The majority of hosepipes have a seam running down their centre, which can be a weak point liable to leaking; however, the LUFENG Expandable Garden Hose has been created seamlessly, eliminating this potential weakness. A shut-off valve is fitted just under the spray head, which means the water can be turned off from the spray end. This useful feature means that the hose can stay expanded (which wouldn’t happen if you turned the water off at the source) whilst you connect other appliances (such as a sprinkler).

Another point in favour of this spray head is that it connects to the hose using brass fittings. Many expandable hoses connect to the spray head with a plastic fitting, which can prove to be a weak point over time. This spray gun connector, despite my reservations about the material used, is actually very solid and has a fixed in filter to help prevent water leaking out. Several of my customers have used this particular model for a while and I haven’t heard a single complaint about leaking being a problem so it seems to be doing the job it was intended for.But getting to the crux of the test – the hose flexibility. I have to say when these first arrived in the UK they were pretty spindly. Since testing and R & D has happened they are now three layers of flexi PVC – this is a long way forward from where they were right at the beginning. That said, some care needs to be taken around thorny plants and spikey gravel – despite its strong construction, it’s still not completely puncture proof! For most medium-size gardens, a 30 m expandable hose will be perfect. These hoses only measure around 10 metres long when not in use, so, as you can imagine, they’re easy to store and help with conserving storage space. In a large garden, a 45 m hose will give you plenty to work with. These retract down to approximately 15 m.

Though not the hose, the sprinkler will be a big deal for you – it’s lovely and if you’ve only ever used a sprinkler with a lever, this variable control will be a big step up. The casing is made from 2200D polyester which is pretty heavyweight, protecting the hose from general wear and tear. This covering may catch and fray when pulled across rougher surfaces, so that is something to be aware of. In the past, expandable garden hoses would have been the stuff of dreams. Imagine: owning a hose that reaches the end of the garden, but also tidies away neatly without leaving a coiled mess on the patio. The plastic used in the gun’s construction is strong and sturdy and I got the impression it would last a while as long as it isn’t dropped or mishandled in some way. There is some soft rubber coating for comfort and ribbed sections for extra grip.Layers of latex – the more layers of latex that a hose has, the more durable it is. Most expandable hoses have 2 – 3 layers of latex. That said, the Fitlife Garden Hose featured on the above list has 13.

The hose head also gives the option to leave the spray on, which is an improvement on some other hose designs where you have to wear your hand out holding down the trigger. READ NEXT: The Best Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reels What factors make an expandable hose more durable? Best expandable hose overall: Expandable Garden Hose, Upgraded 3-Layer Latex Hose Pipe– No kinks! [tested and proven personally]The KETTOYA Expandable Garden Hose is less bulky than some other hoses, with a smooth outer casing that makes it extremely compact when not in use. With very high water pressure you should be able to fully expand the KINGTOP to the maximum length of 100ft but under normal water pressure levels you would more likely get about two thirds of that, which is still a good length. There are exceptions, but as a rule of thumb, it is worth paying a bit extra for a higher quality expandable hose than trying to save a few pennies on a cheap one. Strong outer webbing – expandable hoses need strong outer webbing to protect the core from rough garden terrain. The outer webbing also has to withstand expanding and contracting with the expansion of the hose, so it’s worth making sure it’s hardy It’s light, weighing only 2.3 kg, and you don’t feel like you’re partaking in resistance-training as you move it around your garden. Even so, it’s still made of sturdy stuff.