Automatic Garden Hose Reels: 10 Best Models [Reviewed]

An automatic garden hose reel, also known as an automatic water hose reel, is a garden hose storage system that keeps your hose put away, and ready for use. The best automatic garden hose reel will be lightweight, easy to install, and will include everything you need to mount it on the side of your house.

These wall-mounted units provide a tidy way for you to store your garden hose and a convenient way of using them. You simply pull the hose out from the reel, use it as needed, and let the hose go. The automatic garden hose reel will pull the hose back in, all on its own. In addition to providing convenience, there are several other benefits provided by an automatic garden hose reel (Source).

Without proper care, your hose will eventually weaken, bend, and kink, so having your hose automatically put itself up will also keep it out of harm’s way. It won’t become brittle from exposure to UV light, and it won’t get chopped up by your lawn mower (Source).

An automatic garden hose reel is great to have, but there are a few things you need to know when choosing one for your home. Before you buy an automatic garden hose reel, consider its price, build quality, and how long of a hose it can store.

In this article, we will examine all the top-rated automatic garden hoses reels. All of the garden hose reels in this review will keep your yard tidy, and your garden hose in good condition, whether you water your plants and flowers every day, or just use your hose to wash your car once a week.

What Are Automatic Garden Hose Reels? 

Automatic garden hose reels are wall-mounted units that can easily roll up your garden hose without the need for manual work. These are ideal for watering plants in your lawn, washing your car, and performing other garden duties.

These long flexible pipes need to be laid out when you have to use them. This activity often leaves you behind with collecting the duct and rolling it up to keep it safe. Hose pipes in a bundle are quite heavy, which can be tiresome for you to carry around to store it away safely.

That’s where an automatic garden hose reel gives you the comfort of rolling up the pipe into a neat bundle inside its shell. Compared to manual garden reels, automatic hose reels operate at the push of a button to suck in the hose and roll it up neatly for you to use it later.

Comparing The 10 Best Garden Hose Reels

1. iKris Retractable Garden Water Hose Reel – Best Overall

Some say that variety is the spice of life; so, to spice up your gardening, iKris came up with their garden hose reel, which has six different capacities that range from 25 feet to 120 feet.

It comes with its own braided hose with high-quality brass fittings and a spring-loaded case. Additionally, it offers a pull-and-release automatic retraction system.

Moreover, it features factory-made mounting hardware, which serves as a wall mount. If properly installed, it would allow for a 180-degree swivel turn. Hence, it is easy to carry with its built-in handle.

It also has a removable panel for easy cleaning of the internals. Its hose is covered with a green and taupe like-colored case.

Automatic Rewind Smart Path Guide

iKris features a commendable auto-rewinding Smart Path guide technology that lets the hose retract and overlap evenly. That way, you do not have to worry about damaging the garden pipe inside the reel shell.

Furthermore, uneven overlapping can cause the hose to stretch inside the shell leading to unwanted damages. However, this automatic retractable hose reel prevents this phenomenon by helping the pipe lap in an even way.

Weather-Friendly

When not in use for a long amount of time or during winter, it should be completely drained out of any residual water and removed from its casing for proper storage. Don’t let go of the hose when rewinding; this can cause it to whip.

This hose reel comes with all the necessary parts so that it can be easily wall mounted in the area you desire. Plus, the smart locking feature of the retractable hose lets you pull out the desired length of the pipe without worrying about retracting back unless you pull its rewinding lever.

2. Suncast CPLSSM200B with Smart Trak Hose Guide – UV-Proof And Durable

Unlike other automatic hose reels, Suncast invests in a unique shell that delivers high-end durability. It has a cute box-like encasing, which also doubles as storage. As the name implies, it hides away your hose, giving it maximum protection from UV rays and extended shelf life.

Second, this product comes fully assembled, so it is a go-to for anyone who is not handy. It has a short leader feed hose for you to attach your outdoor faucet hose end to. Hence, it’s more like a “buy, drop, and use immediately” product.

Smart Trak Hose Guide

Additionally, it has enough capacity for a 225-foot standard 5/8 vinyl hose, with a Smart Trak hose guide which evenly distributes the hose when retracting. Furthermore, its square base gives you full 360-degrees swivel, making it easy to turn to any direction you desire.

Moreover, you can decide to screw the base to the ground for concrete flooring usage. It comes with two spikes for that purpose. Lastly, even though it is not battery-powered, it has a hand crank, which can spool your hose back into the reel after usage.

Designed To Last 

Its personalized design ensures that you do not have to worry about harsh weather conditions. The system is not fully automatic because you do need to turn its crank to wind the pipe manually. This could be frustrating at times as you have to bend and do the tiring work.

However, this limit in its design hides beneath it many impressive qualities, including a water-proof and UV-proof body for prolonged efficiency. The CPLSSM200B rewind garden hose reel is suitable for beginners who want to experience simplicity without worrying about operability.

3. GARDENA Hose Reel 82-Feet – High-Quality Water Hose Reel

Initially, some people may consider this product as a luxury item due to its price. However, most people still cannot stop acquiring more units of it. It comes with its own hose and you can decide what length you want it in.

It also has a strong mounting base, which makes it possible to mount vertically on a wall. If done accurately, you should experience its practical 180-degree swivel motion.

Ergonomic Storage And Operability

This automatic retractable garden hose reel can be easily gripped by its handle and removed from its wall bracket for storage during extreme seasons. Furthermore, it features a pull and release mechanism with powerful springs, which provide complete self-retraction after use.

Lastly, it comes with nozzles, sprayers, wash brushes, screws, wall plugs, and a hose guide for even alignment and tangling prevention.

One-Touch Rewinding Action 

Not only does it feel impressively easy to pull out the hose from the reel and use, but it also has a simple one-touch-button mechanism to retract the hose.

This wall mount water hose reel is worth an investment because it does not need much effort to rewind the pipe back in place. Other retractable reels might have a foot pedal or a manual crank to wind the hose, which does require some sort of pressure.

However, pushing a button is daily easy compared to it.

4. Suncast RSW125D Aquawinder Hose Reel – Most Efficient

This next product on the list is fast becoming a household name among automatic hose reel products. Suncast RSW125D Aquawinder is box-like and could also double as a storage chamber.

The RSW125D is a high-quality and fully-assembled leader hose reel system that is perfect for both industrial and domestic use. It instantly gives you access to up to 125 feet of water hose to take care of irrigation operations.

Stylish Wood-Like Shell

Its body is completely made up of a strong and durable resin frame despite looking like a woven-wood compartment. It also has a primary inlet and outlet hose which is where a longer hose can be attached.

Additionally, it comes assembled with two stakes if you need to affix it to the ground. Some people even purchase two extra stakes so they can fasten four edges as an anti-theft action.

However, it does not include the main hose. You would have to buy that separately. This has an advantage – you get to choose your own water hose and do not have to stick with the standard one that usually comes with an automatic retractable reel.

Such customizable features make it a great way to water your gardens and take care of other similar activities both domestically and industrially.

Water-Powered Hose Reel

It offers hands-free winding technology with its automatic water-powered hose reel operated at the flip of a lever. It also has the capacity to handle a standard 125 feet 5/8 vinyl hose, which is usually suitable for most people.

Lastly, this device has a hose guide in place which gives your hose an even distribution. It uses water expulsion pressure technology to retract your hose  within a minute using under five gallons of water.

5. RL Flo-Master 65HR8 – Most Versatile

Dubbed as the “small but mighty hose reel,” the RL Flo-Master offers you a no-fuss no-muss saga. However, you have to be a bit handy with it because it has to be wall-mounted to any 4×4 space post.

On the other hand, it comes equipped with fasteners and spring tension for that purpose. Additionally, when properly mounted, it allows for a 180-degree swivel. Unless you don’t need to keep taking it off the wall mount, the RL Flo-Maser serves its purpose efficiently.

Smart Rewinding Function 

It encases its very own 65 foot 5/8 hose with protected threaded brass ends. It also has a guide, which aligns the hose evenly when retracting and prevents overlapping. Moreover, it includes a carrying handle, which allows the mounting bracket to be removed.

Furthermore, it is fully-automatic: no manual handling would be needed. It retracts itself back in slowly with the help of its spring-loaded hose and stopper.

Versatile Nozzle Spray

This automatic rewind garden hose reel comes with a unit nozzle spray that is very easy to use because of the 8 different sprayer settings. Just switch to the one that you want to use and have fun spraying water over the desired area with ease.

Not to mention, this functionality also lets you stop wasting excess water. All these features add up a simple and effective operation for you without investing a lot of money.

Thus, this is one of the most affordable automatic hose reels in the market.

6. Suncast PW100 Powerwind – Most Convenient

The PW100 is a simple-to-use automatic reel that will conveniently roll up the pipe in place. This unit has a hassle-free mounting system that requires a battery to power it for bundling up the garden hose, leader hose, etc.

Even the manual that comes with it gives clear instructions to use it safely and efficiently. Furthermore, this reel has a foot pedal operation. Upon pressing it, the hose reels up back in the container, completely secure.

