Gillette also suggests asking yourself the following questions when looking at different water wands: How heavy and how long is the wand? Does the curved end look easy to maneuver? What are the materials used to manufacture the wand? What kind of grip does it offer? With Gillette’s prompts in mind, we researched (and tested a few) watering wands based on their control type, spray patterns, pressure control, and shaft length to round up the best wands on the market. Our favorite, The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand, was tested in our Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, and received high marks for pressure control, comfort during use, and overall design. Ahead, the best watering wands on the market. The thumb throttle also makes it more comfortable to water for a longer period of time without having to clench a hand trigger. While this wand isn’t the longest option on our list, we think it’s sufficient to reach lower hanging baskets and elevated flower beds. The nozzle also has a surprising pressure packed into it, which is especially helpful for washing cars or rinsing outdoor furniture. During testing, the spray shot to 27 feet on the strongest setting—talk about packing a punch. You can feel secure purchasing this wand because it’s backed by a lifetime warranty for any design defects. Although it’s very well-made and designed, it does scuff when dropped on pavement, like other plastic models. Overall, our testers felt that the price point was justified by the materials and performance, especially considering their main concerns were not related to design malfunctions. Price at time of publish: $22 The wand and one of the nozzles both offer 10 spray patterns, but the third nozzle is just a mister. However, our tester appreciated the versatility of the first two. “Each setting on both is clearly labeled and easy to click to,” she said, “save for the misting nozzle, which seems to have one setting.” Each setting on the adjustable nozzles offers plenty of pressure to accurately water plants or clean outdoor furniture and cars. Our only other concern with this set is the long-term durability of the squeeze lever on the nozzles. While the plastic feels initially durable, we question its strength against constant exposure to temperature change and harsh elements. Nonetheless, this set is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable watering wand, with two bonus hose nozzles. Price at time of publish: $16 Although we appreciate the four different patterns offered, we wish this nozzle had a few more patterns like a misting option. However, we still think it’s worthy of a splurge especially given the extendable length and versatility that this wand offers. Price at time of publish: $28 With a squeeze trigger that can be clipped back for a continuous spray, this wand makes it easier to water everything in your garden without clenching your hand on the trigger. Our one concern is that the threading to connect to a hose may wear down over time. It’s not clear in the product description whether the threading is plastic or metal, which would be helpful in making a fully informed decision before purchasing. Despite this one detail, we still think this watering wand is worthy of mention for its thoughtful design and comfortable hand grip. Price at time of publish: $24 Although this telescoping wand is not as long as our best splurge pick, it does extend to four feet, which is still plenty of height for an average height user. It is also backed by a two-year warranty in case there are any manufacturing defects. We recommend adjusting the height before attaching it to your garden hose because it may leak water if you try to adjust it with the hose running and attached. Price at time of publish: $11 The pivoting head allows you to adjust the angle at which the wand sprays, so you can reach your gutters, the roof of your car, or a window flower box with ease. Although we recognize that the detail and durability of this wand justify its price point, we do wish it was slightly less expensive. However, the 10-pattern, pivoting head and durable metal shaft make this watering wand a great choice for someone who’s looking for length without a telescopic wand. Price at time of publish: $24 The shaft is constructed of aluminum, so you can feel confident about it lasting multiple seasons. The long rubber handle also gives you plenty of room to hold the wand, so it doesn’t slip during use. Our only concern is its potential to become heavy and difficult to control when it’s fully extended to 53 inches. Price at time of publish: $20 The water flow is controlled by a thumb switch at the base of the grip, and you can twist the nozzle to change between the five different spray options. While this watering wand is marketed as capable of reaching hanging baskets, we think this may not be realistic for shorter users or users with limited mobility. However, the comfortable grip, five spray settings, and thumb flow control lever make it a great choice for urban gardeners and other light watering tasks. Price at time of publish: $17 This watering wand is backed by a lifetime guarantee in case any manufacturing issues come up, so you can feel confident investing in it. Our only concern with this wand’s design is that the foam may deteriorate and crumble over time, which is a common issue with foam handled outdoor equipment. To prevent this from happening, we recommend storing it in a shed out of reach from the elements. Price at time of publish: $32
Spray Patterns
You can find watering wands with adjustable spray patterns that offer anywhere between four and 10 different options. We suggest considering the landscape of your garden and outdoor maintenance needs to determine which spray patterns are non-negotiable. Some watering wands only have one spray pattern setting, which is perfectly suitable if you only need a general shower flow.
Control Type
The control feature on watering wands will vary depending on their length and style, but the three most common control types are thumb levers, squeeze triggers, and shut-off valves. Some higher-end watering wands may feature a fireman control lever. If you plan to use your watering wand for an extended amount of time, a shut-off valve or thumb lever are more comfortable to use and control than a squeeze trigger. However, some squeeze triggers feature a clip to lock the trigger in place for a continuous flow.
Weight
Watering wands can weigh anywhere from less than a pound to around two pounds. Shorter watering wands typically weigh around 15 ounces or less and have equally distributed weight thanks to a shorter shaft. Longer watering wands can weigh over one pound and are typically top-heavy, meaning the nozzle will weigh down the far end of the wand. If you’re looking for a wand that’s comfortable to grip for a long time and isn’t top-heavy, consider a shorter 16-inch wand, or a telescoping wand that can be shortened as you fatigue.
Pressure (PSI)
Some watering wands are equipped with a pressure gauge, which allows you to adjust the pressure, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) of water coming out of the wand. Pressure is also often adjusted through the different spray patterns included on a watering wand. If you’re looking for a watering wand with plenty of pressure behind it, a wand with a jet spray pattern or adjustable pressure setting is a great option.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Phelps is an updates writer for The Spruce who has over two years of experience writing about all things home improvement, and home decor and organization. For this roundup, Emma reviewed testing insights for two of the wands featured at the beginning of this article and evaluated feedback from testers. She also researched the most popular brands for watering wands and chose the final picks in this roundup based on each wand’s weight, length, pressure, and control type. Consumer reviews and online ratings were also considered before drafting the final list of products you see in this roundup. Emma’s grandparents are avid gardeners who enjoy using watering wands for their long reach and comfortable grips. As a little girl, Emma was much more interested in using watering wands as play sprinklers—needless to say, they can be a helpful gardening tool enjoyed by any age group. Barbara Gillette, a master gardener and member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board, also provided expert insight for this article. If you do discover a leak, one of the easiest fixes for a water wand is replacing the washer between the hose and the wand as needed. If the shaft of your wand has a hole in it, or begins to leak where it telescopes, consider replacing it or using waterproof tape to seal the junction.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure 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 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.
