Today’s gardeners have many options when it comes to watering their plants. It used to be a messy affair, with you constantly refilling and moving buckets of water. Today, most gardeners have access to a hose reel, which makes this process much easier. In this article, we look at the different types of hose reels available, as well as tips on how you can ensure you choose the best quality hose reel for your needs.
What is a hose reel?
A hose reel is a device that lets you quickly and easily hose off your entire garden without having to move buckets of water. Instead, you simply pull out your hose and let the reel rewind it for you as you go about your day. There are a couple of different types of hose reels available on the market, so it’s important to know the difference between each type so you know what to look for when shopping for one.
Types of Hose Reels
Ground reel
This type of reel is mounted to the ground and attached to your garden hose. The hose reel is then rewound by rotating the reel. This type of reel is the most popular type and the one most people will be looking at when searching for a reel. Some of the benefits of using a ground reel are that it’s easy to set up, doesn’t need a lot of space, and is very affordable. The biggest disadvantage is that it’s difficult to move around if you want to move it from one spot to another.
Stationary reel
This type of reel is mounted inside a shed, garage, or other indoor space. The hose reel is then rewound by moving the reel manually. If you don’t want to worry about moving your reel, this may be the type for you. But keep in mind that it’s an indoor reel, so it may be difficult to use if you want to move it from one spot to another.
Indoor/outdoor reel
This type of reel is designed to be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s designed to be able to go from indoor to outdoor and outdoor to indoor. The advantage to this type of reel is that it’s designed to be outdoor/indoor and able to move from one spot to another, so it’s ideal for those with larger yards. The disadvantage to this type of reel is that it’s not as affordable as some of the others, and it’s only designed for indoor/outdoor use.
Manual reel
These reels are designed to be manually pushed with a hose. The hose is then rewound by moving the reel manually.
Electric reel
These reels are electric, so there is no need to manually rewind them. They are lightweight, easy to move around, and can rewind a hose anywhere. The only real disadvantage to this type of reel is that some complain that the hose tends to kink when rewinding.
How do you know if a hose reel is right for you?
When searching for a reel, there are a few things you should look for to make sure you choose the best reel for your needs.
- The size of your garden/yard: the bigger your garden, the bigger a reel you may need. The same goes for the size of your reel, the bigger the reel, the more water it can hold. If you have a small garden, then you may be able to get away with a smaller reel.
- The type of hose you have: if you have a metal hose, you may be able to get away with using a metal reel. But if you have a plastic hose, you may want to look at a reel made for plastic hoses.
- How often you water: if you water your garden every day, then you may want to look at a reel that is more expensive than one that you only use once a week. This way, you don’t have to pull it out as often.
Tips for buying a retractable hose reel
Know what you need your reel for: when you are looking at reels, it’s important to know what you need your reel for. Do you need it for watering your entire garden once a day, or do you need it for only watering your flower beds?
- Know the different types of reels: when you are looking at reels, it’s important to know the difference between a ground reel, stationary reel, indoor/outdoor reel, manual reel, and electric reel.
- Check reviews: when you are looking at reels, it’s important to look at customer reviews to make sure you find one that is the best fit for you and your needs.
- Make sure the reel can hold your hose: when you are checking reels, make sure that they can actually hold your hose. It’s okay if it holds one hose or several hoses, but it shouldn’t be able to hold too many.
- Make sure the reel is easy to move around: when you are checking reels, make sure they are easy to move around. Some reels are designed to be stationary, while others are designed to be mobile. Some reels are designed to be hard to move, while others are designed to be easy to move.
- Make sure it’s worth the price: when you are checking reels, make sure they are worth what you are paying for them. Sometimes, they are priced higher than they should be because they are more expensive and don’t last as long as the more expensive models. Make sure you are getting a reel worth the money you spend on it.
- Make sure it’s worth the space it takes up: when you are checking reels, make sure it doesn’t take up too much space. Some reels are large and take up a lot of space, while others are small and can be stored easily. Make sure it’s neither too large nor too small.
Conclusion
Retractable hose reels help make watering your garden easier than ever. There are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for the best reel for your needs. Make sure to check out reviews and make sure the reel can hold your hose, it’s easy to move around, and it’s worth the price.