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Irrigate easily and safely: why a hose reel is helpful in the garden
In the often dry summer months, flowers, meadows and vegetable beds are thirstier than ever. In addition to the watering can, the garden hose is an important utensil for regularly watering small to medium-sized areas. But what to do with the meter-long, dirty stumbling block after the work is done?
As practical as a garden hose may be, it is just as bulky: once the neatly rolled-up watering aid has been used, it is almost impossible to restore it to its original condition. For this reason, many hobby gardeners simply leave the hose on the ground, where it not only becomes a tripping hazard, but can also be damaged more quickly. To make it easier for you to roll up and down, it can make sense to purchase a mobile hose trolley or a permanently installed hose box. We will introduce you to various models from different manufacturers and show you what you should look out for when buying.
Important purchase criteria: tips for purchasing
With a garden hose reel, watering small to medium-sized areas should be much easier. Apart from the fact that the hose is no longer in the way, it can be stowed away safely and in a space-saving manner on the associated trolley or in the box – without kinking or breaking. However, before you decide on a suitable model, you should ask yourself (and answer) the following questions:
- How long does the garden hose have to be? There are big differences depending on the manufacturer. Are sufficient 20 meters or do you need rather 25 or even 30 Meter?
- Is there a sturdy wall near the water supply to which a garden hose reel can be mounted – or is it a free standing model that stuck in the ground will be the better choice?
- owns the hose reel an automatic roll-up support or does the hose have to be rolled up manually – as with a mobile hose trolley that is not mounted on the wall.
- What is the diameter of the garden hose? Again, sizes may vary, so your existing ones hose connector at the water connection in the garden may not fit.
- If you choose a mobile variant – do you need the combination of cart and hose or do you already have a cart and only need that hose trolley in addition?
Garden hose reel: 5 brands in comparison
1. Gardena
The mobile hose reel by Gardena has – according to the manufacturer – a low center of gravity so that it cannot tip over so quickly. Depending on the size of the area to be watered, you can choose between 10 and 50 meters of hose length. Alternatively, there is also a garden hose reel wall mounting or with one ground spike for fixing to the floor if there is no wall near the water connection.
2. Hazet
The garden hose reel by Hazet is attached to the wall. You will find a drilling template on the packaging for correct installation. An automated guide winds up the 15 meter hose quickly, cleanly and with braking (to minimize the risk of accidents) when you no longer need it. The housing is made of special plastic and has a swiveling metal bracket for individual installation.
3.Amazon Basic
The private label of Amazon also has a hose reel for wall mounting in its portfolio. It comes with a 30 meter hose. In contrast to the higher-priced models, this variant is cheaper, but it does not have an automatic roll-up function. In other words, the hose has to be rolled up by hand with a crank. Or you can take them hose box for wall mounting with automatic roll-up.
4. Karcher
The premium hose box CR 7.220 Automatic with integrated hose brake from Karcher comes with a 20 meter hose and a sprayer with cone and point jet. It is also suitable for wall mounting and has a swivel range from zero to 180 degrees, which you can adjust individually using a practical angle fixation. Alternatively, Kärcher also offers a mobile one hose trolley (incl. 20 m hose).
5. Parkside
At Lidl You will also find a hose reel with a practical wall bracket: It is suitable for a hose that is no longer a maximum of 20 meters long – but this is not included and must be be ordered separately. Again, there is no automatic roll-up function, but a fold-out hand crank. According to the manufacturer, the Parkside Click System is suitable for all common hose systems.
Hose trolley vs. wall box: advantages and disadvantages
A wall-mounted hose reel offers many advantages, but it also has a few disadvantages. The same applies to mobile hose boxes or hose trolleys. To make your decision easier, we will give you the most important facts that speak for or against a model:
Advantages | Disadvantages | |
Mobile variant |
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Variant for wall mounting |
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Saving tip: With this voucher from Otto you get a 30 percent discount in the current summer sale.
One more important note at the end: While garden hose reels are immune to moisture and UV rays, they can be damaged at particularly low temperatures. For this reason, it is advisable to store the car or box in the basement or garage over the winter.
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