Garden hoses are a no-brainer for anyone with a backyard or a garden. However, the traditional garden hose isn’t that easy to use. In fact, many homeowners and gardeners procrastinate their chores in order to avoid using this tiring heavyweight tool.
However, things have changed, and people’s demands for something not so daunting to handle have been heard.
Nowadays, we have a lightweight hose that can expand to three times its size and be stored in small bags or carried on small hangers. Yet, this flexible hose can still have the durability that helps it rival the traditional hose.
So, if you’d like to know more about buying expandable hoses, continue reading.
Quick glance at the best expandable hoses:
- Aterod Expandable Garden Hose - Best Overall
- Flexi Hose 50ft Expandable Garden Hose - Budget Pick
- Growgreen Heavy Duty Expandable Garden Hose - Most Durable
- TBI Pro Garden Hose Expandable And Flexible - 4 Layer Core
- Elk & Bear Expandable Garden Hose - Most Lightweight
You should also read:
Best Expandable Garden Hoses Reviewed
There’s an abundance of expandable hoses on the market, and when there’s too many of something, it becomes much harder to pick just one.
So, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite expandable hoses, their best qualities, where they could improve, and what applications fit them the most.
Aterod Expandable Garden Hose - Best Overall
It comes as no surprise that our top choice is an Aterod product. It’s one of the reputable brands in the garden tools game, and they poured their years of experience into this expandable hose.
First things first, this expandable garden hose comes with a double-layer latex core, which means that it offers just the right amount of flexibility and ease of use that the daily hose user appreciates. Latex is also a good choice for inner cores because it’s durable.
The hose is 25 feet long and expands to 75 feet when in use, which is the ideal length for everyday use. In addition, it has a high-quality brass connector that can handle high water pressure without leaking, which the self-locking connectors help ensure as well.
Since we always appreciate versatility, we have to mention that the spray nozzle boasts nine different functions that can help you in everything, from washing your dog to watering your garden.
Finally, it comes with a storage bag and a hose holder to take the guesswork out of your post-hosing routine.
Pros
Reputable brand
Nine-function spray nozzle
It comes with a storage bag and a holder
High-quality brass fitting
Double-layer core for flexibility and durability
Anti-leaking self-locking connectors
Cons
The shell isn’t the most abrasion-resistant
Flexi Hose 50ft Expandable Garden Hose - Budget Pick
Many gardeners are on a tight budget but don’t want a collapsible garden hose that feels cheap, which is exactly what this Flexi hose achieves.
The use of a double-layer latex core makes for a very flexible garden hose. However, flexibility isn’t all that this water hose has to offer, as its endurance has been tested to ensure that it can withstand high pressure. If you don’t believe us, the lifetime warranty should convince you.
Moreover, the Flexi hose boasts a solid brass fitting, which is a pleasant surprise from such an affordable product.
The incredibly affordable collapsible hose comes in seven different color options and three sizes: 50, 75, and 100 feet. This versatility in options rivals more expensive hoses on the market.
In addition, the hose nozzle comes with eight different modes so that you can use it for whatever you use a traditional hose for and even more.
Pros
Seven colors and three size options
Incredibly affordable
Double-layer core for flexibility and durability
Eight-function spray hose nozzle
High-quality brass fitting
Lifetime warranty
Cons
The hose gets punctured easily
Growgreen Heavy Duty Expandable Garden Hose - Most Durable
There’s nothing more common than fragile knock-off expandable hoses nowadays. If you want an option that you won’t have to replace a few weeks later, consider our most durable choice.
The Growgreen garden hose has a pressure-resistant latex inner tube, which enables it to be tougher than most of its counterparts when handling excessive use. In addition, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty, which is Growgreen promising that it has faith in its long-lasting product.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about pesky leaking problems, thanks to its use of solid brass fittings that have proven their longevity. Don’t forget that it comes in four different size options as well. A heavy-duty hose needs a kind of storage that lives up to its quality, which Growgreen provides in its heavy-duty storage bag. Say goodbye to the annoying hose reel.
Pros
Four size options
It comes with a heavy-duty storage bag
High-quality brass connector
Eight-function spray nozzle
Lifetime warranty
Pressure-resistant latex core
Cons
You’ll need to increase the water pressure
TBI Pro Garden Hose Expandable And Flexible - 4 Layer Core
While most gardeners do well with two-layer latex cores, avid gardeners want more, and they shall find it in this pro garden hose, which is made in the USA.
