Washer, no outside tap
You have no outside tap, or the tap does not reach the car, and the washer manual allows a draw from a bucket. The TOPWAYS 3 m kit is £11.99 with 4.3 from 378 reviews. UK reviews still say the wall collapses under suction.
Suction hose comparison 2026
The best suction hoses, compared.
Top pick: Meksular wire-reinforced tube Best value: YUET washer kit – £14.43 with 4.4 from 174 reviews, after the higher-scoring TOPWAYS kit. Updated October 2026.
A suction hose is the inlet pipe that lets a pressure washer or a garden pump take water from a water butt, bucket, or tank. It is not the high-pressure hose to the lance: the inlet sees vacuum, and a soft garden hose can flatten. Seven are short yellow washer kits for Kärcher and inlets, one is a 4 m pump kit, and two are clear steel-helix tubes you cut and clamp yourself. What you can check is the job, the wall, a strainer, and a claimed non-return valve. Catalogue length fields often describe the parcel, not the hose. A 5.0 from one or two reviews is not a measured result. Stored water belongs with a [water butt](/hub/garden-watering/water-butt). UK reviews still say the wall collapses under suction.
A suction hose is the inlet pipe that lets a pressure washer or a garden pump take water from a water butt, bucket, or tank.
36 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +17,200 readers
10 of 10: Best suction hoses compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
3.4/10
3.7/10
6.0/10
6.4/10
6.7/10
5.2/10
7.9/10
5.4/10
4.4/10
4.1/10
∼ £24
∼ £9
∼ £22
∼ £14
∼ £14
∼ £14
∼ £12
∼ £14
∼ £12
∼ £10
5.0(2)
5.0(1)
4.6(98)
4.6(54)
4.4(174)
4.4(25)
4.3(378)
4.2(190)
4.2(19)
3.4(16)
Personal buying guide
Which suction hose fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
What are you feeding?
The best suction hoses in detail
Our view
The Meksular hose is a 3 m clear PVC tube with a stainless-steel spiral, at £23.99, and a bullet says two hose clips are included. It weighs 1.55 kg, and the seller states a working pressure of 8 bar, a burst pressure of 24 bar, and −5 °C to +65 °C. The title says 32 × 38 mm and a bullet says 16 × 22 mm, so both figures are on the listing and you should not pick one. It has 5.0 stars from 2 amazon.co.uk reviews, which is too small a sample to treat as a measured best hose. There is no pressure-washer coupling, no strainer and no non-return valve, and the seller describes suction and delivery of water and liquids, including garden and irrigation. The catalogue maximum pressure is 24 bar, the same figure as the burst claim, and that is not the cleaning pressure of a washer.
Pros
- Stainless-steel spiral in clear PVC, with two clips claimed
- 3 m on the title and in the catalogue
- Working pressure 8 bar and burst pressure 24 bar are stated
- Weight listed as 1.55 kg
Cons
- Title says 32 × 38 mm; a bullet says 16 × 22 mm
- 5.0 from 2 reviews
- No washer coupling, strainer or non-return valve
- £23.99 is the highest price in this set
Best for: A workshop or garden suction line after you have measured the bore and you already own a filter.
Less suitable: A Kärcher inlet, or an order that depends on 32 mm rather than 16 mm.
Specifications
- Model
- Meksular wire-reinforced tube
- Brand
- Meksular
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(2)
- Role
- Wire-reinforced tube
- Wall
- Steel-spiral PVC
- Filter
- No
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 3 m
- Machine fit
- No coupling
- Fittings
- Two clips claimed
- Pressure
- 8 bar
Common questions
What diameter should you order against?
Do not treat the two figures as one size. The title says 32 x 38 mm. A bullet says 16 mm x 22 mm. Both say 3 m.
Does it include a pressure-washer coupling?
No. It is a bare tube plus clips. The seller describes suction and delivery of water and liquids. No Kärcher or Bosch inlet is listed.
