5 Tips for Buying the Best Garden Hose

Before you start thinking about buying a new hose or replacing an old one, first consider how often and how much you actually use your garden hose. Even if you plan to use your garden hose sparingly, if you have to travel long distances over rocky terrain, you may want to consider using a heavier hose. Do you enjoy gardening? Want to water your plants every day of the year? An obvious choice is a heavy-duty, longer hose, but if you only need to go 10 feet in any direction, then a lighter hose may be a better choice. Do you have kids and like to drink water on hot summer days? Then a lead or BPA-free hose should be an important consideration for you. Once you have considered how you want to use your garden hose, you should be able to purchase the best garden hose for your needs and budget.

Length

The longer the garden hose, the better. Do not buy 100 feet if you only need 50 feet. Otherwise, you will be dragging around and recoiling a lot of hose that you don't need. If you have a small balcony or small city yard, consider buying a small coiled hose.

Kink resistance

Heavier hoses will inherently be more resistant to kinking. One drawback (besides the price) is that these hoses tend to be heavy (as their name implies). Some companies promise kink resistance in lighter hoses, but these usually get mixed reviews. It's important to read product reviews or try kink tests in stores to see for yourself. If your budget is small and you don't use the hose often, you may be willing to put up with some kinks for lifting and storage purposes. Try to choose lay flat hoses.

Materials

There are actually many materials available on the market for garden hoses to choose from. From light duty to heavy duty, there are rubber, vinyl (PVC), polyurethane and nylon to choose from (and probably some I missed). Most hoses are made of vinyl, rubber, or vinyl-rubber blends. Medium duty hoses tend to be made from one or two layers of vinyl. Heavy duty tends to be made from a combination of vinyl rubber.

Fittings

Are couplings made of brass or plastic? Plastic is cheaper and is easily attached to many nozzles, sprinklers and wands. Plastic will also not rust or corrode. However, plastic fittings will disintegrate over time under direct UV light or break if run over by a car or heavy machinery. Brass fittings will not break or fracture easily, nor will they disintegrate in sunlight. They will corrode, however, and many brass fittings contain lead.

Weather resistance

An often overlooked feature of garden hoses is their ability to withstand extreme weather well. Heavy-duty or contractor-grade hoses can withstand extreme temperatures, but are heavier and more expensive. Rubber hoses, while more difficult to kink and naturally lead-free, may be a poor choice for sunny, hot ground, especially if you tend to leave them unfurled in the sun.

You may have to accept that some hoses used extensively in extreme heat and sunlight will only last a few years. Coiling and storing hoses properly will increase their life. Or, look for hoses with a lifetime warranty that promises weatherproofing.
I think it's safe to say that there is no best garden hose for everyone, but by weighing your own needs against what's available on the market, you can buy the best garden hose for you. Contact LUHONG for professional advice.