How To Get The Best Retractable Hose Reel – Reviews And Buying Guide 2018
If you’re a homeowner and own a gardening hose, chances are you’re tired of constantly having to bring it outside to use it and then having to pack it up for storage. What’s your alternative? To just leave it outside, stretched out across your lawn? Not really, because hoses tend to crack in the sun. You could consider getting a retractable hose reel, though.
We’re here to help you pick out the best retractable hose reel for your household’s needs.
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Things You Should Know Before Buying Automatic Garden Hose Reel Or Auto Rewind Garden Hose Reel
If you’re aware that retractable hose reels cost significantly more than the semi-manual and manual reels, you might be wondering: Why don’t I just choose the cheaper option? Because in the long run, a unit that automatically rewinds will save you a lot of effort and time – you won’t have to do anything manually.
Consider the length of the hose
We’re sure you’re well aware that you need to take the size of your yard into account when deciding on the length of the hose. They come in a wide range of lengths, but you need to remember that getting a longer one means paying more. Also, the longer the hose, the higher the chances are of getting lower water pressure coming out at the end.
Important Advice: Locate the tap you plan to use as a water source for your hose; preferably, it should be one where you can also mount the retractable hose reel on the wall. To determine the length you’ll need, measure the distance from the spigot to the farthest point of your property and get a hose that is just a bit longer than that – this will make sure you don’t need to pull on the hose and risk damaging it that way.
Good To Know: One of the advantages of retractable hose reels is that most of them are made to be mounted on the wall, and as we said earlier, to make the use of the hose easier, you should install it as near to a tap as possible.
How fast does it retract?
A feature you should look for in a retractable hose is a slow rewind. Most of these are spring-loaded models, so once you trigger the retracting mechanism, it will begin to retract to the housing; opt for a model that will rewind slowly, and not snap right back.
Take Notice: If you don’t take care of your retractable hose, the spring mechanism might break, and your retractable hose might not retract anymore. That can happen if you pull on the hose even when you’ve reached the limit – that’s why you need to take the size of your yard into account before making a purchase.
Does it have a stopper?
Another feature you’ll find to be useful is the hose stopper – it will stop the tube from retracting back into the housing entirely. That way, when you hit the rewind mechanism, the hose will retract up to a certain point set by you.
5 Best Automatic Hose Reel Or Self Winding Garden Hose Reel Reviews
1. FLO MASTER Retractable Hose Reel
A Popular, Budget-Friendly Option
Via: Amazon.com
If you’ve ever had a discussion with a neighbor about retractable hose reels and which one you should get, the name RL Flo-Master 65HR8 probably popped up at some point. It’s no wonder though because it has all the qualities we’ve previously mentioned.
This retractable hose reel has a slow rewind and, on top of that, it is equipped with a stopper, too. Because of the sturdy bracket, the unit is mountable; a huge plus is that the bracket allows you to remove the hose reel and there’s even a handle for easier transportation.
There have been some complaints that the reel stops retracting entirely after a while or that it just has some issues with pulling in the last couple of feet.
With all its features, this model is the go-to option for a lot of households out there. If you’re a homeowner with a yard that can easily be covered by a 65 feet long hose, then you should probably stop looking any further.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
2. GARDENA Retractable Hose Reel 82-Feet With Convenient Hose Guide
The Most Expensive Model On The List
Via: Amazon.com
When it comes to Gardena’s retractable hose reel, one thing’s for sure – it’s the most expensive model on our list. It’s clear that we’re dealing with a well-built unit; even though it’s plastic and lightweight (compared to some other models on the list), it still leaves you with the impression that it’s rather sturdy and durable.
There are two downsides to this model; the first one is its price, which isn’t budget-friendly at all, and the other one is the fact that you’ll need to get mounting hardware on your own because the package doesn’t include it.
All in all, we would recommend this retractable hose to those who are not afraid of spending a bit more money on a gardening hose – if your budget allows it, go for this model. Also, the length is something to keep in mind; those of you with bigger yards will appreciate the 82 feet long hose.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
3. HOSELINK Retractable Hose Reel 82 feet with Metal 7-Function Spray Gun
Easily Lengthened And Easily Locked
Via: Amazon.com
Another rather popular choice when it comes to retractable hoses, the Hoselink’s model is equipped with some great features, the most important being the locking and rewind mechanisms. For starters, the locking mechanism is known as the “stop-anywhere,” which means the hose is not only easily lengthened, but it also stays at the desired length for as long as you need it.
The automatic retraction system is activated by lightly pulling the hose. Also, the unit is easily mountable, and the bracket allows you to rotate the unit by 180 degrees.
The only concern that we have about this product is about its mobility. Even though it can be removed from the bracket, the fact that it is pretty hefty – not that you wouldn’t be able to carry it, but it surely won’t be an easy task.
Considering the weight of the unit (around 32 pounds), it’s more suitable for those users that won’t be moving it a lot.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
4. GOODYEAR 27527153G Enclosed Retractable Air Compressor/Water Hose Reel
Combination Of Air Compressor And Water Powered Hose Reel
Via: Amazon.com
This Goodyear model is made using some high-quality materials, so you’re covered regarding durability. The 50 feet long hose is a multi-functioning one – it is capable of conducting not only water but compressed air, too. That is a feature that makes it stand out on our list.
The unit is mountable, which is a standard feature with this type of hose reels, and it can be rotated by 180 degrees. The auto-guide rewind system, which is a new design feature, will make sure the hose is always retracted smoothly.
The only disadvantage that we could find is the fact that the package does not include mounting hardware, but you can solve this with a quick trip to the local hardware store where you’ll find everything you’ll need.
Because of the multi-functional nature of this model, we recommend it to more advanced users; if you don’t plan on using the hose for compressed air, there are cheaper models on the list that don’t include this feature.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Via: Amazon.com
The last model on our list is the one by SereneLife, a relatively affordable, but durable hose reel. The unit can be mounted – the entire installation process lasts only a couple of minutes. The bracket allows for a side-to-side rotation, which will follow your movement throughout the garden and even help you save some space when you’re not using the hose by positioning it sideways.
There are some issues reported with the hose not retracting all the way. It seems too rare of a problem to consider it as a downside, but we felt the need to inform you that it might happen. Also, we should mention that it’s not that lightweight, so take that into account if you plan to move it around often.
We would recommend this retractable hose reel for those who want a sturdy unit that is still somewhat affordable. Make sure the length of 65 feet suits your property’s dimensions.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Winner
Now it’s time to pronounce the winner and name the best retractable hose available on the market. We’re sure you’ve probably realized by now that all of the products we’ve picked out have their qualities and reasons to be on our list. However, there can only be one winner - the RL Flo-Master 65HR8 Retractable Hose Reel with 8 Spray Pattern Nozzle. It has all the features we deem necessary in a retractable hose.
AMAZON Best Sellers: Best Retractable Hose Reels
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