The best Hose reels, compared.
Top pick: Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m – Score 77 at about £157.97, with 4.5 from 6,447 reviews, a 40 m hose, tap fittings and auto rewind on a wall cassette. Best value: Greenera compact 14 m reel – About £24.64 with 4.3 from 827 reviews on a complete compact manual kit for a short patio or balcony. Updated October 2026.
A hose reel stores and pays out a garden hosepipe instead of leaving a tangled coil on the lawn. Usual UK forms are a wall auto-rewind cassette, a manual reel, a freestanding unit, a wheeled cart, and a compact balcony kit. A pressure-washer reel is a different product. You recognise a suitable hose reel by reach, mount, and tap thread. Measure the route, including corners. About 10–15 m covers many balconies, about 20–30 m many rear gardens, and about 40 m a large plot. A thicker hose fills a drum sooner, so printed metres are not a promise at every diameter. UK taps are commonly ½ inch or ¾ inch BSP: about 21 mm outside diameter is ½ inch and about 26.5 mm is ¾ inch. Check washers, and whether the box includes a hose and a nozzle or only an empty frame. Auto rewind needs a sound fixing. Drain the hose before frost. A temporary use ban can stop hosepipe use in your water company's area. Length, mount and fittings are in the [hose reel buying guide](/hub/garden-watering/hose-reel/sub/hose-reel-buying-guide).
A hose reel stores and pays out a garden hosepipe instead of leaving a tangled coil on the lawn.
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Personal buying guide
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The Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m on amazon.co.uk is £157.97 with a 4.5 line from 6,447 reviews, the strongest star-and-volume combination in this set. It is a wall-mounted automatic cassette with a 180° pivot, a 40 m hose, tap fittings and a basic nozzle, and the body is listed at 16.4 kg, so the wall and fixings have to carry real weight. Reviewers who get the bracket right praise the enclosed storage and the short-tug rewind that puts the hose away without hand-winding. The same UK texts repeatedly call the supplied plugs and screws weak, with heads that round off, and several buyers swap them for proper masonry fixings before the first watering. At full length the hose feels heavy to pull, and the feeder hose is short, so placement of the reel relative to the outdoor tap matters. Many keep the Hozelock fittings and replace only the basic nozzle. It is a long-reach wall auto for a house that already has a solid brick or block wall near the tap, not a portable trolley.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You measured about 40 m of route, you can fix into sound masonry near the tap, and you want auto rewind rather than a cart.
Less suitable: You only water a balcony or small patio, or you cannot drill a load-bearing wall.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the hose included on the Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m?
Yes. The listing describes a Hozelock Auto Reel with a 40 m hose and fittings to connect to the tap. The bullets also mention a nozzle.
How does the Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m mount?
It is a wall-mounted automatic reel with a 180° pivot. Reviewers often warn that the supplied screws and plugs are weak, so many use better masonry fixings.
How long is the hose on this Hozelock reel?
The listing is for a 40 m hose on the Auto Reel. The body is listed at 16.4 kg, so the wall has to carry that weight.
The Hozelock Auto Reel 30 m listing is £135.97 with 4.4 from 2,322 reviews and a ready-to-use kit of hose, fittings and nozzle. Operation is automatic with a lock while the hose is out, and the listed weight is 10.8 kg — lighter than the 40 m sibling but still a proper wall cassette. Buyers often say 30 m is enough for a typical UK garden and that auto rewind ends the hand-winding chore once the bracket is secure. The listing text states a 3-year guarantee plus two further years if you register online with Hozelock. Install complaints mirror the 40 m model: supplied Pozi screws chew, and screwdriver access on the bracket is tight. Some owners report guide-rail or incomplete-retraction faults after months, and a few older units dribble water from the reel. Choose it when 30 m covers your beds and you want the Hozelock auto system without paying for the extra 10 m.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Your garden fits in about 30 m from a wall mount near the outdoor tap and you want branded auto rewind.
Less suitable: You need 40 m of reach, or you refuse to replace the kit screws with better masonry fixings.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Hozelock Auto Reel 30 m rewind automatically?
Yes. The operation mode is automatic. Reviewers describe pulling the hose out to lock, then a short tug and walking it back to rewind.
What guarantee does the Hozelock 30 m listing state?
The listing text states a 3-year guarantee plus 2 further years when you register online with Hozelock. That is a maker claim on the listing, not a lab result.
Is the Hozelock Auto Reel 30 m wall-mounted?
