We tested 27 different 50 foot garden hoses across a wide range of criteria including weight, flow rate, crush resistance and ease of use. The Flexzilla 50 foot hose tested the best, proving to have a lightweight, easy-to-use design combined with a great flow rate and fittings that didn’t crush under the weight of an SUV. In this article we provide photos and videos of us testing these hoses so you can see them in action.
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These are our choices for best 50 foot garden hoses:
- **Best Overall** – Flexzilla 5/8″ Heavy Duty Lightweight Garden Hose (click here to view)
- Best Rubber – Jackson Rubber 5/8″ Commercial Duty 50 Foot Hose (click here to view)
- Best Lightweight – Tuff-Guard 5/8″ Kink Proof Perfect Garden Hose (click here to view)
- Best Kink Resistant – Teknor Apex NeverKink Pro 5/8″ 50 Foot Water Hose (click here to view)
- Easiest to Screw on Spigot – Stanley Fatmax 5/8″ Prof Grade Water Hose (click here to view)
- Best Flow Rate – Stanley Fatmax 5/8″ Prof Grade 50 Foot Water Hose (click here to view)
- Best Heavy Duty – Ag-Lite Rubber 3/4″ Professional Grade 500 PSI Water Hose (click here to view)
- Best Small Diameter – Flexzilla 1/2″ Lightweight Garden Hose (click here to view)
- Best Metal – Tardigrade Steel 50 Foot Metal Garden Hose (click here to view)
- Best Expandable – TheFitLife Flexible 50 Foot Expandable Garden Hose (click here to view)
The diameter of a hose can vary, but the most common diameter of a garden hose is 5/8″. Please understand that although the diameter of the hose itself changes, the diameter of the end fitting does not, meaning, yes, you can connect any of the these hoses to a standard water spigot. Hoses are usually made of vinyl, rubber, metal or a polymer composite.
Rubber hoses are often the most durable and the most flexible, but they are also prone to kinking. Hoses designed to be kink-resistant usually accomplish this by adding extra layering, which results in a stiffer hose. Metal hoses are pet-proof and puncture-resistant. Expandable hoses are ultra lightweight and great for simple tasks.
In this article let’s take a closer look at the best 50 foot hoses so you can find an option that fits your needs. Throughout the article we will have our testing photos and videos to provide you with detailed information you can’t find any place else. Before we start, let’s briefly discuss how we tested these 50 foot water hoses.
Table of Contents
How We Tested These 50 Foot Garden Hoses
We tested these hoses for weight, flow rate, crush resistance, and ease of use. To see all the testing photos and testing data for these hoses, click here.
For weight, we measured dry weight, but remember, most 50 foot 5/8″ diameter hoses hold approximately 6.5 pounds of water when full, so take that into consideration.
We measured flow rate by timing how long it took for these hoses to fill a 5-gallon bucket full of water. We then converted the data to a gallons-per-minute flow rate. A higher flow rate equates to more efficient work. Please understand that flow rate is affected by the water pressure of the source (our source spigot had 61 PSI pressure). All these hoses were tested on the same source.
To test the crush resistance of these 50 foot water hoses, we ran these hoses over with a Jeep Patriot to see if the end fittings would crush. To test ease of use, we took into account kink-resistance, maneuverability, and how easy it was to connect to a spigot. Although ease-of-use is subjective, we include as many photos and videos as possible to help you draw your own conclusions.
Best 50 Foot Garden Hose
Flexzilla 5/8″ Heavy Duty Lightweight 50 Foot Garden Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.11 lbs | 9.4 gpm | Polymer | Aluminum |
This Flexzilla hose was the best overall hose we tested. This was the only hose we tested that had a flow rate over 9.3 gallons per minute but weighed less than 7.5 pounds. It’s easy to operate, making it perfect for tasks like watering a small garden, but because it has one of the best flow rates, it also makes sense for more complicated jobs that rely on efficiency.
Although it is lightweight, we found this to still be a durable hose. The fittings are made with heavy-duty aluminum that did not crush when we ran them over with an SUV. Photo 3 in the section above shows the fitting after we ran it over.
This is the current price of this Flexzilla 50 foot garden hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). The hose itself has almost a spongy feel to it, and it feels very lightweight and comfortable in your hand.
