When looking into buying a garden hose, one nice thing to know is how much it weighs. There are certainly a lot of hoses on the market and, as you can imagine, a wide range of weights.
In general, a 50 foot garden hose will typically weigh between 5 and 12 pounds. This is dry weight, meaning the hose doesn’t have any water in it. Water weight will vary depending on what diameter it is. For 50 foot 5/8″ garden hoses, the additional water weight when using it will be about 6.6 pounds.
There are hoses that will weigh more and certainly ones that will weigh less than this. Some 50 foot expandable hoses can weigh under 2 pounds and some heavy duty 3/4″ 50 foot garden hoses can weigh as much as 13 pounds. I own several hoses across many diameters and material types and have found that most do fall in the 5 to 12 pound range.
There are quite a few things that can affect how much a hose will weigh. If you are looking to buy a hose and are desire a specific weight, here is a list of attributes that can greatly affect how much a 50 foot garden hoses weighs.
- Material
- Diameter
- construction type
- Dry vs wet (water weight)
As mentioned, I own over 25 hoses and have detailed the weight ranges for each type of hose. I will also explain the difference between wet and dry weight. Let’s take a look at each one of these and help you determine what type of garden hose might be best for you.
Table of Contents
How much do 50 foot garden hoses weigh?
As mentioned, how much a 50 foot garden hose weighs depends on material, diameter, construction type, and being dry vs wet. You may have a specific type of weight that you are looking for or maybe you are just looking for the lightest hose that can do your job. An option to consider as well, is looking at buying a hose reel cart that handles the weight for you and easy to move around.
While weight can be very important, you will want to consider what you need your hose to do. You may want the lightest hose you can find, but lightweight hoses typically have much lower flow rates which will mean less efficient work. I will detail the common weights for material, diameter, and construction type and give you some common applications for each.
Common Hose Materials
Rubber
Rubber hoses tend to be one of the heaviest types of hoses on the market. Rubber hoses are very flexible but they also are prone to kinking. The rubber hoses I own range from 8.6 pounds to 12.05 pounds. The average weight of all my rubber hoses is 9.94 pounds.
Looking online I have found that some rubber hoses can be as low as 7 pounds, although the lightest one I own is 8.6 pounds. It is a Flexon 1/2″ premium rubber hose. Here is me weighing it,
I have found some rubber hoses that weigh almost 13 pounds, although the heaviest one that I own is 12.05 pounds. It is a Continental Premium 5/8″ rubber garden hose. Here is me weighing it.
Rubber hoses are usually heavier than other materials but are very durable and very flexible, and can remain flexible even in colder winter temperatures. Rubber hoses are great for maneuverability which is great for tasks where you have to drag your hose around, like watering an entire yard.
Vinyl
Vinyl hoses can range quite a bit in weight depending on what they are designed for. Some vinyl hoses are made specifically to be lightweight while heavier premium options are designed to be very kink-resistant. The vinyl hoses I own range from 4.76 pounds to 12.4 pounds. The average weight of the vinyl hoses I own is 9.14 pounds.
There are some gimmicky vinyl hoses that can weigh under 4 pounds. The lightest one I own is 4.76 pounds. It is a Teknor Apex AquaFlex 1/2″ garden hose. Here is me weighing it.
The heaviest vinyl garden hose I have come across is the Teknor Apex NeverKink, which is 12.4 pounds. I actually own this hose. Here is me weighing it.
There are mainly two types of vinyl hoses, premium and cheap. Cheap vinyl hoses will typically be the lightest and can work for small jobs around the house like watering a garden. Just keep in mind, they will likely not last as long as other hoses, and if ran over or left out in the elements they will wear out even faster.
There are also premium vinyl hoses that use extra layering to reinforce the hose which help its maintain shape and are good at kink resistance. These hoses will typically be the heaviest vinyl hoses. But these types of premium vinyl hoses are very durable and very kink resistant. If you are someone who prioritizes kink-resistance, this may be your best option.
Composite
Composite hoses usually offer a light weight hose that has many of the qualities of rubber and premium vinyl hoses. Companies achieve this by making hoses out of multiple materials. The composite hoses I own range from 3.66 pounds to 9.71 pounds. The average weight of composite hoses I own is 6.35 pounds.
The lightest composite garden hose I have found is the Gilmour Flat AquaArmor 1/2″ garden hose. I own this hose as well. Here is me weighing it.
I have found some composite hoses that weigh over 10 pounds, although the heaviest one that I own is 9.71 pounds. It is a Flexzilla 3/4″ garden hose. Here is me weighing it.
As you can see, composite hose weights can range quite a bit depending on what they are designed for. In general, these hoses are reasonably lightweight, flexible, and durable. Composite hoses are a great option if you are looking for a relatively light hose that is easy-to-use and dependable around the yard.
Metal or Stainless Steel
Metal hoses may seem a bit gimmicky, but they are very durable and lightweight. I own several metal and stainless steel hoses and they all are very close in weight. The metal hoses I own range from 4.8 pounds to 5.39 pounds, with an average weight 5.15 pounds.
