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. 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.

But did you know that using a hose reel will make this job so much simpler? Gone are the days of having the hose trailing behind, getting frustratingly tangled and kinked every five minutes!The latest generation of hose reels make the watering process even easier by using auto-rewind technology. If you will be using your garden hose reel regularly, and plan to leave it outside, it is worth spending a bit more money on a good-quality reel to ensure it last for years. If you’re thinking about buying an automatic hose reel, here are a few tips to help you find the right hose and reel. The quality hose pipe is a three-layer, anti-kink hose that comes with a spraying nozzle. It has a variety of adjustable spray settings, making it easy to change between jobs 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.

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. Seeing as these garden hoses should be stored away in winter to prevent damage from freezing, a lighter unit like this may appeal to some, making the notion of the bi-annual job a bit less daunting. If you’re working with limited space, you might be wondering if there are more compact units available. The VonHaus Auto Rewind Wall-Mounted Hose Reel measures 41 x 40 x 20 cm which is significantly smaller than some other models.Alfresia’s Auto Hose Reel is a great value option, suitable for medium/large gardens. It contains a 30m hose, which is only 5m shorter than the hose on the Gardena Hose Reel, yet comes in at a fraction of the price.

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.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. Harry has real-world tested 46 products for DIY Garden, and is one of our more experienced testers. 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.