The material of this hose is made with a hybrid polymer blend that is both flexible and kink-resistant. Below is video of me straightening this hose out:
It also has an easy-to-connect fitting that was not difficult to screw onto the water spigot. Here is video of me connecting this Flexzilla 50 foot hose to my water spigot:
Overall, this hose had the best combination of weight, flow rate, crush resistance, and ease of use. I feel confident recommending it as a multi-purpose hose that can fill a wide range of needs, both for homeowners, and for commercial use.
Click here to buy this Flexzilla 50 foot water hose hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Although this hose is made with a mildew-fighting outer jacket, I do know a friend that used this hose in a very warm climate and did experience some mildew issues. If you are living in a humid climate, be sure to use proper storage habits to help prevent mildew.
Best Rubber 50 Foot Garden Hose
Jackson Rubber Commercial Duty 50 Foot Water Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.41 lbs | 9.4 gpm | Rubber | Brass |
This was our favorite 50 foot rubber garden hose based on testing and use. This is a versatile, easy-to-use rubber hose that could be used both by a homeowner or a contractor. The hose is durable and the end fitting did not crush when we ran over it with an SUV.
This Jackson hose weighed 9.41 pounds (dry weight) which made it the lightest 5/8″ diameter 50 foot rubber hose we tested. It has a flow rate of 9.4 gallons per minute, which tied for the best out of the 50 foot 5/8″ rubber hoses we tested.
This is the current price of this Jackson 50 foot water hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Unlike other types of rubber hoses we tested, this hose did not have an annoying oily residue out of the box.
One of the biggest benefits of using a rubber hose, including this hose, is flexibility. This hose is very easy to maneuver. It won’t wrestle against you as you work and move around the yard. Just remember with that flexibility can also come occasional kinking.
Here’s video of me straightening out this hose:
Like most commercial grade hoses, the fittings are heavy duty. Although this is a positive for durability, screwing commercial-grade hoses onto a spigot can be a bit of a pain. All things considered, attaching this Jackson hose to the spigot was not that difficult (video below).
Overall, this is a versatile rubber hose that weighed less than the other rubber hoses we tested, but still proved to have dependable durability. This is an efficient hose – it tied for the best flow rate amongst 5/8″ diameter rubber hoses that we tested. This 50 foot rubber hose can fit a wide range of needs, both for homeowners and contractors.
Click here to buy this Jackson 50 foot water hose hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read more about rubber garden hoses, visit our article about the best rubber water hoses.
Other 50 Foot Rubber Hose to Consider
- Dramm ColorStorm Rubber 50 Foot Water Hose – (View our testing photos) This Dramm water hose weighed more than the Jackson hose discussed above (10.04 vs 9.41 pounds). This Dramm hose had the same flow rate at 9.4 gpm, and did pass our crush resistance testing. One thing I like about this Dramm hose is it has an octagon-shaped ribbed grip that is very easy to handle. Also made in the USA. Click here to view this hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best Lightweight 50 Foot Garden Hose
Tuff-Guard The Perfect Garden Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.71 lbs | 9.2 gpm | Polypropylene | Brass |
This is a lightweight hose that is flexible and kink resistant. It is perfect for those of you looking for a lightweight, very easy-to-use hose to use around the house for simple tasks. This Tuff Guard hose weighed 6.71 pounds which made it the lightest 50 foot standard design hose we tested.
Although this hose is ultra-lightweight and easy to use, we did not see a sharp decline in flow rate. This Tuff Guard hose has a flow rate of 9.2 gallons per minute, putting it just below the average flow rate (9.3) for a standard design 5/8″ 50 foot hose that we tested.
This is the current price of this Tuff-Guard 50 foot garden hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). The Tuff Guard hose is made from Polypropylene, which is a type of plastic.
The only drawback to these types of hoses is durability. They can’t take a beating like a heavy-duty hose. For example, even though this hose’s fitting did not crush when we ran over it with an SUV, it did bend slightly where the fitting attached to the hose material. Overall, not a hose that can be ran over consistently.
But the strength of this hose is ease of use. It is very easy to maneuver and avoids kinking. Here is a video of me straightening this hose.
It has polypropylene double helix coils around the outside of the hose (blue coil in video above) that provides dimensional stability that makes it kink-resistant. I also found this hose to be reasonably easy to connect to my water spigot (video below).
This Tuff Guard hose will be perfect for you if you need a lightweight hose around the house for smaller projects such as watering a garden or a flower bed. Many lightweight hoses are gimmicky and their flow rate performance suffers, but we did not find that to be the case with this hose.
Click here to buy this Tuff Guard 50 foot hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read more about lightweight garden hoses, visit our article about the best lightweight hoses.
Other 50 Foot Lightweight Hose to Consider
- Flexzilla 5/8″ 50 Foot Garden Hose – (View our testing photos) This is the best overall hose that we tested, but it is about 1/2 pound heavier than the Tuff Guard. The Flexzilla should hold up better and has a slightly better flow rate. The Flexzilla hose did kink easier and wasn’t as easy to handle. So, if you prefer something a little more durable and don’t mind sacrificing a little bit of extra weight, then this hose will make sense for you. Click here to view this hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best Kink Resistant 50 Foot Garden Hose
Teknor Apex Neverkink PRO 50 Foot Water Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.74 lbs | 9.3 gpm | Mixed | Aluminum |
Teknor Apex uses patented “Reflex Mesh” technology to ensure hoses retain form and structure during use, and don’t kink. Not only does the extra layering in this hose help deter kinks, it also improves the durability of the hose.
This hose also has industrial strength aluminum couplings that passed our crush test (pictured above). It’s a commercial-grade hose that makes a lot of sense for job sites, but also for homeowners who hate fighting kinks and need something strong enough to stand up to a rugged environment.
This hose has a flow rate that matched the average for all standard diameter 50 foot hoses that we tested. Despite being a commercial grade hose, we found the overall weight of this hose (7.74 pounds) to be very reasonable, and actually slightly below the average of the standard diameter 50 foot hoses we tested.
This is the current price of this Teknor Apex Kink Resistant hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This hose also has a kink-preventing strain relief for near the spigot.
But one drawback to consider here is flexibility. When companies reinforce hoses with extra layering in an attempt to improve durability and discourage kinking, the overall flexibility of the hose is worsened. As you can see below, it doesn’t kink when I straighten it out, but it also doesn’t straighten out as easily as a rubber hose:
Despite loss of flexibility, this hose was easy to connect to a water spigot, which helped improve the overall ease of use for this hose. Here I am connecting this 50 foot hose to my water spigot:
This heavy-duty hose is best for those of you who absolutely hate fighting kinks, and need something durable enough to handle a rugged environment. Although it might make sense for some homeowners, this is definitely a commercial grade hose.
Click here to buy this Teknor Apex kink-resistant 50 foot water hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read more about what makes a garden hose kink resistant, visit our kink resistant hose guide.
Other Kink Resistant 50 Foot Hose to Consider
- Gilmour Flexogen Super Duty 50 Foot Garden Hose – (View our testing photos) This Gilmour hose uses 8-layering construction to help maximize kink resistance. I actually felt like this hose was just as kink-resistant as the Teknor Apex hose above. This hose did have a worse flow rate (8.8 gpm) than the Teknor Apex hose, but it also weighed slightly less (7.59 lbs). This is a very durable hose that passed our crush resistance testing. Click here to view this hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best 50 Foot Garden Hose for Flow Rate
Stanley Fatmax 5/8″ Prof Grade 50 Foot Water Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.75 lbs | 9.6 gpm | Polyurethane PVC | Aluminum |
This Stanley Fatmax hose will be perfect for you if you want a heavy duty hose for around the hose. This hose offers up a great combination of durability, flexibility, high flow rate, and kink resistance. The Stanley Fatmax hose could also be used in commercial settings, but just know that some rubber hoses may be a better fit for that application.
This is the highest flow rate 50 foot (5/8 diameter) hose we tested (9.6gpm), meaning this is the most efficient hose that we have tested. It has a lightweight build that weighs in at 7.75 pounds, but is still durable. The end fitting did not crush when we ran over it with an SUV.
This is the current price of this Stanley Fatmax 50 foot water hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This hose is made with a polyurethane PVC blend.
Yes, there may be some rubber hoses that are more durable than this hose, and there are certain types of heavy-duty reinforced hoses that are better at resisting kinks, but this hose finds a nice middle ground between flexibility, durability, and kink resistance, and is just a good all-around hose. Here I am straightening this hose:
In my opinion, this was the easiest hose I tested for screwing onto the spigot – notice it has a swivel grip for easy attaching (video below).
