Along with weeding and dealing with pests, watering is one of a gardener’s most important tasks. An expandable hose can make it easier to give your thirsty plants a drink, as well as wash your car, rinse off your deck, or bathe your canine friend. This type of hose can do everything a regular hose can do, with a few extra benefits.

Choosing the right expandable hose is certainly more challenging than using one. BestReviews is here to help you shop for the right one.

Our team has done some digging to create this shopping guide filled with pertinent information, including the benefits and drawbacks of this type of hose, features to keep in mind when shopping, and some frequently asked questions. When you’re ready to buy, check out our top picks in the matrix above.

Expandable hoses stretch and enlarge when water flows through them and shrink when the water is off. These hoses have two layers: the inner layer consists of a tube made of flexible material; the outer layer is usually some type of fabric, such as polyester. This dual-layer construction is what enables the hose to expand and contract.

Expandable hoses have a lot of benefits over traditional garden hoses, as well as some drawbacks. Here are the main pros and cons to keep in mind when deciding whether an expandable model is right for your needs.

Pros:

• Lightweight

• Very portable; easy to carry

• Easy to drain after use

• No kinks

• No tangles

• Water flows easily
   

Cons:

• Tough to store neatly (some models)

• Less durable

• Easy to puncture

• Difficult to repair

Where will you be using your expandable hose? What will you use it for? If you need to water lots of plants in a large garden, opt for a longer hose. If you only need to water potted plants on a small deck, a shorter hose will do. Most of these hoses expand to about three times their length, to 25, 50, 75, or 100 feet.

Pay attention to the fittings that come with an expandable hose.

• Plastic connectors crack easily and aren’t as durable as those made of metal.

• Brass won’t corrode and is a much sturdier option overall.

• Aluminum is also a good choice.

Most expandable hoses have a fabric covering made of polyester, but the core material may be one of two types of material: latex or TPC.

• Dual- or triple-layer latex: This is a sturdy, high-quality core material. A triple layer core is more durable but less flexible than a dual-layer core.

• Thermoplastic copolyester (TPC): This material is heat resistant and quite durable, but it is more expensive than latex.

Expandable hoses come in different colors. Depending on your taste and landscaping, you can choose from neutral black to bright colors like green or blue.

Cheap expandable hoses aren’t going to last very long no matter what the marketing copy promises. A higher price will get you a hose of better quality.

In most cases, the longer the hose, the more it will cost.

Expect to pay at least $30 for a good-quality 25-foot expandable hose to at least $50 for a durable 100-foot expandable hose.

Q. My expandable hose has sprung a leak! What can I do to fix it?

A. Most expandable hoses can’t be fixed once punctured. Instead, look for products that come with a replacement warranty. It’s almost a given that your expandable model will spring a leak at some point. Choosing a product with a good warranty and replacement policy is your best option.

Q. I’m sick of my regular garden hose getting tangled and kinked. Will an expandable hose make my life easier?

A. An expandable hose is much less likely to get tangled and won’t kink like a regular hose. However, very long expandable hoses can still get tangled, but because they’re much lighter than regular hoses, it’s a lot easier to untangle them.

Q. Can I use my garden hose in the winter?

A. Yes, but you’ll need to be extra careful about doing so. Use your hose as needed, but remember to immediately shut off the outdoor water supply when you’re done to avoid freezing and potentially damaging your water pipes. Also drain your hose before storing it to keep it from cracking and freezing.