What pressure and temperature are claimed?
The seller states a working pressure of 8 bar, a burst pressure of 24 bar, and −5 °C to +65 °C. The catalogue maximum pressure is 24 bar. Firmness is listed as 73a.
Our view
The SSEHCWAN kit is the lowest price in this set at £9.39, listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT. The title and the included-components line say 3 m, and the catalogue item length is 3 cm. Bullets describe a stainless-steel filter with a non-return valve, quick-connect adapters and clamps, while the catalogue line is 1× 3 m suction hose. The only amazon.co.uk review scores 5.0, calls the hose excellent and very strong, and does not name a machine, a fault or the valve. A 5.0 from one review is not a measured result you can set against hundreds of reviews on another kit. The seller says you tighten each connector by hand, the material block is empty, and the bullets say PVC, fibre mesh and rubber, with no pressure figure.
Pros
- Lowest price in this set at £9.39
- A filter and a non-return valve are claimed in the bullets
- Listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT
- The one UK review calls the hose very strong
Cons
- 5.0 from 1 review, with no machine named
- Title says 3 m; catalogue length is 3 cm
- That review does not mention the valve
- The catalogue line and the bullets do not list the same contents
Best for: A spare you will inspect on arrival, not a hose you choose because of the star rating.
Less suitable: Anyone who wants more than one UK review before trusting a claimed non-return valve.
Specifications
- Model
- SSEHCWAN washer kit
- Brand
- SSEHCWAN
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(1)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- Yes
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 0.03 m
- Machine fit
- Kärcher, Bosch AQT
- Fittings
- Adapters, clamps
Common questions
How long is the hose on the listing?
The title and the included-components line say 3 m. The catalogue item length is 3 cm. Those figures do not match.
Is a non-return valve confirmed by a review?
The seller claims a stainless-steel filter with a non-return valve. The only review in the file does not mention the valve.
How many UK reviews are in the file?
One review, from the United Kingdom, scored 5.0. It calls the hose excellent and very strong and does not name a machine or a fault.
Our view
The VEATON kit is a 4 m corrugated inlet for a garden booster or pressure pump, at £21.99, with a strainer, a claimed non-return valve and connection fittings. It has 4.6 stars from 98 amazon.co.uk reviews, the catalogue lists 9 bar, and the hose weighs 950 g. The material line is plastic corrugated hose, with no fibre or steel helix stated. It is not sold as a Kärcher or Bosch washer inlet kit, so the quick coupling on those machines is a different part. One UK review cut the non-return valve off because it let air in and reduced the flow. Another UK review says a hose-lock adapter did not fit, so the fittings in the box are not a universal pump thread.
Pros
- 4 m on the title and in the catalogue
- Strainer, non-return valve and connection fittings are listed
- 4.6 from 98 reviews
- Stated 9 bar, weight 950 g
Cons
- One UK review cut the valve off because it let air in
- A hose-lock adapter did not fit in one UK review
- Corrugated plastic, with no fibre or steel helix stated
- Not sold as a Kärcher or Bosch washer kit
Best for: A garden booster or pressure pump that accepts this corrugated inlet and a strainer.
Less suitable: A pressure-washer quick coupling, or a foot valve you need to hold prime without leaking air.
Specifications
- Model
- VEATON 4 m pump kit
- Brand
- VEATON
- Price
- ∼£22
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(98)
- Role
- Pump inlet kit
- Wall
- Corrugated plastic
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- Yes
- Title length
- 4 m
- Catalogue length
- 4 m
- Machine fit
- Garden pump
- Fittings
- Connection fittings
- Pressure
- 9 bar
Common questions
Is this a Kärcher or Bosch washer inlet kit?
No. The listing is a 4 m corrugated kit for a garden booster or pressure pump. It is not sold as a Kärcher or Bosch washer inlet kit.
Does the kit include a non-return valve?
The seller lists a non-return valve, an inlet strainer and connection fittings with the hose. One UK review cut the valve off because it let air in and reduced the flow.
