5 Best Lightweight Garden Hoses For Easy Watering

Your garden hose can either make or break your garden maintaining experience.

Watering your plants can take a while, and if you live in a dry climate with little to no rainfall, chances are you’ll need to do it frequently. And since you’ll have to carry your garden hose for prolonged periods, you don’t want to strain your muscles by using a heavy garden hose.

In this guide, we’ve reviewed some of the best lightweight garden hoses for easy watering, so stick around.

• Flexi Hose - Best Overall
• J&B XpandaHose
• Water Right 400 Series
• Zero-G Hose - Very Durable
• Gilmour Flexogen - Great Quality

You may also like:

• Best Garden Hose
• Best Garden Hose Nozzle
• Best Garden Hose Reel

Best Lightweight Garden Hoses Reviewed

There are countless garden hoses on the market, and we can totally see how overwhelming it’d be for you to pick one. Worry not, because we’ve done the research for you and created a shortlist of just 6 garden hoses for you to choose from.

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what each of these garden hoses has to offer in terms of weight, weather resistance, and durability.

Tip: The weight of your hose isn’t the only thing you should keep in mind. Make sure that its length and diameter are suitable for your garden, too!

Flexi Hose - Best Overall

Amazon 

Let’s kickstart our list with the Flexi Hose, one of the most lightweight garden hoses on the market. What makes this hose stand out from the crowd, other than its weight, is that it automatically expands to up to 3 times its length when filled with water. This makes it easier for you to store the hose without having to settle for a shorter one.

On top of that, this expandable water hose can withstand temperatures between 41-113 °F with utter grace. It can even tolerate pressures as high as 12 Bar.

Moving on to the materials, the Flexi Hose boasts a 3750D elastic outer fabric for maximum durability and puncture resistance.

Pros

Very lightweight

Expanding hose design (up to 3 times its size)

High temperature and water pressure tolerance

Made of high-quality materials

Available in 3 sizes (50 FT, 75 FT, and 100FT)

Cons

Not very durable compared to other hoses

J&B XpandaHose

The J&B XpandaHose is a lightweight, expandable garden hose that weighs just 3.5 lbs without sacrificing durability. This garden hose is available in 3 sizes: 50 FT, 75 FT, and 100 FT.

Since this is an expandable garden hose, its actual size when not filled with water is much smaller. For example, the size of the 100 FT model is actually somewhere around 33 FT when empty.

Made of 3750D with a 4-layer latex core, the J&B XpandaHose can definitely withstand some abuse. Additionally, the hose is equipped with a 10-setting nozzle that lets you change the water pattern.

Pros

Super duper lightweight

High-strength brass connectors

10-setting hose nozzle

Expandable hose design, available in 3 sizes

Lifetime warranty which is awesome

Cons

Some connector-related issues when creating a multi-hose setup

Water Right 400 Series

Amazon 

Searching for a premium, slim, and lightweight hose? The Water Right 400 Series might just be what you’re looking for. It weighs just 4.06 lbs, so you can easily water your plants without straining your muscles.

Made of toxin-free polyurethane resin, the Water Right 400 Series hose is super-strong and flexible. Say goodbye to punctures, knitting, and leaks; this hose is tougher than it looks.

This garden hose is offered in 4 different lengths, but the hose diameter is the same (7/16”). The fittings are made of brass, so rest assured that it won’t leak at the connection sites.

Pros

Excellent weather resistance

Durable brass coupler

Spray nozzle has 9 settings

Reasonable price

Comes with a storage bag

Cons

Heavier than the others

Zero-G Hose - Very Durable

Amazon 

Having to buy a new garden hose every couple of years doesn’t sound very persuasive, and that’s where the Zero-G hose comes into action. This hose is one of the most durable garden hoses out there!

Made of vinyl, the Zero-G hose flaunts impressive leak, puncture, and abrasion resistance. And despite its high strength, the Zero-G hose weighs just 4 lbs.

It’s also worth noting that the Zero-G vinyl hose is non-expandable. Its 50 FT length doesn’t change whether it’s filled with water or not. This may help with kinking, but it could make it harder for you to store it.

Pros

Durable construction

Leak and puncture resistance

Can withstand 600 PSI+ pressure

Very lightweight

Cons

Non-retractable design could impose some storage challenges

Gilmour Flexogen - Great Quality

Amazon 

The Gilmour Flexogen boasts an 8-layer construction and a sturdy core with double polyester cord reinforcement, meaning that you won’t have to deal with kinking without neglecting durability and weight. This high-quality hose flaunts a 600 PSI burst strength; you’ll have a hard time trying to puncture it.

The icing on top is that it’s equipped with crush-resistant heavy-duty hose couplings with O-rings for leak prevention. It also has a stainless steel spring which further enhances its kinking resistance. Not to mention, the hose remains flexible at subfreezing temperatures.

The Gilmour Flexogen is available in 3 lengths: 50 FT. 75 FT, and 100 FT.

Pros

Very lightweight

Excellent kinking resistance

Crush resistant couplings

Stainless steel spring

Cons

Available in 1 color only

How to Choose a Lightweight Garden Hose

Material Types

Contrary to popular belief, not all garden hoses are made of rubber. And while rubber is the most common garden hose material, there are other popular materials used in making garden hoses, and we’re going to explore what we like and what we don’t like about each material in the following sections:

Rubber Tubes

As we’ve mentioned, rubber is a pretty common garden hose material, and we can see why. Since rubber is elastic, a rubber hose almost never kinks or twists. Not to mention, it’s quite durable. Any traditional hose is mostly made of rubber.

