The best garden hoses, tried and tested

There are two types of people in this world: those who complain about rain and those who rejoice because it’s good for their garden. If keeping your lawn lush is your top priority, one of the best garden hoses will see you in good stead. Hosepipe bans allowing, of course (we’ve covered how to keep your garden hydrated if there is below).

Our tested edit includes expandable anti-kink hoses, retractable hoses and heavy-duty designs, ranging in price from under £20 to over £200. I’ve chosen long hoses to suit large gardens, as well as short ones for balconies and patios. There’s even a former nominee for the RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year made from 65 per cent recycled materials.

You can find my full reviews below, followed by an FAQ section with advice from expert gardeners. But first, here’s a quick look at my top five:

The best garden hoses: At a glance

JUMP TO REVIEWS

How to choose the best garden hose

Camilla Basset-Smith, television horticulturalist on ITV’s Love Your Garden and RHS Plant Committee Member, advises “a 13mm or 15mm diameter bare hose is fine for filling a pond or watering large pots (or trees) in the ground and a thumb over the end can vary the pressure/spray.

“But many of us use our hose for watering baskets, pots, bedding, borders, vegetables and more and in which case a spray gun or nozzle attachment is needed. Expandable hoses are lightweight to use, so pick these if heavy lifting is an issue. And before you buy a hose, always check if connectors come fitted as part of the kit to attach the hose to your tap.”

How we test garden hoses