The grass has been mowed, the hedges have been trimmed, and the weeds have been dealt with. Your yard is finally looking great! Except for that twisted mess of a hose laying in the garden.
To keep your lawn picturesque a good hose reel is essential. They keep your garden tidy, and many even help prevent kinking and excessive weather damage with attachments and enclosures.
Whatever your needs, we’re here to introduce you to the best hose reel cart for your needs.
Top Hose Reel Carts – Reviews
1. Liberty Garden 712 Single Arm Navigator Multi-Directional Garden Hose Reel
Our top choice for hose reel carts is the superb craftsmanship of Liberty Garden. It has good capacity, complete 360 spin radius, and blows the competition out of the water with its heavy-duty construction.
Though you may want to ask for assistance getting it one the wall, once this Liberty Garden Hose Reel is in place it’s an incredibly sturdy, dependable tool that will last outdoors in the harshest weather for year to come.
Specifications:
- 125-foot hose capacity
- Wall mounted, sturdy 18-guage steel
- 360-degree swivel
- Attached storage basket
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Durable, strong materials
- Effortless to un-wind, easy to wind
- Water from any angle
- Sleek, modern look
Cons:
- Stationary
- Mounting can be laborious
2. Suncast Resin Swivel Hose Hideaway and Storage Bin with Hose Guide
Folks with a yard that gets constant sun, or extreme weather will especially appreciate our second pick, the Suncast Hose Hideaway.
The weather resistant housing keeps your hose from growing brittle with sun and water wear. The 360-swivel base allows you to water your yard from any angle while the handy hose guide reduces kinking.
It tends to topple over when pulled too hard, but a heavy potted plant can easily solve this annoyance.
Specifications:
- 225-foot hose capacity
- Built in hose guide
- 360-degree swivel base
- Enclosed storage housing
Pros:
- Large hose capacity
- Reduces weather wear on hose
- Water from any angle
- Hose guide eliminates kinks
Cons:
- Stationary
- Can topple over when empty
- Aesthetically lacking
3. Strongway Garden Hose Reel Cart
We love the freedom afforded to gardeners and landscapers by this well-built hose reel cart by Strongway. The steel construction is sure to last
And it has an incredible capacity that can hold up to 400-feet of hose. Between the wheels and sheer length of hose you’re sure to be able to water every last inch of greenery.
Watch out, however, because it can become rather top heavy when fully loaded.
Specifications:
- 400-foot hose capacity
- Corrosion resistant, steel construction
- 10-inch, flat-proof tires
- 6-foot leader hose
Pros:
- Mobile
- Prodigious hose capacity
- Heavy-duty, weather resistant materials
Cons:
- Fairly pricey
- Assembly required
- Top heavy, hard to move when full
4. Sorbus Manger Garden Hose Holder Stand
We love the simplicity of the Sorbus Hose Holder. It isn’t as fancy as some of the reels we have included here, but the truly reasonable price and aesthetically pleasing design make up for much of what it lacks in features.
Installation just takes a quick thrust into the ground of your garden and moving this hose reel is just as easy. It only has a 60-pound weight capacity though, so heavier hoses are a no go.
Specifications:
- 125-foot hose capacity
- Wrought iron construction
- Rust resistant
Pros:
- Exceptionally durable construction
- Incredibly easy to assemble and install
- Less expensive than dinner out for two
Cons:
- Stationary
- No winding assistance
- Low weight capacity
5. Giraffe Retractable Garden Hose-Reel
If your yard is on the smaller side and you’d rather not deal with hand cranking 100 plus feet of hose, then the Giraffe Retractable Hose-Reel may be for you.
It comes fully assembled with a hose and nozzle, and just needs to be attached to a sturdy wall. The swivel helps you get all angles and a built-in hose guide makes kinks an annoyance of the past.
The plastic construction does begin to wear over time though, which is unfortunate for the price tag. It’s a lighter duty reel that would work well for the hobbyist or retiree gardener.
