Garden hose reels are definitely worth the investment, especially if you have a large garden. Not only do they keep your hose organized and tangle-free, but they also protect it from the elements and extend its lifespan. If you water your plants regularly, a garden hose reel is an essential tool to keep your gardening tools in good condition. In this article, we will discuss the different options and styles available.
Types of Garden Hose Reels
Garden hose reels come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes to suit your needs. The most common types are wall-mounted, stationary, wheeled, and come with an automatic retractable mechanism, or hand crank. These types are great for small gardens if you don’t want to take up too much space.
Other types include freestanding hose reels, which are perfect for larger gardens that can handle a lot of hose and can act as a simple garden cart. It all depends on your wants and needs in choosing the type that is right for you.
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The main benefits of all garden hose reel types are and include:
- Keeps your hose organized and tangle-free.
- Protecting your hose from the elements.
- Extending the lifespan of your hose.
- Saving space in your garden.
- Preventing trip hazards.
- Can prevent your hose from freezing.
So, what are the different types of hose reels?
Also for more information on other types of hose storage, check out our other here here: Garden Hose Storage: Pots, Reels, and Hangers (Which to Choose)
Also to check out our more hose storage products, check out our affiliate category: Garden Hoses & Accessories
Housed Hose Reel Box
This type of hose reel completely encases your garden hose which is great for protection from the elements. Also, your hose is protected from UVs, and since it’s encased, it doesn’t pose a tripping hazard. In addition, they provide a neat appearance whether it’s attached to your home or on wheels and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and options.
Housed hose reels normally come in two options which are discussed below:
Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reels
Retractable hose reels are great because they automatically retract your hose, so you don’t have to worry about winding it up yourself.
This type has the option to be mounted on the side of your home, a separate accessory that is placed in a garden, or a wheeled version that can be rolled and stored away completely after use. They also come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate the length of hose needed and are constructed with materials such as wicker, wood, and plastic.
The only downside you may experience is if something goes wrong with the retractor mechanism. If that happens, you may need to contact the supplier for a solution or replacement. Since these types are tried and tested, you shouldn’t have a problem. Also, many companies that specialize in these types will more than likely resolve any issues.
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Standard Housed Hose Reel
This type is the most common and includes a hand crank to wind up your hose. They’re easy to use, durable, and can be mounted on the side of your home or placed on a wheeled cart. Like the automatic type, you’ll find that many are the same, but as specified have a hand crack.
They are basically the same, but there are no spring action moving parts that retract the hose but have a crank that is rolled up manually. They are most commonly available in a wheeled and stationary. Again, it all depends on your wants and needs and carries the same benefits and advantages as an automatic hose reel.
The other options you can look into is open-hosed reels.
Standard Garden Hose Reels
These types of garden hose reels are the most common that you see almost everywhere. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are most commonly available in metal and plastic. As far as options, you can find them wall-mounted, wheeled, and some come in a cart style for more versatility, but remember, these types have a manual crank to roll up a hose.
The only difference between boxed reels and standard reel is standard is an open version of a housed reel. This means that your hose will be completely subjected to the elements with no protection. Two primary downsides are:
- If you live in an arid region, your hose can become brittle and cracked from the sun.
- if you live in a snowy region, it can become frozen and cracked as well.
So, it’s important to consider these things when choosing this type. If you feel confident that your hose can withstand the elements, then this might be a great option for you. These types are also easier to use since they don’t have any mechanized parts that can possibly break.
However, they will take up more space and can become tangled if not stored properly. But overall, they’re a great option and most gardeners prefer this type
Depending on your needs, there are three different types are discussed below.
Wall-Mounted Hose Reel
This type is mostly used in commercial settings or if you want to increase storage space in your garage. They are great for small gardens because they take up less space and can be easily mounted on any wall. You’ll see these types in many public places such as gas stations and car washes because they’re easy to use and don’t take up a lot of space.
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| Wayfair.com: Iron Wall Mounted Hose Reel. Click for current pricing. | |
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| Overstock.com Liberty Garden Revolution Industrial Grade Rotating Garden Hose Holder Reel, Red – 20.5 x 17.5 x 22.5 inches. Click for current pricing. | |
The only downside is that you need to have a place to mount it, and if you don’t have an available wall, then this type isn’t for you. Also, make sure that the area can support the weight of the hose reel and hose because they can be quite heavy when fully loaded.
Wheeled Garden Hose Reel Cart
This type is mostly used by landscapers and commercial gardeners because they’re easy to maneuver and can carry a lot of hose and can carry small gardening tools. They come in different shapes and sizes, but the most common are square and round. The carts are also made from different materials such as plastic, metal, and wicker. For more information on what a beginner garden may need, check out this article. What Tools Should a Beginner Gardener Have?
The only downside to this type is that they can be quite expensive depending on the type and brand, and if you’re not using a lot of hose, then it’s not worth the investment. Although this may seem like a downside, some give you the option to carry other tools and wheel them away when a project is completed.
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| Northertool.com: Ironton Garden Hose Reel Cart Holds 5/8Inch x 300ft. Hose. Click for current pricing. | |
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| Northerntool.com: Liberty Garden Products Industrial Hose Reel Cart 2 Wheel (Pneumatic), Hose Length Capacity 300 ft, Frame Material Steel, Color Brown, Model 880. Click for current pricing. | |
Handheld Reel Cart
This is the most common type of hose reel cart and is mostly used by homeowners. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to maneuver, which is great for small gardens. The hose capacity is also smaller than the wheeled version, so if you’re not using a lot of hose, this is the perfect type for you.
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| Overstock.com: Suncast CPLTSA100M 100' Garden Tote or Wall Mountable Hose Reel for .63" Hoses. Click for current pricing. | |
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| Homedepot.com: Gorilla 175 ft. Aluminum Zero Rust Mobile Hose Reel, Silver. Click for current pricing. | |
The only downside is that they’re not as durable as the wheeled version and can tip over easily if not used correctly, but they take up less space and can be used on hard to water garden areas. So it’s a give and take. As with all types above, it depends on your needs and the space you have to work with.
Regards of all standard open hose reels, they have one big advantage over boxed mechanized units. If a part breaks, you can easily replace it without having to replace the entire unit. This is a great money saver, and you can find most replacement parts online or at your local hardware store and can be more versatile in a garden setting.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right hose reel for your garden can be tough because there are so many different types, sizes, and brands on the market. But if you take into consideration the space you have to work with and what type of hose you’re using, then it will be much easier to narrow down your choices.
If you have a small garden, then a wall-mounted or handheld hose reel cart will be your best bet. If you have a large garden or are using a lot of hose, then a wheeled hose reel cart would be wise.
No matter what type you choose, always make sure that it’s durable and can withstand the elements because a hose reel is a lifetime investment. And as with anything, you get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to spend a little extra on a quality unit.