Overall, this hose has a lightweight, easy-to-use design in combination with certain heavy-duty features. If you are a contractor, there are probably better options. But if you are a homeowner that needs something that is both heavy duty and easy to use, this Stanley Fatmax 50 foot hose finds that nice middle ground.
Click here to buy this Stanley Fatmax 50 foot hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read more about flow rate, and how it helps, click here.
Other High Flow Rate 50 Foot Hose to Consider
- Jackson Rubber 5/8″ Commercial Duty 50 Foot Rubber Hose – (View our testing photos) The Jackson rubber hose has a slightly lower flow rate than the Stanley Fatmax, but it does offer up greater durability. This hose had the best flow rate out of any standard rubber hose we tested. Keep in mind that rubber hoses will kink more than the Stanley Fatmax. If you are looking for a hose with a great flow rate and premium durability but don’t mind a little more kinking, this is the hose for you. Click here to view this Jackson 50 foot garden hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best Heavy Duty 50 Foot Garden Hose
Ag-Lite Rubber 3/4″ Professional Grade 500 PSI Water Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.82 lbs | 10.6 gpm | Rubber | Brass |
This Ag Lite 3/4″ hose is commercial grade hose great for a construction job site, a farm, or other heavy duty applications. It has a heavy-duty design that passed our crush test, but it is also quite easy to maneuver since it is a flexible, rubber hose.
While this hose is great for commercial applications, it could also make sense for homeowners who need an efficient flow rate for certain types of projects around the house (such as watering a large yard). The Ag Lite Rubber 3/4″ hose had the second best flow rate out of any hose we tested.
This is the current price of this Ag Lite 50 foot garden hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Despite being a 3/4″ diameter hose, the overall weight of 10.82 pounds is not that bad.
The Ag Lite hose has hand-shaped kink resisters that keep the hose from kinking at the ends of the hose which also help with grip. It has an octagon-shaped design and hand grip end fittings that make maneuvering this hose very easy.
One drawback to rubber hoses is kinking. If you choose to use a rubber hose, you will want to make sure you straighten it out intentionally prior to use to help avoid kinks. Here is an example of how kinks can form in this rubber hose if you don’t prep it properly:
Like most commercial grade hoses, the fittings are heavy duty. Sometimes this can make it difficult to attach to a spigot. All things considered, attaching this Ag Lite hose to the spigot was not that difficult (video below).
Overall, this hose is a workhorse. This is not a hose for watering small flowerbeds and small gardens. This is a hose you use to take on more complex tasks where flow rate and efficiency is very important.
Click here to buy this Ag Lite Rubber 50 foot hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Remember, this is a 3/4″ diameter hose and that is main reason it has a higher flow rate.
Other Heavy Duty 50 Foot Hose to Consider
- Gilmour 840501 Pro 3/4″ Commercial 50 Foot Water Hose – (View our testing photos) The Gilmour Pro is another excellent option when looking for a heavy duty hose. The only drawback for this hose was the fittings damaging when we crush tested it. The damage didn’t alter the flow rate, but the fitting could no longer screw into anything. However, this hose was the best flow rate of any we tested, and was even one of the lightest 3/4″ hoses. So, if you are looking for something with a great flow rate, lightweight (for a heavy duty hose) but don’t mind if the fittings might get damaged, this is the hose for you. Click here to view this hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best 50 Foot Metal Garden Hose
Tardigrade Metal 50 Foot Garden Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.80 lbs | 4.6 gpm | Steel | Aluminum |
Metal hoses can be a good solution for homeowners who need a pet-proof garden hose. Like all metal hoses, this Tardigrade hose is very flexible and easy to maneuver. It is practically kink-proof and may be a great option if you hate fighting kinks that are typical in more standard rubber and vinyl water hoses.
This Tardigrade hose had the best flow rate out of all the metal hoses we tested (4.6 gpm). Please understand that metal hoses have much worse flow rates than standard garden hoses, meaning metal hoses aren’t great options for commercial and farm use, where efficiency is important.
This is the current price of this Tardigrade metal 50 foot garden hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This hose is lightweight, weighing only 4.80 pounds, and the fitting did not crush when we ran over it with an SUV.
