how much water was released. After our lab tests, we continued testing for up to six months to see how the hoses performed in the real world at real homes.
Rennie Dyball is an experienced freelance writer who has covered hundreds of products in the home and lifestyle space. This post was later updated by Madison Yauger, a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy.
For this story, the writers spoke with PanAmerican Seed North America’s Jerry Gorchels, home and lifestyle blogger Kelli Bateman from My House of 8, and NJ garden center owner Elaine Summers. They also considered our team’s impressions of dozens of garden hoses, such as ease of use and durability. Using all of this data, they created our list of the best garden hoses of 2023.
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