Best Retractable Hose Reel (Self Winding & Automatic)


Gardena retractable garden hose reels are one of the best in quality and very popular among garden owners. They also offer multiple other gardening products and water management systems.

Best Retractable Self-Winding Automatic Garden Hose Reel

Aiman Khair bin Samsol Hairi/Voyagerix/istockphoto

 

Those who use a garden hose know how painstaking it is to wind it after using it. Besides being time-consuming, winding your hose on the reel manually can be frustrating and tiresome. This is where a retractable garden hose reel can come to your rescue.

 

Retractable garden hose reels work by using a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically winds the hose back onto the reel when not in use.

 

While some hose reels have a hand crank that you turn to manually wind the hose back on, while some of the best retractable hose reels have a foot pedal or a button that you press to activate the automatic rewind.

 

The hose is usually connected to a guide arm that keeps it from tangling or becoming kinked as it winds onto the reel. Some retractable garden hose reels also have locking mechanisms that allow you to stop the hose at a certain length.

 

Self-Winding Retractable Garden Hose Reels To Invest In

 

With a retractable reel, there is no need to wrap up the hose manually. It lets you keep the hose tidy in an enclosed case and allows you to mount it to the side of your house or shed conveniently.

 

Now, while choosing a garden hose reel, you should consider a few key features:
 

  • Durability
  • Capacity
  • Retraction mechanism
  • Hose guide
  • Portability
  • Ease of use
  • Warranty
  • Price

 

After testing a lot of hoses, we have concluded that the Gardena retractable hose reel (100 feet) is the best reel that you can rely on. Most of the hoses work great for a year or two and then they start to degrade or kink.

 

However, this one is sturdy, dependable and kink-proof. It is great for a garden, and especially works great with people of all age groups due to its ease of use, making it the best retractable water hose reel.

 

When & Where To Use The Garden Hose?

A garden hose is a flexible tube used to water plants, lawns, gardens, and other outdoor spaces. They can be used for a variety of tasks, including:
 

  1. Watering plants
  2. Maintaining a lawn
  3. Cleaning outdoor spaces
  4. Filling pools and ponds

 
A garden hose can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, gardens, parks, and other outdoor spaces. They can be used during any season, but it’s important to properly store the hose reel and drain the hose of water in the winter to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.
 
It’s also important to use a garden hose that’s appropriate for the task at hand and to use the appropriate attachments, such as a nozzle or sprinkler, to control the water flow and pressure.
 

Best Retractable Garden Hose Reel

We have also listed some of the best in market garden hose reels that you can opt for.
 

1. GARDENA Retractable Hose Reel 100-Feet Standard – Best Pick

 

GARDENA Retractable Hose Reel 100-Feet Standard Check price on Amazon

 

The Gardena hose reel is made of polypropylene and weighs 20 pounds. It consists of a 6.5-foot connecting hose, ½ inch diameter hose and a spray nozzle. The product includes wall plugs, wall brackets and screws.

 

The Gardena hose reel is available in 50 ft, 66 ft, 82 ft, 100ft and 115 ft. The best feature of this reel is that it is spring driven and can be retracted with a push button.

 

There are two styles to choose from – spike-mounted and wall mounted. Another plus is that it comes with a warranty of 2 years.

 

Pros

  •  Safe, slow and retracts easily with a button.
  •  Well-made with a heavy-duty reel.
  • Useful for efficient watering as it provides high water flow.
  • No spill technology.
  • Kink-free and prevents tangling.
  • Swings 180 degrees and can be mounted on a post or a wall.

 

Cons

  • The only downside is it is a little pricier than others.

