By Mark Wolfe and Savannah Sher and Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 21, 2022 1:05 PM

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Expandable hoses are self-draining, kink-, twist-, and tangle-resistant and weigh far less than their conventional counterparts while taking up very little space.

Their inner 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.

We wanted to know if these new space-saving hoses lived up to the hype, so we tested them. Read on to learn more about which ones we think are among the best expandable garden hoses on the market.

EExpandable hoses do all the jobs that conventional garden hoses do. They’re a great choice for homes where storage space is limited, tight spaces where other hoses kink and twist, 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 its 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 a couple of different core materials:

For the most part, protective shells are made of nylon. Rugged and mold- and mildew-resistant, it 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, the grit that works its way through the shell over time still threatens 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 the user 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 non-factor 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 (pounds per square inch). Longer hoses have lower flow rates, while a wide diameter increases that rate.

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, expandable hoses are 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.

We tested numerous expandable hoses, basing our selection criteria on which hoses are currently among the most popular sellers. In order to earn a spot on the list, a hose had to be lightweight, strong, and durable. Plus, 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 in their categories.

When we connected the 17-foot-long Aterod collapsible garden hose to the spigot and turned on the water, it expanded to just under 52 feet in length. Its solid brass fittings, which are designed to handle high water pressure up to 174 psi, didn’t leak at the nozzle or the spigot connections. The fittings themselves are attached to the hose ends with self-locking connectors for strength and to eliminate blowouts. The hose didn’t seem to be negatively affected by spending a day and night outdoors, nor was it harmed when we backed over it with a vehicle.

An included nine-function nozzle offers the right spray pattern for watering the garden, washing the dog, or cleaning the windows. We were able to change the spray options simply by turning the yellow connector ring on the sprayer. The only drawback was the shell fabric, which may not withstand dragging across abrasive surfaces. However, when fully expanded, it was strong and rigid.

When filled with water, the Knoikos reaches a maximum length of about 48 feet—pretty close to its advertised 50 feet. Like the other hoses we tested, it features brass connectors and washers that keep the connectors from leaking. A tough triple-layer core made of 2-mm-thick latex and durable polyester fabric shell make for a dependable lawn and garden tool. It withstood being outdoors for 24 hours, and it didn’t appear to suffer from being backed over with the car. One brass connector was slightly scuffed when we banged it on the concrete patio, but it still connected and didn’t leak.

The nice thing about the 10-function nozzle is that it comes with a slip-resistant rubber grip handle, and we were able to turn the water on and off with a thumb control rather than a trigger grip. All the nozzle functions worked well, with the exception of the “soaker” option, which seemed more like an uncoordinated trickle. Still, it’s a quality hose at an affordable price. The kit comes with a hose hanger, storage bag, and three spare sealing rings.

Right out of the package, the Delxo was impressive—even though this is a hose that reached 104 feet in length when fully expanded, it’s only 30 feet long in its resting state. Unlike some of the other hoses, the Delxo’s exterior fabric casing is smooth, which helps keep it from tangling.

When filled with water, its tough 3750D fabric shell was sleek and solid-feeling; if you didn’t know it was an expandable hose, you might mistake it for a standard one. The sleekness also makes the hose less likely to snag when pulling it along gravel or around a rough corner. It features a pliable double-latex core and handles up to 180 psi water pressure.

The nine-function nozzle includes spray patterns for all sorts of outdoor chores, but it’s a trigger-type sprayer—a thumb-control sprayer would have been a nice touch. Delxo’s complete kit includes a two-way metal splitter, a storage bag, leakproof tape, a hose clamp, and three spare rubber gaskets.

It’s never a good idea to leave an expandable garden hose outdoors over winter, especially in harsh conditions. But some gardeners may still want a hose for outdoor chores in colder weather. Those living in areas where temperatures frequently come close to freezing should consider a garden hose made with brass fittings, which are more durable than their plastic counterparts.

The Flexi Hose features solid brass fittings that connected snugly to the spigot and didn’t leak. Although the connection between the hose and the nozzle started out with a leak, it was quickly remedied by tightening the connection. When filled with water, it expanded to a maximum length of 50.5 feet.

