As summer starts approaching and the weather gets warmer, the need to regularly water garden plants becomes all the more important.
While this can be quite a menial task, it is one that must be carried out almost every day and, although the Great British summer can be more than a little unpredictable, it’s a job that will keep your garden looking healthy and colourful all summer long.
However, the idea of lugging a big, long, heavy hose around the garden isn’t one that fills anybody with joy. Throw in the risk of it cracking or splitting, springing a leak in the process, and you’ll find yourself filled with frustration and wishing you’d never started.
That’s why an expandable garden hose is an essential piece of garden equipment. Designed to grow up to three times their original size as the water flows in, and then shrink back down again once the tap has been turned off, they’ll help you reach every inch of your garden with ease.
They are also a great way to perform a variety of other outdoor jobs, such as cleaning windows, hosing down the patio or cleaning your car, without having to resort to the more traditional method of a bucket and sponge!
There are a plethora of options to choose from when you’re looking for an expandable hose, however, which can make finding the perfect one for your needs a little bit tricky. So, to take the hard work out of finding one, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favourite hoses below, as well as a handy buying guide that’s packed full of tips on what to look for before you make your final decision.
Grab a seat, put your feet up and come with us on our journey through the best expandable garden hoses, and pretty soon you’ll be watering your garden with unbelievable ease.
If you’re in a hurry and are looking for a fantastic expandable garden hose that will keep your plants healthy and watered all summer long, check out our top pick below.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- MOST ADVANCED GARDEN HOSE ON THE MARKET! Made from the highest-quality materials & latest design, These garden hoses are the most functional, lightweight & flexible hoses that money can buy! The length is long enough to make it easy and convenient for maneuvering around the garden, even when full of water!
- NO KINKS OR TANGLES EVER – The Flexi Hose highest-quality material and latest design never tangles, twists, or kinks. Never worry about untangling your hose ever again.
- NO MORE LEAKS! - Say goodbye to your frustrating old leaking hose! Flexi Hose's solid 3/4" brass connectors & double latex pipe ensures leaks are a thing of the past! Complete with a sturdy on/off valve, the super-strong Flexi Hose can withstand up to 12 BARS of water pressure, up to temperatures of 45 celsius!
Best Expandable Garden Hose UK – Comparison Table
Best Expandable Garden Hose UK – Reviews
Flexi Hose Upgraded Expandable Garden Hose Pipe Including 8 Function Spray Gun Nozzle - Extra Strength with 2 cm Solid Brass Fittings - No-Kink Flexible Garden Hoses (Black 30 Metres)
Available in lengths of 50ft, 75ft and 100ft, this expandable garden hose from Fixkit is perfect for big and small gardens alike, and expands up to three times its size then shrinks down again so is perfect for storing away neatly when it’s not in use.
This flexible hose is constructed using a triple latex core which is then bound in a high density polyester fabric, which ensures durability and prevents snagging or kinking as you drag it around the garden or across multiple surfaces. It also makes it tangle free, so you can get on with your watering without having to stop and undo any annoying knots.
It’s also extremely lightweight and weighs 5 times less than an average garden hose, so it is perfect for maneuvering around your garden without feeling fatigued or weighed down, and the pure copper connectors ensure a secure connection to your outside tap without any risk of drips or leaks, whilst being rust and corrosion resistant.
The included spray head comes with a choice of 8 different watering patterns, all of which are easily selected simply by twisting the dial, giving you ultimate control over the strength of the waterflow and expanding your gardening options. There’s even an included hose holder to keep it off the ground when not in use, and a storage bag so you can store it away over the winter months.
- Expands up to three times its size and is available in 50ft. 75ft and 100ft lengths
- Built with a triple latex core and a high density polyester fabric for ultimate durability
- Totally tangle free and 5 times lighter than the average garden hose
- Copper connectors ensure a secure, rust and corrosion proof connection to your water source
- Also includes an 8 pattern spray head, hose holder and storage bag
- Some customers found threading the connectors onto their taps a bit tricky at first, however once on they were impressed with the secure connection
TRESKO Expandable Garden Water Hose Pipe- 8-Pattern Spray Gun Anti-leakage with Brass Fittings, Triple Latex Core & Hose Hook/Hanger, Magic-hose pipes (100FT)
Expanding up to three times its original size, and available in 25ft, 50ft, 75ft and 100ft lengths, this expandable garden hose from TRESKO is not only ideal for keeping your plants well-watered, but is also fantastic for cleaning the car, hosing down your patio and so much more.
Built using a triple latex core and coated with super durable 3750D polyester, you’ll be able to drag this hose across multiple ground surfaces without any risk of it springing a leak or snagging, and it’s high level of flexibility ensures that it remains tangle free throughout.
Non-rusting brass connectors give you a secure, drip-free connection to your outside tap and they are also silicone sealed for extra protection. Both the hose and connectors can withstand up to 10 bars of water pressure as well, giving you a fantastic level of water pressure and letting you water your plants in half the time.