Yes. The installation method is wall mount, and the listed weight is 10.8 kg. Several reviews criticise the supplied bracket screws.
The Giraffe Tools ground Auto Reel is £109.99 for a 30 m auto-rewind unit with a 360° swivel base and a no-drill install claim, rated 4.4 from 1,002 reviews. The listing positions it as freestanding rather than wall-mounted, which helps if you cannot drill brick. Reviewers who like it praise tidy storage, a heavy feel and the multi-pattern sprayer. The UK reviews read also warn that pull-out is stiff, rewind is powerful enough to snatch fingers, and the unit can move unless you bolt it down despite the no-drill marketing. Incomplete retraction after a full pull and nozzle triggers that seize appear in the same file. At 14.2 kg listed weight it is not a light patio carry. Pick it when you want 30 m of auto rewind without a wall cassette and you will secure the base properly.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want about 30 m of auto rewind and you will fix or weight the ground base so it cannot walk.
Less suitable: You need a light balcony kit, or you will not secure a spring-loaded freestanding reel.
Specifications
Common questions
Do I need to drill a wall for the Giraffe Tools ground reel?
The bullets describe a ground-mounted, no-drill install using a hammer on lawn or concrete. Several reviewers still say it should be bolted down because the spring is strong.
How long is the hose on the Giraffe Tools ground reel?
The listing is for a 30 m retractable hose. The listed weight of the unit is 14.2 kg.
Is the Giraffe Tools ground reel easy to pull out?
Many of the UK reviews say the hose is hard to pull out and the rewind is powerful. Keep hands clear of the rewind path.
The Greenera compact 14 m set is £24.64 with a 12 m hose plus 2 m leader, an 8-pattern gun and 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch connectors, rated 4.3 from 827 reviews. It is the best value in this set because the kit is complete at a low shelf price with a useful review sample. Reviewers praise light carry, easy connect and patio or small-garden use, and many prefer it to expanding pocket hoses. The same texts say it looks smaller than expected, the hose is thinner than a full garden pipe, and it can kink if you unwind carelessly. Several buyers keep it indoors between uses rather than leaving light plastic out in all weather. It is not a substitute for a 30–40 m auto reel on a large lawn.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You water a patio, balcony or small front garden and want a cheap complete manual kit.
Less suitable: You measured more than about 14 m of route, or you need a full-bore garden hose.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Greenera compact reel only for small gardens?
The title and the reviews position it for patios, balconies and small gardens. Several buyers say it looked smaller than expected but worked for short reaches. It is a 12 m hose plus a 2 m leader, not a 30–40 m cassette.
Which tap connectors does the Greenera compact reel include?
The bullets list 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch quick connectors. Measure your outdoor tap: about 21 mm outside diameter is 1/2 inch BSP and about 26.5 mm is 3/4 inch.
Does the Greenera compact reel rewind automatically?
No. The operation mode is manual. The bullets say to rewind slowly with the hose straight after you have emptied the water.
The Greenera 25 m 2-in-1 reel is £39.99 with a manual rewind, freestanding or wall mount, a 25 m × 15 mm hose, fittings and a 7-pattern gun, and a 4.3 line from 322 reviews. Buyers who measured the hose often say the length matches the claim, and many call the kit complete for the price once connectors are bitten home. Soft hose that kinks more in warm weather is a repeated note, and the screw-on mains connector needs occasional retightening. The wall clip is useful, though some say a deeper bracket would wind more evenly. Spray-handset failures show up for a minority. It is a mid-length manual kit for someone who will wind by hand and does not need Hozelock-level auto rewind.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want about 25 m with dual mount options and you are happy to wind by hand.
Less suitable: You want automatic rewind, or a premium hose that stays stiff in summer heat.
Specifications
Common questions
Can the Greenera 25 m reel stand freely or go on a wall?
Yes. The listing describes freestanding use and a wall clip with fixings. Rewind is manual, not a spring cassette.
What hose size does the Greenera 25 m reel state?
The title and the item-diameter field state 25 m at 15 mm. Buyers who measured the hose often say the length matches that claim.
Are tap adapters included with the Greenera 25 m reel?
The bullets claim a fit for 21 mm and 26.5 mm outdoor taps, which is 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch, with a threaded tap connector in the kit.
