Best expandable hoses

Expandable hoses are the top option when storage is short, coiling up neatly once the water’s turned off. Here are our favorites.

WGCC expandable garden hose
(Image credit: WGCC)

A great garden hose is vital for watering as well as tasks like washing the car and even the dog. Expandable hoses are the answer for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of room to tidy a hose away. They expand when the water’s turned on so you can reach the areas you need to and shrink afterward. We’ve rounded up the best offerings just for you.

Best overall

Flexi Hose expandable garden hose

(Image credit: Flexi Hose)

Flexi Hose expandable garden hose

Stays kink-free

This lightweight, expandable design will prove a winner for anyone who finds traditional hoses awkward to maneuver. It expands to 50 feet and retracts to one-third of the size for tidying away. The fittings are made from brass, and the nozzle offers eight spray patterns.

Best value

GrowGreen expandable garden hose

(Image credit: GrowGreen)

GrowGreen expandable garden hose

Easy tidying

This budget model is 50-feet long under standard US water pressure but just 17 feet when it’s not in use. It can be rolled away even neater because it comes with a heavy-duty sack for storage. The connectors are solid brass, and it’s made with pressure-resistant latex. 

Best for big yards

Knoikos expandable garden hose

(Image credit: Knoikos)

Knoikos expandable garden hose

Thumb-control nozzle

Water a large garden with this model, which expands to 100 feet. The nozzle is easy to adjust, and you can pick from 10 spray patterns for plant watering, washing cars, windows, pets, and more. It comes with a wall hanger as well as a storage bag. 

Best for smaller gardens

TheFitLife Flexible and Expandable Garden Hose

(Image credit: TheFitLife)

TheFitLife flexible and expandable garden hose

Weighs just 1.8 pounds

Just 9 feet before you turn on the faucet, this hose expands to 25 feet, making it a top option if both your garden and storage are modest in size. The latex core has 13 layers to avoid bursts, while the polyester outer fabric resists puncturing from thorns and sharp objects. The spray nozzle lets you pick from eight patterns.

Best for easy operation

Gardguard expandable garden hose

(Image credit: Gardguard)

Gardguard expandable garden hose

Carry bag

This hose's ergonomic handgrip makes it comfortable to use, and it’s also non-slip. Simply rotate the nozzle to pick from the nine spray patterns offered. The hose works from temperatures as low as -4 up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Best color

WGCC expandable garden hose

(Image credit: WGCC)

WGCC expandable garden hose

Get kids watering

Another of the 50 feet long hoses in our selection, this version retracts to 17 feet after use. It’s light enough to allow kids to help with plant care and features nine spray patterns. In black and orange, it’s easy to spot on the lawn or in a border. It comes with both a hanger and a bag for storage. 

How should you store your hose?

Leaving your hose spread out in your yard is possibly the quickest way to destroy it. To increase the longevity of your hose, you should consider storing it safely when not in use. If you want to give your hose the best chance of a long life, you should do a few simple things. 

1. Make sure your hose is not affected by extreme temperatures. Keep in a shed or garage when not in use. Sunshine will make a hose brittle, and freezing will make it split. 

2. Coil your hose and hang it. Keeping your hose coiled and hung on a hook or winder will stop the hose from kinking, which can cause cracks. Expandable hoses have an advantage in this as they automatically coil back into position after use.

3. Keep it away from sharp objects. This may seem obvious, but your hose shouldn't be in a position to be sliced or punctured by tools or even sharp corners on the concrete. 

If you keep your hose indoors, wound up, and on a hook/winder when not in use, you should be able to use it season after season.

Our verdict

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Pick an expandable hose to reach every corner of your yard and avoid annoying kinks and twists while you’re keeping plants watered. The Flexi Hose expandable garden hose is a 50-foot hose made with brass fittings for longevity. Select between eight spray patterns to suit every task.

For a smaller garden, try TheFitLife flexible and expandable garden hose. Some 25 feet when the water‘s on, it retracts to just 9 feet. A layered latex core is designed to avoid leaks, and the outer fabric resists punctures.

Why trust us

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As experts, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your life. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. Our detailed product overviews balance objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is easy.

Sarah Warwick
Freelance writer

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes and gardens and loves investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper.