A water hose is part of the basic equipment of every gardener. It is used to water the lawn, the flower beds and the trees and bushes in the green oasis. The garden hose has to withstand a lot - from regular unrolling and rolling up to twisting and kinking. Find out which features characterize a high-quality water hose.
You can enjoy a good water hose for a long time
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Gardena Comfort FLEX hose 13 mm (1/2 inch), 10 m: dimensionally stable, flexible garden hose with power grip profile, made of high-quality spiral fabric, 25 bar bursting pressure, without system parts (18030-20)
14.78 EUR To the product| material | PVC (free of harmful substances) |
|---|---|
| reinforcement | yes (spiral weave) |
| inner diameter | 1/2" (13mm) |
| length | 10 m |
| bursting pressure | 25 bars |
| price/m | approx. EUR {PRICE/10} |
You can read a lot of good things about the Comfort FLEX hose from Gardena on Amazon. For the most part, the reviewers describe the water hose as being of convincing quality. It should be functional, easy to use and durable. The properties also speak for this: The garden hose is made of non-toxic PVC, is ten meters long and has a bursting pressure of 25 bar, which is associated with a pronounced robustness. A few critics accuse the model of buckling. However, it is reasonable to assume that these customers either received a "Monday product" or did not treat the hose appropriately.
our recommendation
Kärcher 2.645-138.0 hose PrimoFlex (1/2 inch, 20 m)
14.49 EUR To the product| material | PVC (free of harmful substances) |
|---|---|
| reinforcement | yes (3 layers) |
| inner diameter | 1/2" (13mm) |
| length | 20 m |
| bursting pressure | 24 bars |
| price/m | approx. EUR {PRICE/20} |
As far as the basic characteristics are concerned, the PrimoFlex hose from Kärcher is similar to the Gardena version that took first place in our comparison. If you have to cover longer distances in the garden, you will benefit from this 20 meter long water hose. For most Amazon reviewers, the hose is "cheap and sturdy." Apparently it only bends or twists if you don't unroll it properly. Otherwise, the customer can look forward to a flexible and lightweight casting partner for relatively little money.
our recommendation
Gardena Classic hose 13 mm (1/2 inch), 30 m: universal garden hose made of robust cross fabric, 22 bar bursting pressure, pressure and UV resistant (18009-20)
24.54 EUR To the product| material | PVC (free of harmful substances) |
|---|---|
| reinforcement | yes (cross weave) |
| inner diameter | 1/2" (13mm) |
| length | 30 m |
| bursting pressure | 22 bars |
| price/m | approx. EUR {PRICE/30} |
This Gardena classic is recommended for all gardeners who need a particularly long water hose but do not want to invest too much and are therefore satisfied with solid workmanship. In contrast to the Comfort FLEX hose from the same manufacturer, the Gardena Classic hose is reinforced with a cross fabric. This presents itself as stable, but not quite as resistant as a spiral mesh. Accordingly, you should be a little more careful with the Classic model. However, numerous reviewers report that they are not exactly squeamish with the garden hose and still have an intact garden helper at their side.
Purchase Criteria
material
Water hoses are usually made of plastic - such as PVC, polyethylene, polyurethane and/or silicone. Synthetic rubber (EPDM, NBR, SBR and so on) or natural rubber is also often used to make garden hoses. Ultimately, the processing is decisive for whether the hose is robust and resistant. In any case, it must be tested for or free of harmful substances. It must not contain any harmful plasticizers or heavy metals.
build quality
Pay attention to good workmanship. In addition to the features that the manufacturer specifies in the general product description, you should also take a close look at customer reviews and honest test reports. The water hose of your choice must be in the widest possible temperature range
- pliable and accordingly flexible,
- kink-proof or kink-free and
- non-rotating
being.
Wall thickness: A high wall thickness is essential. A water hose that is fiber-reinforced on the inside normally fulfills this criterion - and as a result is also characterized by a high level of resilience. Spiral high-tech fibers are ideal. With a dense spiralization of the fibers, the garden hose is particularly flexible and easy to use.
inner diameter
The inner diameter of the hose determines the flow rate. The wider the water hose, the more water flows through it at the same time. The dimension is usually given in inches, but sometimes also in DN (diameter nominal) with the millimeter value.
- ¼ inch (6.3 mm) for (very) small gardens
- ½ inch (12.7 mm) for small to medium sized gardens (standard)
- ¾ inch (19mm) for large gardens
- from 1 inch (25.4 mm) for agriculture
length
How long the water hose should be depends primarily on how large the garden area to be watered is. Most garden hoses are between 10 and 50 meters long.
tips
So-called flexible hoses are trendy. These are expandable garden hoses that only expand to their maximum length as soon as water flows through them. After turning off the tap, these water hoses contract again so that they take up less space than conventional garden hoses.
working pressure (bursting pressure)
For most water hoses, the maximum possible working pressure, also known as bursting pressure or bursting pressure, is between 20 and 30 bar. In German households, the water pressure generally does not exceed 10 bar. Therefore, you do not normally have to worry about this point. Attention: If the water pressure used exceeds the value specified by the manufacturer, the hose can burst, i.e. tear or burst.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a water hose?
A water hose, also known as a garden hose, makes the watering can in the garden superfluous. The flexible line is connected to the tap in the green oasis and usually also connected to a shower, which enables different spray patterns so that every garden area and every plant can be ideally watered.
Which brands offer good water hoses?
The best known and most popular brands for water hoses include Gardena, Kärcher and Geka.
Where is the best place to buy a water hose?
Water hoses are available in all hardware stores and garden centers. If you want a large range of hoses from well-known manufacturers, an online order with a relatively fixed delivery date and purchase on account as a convenient payment method, Amazon is the right place for you.
How much does a water hose cost?
Simple water hoses are available from around 50 cents per meter - also from top brands such as Gardena or Kärcher. Particularly high-quality versions often cost at least one euro per meter - or more. According to this, you usually pay upwards of ten euros for a first-class garden hose with a length of ten metres.
How do I prevent my water hose from kinking?
It is best to roll out the water hose straightly as soon as you receive it. With this simple measure, you can prevent prominent kinks from forming with the right inserts. It is also advisable to order a hose reel or hose trolley for the water hose so that the hose can be rolled up easily and cleanly.
How do I properly care for my water hose?
Do not expose your water hose to intense sunlight for too long - this also applies to UV-resistant models. In winter you should empty it completely and store it away from frost, otherwise it can become porous. If possible, roll the hose onto a hose reel to avoid kinks and twists.
equipment
spray nozzle/shower
In order to be able to use the water hose in as many ways as possible, you should also order a spray nozzle or garden sprayer. It generally enables several functions and, as a result, different spray patterns for different plants. Consider this criterion when comparing nozzles. It is important that the selected attachment harmonizes with the hose connection (diameter).
our recommendation
Gardena Premium Multi-Shower: garden spray for watering and cleaning, 5 spray patterns, dirt filter, permanent lock, robust, frost protection (18317-20)
25.19 EUR To the producthose trolley
A hose cart is useful if you have a very large garden and/or are physically challenged. You can simply roll up the water hose onto it and push it from A to B relatively effortlessly. In addition, the trolley with the drum acts as a storage utensil for the garden hose. We recommend a hose trolley, especially for hoses that are 30 meters or more in length.
our recommendation
WOLF-Garten - hose trolley WS 50 Z; 5222000
70.96 EUR To the productadapter
Do the connections of hose and water tap or hose and garden shower not match? Then you can simply use an adapter that is used as a connector and enables the coupling of the respective parts. Such adapters do not cost much. But make sure it is of good quality.
our recommendation