The main thing to consider here is ease of use. Metal hoses, including this Tardigrade hose, are extremely responsive and easy to use. They won’t fight you like a heavy duty traditional water hose. And the puncture-resistant material adds a touch of durability that some homeowners need. Here I am straightening this hose:
It was easy to screw onto a spigot. One drawback of metal hoses is they don’t coil easily, so storage is a bit of a pain. Video below of me attaching this hose to a water spigot.
When you hear metal hose, you may think stiff, but it’s actually the opposite. Metal hoses are surprisingly flexible and easy to use. They are a good solution for homeowners that need a pet-proof hose. This Tardigrade hose had the best flow rate out of all the metal hoses that we tested, and also weighed the least.
Click here to buy this Tardigrade metal 50 foot hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Just expect the flow rate to be less than a normal 5/8″ diameter 50 foot garden hose.
Other 50 Foot Metal Hose to Consider
- Bionic Steel 50 Foot Metal Garden Hose – (View our testing photos) This Bionic Steel hose is another popular metal hose. This hose weighed 5.39 pounds, which is more than the Tardigrade hose. It had a flow rate of 3.9gpm which was also slightly worse than the Tardigrade hose. All things considered, this hose is very similar to the Tardigrade hose, and is another easy-to-use, flexible hose that is made with puncture-resistant metal. This hose passed our crush test. Click here to view this hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Best Expandable 50 Foot Garden Hose
TheFitLife Flexible Expandable 50 Foot Garden Hose
| Weight | Flow Rate | Material | Fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.22 lbs | 4.4 gpm | Polyester | Brass |
The FitLife Expandable garden hose is great for small projects around the house like watering a flower bed or small garden. It is also great for those that want a hose that will store in small places without worrying if it will get kinked. Also great for those of you who want something ultra-lightweight.
Out of the expandable hoses we tested, this hose had the best flow rate (but expandable hoses have very poor flow rates compared to regular hoses). This hose is made with a lightweight fabric outer shell and latex inner tubing, which does keep it from kinking. It has a valve on the end to control water flow and is very easy to put away after use.
The FitLife expandable hose is not for every job. As I said, the flow rate compared to normal hoses is significantly lower. The hose is flimsy and can get pinched easily, especially around the spigot. Also, while this hose does expand as needed, if it is stretched out and released, it can launch itself similar to a rubber band.
This is the current price of this expandable 50 foot garden hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). It did pass our crush test when we ran over the fitting with an SUV – there was no damage to the fitting.
Expandable hoses are awesome because they are easy to use and practically never kink. One thing you do need to be mindful of though is the fact that if these hoses get tangled, that can knot. Here’s video of me straightening out this expandable 50 foot garden hose:
One other thing to watch out for when using expandable hoses is when you stretch the hose out and release it, it will launch itself very similar to a rubber band, so be mindful of windows. This hose was screwed onto the spigot pretty easily (video below).
Overall, out of the expandable hoses we tested, this hose had the best flow rate. It’s lightweight design makes it easy to use, but we also found the fittings to be crush resistant. I’d recommend this hose for those of you looking for a 50 foot expandable hose.
Click here to buy this FitLife Expandable 50 foot hose available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Remember, these types of hoses are best for simple tasks around the house like watering flowers.
Other Expandable 50 Foot Hose to Consider
- Gilmour AquaArmor 1/2″ 50 Foot Garden Hose – (View our testing photos) This Gilmour AquaArmor is a 1/2″ hose, that is pretty similar to the expandable hose in weight. This hose only weighs 3.66 pounds. It also has a flat shape to it when it isn’t being used. This hose is not expandable though, so keep that in mind. It is flexible, easy to use and has about twice the flow rate of some expandable hoses. If you are looking for a very lightweight hose but that also has pretty good flow rate, this is a great option. Click here to view this 50 foot water hose at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
7 Things To Consider When Buying 50 Foot Garden Hoses
Garden Hose Diameter
The diameter of a hose can vary from hose to hose. Please understand that although the diameter of the hose itself changes, the diameter of the end fitting does not, meaning, yes, you can connect any of the these hoses to a standard water spigot.