TBI has blessed gardeners who are looking for industrial-level durability with a powerful four-layer latex core that puts two-layer and three-layer competitors to shame. In addition, it comes with an anti-bursting fabric outer layer that strengthens the inner tube even more.
This hose keeps on impressing us with its brass connector in terms of longevity and rust resistance.
However, durability isn’t everything that’s good about this collapsible hose. It’s quite comfortable to use, thanks to its anti-slip ergonomic handle. Also, the zinc spray nozzle has eight different functions for you to choose from. You won’t have to resort to a hose reel for storage, as it comes with a storage bag and a hose hanger.
Pros
Powerful, four-layer latex core
Durable, rust-free brass connector
It comes with a storage bag and a hose hanger
Eight-function, zinc spray nozzle
Anti-bursting fabric
Anti-slip, ergonomic handle
Cons
You’ll need to increase the water pressure
The hose shouldn’t be left in sunlight
Heavier than hoses with fewer layers
Elk & Bear Expandable Garden Hose - Most Lightweight
While some users expect tough and rugged hoses to handle their industrial needs, many gardeners only want a lightweight, no-nonsense hose to get the job done, which is exactly what Elk & Bear offers in their expandable water hose.
Out of all of our choices, this one has managed to be the most portable and lightweight hose that we know of. If your biggest priority is to get a hassle-free flexible hose that isn’t hard to carry or store, enjoy this one, which comes with its own storage bag as well.
Like any extendable garden hose that’s worth your time, it comes with solid brass fittings that won’t rust or break like the others. In addition, the spray nozzle has nine functions that you can choose from, which is quite impressive for a portable hose.
Pros
Most portable and lightweight
High-quality brass fittings
It comes with a storage bag
Nine-function spray nozzle
Cons
Not suitable for medium to large gardens
How to Choose an Expandable Garden Hose
You may be new to the gardening game or an avid gardener, car washer, or backyard keeper.
Either way, you need a collapsible hose, and you need to know what makes one good or suitable for you. Here are the most important features that will help you make an informed decision.
Material
Arguably the most important. Let's talk about materials:
Latex Core
The latex inner tube stands out with its solidness and longevity, which enables hoses made of it to last for more years than its latex-free counterparts.
While most expandable hoses employ double-layer latex cores, many use multiple layers of latex, mostly triple- and quadruple-layer cores, to increase their durability even more.
However, keep in mind that more layers lead to less flexibility and heavier weight, so choose depending on whether you prioritize durability or flexibility in hoses that offer a little bit of both anyway.
Did You Know? Latex is a stretchy yet durable material, which is the perfect combination that’s proven its anti-leaking properties in different industries, including gloves, swim caps, balloons, garden boots, and, more importantly, hoses.
TPC Core
Thermoplastic copolyester or TPC is the second most popular inner core material in expandable hoses. Like latex, it’s known for its durability and flexibility. In fact, this heavy-duty material is often used in a single-layer form.
In addition, its biggest advantage is its extreme heat resistance, which comes in handy for industrial use.
That being said, since it usually targets industrial use, TPC hoses tend to be more expensive than those with latex cores.
Nylon Shell
Latex and TPC are inner-core materials, which means that you can’t leave them exposed, no matter how tough and long-lasting they are. Enter outer cores that are made from even tougher materials.
Nylon shells, in particular, are used as outer cores that protect inner cores from the elements, including sun damage and abrasive materials.
What makes them the ideal choice for covering inner cores is their ability to shed water with ease, ruggedness, resistance to mold and mildew, longevity, and stretchability that matches the movements of the inner core.
Yet, we have to mention the fact that while nylon is pretty tough, it’s not heat-resistant, so we’d suggest keeping it away from heat sources.
Number of Cores
The number of cores that an expanding hose has directly affects how it performs, both in a positive and negative way. So, it’s important to consider what matters to you most before you choose any expanding hose.
A low number of cores, such as one-layer or double-layer, means that you’ll have a pretty lightweight and flexible hose. So, it’s perfect for all-around and personal use. However, a water hose with a low number of cores won’t be as tough as its multiple-core counterpart.