The Greenera mini 12 m reel is £16.99 with an 8-pattern gun, claimed 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch adapters, about 1.3 kg weight and 4.3 from 113 reviews. The listing and buyers describe a thinner compact or micro hose aimed at balconies and small patios, not a full garden main. Praise centres on true compact size, light storage and useful spray patterns. Criticism centres on size expectation: people wanting a normal garden hose return it, and the hose twists if you rewind carelessly. At least one UK review says it did not fit a kitchen tap and belongs on an outdoor wall tap. A chemical smell on first open is noted. It is a budget micro kit for short reaches only.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You only need about 12 m on a balcony or tiny patio and you accept a micro hose.
Less suitable: You want a full-size garden hose or a large review sample.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Greenera mini a full-size garden hose?
No. The listing and the reviews describe a thinner compact hose aimed at small patios and balconies. People who wanted a normal garden hose have returned it.
Will the Greenera mini fit a kitchen tap?
At least one UK review says it did not fit a kitchen tap and is aimed at outdoor wall taps. Check the thread before you buy it for indoor use.
How long is the Greenera mini hose?
The listing states 12 m, also written as 39 ft. The listed weight is about 1.3 kg.
The Giraffe Tools wall Auto Reel is £99.99 for a 25 m × 12 mm hose plus a 2 m leader, a 180° swivel, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch tap adapters and a 7-pattern nozzle, with 4.2 from 6,375 reviews. The polypropylene box is listed at 8.3 kg, so it is lighter than the big Hozelock cassettes while still needing a drilled wall. Many UK reviewers call the install manageable and like the side-to-side swivel and the tidy auto rewind. The same set of texts says the hose needs strength to pull out and that rewind can be forceful if you let go. The spray gun is a weak point: several buyers say it feels cheap or the lever broke, while the reel body itself is often called sturdy. Warranty and after-sales replacement get praise when parts fail. It suits a medium garden that does not need 30–40 m, if you accept that the gun may need upgrading.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a complete mid-price wall auto around 25 m and you already have a solid outdoor wall for anchors.
Less suitable: You need 40 m of hose, or you will not tolerate a budget spray gun.
Specifications
Common questions
Which tap sizes does the Giraffe Tools wall reel cover?
The bullets list two quick adapters for 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch taps. Confirm the thread on your outdoor tap before you rely on them.
How long is the hose on the Giraffe Tools wall reel?
The listing records a 25 m × 12 mm hose plus a 2 m connecting hose. That is the stated kit, not a measured flow test.
Is the spray gun on the Giraffe Tools wall reel durable?
Some of the UK reviews say the spray gun feels cheap or the lever broke, while the reel body is often called sturdy. Treat the gun as the part most likely to be replaced.
The Draper hose reel cart is £22.98 with a capacity claim up to 45 m, 4.2 from 2,045 reviews, and a light 1.37 kg plastic frame. It is a storage cart, not a full watering kit: reviewers often buy a separate hose and a short tap connector. Once assembled, many call it good value and sturdy enough for the price, with quick clip-together parts. Instructions are criticised, and the handle side must be chosen before fittings snap home, because reversing them is hard. Thicker anti-kink hose may not reach the full 45 m claim; 30–40 m is a more realistic fit in several texts. Choose it when you already own hose and fittings and only need a cheap wheeled or wall-capable drum.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You already have a hose and fittings and only need a cheap drum with wheels or wall brackets.
Less suitable: You want a ready-to-water kit with hose and nozzle in the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Draper hose reel cart come with a hose?
The included-components line names a reel cart for 45 m. Reviewers often buy a separate hose and a tap connector. Treat it as a drum, not a complete watering kit.
Will the Draper cart hold 45 m of any hose?
The capacity claim is up to 45 m. Reviewers say thicker anti-kink hose may not reach that figure. A printed capacity does not apply at every diameter.
Is the Draper cart hard to assemble?
Many call clip-together assembly quick, but warn you must choose the handle side before fittings snap in place. Reversing that choice is hard.
The YGLHXDD 40 m kit is £49.96 with a 40 m hose, 2 m hose, storage tray, wall hook, nozzle and connectors, rated 4.2 from only six reviews. Positive texts call it workable long hose storage for the money. One clear UK review says the spray head does not fit the hose and leaks everywhere, and another advises paying more for better quality. Manual rewind and wall-hang storage are the form factor — not an enclosed auto cassette. With six reviews the reliability picture is thin, so treat the length claim as unverified beyond that small sample. It is only a candidate if you need a long manual kit and you accept sparse evidence.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a long manual hose kit on a wall hook and you accept a six-review listing.