This expandable hose also includes a 10 pattern spray nozzle, allowing you to easily select the appropriate amount of pressure and the correct pattern for the different needs of a variety of plants, as well as a hose holder that doesn’t require any wall fixings and a storage bag.
- Available in 25ft, 50ft, 75ft and 100ft lengths, expanding up to three times its size and shrinking down again
- Constructed with a triple latex core and super tough 3750D polyester for durability
- Has non-rusting brass connectors that are silicone sealed for an extra secure connection to your water source
- Includes a 10 pattern spray head giving you ultimate control over water flow and pressure
- Also comes with a hose holder that requires no fixings and can simply be placed over the tap, as well as a handy storage bag
- People that previously purchased this hose found that, due to it’s expandable nature, once they’d almost reached the hose’s ultimate length they could feel it pulling back slightly
GroHoze Expandable Garden Pipe with Solid Brass Connector and 10 Pattern Nozzle - 100FT(30M) Black
Constructed with a dual inner latex tube core, and coated with a tightly knitted polyester outer 5000D fabric, this expandable garden hose from GroHoze offers you the durability and strength needed for frequent garden watering.
Completely kink, twist and tangle free, as well as being really light in weight, you’ll have total freedom of movement around your garden without losing any water pressure, whilst the solid brass fittings give you a leak-proof, rust-resistant connection to your source of water.
The 10 pattern spray gun gives you multiple choices of watering patterns that are ideal for a variety of jobs from gently watering seedlings to giving a newly planted tree a proper drink, and it’s also fitted with a double rubber fixing and a small water filter that prevents it from leaking as you operate.
This expandable hose also comes with a 12 month warranty and a risk-free guarantee so you can rest assured that, in the unlikely event of something going wrong, you’ll be totally covered for a refund or replacement.
- Built with a dual inner latex core and a highly durable 5000D polyester fabric outer
- Totally kink, tangle and twist free
- Has solid brass fittings that provide a leak-proof, rust-resistant connection to your outside tap
- The 10 pattern spray head gives you a variety of watering options and has rubber fixings and a filter to make it leak proof
- Comes with 12 month warranty and a risk-free guarantee
- Doesn’t include any extra accessories such as a hose holder or a storage bag
Garden Hose Pipes Expandable 100ft, Uverbon Water Hose Garden Hose Pipe with Solid Brass Connectors, Double Latex Core 9-Pattern Spray Nozzle Strong, Flexible Garden, Lawn, Pet Shower, Plant Watering
Able to expand by up to three times its original length, this expandable garden hose from Uverbon comes in a choice of 50ft or 100ft lengths, giving you the opportunity to get right to the back of your garden with ease, and then shrinks down again for neat and tidy storage.
The kink-proof hose uses nickel plated, leak-proof fixings to provide a secure connection to your outside tap without losing any water pressure, and the double latex inner and tough polyester outer coating allow you to easily move around your garden without any fear of it cracking or springing a leak.
It also comes with a heavy duty, metal spray head that gives you a choice of 9 watering patterns, all of which are easy to select and change simply by twisting the rotating circle that surrounds the head.
And, to help keep things organised when you’re not using it, this expandable hose also comes complete with a hose holder that keeps it off the ground and a storage bag so you can disconnect it and store it away safely over the winter months.
- Expands up to three times its original size, and is available in 50ft and 100ft lengths
- Highly flexible and kink proof, meaning you’ll get uninterrupted and consistent water pressure throughout
- Constructed with a double latex inner and tough polyester outer for ultimate durability
- The 9 pattern watering spray head gives you a variety of watering options
- Also includes a hose holder and a storage bag
- Only available in two lengths, so you may end up with either more or less than you need to use
Garden Hose-50ft Expandable Hose - Heavy Duty Flexible Leakproof Hose - 8-Pattern High-Pressure Water Spray Nozzle & Bag & Plastic Holder.No Kink Tangle-Free Pocket Water Hose (50FT)
This garden hose from Zicosy doesn’t only expand by three times its size, but is also totally kink free and tangle proof, meaning that you’ll be able to access all areas of your garden with ease and without losing any water pressure.
Using the latest technology in its construction, it’s built with a triple latex core and a high strength polyester cover that will ensure no cracking, snagging or leaks whilst you’re dragging it across your garden.
The solid brass fittings and shut off valve allow you to securely connect the hose to your outside water source, and ensure that there are no leaks as well as being rust proof and corrosion resistant.
It also comes with an 8 pattern spray nozzle so you can find the perfect water pressure for any garden job, and the ergonomically designed grip and sprayer locking feature provide you with ultimate comfort whilst you go about your watering duties. There’s even an included hose holder so you can keep it off the ground when not in use, as well as a storage bag so you can store it away safely when it won’t be needed for long periods of time.
- The 50ft length allows you to easily access all parts of your garden, then it shrinks down by three times it size for compact storage
- Totally kink free and tangle proof, so you’ll never lose water pressure
- Built with a triple latex core and a high strength polyester cover
- Has solid brass fittings that ensure a rust free, secure connection to your outside tap
- Includes an 8 pattern spray head, hose holder and storage bag
- Only available in a 50ft length, so not ideal if your garden is larger than this
Best Expandable Garden Hose UK – Buyer’s Guide
Expandable hoses are definitely the best option for any garden, whether it’s large or small, and will make getting to even the most difficult and hard to reach areas of your garden easy.
