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Spring yard work just got a whole lot easier.
Photo:Real Simple
The best ones prevent you from tripping overyour hose(the worst!)
and keep your yard looking neat and tidy.
Plus, they can protect your hose from the suns rays so it lasts longer.
PHOTO: Amazon
Out of 26 hose reels, three stood out above the rest.
Stick around to see our top picks.
The hose reel handle may be too short for taller people.
PHOTO: Real Simple
We also loved the rubber grips, which made the cart easier to control.
|Weight: 22 lbs.
Its the heaviest option on our list and may be excessive for light yard work.
If you have a large yard or garden, you need a hose reel thats up for the challenge.
Its spacious capacity and sturdy steel construction make it suitable for heavy-duty use.
Despite its heft, the hose reels rubber wheels and flexible handle made it surprisingly easy to maneuver.
Plus, the process of winding and unwinding was seamless.
Note that a hose reel of this size and weight might feel a bit excessive for the average person.
Still, for those looking to tackle larger outdoor spaces, we think the size is worth it.
With its well-made design, we have no doubt it will last for years, rain or shine.
|Weight: 46 lbs.
There’s no reel mechanism, so you have to wrap it around the holder yourself.
PHOTO: Walmart
Made from high-quality steel, we could tell the Aqua Joe Garden Hose Reel was built to last.
That said, we appreciated how easy it was to set up and use (no tools required).
|Weight: 10 lbs.
PHOTO: Real Simple
We also examined how high-quality the materials felt.
We also noted if the reel winded smoothly and whether it stayed steady or tipped over.
To test long-term durability, we used the hose reels at home and checked in at the three-month mark.
The main benefit of astanding hose reelis its portability.
Theyre lightweight, easy to install, and usually dont require tools or heavy lifting.
Plus, their vertical designs save valuable garden space.
However, standing reels dont typically have a large capacity, nor do they always have a reeling mechanism.
Hose reel cartsare best for heavy-duty use and for those with larger yards to tackle.
They also usually come with rubber-coated wheels, making them easy to push across various types of terrain.
Some even have side pockets to store your gardening accessories onboard when not in use.
Other hose reels arewall mounted, meaning they attach to a wall or structure.
Just keep in mind that since theyre mounted with tools, these options arent portable.
We didnt include any wall-mounted hose reels on our list because they require a more tedious installation process.
The two most common materials are metal and plastic.
If youre looking for a static mount, wrought-iron options are sturdy, functional, and attractive.
Metals are sturdy and usually rust resistant, especially when they have a weather-proof powder coating.
Before you buy a reel, measure your hose to ensure it aligns with the reels capacity.
Generally, youll want a reel with a slightly larger capacity than your hoses actual length.
PHOTO: The Home Depot
Manual hose reels usually have a higher capacity than retractable ones.
Along with considering the size of your hose, youll also want to think about storage.
However, if space is limited, opt for a compact or wall-mounted choice.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Wind-Up Mechanism
As you shop, youll come across two different wind-up mechanisms: manual and retractable.
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