Best Garden Hose Reel
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A garden hose reel solves one problem, which is where the hose goes when you are done. But “reel” covers four different products: a wall-mounted drum you crank by hand, a wheeled cart, a retractable reel that pulls the hose back in, and a hideaway box with a lid. Which one fits depends on how long your hose is, how wide it is, and where you can fix or park the reel. The eight reels below are compared only on what their listings state, as checked on 2026-10-17. Hose capacity is the number to read twice, because three of the eight listings give figures that do not agree.
Quick answer: which reel for which yard
- Longest hose, on wheels: VEVOR 4-wheel cart, listed for up to 250 ft of 5/8 inch hose.
- Cart that takes a thinner hose further: Giraffe Tools cart, 150 ft of 5/8 inch or 200 ft of 1/2 inch hose per the bullet.
- Steel wall reel that swings: Liberty Garden 712 Navigator, 125 ft of 5/8 inch hose and a rotating carriage with eight positions.
- Wall or floor, heavier steel: Liberty Garden 709, with a capacity the listing states three different ways.
- Light resin wall reel: Suncast Sidewinder, 100 ft of 5/8 inch hose, listed at 6.7 pounds.
- Hose you do not want to see: Suncast 100 ft Hideaway, a crank reel in a resin box.
- Hose included and self-retracting: GARDENA 50 ft spike-mounted reel, and the Amazon Basics 65 ft wall-mounted retractable.
What the person typing this phrase wants
The person typing “garden hose reel” wants a place to coil a hose after watering, with less tangling and less hose left on the lawn. The questions that decide it are simple: how many feet of hose, what diameter, wall or ground, and whether you want to wind it by hand.
Capacity: feet and diameter go together
Reels list capacity for a hose of a given diameter. A reel that holds 125 ft of 5/8 inch hose holds more feet of thinner 1/2 inch hose, as the Giraffe Tools bullet shows (150 ft of 5/8 inch or 200 ft of 1/2 inch). It will not hold more of a wider hose. The Giraffe listing also says its cart does not take 3/4 inch hose.
Worked example: matching a reel to your hose
For example, say you own a 100 ft hose of 5/8 inch diameter. The Suncast Sidewinder and the Suncast Hideaway are each listed for 100 ft of 5/8 inch hose, so a 100 ft hose is right at their stated limit. The Liberty Garden 712 is listed for 125 ft, which leaves 25 ft (25 percent) of room. The Giraffe Tools cart gives 50 ft of room at 150 ft of 5/8 inch. Capacity figures assume the hose is the stated diameter, so if your hose is thicker than the reel expects, subtract from the figure. If you also buy a new 125 ft hose next year, the 100 ft reels will not hold it.
Wall, cart, retractable or hideaway
Wall reels need a solid surface near the tap and mounting hardware: both Liberty Garden listings say the hardware is not included. Carts roll to the work, which suits a long run across the yard; the listings for the VEVOR and Giraffe carts state four wheels and two wheels respectively in their bullets. A retractable reel pulls the hose back in with a tug; the GARDENA and Amazon Basics listings both say the hose locks at any length. A hideaway hides the hose in a lidded resin box.
How we chose
We searched Amazon for “garden hose reel” and kept one reel for each style, from brands with full listings. We dropped products that are only hose holders or hooks, and products with no stated hose capacity. Specs here are copied from the listing; where two fields disagree we show both and do not pick one. There are no prices, ratings or review counts, because they change. Check the current price on Amazon.
Comparison table: what each listing states
| Reel | Style | Stated hose capacity | Hose in the box | Material (listing) | Weight (listing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEVOR cart (GT0707A) | 4-wheel cart | Up to 250 ft of 5/8 in (hose not included) | No | Steel; material field says stainless steel | 24.2 lb |
| Giraffe Tools cart (SW-8D) | Cart | 150 ft of 5/8 in or 200 ft of 1/2 in | 5 ft lead-in hose | Metal, powder finish | 34.2 lb |
| Liberty Garden 712 | Wall mount, rotating | 125 ft of 5/8 in | 5 ft leader hose | 18 gauge steel | 15 lb |
| Liberty Garden 709 | Wall or floor | Title 200 ft; bullet 125 ft; field 2,000 in | 5 ft leader hose | 13 gauge steel | 14.5 lb |
| Suncast Sidewinder | Wall mount, manual | 100 ft of 5/8 in | Leader hose | Resin | 6.7 lb |
| Suncast 100 ft Hideaway | Freestanding box with crank | 100 ft of 5/8 in | Not stated | Resin | 11 lb |
| GARDENA 18604 | Spike-mounted, automatic | 50 ft (15 m) hose included | Yes, 15 m | Alloy steel (field) | 3.31 lb |
| Amazon Basics JC1037 | Wall mount, retractable | 65 ft hose included (item type field says 130 ft) | Yes, 65 ft | Not stated | 17.86 lb |
The eight reels, one card each
The order follows reel style, not a quality ranking. Listings are the manufacturers’ claims and have not been independently verified.
