The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Our recommendations

The wall-Hose reel von Gardena is one of the bestsellers on Amazon, which is due on the one hand to the popularity of the brand and on the other hand to the high quality of the reel. The price performance ratio is very good. Due to the many and above all good functions (drip stop, high hose capacity, etc.), the device knows how to convince in terms of handling. Amazon reviewers describe the model as extremely helpful in the garden. Long hoses should also roll up and down effortlessly.

With the high-quality Hose reel from Bradas are enthusiastic about the robust material and the astonishingly low price. Unfortunately, due to the heavy weight of the steel, the transport of the reel is a little more tedious - especially when the hose is also added. But you can also simply mount the reel on the wall. The quality of the model convinced the majority of the reviewers, especially due to the extremely low price.

If you simply want an inexpensive mobile hose reel for tidy storage of the hose and you want a satisfied with solid workmanship without additional functions, the Cellfast hose reel is a real one Direct hit. Most of the reviewers on Amazon are very enthusiastic about this run - it is supposed to do the job perfectly. The assembly also seems to go off without a hitch. In short: this model is a bargain.

Purchase criteria

drive

Manually: The manual hose reel is equipped with a hand crank. By operating the crank, you roll up the hose. The lower price compensates for the additional expenditure of time and effort.

Automatically: Automatic hose reels are with a steel spring gear (for hobby gardeners) respectively a hydraulic motor (mainly for the professional field of fire fighting technology) fitted. With such a device, the hose is wound up automatically when a button or lever is pressed. Due to the functional advantage, such reels are of course more expensive.

Open or closed

Open minded: An open hose reel only has the drum, so it has no housing around it. As a result, the hose is exposed to external influences even when it is rolled up. Therefore, you should keep such a reel in a place protected from the sun.

Closed: Through the housing above the hose reel is the Garden hose Protected from sunlight, rain and dirt when rolled up. The only disadvantage of this type of reel is that you cannot see from the outside whether the hose is being reeled up properly.

With or without a hose

With hose: If the hose reel is supplied with a hose, you should carefully examine its properties. How long is he? Is it enough for your garden area, especially if it is permanently mounted on the wall? What materials is it made of? Is it made of high quality?

Without a hose: Many reels come without a hose. Opt for an empty version if you already have a garden hose (in mind) that you are perfectly happy with. In this case you need to make sure that the length of your hose is compatible with the capacity of the reel.

Additional functions

Hose reels for use in the garden are often equipped with several additional functions. In addition to the automatic hose retraction, an automatic water stop mechanism is also practical. This cuts off the water supply when you change the connecting devices. An anti-drip system also makes sense. It prevents water from leaking out when the hose is not in use. This saves water and also increases the service life of the garden hose. A parking brake should be integrated in a mobile reel.

Material and workmanship

Hose reels for the garden are made of plastic, steel or metal. Professional reels for fire engines must of course be hot-dip galvanized. Basically, it is important to ensure that the material used is of high quality. Does the reel retain its shape even with regular use? Check this with the help of customer reviews and test reports on the net. Metal and steel are of course more robust and resistant than plastic, but for this reason they also make the reels more expensive.

Assembly

Wall: Many hose reels for private use can easily be mounted on a house wall - preferably near the Water connection. The aids required for this, such as brackets and dowels, are usually included in the scope of delivery (but the tool is not!).

Mobile: Mobile hose reels come without a wall bracket. Instead, they have a non-slip grip. The flexibility of the place of use is advantageous, but the constant dragging is tedious. Tip: There are also combination reels that can be attached to the wall, but can still be easily removed and are portable thanks to a handle.

Mobile: Mobile reels, often also as Hose trolley are useful if you own a large garden, want maximum flexibility and are physically limited. In such a model, the reel is mounted on a frame with rollers.

frequently asked Questions

What is a hose reel?

With a hose reel, often too Hose reel called, it is a practical one storage as well as a roll-up aid for garden or fire hoses. The heart of every reel is the hose reel on which the hose is wound after use.

What types of hose reels are there?

There are manually and automatically operated hose reels. The manual versions have a hand crank with which you gradually wind up the hose. For private use there are also hose reels with steel spring gears that allow automatic reeling. Versions with hydraulic motors, on the other hand, are reserved for the professional sector, i.e. fire fighting technology or fire engines.

How does a hose reel work?

The way a hose reel works is very simple. To unwind the hose from the hose reel, simply grasp the front end and carefully pull it out. To wind up, operate the hand crank or start the process with a button or lever, if it is an automatic model.

Which brands offer good hose reels?

If you want a solid hose reel for your garden, the products from Gardena are particularly recommended. You can get very inexpensive versions from Cellfast or Bradas, for example. Professional reels for fire service pressure hoses are available from Rosenbauer and Hüdig, among others. Driving and parking brakes from Totmann are considered to be of particularly high quality.

Where is the best place to buy a hose reel?

Hose reels for private use can be found in well-stocked hardware stores and specialist garden centers as well as a large selection on Amazon. Professional reels should of course be obtained directly from an appropriate specialist company.

How much does a hose reel cost?

For a garden hose reel, you usually pay between 30 and 200 euros, depending on the manufacturer, functionality and quality. However, there are also cheaper solutions for around 15 euros - and variants that cost over 200 euros. Professional devices are of course significantly more expensive, but are also intended for other purposes.

equipment

Garden hose

If the hose reel is delivered without a hose and you do not yet have one yourself, it is advisable to order a high-quality and suitable model right away. You should consider the material, the workmanship, the length and the connections so that the reel and garden hose harmonize perfectly.