When you’re ready to go to the garden, one of the items you’ll need to bring with you is a garden hose. To avoid wasting time carrying an uncomfortable hose around all day, you’ll need to find the best garden hose reel.
With so many options, deciding which one will best suit your needs can be difficult. The Yard Butler hose reel is one of the best models on the market. It’s durable, easy to use, and has several features that make it more efficient than other products.
Here are some pointers to help you select the best hose reel for your needs:
What to Consider When Buying the Best Hose Reel
Various factors influence the best garden hose reel for watering your lawn. Some of these factors include the size of the yard as well as the length and diameter of the hose. You should also think about your ability to manually crank the hose and any extra features you might want, such as a place to store gardening tools.
Hose Capacity
When buying a hose reel, the most crucial factor to consider is the length of the hose you’ll be using. Take measurements from the water source to the areas that will be irrigated to determine the ideal size. The excess spills off a 200-foot hose on a reel with a capacity of 150 feet, the reel failing to wind correctly, or both.
Check the packaging information on both or measure your existing hose to ensure that the hose length and reel capacity are properly matched if purchasing new.
Leader Hose
Most garden hose reels include a leader hose that connects the hose reel to the fixture. Check the packaging information to ensure that the diameters match, whether you’re joining an existing hose or purchasing a new one, or you won’t be able to thread them together. A 5/8-inch garden hose, for example, will not fit on a 3/4-inch leader hose.
The length of the leader hose is determined by where it will be stored and its proximity to the water source. If the hose reel includes a 6-foot leader and you install it 4 feet from the fixture, the leader hose will be sufficient.
Automatic vs. Manual
How much effort will you put into winding your hose? To incorporate the hose on a manual hose reel, turn the crank by hand. Automatic models have a button on the side of the reel that, when pressed, automatically winds the hose. Lithium-ion batteries are typically used to power them.
Longer hoses can be challenging for automatic reels, which may struggle to wind the entire length of the hose. Automatic hose reels are more convenient, but they are more expensive than basic manual models.
Stationary vs. Portable
Hose reels can be permanently attached to a fixed location, such as the side of your house, or they can be portable and mounted on wheels or stakes. Consider the size of your landscape to determine what will work best for you. Is it a large area, or just a patch of grass and a few bushes planted near the foundation?
If you have a large yard, the mobility of a metal hose reel cart may be beneficial. Hoses are heavy and difficult to move; hose reel carts make the job easier. A garden hose stand that can be moved around the yard may be ideal for a medium-sized yard.
Alternatively, in smaller backyards where the hose quickly reaches everything in need of water, a wall-mounted unit such as a hose hanger or a storage box that remains in place should suffice.
Materials for Hose Reels
Plastic hose reels are lightweight compared to other metals, making them an excellent choice for portability and residential use. However, they are not as long-lasting as a metal reel. Plastic hose reels are available in various colors for those seeking color variety.
Aluminum reels weigh less than steel but more than plastic and fiberglass reels. When looking for a rust-resistant metal, aluminum is a good choice. Furthermore, aluminum reels can hold longer hoses than plastic reels. They are an excellent choice for heavy-duty jobs in any weather.
Steel reels are less expensive than aluminum ones but are heavier to transport. These reels are also resistant to rust and can accommodate longer hoses than plastic reels. A Liberty hose reel, for example, can hold a hose up to 300 feet in length.
Final Thoughts
When deciding on a suitable hose reel for your needs, you must consider your budget and what you need the reel for. Plastic or fiberglass is a good choice if you want something lightweight, as they are typically cheaper than aluminum reels. An aluminum reel may be more suitable for you if you need a heavy-duty reel that can hold longer hoses in various weather conditions.
Hose reels can be an excellent investment for your home, especially if you have a large yard or garden. They are also helpful in keeping hoses organized and out of the way when not in use. There are so many good options to choose from that you should be able to find one that meets your needs and matches your budget.
By following these short but helpful suggestions, you can acquire a hose storage setup for your heavy-duty hoses that will also make carrying them in your garden or yard easy. You may even find the investment worthwhile whenever summer rolls around again!
You will no longer get exhausted watering your plants because the hose will do it for you. Your plants won’t suffer from a lack of water anymore—they’ll get all they need to survive. And best of all: your hands remain clean at all times!