They’re also a great choice for carrying out a variety of other jobs, such as cleaning the car or washing the family pet, and will store away neatly when not in use.
However, there are a few factors that you should give some consideration to when you’re looking at which one to buy. We’ve outlined some key points below that will help make deciding which hose to purchase a bit easier, and make sure you get the perfect one the first time around.
Hose Length
The first thing you’ll want to give some thought to is the length that you need your garden hose to expand to. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to get right to the back of your garden to water because the hose doesn’t stretch far enough.
We’d recommend popping out into your garden with a measuring tape and getting the dimensions of your garden correct before ordering your hose. That way you’ll know if you require a 50ft, 75ft or 100ft hose, and you won’t be caught short when your plants need a good drink!
Remember, also, that although expandable hoses do shrink down when they’re not in use, the longer the hose you choose the longer the unfilled size will be. With this in mind, make sure you have ample room to store it neatly when it’s not being used for watering.
Material
The material that your expandable garden hose is constructed from will ultimately determine how durable it is, and how long it will last, so it’s definitely something that’s worth paying some attention to.
Garden hoses are ordinarily formed of two components. The first of these is the internal tubing, which will carry the water from your outside tap through to the spray head. The inside of your garden hose needs to be built from a strong material, such as dual or triple latex, which will be able to withstand up to 10 bars of water pressure without cracking or splitting.
The second component is the outer material. When you’re watering your garden, you’ll be dragging the hose across a variety of surfaces including lawns, gravel and paving, so the hose needs to be able to withstand this. Look for a garden hose that has a tough, polyester fabric cover somewhere between 3570D and 5000D.
This won’t only ensure that it won’t snag or tear as you move it around, but will also allow for expanding and contracting as the water flows through it, and as it shrinks down again.
Spray Head
Most garden hoses now come with spray heads included, however the best ones to look for will offer you multiple watering patterns to choose from. These are really good as you’ll be able to switch between different flows of water, and choose the best one for the task at hand.
For example, if you’ve got some seedlings growing that require gentle watering, you’ll be able to switch your spray head to a ‘mist’ pattern and water them without any risk of damaging or dislodging the delicate young plants.
Likewise, if you’ve planted a large shrub or a tree and need to water it in, a spray head with multiple patterns will allow you to switch to a much heavier flow of water in order to give it a really good soaking and help it settle in.
Storage
By design, expandable hoses will shrink down to a compact size that makes storing them easier. However, if your hose is left in a pile in the corner of the garden when it’s not in use, there’s an increased chance of damage occurring to either the hose or the spray head. Not to mention, a hose that has been left to trail along the floor could become a trip hazard for yourself or anybody else in your household.
With that in mind, look for a hose that comes with a holder included. This can be attached to a wall near your outside tap and lets you neatly store the garden hose away, and keeps it from laying on the ground.
Some garden hoses also include storage bags as part of the kit, and these are also a great accessory to look for. A storage bag for your hose pipe will give you somewhere to neatly and securely store it away over the winter months when you won’t be using it as frequently, and also offers you a safe place to store it away if you’re not keen on using a hose pipe holder.
Connectors
There are a few choices available when it comes to connectors for your garden hose, however the most common materials you’ll find will be brass and plastic.
Brass connectors are a great choice as they are naturally rust resistant and corrosion proof, as well as extremely strong, so you’ll be able to establish a secure connection between the tap and the hosepipe without any risk of leaks or drips.
Plastic connectors are also very strong, however they have a tendency to be a little more lightweight than brass ones, and could easily chip or break if they were accidentally dropped on the ground.
Some garden hoses also include two-headed connectors, which allows you to secure your hose pipe to one connector and leaves another one totally free. This is a good feature if you’d like to keep using your outside tap to fill a watering can or your dog’s bowl for instance, but don’t want to have to disconnect your garden hose every time.
Price
As with all things, it’s a good idea to set yourself a budget when you’re shopping for an expandable garden hose. You may be surprised to find that there are many options available that also come with a variety of accessories, and are reasonably priced.
Remember to always look at the features, and make sure that you’re paying for the product and not just for the brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an expandable garden hose?
Expandable hoses are designed to expand and contract as water flows into them, and then gets shut off at the source. They are fantastic for saving space in your garden, and also tend to be a lot more hardwearing than standard hoses, as well as giving you a variety of spray patterns to choose from so you can carry out a wide range of outdoor jobs.
Are metal or plastic hose connectors better?
Both metal and plastic connectors are great for establishing a secure connection between your garden hose and your outside tap, and both come with their own benefits. Metal connectors, usually made of brass, provide a leak-free connection and won’t rust when in use. Plastic connectors are also leak-resistant, however they are easier to damage if they get accidentally dropped.