What pressure and material are listed?
The catalogue lists 9 bar and plastic. No fibre or steel helix is stated. Weight is 950 g.
Our view
The PATIKIL hose is a 3 m clear PVC tube with a spiral steel-wire reinforcement, 13 mm inside, 19 mm outside and a 3 mm wall, at £14.29. Title and catalogue both say 3 m, and it has 4.6 stars from 54 amazon.co.uk reviews. The seller states −15 °C to +70 °C and also says the hose is not for temperatures at −15 °C or above 70 °C, and no maximum pressure is listed. The box is the hose only: clamps, a strainer and a non-return valve are not included, and there is no pressure-washer coupling. The seller lists water, fuel, air, dust, marine, aquarium and workshop uses, which is a general tube rather than a washer inlet. One UK review title says “25mm hose”, which does not match the 13 mm bore printed on the listing.
Pros
- Steel-wire helix in clear PVC, 13 mm inside and 19 mm outside
- 3 m on the title and in the catalogue
- 4.6 from 54 reviews at £14.29
- Wall listed as 3 mm, with a stated −15 °C to +70 °C range
Cons
- Clamps, a filter and a non-return valve are not included
- No pressure-washer coupling
- One UK review title says 25 mm, which is not the listed bore
- No maximum pressure is listed
Best for: A cut-and-clamp suction line where you already have clips and a strainer sized to a 13 mm bore.
Less suitable: A Kärcher or Bosch washer inlet you want to connect without extra fittings.
Specifications
- Model
- PATIKIL 13 mm wire hose
- Brand
- PATIKIL
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(54)
- Role
- Wire-reinforced tube
- Wall
- Steel-wire PVC
- Filter
- No
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 3 m
- Machine fit
- No coupling
- Fittings
- Hose only
Common questions
Are clamps included?
No. The packing list is one 3 m steel-wire reinforced PVC hose. The seller says you slide it onto fittings and tighten clamps, and those clamps are not included.
What bore does the listing state?
The listing states 13 mm inside diameter, 19 mm outside diameter and a 3 mm wall. One UK review title says “25mm hose”, which does not match that listing.
What temperature range is claimed?
The seller states −15 °C to +70 °C, and also says the hose is not for temperatures at −15 °C or above 70 °C. No maximum pressure is listed.
Our view
The YUET kit is listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT at £14.43, with a filter attachment, a hose and a quick-connect fitting. It has 4.4 stars from 174 amazon.co.uk reviews, and those reviews name Kärcher K2, K4 and K7, a Bosch EasyAquatak 110 and a VonHaus washer. The title says 15 m, the catalogue item length is 20 cm, and the parcel is listed as 20 × 2.5 cm, so 15 m is not a length you can take as delivered. The seller describes a PVC wear layer, fibre mesh and a rubber inner, an outside diameter of 20 mm, and 40 bar. No non-return valve is claimed, and UK reviews say the hose cannot hold a pre-charge. One UK review received one fitting rather than two, and another says a new Kärcher K2 on a full water butt starved the pump.
Pros
- 4.4 from 174 reviews at £14.43
- Fibre mesh and a rubber inner are stated
- Filter and quick-connect fitting are listed
- UK reviews name Kärcher K2, K4 and K7 and a Bosch EasyAquatak 110
Cons
- Title says 15 m; catalogue length is 20 cm
- No non-return valve, so reviews say it cannot hold a pre-charge
- One UK review received one fitting, not two
- One UK review says a Kärcher K2 on a full butt starved the pump
Best for: A washer inlet where you will measure the hose on arrival and prime it again after each stop.
Less suitable: A job that needs a confirmed 15 m run, or a hose that holds water when the pump stops.
Specifications
- Model
- YUET washer kit
- Brand
- YUET
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(174)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 15 m
- Catalogue length
- 0.2 m
- Machine fit
- Kärcher, Bosch AQT
- Fittings
- Filter and connector
- Pressure
- 40 bar
Common questions
Is the hose 15 m long?
