In our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, we tested 26 hose reels in different sizes and styles, ranging from carts to wagons, pots, and hideaways. After a sweaty day of assembling, storing, winding, unwinding, and pushing the reels around rocks, pavement, and grass (when applicable) in our rooftop garden, we carefully evaluated the reels on setup, design, ease of use, portability, durability, and value. Our favorite hose reel is the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel. Able to store a 200-foot hose, this durable reel was incredibly easy to use (when both winding and unwinding the hose) and maneuver around different terrain, thanks to its rubber wheels and grip on the handles. Based on our testing, here are the best hose reels. We found this reel to be easy to put together (although the screws might need a little extra effort), and the aluminum frame felt well made and built to last. The reel’s rubber wheels made it easy to maneuver on different surfaces. We also appreciated the rubber grips on the handle, which made the reel comfortable and easy to steer. Our tester was 5 foot 2 inches, so someone taller might have a different experience and might have to bend over more to move the reel around, but generally, we believe it is good for a variety of heights. Connecting and threading the hose into the reel was also effortless. In addition to the sliding threading guide, a loop on the side helps guide the hose around the reel. These alignment guides almost felt unnecessary, since there is already a spigot on the reel. However, our tester noted that the loop made reeling and unreeling more stable and seamless. Price at time of publish: $117 We found it very easy to install and hang the hose around the loop on the hanger, even though instructions weren’t included. Not all hoses looped equally: We found it a little tougher to loop a fabric hose than a rubber hose. Unlike a true hose reel, you need to use your own two hands to hang the hose. The hanger stayed in the ground nicely during testing, but we believe it could tip over if the soil were to become loose, say, after a heavy rain or a spring thaw, so keep that in mind when determining where to place it. These objections aside, we still believe this is a quick, budget-friendly, and space-saving solution for storing your hose. Price at time of publish: $37 The Beehive’s other heavy attribute is its slightly higher price tag, so if you’re looking for a budget option or something more portable (or if you don’t like bees), you might find it not worth the splurge. It also has capacity for a 100-foot hose, according to the manufacturer, and doesn’t accommodate larger hoses. Depending on how your hose kinks, coiling it within the product could be a chore. Overall, we think the Beehive is worth considering for its unique, nature-inspired design and practical features, if you have the space for it. Price at time of publish: $150 Reeling and unreeling the hose were also effortless, and the powder-coated steel reel felt sturdy when we were using it. However, we noticed that not all hoses attached with the same degree of ease. The attachment point was in a bit of an awkward spot, which also seemed to affect some hoses more than others. And while certain pieces came pre-assembled, the instructions for assembling other pieces were a bit confusing. All in all, we believe this cart is worth the extra effort, especially for larger yards and for carrying supplies. Price at time of publish: $196 At first, we were confused on how to attach the hose, but the manufacturer has a handy video that made the process simple to follow. After learning how to hook up the hose, we found it easy to wind and unwind it. The box also includes a threading guide that moves from left to right to help thread and evenly distribute the hose around the reel. Considering that some hoses are harder to coil than others, this is a terrific feature! So aside from its lack of portability features (e.g., wheels or comfortable handles), this is a great option to hide, wind, and unwind your hose. Price at time of publish: $198 The cart arrives fully assembled, and although it comes with a 68-foot hose, the manufacturer says it can be used with a longer one, up to 198 feet. You can also find multiple sizes of this set that include longer hoses. This product, made in Germany, uses the European hose connection standard, so you need an extra attachment, purchased separately from Gardena or elsewhere, to connect the included hose to a U.S. spigot. However, we found that we could attach our own hoses to the reel itself. Price at time of publish: $203 As most garden pots, this option isn’t ideal to transport your hose or any other garden accessories. We found that lightweight hoses were the best choices for this pot, because you have to take the whole hose out and drag it around when in use—you don’t have the benefit of a reel to contain the hose for you, but if you are looking for a hose pot, you can’t go wrong with this stylish choice. Price at time of publish: $30 We also noted the sturdy construction and solid materials, including the connectors and the connector hose, and believe it should last for several seasons; the manufacturer backs it with a “10-year No-Leak, No-Rust, No-Break warranty.” All of these features come at a price, but if you want a high-quality cart to contain and transport your hose, and don’t mind a bit of a splurge, this is an excellent choice. Price at time of publish: $321 We found reeling and unreeling the hose seamless with each type of hose we tested. And although this product can accommodate larger and small hoses, this wagon is larger and heavier than others we tested, and probably more than you would need for a smaller space. We also noted that during assembly we weren’t able to tighten one of the screws and that all of them seemed loose, although apparently that didn’t affect the wagon at all. Price at time of publish: $267 To test portability and durability, we rolled reels with wheels around our garden’s varied terrain, which encompasses rocks and pavement as well as grass. We tried knocking over the pots or hangers to see whether they stood up or easily fell over when pushed. Last, we assessed each product’s overall value, comparing our evaluation and price.
What to Look for in a Hose Reel
Capacity
When shopping for hose reels, one of the most important things to consider is the maximum hose length it can hold. Most models can hold standard-width hoses up to 100 feet long. A 100-foot capacity may work if you have a small yard that doesn’t require a longer hose. But folks with more expansive lawns, gardens, and/or driveways should look for reels that can accommodate hoses 200 to 300 feet or more. For example, the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel, our Best Overall and a personal favorite with our testers, can hold up to a 200-foot hose. If you need a reel for an even longer hose, the Groundwork Hose Reel Cart can accommodate hoses as long as 400 feet and stands out for its heavy-duty construction and maneuverability.
Wind-Up Method
Another distinction among hose reels is the wind-up method. Simpler models often require manual winding, which is fine for shorter hoses, but it takes more time and elbow grease for longer hoses. Swivel-base reels continuously rotate 180 degrees or a full 360 degrees, making it easier to wind up long hoses. Others have simple crank-style handles, which turn a cylindrical wheel to collect the hose slack. Your choice depends on your hose’s length and composition, and your arm strength.
Portability
Some hose reels come as stationary enclosures, and many are meant to be mounted onto the side of a house, fence, or shed. However, you also can find lots of portable options to help you store and transport your hose, including wheel-equipped cart-style models, such as our Best Portable pick, the Liberty Garden 300 ft. 2-Wheel Industrial Hose Cart. This stood out for its big rubber wheels that helped it maneuver over different types of terrain easily. Freestanding stakes, such as the budget-friendly Artigarden Freestanding Garden Hose Holder Hanger, are another portable storage option—they can be placed virtually anywhere there is dirt and moved around as needed. However, they are not meant to be moved around with the hose attached.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jenica Currie is an Associate Commerce Editor for The Spruce, focusing on outdoor, gardening, and home improvement. She has tested a variety of products at home and in the Lab, including hose nozzles and soaker hoses. At home, she enjoys maintaining an English cottage-inspired flower garden and planting herbs and vegetables in various containers (including an indoor herb garden in the winter). For this article, she researched top hose reels and incorporated our testing insights from the Lab.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
