Last Updated:November 23, 2024
Bests Flex Garden Hose
We switched to flex hose a couple years ago, and the first one I bought only lasted one year. The hot Arizona sun melted away the core so I did a lot of research to find the best expandable hose on the market.
The material can make a huge difference in lifespan of the hose. The core is either latex or TPE which stands for thermoplastic elastomer. TPE is more resistant to heat (source) which makes it a must when living in Phoenix. Additionally, you will want to look at the layers of latex. They can range from one being the cheapest that will lead to leaking to 4 which will last many years.
The exterior is nylon and this will flex to a point and then provide the support to stop the hose from blowing up like a balloon. While all the outer shells are made of nylon, there’s a huge difference between the quality. Nylon is measured in weight where the thicker the weight the better.
Finally, we look at the connectors and fittings. Brass is the most popular because it is rust resistant. While it’s challenging for the average homeowner to evaluate the quality of nylon, it’s super simple to see if the connectors are metal such as brass or stainless steel or plastic. We typically avoid all hoses with the plastic connectors as this normally means the manufacturer cut costs whenever possible.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time, you can use the links below to quickly find the best flexible hose for you on Amazon. You can be assured that we’ve spent hours researching the top expandable hose…
– Best flexible hose Elk & Bear Flex Garden Hose
– Best budget flexible hose Springle Flex Hose
Photo
Budget Pick - Best Value
Title
HooSeen Flexible Hose
Springle Flexible Hose
Growfast Professional Grade Hose
Price
Manufacturer
HooSeen
Springle
Growfast
Lengths
50 - 100 ft
50 ft
100 ft
Sprayer Included
Weight
4.1 pounds
3.5 pounds
5.35 poulnds
Fittings/Connectors
Nickel and Brass
Brass
Plastic
Core
Triple Latex
Latex
Polypropylene
Best For
Great all around hose. Almost got editor's pick award
Budget Pick - Nice balance of quality and price
Best for hot temperatures works to 122 degrees
Warranty
30 Day MBG and 1 year warranty
Lifetime replacement
1 Year Warranty
Color(s)
Black or Green
Striped black & blue
Green
Buy Now
Photo
Title
HooSeen Flexible Hose
Price
Manufacturer
HooSeen
Lengths
50 - 100 ft
Sprayer Included
Weight
4.1 pounds
Fittings/Connectors
Nickel and Brass
Core
Triple Latex
Best For
Great all around hose. Almost got editor's pick award
Warranty
30 Day MBG and 1 year warranty
Color(s)
Black or Green
Buy Now
Photo
Budget Pick - Best Value
Title
Springle Flexible Hose
Price
Manufacturer
Springle
Lengths
50 ft
Sprayer Included
Weight
3.5 pounds
Fittings/Connectors
Brass
Core
Latex
Best For
Budget Pick - Nice balance of quality and price
Warranty
Lifetime replacement
Color(s)
Striped black & blue
Buy Now
Flexible Garden Hose Buying Guide – FAQ
Over the years, we’ve gotten many questions from our readers about the best expandable hose so we have created this frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to respond.
Our hope is that by including this below, we’ll be able to help you choose the perfect hose for you.
What temperature is safe for flexible hoses?
This depends on the inner core material. For latex, the temperature can get upto 108 before there is any issues. The TPE core can get upto 122 which is why I strongly suggest it for anyone living in the Arizona area.
Does the wire mesh inside help?
In our opinion, we didn’t find a huge difference in leaking between the hoses that had this feature and the ones that didn’t so we don’t priortize it.
Can I repair a flexible hose?
Not easily. While there are many methods to repair a traditional garden hose, the flexible and expandable hoses can’t. The issue is there are two separate hoses. The inner hose is very stretchy material that will blow up like a balloon. Trying to fix the inner tube would be like similar to patching a water balloon before filling it up. As soon as you add the water, it with stretch and the seam will break. If you’re hose is damaged, the only real option is working with the manufacturer to get a replacement if it’s still under warranty?
What does MBG stand for above?
Money back guarantee. I prefer this over the replacement as it gives me the flexibility when deciding what hose to buy. Additionally, the MBG are often processed muched faster than waiting for the replacement which can take weeks.
Does color matter?
Not really. It’s primarily for aesthetic purposes. The darker hoses will absorb more heat, but this is won’t matter for the vast majority of our readers.
Will flex hoses fit traditional spigots?
Yes, all the garden hoses have the same size connectors.
Would you ever get a plastic connector instead of a metal?
Yes, but only from a trusted company that is clearly using top end parts throughout the rest of the hose. A high strength thick plastic is going to be weigh less, and it will also never tarnish. There are some very good hoses that use plastic connecters so do your due dilligence before buying one, but this is not a litmus test questions.
What does kink-free mean?
A lot of hoses claim to be “Kink Free” and this really means nothing. All flexible hoses are going to avoid the bends of the traditional garden hose. Additionally, they are far less likely to tangle since they shrink when the water is turned off.
Is it safe to drink water from an expandable hose?
We are no experts, but we don’t drink water from any hose. We use the hose to water our plants and fruit trees, but we don’t directly consume water from the hose either for ourselves or our pets.
What lengths are expandable hoses?
The hoses can range from 25 feet to 100 feet. If you need a longer hose, you can connect two or more hoses together.
Any advantage of the double or triple core?
Yes, they can be better at handling the higher water pressure without cracking.
Our research process
Our team of editors reviews more than 100 products for each of our guides. We only consider items that have stood the test of time. We want them to be produced by companies who have been in business for years.
We see a lot of manufacturers take a short-sited approach by making low quality products, and then just launching the same garbage under a different brand once the customer reviews start coming in. Because we only recommend established companies, we can eliminate many of these risks.
We also look for products that have an active support community, and that meet the residential building codes for most states. Some states like Florida and California have more restrictive building guidelines so going with products that meet those standards mean that should work in most other parts of the country.
Finally, we also look at the technical elements of the products. Our site was established in 2012, and we’ve built up an expertise in the shade and awning space. We know the weights of fabric, the types of metal frame, and understand how to evaluate the gears. We’ve also written extensively on awning repair and maintenance so we can speak to the life expectancy.
After several years in business, we expanded to other products in the patio and backyard space. We live in Arizona, and we’re able to spend most of the year outside.
Finally, if you have any questions, feel free to send us a message on our contact form.