Nothing concludes a satisfying stint in the yard like neatly wrapping up the hose. But a tranquil afternoon of gardening can deteriorate into a sweaty wrestling match if you have to manhandle 100 feet of synthetic rubber onto a hose holder. With a manually rewinding hose reel, a few turns of the crank zips the hose back into place like Lady (or the Tramp) sucking in a spaghetti strand. For durability and style, choose a metal version, like the ten fine specimens below.
Above: For a portable version, consider a hose reel on wheels. A Swiss-made Small Steel Hose Trolley has a steel frame, rubber wheels, and a comfortably sized hand crank. The Cadillac of hose reels, it is designed to be “the last one you’ll purchase.” It is €316 from Manufactum. Above: A swing arm allows the Yard Butler Wall Mount Swivel Hose Reel to turn 180 degrees so the hose can be unwound at any angle from the wall. All-steel construction; holds up to 100 feet of 5/8-inch hose; $119.99. Above: Delight your inner firefighter with this oversized post-mounted number that holds 400 feet of hose on a powder-coated steel frame. Special order HRG-400FT-FIT from Valley Industries in Minnesota (1-800-864-1649); $157.45 with an extra fitting for garden hoses. Above: Liberty Garden Products’ Multi-Purpose Stainless Steel Hose Reel can be mounted on a wall or in the ground. It is 19 inches tall, can hold up to 200 feet of 5/8-inch hose, and costs $289.62 from Sustainable Supply. Above: A similar version in powder coated steel, a 3-in-1 Hose Reel capable of holding 200 feet of hose is $69.99 from Home Depot. Above: The Model 1041 Wall-Mount Hose Reel can be mounted in either a parallel or perpendicular configuration on a wall or fence. It wraps up to 150 feet of 5/8-inch garden hose onto its aluminum-alloy body. A braking system stops the reel from unspooling more hose than you want; $169.99 by Eley. Above: A steel Swiss-made Alba Krapf Metal Hose Reel holds a hose up to 60 meters long and is £197.95 from Amazon UK.
Above: A Manual Rewind Hose Reel can be customized to fit several diameters and lengths of garden hose. Made of aluminum, it can be ordered with or without wheels; for more information and pricing, visit Perth, Australia-based dealer Real Ezy. Above: A Stainless Steel Hose Reel is available in three finishes—a standard mill finish, a non-reflective satin finish, or a highly polished finish—that resist corrosion. For more information and pricing, see Hose Craft USA.
Above: A Wall Mounted Hose Reel made of die-cast aluminum is painted a dark bronze color and can be mounted for either left- or right-handed operation; $289 from Griot’s Garage. Don’t need a crank? See other tricks for detangling garden hoses:
