A hose is an indispensable part of almost any lawn or garden activity. But just as important is having an easy and neat way of deploying the hose and storing it when needed.
A good hose storage solution also keeps your hose in much better shape and reduces the chance of damage that may occur with repeated kinks and other wear and tear from being dragged around.
We all know there’s nothing worse than getting started on a project and realizing your hose has a crack or tear that kills the water pressure. It can quickly put your plans on hold and force you to make an unscheduled trip to the home improvement store just to get started.
So below, we’ll look at the four best wall-mounted reels that keep your hose readily available but also safe from damage.
Giraffe Tools Auto Retractable Hose Reel
Price – $195
Features
- Includes 9-way adjustable spray nozzle
- All weather hose included
- Easily removable from the base
- Hose rated up to 600 psi
Giraffe Tools specializes in lawn and garden equipment with an emphasis on products that can make your life easier.
A perfect example is their Auto Retractable hose reel. These come in varying lengths from 65 feet up to 155 feet. All models include a fully enclosed hose reel so the hose is never visible or exposed to the elements when stored. They also include the mounting bracket and all hardware needed to mount the hose reel to your home exterior.
We tested the 1/2-inch 130-foot version and like all models, it also came with an adjustable spray nozzle. The spray nozzle uses a standard fitting so you can replace it with any spray nozzle of your preference. However, the included one is sturdy and definitely gets the job done for most tasks.
The spring-loaded action of the Giraffe allowed for infinite lengths to be pulled out. So there was no fighting with the reel which sometimes happens with auto-retracting reels. We also like the retraction speed. It was fast enough but not dangerous in any way that caused the hose to whip.
Another nice feature is that the reel can be easily lifted off the bracket without any tools. This can be done for storage in the winter or if you just need to move the hose. Doing so only leaves a small bracket left behind.
Hoselink Retractable Hose
Price – $235
Features
- Includes 7-way adjustable metal spray nozzle
- All weather hose included
- Beige and charcoal color options
- Available custom cover to protect it from the elements
Hoselink is an Australian company but they now offer their high-quality products in the U.S. market.
Hoselink offers two models in 50-foot and 82-foot variants. Each one also has a choice of beige or charcoal as the exterior color.
The unit comes with a mounting bracket and all hardware. The bracket allows for full 180-degree swiveling to accommodate different watering needs.
Overall, the spring action was nice and very easy to pull. Almost everyone should have no issue when needing to pull out the hose on these units. Some cheaper models we’ve tested can be a bit tough to pull out, making them difficult for certain users. But the Hoselink is one of the easier models and the entire action feels smooth.
It also comes with a 7-position spray nozzle which can be easily swapped out if you want. But the included nozzle is very nice and should work for most everybody.
Overall, this is a great retractable wall-mounted hose reel and the flat black color can really look sharp depending on the rest of your yard’s color scheme.
Retracta Wall Mounted Hose Reel
Price – $229
Features
- German-engineered reel mechanism
- All weather hose included
- Largest variety of color choices
- Generous 10-year warranty
The Retracta line of hose reels is made by MacNaught, a company with a long history of building air, oil, and water hose-related products for industrial or home use. So these heavy-duty units are well-engineered and built to last.
The Retracta line has a lot of different models, mostly varying by hose length which ranges from 60 feet to 90 feet.
These units are fully serviceable which is a niche touch. That means the German-engineered spring mechanism can even be repaired or replaced if needed. Many other spring-loaded hose reels don’t allow for any repairs, or at least not authorized repairs.
The mounting bracket is a little bare-bones, although it does the job just fine. It’s simply a metal bracket extending from the unit. Some of the other reels have a more finished look with a bracket that matches the case. But the bracket on the Retracta functions just fine and is sturdy. It just has more of an industrial look.
The Retracta also comes in a nice variety of bright colors for those looking to add a little flair to their backyard area. They come in black, bright green, bright blue, beige, and even bright red. As far as color choices go, the Retracta has the most of any brands we’ve tested.
Eley Wall Mounted Retractable Hose Reel
Price – $210
Features
- Heavy-duty alloy construction and powder coat finish
- Mounting Bracket accommodates parallel or perpendicular mounting
- 10-year warranty
- Stainless-steel mounting hardware
For those looking for a non-retractable wall-mounted hose reel, then the Eley line of reels is likely your best bet.
These units are built tough and should last for years and years with no maintenance at all. They are built from rust-resistant aluminum alloy and then given a professional powder coating for even more corrosion resistance.
All hardware is high-quality stainless steel so the mounting bolts will resist corrosion as well.
These units are cranked by hand, but they have a nice handle that swivels very smoothly. The reel itself also spins smoothly and with no play or slop that can make noise.
Being metal, these will handle extreme sunlight like what may be found in desert areas. Some of the other reels use plastic housings which may fade and crack in certain extreme conditions. With virtually all metal construction, these can handle being mounted on a wall that gets direct sunlight day after day.
One drawback is these are only available in one color, which Eley describes as Spartan Bronze. It’s a nice color and does go well with most backyard decor.
The mounting bracket does not swivel on these units, instead, you can choose to mount it either perpendicular or parallel to the wall. The orientation is based on the way the hose exits the reel. All hardware is supplied for both mounting options.
These do not come with hoses though, but you can order a hose from Eley if you prefer. They accommodate 125 feet hoses in 5/8ths and 100 feet hoses in 3/4. Extensions are available to handle hoses up to 200 feet
Final Tips On Wall-Mounted Hose Reels
So there you have it, our top four wall-mounted hose reels for home and garden use.
We do like the convenience of a spring-loaded retractable model. These can really make lugging out hose much easier. This is especially true for those who are older or have injuries that prevent them from enjoying lawn or garden work as they used to. These reels can really help them get back into the action since it frees them from having to carry out a heavy hose every time they want to do a little gardening.
However, retractable hoses aren’t for everyone, so for those that want or need a solid manual option, we included the Eley, which is one of the best manual reels out there. Its sturdy alloy construction should hold up to almost any condition.
With these options, there should be nothing holding you back from tackling that next lawn or garden project with ease – and without a kinked hose.