Specifications:
- 65-foot hose capacity
- Wall mounted
- 180-degree swivel
- 10 different spray patterns
Pros:
- Comes with hose and nozzle
- No assembly required
- Hose guide prevents tangles
Cons:
- Retraction grows weak over time
- Stationary
- Plastic construction breaks easily
- Partial swivel
Buyers Guide
Considerations for Finding the Best Hose Real Cart for You
Capacity
Hose capacity is perhaps the most important consideration when purchasing a hose reel. A hose reel’s capacity is the length of hose it is designed to store.
For example, if you buy a hose reel with a 150-foot capacity but your garden hose is 200 feet long you’re left with excess hose laying around in the yard, or preventing the reel from properly winding, or both!
To avoid these issues, take some quick measurements before buying. Measure from the spigot to the farthest areas you use the hose and pay attention to the capacity and measurements on the packaging.
Leader hose
Most hose reels incorporate a leader hose to connect the reel to the spigot, and the hose to the reel. Before buying, always check that the diameters of the hose and leader hose match. Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a trip back to the hardware store!
Stationary vs Portable
To figure out which is the best design for you, consider the size of your yard. A wide expanse of plants that need watering is an excellent candidate for a portable hose reel. After all, hoses can be quite heavy. Your back will thank you!
Those with a smattering of bushes around the house or a small garden likely don’t need a hose reel on wheels, and can go for a sturdy, mounted or stationary hose reel.
Automatic vs Manual
Did you know that some hose reels are equipped to wind the hose up themselves at the push of a button? These are excellent options for older gardeners and shorter hose lengths. Just remember, the longer the hose the more likely an automatic hose reel is to have issues winding the entire thing up.
But for those who like things a little less high tech, there are many manual hose reels available as well. If you’re willing to put a little extra work into reeling it yourself, you can save a bit of money on your purchase by going manual.
Handy folks who love DIY-ing instead of spending extra money may want to check out Squeaky Clean Dave’s video on how to make your very own electric powered hose reel!
Closed storage vs Open storage
How concerned are you about keeping your hose out of sight, or out of the elements? If the answer is “very,” then a closed storage hose reel may be right for you. These models either have a lid that covers the top or are completely enclosed.
Folks who don’t mind the look or live in milder climates may not have as much of a preference. Open storage hose reels keep your hose visible and exposed, but neatly rolled.
Other features
- Baskets – do you have a small array of garden tools that are your go-to, daily users? Some hose reels have incorporated small baskets on the side for your convenience.
Do note, however, that leaving tools exposed to the elements will almost certainly reduce their lifespan, making you replace them more frequently.
Folks interested in tool storage with their hose reels should seek a closed storage model.
- Swivel base – this feature is most found on stationary hose reels, as your reel being able to swivel can give you a wider range of motion with your hose.
If your hose reel is going to be tucked into a corner or tight spot next to the house, a swivel may be an unnecessary addition and just cost your extra money for a minimal return.
- Hose guide – if you absolutely can’t stand a kinked hose, then perhaps a hose guide is the way to go. These attachments help wind and unwind the hose while also correcting the twist and angle. That means no kinks, no annoyance, and no confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hose reel carts come with a hose?
No, unfortunately, most hose reels do not come with a hose. They usually have a lead hose to connect to the spigot though, and most are compatible with the standard 5/8-inch hose size.
My garden is small, but hilly – what kind of hose reel would be best?
For drastic elevation changes you should steer clear of portable hose reels. A solidly wall mounted reel with a 360-degree swivel, like the Liberty Garden reel, would likely cover the most ground.
I have a non-standard sized hose – what do I do?
Fortunately for most, the vast majority of hoses and spigots in America are a standard size. Unfortunately, if you have anything besides the 5/8-inch hose you will need to purchase adapters.
If the packaging has the sizes on it, work with that and find adapters to fit. Otherwise, bring your hose to a hardware store where they can identify the size and adapter.
Conclusion
Just want the down and dirty, best hose reel cart of 2021? We got you covered.
The Liberty Garden Hose Reel takes the cake with its durable construction, 360 swivel, smooth winding action, and sleek design. It’s a high-quality tool at a moderate price.
We hope these thorough reviews have led you to the perfect hose reel for your own dream garden needs!
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