A quality hose reel transforms the gardening experience by eliminating common frustrations: no more dragging a tangled snake of hose across the lawn, no more standing on a kink while the spray dribbles to a stop. We evaluate seven options, from the genuinely brilliant Hozelock AutoReel that quietly retracts your hose at the press of a foot to tougher carts for larger plots.
Quick Picks for 2026
- Best overall: Hozelock 2595 AutoReel 40m – wall-mounted, retractable, brilliant
- Best premium: Kärcher CR 7.220 Premium – beautifully engineered, controlled retraction
- Best for small gardens: Hozelock Pico Reel 10m – tiny, neat, perfect for a courtyard
- Best portable: Hozelock 60m Assembled Hose Cart – proper wheels, big capacity
- Best budget: Hozelock Compact 2in1 Reel 25m – wall-mounted or portable, hose included
- Best wall-mounted manual: Gardena RollUp M Wall-Mounted – swivels 180 degrees, German build
- Best heavy-duty: Hozelock Cart Plus 60m with Ultramax hose – for allotments and bigger plots
Selection Methodology
Products were chosen based on UK availability in 2026 from major retailers including Amazon UK, B&Q, Wickes, Screwfix, Robert Dyas, and Toolstation. The evaluation focused on practical performance: smooth hose retraction, wall bracket durability, installation accessibility, and whether connector kits are included. We also considered warranty coverage, replacement part availability, frost resistance, and outdoor durability.
Hose Reels Comparison Table
|
Reel |
Hose Length |
Type |
Price |
Best For |
|
Hozelock 2595 AutoReel |
40m |
Wall-mounted, retractable |
See card for current price |
Most UK gardens |
|
Kärcher CR 7.220 Premium |
20m + 2m |
Wall-mounted, retractable |
See card for current price |
Neat, smaller plots |
|
Hozelock Pico Reel |
10m |
Wall-mounted, retractable |
See card for current price |
Small gardens, courtyards |
|
Hozelock 60m Assembled Cart |
50m supplied (60m capacity) |
Freestanding cart |
See card for current price |
Long runs, no wall |
|
Hozelock Compact 2in1 Reel |
25m |
Wall-mounted or portable, manual |
See card for current price |
Tight budgets |
|
Gardena RollUp M |
20m |
Wall-mounted, retractable |
See card for current price |
German engineering fans |
|
Hozelock Cart Plus (Ultramax) |
50m Ultramax (60m capacity) |
Heavy-duty cart |
See card for current price |
Allotments and bigger plots |
1. Hozelock 2595 AutoReel 40m – Best Overall
This wall-mounted retractable reel has an internal braking system that locks the hose in place during use, then rewinds itself slowly and tidily inside the casing when released. The pivoting wall bracket rotates 180 degrees for flexible positioning.
Key specs: 40m hose, 12.5mm diameter; wall-mounted; 180-degree bracket rotation; 5-year guarantee; hose, connectors and nozzle included.
Pros: – 40m of hose included, nothing else to buy – Self-retracting with a reliable lock-out brake – Pivoting bracket folds flush when not in use – Long guarantee and widely available spares
Cons: – Heavy when fully loaded; needs a solid brick or concrete wall – Costs more than manual reels of similar length
Best for: Most UK gardens with a suitable wall near the tap. For typical gardens, this is the reel we would buy ourselves.
2. Kärcher CR 7.220 Premium – Best Premium
Kärcher’s reel emphasises controlled retraction that brings the hose back at a sensible speed rather than firing the connector at the wall. It includes a 2m connection hose to the tap.
Key specs: 20m hose + 2m connection hose; automatic retraction; wall-mounted with swivel bracket; Kärcher click-together connectors.
Pros: – Premium build quality – Controlled retraction protects the hose and fittings – Swivel bracket – Integrates with Kärcher watering systems
Cons: – 20m is limiting for larger properties – No significant price advantage over longer Hozelock models
Best for: Gardeners who value engineering precision or already use Kärcher watering kit.
3. Hozelock Pico Reel 10m – Best for Small Gardens
This compact reel is barely bigger than a paint tin and mounts with two screws. It includes 10m of small-bore hose with a spray gun, and rewinds automatically.
Key specs: 10m small-bore hose; wall-mounted; automatic rewind; spray gun supplied.
Pros: – Minimal footprint, fits almost any wall – Spray gun included – Automatic rewind
Cons: – 10m is too short for larger lawns – Thinner hose gives lower flow than full-size reels
Best for: Courtyards, balconies and secondary spots near garden buildings.
No products found.
