Hozelock Auto Reel tested

May 2011

Price: £99 for 30-metre hose; £129 for 40-metre hose

If you have to clean your car in the street using buckets of water, new monster hoses could make life a lot easier.

Hozelock has recently added 30 and 40-metre versions to its clever Auto Reel range, which won our last test (Issue 1,124).

The extra length makes taking water from the back to the front of a house simple. And you won’t be faced with a pile of wet, gritty hose when you’re finished, as it winds back automatically, layering along the way to avoid tangles.

We tried the 40-metre version (£129), and were impressed with the winding mechanism, which has been improved since our test and can stop the hose at nearly any point. A firm pull is required to unwind it, but only a gentle tug is needed to rewind the hose.

You have to mount it on a solid brick wall, as the reel weighs more than 15kg, but you get substantial fixings and clear instructions.

The kit also includes a water stop, hose and tap connectors and a two-metre feeder hose.