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It’s easy to use, seeing as it’s not actually a reel but a container to put away a wound-up garden hose. A really long or big hose may be hard to fit into the pot, however. This one isn’t really supposed to be portable, as it’s quite heavy. The material is heavy-duty, though it does seem like the lid would chip or break if you were to drop it. The same goes for the base if something were knocked into it with force.
Always start by detaching the hose from the water source as well as any head attachments. Depending on the design and style of your reel, you'll likely need to insert a washer onto the bottom of the hose coupling to ensure the seal is taut once you connect the female end. Then, you may begin to wind your hose reel, keeping one hand on the hose and guiding it along the reel if needed, to prevent bunching or kinking. With fewer pieces than other models, this reel was easy to set up–it took us just 12 minutes. Once we had it up and running, we were pleasantly surprised by how nice it would look in a yard or driveway.
Better Homes & Gardens Metal Hose Pot
If you’re looking for an inexpensive reel that’s ready to go, straight out of the box, the KLZ model is an excellent choice. It’s not the prettiest reel of those we tested, but it performs well. Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel, which was outstanding in nearly all our categories. The material, while it appears to be high-quality, didn’t seem quite high-end enough to justify the price, so we took points off for value. Below, take a look at all 6 of our favorite reels that PEOPLE tested.
Consider tightening the connection with pliers or a wrench to see if that helps. Otherwise, you might consider lubricating the washer with silicone grease or, if nothing seems to be working, replacing the washer altogether. Another reason for a garden hose reel leak could be wear and tear of the hose itself. Always be sure to avoid using the hose in freezing temperatures, as frozen water can cause it to expand and rupture. If there is a hole or tear in your hose, use a water hose repair kit to fix it, or buy a new hose entirely.
Giraffe Metal Hose Reel Box
The bright, fun turquoise color makes it stand out, and it is very light and easy to maneuver around a yard. There is also a nice kickstand that adds to the reel’s stability. We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. This hose pot has an attractive design (“assuming you like bees,” added our tester) as well as a lid and drainage holes to aid in weather resistance.
Made of lightweight plastic, this reel was exceptionally easy to use and just as easy to move around, since it’s so light, even with a hose on it. The plastic wheels, however, decrease its portability on grass, though it’s okay on other terrains. The $50 list price “is impressive, and it gets the job done,” said our tester. If you're a bit rough on your garden equipment, this reel is perfect for you . It's made of "virtually indestructible" materials (i.e., rust-proof aluminum) to combat the elements and daily wear and tear.
How We Tested Garden Hose Reels
” asks Gorchels, noting that there are motor-driven automatic retractable reels on the market as well. The addition of a built-in hose makes this model a particularly good value for those wishing to purchase an all-in-one solution for watering. The product comes from Germany, so you may need an extra adapter to connect it to a spigot.
Thankfully, even with a hose fully reeled inside, it’s not too heavy. Our testers evaluated 26 reels' set-up times, designs, ease of use, portability, durability, and value. But these are products that largely come down to individual preferences and plans for use. “If it’s easy to reel and fits your criteria, you have a home run,” Jerry Gorchels, technical product representative at PanAmerican Seed North America, tells PEOPLE. A good garden hose reel is an incredibly helpful tool for gardening, car-washing...whatever your outdoor watering needs, you might consider having a handy reel nearby. It keeps your hose within easy reach, organized and neatly rolled, and out of the way when you don’t need it.
It also features forged brass connections to prevent leaks, as well as a built-in hose alignment guide to prevent kinking, so your hose can remain durable and intact as well. Attaching the hose gave us a little trouble at first, but watching a video on the shopping link clarified the set-up, and this reel is designed to keep the hose evenly distributed. We personally didn’t love the lack of wheels, meaning you have to lift up the whole reel if you want to move it.
Our tester was able to get multiple hoses to connect to the reel, so an adapter may not be needed if you plan to use your own hose. Interestingly, the $30 pot garnered a 4.5-star rating versus the $450 pot's 3.6, so a more expensive pot doesn't necessarily mean that it works the best. Consider how you'll use the pot, and invest in something sturdy and durable so that it won't move around as you unreel your hose, or get tarnished by the elements. This model is made of metal and plastic, so, like our Best Design pick above, long-term testing will be required, to determine whether the metal will rust over time outdoors.
Hose reels help to protect your hose while also improving maneuverability for the operator. For those hoping to place a hose pot on the ground and leave it there, this is a solid option and does the job. However, that does mean dragging the hose to the pot, which requires a lot of effort when you’ve got a heavy hose.
It took our tester 17 minutes to get this reel up and running, noting that it was easy to put together. The rubber wheels made it easy to maneuver the reel on grass or varied terrain, and the rubber grips on the reel made it easy to crank. You can greatly extend the life of your hose by investing in a reel. If a hose is stored on a garage floor, on a driveway, or wound up in a backyard, it'll likely undergo damage.
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