Less suitable: You need proven UK review volume or an automatic wall cassette.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the hose included with the YGLHXDD 40 m kit?
Yes. The listing describes a 40 m hose and a 2 m hose plus a tray, hook, nozzle and connectors. Rewind is manual.
How well reviewed is the YGLHXDD 40 m kit?
The listing shows 4.2 from 6 reviews. The review file includes a complaint that the spray head does not fit and leaks. Six reviews is a thin sample.
Does the YGLHXDD 40 m kit rewind automatically?
No. The operation mode is manual. Storage is a wall hook and tray, not an enclosed auto cassette.
The Highlandhue 20 m 2-in-1 reel is £36.99 with freestanding or wall mount, fittings and a nozzle, but only 3.4 from 10 reviews. Several UK texts say it is not ready to use: you must dismantle, cut hose and fit the drum connection, and they call the instructions poor. Leaks at the wheel or tap fittings and connections that blow off under pressure dominate the small set, while a minority report no leaks once assembled. The title names a 15 mm diameter while the diameter field says 12 mm, so the bore claim is not settled from the listing alone. With ten reviews and a low score it stays a speculative mid-length manual option, not a safe default beside better-reviewed kits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You will rebuild a drum connection carefully and accept a thin UK review file.
Less suitable: You want a ready-to-use kit with a large review sample and sealed joints out of the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Highlandhue 20 m reel ready to use out of the box?
Several UK reviews say you must dismantle it, cut the hose and fit the drum connection. They call the instructions poor. Do not assume it is sealed and ready.
Does the Highlandhue 20 m reel leak?
Several reviews report leaks at the wheel or the tap fittings. A minority report no leaks once it is assembled. The sample is only 10 reviews at 3.4 stars.
Can the Highlandhue 20 m reel be wall-mounted?
Yes. The listing describes a freestanding or wall-mounted design with a 180° rotating bracket in the bullets. The title diameter and the diameter field disagree (15 mm versus 12 mm).
The SPECILITE freestanding metal reel is £59.99 for an empty frame only — no hose, no fittings, no nozzle — with 1.0 from a single amazon.co.uk review. Bullets claim capacity of about 79 m of 1/2 inch hose, less for thicker hose, on a triangular base. The sole UK review says the assembly instructions and QR video are unusable and the handle could not be fitted, so the unit was not usable as received. Material wording conflicts between an aluminium field and steel claims in the bullets. Until more UK reviews exist, this is an empty frame with a failed first assembly report, not a watering solution out of the box.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You already own hose and fittings and you are prepared to solve assembly without clear instructions.
Less suitable: You want a ready kit, or any review sample larger than one failed assembly report.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the SPECILITE reel include a hose?
No. The included-components line lists a metal hose reel only. You supply a hose that matches the capacity notes, plus fittings.
What capacity does the SPECILITE reel claim?
The bullets claim about 79 m of 1/2 inch hose, and less for thicker 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch hose. That is a capacity note, not hose in the box.
Is assembly clear on the SPECILITE reel?
The single UK review says the instructions and QR video are unusable and the handle could not be assembled. The listing is 1.0 from that one review.
Eleven amazon.co.uk hose reels are on this page. Scores combine the captured star line and review count with kit completeness and repeated review risks. Stars can contribute up to about 50–60 points and the review count up to about 25, on a diminishing scale. The score also reflects whether a hose, tap fittings and a nozzle are in the box, and the mount and rewind type stated on the listing. Points come off for repeated install-screw complaints, stiff pull-out or aggressive rewind, spray-gun failures, leaks at joints, review counts under about 50, and assembly failures. This is not a laboratory test. The top pick is the Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m, score 77, at about £157.97 with 4.5 from 6,447 reviews. Best value is the Greenera compact 14 m reel, score 71, at about £24.64 with 4.3 from 827 reviews on a complete compact kit.
Star line
50%The amazon.co.uk star line captured for each listing. In the raw score, stars can contribute up to about 50–60 points. This is not a lab test.
Review sample
25%Review count on a diminishing scale, up to about 25 points. Counts under about 50 lose points. A single review cannot outrank a large mixed file.
Kit completeness
15%Whether a hose, tap fittings and a nozzle are in the box, against an empty frame or a cart capacity claim only.
Mount, rewind and faults
10%Mount and rewind type as stated on the listing. Deductions cover weak install screws, stiff pull-out, aggressive rewind, spray-gun failures, joint leaks and assembly failures.