1. VEVOR Hose Reel Cart (up to 250 ft) — best for the longest hose on wheels
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): holds up to 250 ft of 5/8 inch hose, hose not included; four solid 10 inch PU wheels; non-slip winding handle; storage basket; brass fittings; item dimensions 33.66 x 21.65 x 35.04 inches; item weight 24.2 pounds; model GT0707A. The title says powder-coated steel, the material field says stainless steel and the frame field says steel.
Pros: The largest stated capacity of the eight. A basket for nozzles and gloves. Cons: The listing does not settle whether the frame is plain steel or stainless. At 33.66 inches deep it is a large item to store.
Best for: A big yard where the tap and the garden are far apart. Skip if: You have a short hose or a narrow storage spot.
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2. Giraffe Tools Garden Hose Reel Cart (SW-8D) — best for a cart that takes a thinner hose further
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): holds 150 ft of 5/8 inch or 200 ft of 1/2 inch hose, not 3/4 inch, hose not included; 5 ft lead-in hose; solid brass connector; two solid knobby tires; hose guide system; non-slip handle; item dimensions 19.7 x 19.3 x 17.8 inches; item weight 34.2 pounds. The Capacity field reads “150 cubic inches”, which is not a hose length.
Pros: A hose guide to lay the hose evenly. Capacity stated for two diameters. Cons: The capacity field is meaningless; use the bullet. At 34.2 lb it is the heaviest here.
Best for: A mid-size yard with a 1/2 inch hose. Skip if: You use 3/4 inch hose, which the listing excludes.
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3. Liberty GARDEN 712 Single Arm Navigator — best for a swinging wall reel
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): holds 125 ft of 5/8 inch hose (hose not included); 18 gauge steel with a bronze powder coat; pull-up knob for full 360 degree rotation; storage tray; 90 degree brass swivel; rotating carriage that locks in one of eight positions; 5 ft leader hose; fully assembled except the handle; mounting hardware not included; one-year limited warranty; item dimensions 18.6 x 20.3 x 22 inches; item weight 15 pounds. Our Liberty Garden Navigator guide looks at this design alone.
Pros: Eight carriage positions. Brass swivel. A warranty is stated. Cons: No mounting hardware. The Capacity field reads 1,499.97 inches, which is 125 ft written in inches.
Best for: A wall near the tap where the hose has to go in several directions. Skip if: You have no solid wall to mount on.
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4. Liberty Garden 709 Steel Wall/Floor Mounted Reel — best for wall or floor use
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): 13 gauge steel with a powder coat; wall mounted, or floor mounted with the included rubber boots; 5 ft leader hose; elbow at the drum centre; fully assembled; mounting hardware not included; one-year limited warranty; item dimensions 15 x 19.5 x 17.5 inches; item weight 14.5 pounds. Capacity: the title says 200 feet of 5/8 inch hose, the bullet says up to 125 feet, and the Capacity field says 2,000 inches (about 167 ft).
Pros: Two mounting modes, with rubber boots included for the floor. Cons: Three different capacity figures. Until the seller clarifies, treat 125 ft, the lowest, as the safe number.
Best for: A garage wall or a patio corner where you cannot drill. Skip if: You need a firm capacity above 125 ft.
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5. Suncast Sidewinder Wall Mount Reel (100 ft) — best for a light wall reel
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): holds up to 100 ft of 5/8 inch standard vinyl hose; resin construction, light taupe; wall mount, manual; detaches from the wall for off-season storage; no assembly required; leader pipe included; item weight 6.7 pounds. The model number field reads “Sidetracker Garden Hose Reel”, a different name from the title.
Pros: The lightest wall reel here. Comes off the wall for winter. Cons: Capacity tops out at 100 ft. The listing does not state a hose-weight limit for the mount.
Best for: A short run from a side-of-house tap. Skip if: Your hose is longer than 100 ft.