 

Check price on Amazon

 

2. Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel 1/2 Inch x 130 ft, Wall Mounted and 180 Deg Swivel Bracket – Best Retractable Hose Reels with maximum Portability and Flexibility

 

Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel 1/2 Inch x 130 ft, Wall Mounted and 180 Deg Swivel Bracket Check price on Amazon

 
The Giraffe Tools retractable hose reel doesn’t put much pressure on your pocket. It is perfect for bigger yards. It is a 130-foot 1/2-inch diameter hose. The nozzle spray can work on 9 different settings. With a 180 degree spin, this reel can be mounted on a wall or post.
 
The Giraffe hose reel is CE, VDE, GS and UL certified and has a 2-year warranty.
 

Pros

  • Strong and durable with slow return system
  • Kink-free
  • No leaks
  • Passed the 600PSI bursting pressure test and 200PSI pressure test
  • Easy to install

 

Cons

  • Water flow is restricted, and the water pressure is weak
  • After the first year of outdoor use, the parts can become rusty
  • The sprayer that comes with the hose reel fails after a few use

 

Check price on Amazon

 

3. Power Retractable Hose Reel 50 + 6 Ft X 5/8” – Brass Fittings, Super Heavy Duty – Compact Best Self Winding Hose Reel

 

Power Retractable Hose Reel 50 + 6 Ft X 5/8” - Brass Fittings, Super Heavy Duty Check price on Amazon

 

Power Retractable Hose Reel consists of a completely retractable and slow return mechanism. It is a 50 ft, 5/8-inch hose that supports up to 500 maximum PSI. This hose reel lets you tackle a range of projects with its top-quality fittings and heavy-duty twist collar.

 

The auto-retract hose keeps the excess hose away and locks it. The hose is made of a 3 layer-hybrid material for durability.

 

Pros

  • Slow retraction system
  • Nozzle protector
  • 180-degree swivel can be mounted on a wall  or post
  • 500 PSI burst strength
  • 5-year warranty

 

Cons

  • Screws get rusted over time
  • The plastic gets cracked and the hose starts to leak

 

Check price on Amazon

 

4. Suncast PW100 Powerwind 100-Foot Capacity Automatic Rewind Garden Hose Reel – Best Automatic

 

Suncast PW100 Powerwind 100-Foot Capacity Automatic Rewind Garden Hose Reel Check price on Amazon

 

The Suncast Powerwind Automatic Rewind Garden Hose Reel holds 100 feet of hose. The dimension of this hose reel is 18 X 20 X 22 inches. The foot pedal function that it comes with is easy to use.

 

This is the best automatic hose reel and comes with a charger and a rechargeable battery.  The long battery life is a great feature. The reel is designed in a manner to avoid getting tangled.

 

Pros

  • Automatically winds
  • Comes fully assembled with a leader hose
  • The battery holds a charge for a long time
  • Long-lasting and durable

 

Cons

  • Your guidance is required to keep it from twisting
  • Not kink-free

 

Check price on Amazon

 

Buying Guide for Retractable Garden Hose

When purchasing a hose wheel, some essential parameters need to be looked into. Since every product is different, one product cannot be suitable for all work.

 

Therefore, this buying guide will provide you necessary info about the properties of retractable garden hoses so that you can buy the best retractable garden hose reel suited for your needs. Let’s look at things to consider before getting a retractable garden hose:

 

A. Mounting Ability and Portability

Since most of the time, these are multi utility items. So, you need portability and flexibility to move your hose around as needed. So, you must stick to a hose reel that can be used at ease which isn’t too heavy or too difficult to work with.
 

B. Price

Consider your budget and choose a hose reel that offers good value for money.

 

C. Hose Reel Length and Capacity

The hose length must be as such that it reaches to different corners of your garden.

 

D. Power Source

Consider whether you want a wall-mounted, automatic rewind, or a manual crank hose reel.

 

E. Safety

Look for a hose reel that is easy and safe to use with a user-friendly design.

 

F. Nozzle Type and Hose Size

Nozzle type and hose size are important factors to consider when choosing the retractable garden hose reel best suited for your needs. Nozzles come in different types such as spray, fog, straight stream, and others.
 