The most common diameter of a 50 foot garden hose is 5/8″, and this is what most people prefer. For farm or commercial settings, a 3/4″ diameter hose (or wider) may be a better choice because it allows more water to flow through the hose, resulting in more efficient work. Just understand, larger diameter hoses will be heavier.
Smaller diameter 1/2″ hoses may be good for simple tasks around the house. Using a small diameter is a good way to reduce the weight of a hose. If you are unsure what diameter is best for you, I’d recommend starting with a 5/8″ hose.
Garden Hose Length
Is a 50 foot garden hose the right length for you? For most small yards, a 50 foot hose is actually the perfect length. For bigger yards, you may need to consider a longer hose, but don’t add the extra weight unless you have to.
The most common lengths of garden hoses are 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. Yes, there are even longer lengths if you need it.
Hose Material
Hoses are usually made of vinyl, rubber, metal or polymer blend. Rubber hoses are often the most durable and the most flexible, but because rubber hoses are so flexible, they are also prone to kinking.
Hoses designed to be kink-resistant usually accomplish this by adding extra layering, which results in a stiffer hose that basically can’t kink. Just beware, kink-resistant hoses are often harder to maneuver due to this stiffness.
Metal hoses and expandable hoses may seem like a gimmick, but they serve a purpose. Metal hoses are pet-proof and a good option if your dog likes to chew through everything. Metal hoses are also surprisingly easy to use. Expandable hoses are ultra lightweight and perfect for small tasks like watering flowers, but don’t plan on tackling big projects with an expandable hose.
Just be careful how far you expand an expandable hose. As I mentioned earlier, they retract much like a rubber band:
Vinyl vs Rubber Hoses
The two most common types of hose material are vinyl and rubber. Vinyl tends to have a bad reputation because there are cheap options that are thin and prone to kinking.
But it is important to understand that there are also premium vinyl hoses that can be just as durable as rubber hoses. Premium vinyl hoses have multiple layers of reinforcement to add durability and to prevent kinking.
These kink-resistant vinyl hoses can be stiff, and hard to maneuver due to the kink-resistant properties. To read more, visit our article comparing rubber vs vinyl garden hoses.
Hose Durability
As I discussed earlier, rubber hoses will be the most durable. But all types of hoses can crack or puncture if treated harshly. It is not uncommon to run into these types of issues:
- Punctures: When you maneuver your hose across the yard rocks and other debris can damage it. Also, running over it with your lawn mower or car can cause cracks and leaks to form.
- Weather: The sun’s UV rays can deteriorate a hose which can lead to cracks and leaks. Exposure to extreme temperatures and other inclement weather such as wind and hail can also damage a hose.
- Kinks: When your hose kinks it creates pressure points that can cause cracks. Buying a hose with kink-resistant material can help remove this issue and make the host last longer.
Once you’ve assessed the kind of damage your hose has sustained, you can determine whether or not it needs fixed or replaced. Repair kits for garden hoses are available at your local hardware store. Just be aware that some holes are too large to repair with these kits.
Most of these repair kits are simple to use, just make sure to follow the packaging instructions. For more minor leaks, temporary fixes like duct tape can save you until the hardware store opens.
Leaking Around the Spigot
If your worried about leaks forming in your 50 foot garden hose, the most common place for the hose to leak is around the spigot. This is often due to a loose or improper connection between the hose and spigot.
First, check to make sure the hose is screwed on correctly. It is very easy to improperly cross-thread the hose when screwing it on.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, you may have a problem with your gasket or fitting.
- Check to see if the gasket is missing or cracked. If you need to replace it, use a flathead screwdriver to pop out the gasket and help secure the new one in place. If the gasket isn’t missing or cracked, it is likely not the problem.
- If the gasket isn’t the problem, you may have to replace the actual hose fitting itself. These fittings can deteriorate from normal wear and tear. You can pick up a replacement kit from your local hardware store.
Although gaskets and fittings can wear out over time, again, the most common cause for a leak around the spigot is a loose or improper connection between the hose and spigot. So make sure to check the connection first.
Proper Hose Storage
How you store your 50 foot water hose can affect its longevity and durability over time. Remember to empty as much water out of the hose as possible before storing it to reduce the possibility of rot. This also prevents damage from the expansion of ice if there’s a possibility of freezing.
When putting your hose away, if you are coiling it manually, make sure to coil your hose loosely, in roughly two-to-three-foot-diameter loops depending on the length and thickness, so that it doesn’t kink or crack.
