
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
If you’ve ever wrestled with or tripped over a tangled garden hose, you might want to consider investing in a retractable hose reel. Designed for convenience and safety, they take the hassle out of outdoor watering, washing, and cleanup tasks.
Retractable garden hose reels offer automated or spring-loaded winding mechanisms—that means no more manual winding, no more kinks, and less wear and tear on your hose over time. Many reels even come with mounting options, swiveling brackets, and weather-resistant housings.
But with so many options out there for size, material, rewind mechanisms, and price, it can be tricky to know where to start. So we’ve researched a wide selection of retractable hose reels to help you find the best fit for your home and budget. Read our reviews below, along with the most important things to consider before making the investment.
The Best Retractable Hose Reels
- Best Overall: Giraffe Tools Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- Best Budget: Dnyker Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- Best Design: Hoselink Hi-Flow Automatic Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- Best Swivel Feature: Aquazilla Retractable Garden Hose Reel
- Best Manual Retractable: Liberty Garden Multi-Directional Garden Hose Reel
What to Consider
Capacity
Most of the retractable hose reels on the market include a hose with your purchase. A majority of garden hose reels accommodate standard garden hoses that are 100 feet or longer, and some of the bigger reels can store hoses up to 300 feet long.
If you’re only watering smaller areas, a reel with 100-foot capacity will do just fine. If you’re maintaining a larger, manicured lawn, then look for retractable hose reels that can accommodate larger hose sizes.
Manual Versus Automatic
A manual retractable hose reel uses a hand-crank mechanism or a similar manual winding system. These require more effort than automatic hose reels, which easily retracts your hose at the push of a button. Manual retractable reels tend to be cheaper than automatic. They’re also easier to set up and give you more control over the retraction speed and tension.
Durability
Look for garden hose reels that made of durable and long-lasting materials like resin, polypropylene, and metal. They resist some damage from environmental factors, like UV rays and moisture. They also help ensure your hose stays firmly in place during summer storms or on particularly windy days.
How We Selected
We started by looking into choices from well-known, trustworthy garden brands like Giraffe Tools and Liberty Garden Products in order to identify the top contenders. We focused on criteria like durability, hose length, and swivel abilities, and we prioritized models constructed from sturdy materials like polypropylene and metal that can withstand harsh weather and continuous use.
Capacity is another important factor because garden hose reels need to be compatible with common hose sizes, so we included hose reels that hold up to 130 feet. All of the models we looked at are wall-mountable and have multiple different spray modes, and we searched for models across different budgets.
Pros
Nine spray modes on the included hose
Locks at any length
Cons
Larger than it may appear
Last year, we reviewed all different kinds of hose reels, not just retractable ones, and this model from Giraffe Tools was chosen as the best overall. It’s taking the top spot once again with its 130-foot hybrid hose that is designed to resist abrasion and prevent leaks. It’s also equipped with a nozzle that has nine different spray patterns and 180-degree rotation.
The flexible hose locks at any length and a slight tug on the hose causes the reel to automatically retract back into the base. Mounting only requires a couple of screws, and you can lift the entire reel out of the mount for storage in the offseason. Though this is a convenient option, it is on the big and bulky side, which may create challenges for more compact backyards.
Dimensions | 22.8 x 10.2 x 17.6 in. |
---|---|
Material | Polypropylene |
Wind-up method | Automatic retractable |
Weight | 28.4 lb |
Capacity | 130 ft |
Pros
Swivel bracket for improved mobility
Ten different spray patterns
Cons
Smaller capacity than other options
The Dnyker Retractable Garden Hose Reel offers convenience and durability for all of your basic watering needs and at a fraction of the cost of other retractable hose reels. At just 65 feet, its hose is shorter than most other options, but it does include an any-length lock system. The slow auto-rewind mechanism ensures safe and tangle-free retraction, while the 180-degree swivel bracket ensures full garden coverage.
This reel also comes with a hose nozzle that sprays in ten patterns, from gentle misting to powerful jet spray. You can also mount the reel to your wall, and the hardware needed for mounting is included.
Dimensions | 20 x 9.99 x 18 in. |
---|---|
Material | Polypropylene |
Wind-up method | Automatic retractable |
Weight | 19 lb |
Capacity | 65 ft |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Automatic locking mechanism
Two different hose length options
Cons
Heavier than other automatic options
If style is your priority, look no further than the Hoselink Classic Retractable Garden Hose Reel. It comes with a 50- or 82-f00t hose and an any-length locking mechanism, so with a simple tug, the spring-loaded system smoothly retracts the hose back into the casing.
Most notably, its sleek, white casing is designed to blend with housing decor, rather than look like a bulky garden tool, so it won’t feel like such an eye sore when you’re admiring your outdoor space. While it’s on the heavier side at 30 pounds, it’s still wall-mountable, and it includes the necessary bracket and bolts for mounting.
Dimensions | 24 x 10.6 x 19.3 in. |
---|---|
Material | Polypropylene |
Wind-up method | Automatic retractable |
Weight | 30 lb |
Capacity | 82 ft |
Pros
Includes 180-degree swivel bracket
Mounting materials included
Cons
Tough to install
The Aquazilla Retractable Garden Hose Reel comes with an automatic rewind system and multiple hose size options—65, 100, and 120 feet. It’s wall-mountable, and while the hardware you need is included, some users say it’s a difficult reel to install.
This reel’s most notable feature might be its 180-degree swivel bracket, which gives you the flexible reach you need to cover every inch of your garden or lawn—not to mention your driveway if you’re washing your car. It comes with a six-foot leader hose, which helps you extend your hose to faucets that may be hard to reach, and a nine-pattern sprayer for all different types of watering.
Dimensions | 20 x 11 x 18 in. |
---|---|
Material | Polypropylene |
Wind-up method | Automatic retractable |
Weight | 25.4 lb |
Capacity | 120 ft |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Reel rotates 360 degrees
Wire basket for stowing small items
Cons
Mounting hardware not included
This reel is made of sturdy and weather-resistant powder-coated steel for the ultimate durability. It does not have the same automatic features that you’ll find with many other premium reels, but its cushion-grip handle makes the process of reeling your hose back in place pretty frictionless.
It also comes with a pull-up knob on the top that locks and unlocks the swivel mechanism, so you can rotate the reel to face wherever you’re dragging the hose. Additionally, there’s a small wire basket attached to the side for stowing extra nozzles or sprayers. The reel holds up to 125 feet of a standard, 5/8-inch hose, and it comes fully assembled, which saves you loads of time. That said, there is no mounting hardware included.
Dimensions | 18.6 x 20.3 x 22 in. |
---|---|
Material | Powder-coated 18-gauge steel |
Wind-up method | Manually retractable |
Weight | 15 lb |
Capacity | 125 ft |
Sarah Connor
Reviews Editor
Sarah Connor is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics. She also contributes to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Best Products, and Biography.com. Before joining the Hearst Magazines team, Sarah was a National Content Editor for Hearst Television. She holds a master's in Journalism from Syracuse University and a dual bachelor's in English and Communications from the University of Pittsburgh. When she isn’t writing up a review of the newest gadgets, you can find her heading to the nearest rink for a figure skating session or enjoying the outdoors with her beloved Australian Shepherd, Rosie.