The title states 15 m. The catalogue item length is 20 cm and the parcel dimensions are 20 x 2.5 cm. UK reviews in this file also describe 3 m and 10 m YUET hoses.
Does it hold a prime?
The listing does not claim a non-return valve. UK reviews say there is no non-return valve, so it cannot hold a pre-charge.
Which machines do UK reviews name?
UK reviews report Kärcher K2, K4 and K7, a Bosch EasyAquatak 110 and a VonHaus washer. One review says a new Kärcher K2 on a full water butt starved the pump.
Our view
The WASH IT! kit is 2.5 m on both the title and the catalogue, at £13.95, and it weighs 250 g. The seller lists five pieces: a reinforced hose, a stainless-steel mesh filter, a quick coupling, a jet-wash adapter and a hose clip you tighten by hand. It has 4.4 stars from 25 amazon.co.uk reviews. The seller does not name Kärcher or Bosch; it says the kit is for self-priming pressure washers that take this inlet, and that you should check the manual. No non-return valve is claimed, and UK reviews say water runs back into the bucket when the pump stops. The wall is described as PVC outer, fibre mesh and rubber inner, and no pressure figure is listed, so this file cannot tell you how a 2.5 m reach compares with a longer inlet.
Pros
- 2.5 m on the title and in the catalogue
- Five pieces listed: hose, filter, coupling, jet-wash adapter and clip
- 4.4 from 25 reviews at £13.95
- Seller says the butterfly clip tightens by hand
Cons
- No non-return valve; UK reviews say water runs back
- The seller does not name Kärcher or Bosch
- No pressure figure is listed
- Only 25 reviews
Best for: A short bucket beside a washer whose inlet matches this fitting, if you will refill the hose after each stop.
Less suitable: A long reach to a butt, or a machine you have not checked against the manual.
Specifications
- Model
- WASH IT! 2.5 m kit
- Brand
- WASH IT!
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(25)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 2.5 m
- Catalogue length
- 2.5 m
- Machine fit
- Check the manual
- Fittings
- Five-piece kit
Common questions
Which washers does the seller name?
The seller does not name Kärcher or Bosch. It says the kit is for self-priming pressure washers that take this inlet fitting, and that you should check the manual.
Is there a non-return valve?
No non-return valve is claimed. UK reviews say water runs back into the bucket when the pump stops.
What is in the box?
The seller lists five pieces: reinforced hose, suction filter, quick coupling, jet-wash adapter and a hose clip. Title and catalogue both say 2.5 m.
Our view
The TOPWAYS kit is a 3 m washer inlet at £11.99, with a claimed check valve, a mesh filter and a self-sinking block, and an outside diameter of 16 mm. Across 378 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.3 stars, and UK reviewers name Kärcher K2 and K3, Stihl, Worx Hydroshot, Parkside, JML, Day Plus and Parklife. The seller lists 5 bar and a three-layer PVC wall, and says you assemble and tighten each plastic quick connector by hand, with a 304 stainless fastener in the box. Several UK reviews say the hose collapses or kinks under suction, so the washer stops or runs with little water. Other reviewers say the same kit does run from a bucket or a butt, which is why the star line stays at 4.3 rather than falling with the hose. The listed 5 bar is the catalogue pressure for this hose, not the pressure at the lance, and you still need a machine the manual allows to draw from a container.
Pros
- 3 m on the title and in the catalogue, at £11.99
- Check valve, mesh filter with a self-sinking block, and quick connectors are listed
- 4.3 from 378 reviews, the largest sample in this set
- Outside diameter listed as 16 mm, stated pressure 5 bar
Cons
- UK reviews say the hose collapses or kinks under suction
- You assemble and tighten the connectors yourself
- The listed 5 bar is the hose figure, not lance pressure
Best for: A short bucket or butt feed on a washer UK reviewers have already named, if you can accept that some of those reviews describe a flattened wall.