These hoses are all pretty similar in weight, but here is me weighing the lightest one that I own. This is a Tardigrade Steel garden hose.
Metal hoses are very kink-resistant, and in my experience, basically impossible to kink. These hoses have a smaller diameter than standard garden hoses, which means the flow rate will be worse. The strength of a metal hose is they are (for the most part) pet-proof and chew resistant. So if you have pets that chew on things and don’t mind a lower flow rate, this is a great option.
Common Hose Diameters
5/8″ Diameter (Standard)
The most common diameter for garden hoses is 5/8″. Just to be clear, when discussing the diameter of a hose, I am talking about the inside diameter. Since 5/8″ is the standard diameter of a garden hose, it also will have the largest about of options and weights.
I own many different types of 5/8″ garden hoses that range from 4.53 pounds to 12.05 pounds. The average weight of my hoses is 8.25 pounds. Just as the diameter is in between 1/2″ and 3/4″, so is the average weight.
So, if you are looking for a hose with a good flow rate and lightweight or heavy duty options, then this is likely the best diameter to choose from.
1/2″ Diameter (Small)
Smaller diameter hoses are usually meant to give you a lightweight option than the 5/8″ or 3/4″ hoses. The smaller the diameter of hose, the less the flow rate will be, meaning less efficient work. Companies tend to make these hoses for smaller projects where you don’t need as much water.
I own several 1/2″ garden hoses that range from 3.03 pounds to 8.6 pounds. The average weight of these hoses is 5.37 pounds. As expected, the average weight of my 1/2″ hoses is the lightest of any diameter I own.
While there are some commercial grade options, most hoses in this diameter will be focused on being lighter weight. So if you need a lightweight hose for around the house and don’t mind sacrificing some flow rate, this diameter will be a good option for you.
3/4″ Diameter (Large)
Larger diameter hoses are generally going to be heavier hoses. Not only will they be heavier to start, they will hold more water than smaller diameter hoses, which means more water weight as well. While these hoses will be heavier, they will have the best flow rate out of these three common sizes.
I own several 3/4″ garden hoses that range from 9.71 pounds to 12.4 pounds. The average weight of these hoses is 10.59 pounds. The average weight of my 3/4″ hoses is about 2 pounds heavier than my 5/8″ hoses and about 5 pounds heavier than my 1/2″ hoses.
Most of the 3/4″ garden hoses you will find will be commercial or heavy duty grade. If you need to find a hose with great flow rate and don’t mind having to use a heavy hose, then this is the diameter you should be choosing from.
Construction Type
Basic
This is your standard design hose that doesn’t have the extra layers or heavier material of a heavy duty hose. These hoses come in a all diameters and materials. Basic construction hoses have the largest selection and likely what you will be looking for.
I own many basic garden hoses that range from 3.66 pounds to 9.71 pounds. The average weight of my expandable hoses is 5.79 pounds.
As mentioned, basic construction hoses will give you the largest variety of hoses to choose from and greatest number of applications. These hoses offer a durable hose for most, kink-resistance and good flow rate.
Premium and Heavy Duty
As you can imagine, if you want a heavy duty hose it is going to mean adding in weight. Companies will make heavy duty hoses primarily from rubber or premium vinyl that has added layers or braiding. While these hoses come in all diameters, you will find most of the options in 5/8″ or 3/4″.
I own several heavy duty garden hoses that range from 8.6 pounds to 12.4 pounds. The average weight of my expandable hoses is 9.67 pounds.
While premium and heavy duty hoses will be one of, if not, the heaviest group of hoses on the market, they are going to be very durable. These hoses can be used for all types of applications, but are designed for tough environments or kink resistance. Just know, these hoses will likely weigh more than most and will also likely be more expensive than most.
Expandable
An expandable hose is sort of a gimmick, but it does serve a purpose. These hoses are ultra-lightweight (like, much lighter in weight than a normal hose). These hoses are usually made with a cloth exterior and plastic inner tubing.
I own a few expandable garden hoses that range from 1.97 pounds to 3.03 pounds. The average weight of my expandable hoses is 2.30 pounds.
These hoses are not as durable as rubber and premium vinyl hoses, and they have a smaller diameter, leading to a worse flow rate and less efficiency. These hoses are best for small tasks, like watering flowers near the spigot.
Wet Vs Dry Weight
Wet weight simply refers to the weight of a hose when it is full of water or in use. The amount of water weight that is in a 50 foot hose will vary depending on the diameter. Knowing the water weight will be very important if you are worried about a hose being too heavy to use. If your hose ends up being too heavy, you may want to look at a hose reel to help with storage and maneuverability.
I have an article on how much water is in a 50 foot hose and how to find out how much weight it will add. But, here is the water weight for the 3 most common diameters. 5/8″ hoses will add about 6.6 pounds of water weight, 3/4 inch will add about 9.1 pounds, and for 1/2″ it will add about 4.2 pounds.