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6. Suncast 100′ Garden Hose Reel Hideaway — best for hiding the hose
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): holds up to 100 ft of 5/8 inch vinyl hose; crank handle; Easylink connection described as leak-free; heavy-duty plastic construction; doubles as a storage box for gloves, tools and nozzles; freestanding; fully assembled; footprint 21 x 15.5 x 16 inches; item weight 11 pounds; limited warranty.
Pros: The hose and accessories sit in a closed box. Freestanding, no drilling. Cons: 100 ft capacity. A box this size uses floor space.
Best for: Tidy front yards and patios. Skip if: You want a cart you can wheel to the far bed.
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7. GARDENA Automatic Retractable Hose Reel (50 ft) — best for a no-wall retractable
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): auto-retract design that locks at any length; RollControl technology; 360 degree swivel mount and rotating ground support; metal spike base; UV-resistant, frost-proof materials; included components: the RollUp S housing, 15 m hose, mounting rod and mounting aid; item dimensions 16 x 10 x 28 inches; item weight 3.31 pounds; model 18604-20.
Pros: No tools needed per the title, no wall mount, and a hose is included. Lightest of the eight. Cons: The listing gives a 20 gallon capacity, which is not a hose length. The listing does not state whether the spike holds in hard or sandy soil.
Best for: A short-run watering spot on a lawn. Skip if: You want to use your own, longer hose.
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8. Amazon Basics Retractable Hose Reel, 65 ft — best for a complete wall-mounted kit
Specs (from the listing, checked 2026-10-17): 65 ft hybrid hose that locks at any length and retracts with a tug; 10-function spray nozzle; wall bracket that rotates 180 degrees; includes the reel with hose, nozzle, wall mount, 4 mounting bolts and manual; item dimensions 21.23 x 7.95 x 15.36 inches; item weight 17.86 pounds; model JC1037. The Item Type Name field reads “130ft”, the title and bullets say 65 foot.
Pros: Everything in one kit, including bolts. Cons: The 130 ft and 65 ft figures conflict, so confirm the length before ordering. The bracket needs a solid wall.
Best for: A balcony or side wall with a short run. Skip if: You already own a long hose.
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Mistakes to avoid
- Buying by the headline footage: the Liberty 709 and Amazon Basics listings give two or more capacity figures. Pick the lowest until you confirm.
- Forgetting the diameter: capacity is for the stated hose width; a 3/4 inch hose may not fit a reel built for 5/8 inch.
- Counting on mounting hardware: both Liberty listings say it is not included.
- Treating a reel as a hose replacement: several kits include a short hose, so compare feet of hose, not just reel footage.
Who should skip a hose reel
If your hose is under 25 ft, a wall hook may be enough, and our wrought iron hose holder guide covers that approach. If you have no wall, no flat spot and a very long hose, a cart is the practical option. If you want something that hides a mess without moving, a hideaway beats a bare wall reel.
Related guides on this site
- four-wheel garden hose reel cart guide
- portable hose reel cart guide
- heavy duty garden hose reel guide
Frequently asked questions
How long a hose does a reel hold?
It depends on the hose width. The listings above range from 100 ft of 5/8 inch hose (the two Suncast models) to up to 250 ft of 5/8 inch hose (the VEVOR cart). The Giraffe Tools cart states two figures: 150 ft of 5/8 inch or 200 ft of 1/2 inch.
Which reel is lightest?
The GARDENA is listed at 3.31 pounds, then the Suncast Sidewinder at 6.7 pounds. The heaviest is the Giraffe Tools cart at 34.2 pounds.
Does a reel come with a hose?
Only two do: the GARDENA (15 m) and the Amazon Basics (65 ft). The Liberty and Giraffe models include only a short 5 ft leader hose, and the VEVOR states the hose is not included.
Can I mount a reel on any wall?
The listings ask for a solid wall (Amazon Basics) and say mounting hardware is not included (both Liberty Garden models). Check the wall material and buy hardware to suit it.
Wall reel or cart?
A wall reel stays put and takes little floor space. A cart rolls to the garden and suits long runs. The listings do not say which lasts longer.
Conclusion: the decision rule
Start with your hose length and width, then pick the style. A 100 ft, 5/8 inch hose fits both Suncast models right at the limit and gives the Liberty 712 some spare room. For a long run, the VEVOR cart leads on stated capacity and the Giraffe cart gives the clearest two-diameter figures. If the listing gives more than one capacity, trust the lowest until you confirm it. Check the current price on Amazon and the box contents before you buy.