Less suitable: A pump that needs a hose you cannot squash by hand, or a Kärcher model whose manual says it cannot draw.
Specifications
- Model
- TOPWAYS 3 m washer kit
- Brand
- TOPWAYS
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(378)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Three-layer PVC
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- Yes
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 3 m
- Machine fit
- Most washers
- Fittings
- Quick connectors
- Pressure
- 5 bar
Common questions
Does this kit include a check valve?
Yes. The seller lists a check valve so water enters but does not leave, plus a mesh filter with a self-sinking block and plastic quick connectors.
What size and pressure are listed?
Title and catalogue both say 3 m. Outside diameter is 16 mm and the listed maximum pressure is 5 bar. Inside diameter is not stated. Wall thickness is listed as 1 with no unit.
Do UK reviews say the hose stays open under suction?
Several UK reviews say the hose collapses or kinks under suction, so the washer stops or runs with little water. Others say it runs from a bucket or butt.
Our view
The NAMOTEK kit is aimed at Kärcher K2–K7, Bosch AQT and most electric high-pressure washers, priced at £13.99. It has 4.2 stars from 190 amazon.co.uk reviews. The title says 3 m, the catalogue item length says 5 m, and the parcel dimensions are listed as 3 × 0.02 m, so the length is not settled. The seller describes a PVC outer, a fibre mesh and a rubber inner, plus a stainless-steel filter called both 50 micron and 50 mesh, which are different claims and were not measured here. No non-return valve is claimed, and one UK review wanted a one-way valve so primed water would not run back. Several UK reviews say the hose arrived kinked and would not straighten, and others report a filter, connector or green inlet valve failing on first use.
Pros
- 4.2 from 190 reviews at £13.99
- Fibre mesh and a rubber inner are stated
- Listing names Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT
- A stainless-steel filter is described
Cons
- Title says 3 m; catalogue length says 5 m
- No non-return valve is claimed
- UK reviews of a kink on arrival, and of a filter or connector failing on first use
- Catalogue included-components says no, while the bullets describe the kit
Best for: A washer the manual allows to draw, if you will measure the hose on arrival and prime it before you start.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs one agreed length, or a valve that holds a prime when the pump stops.
Specifications
- Model
- NAMOTEK washer kit
- Brand
- NAMOTEK
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(190)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 5 m
- Machine fit
- Kärcher, Bosch AQT
- Fittings
- Coupling and filter
Common questions
How long is the hose?
The title says 3 m. The catalogue item length is 5 m. Parcel dimensions are listed as 3 x 0.02 m. Those figures are not the same length.
Is a non-return valve included?
The listing does not claim a non-return valve. One UK review wanted a one-way valve so primed water would not run back.
What do UK reviews say about the hose on arrival?
Several UK reviews say the hose arrived kinked and would not straighten. Others report a filter, connector or green inlet valve failing on first use.
Our view
The Hierbla kit is listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT at £11.99, with 4.2 stars from 19 amazon.co.uk reviews. The title says 3 m and the catalogue item length is 500 cm, so the two length fields do not describe the same hose. Bullets describe a stainless-steel filter, called both 50 micron and 50 mesh, and pre-assembled quick connectors, while the catalogue line says suction hose. No non-return valve is claimed, and no pressure figure is given. One review says the instructions tell you to put a stone in the black filter if it floats. Another says the bore was too large for a battery-powered pump, and 19 reviews is a small file beside the kits with more than 100.
Pros
- Filter and quick connectors are described in the bullets
- Listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT
- £11.99, with a fibre-mesh and rubber-inner wall stated
- Seller says you push the filter on and tighten it by hand
Cons
- Title says 3 m; catalogue length is 500 cm
- No non-return valve is claimed
- Only 19 reviews
- One review needed a stone in the filter; another found the bore too large for a battery pump
Best for: A trial on a named Kärcher or Bosch inlet only after you have measured the hose that arrives.