Rechargeable Battery

The Suncast PW100 Powerwind has a very convenient usage with a rechargeable battery feature. This means you do not have to worry about replacing the battery once it dies out. Just charge it and start using it once again as many times as you like.

Do make sure to have a power outlet available nearby to charge its motor for rewinding purposes. The battery gives you up to 20 uses after recharge, which is fairly enough for a couple of weeks.

Ample Storage 

It gives you quite the convenience with up to 100 feet of storage capacity for garden hose. The design has been made quite versatile with a storage compartment that you can use for storing tools, gloves, etc.

Suncast Powerwind 12 is suitable for providing access to 100-feet leader hose, water hose, etc., which you can utilize around your garden or backyard for watering.

7. Reelsafe RSH125 – Best Hydropowered Hose Reel

This powerful machine uses a water-powered technology to retract the hose slowly but safely. Its rewinding mechanism does not need any battery, as the water pressure works flawlessly to do so.

The RSH125 features a setup that you can mount on the ground. It also has an auto-sort mode that makes sure to avoid tangling of the hose while it retracts back. To add durability to the design, you get this reel in plastic that also removes the chance of corrosion.

Sturdy Box-Like Design 

Reelsafe has a convenient and sturdy box-like structure for storing the garden hose inside without worrying about hazards from harsh weather conditions, etc. The hydro-powered rewinding action is great at looping the hose over the reel at a slow and steady pace.

That way, you can be sure that the pipe does not whip back, leading to damage of any sort. By just pulling the lever present on the side, the garden hose retracts in a neat and evenly-distributed coil for you to reuse later.

Easy Setup

This product is quite easy to set up, and the hydraulic pressure operation makes it quite convenient and cost-effective to use in the long term. It certainly makes it a good option if you want to save electricity.

If you are looking for an automatic retractable hose reel that you can install on the ground, then the RSH125 is a great option for you. With its robust design, slow and safe rewinding mechanism, and battery-free operation, it is one of the most versatile hydropower reels for your consideration.

8. Legacy L8346 Levelwind – Best Hose Reel With Wall Mount

When it comes to positioning, the Legacy L8346 Levelwind is a beast. This 25 lb-automatic machine can be mounted on the wall without worrying about space problems in your premises.

You can position is in seven different ways for your convenience. Furthermore, the L8346 gives you the flexibility of choosing the storage capacity depending upon the length size, such as 75, 60, and 50 feet.

Fast Spring-Loaded Function

For prudent results, Legacy offers its hose with the equipment based on the specifications by Levelwind. This unit comes with a manual spring-loaded hose action to reel up the tube back in a neat bundle.

Furthermore, it offers versatility at mounting it in seven varying positions. Or, if you like, then you can just install it on the ground as well. Legacy certainly gives high durability with this hose reel.

Highly Durable 

The L8346 automatic hose reel also accompanies a superior-quality encasing that is UV-resistant for ensuring long-term protection. Even the wall mount bracket that it accompanies, is quite sturdy to be reused as often as you like.

Such flexibility of relocating it as per your convenience is what makes it a worthy hose reel to suit your requirements. Also, expect high-performance through the convenient swivel action to keep the hose facing towards you every time you use it.

9. Hoselink Reel – Automatic And Secure

The Hoselink garden hose reel is a beautiful piece of automatic equipment for keeping your hose safe and secure. This brand offers one of the most versatile automatic hose reels that will ensure that your water spraying system is efficient.

Furthermore, Hoselink ensures a seamless retraction operation that pulls up the hose without any issues every time. For best results, this equipment comes with a preinstalled 9/16” reinforced hose that includes durable threaded brass ends.

Multifunctional Nozzle Spray 

At the end of this retractable garden hose reel, you have a multifunctional spray gun, which is excellent for adding more functionality with this automatic reel system. Just switch between the seven spray settings that it comes with to witness a controlled and customized water output.

Nozzles without custom spray modes do not give you the control for using water in the right quantity. This often damages delicate plants while you water them. But, this nozzle spray ensures that you use the force of the water as you see fit.

User-Friendly Mounting Action 

After mounting it on the wall, you can use its 180-degree swivel action to pull out the hose in any direction that you like. This is possible because of its high-quality spring-loaded hose reel to keep the system functioning without any compromises.

10. Power Products USA Hose Reel – Most Spacious Hose Reel

Power Products feature a robust hose reel system with a 100 feet storage capacity for ½” bundle. This product boasts its PSI range of 500, which is 50% more than other counterparts in this range.

