Which Is the Best Garden Hose: Rubber or Vinyl?

Types

• Garden hoses are generally made of either natural rubber or a synthetic product, such as vinyl or plastic. They come in 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch and 1-inch diameters, and range in length from 25 feet to 100 feet long. Hoses also vary in their thickness. The more expensive and more durable hoses typically have multiple layers, and some include a mesh layer in between layers of rubber or vinyl. In general, rubber hoses are more durable and are easier to wind up, although they cost more.

Uses

• If you use your garden hoses for regularly watering large expanses of lawn or vegetable gardens, then a high-quality rubber hose is a must. These hoses last longer, are easier to store and have fewer kinks than their plastic or vinyl counterparts. If, on the other hand, you use your hose to occasionally water a few pots of plants, an inexpensive vinyl hose may suffice.

Considerations

• When choosing a hose, keep in mind that vinyl hoses are hard and don't roll up easily. They also crack in cold weather and are more likely to develop leaks. Regardless of the type of hose you buy, narrow hoses tend to have lower water pressure than wide hoses. Long hoses have lower water pressure than short ones.

Recommendations

• If you have a large yard or are an avid gardener, invest in good tools, including quality hoses. Choose a 3/4-inch rubber hose with brass couplings. Invest in some good nozzles and perhaps a sprayer for applying fertilizer. Buy a 25-foot vinyl hose for occasional garden use.