Less suitable: A settled 3 m length, or a battery pump a reviewer already found too small for this bore.
Specifications
- Model
- Hierbla washer kit
- Brand
- Hierbla
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(19)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 5 m
- Machine fit
- Kärcher, Bosch AQT
- Fittings
- Connectors, filter
Common questions
How long is this hose?
The title says 3 m. The catalogue item length is 500 cm. Those two figures do not match.
Does the listing include a non-return valve?
No non-return valve is claimed. The seller describes a stainless-steel filter and pre-assembled quick connectors for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT.
What do the UK reviews say about the filter?
One review says the instructions tell you to put a stone in the black filter if it floats. Another says the bore was too large for a battery-powered pump.
Our view
The MJFENDAI kit is 3 m on the title and in the catalogue, at £9.99, and the listing names Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT. The amazon.co.uk rating is 3.4 from 16 reviews, the lowest star line in this set of ten. The saved listing holds 10 review texts: 2 from the United Kingdom, which say “good product” and “average quality”, and 8 in German. Those German-language reviews say the hose contracts or kinks under suction, including on a Kärcher K7, and they are not British-written opinion. The bullets list a PVC outer, fibre mesh, rubber inner, quick connectors and a filter, while the catalogue line is the 3 m suction hose, and no non-return valve is claimed. Colour is printed as “Yello”, and no pressure figure is given.
Pros
- 3 m agrees on the title and in the catalogue
- £9.99, with quick connectors and a filter in the bullets
- Fibre mesh and a rubber inner are stated
- Listed for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT
Cons
- 3.4 from 16 reviews, the lowest star line in this set
- Only two of the ten review texts in the file are from the UK
- German-language reviews describe kinking; they are not British opinion
- No non-return valve and no pressure figure
Best for: A price check at £9.99 where you will judge the hose yourself on arrival.
Less suitable: A buying decision that needs a large sample of UK-written reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- MJFENDAI 3 m washer kit
- Brand
- MJFENDAI
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 3.4/5(16)
- Role
- Washer inlet kit
- Wall
- Fibre mesh, rubber
- Filter
- Yes
- Non-return valve
- No
- Title length
- 3 m
- Catalogue length
- 3 m
- Machine fit
- Kärcher, Bosch AQT
- Fittings
- Connectors, filter
Common questions
How many of the reviews are from the United Kingdom?
The saved listing has 10 reviews: 2 from the United Kingdom and 8 in German. The listing count is 16. The two UK reviews say “good product” and “average quality”.
What do the German-language reviews say about kinking?
German-language reviews on this UK listing say the hose contracts or kinks under suction, including on a Kärcher K7. Those reviews are not British-written.
Is a non-return valve listed?
No. The seller lists a 3 m three-layer hose, quick connectors and a filter for Kärcher K2–K7 and Bosch AQT. No pressure figure is given.
How we compared
For this comparison we read 10 amazon.co.uk suction-hose listings and the public UK sources below. The score is an editorial 0–100 figure from stars, review volume, what the listing states, and the price band. It is not the star rating times 20, and a 5.0 from one review does not outrank a 4.3 from 378. We did not run a suction test.
1
Stars
30%Amazon stars on the listing, scaled to 30 points: stars divided by 5, times 30, rounded half up. The star line is not the editorial score.
2
Review volume
25%Up to 25 points from the review count: 250 or more scores 25, 100–249 scores 18, 40–99 scores 12, 15–39 scores 6, and 1–14 scores 2.
3
Listing
25%Up to 25 points for a stated steel-wire helix, fibre mesh with a rubber inner, a strainer, a claimed non-return valve, fittings that match the job, and a title length that matches the catalogue.
4
Price evidence
20%Up to 20 points from the amazon.co.uk price on 15 October 2026 and the review count. Under £16 with 150 or more reviews scores 18. A listing with under 15 reviews scores 2 on this part.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Suction hose buying guide
Choose the job first: a washer inlet, a pump inlet, or a bare tube you clamp yourself. Then check the wall, the strainer, the valve, and whether the two length fields agree.