These are two different ways to store you 50 foot hoses long-term:
- One of the most popular storage options is a hose reel which makes it easy to spiral the hose around a central drum, which evenly distributes the weight and keeps the coils symmetrical.
- You can also choose to hang your hose from a hook, which needs to be wide enough to distribute the weight evenly. Make sure the hose doesn’t have any dry kinks in it when stored.
Hose Crush Resistance
Most (but not all) 50 foot garden hoses on the market will have crush resistant fittings. We tested all of these hoses and found many hoses that claimed they had crush resistant fittings, that did not pass our crush test.
Ultimately, we all want a durable hose. But if you are just using your hose around a backyard garden, crush resistance isn’t that big of a deal. What I mean is, don’t pass up a good performing 50 foot hose just because the fittings will crush under a vehicle if you are planning to use it in a space that never gets vehicle or machinery traffic.
Testing Data for 50 Foot Garden Hoses
Below is the raw testing data for the 50 foot hoses we tested for this article. We tested a total of 27 hoses. The 50 foot water hoses that we recommended at the top of the article are bolded in the table below.
| Hose | Diameter | Material | Weight | Flow Rate (GPM) | Crush Resistance | Photos |
| Briggs & Stratton (8BS50) | 5/8″ | Rubber | 9.54 | 8.7 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Jackson Commercial (4008300A) | 5/8″ | Rubber | 9.41 | 9.4 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Continental (20582671) | 5/8″ | Rubber | 12.05 | 9.4 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Dramm ColorStorm (17005) | 5/8″ | Rubber | 10.04 | 9.4 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Teknor Apex NK (1094721) | 5/8″ | Vinyl | 7.74 | 9.3 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Stanley Fatmax (BDS6650) | 5/8″ | Poly/PVC | 7.75 | 9.6 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Flexzilla (Legacy) | 5/8″ | Polymer | 7.11 | 9.4 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Gilmour Super Duty (874501-1001) | 5/8″ | Nylon | 7.59 | 8.8 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Tuff-Guard Perfect Hose (JGBEN) | 5/8″ | Polypropylene | 6.71 | 9.2 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Teknor Apex Zero G (4001-50) | 5/8″ | Vinyl | 4.53 | 8.0 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Teknor Apex NK (1094724) | 3/4″ | Vinyl | 12.4 | 9.8 | Fail | View My Photos |
| Swan Contractor Farm (ELCF34050) | 3/4″ | Vinyl | 11.03 | 10.4 | Fail | View My Photos |
| Ag-Lite (BLBBSAL3450) | 3/4″ | Rubber | 10.82 | 10.6 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Gilmour Pro (840501-1001) | 3/4″ | Vinyl | 9.8 | 10.7 | Fail | View My Photos |
| Flexzilla (HFZG650YW) | 3/4″ | Polymer | 9.71 | 10 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Gilmour AquaArmor (869501-1001) | 1/2″ | PVC | 3.66 | 6.6 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Flexzilla (LEGACY MFG) | 1/2″ | Polymer | 5.36 | 6.8 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Camco TastePURE (22753) | 1/2″ | PVC | 4.48 | 6.9 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Teknor Apex AquaFlex (7503-50) | 1/2″ | Vinyl | 4.76 | 7.0 | Fail | View My Photos |
| Flexon (PH1250RCN) | 1/2″ | Rubber | 8.6 | 6.6 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Cesun Metal (Cesun Tech) | 1/2″ | Stainless Steel | 5.26 | 4.4 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Bionic Steel Pro (2428) | 1/2″ | Stainless Steel | 5.39 | 3.9 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Tardigrade Steel (GMG Steel) | 1/2″ | Stainless Steel | 4.8 | 4.6 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Water Right (PCH-050-MG-6PKRS) | 1/2″ | Polyurethane | 3.03 | 2.9 | Pass | View My Photos |
| GardGuard (GD-HOSE-GRE50) | Varies | Polyester | 1.97 | 3.9 | Pass | View My Photos |
| Flexi Hose (EA-REDX-4ZWD) | Varies | Latex | 2.3 | 3.89 | Pass | View My Photos |
| FitLife Expandable | Varies | Polyester | 2.22 | 4.4 | Pass | View My Photos |