Without a doubt, hoses with three and four layers are less prone to punctures and abrasions than the thinner options. They work best with high water pressure because it’s the only thing that can expand them.
As expected, thicker hoses are heavier, so they’re usually more preferred for industrial than personal use.
Hose Fittings
Hose fittings are important to consider because they’re the end pieces that connect the hoses to the water supply.
Expandable hoses have a variety of fittings, such as brass, aluminum, and plastic. The best expandable garden hose typically has solid brass fittings because they’re of the highest quality. They resist corrosion, rust, weather elements, heat, and constant wear and tear.
Next in line, we have aluminum fittings. They’re considered to be lower in quality than their brass counterparts, but they’re still impressive in terms of strength. They’re also lightweight, making the hoses easier to handle. Plus, their relative affordability makes them attractive.
That being said, don’t go for aluminum fittings that are too cheap or from unreliable brands because their performance, especially in wet conditions, will disappoint.
Finally, we have plastic fittings. They’re the most affordable. Of course, they don’t last that long, so don’t buy a hose with plastic fittings unless you’re on a really tight budget and don’t care about the hose’s longevity.
Length and Weight
In terms of hose length, expandable hoses range from 10 to 200 feet in length, which leaves a lot of options to choose from. The most popular choices are 25 to 50 for everyday use.
The best advantage of an expanding hose is that it shrinks to a much smaller size when not in use, which makes storing it away much easier than a regular hose. However, in order to reach its maximum, you need to provide the hose with enough water flow for it to expand.
An expandable hose’s weight almost doesn’t matter because they’re all lightweight anyway, or at least when you compare them to conventional hoses. What truly distinguishes an expandable hose’s weight from another is the type of fittings it has. A hose with brass fittings will feel heavier but perform better than one with plastic fittings.
Nozzle
The majority of expandable hoses come with a free nozzle. Nonetheless, a free hose nozzle rarely performs as well as the ones that we purchase separately.
Nozzles come in a variety of styles that target different applications. So, go for a hose with different spray settings to get the most out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions that people have:
Are Expandable Garden Hoses Any Good?
Of course. Unlike conventional hoses, expandable garden hoses don’t tangle or twist, which means their usage is much less tiring. They expand with water then contract to their original size when not in use, saving you a whole lot of space for storage.
They’re also pretty lightweight compared to conventional hoses. Finally, they work great with high water pressure, which makes them the best at cleaning your car or windows.
Why Do Expandable Hoses Break?
Most expandable hoses have instructions that prolong their lifespan, such as not to leave the hose under sunlight when not in use or not to expose it to sharp objects. Unfortunately, these instructions go unnoticed by most users until a problem arises.
The best way to prevent an expandable hose from breaking is to buy one from a reputable brand and read the instructions beforehand.
Can You Fix an Expandable Hose?
Definitely, you can fix an expandable hose. While it’s challenging because you can’t just patch it up like you would a traditional hose, it’s still repairable. Start by identifying the kind of problem you’re dealing with.
It’ll most probably be a leaky fitting, which you can fix using a garden hose repair kit or a leaky middle, which will force you to remove the outer and inner cores of the hose and use connectors to put the hose back together.
Does a Longer Hose Reduce Water Pressure?
Yes. Typically, when you get a longer hose, you’ll need to increase the water pressure in order to maintain it as it would be with a shorter hose. The reason is that water kind of loses its momentum traveling long distances inside a long hose. So, a short hose may be inconvenient when it can’t reach where it should, but it has higher water pressure than a longer one.
Before you buy a hose, ask yourself whether your priority is high water pressure or accessibility to distant areas.
Can You Connect 2 Expandable Hoses Together?
Yes, you can connect two or more hoses, expandable or conventional, together under the condition that you have the right fit. Any garden hose connection needs a male connector of a hose to attach to a female connector of another. If you’re missing one of them, you can install a new one.
Final Words
- The latex core is the most popular material because it’s affordable, lightweight, flexible, and durable.
- A high number of cores means maximum durability, while a low number of cores means flexibility and ease of use.
- Brass fittings are the only way to go for anti-leaking and rust-resistant properties.
- Longer hoses need higher water pressure and vice versa.