With exceptional-quality brass fittings and sturdy twist collar, it certainly is a high-end system for guaranteeing you quality output. Another robust feature offered in this product is the nozzle protector that keeps it safe while retracting the hose.

Robust Hose

This automatic hose reel comes with its own water hose, which is made of three layers of hybrid material to ensure maximum sturdiness. The hose once pulled out, can retract back with the help of its slow return system.

The water pipe even locks at any place that you like without worrying about rewinding it with force. This means you will not have to worry about the hose retracting with a force as soon as you let it go.

3-Year Warranty 

Power Products USA is quite confident of their automatic hose reel, which is why they even offer a 3-year warranty over it. This does makes it worth considering as you get to use a robust, efficient, and versatile hose reel for several years.

How Does An Automatic Garden Hose Reel Work?

An automatic garden hose reel can work in several ways based on the technology used in it. As the primary function of this reel is to roll up the pipe after use automatically, so some force needs to be a presence to fulfill that task.

Here are a couple of ways that help an automatic reel operate efficiently:

• Spring-lock Action – Some mechanical pipe reels have an inbuilt spring that keeps uncoiling as the garden hose winds out of the reel for using That creates tension in the coil.

A stopper is also present inside the machine that locks the hose when it is out of the reel. Once you are done using the tube, you remove the stopped from the reel, which then starts coiling the pipe back on it.

• Electric powered/battery operated – These garden hose reels are powered with a battery-operated/electric motor that helps to recoil the pipe back into a neat bundle. This one usually works through an electrical circuit, with an on/off switch or button.

• Hydropower – Another design that has been popularized nowadays is the one that works with the help of water pressure. With this aqueous force, the reel can coil up the pipe without the need for an electric power supply or a spring action.

These mechanisms are meant to give power in various forms so that the hose can roll up automatically.

How To Keep Your Garden Hose Safe From The Sun?

Garden hoses and similar pipes are quite vulnerable to sun rays and other harsh weather conditions. With long term usage, the hose material starts to crack.

It might be inevitable, which often requires you to replace your current garden pipe. However, you do have the option to delay this process as much as possible. Here are some tips to ensure longevity and durability in your garden hose.

• Always remember to remove all the water left inside the hose after using it. The water left inside can lead to the development of algae, etc., which can cause the pipe to rot from the inside.

• Never lay the pipe directly in sunlight, as it can cause the material to dry out faster, leading to cracking and flaking.

• Choose a relevant material of construction for your chosen garden pipe, such as vinyl, rubber, expandable, etc.

• Use a garden reel to store the pipe safely after usage. Automatic garden hose reels would be more beneficial in this situation as they will help you save time.

What Is The Difference Between An Automatic And A Manual Garden Hose Reel?

Automatic hose reels comprise of an automated mechanism powered by a source like a battery, water, or spring-action to wind the hose over the reel drum. This makes it a convenient and efficient machine to use.

On the other hand, manual hose reels have a crank attached to the reel drum. You have to rotate the crank manually to wind the garden hose. This can be physically challenging for some as physical force needs to be applied.

Automated ones do have a downside to them. For instance, the battery-powered one will need to be recharged regularly. As for the hydro-powered reel, there is a wastage of water, which if not utilized efficiently, creates a mess around the garden hose reel.

Likewise, the spring-driven one does not have a slow retracting mechanism. The tension in the spring that builds up when the hose is out, can cause it to retract very fast. This can lead to injuries due to the whipping action.

Automatic ones are also expensive, but they give you the convenience that manual ones might not.

How Much Does An Automatic Garden Hose Reel Cost?

Most automatic hose reels that you find will have a varied cost anywhere between $60 and $1400. This variation in the price is based on the material of construction, brand, rewinding mechanism, accompanying accessories, etc.

The cheap ones might use water-powered systems that are slow at retracting the hose, but still, get the job done. Whereas, the expensive ones come with additional perks, like warranty, multifunctional nozzle sprays, and more.

How To Use An Automatic Garden Hose Reel

Unlike manual garden hose reels, automatic ones come fully assembled to be used right out of the box. You just need to connect them to your water supply outlet.

If you are going to use a wall-mounted hose reel, then you will first need to choose a good and convenient place to install the brackets for the reel. Once that is done, slide the reel compartment in the bracket to fix the unit in place.

Connect The Inlet

Connect the inlet hose present at the side of the compartment on either of the models to your water supply pipe. Automatic hose reels have an easy system where you can pull the hose out as much as you like.

Your model might be spring-loaded, water-powered, or battery-operated to wind the hose after use. All these are automatic models with different power sources for rewinding the pipe.

