Garden season is upon us, and if your old garden hose is cracked, split and leaking, it’s probably time for an upgrade. An expandable hose is a great addition to your arsenal, being that they are compact and lightweight. They are often made of some sort of small diameter flexible inner tubing, encased by a thick, durable, yet also flexible exterior. The tubing expands when water flows through, but collapses to a fraction of the size making it easy to store, transport and use. These hoses don’t kink, twist or get tangled. In other words, they’re a godsend.
We reviewed a few of the most popular ones out there so you can make an informed decision. Check out these expandable garden hose reviews and get watering!
Check out this comparison chart for a quick rundown of the best expandable hoses out there. Full reviews can be read down below!
| Treeco 50ft Expandable Hose |
GrowGreen 50ft Expandable Hose | VicTsing 50ft Expandable Hose | Josy&Co 50ft Expandable Hose | Platinum 50ft Expandable Hose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Rating: 4.5 | Rating: 5 | Rating: 4.5 | Rating: 4 | Rating: 3.5 |
| 7-setting sprayer, reel and high pressure sprayer included |
8-setting sprayer included | Sprayer not included | 8-setting sprayer and hanger included | Sprayer not included |
| Zinc alloy fittings | Brass fittings | Brass fittings | Brass fittings | Brass fittings |
| Inner: latex Outer: nylon |
Inner: latex Outer: weaved nylon |
Inner: latex Outer: weaved nylon |
Inner: latex Outer: weaved nylon |
Inner: latex Outer: weaved nylon |
| 17ft unexpanded | 17ft unexpanded | 17ft unexpanded | 18ft unexpanded | 17ft unexpanded |
| 2.8lbs | 1.8lbs | 2.4lbs | 2.8lbs | 2.2lbs |
| 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Warranty | 1 Year Warranty |
| $$$ | $$ | $ | $ | $$ |
| Read Customer Reviews | Read Customer Reviews | Read Customer Reviews | Read Customer Reviews | Read Customer Reviews |
Still Unsure? Read our buying tips and the full review of each expandable hose:
Q: What are expandable hoses?
A: An expandable hose is different from a traditional hose in that instead of a single tube of thick rubber material, it is composed of a thin inner latex tube, surrounded by a thick and durable nylon coating. When water is not running through them, they are generally around 15-18ft long, but when water fills the tube they expand to up 50ft+.
Q: What’s so great about them?
A: The expanding and shrinking design allows them to be more easily stored than traditional versions due to their small and compact size. As a result, they are also a fraction of the weight, averaging around 2.5lbs for a 50ft length, compared to a 10lbs rubber model of the same length. This is makes it much easier to use and carry around. Lastly, the unique design prevents kinking and tangling while in use and while putting it away, making them extremely convenient.
Q: What to look for when buying?
A: If you’re looking to buy the best expandable hose, there are a few things to keep in mind. What length do you need? If you have a very large yard, you may need to get longer than the typical 50ft length (when expanded) in order to reach everywhere you need it to be. Some brands provide a spray nozzle to attach to the end at no extra cost, if you already have one, then you can save and go with a brand that doesn’t include one, although it could be nice to have a backup. Lastly, although the nylon exteriors are extremely durable, they can still be vulnerable to punctures like rubber hoses. If you have dogs that love to play with your garden hoses, you may want to look for a heavy-duty thick rubber hose such as this one.
Ready to get the best expandable garden hose? Below are the full reviews of each product we featured in the comparison chart above.
Treeco
- Length: 50ft expanded, 17ft unexpanded
- Weight: 2.8lbs
- Materials: zinc alloy fittings, latex inner tube, nylon exterior
- Accessories included: 7-setting sprayer, high pressure sprayer, storage reel
- Notable Features: Non-braided exterior has a uniform shape, no thinner sections that could more easily rip.
- Warranty: Limited 1-year
- Negatives: Usually around $10 more than other cheaper brands.
- Price: Typically can find it for around $50. Check the latest price online
GrowGreen
- Length: 50ft expanded, 17ft unexpanded
- Weight: 1.8lbs
- Materials: brass fittings, latex inner tube, weaved nylon exterior
- Accessories included: 8-setting water sprayer
- Notable Features: Also available in 25ft, 75ft and 100ft lengths.
- Warranty: Limited 1-year
- Negatives: Some folks find lower water pressure when fully expanded
- Price: Can usually find one for around $45. Check the latest price online
VicTsing
- Length: 50ft expanded, 17ft unexpanded
- Weight: 2.4lbs
- Materials: brass fittings, latex inner tube, weaved nylon exterior
- Accessories included: none
- Notable Features: 45-day money back guarantee
- Warranty: Limited 1-year
- Negatives: Manufacturer says to avoid drinking from it, so best for garden use only
- Price: Typically can find one for around $35-40. Check the latest price online
Josy&Co
- Length: 50ft expanded, 18ft unexpanded
- Weight: 2.8lbs
- Materials: brass fittings, latex inner tube, weaved nylon exterior
- Accessories included: 8-setting water sprayer
- Notable Features: Shut-off valve on fittings to control the water flow
- Warranty: Limited 1-year
- Negatives: Some folks find after ~5 months fittings may come loose
- Price: Can find it for ~$40 usually. Check the latest price online
Platinum
- Length: 50ft expanded, 17ft unexpanded
- Weight: 2.2lbs
- Materials: brass fittings, latex inner tube, weaved nylon exterior
- Accessories included: none
- Notable Features: lightweight, good quality fittings
- Warranty: Limited 1-year
- Negatives: Some people have issues with the inner tube rupturing
- Price: Usually can find one for about $50. Check the latest price online
