Vinyl: Vinyl is a lightweight and affordable alternative to rubber, but it's generally not as durable and is more prone to kinking. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right garden hose. Whether you're looking to use a garden hose for lawn care, small container gardening, or even cleaning, you'll need to determine which features are most important to you.

We also were impressed with how well this hose straightened out and that it didn’t kink during garden tasks. This is especially important if you plan to connect multiple hoses and don’t want the hassle of shaking loose a long, kink-filled hose that doesn't lay flat. However, we found it heavy when full, which made it hard to swing over things to maneuver into different places.The advantages of an expandable garden hose include that it drains and coils after you’re done using it. Unlike rubber hoses that are known to bend, expandable garden hoses are resistant to kinks. Is there a hose that doesn’t kink? To test the crush resistance of these 50 foot water hoses, we ran these hoses over with a Jeep Patriot to see if the end fittings would crush. To test ease of use, we took into account kink-resistance, maneuverability, and how easy it was to connect to a spigot. Although ease-of-use is subjective, we include as many photos and videos as possible to help you draw your own conclusions. One of the most popular storage options is a hose reel which makes it easy to spiral the hose around a central drum, which evenly distributes the weight and keeps the coils symmetrical. This heavy-duty hose is best for those of you who absolutely hate fighting kinks, and need something durable enough to handle a rugged environment. Although it might make sense for some homeowners, this is definitely a commercial grade hose.

If you’ve ever struggled to use or move a bulky, heavy hose around your outdoor space, you'll especially appreciate the Zero-G Garden Hose. Earning the best overall spot on our list, this hose stood out during our testing for its ease of use and durability. The lead-free couplings are designed to be crush-proof under loads up to 900 pounds. Plus, we loved how easily the hose connected to the spigot and we felt that its overall design was sleek compared to other options on the market.Although this hose is ultra-lightweight and easy to use, we did not see a sharp decline in flow rate. This Tuff Guard hose has a flow rate of 9.2 gallons per minute, putting it just below the average flow rate (9.3) for a standard design 5/8″ 50 foot hose that we tested. This hose comes with high-quality brass fittings and includes a spray nozzle with eight different settings, so you don't have to worry about purchasing one separately. Finally, consider the weight of the hose you choose. As stated earlier, rubber hoses tend to be the heaviest. Generally weight and durability go hand in hand (with some exceptions), so look for a hose that you feel confident you'll be able to manage, yet will still give you years of use.

But it is important to understand that there are also premium vinyl hoses that can be just as durable as rubber hoses. Premium vinyl hoses have multiple layers of reinforcement to add durability and to prevent kinking. If you plan to drink from your garden hose, it's important to note that not all garden hose materials are safe for drinking: "If you take an occasional drink from your hose on a hot day, get a hose that's designated boat, marine, or recreational," says McCoy. "Their plastic lining makes them safe for transmitting drinking water. It's important to remember that the components used in standard hoses aren't always safe for ingestion." Size

But the strength of this hose is ease of use. It is very easy to maneuver and avoids kinking. Here is a video of me straightening this hose. This is a lightweight hose that is flexible and kink resistant. It is perfect for those of you looking for a lightweight, very easy-to-use hose to use around the house for simple tasks. This Tuff Guard hose weighed 6.71 pounds which made it the lightest 50 foot standard design hose we tested. This coil hose in particular stands out for two reasons: its material and design. Like our best heavy-duty hose, it's made from UV-stabilized polyurethane, an extremely durable, flexible, and lightweight material that's resistant to punctures and abrasions. The couplings are made from lead-free brass. "I can see this lasting for many years," says one tester. In terms of design, this garden hose has unique straight tail ends as opposed to being coiled all the way through, which makes it easier to direct the flow of water and attach it to the spigot. Plus, it's drinking water-safe. This hose does have a rather small diameter at 3/8 inch, which can restrict the water flow, so it's best reserved for low-pressure watering. The couplings are made from anodized aluminum with an easy-grip coating that testers say made it easier to attach to the spigot and to drag across the lawn. The lime green color makes it easy to spot in the yard, too. And the hybrid polymer inner tube material is safe to drink out of, whether you're filling your pet's dish or drinking straight from the hose yourself. It doesn't have the most burst strength out of all the hoses on our list, but for everyday watering this shouldn't be a problem.