Measure the path before you compare reels. A hose reel has to reach the furthest bed, fix to a surface that can take it, and seal on a UK outdoor tap. A rule of thumb from amazon.co.uk listings in this category is entry about £17–£40, mid about £40–£110, and premium about £130–£160 and above. Live prices win when you buy. Stars and review counts on this page are the captured UK listing lines, not a laboratory test.
A hose reel stores and pays out a garden hosepipe so you can water without dragging a tangled coil across a patio or lawn. It is not the hose on its own, and it is not a pressure-washer reel. On a UK shelf the usual types are a wall-mounted auto-rewind cassette, often about 20–40 m with a pivot; a manual enclosed reel that can stand or clip to a wall; an open reel or empty metal frame that only stores a hose you already own; a wheeled cart for long or multi-zone runs; and a compact balcony kit…
Measure to the furthest bed and include corners. About 10–15 m, 20–30 m and about 40 m are the usual bands. Spare hose still has to be rewound, and a short feeder can still leave you short of the tap.
Plugs in the box often assume brick. A timber fence needs suitable fixings and a sound post. If the surface is unsound, or the lease requires consent, stop and get advice before you drill.
Drain the hose and the feeder and store them frost-free when you can. A frost-proof housing does not mean water can stay inside. A printed capacity also does not apply at every hose diameter.
Measure from the outdoor tap to the furthest bed and include corners. That length is the first filter. About 10–15 m suits a balcony or patio, about 20–30 m suits many rear gardens, and about 40 m suits a large plot. A thicker hose fills a drum sooner, so do not treat a capacity claim as usable metres at every diameter. Then separate the forms. A wall auto-rewind cassette suits a brick wall that can take the weight. A manual enclosed reel can stand or clip to a wall and go in a shed.
Measure the tap. About 21 mm outside diameter is ½ inch BSP and about 26.5 mm is ¾ inch, the usual modern outdoor tap. Confirm adapters, washers, feeder length and a nozzle. An empty reel needs your hose to match the capacity note. Forcing the wrong thread leaks. Hozelock Auto Reel manuals often cite a 7 mm drill, a level bracket and masonry that can hold the cassette. A timber fence is a different fixing. Drain the hose before frost.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want tidy auto rewind from a wall beside the tap, and about 30 m covers the beds. The Hozelock Auto Reel 30 m is about £135.97, with 4.4 from 2,322 amazon.co.uk reviews, a lock while the hose is out, and a listed weight of 10.8 kg. Supplied bracket screws are a repeated install complaint, as on the longer Hozelock cassette.
You need a short, light kit and the right tap adapters, not 40 m of hose. The Greenera compact 14 m reel is the best value at about £24.64, with 4.3 from 827 reviews, a 12 m hose plus 2 m leader, an 8-pattern gun and ½ inch and ¾ inch connectors. It is thinner than a full garden hose and looks smaller than many buyers expect.
You measured about 40 m and you can fix into brick or block near the tap. The Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m is the top pick at about £157.97, score 77, with 4.5 from 6,447 reviews, a 180° pivot and a basic nozzle. The body is listed at 16.4 kg. It is a wall cassette, not a cart you wheel between beds.
The top pick is the Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m at about £157.97. The score is 77, from 4.5 and 6,447 amazon.co.uk reviews, on a wall cassette with a 40 m hose, tap fittings, a basic nozzle and a 180° pivot. The listed weight is 16.4 kg, and supplied bracket screws are a repeated install complaint. The best value is the Greenera compact 14 m reel at about £24.64, score 71, with 4.3 from 827 reviews. It is a complete manual kit (12 m hose, 2 m leader, 8-pattern gun, ½ inch and ¾ inch connectors) for a patio or small garden. Reviewers say it looks smaller than expected and the hose is thinner than a full garden pipe. Neither score is a laboratory test or a UK-wide result.
Hozelock Auto Reel 40 m
Score 77 at about £157.97, with 4.5 from 6,447 reviews, a 40 m hose, tap fittings and auto rewind on a wall cassette.
Greenera compact 14 m reel
About £24.64 with 4.3 from 827 reviews on a complete compact manual kit for a short patio or balcony.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources from the research digest, plus the amazon.co.uk prices, stars and review counts captured for these eleven listings. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk (tag pcuk26-21). If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines captured for these eleven products. We did not run a laboratory test.