Some manufacturers layer their rubber garden hoses with foam and add a layer of wrapped or woven nylon to boost durability.

Vinyl Cores

Vinyl cores are lightweight, which is why many manufacturers have started adopting these materials in their garden hose designs. However, they’re not very strong, which is why they’re usually wrapped with woven nylon for extra protection.

Thermoplastic Elastomer

A thermoplastic elastomer is a combination of rubber, polypropylene, and plastic. Garden hoses made of this material are very flexible and can withstand some pretty tough conditions. You should expect your thermoplastic elastomer garden hose to last for a very long time if you take good care of it.

Polyurethane Resins

Polyurethane resin garden hoses are very lightweight and display desirable properties like high strength and flexibility. Sometimes, polyurethane resins are combined with other materials to make a garden hose.

Polyurethane resins are usually considered “hybrid” materials that have the good properties of both rubber and plastic. Garden hoses made of these materials are usually expensive, though.

Polymers

Polymers have recently gained some popularity as garden hose materials. One of the main advantages of polymers is that they’re super flexible, so you don’t have to worry about twisting or knotting disrupting the water flow. They’re also pretty lightweight.

Polymer garden hoses are designed differently according to how you’re going to use the garden hose and the surrounding environment.

And while polymers have a decent level of resistance to high/low temperatures and high pressure, a hose made of these materials won’t be as tough as a metal hose.

Hose Fittings

There’s no denying that hose fittings are more important than the hose itself. Low-quality fittings will ultimately cause your hose to leak at the intersections with the water source or the nozzle. Here are some of the most popular fittings materials and why you should or shouldn’t pick one of them:

Brass Fittings

Brass fittings are super durable. They’re probably the go-to choice for those who prioritize longevity. Not to mention, they don’t stick to connections, making it easy for you to detach them. There’s a catch, though; a brass connector can be heavy, which is why some manufacturers have started replacing them with other, lighter alternatives.

Stainless Steel Fittings

Stainless steel fittings offer the perfect balance between weight and durability. They can resist rust and corrosion pretty well. Additionally, many people use stainless steel fittings to connect multiple hoses together.

They’re not very common, though. Most people who use stainless steel fittings have bought them separately to replace the OEM fittings.

Aluminum Fittings

Aluminum fittings are the most lightweight fittings you can get. They’re also quite tough, but not as tough as stainless steel fittings. When wet, aluminum fittings may deform if impacted with a stronger metal.

Aluminum fittings can be difficult to disengage from faucets at times, which is why manufacturers usually add a layer of nickel to reduce friction.

Hose Sizes (Width and Length)

The width of your hose primarily depends on your gardening needs. Obviously, the thicker your hose, the more water it can hold. This comes at the price of some extra weight, though.

As for the hose length, longer hoses are usually preferable for large gardens since you’ll need a hose that can be extended to farther distances.

Weather Resistance

When deciding on a new garden hose, make sure that it’s capable of resisting bad weather conditions. Materials behave differently in variable weather conditions. For example, stainless can get brittle in extremely cold weather.

Usage

The way you’re going to use your garden hose should shape up your decision about its width and length. For light usage, a garden hose with a small width would be ideal.

On the other hand, if you need a garden hose that can withstand some heavy-duty gardening, you might want to consider getting one with a large diameter.

The hose’s length primarily depends on the size of your garden. A small garden won’t likely require a very long hose. In fact, using a long hose in a small garden will likely cause it to kink.

Kinking

Garden hoses with small diameters are more prone to kinking than their thicker counterparts. So, if kinking is a big irritation in your book, you’re better off going with a garden hose with a large hose diameter. It’s also worth noting that longer hoses are more likely to kink since you won’t have much control over its full length.

Who Makes the Best Lightweight Garden Hose?

Flexi Hose makes some of the world’s lightest garden hoses out there. J&B comes at a close second. There are other manufacturers who make lightweight garden hoses, but these two seem to offer a great well-rounded experience by being lightweight while also maintaining a decent level of durability.

Not all lightweight garden hoses are going to last you 5-8 years of moderate use; that’s a fact!

Are Stainless Steel Garden Hoses Better Than Rubber?

One of the primary advantages of stainless steel garden hoses over their rubber counterparts is that they have more tolerance to cold weather conditions. However, in extremely cold weather, rubber hoses have the upper edge since their rubber is more durable than the rubber tubes found inside stainless steel hoses.

It’s also worth noting that stainless steel hoses may corrode when exposed to saltwater.

What's Heavier, Stainless Steel or Rubber?

This might sound confusing, but rubber garden hoses tend to be heavier than stainless steel ones. But how can a soft material like rubber be heavier than stainless steel? The answer is simply because rubber hoses are thicker than stainless steel hoses since you need a thick cross-section to prevent rupture.

How Long Should a Garden Hose Last?

A garden hose can potentially last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on how durable it is and how frequently you use it. Generally speaking, the higher quality your garden hose is, the longer it’ll last. You should also maintain your hose by turning off the water and letting it drain after every use.

It’s also recommended that you avoid dragging it by the spray nozzle because this can wear out the nozzle connection and cause leakage.

Are Flexible Garden Hoses Any Good?

It depends. Some flexible garden hoses are almost on par with their non-flexible counterparts, while others tend to be less favorable. A good flexible garden hose should resist bursting and kinking. It should also be able to maintain a stable water flow even when folded or knotted.

Conclusion

To recap, the Flexi Hose is undoubtedly the best lightweight garden hose out there. Here are some of its perks:

• Easy to carry around
• Good temperature resistance
• Expandable

You can also get the Water Right hose if you need a slimmer one. Finally, consider going for the Craftsman Premium if you’re on a budget.