If the space where you choose to mount your reel is some way from the outdoor tap, you may need to acquire an extra ‘leader hose’ to connect the reel to the water supply. Also referred to as a ‘feeder hose’, sometimes you will have to create this yourself by cutting a piece of the hose pipe. Naturally, unlike expandable hoses, a hose in a reel can naturally be left out for most of the year inside the casing. Choosing the Best Size Hose Reel

The latest generation of hose reels make the watering process even easier by using auto-rewind technology. Seeing as these garden hoses should be stored away in winter to prevent damage from freezing, a lighter unit like this may appeal to some, making the notion of the bi-annual job a bit less daunting. The quality hose pipe is a three-layer, anti-kink hose that comes with a spraying nozzle. It has a variety of adjustable spray settings, making it easy to change between jobs A powerful jet for garden cleaning, a wide cone for general garden watering, a flat spray for washing and light cleaning, a high-flow fast fill function, and metal rose for gentle rain like watering.

When the hose is retracted, it will disappear inside a neat unit. When not in use, most wall units protrude a maximum of 30 cm from the wall . This is a good size as it stops them from being hazardous or encroaching on your garden space. We’ve covered the best expandable garden hoses extensively on DIY Garden, and there are some great options on the market. One of the main advantages of expandable hoses is that they can be longer than hoses in reels, whilst taking up less storage space.

If you’re working with limited space, you might be wondering if there are more compact units available. The VonHaus Auto Rewind Wall-Mounted Hose Reel measures 41 x 40 x 20 cm which is significantly smaller than some other models. In addition, the better quality the hose, the easier it will be to use and less likely to kink or fail to rewind. Superior garden hoses also come with better tap fittings meaning they are less likely to leak. Installation can also be a bit of a challenge; at 16.4 kg it’s not the lightest of units and it needs to be fixed to a solid wall to make sure it stays in securely.You want a hose that will reach the end of your garden without stretching. However, you also don’t want to spend extra money on a hose which is much longer than you need. Measure your garden to find out what length of hose will best suit your needs. That said, you should still position your reel out of direct sunlight. High-quality casing will protect the hose from UV damage, but it will last longer if it is in a position where the temperature is more stable. One further thing to note: the feeder hose provided, to connect the reel unit to the tap, is a little short – measuring only around 2 m instead of the advertised 3 m. Just something to bear in mind whilst considering where to place your garden reel. Compact units, holding 15 m hoses, are available for small gardens . In medium gardens, a hose of 20 – 30 m should work well. Larger gardens will benefit from a 30 – 40 m hose . You can always attach an additional extension to the hose whilst working.