While a nozzle or spray gun isn’t essential - using your finger on the tip of the hose to adjust the water flow works well - they are practical.

The Best Garden Hoses in 2023 | BBC Gardeners World Magazine The Best Garden Hoses in 2023 | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

Our expert testers found this hose comfortable to use and carry as it remained stable while unwinding. Made with a resilient blend of PVC and has ‘Everflow technology’, it has a central core throughout the hose that keeps the water flowing even when it's twisted, crushed or knotted. With water conservation becoming more important than ever,check out this fascinating discussion between Arit Anderson and water expert Janet Manning on the BBC Gardeners’ World podcast.

Each hose has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to preparation and storage, handling and performance, quality and features and value for money . However, they can be a pain when it comes to reeling-in the hose, especially with free-standing types. A hose can be an essential bit of kit for a gardener, making the task of watering your garden much easier than heaving a heavy watering can back and forth from the tap. Hoses with reels, which can be either free-standing or mounted on a wall and can be retracted at the pull of the hose or wound by hand with a handle.

Hose Pipes | Garden Hoses | Screwfix Hose Pipes | Garden Hoses | Screwfix

While hoses come with recommended maximum water pressure, kink and frost protection, if a long warranty is offered, it’s a good sign it’s built to last, assuming of course, you look after it. On the whole, cheaper hoses have less layers, which affects their strength and durability over time. Constructed from five layers, including a reinforced material the Hozelock Ultimate also has a smooth inner layer to enhance water flow. Start from the tap and measure the maximum distance you need to reach the bottom of your garden, and then add a bit on, so the hose won’t be at full stretch. When the hose is filled with water it fully expands up to 30m, or three times its length, retracting back to its original size in next to no time when you turn the tap off.

In general, a textured outer layer will attach more securely to the tap connector than smooth alternatives, and will be less likely to burst off the nozzle or tap connector while it’s in use. Garden hose reel kits are more expensive, but they’re great if storage is an issue and the reel prevents hoses from getting tangled up or trodden on. Expandable hoses dispense with storage problems, as they contract to a manageable size when they’re not in use, but they can also leak and split more readily than tougher rubber alternatives. Connectors are usually made in either plastic or brass and while there are different grades of plastic, it’s fair to say that the brass connectors will be the most long-lasting. It’s worth noting that cheaper hoses need to be replaced more often, which is ultimately bad news for your pocket and the environment.

50ft Expandable Hose Pipe, Expandable Garden Hose with 10 50ft Expandable Hose Pipe, Expandable Garden Hose with 10

This was the heaviest and priciest hose on our expert test, but it does come with a five year guarantee. Choosing the right hose will depend on the size of your garden, how much time you spend watering and, of course, your budget. if a watering can is all you're after, we've chosen 10 different designs to suit your gardening needs.

If it’s just watering, you won’t need a super-strong hose with a high max burst pressure (measured in bars), but if you’re connecting it to a power washer, durability and strength are important - and steer clear of expandable hoses as they’re not recommended for use with pressure washers. Alternatively, a brightly coloured hose is more visible and so less likely to be run over by a car or machinery. Lastly, while colour might seem an aesthetic choice, if you have your garden hose on display on a patio, you might want to choose the colour that best works with your scheme. We've tested a range of hose brands, using them in different gardens and situations to help you find the right one for your garden.

Garden Hoses | Watering | Screwfix Garden Hoses | Watering | Screwfix

Expandable hoses come with a tough woven fabric outer layer that allows them to expand and contract. Rubber hoses kink easily and can even get in a tangle, whereas expandable hoses, with their fabric outer layers, are designed to be anti-kink and anti-knot. The hose is lightweight but still felt sturdy and we liked the angled connector which reduces the chance of kinking.The automatic self-layering feature on this hose made it extremely quick to wind and unwind, despite being the longest we tested. In general, hosepipes are constructed with layers of vinyl, polyurethane and rubber, often reinforced with nylon or metal mesh.