You Probably Haven’t Considered ALL the Pros and Cons of Retractable vs Manual Hose Reels (2024)

Had a lot of people commenting on the last video that I should have included the Eley manual hose reel. The last video was automatic / retractable hose reels only, so this video will compare and contrast the pros and cons of the two different types.
Eley: www.eleyhosereels.com/?rfsn=6...
Hoselink (also the MOST expensive) : amzn.to/3PxUlRr
Glahoden (WAS the best bang for your buck, but now is more comparable in price to the 2 below) : amzn.to/3IO9mKW
Gardena : amzn.to/3IMfCDc
Giraffe (*NEW DEVELOPMENT* - Giraffe now has an option for a METAL BRACKET and since that was our biggest gripe for this reel, that alone would move this one up the list!) : amzn.to/3TLVPtQ
THE Best Garden Hose Quick Connects in ALL the Land : www.eleyhosereels.com/?rfsn=6...
The views expressed in this video and description are solely of our own. I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. The Lawn Tools assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. The Lawn Tools recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of The Lawn Tools, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not The Lawn Tools. Some of the links given in this description are affiliate links that pay The Lawn Tools commission when items are bought after clicking the link.

[@Forbes123]

I have 2 Eleys. Customer service is great. Earlier this year I had an issue with one of mine and opened a ticket. Someone with the last name Eley emailed me back and sent me a part immediately. Great experience. I love my Eley reels!

[@silverfeathered1]

I got a glahodden BEFORE your review. It's been a flawless workhorse to the point of me questioning all my efforts before getting it. I loved it so much that I bought one for my mother. (After the price increase 😭) On that note; This thing is a beast! I live in a different state from her, so we had to hire a handyman to install it for her. Take that extra cost into consideration for any of these. They are heavy, awkward and need to be mounted to a support that can handle it. If you are able-bodied, GET ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You may just stay able-bodied longer because of it. The first time you use it, you'll understand just how much extra work you've been doing everyday for no good reason. It turned the chore of watering the garden into an enjoyable hobby, like it should have been all along.

[@davidszakacs6888]

I ve had an Eley for over 10 years. Love it. It developed a leak last year and they sent me a new brass connector part. Great service!

[@TheLawnShark]

I've had the Eley hose reel for over 3 years and I agree this is a Tank! My yard is relatively small compared to your yard, so I don't need a lot of hose length, but it is the best reel I have ever owned. Only had one issue with the reel and it was my fault. I failed to completely drain the line last winter and during a hard freeze it broke the brass fitting that connects the hose to the reel. Eley had a replacement part and it took less than 5 minutes to fix it. I would buy one again.

[@Brettsgrasscapades]

2 years of service for my hoselink and it's still going strong.

[@john27609]

Just bought the Glahoden on Amazon for $107.99 and used your link. Thanks for the recommendation! Can’t wait to get it!

[@SuperSaiyoon]

Thank you for the update. Very helpful.

[@MrMadeinthe80s]

I love my hoselinks, going 3 years strong. My Giraffe broke within 6 months of using it and sagged on its mount in the heat.

[@chrisH-uv5wx]

The answer is always ELEY. Everything about them is top quality

[@Hawkinson88]

I've already got hoses, so a manual reel would be my best solution. But man buying a 200-dollar on-sale reel seems like overkill. Then I bought the 25-dollar a pop quick connects. Then I talked myself into two reels. Thanks for the videos!

[@markcameron318]

I have a Hoselink and it only lasted 3 years under light use and winter storage. Spring unwound and couldn’t be put back under tension. Warranty was 1 year.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

I have the Eley cart and in less than year, the internal connecting broke. I never called the company (my fault) but was stunned that what looked like such a durable hose reel broke so quickly. I've never had good luck with hoses.

[@rubenharris9241]

I have an Eley in the front and a Hoselink in the back. Not sure what that’s called but it works well. 🙂

[@bseant420]

i have 4 ely's with flexilla hose's pretty much a lifetime setup. the retractable one's seem nice but failure is guaranteed sooner or later. Ely's most def are tanks!!

[@danielhancock8817]

The Glahoden 1/2" x 115' is $136 but has a $32 coupon available, the 5/8" x 100' version is $165 and has a $33 coupon as well.

[@micheleschuster0712]

where do you get coupon

[@danielhancock8817]

@@micheleschuster0712 was an option on Amazon. Looks like they have all the Glahodens on sale right now so no coupon available

[@rickwebermusic]

@@micheleschuster0712 Amazon. All you have to do is check the box to add the coupon to your order.

[@Briangnc96]

Great reviews, so detailed and no questions but is the Eley wall mount able to be removed for winter storage or would you just remove the hose manually?

[@dchong073]

I don’t care about the price I care more about the hose or the hose system last 5 years or more especially living here in Phoenix Arizona where the summer sun just deteriorates everything outside from hoses to patio furniture. So far Eleys has survived 7 years and worth every penny.

[@philindeblanc]

What about the automatics on replacing the hose with your own preferred hose? Any auto support that?

[@RobActiveShooterEngh]

how about manual hose reels that auto align the hose on the reel as you retract it?

