Hose Reels Test

A long hose is essential if you clean your car yourself. But storing it away can be a chore. That’s where a reel comes in handy. We test eight top buys and pick the tidiest solution.

Auto Express Car Reviews

June 2008

When you’re cleaning your car, a hose makes life much easier. But unravelling one to stretch from the tap to the drive can be a pain, and rolling up yards of filthy, wet hose is no fun. What you need is a reel. We gave eight a spin to see which deserves a place in your garden shed.

The Test

Key here is how well each reel released and retracted the hose. We looked for the units to be stable, whether we were unwinding or coiling. Marks were also given for hose length, ease of assembly and the number and type of fittings supplied. We preferred quick-release adaptors with an auto stop facility for the water, as these enable you to swap attachments without turning off the tap.

Verdict

The wall-mounted Hozelock Two in One Compact Reel keeps things neat and tidy, and ensures your hands stay clean as you rewind. And all at a cracking price.

For a conventional reel, the Argos price makes the quality Hozelock Compact Reel an easy choice. However, the Draper six-piece kit is only slightly dearer, and comes with five metres more hose, plus that useful multi-position spray gun.

Contacts
* Argos: 0870 600 3030 www.argos.co.uk
* Draper: 02380 494333 www.draper.co.uk
* Halfords: 0845 762 6625 www.halfords.com
* Hozelock: 0121 313 1122 www.hozelock.com
* Lawson His (Draper): 0870 990 7038 www.lawson-his.co.uk
* Machine Mart (Kingfisher): 0844 880 1250 www.machinemart.co.uk
* Selections (SupaGarden): 01525 372204