4. Hozelock 60m Assembled Hose Cart – Best Portable
This freestanding cart arrives assembled with 50m of Hozelock Maxi Plus hose, large wheels, a sturdy frame and a winding handle. Capacity is 60m if you want to add more hose later.
Key specs: 60m capacity; 50m Maxi Plus hose supplied; large wheels; winding handle; pre-assembled.
Pros: – 50m of hose included, with room for more – Large wheels handle gravel and lawn – No drilling or mounting – Winding handle makes rewinding manageable
Cons: – Bulky; needs storage space – Manual rewinding
Best for: Larger properties or gardens without a suitable wall.
5. Hozelock Compact 2in1 Reel 25m – Best Budget
A simple enclosed reel that mounts on a wall or can be carried, supplied with 25m of hose, fittings and a nozzle so there is nothing else to buy. Rewinding is manual.
Key specs: 25m multi-purpose hose; enclosed casing; wall-mounted or portable; manual rewind; fittings and lance included.
Pros: – Hose, connectors and nozzle included – Use on a wall or carry it around – Modest cost compared with auto-rewind reels
Cons: – Manual rewinding only – Basic hose quality compared with premium reels
Best for: Budget-conscious gardeners happy to wind the hose back by hand.
6. Gardena RollUp M Wall-Mounted – Best Manual Wall Reel
A mid-range wall-mounted hose box that swings out 180 degrees from the wall and rewinds smoothly. This version includes 20m of Gardena hose, wall bracket and nozzle.
Key specs: 20m Gardena hose; wall-mounted, 180-degree swivel; weather-resistant casing; Gardena system connectors and nozzle included.
Pros: – German engineering and build standards – 180-degree swivel for flexible positioning – Excellent Gardena system connectors – Neat enclosed casing
Cons: – 20m may be short for larger gardens – Premium pricing
Best for: Gardeners who put build quality ahead of raw capacity, or already own Gardena watering kit.
7. Hozelock Cart Plus 60m with Ultramax Hose – Best Heavy-Duty
A sturdy freestanding cart with a one-piece rewind handle and 50m of Ultramax hose, a tougher, kink-resistant hose than standard. It suits allotments and larger plots where you wheel the reel to the work.
Key specs: 60m capacity; 50m Ultramax 12.5mm hose supplied; sturdy frame; rewind handle; fittings and nozzle included.
Pros: – 50m of tougher Ultramax hose included – Sturdy frame built for regular moving – Room for extra hose up to 60m
Cons: – Bulky; needs dedicated storage – Manual rewinding
Best for: Allotments and bigger plots that need long reach and durable hose.
How to Choose a Hose Reel
Location: Wall-mounted retractable reels look tidier where there is a brick wall near the tap. Freestanding carts suit properties without suitable walls or with wooden shed taps.
Length: Measure from the tap to the furthest point you need to water and add at least three metres for slack. A 20m reel serving a 25m run puts stress on connectors at full extension.
Hose Quality: Retractable reels arrive with pre-fitted hoses of varying quality. Hozelock and Kärcher models include reasonable multi-layer hoses, while budget alternatives often use single-layer versions that kink within weeks. Budget purchases may need a later hose upgrade.
Wall-Mounting Guidelines
A fully loaded 40m reel weighs approximately 11kg, plus dynamic forces from pulling out the hose. Use brass screws and good rawl plugs into brick or block, never just into mortar. Render or cladding needs structural studs or professional masonry fixings.
Position the reel about 1.2m above ground near the tap to minimise supply hose length. Where possible, mount under eaves or beside downpipes for winter protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave a hose reel outside all winter?
Modern reels are weatherproof, but hoses crack when frozen water remains inside. Drain before the first frost, then disconnect from the tap or fit an insulated cover.
Do hose reels reduce water pressure?
There is marginal pressure loss as water passes through spools and bearings. Quality reels with 12.5mm hoses have negligible impact on typical spraying and sprinkler use.
Are auto-rewind reels worth the extra money?
Once you have used one, yes. Manually coiling a wet 30m hose discourages regular watering.
Can I extend a hose reel with extra hose?
Extra hose attaches with standard joiners, though pressure drops and the added length won’t retract. Buying an appropriately sized reel in the first place is more practical.
Final Verdict
The Hozelock 2595 AutoReel 40m is the reel to beat for typical UK gardens, with included hose, automatic retraction, a proper guarantee and real time savings. Smaller budgets suit the Hozelock Pico Reel or the Hozelock Compact 2in1 25m, while larger properties benefit from the Hozelock 60m Cart or the Cart Plus with Ultramax hose. Quality hoses (if not included) and lawn sprinklers round out a good watering setup.