What is a suction hose?
A suction hose is the inlet pipe that lets a pressure washer or a garden pump take water from a water butt, bucket or tank. It is not the high-pressure hose that runs to the lance. The inlet sees vacuum, and a soft garden hose can flatten and starve the pump. In this set of ten amazon.co.uk listings, seven are short yellow washer kits aimed at Kärcher K-series and Bosch AQT inlets, one is a 4 m pump kit, and two are clear steel-helix tubes you cut and clamp yourself. The job comes first.
Best for
- A washer the manual allows to draw from a bucket or butt
- A garden pump that needs a strainer and a suction line
Not ideal for
- The high-pressure hose that runs from the washer to the lance
- A mains hosepipe ban you have not read on the live notice
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Trusting the title length
Catalogue length fields in this set often describe the parcel, not the hose. YUET’s title says 15 m and the catalogue length is 20 cm. SSEHCWAN’s title says 3 m and the catalogue length is 3 cm.
- 2
Reading 50 micron as 50 mesh
Several listings use both phrases. They are different aperture claims, and neither was measured here.
- 3
Assuming every K2–K7 can draw
That fit line is copied across many titles. The machine manual decides whether the washer can take water from a container. A suction hose does not change that.
What to weigh up
Job and machine fit
HighThe first cut is the machine on the other end. A washer inlet kit, strainer plus a coupling, feeds a pressure washer the manual allows to draw from a bucket or butt. It is the wrong object for a garden-pump thread. The VEATON listing is a 4 m corrugated kit for a garden booster or pressure pump, with a strainer and a claimed non-return valve, and it is not sold as a Kärcher or Bosch washer inlet.
Wall, valve and length
HighThe inlet sees vacuum, so the wall has to keep its bore. A steel wire helix is the construction whose UK reviews in this set describe a tube you cannot squash by hand. PATIKIL states a spiral steel wire, 13 mm inside and 19 mm outside. Meksular states a stainless-steel spiral, and also prints two bores. TOPWAYS states a three-layer PVC wall, and UK reviews say that wall collapses or kinks under suction. Several other kits state a PVC outer, fibre mesh and a rubber inner.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Butt on a self-priming washer
You want roof water from a butt on a washer the manual allows to self-prime. The YUET kit is £14.43 with 4.4 from 174 reviews. The title says 15 m and the catalogue length is 20 cm, and UK reviews say it cannot hold a pre-charge.
Garden or transfer pump
You need a reinforced suction line, a strainer and a foot valve for a garden, pond or transfer pump. The VEATON 4 m kit lists those parts at £21.99. One UK review cut the valve off because it let air in.
Common questions about suction hoses
Which suction hose is the top pick?
The top pick is the TOPWAYS 3 m washer kit. Title and catalogue both say 3 m, the price is £11.99, and the star line is 4.3 from 378 reviews, the largest sample in this set. The seller lists a check valve, a mesh filter and an outside diameter of 16 mm. UK reviews still say the wall collapses or kinks under suction, so the washer can stop or run with little water. Skip it if you need a hose you cannot squash by hand.
How much does a suction hose cost on amazon.co.uk?
On these amazon.co.uk listings on 15 October 2026, the range is about £9.39 to £23.99. Entry, about £9 to £12, covers SSEHCWAN, MJFENDAI, Hierbla and TOPWAYS. Mid, about £13 to £15, covers WASH IT!, NAMOTEK, PATIKIL and YUET. The upper end of this set is VEATON at £21.99 and Meksular at £23.99. Branded references outside the ten, the Kärcher SH 5 and the Bosch self-priming kit, sit higher. Shelf prices move.
What should you check before you buy a suction hose?
