Choosing the right garden hose depends on your needs, whether it's for lawn care, container gardening, or cleaning tasks. To find the best options, we tested 30 garden hoses in our Lab, evaluating design, ease of use, durability, and value. We also consulted experts like Erin Schanen from The Impatient Gardener and Gary McCoy, a Lowe’s store manager, for guidance.

As Schanen explains, “No hose fits every situation perfectly. It’s about balancing convenience, durability, price, and features. A higher-quality hose may cost more, but it will last longer and be less frustrating to use.”

Check out our top picks and expert tips to help you choose the best garden hose for your needs.

1. Best Overall: Flexzilla Garden Hose

• The Flexzilla Garden Hose is an excellent all-purpose option for daily watering tasks. Made from a flexible hybrid polymer, it’s easy to maneuver around obstacles like patio furniture. We found that its kink-resistant design really works, and it straightens out smoothly when unwound from the reel. However, it’s one of the heavier hoses on our list, especially when fully filled with water.
• The anodized aluminum couplings feature an easy-grip coating, making them simple to attach to the spigot and drag across the yard. Its bright lime green color also makes it easy to spot in your garden. Plus, the hybrid polymer material is drinking-safe, so you can safely fill your pet’s bowl or even take a sip from the hose. While it doesn’t have the highest burst strength on the market, it’s more than sufficient for regular watering.

Material: Hybrid polymer | Length: 50, 75, or 100 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Weight: 8 pounds | Couplings: Anodized aluminum | Maximum Pressure: 150 PSI

2. Best Heavy-Duty: Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose

• Polyurethane is a newer material in the garden hose market, but it's quickly gaining popularity for its light weight, flexibility, and impressive durability. The Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose is touted as the "most durable garden hose available" by the manufacturer, boasting resistance to punctures, kinks, crushing, and abrasion. You can easily drag it across rough surfaces like rocks or asphalt without worrying about damage. Interestingly, it’s made from the same material used in in-line skate wheels, which speaks to its toughness.
• In our tests, the hose stayed kink-free and was much lighter than traditional rubber hoses. It comes with lead-free brass fittings and is drink-safe. However, the hose we tested was a bit short for practical use, although it’s available in lengths ranging from 6.5 feet to 200 feet. Keep in mind, this hose is significantly pricier than our Best Overall pick, making it more suitable for those with frequent or heavy-duty watering needs. The 10-year warranty provides extra peace of mind.

Material: Polyurethane | Length: 6.5, 12, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, or 200 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Weight: 1 to 28 pounds | Couplings: Brass | Maximum Pressure: 150 PSI

3. Best Rubber: Briggs and Stratton Heavy-Duty Garden Hose

• For heavy-duty use, rubber hoses offer excellent durability at a more affordable price compared to polyurethane options. Despite its reputation for being heavy, we found this hose easy to maneuver, even when it’s full of water.
• The rubber material is tough, and it held up well when dragged across rocks, grass, and even a rake. It comes in four lengths, from 25 to 100 feet, making it a great fit for various spaces. The nickel-plated brass couplings are sturdy and simple to attach to nozzles and spigots.
• Although the manufacturer claims it can withstand up to 200°F, we found that the black rubber heats up quickly when exposed to direct sunlight, so it’s best not to leave it out in hot weather. The black color may be harder to spot in your yard, though its neutral tone blends in well.

Material: Rubber | Length: 25, 50, 75, or 100 feet | Diameter: 5/8 inch | Weight: 4.82 pounds | Couplings: Nickel-plated brass | Maximum Pressure: Not listed

4. Best Soaker: H2O Works Garden Flat Soaker Hose

• Instead of spraying water that may evaporate before reaching the soil, this soaker hose releases water gradually through its pores, ensuring a deep, even soak for plant roots. As water seeps through, we observed condensation forming on the outside of the hose. The manufacturer claims it can deliver up to 2 gallons of water per two minutes.
• We found the hose lightweight and easy to maneuver around flower beds and pots, and it withstood being dragged across rocks and over a rake. Made from PVC with UV inhibitors, it’s designed to last even under direct sunlight.
• After three months of outdoor use, it still performed well. However, we did encounter some issues with kinking when trying to roll it back onto the reel. It's also important to avoid exceeding 60 PSI, as higher pressure could cause the hose to burst. Overall, this is an excellent choice for watering the roots of your plants without the hassle of moving a traditional hose.

Material: PVC | Length: 25 or 50 feet | Diameter: 1/2 inch | Weight: 1.8 or 3.9 pounds | Couplings: Brass | Maximum Pressure: 60 PSI

5. Best Coil: Water Right Garden Hose

• Coil hoses are perfect for watering small areas like flower beds, vegetable gardens, patios, or urban container gardens, as they save you from hauling around a full-size hose. This one is not only lightweight and easy to carry but also rebounds into its original shape for hassle-free storage—no need to manually coil it back onto a reel.
• What sets this hose apart is its durable, UV-stabilized polyurethane material, which is flexible, puncture-resistant, and lightweight. The lead-free brass couplings are sturdy and lasted through three months of use. The design is also unique, featuring straight tail ends that make it easier to direct the water flow and attach it to the spigot. Plus, it's safe to drink from. However, the 3/8-inch diameter may limit the water flow, so it’s best used for low-pressure watering.

Material: Polyurethane | Length: 25, 50, or 75 feet | Diameter: 3/8 inch | Weight: 2, 3.4, or 4.6 pounds | Couplings: Brass | Maximum Pressure: 50 PSI

Pro Tips for Buying the Best Garden Hose

Types

Choosing the right hose involves balancing factors like durability, flexibility, and price. There are several types to consider:

• Standard Hoses: Great for all-purpose tasks like watering and cleaning, but can kink and need to be coiled. Heavy-duty options are better for hot water and constant use.
• Expandable Hoses: Compact and lightweight, these hoses expand when filled with water and shrink when not in use. However, they’re more prone to rips and snags.
• Soaker Hoses: Best for delivering water directly to roots with minimal waste. These hoses can be buried or pinned down but require attention to stay in place.
• Coil Hoses: Ideal for small areas, these hoses retract into a coil for easy storage but are typically shorter and may get tangled.

Materials

• Polyurethane: Lightweight, durable, and resistant to kinking, though pricier than rubber.
• Rubber: Durable and affordable but heavier, especially when filled with water.
• Vinyl: Lightweight and inexpensive but not as durable and more prone to kinking.
• Stainless Steel: Known for its rust-resistance and enhanced durability, often used in high-quality hoses.

Size Considerations

• Diameter: 5/8-inch is standard, balancing water flow and ease of use. Larger diameters offer better pressure but add weight.
• Length: Choose a hose long enough to reach your watering areas without excess. Water pressure reduces with longer hoses.
• Weight: Heavier hoses are usually more durable but harder to handle, so pick one you’re comfortable using.

Burst Strength

Measured in PSI, burst strength indicates how much pressure a hose can handle before breaking. Higher PSI means more durability.

Couplings

The fittings at the end of the hose are crucial. Brass or plated brass fittings last longer than aluminum or plastic, which are lighter but less durable.