A garden hose is essential for watering the garden. A water hose reel is very suitable so that you can store it properly when not in use. There are various versions that can be mounted on the wall, roll out the water hose automatically or have one integrated. Read our guide to find out which criteria will help you identify the water hose reel that is right for your garden and which product features are important when making a purchase.
With a water hose reel, you can keep more order in the garden
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Gardena wall-mounted hose box 35 roll-up automatic: pivoting hose reel, 35 m Gardena quality hose, short locking stops, incl. wall bracket, system parts and syringe (8024-20)
358.12 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| length | 68.6 centimeters |
| broad | 27.9 centimeters |
| height | 55.9 centimeters |
| Weight | 9 kilograms |
| special feature | wall mounting |
The wall hose box from the brand manufacturer Gardena is one of the most popular products in this segment, as well over 10,000 satisfied customer reviews on Amazon show. In addition, you not only get flexible and space-saving storage for your garden hose, but also a high-quality water hose with a length of 35 meters and a diameter of 13 millimeters. The wall bracket with screws, dowels and an assembly aid is also included in the price. The garden hose is rolled up automatically, safely and reliably thanks to the centrifugal brake and the hose guide integrated in the hose box. In addition, the box is equipped with a transport handle and can be swiveled by 180 degrees.
our recommendation
KESSER hose reel 15+2m hose reel water | Multi hand shower | 180° rotatable | Rewind Stopper | Wall mount | wall hose box | water hose reel | garden hose | blue
EUR 70.80 To the product| material | Plastic (polypropylene, PVC) |
|---|---|
| length | 50 centimeters |
| broad | 20 centimeters |
| height | 42 centimeters |
| Weight | k. A |
| special feature | wall mounting |
Kesser also has a practical hose box that can be mounted on the wall, which is supplied with a garden hose that is either 15, 20 or 30 meters long. Furthermore, a connection hose, a hand shower, a hose nozzle and the wall bracket along with assembly material are included in the delivery. Thanks to the many functions of the Kesser water hose reel, such as the automatic reel and centrifugal brake, the garden hose can be easily extended to the required length and reeled in again when not in use - no cranking necessary. The wall bracket allows the hose box to be swiveled 180 degrees so that you can reach every corner of the garden. In winter, however, the box and hose should be removed and stored in a frost-free place.
our recommendation
Gardena Classic Wall Hose Reel 50 Set: Mobile hose reel, can be mounted on the wall to save space and removed at any time, with 20 m hose, nozzle and system parts (8009-20)
48.89 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| length | 39.14 centimeters |
| broad | 45.57 centimeters |
| height | 39.14 centimeters |
| Weight | approx. 4 kilograms |
| special feature | Wall mounting, drip stop |
On the other hand, if you want a water hose reel that is flexible to use, you are making a good decision with this hose reel from Gardena. This can be locked on the wall, but can be removed at any time for mobile use. You can also simply place the drum on the ground: Thanks to its triangular construction, the product is stable and cannot tip over. The hose reel also scores with an integrated drip stop, so that no more water can run out after the tap is turned off. The scope of delivery includes not only the wall hose reel, but also a garden hose of 20 meters in length, a spray gun and the wall bracket along with screws and dowels.
Purchase Criteria
Types of water hose reels
There are basically two different types of water hose reels: mobile and stationary. Mobile reels (also known as hose reels) can be carried and placed where needed. So you are not dependent on a single water source, but can carry the reel to the nearest water tap and connect it there. A stationary water hose reel, on the other hand, also known as a hose box, is mounted in a fixed place (e.g. on a wall) and requires a water connection there.
roll-up mechanism
There are three different ways to roll up the garden hose. Water hose reels that are operated manually - for example with a crank - are the cheapest. This mechanism is often found in mobile hose reels. Stationary hose boxes, on the other hand, usually offer automatic winding, with some (particularly expensive) models even being supported by an electric motor. A push of a button is all it takes to unroll the desired hose length.