Retract The Hose

Once you are done using it, just press the foot pedal or push button to rewind the hose back in place. In some models, you might have to use a manual crank lever, which helps you rewind the garden pipe neatly over the reel.

How To Keep Your Garden Hose From Tangling

Instead of focusing on manual labor to keep the pipe from tangling, you can just install an automatic garden hose reel, which will slowly and steadily retract the pipe for you.

That way, you do not have to create individual and uneven loops to detangle the pipe on your own.

Things You Must Know Before Buying an Automatic Garden Hose

Initially, when going for an automatic garden hose reel, there are some crucial things you should take into account before purchasing one.

You don’t want to end up with something that looks like a factory defect or a wrangled up mass of whatever material.

To say the least, it should be simple and elegant. You should be able to deduce what goes where even if you can’t define engineering. Additionally, here are some other notable points:

Operation

A reel mechanism can be hand-cranked, battery-powered, water-powered, or have a pull and release mechanism. Some mechanisms will last longer than others.

For instance, a hand-cranked retraction, which seems more semi-automatic, lasts longer than a pull and release retraction mechanism or a battery-powered retraction reel because they are fully automatic.

However, know that a semi-automatic reel is more stressful and rugged than a fully automatic reel.

Maintenance

To start, most hose reels are made of hard and durable plastic encasing or metal. While some just need minor cleaning with a damp towel or a bristle brush, some are prone to rust and might need more maintenance attention.

Additionally, you will have to double up on maintenance if it’s to be left outside during the rain or winter season. It is always advisable NOT to open up or take apart any reel if you are not a professional. If you have a faulty reel, reach out to the manufacturers.

Length of Hose

Usually, garden hoses are 25, 50, 75, 100, or 125 feet. It is recommended that you buy only the length that you need. If you buy the longest one you can, it will be costly, heavier, harder to drain, and harder to store.

It would depend if your reel would come with a hose; if not, pick the hose that is just a little longer than your needed measurement.

Additionally, if you could, buy two small hoses instead of a long one. That would make it easier for you so you could use the shorter one for quick work and the longer one for when you only need it.

Ease of Use

Depending on your health status, pick the reel that would make life easier for you. If you have back problems, pick a wall-mounted reel instead of an automatic floor-mounted reel. Likewise, it is best to go for an already-assembled reel.

Likewise, use garden kneelers, to comfortably sit down and tend to your plants and flowers. This tool is especially useful for people with back or knee pain.

FAQ’s About Automatic Garden Hose Reels

Q: What’s the best hose made of?

The best material a hose can be made of is rubber. Rubber hoses are durable, heavy-duty, and long-lasting. Additionally, they can handle hot water and are less likely to twist themselves.

Meanwhile, vinyl comes second. Vinyl is the cheapest and lightest, but it is also the least sturdy among all other materials. It’s only meant for light-duty and minimal sun exposure.

Q: How do I pick a twist-free hose?

To have a hose that kinks less, go for rubber hoses. Alternatively, you could also bend your hoses into a “U” to check if it twists itself easily.

Q: What types of hoses are out there?

If you need to buy a hose for your automatic garden reel, here are several types of hose to consider:

• Light Hoses – Vinyl-made; can kink more often and have plastic fittings alongside thin diameters. However, they’re the cheapest.
• Expandable Hoses – lightweight and a half-inch in diameter. When with water, they expand up to three times their length. However, they wear with time and are prone to rupture.
• Lead-free Hoses – made with non-toxic cores and safe for supplying pets and edibles with water.
• Flat Hoses – lightweight, easy to roll and store, and flatten when without water. However, they need hose reels.

Ready To Buy The Right Automatic Garden Hose Reel?

Whether for domestic or industrial use, you are going to need a convenient water supply for irrigation, cleaning, washing, etc. To ensure that you utilize water through garden hoses without creating a mess, then using an automatic hose reel is your best bet.

If you want a simple automatic garden hose reel, we advise you to go for the Ikris Retractable Garden Water Hose Reel. It is not advisable for industrial use but it fits in perfectly with most homes and is budget-friendly.

Additionally, with a pull and release retracting mechanism, it can be mounted on the wall or ceiling. However, if you need a reel that is floor-mounted and pre-assembled, the best choice would be the Suncast CPLSSM200B.

Once you are done selecting the right one for yourself, maybe you would like to check out our other guides related to the maintenance of your gardens, backyards, etc.

Related Guides:

• Top Soaker Hoses
• Motion Activated Sprinklers
• Best Collapsible Garden Hoses