[@Briangnc96]

Does anyone who has a retractable hose have issues with them “flapping” back and forth in high wind, storms?

[@lindawatson5188]

I have you looked at vego retractable hose reel?

[@robwaelchli1063]

if one had there choice to pick from any of these for free, which one should they pick?

[@paulmleziva6574]

It looked like with the Eley hose reel with the Flexzilla hose, the hose was flattened toward the center of the reel. Have you found that your flow isn't optimal if you don't unreel the entire hose?

[@philindeblanc]

Good question. yet the hose I have is pretty stiff, might be harder to real, but wont easily flatten out. Its a lifetime warranty from Home Depot.

[@DylanCox-pj5il]

Love the shirt! Where can I buy one?

[@mTechPenn]

it's only a $30 increase on the Glahoden AND its way longer. not sure that warrants stripping it of best bang for you buck. Hoselink is only 82ft at $249. vs 140ft at $169. What am I missing?

[@emcsquare62]

I have invested in my second @HoseLink and will stand by their quality and the ease of use. I don't like the looks of a manual, wrap-around reel. It looks so unkept and can cheapen your property. They may be a little more expensive but that is quality you are investing in. I'm considering my third one very soon.

[@philindeblanc]

Unless you can change the hose its not an investment. Does anyone know of a retractable that allows the hose to be changed?

[@robwaelchli1063]

do you know of any good retractable reels to get that don't come with a hose and you can use your own hose?

[@philindeblanc]

That seams to be the unanswered question! Which one allows you to open it up and slap a new hose of choice. All hoses go bad, and I do have one that has a lifetime warranty. SO far replaced 2 times over 18 years!! Yes I am getting the miles! hahaha. But I also have a couple stainless thinner hoses, 1/2. I dont mind the lower flow, but I would want to be able to put one in the retracatable reels.

[@wg8304]

I’m curious how the eley might take to hoses which have been spliced and repaired with hose clamps (asking for a friend).

[@TheLawnTools]

Creates a little bump in the wound up hose but no problem functionally

[@bseant420]

yea i agree its fine. when coiling up just try to keep the splice towards one end all is normal.

[@calebevans8437]

Gardena I reckon is pretty good had mine for awhile now and if I wanted to move it to the front yard I would just buy another mount bracket and put it next to tap out there

[@TheLawnTools]

I agree. Gardena was a good choice. A little more expensive than some of the others but cheaper than Hoselink by a little.

[@calebevans8437]

@@TheLawnTools don't think we can get hoselink here in New Zealand so just went with something easy to get the hose also is the best hose they make

[@TheLawnTools]

@@calebevans8437 that makes sense!

[@GardenaCan]

And you can't beat our 5 year warranty! Glad you're enjoying yours Caleb!

[@greghuizen]

Maybe I missed it, but for me a big consideration is the method of retracting. With the hoselink, you can hold the end and walk it in to avoid dragging your spray head pr quick connects, while the manual eley you have to let it drag. On a lawn, not a big deal...but if you're on a driveway, will cause damage to the hose end connect or sprayer.

[@TheLawnTools]

That’s true! Never thought about it since mine is just in my lawn.

[@Platoface]

I disagree. You are already at the end of the hose when watering so you walk it back to the reel and the wind it up. Thus no dragging. Or, if you have quick connects you just take the head off and drag across lawn. No damage either way.

[@philindeblanc]

walk the head back. Its what I would do, as you need to turn the water off, and you need to reel. I am not sure, as I want a retractable, BUT what to be able to replace the hose with one I like. I know to stay with the diameter it was made for, but hoses will over time get a kink, or leak at the head, etc. Who wants to spend 100-250 for an entire hose reel with a hose that will need replacing?

[@jasonwhitaker2726]

Glahoden is $110 for me, right now.... 5/28 at 2PM est

[@adrianob.965]

I just got the Glahoden for $102 including taxes (1/2' 100ft)!

[@frankfinkelstein]

Who makes the shirt??

[@rhus36]

I mostly worry about reparability. If the hose breaks on a manual hose reel, I replace the hose. If the hose breaks on an automatic hose reel, I have to replace the reel.

[@philindeblanc]

EXACTLY...so which one, or when will they trickle the better product to the public with less planned obsolescence?!! LOL

[@dippitydoinit]

I don't get the hype. I've had zero issues with my cheap plastic box hose reel that I bought at Lowes a 4 years ago. It works perfectly and looks better than any of these reels because you can't see it once the spring flowers grow in.

[@philindeblanc]

I know, but a reel is off the floor and easy to get at. I am not buying a reel I cannot replace the hose of...its just a matter of time, and with high heat, and kinks these retractables will need replacing.

[@J_Brian]

The retracta is still the best

[@TheLawnTools]

It’s not the best even if it works perfectly 😂

[@sterlgirlceline]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@SerYessir]

The Eley is the most expensive out of all of them. Weird you didn’t bring up pricing.

[@TheLawnTools]

No it’s not. Hoselink is $250. Retracta even more. Eley is $180

[@PooleingGs]

🦒

[@TheLawnTools]

Giraffe is hard for me to be passionate about one way or another. Not amazing but not bad.

[@davejones1959]

$250.. no thanks. I will wind my own hose.