hose routing
Another important purchase criterion, especially for hose boxes with automatic reeling, is a hose guide. This ensures that the garden hose is distributed evenly on the drum and is not compressed anywhere. This reduces the water pressure unless the entire hose is rolled up and thus hinders watering. In addition, even winding of the hose means that the material is protected and lasts longer.
garden hose
Often you don't buy the water hose reel alone, but together with a suitable garden hose. Some manufacturers give you the option of choosing between different lengths. How long the garden hose should be depends on the type of reel (mobile or stationary?) and on the size of the garden. Mobile hose reels usually don't hold as much hose as a stationary box - they don't have to because they can be connected to different water sources. When purchasing a single hose box, make sure it is large enough for the length of hose you want.
connection system
Before you decide on a specific hose reel with garden hose, you should check whether the connection system that may already be available fits. Different manufacturers usually have certain plug-in or screw systems that are only compatible with each other. This is the case, for example, with Gardena (and other brands as well). The hose diameter should also be compatible with the dimensions of the connection. Most connection systems are made of plastic, but metal models are more durable (and also much more expensive). However, these are mainly used in the professional sector. Since plastic is often not frost-resistant, you should put the hose reel together with the hose and connection in the winter quarters before the first frost.
product quality
The garden hose and the reel are used daily in the summer months and are therefore often exposed to high loads. So that you can enjoy your irrigation system (€32.95) for a long time and do not have to keep buying spare parts or new hoses, you should rely on proven brand quality. Although this is initially more expensive to buy, it lasts longer than many no-name cheap products. You also have the advantage of using a brand system that all parts fit together and you can get replacements at any time if necessary.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Why do you need a water hose reel?
Quite simply: A water hose reel ensures order in the garden. With a reel or a box, you can stow the garden hose to save space and thus ensure that nobody stumbles over a hose that has been left lying around. But a hose reel is not only a sensible investment for reasons of order: rolled up and put away, the hose is not exposed to environmental influences that damage the material (e.g. sunlight) or other causes of damage (e.g. gnawing by wild animals such as martens). How to extend the life of your garden hose.
Which manufacturers offer high-quality hose boxes and reels?
Well-known manufacturers of garden hose systems and thus of water hose reels are, for example, Gardena, Kärcher, Kesser or Güde. When purchasing, it is important to ensure that the reel, hose and fittings are a matched (i.e. are from the same manufacturer). Otherwise it can happen that the individual parts are not compatible with each other or are simply leaking. If the connectors do not fit 100% together, water will leak out.
How much does a garden hose reel cost?
How much you pay for your water hose reel depends entirely on the manufacturer and the system. In principle, manually operated drums are cheaper than, for example, hose boxes for the wall that work automatically. In addition, reels are more expensive the longer the hose to be reeled up and the more functions they have. The price range is between about 15 and up to 300 EUR.
Where can you buy water hose reels?
You can buy hose holders in the large internet department stores such as Amazon as well as in garden centers and hardware stores (both stationary and online) such as Bauhaus, Toom, Obi, Hagebau, Hornbach etc. You will also find corresponding offers in the garden center (e.g. at Dehner). Be sure to compare prices, as the same product can be available at different prices from different suppliers.
Do I absolutely have to put the hose reel inside in winter?
All garden hose systems with connecting parts made of plastic must be stored in a frost-free place before winter. The reason lies in the residual water, which always remains in hoses and other hose components, freezes at sub-zero temperatures and can make the hose leaky. The same applies to hose boxes and reels, which may have to be removed in autumn.
What should be considered when mounting hose boxes on the wall?
When mounting a hose box on the wall, you should heed the following information:
- Location near a water connection
- The drum must be able to move freely and must not be blocked
- Do not mount the drum too low
- not too high, otherwise the water pressure is too low
It is also possible that the mounting material supplied is unsuitable for your surface and you will therefore have to obtain screws and nuts that are more suitable.