The type of nozzle affects the water flow rate and pattern. Hose size determines the water volume that can be delivered to the nozzle. Higher-diameter hoses have higher water flow capacity but are also heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
 
A smaller hose can give you a high-pressure output. Hence, get the size suited to your needs.
 

G. Leakage Prevention

Choose a hose with good quality material and construction to prevent splitting and bursting.

 

H. Non-Knotting Variety

The best retractable hose reel is the one consisting of a guide arm as it helps to keep the hose from tangling as it is wound on the reel.

 

Related: Best Pole Hedge Trimmers | How To Turn Off A Sprinkler Head | Best Garden Tillers

 

Are Hose Reels Worth It?

Hose Reels

architectphd/istockphoto

 
Yes, hose reels could be a good investment for your garden care. Though there are some issues you might face with them. Let’s answer the queries based on these issues.

 

A. Why do hose reels always leak?

Hose reels may leak for a variety of reasons, including wear and tear, poor manufacturing, or damage to the hose. In some cases, the hose reel may not be properly connected to the water supply, which can cause leakage.

 

Additionally, if the hose is not properly wound on the reel, it can become kinked or twisted, which can cause leaks. It’s important to regularly inspect the hose reel and hose for signs of wear or damage and to properly maintain it to prevent leaks.

 

B. Is there a hose reel that doesn’t leak?

There are hose reels on the market that are designed to minimize or prevent leaks. These hose reels often feature high-quality construction, durable materials, and tight connections between the hose and the water supply.

 

Additionally, some hose reels come with a built-in leak-prevention system that stops water from flowing out of the hose when it is not in use. However, it’s important to note that even the best hose reels can still leak if they are not properly maintained or if the hose itself is damaged.

 

It’s always a good idea to regularly inspect the hose reel and hose for signs of damage and to properly maintain it to prevent leaks.

 

C. How do I stop my garden hose reel from leaking?

There are several steps you can take to stop your garden hose reel from leaking:
 

  1. Inspect the hose and reel for any visible signs of damage or wear, such as cracks, holes, or kinks in the hose. Replace or repair any damaged parts.
  2. Check the connections between the hose and the water supply to ensure they are tight and secure. If the connections are loose, tighten them with pliers or a wrench.
  3. Make sure the hose is properly wound on the reel. If the hose is twisted or kinked, it can cause leaks. Unwind the hose and rewind it neatly onto the reel.
  4. Check that the water pressure is not too high. High water pressure can cause leaks or force water out of the hose when it is not in use.
  5. If the hose reel has a built-in leak-prevention system, make sure it is properly adjusted and functioning.
  6. If none of these steps resolves the leak, it’s possible that the hose reel has a manufacturing defect or is past its lifespan and it is better to replace it with the above-mentioned best automatic hose reel.

 

D. What must not be done when using a hose reel?

When using a hose reel, several things should not be done to prevent damage or leaks like over-extending the hose, dragging the hose, using the hose at high water pressure, leaving the hose under pressure when it is not in use, not properly winding the hose on the reel and not inspecting the hose and reel regularly.
 
By properly maintaining the hose reel, you can help to prevent leaks and prolong the lifespan of the hose and the hose reel.
 

E. Can you leave the hose reel outside in winter?

Even if you have bought the best retractable hose reel on the market, it is not recommended to leave it outside in winter as the freezing temperatures can cause damage to the hose and the reel.
 
When the water inside the hose freezes, it can expand and cause the hose to burst or crack. This can lead to leaks or reduced water flow when the hose is used again.
 
It’s best to drain the hose and reel off all water and roll it up neatly and store it in a dry and protected place, such as a shed or garage. If the hose reel is not removable, cover it with a tarp or plastic cover to protect it from the elements.
 
It would be a good idea to winterize the entire garden hose system by shutting off the water supply to the hose bib and draining any remaining water from the pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.