Check the job first. A washer inlet kit is the wrong part for a garden-pump thread, and a bare helix tube still needs a filter and an adapter. Then check whether the wall is meant to hold its bore, whether a strainer is included, and whether a non-return valve is claimed. Read the title length against the catalogue length, because several of these clash. Confirm the washer manual before you trust a K2–K7 line. Prefer a mid rating with many UK reviews over 5.0 from one or two.
Does a suction hose make a pressure washer lawful in a hosepipe ban?
A suction hose does not make every pressure washer lawful during a hosepipe ban. A temporary use ban under section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991 restricts specified uses of water from the company’s supply, including garden watering and car washing with a hosepipe. Thames Water says rainwater, grey water and a borehole sit outside a mains ban. South West Water treats a mains-fed washer as in scope and a butt as outside it. A live notice still has to be read.
Should you buy a washer kit or a wire-reinforced tube?
Buy a washer inlet kit when the machine manual allows a draw from a bucket and you want a strainer and a coupling in the box. Buy the VEATON 4 m kit for a garden booster or pressure pump, not for a Kärcher quick coupling. Buy a wire-reinforced tube, such as the PATIKIL 13 mm hose, only if you already have clamps, a strainer and an adapter. The yellow kits and the bare tubes are different jobs.
Which listings claim a non-return valve?
A non-return valve is meant to hold the prime when the pump stops. VEATON, TOPWAYS and SSEHCWAN claim one. UK reviews ask for one on YUET, WASH IT! and NAMOTEK, and those three listings do not claim a valve. A claim is not a seal. One UK review of the VEATON kit cut the valve off because it let air in. SSEHCWAN’s only review does not mention the valve.
How do you prime a suction hose?
Flood the inlet before you start, keep the strainer off the silt, and follow the machine’s lift limit rather than the hose length. STIHL’s UK note on one kit says to flood it, keep the intake off the bottom, and stay within a 1 m limit for that kit. A non-return valve is what holds that prime when the pump stops. If the pump still loses prime, the fault may be air at a joint. The steps are in how to prime a suction hose.
Are 50 micron and 50 mesh the same filter?
No. Several washer kits in this set say both “50 micron” and “50 mesh”. Those are different aperture claims, and neither figure was measured here. A seller’s bar rating is the listing claim for the hose, not the washer’s cleaning pressure. A 5.0 from one or two reviews is not a measured best hose. German-language reviews on the MJFENDAI listing are not British opinion.
Our verdict
For a short washer inlet with the largest UK sample in this set, the top pick is the TOPWAYS 3 m washer kit: 3 m on the title and in the catalogue, a claimed check valve, £11.99, and 4.3 from 378 reviews. UK reviews still say the wall collapses under suction. If you want another washer kit under £16 with at least 150 reviews, the best value is the YUET washer kit at £14.43, with 4.4 from 174 reviews. Its title says 15 m and the catalogue length is 20 cm, and it does not claim a non-return valve. A garden pump is a different part: the VEATON 4 m kit.
Best value
View offer
YUET washer kit
£14.43 with 4.4 from 174 reviews, after the higher-scoring TOPWAYS kit.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
DIY & toolsamazon.co.uk listingsGarden watering
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.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to suction hoses
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Suction hose buying guideJob, wall, strainer and valve before you compare the ten listings.Best suction hosesThe top pick and the best value, and who should skip each.How to prime a suction hoseFlood the inlet, keep the strainer off the silt, and start without a dry pump.Reinforced hose or washer kitA steel-helix tube against a coupled washer inlet kit.Suction hose for a water buttStrainer, silt and bucket volume when the feed is stored rainwater.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources checked for this comparison; last retrieved on 15 October 2026.
- Water Industry Act 1991, section 76 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Thames Water, temporary hosepipe ban FAQs (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, Schedule 2 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Water Regs UK, backflow protection for alternative water sources (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Kärcher GB, SH 5 suction hose (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Bosch DIY, self-priming kit (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- STIHL UK, how to use a pressure washer on rainwater (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
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