It’s also a good budget option, possessing many of the same features as some of the best garden hose reels on this list, without the eyewatering price tag. You should also look for a casing that is made from frost-resistant plastic to help protect the hose if it’s left outside during cold weather. Installation can also be a bit of a challenge; at 16.4 kg it’s not the lightest of units and it needs to be fixed to a solid wall to make sure it stays in securely. When re-winding the hose we would recommend that the feeder hose is disconnected from the tap, and no water is left remaining in the main hose, as this can cause the hose to take up more space in the Auto Reel which will cause some of the hose to stay outside of the casing. To empty the hose, turn the tap off, pull out the hose and open the hose nozzle to empty excess water - letting the water flow through.

If you’re thinking about buying an automatic hose reel, here are a few tips to help you find the right hose and reel.

Auto Reel Lock

You want a hose that will reach the end of your garden without stretching. However, you also don’t want to spend extra money on a hose which is much longer than you need. Measure your garden to find out what length of hose will best suit your needs. Compact units, holding 15 m hoses, are available for small gardens . In medium gardens, a hose of 20 – 30 m should work well. Larger gardens will benefit from a 30 – 40 m hose . You can always attach an additional extension to the hose whilst working. This is one of the cheapest reels on the list, and as a result it may not be quite as smooth in operation as some of the more expensive models. However, arguably the generous length of hose makes for an acceptable compromise. The hose can sometimes require a bit of persuasion to unravel, and to avoid damaging the unit or surrounding objects the hose should be walked in carefully. That said, you should still position your reel out of direct sunlight. High-quality casing will protect the hose from UV damage, but it will last longer if it is in a position where the temperature is more stable.

The latest generation of hose reels make the watering process even easier by using auto-rewind technology.Practicality: In terms of practicality, I looked out for reels that were resistant to kinks and those that had additional features that made them easier to use, such as auto-rewind technology. Models that were heavier – such as those above 15 kg – were rated lower in terms of initial practicality, as these were difficult to hold and assemble, so could pose difficulties to the average gardener immediately. To simplify garden maintenance and improve your daily watering experience, I thoroughly tested several automatic retractable garden hose reels. I rigorously evaluated a range of options and assessed their ease of assembly, overall design, practicality and, of course, value for money. Here’s a breakdown of the tests I conducted: Clean, tidy & protected – the Auto Reel neatly stores and protects the hose in a tough, UV resistant Polypropylene case, ensuring the hose remains protected. If the space where you choose to mount your reel is some way from the outdoor tap, you may need to acquire an extra ‘leader hose’ to connect the reel to the water supply. Also referred to as a ‘feeder hose’, sometimes you will have to create this yourself by cutting a piece of the hose pipe. In addition, the better quality the hose, the easier it will be to use and less likely to kink or fail to rewind. Superior garden hoses also come with better tap fittings meaning they are less likely to leak.

Puts itself away– when it is time to rewind the hose, a simple tug unlatches the drum, and the Auto Reel’s patented automatic rewind system takes over. The braking mechanism ensures a controlled rewind whilst the layering system neatly coils the hose with no kinks or tangles. You might be torn between hose reels or expandable hoses – both options are space-saving ways to get a longer hose in the garden.

Hozelock Auto Rewind Reel with Hose Pipe - 30m

Automatically reeling in 40 m of hose, and winding it on to the wall unit without tangling or kinking, this popular auto-reel saves time and effort. The result: a neatly stored hose in minutes. The hose stop prevents the hose fully retracting into the unit meaning the hose is easily available every time. It’s worth noting that this is a large hose reel that does take up quite a bit of space – certainly something to bear in mind when considering if it’s the right product for your garden. The reel casing measures 27 x 66 x 55.5 cm, which is bigger than some other models. One further thing to note: the feeder hose provided, to connect the reel unit to the tap, is a little short – measuring only around 2 m instead of the advertised 3 m. Just something to bear in mind whilst considering where to place your garden reel.

The Umi Auto Rewind Garden Hose Reel comes from a lesser known brand, yet it’s a reliable hose with a surprising number of attachments included for such a budget-friendly item. When the hose is fully extended, take the last section of the hose, near the letterbox mouth, and raise it upwards to a 75 degree angle. Give it a sharp pull, and this should jumpstart the tension spring. Harry has real-world tested 46 products for DIY Garden, and is one of our more experienced testers. Unfortunately it is not possible to replace the hose in the Auto Reel. The hose won’t stop when pulling it, what should I do? We’ve covered the best expandable garden hoses extensively on DIY Garden, and there are some great options on the market. One of the main advantages of expandable hoses is that they can be longer than hoses in reels, whilst taking up less storage space.

Hozelock Rectangular Hose Pipe Sprinkler Plus

The included Gardena hose features a spray nozzle and an on/off valve. This makes it infinitely easier to connect the hose to a sprinkler system, as well as adjust the water pressure from the hose itself rather than just the garden tap. Of course, non-drip connectors are a must-have when it comes to garden hoses – keeping water bills down and generally making watering jobs easier. The Alfresia hose reel and hose have all brass fitting; on the spray gun, hose end and tap connector. These are robust and durable, much like the spray gun itself which is also made from metal. Neatly store the feeder hose when not in use. This is especially useful when tidying the unit away in winter. The leak free parking point prevents drips when storing in your shed or garage. Naturally, unlike expandable hoses, a hose in a reel can naturally be left out for most of the year inside the casing. Choosing the Best Size Hose Reel The reel has a reliable, and fairly powerful, winding mechanism, making it well suited to use in small spaces and on terraces; it cleanly stores the garden hose away in a neat casing that measures approximately 55 cm in diameter.