You can leave garden hoses out all year round as long as they are housed in a reel with a protective casing; however, storing them away when possible is the best idea.

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. 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. Most casings protect the hose pipe from UV damage and offer frost protection. However, garden hoses may well last longer if stored in a frost-free environment over winter.The Gardena Wall-Mounted Hose comes with an automatic recoiling 35-metre hose reel. Therefore there is no need for you to roll it up as it rolls up itself once you are done. 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. Weighing 8.1 kg, installation is relatively straight forward; however, the included pieces of mounting hardware are only just up to the job. To avoid any future disasters, it might be an idea to use stronger bolts. You are going to enjoy this garden hose reel in more ways than one. Its lightweight design allows you to easily move it around the garden to water different sections without much hassle. It is flexible and easy to use. Yet still, storage of the hose reel does not require much effort of space. You can simply mount it on the wall when you are not using it. 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.

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. Another thing to consider is the size of the reel unit itself. You should make sure you have enough wall space to mount the hose reel that you want to buy, as some of them are quite large.Practicality: In terms of practicality, we 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. Whilst some people love the bright colours of gardening equipment, there are others who cry out for something a little more understated. If you find yourself in the latter category, you’ll be pleased to know the TRESKO Auto Garden Hose Reel has got you covered. 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.

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.Every auto reel comes with a 5 year guarantee (when you register online) providing you with peace of mind that your auto reel will be watering your garden for years to come. 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.

The latest generation of hose reels make the watering process even easier by using auto-rewind technology. 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 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.To simplify garden maintenance and improve your daily watering experience, we thoroughly tested 6 automatic retractable garden hose reels. We 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 we conducted: The hose stop prevents the hose fully retracting into the unit meaning the hose is easily available every time. When the hose is retracted, it will disappear inside a neat unit. When not in use, most wall units protrude a maximum of 30 cm from the wall . This is a good size as it stops them from being hazardous or encroaching on your garden space. When it comes to the hose itself, the manufacturing is of noticeably good quality; the 25 m hose pipe consists of 3 wear-resistant layers which help protect it from the elements and high water pressure.