The hose’s four-layer latex core is 10 millimeters thick, which the manufacturer claims gives it extra protection from cold temperatures. We only left the Flexi Hose outside for 24 hours—and it just happened to get rained on—but it didn’t seem the worse for it. It withstood a car driving over it and having its connectors banged on the concrete without even a scuff. Its eight-setting spray nozzle features an ergonomic, slip-resistant handle that’s especially nice, but the sprayer is slightly smaller than competing models.

Small but mighty, the LOOHUU expandable garden hose extends to 26 feet when filled with water, which is plenty for petite yards, patios, and gardens. When not in use, it shrinks down to an easily manageable 8 feet.

We ran over the LOOHUU with a car, and it wasn’t fazed. We banged its brass connectors on the concrete and then attached them to the spigot—no scuffs and no leaks. Its three-layer latex core and sturdy shell make for a tough, dependable garden companion. The nozzle includes 10 spray functions, and all worked well except the “Mist” option, which was more of a stinging spray. The sprayer has a nice rubber selection ring that seems more durable than some of the plastic rings on competing models.

The only downside we noticed was that the rubber protectors that slip between the hose and the fittings aren’t securely attached—they can be slid out easily and don’t seem to add anything to the strength of the hose.

Most expandable garden hoses weigh significantly less than traditional hoses, which helps make them so convenient. TheFitLife’s 25-foot, 1.8-pound garden hose offers an ultra-lightweight option. Fully retracted, it measures 9 feet for easy storage.

While form has nothing to do with function in this case, TheFitLife is visually stunning. It’s also strong—it withstood being backed over with a car, and its brass fittings were not damaged after being banged on the concrete. It’s a seriously durable hose, and it comes with a lovely eight-function sprayer that features a nonslip comfort grip and convenient thumb operation.

The hose looks and feels solid when fully filled with water—the fabric just seems to lock in place, making it among the most durable models we tested.

Most expandable hose manufacturers advise against pairing their products with a pressure washer, but many homeowners do it anyway. While the manufacturer’s specs say this hose can handle a psi of 174, its wide 3/4-inch diameter and sturdy brass connectors suggest it could handle a psi as high as 5000.

This 100-foot hose weighs in at 4.8 pounds, features a double latex tube with a polyester casing, and retracts to 33 feet. The leakproof spray nozzle offers nine different functions.

Among the longer hose options we tested, the HBlife is a standout. It makes an all-around excellent expandable hose and arguably comes with the highest-quality sprayer of all. Made of rugged metal that will last for years, the spray nozzle will withstand serious wear and tear. The eight spray functions cover all types of watering chores, including gently misting seedlings, washing the car, or blasting mud off your boots. All spray options worked well.

The HBlife withstood having its connectors banged on the concrete, and backing over it with the car didn’t faze it. Its all-brass connections fit snugly, and we found no evidence of leaks. Additional replacement washers are included. Leaving it out in the elements for 24 hours didn’t appear to affect it, either.

This hose is lightweight, flexible, and kink-free. It’s rugged, and its casing forms a robust protective cover that mimics a standard hose when filled with water.

We were impressed with the quality of the expandable hoses we tested. Our top two recommendations are the Aterod expandable garden hose, which takes the top spot in the lineup, and the Knoikos expandable garden hose. After having had less than satisfactory experiences with expandable hoses years ago, seeing how much they’ve improved was impressive. Older models tended to be on the weak side, and you never really knew if a tug would cause the inner core to break. The hoses in our lineup all passed our stringent quality tests, and each would be well suited to a residential situation.

We put these hoses through the ringer, and we didn’t play favorites. Each hose had a sprayer attached so we could test each of their spray options, noting whether the spray was uniform or whether the connections leaked. After varying the water pressure with each hose, we found that they all work best with a water pressure of at least 40 psi.

All hoses were 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, then reconnected the hoses and checked for leaks, which would indicate that the fitting had changed shape. In addition, we noted how comfortable the sprayers fit in our hands and how easy the hose was to pull around the yard.

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 is how light they are, 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 your 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 new expandable 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. Be careful not to drag the hose against rough surfaces or drive over the hose, 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 hook for hanging or a carrying bag.

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