We tested 28 hose nozzles in our Lab to determine the best for every purpose. We assessed each hose nozzle on ease of use, features, effectiveness, durability, and value. Our top pick is the Dramm One Touch Revolution Spray Gun for its nine spray settings, which are clearly marked on the nozzle, strong spray, and comfortable handle. Read on to learn more about our top picks and how to choose the best hose nozzle for your home watering needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Hose Nozzle: Dramm One Touch Revolution Spray Gun Best Budget Hose Nozzle: Gilmour Metal Front Threaded Hose Nozzle Best Splurge Hose Nozzle: Innav8 Water Hose Nozzle Sprayer Best Fireman-Style Hose Nozzle: Gilmour Professional Classic Fireman’s Nozzle Best Watering Wand Hose Nozzle: The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand Best Brass Hose Nozzle: Dramm Adjustable Brass Hose Nozzle
Who it’s for: People who want a hose nozzle with several spray settings. Who it isn’t for: People who want a less expensive or more basic nozzle. This versatile hose nozzle can switch between a variety of power settings with ease. Its nine spray settings allow you to do everything from gently watering your plants to washing your car with just a turn of the nozzle. Unlike other hose nozzles, the names of the nine spray settings are written out right on the nozzle, so you can find the exact spray you are looking for right away. Our tester was pleased that each setting did “exactly as implied” and said that the highest spray setting was “quite powerful and removed mud from my Adirondack chair with ease.” Our tester also discovered that there was no damage done to the nozzle when dropped on cement stairs. This is likely due to its durable metal exterior. The handle is outfitted with indentations for your fingers for comfort, and there’s a valve at the top of the nozzle that turns the product on and off. Although this is a pricier hose nozzle, our tester found this Dramm model to be “a great price for the versatility and effectiveness.”
Spray Settings: 9 Water Pressure: 20-90 psi Materials: Zinc and rubber Real Simple / Rachel Marek
Who it’s for: People who want to pay less than $10 for a hose nozzle. Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to have to continuously hold down the handle for the water to come out of their hose nozzle. If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills hose nozzle that won’t cost you very much, consider this Gilmour model. The Gilmour Metal Front Threaded Hose Nozzle is entirely made of metal, so it’ll be able to withstand rain or shine during all four seasons. Not only that, but it withstood our 4-foot tall drop test with no damages. The amount of power you get from the nozzle is all dependent on your grip. The harder the grip, the more powerful the water flow. Our tester found that this product produced “a good strong stream from the nozzle”, making it particularly good for cleaning just about anything. On its highest spray setting, this nozzle sprayed upwards of 32 feet. Having to grip a hose nozzle for prolonged periods of time may cause discomfort for some. If you tire easily from laborious tasks that involve your hands, you’ll want to choose a different hose nozzle with additional features for comfort. This nozzle may also not work for people who are planning on using their nozzle to water plants. Unless you are watering trees or shrubs, the power of the spray may be too harsh for outdoor plants, including flowers.
Spray Settings: 1 Water Pressure: Not listed Material: Metal
RELATED: The 6 Best Gardening Shoes, According to Our Testing Who it isn’t for: People looking for a hose nozzle that has the power to adequately hose down a patio. This super popular hose nozzle performed well across a variety of our testing categories, including effectiveness, durability, value, and more. Our tester loved that this hose nozzle comes with ten spray settings, ranging from shower to jet and even mist, the latter of which is great for watering sensitive plants, such as seedlings. They also found the hose nozzle to be “super comfortable” to use, which can be attributed to the ergonomic rubber handle and the fact that you can turn this nozzle on and off with one hand. The Innav8 Water Hose Nozzle Sprayer is primarily made of metal and rubber, two materials that will certainly stand the test of time. Our tester noted that the rubber protected the hose from being damaged during the drop test. This nozzle sprayer can spray up to 28 feet and comes with a 12-year warranty. Although our tester was overall very pleased with this product, they wished that the more aggressive watering settings were powerful enough to adequately hose down their patio.
Spray Settings: 10 Water Pressure: Not listed Material: Metal and rubber The 7 Best Watering Cans, According to Our Testing Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Who it’s for: People who want a hose reel that has enough force to clean up patios and wash cars. Who it isn’t for: People who want a hose reel that can safely water delicate plants. Fireman spray nozzles are just what they sound like: a large hose nozzle capable of producing powerful streams that can clean up big messes. And this spray is powerful, able to reach 250 psi (pounds per square inch). That’s pretty significant considering the force that water moves through our home pipes typically measures between 30 to 80 psi. During our testing, we discovered that this nozzle was capable of spraying up to 32 feet at its highest spray setting. Despite its force, our tester was able to control the Gilmour Professional Classic Fireman’s Nozzle with ease. You can adjust the water pressure with the lever located at the base of the hose nozzle, a feature our tester really liked. They were also keen on how durable this Gilmour model was, noting that the rubber around the spray head and its zinc metal body is what helped it remain damage-free after our drop test. Due to the type of spray head, and the increased water pressure, this hose reel isn’t suitable for people who want a hose reel that they can use to water delicate plants.
Spray Settings: 1 Water Pressure: 250 psi Material: Zinc and rubber
RELATED: The 7 Best Garden Hoses, Tested in Our Lab Who it isn’t for: People who want a hose nozzle that won’t scuff if they accidentally drop it. People who have a lot of hanging plants around their homes, or really any plants that require extra effort to reach, will benefit from this watering wand. On its highest and strongest setting this wand is able to spray up to 27 feet, giving you plenty of space to adequately water your plants from a distance. The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand has eight spray settings that are clearly marked on the end of the nozzle, including low flow sprays for delicate plants and a powerful spray that’s good for cleaning. Our tester was particularly pleased that they were able to get stains out of their dirty chairs with this hose nozzle, something they noted they were unable to do with other hose nozzles they tested. Our tester also liked that this nozzle boasted a good grip and had an easy on and off lever that they felt would be especially good for “people with arthritis or limited hand mobility.” Although it had plenty of perks, there were a couple drawbacks to using this hose nozzle. The first is that it did scuff after our drop test, which is probably due to the primarily plastic exterior. Second, as you turn the nozzle to water, the hose also turns with it. This resulted in “constantly having to adjust the rest of the hose as you turn and move to keep the hose from twisting awkwardly.”
Spray Settings: 8 Water Pressure: Not listed Material: Plastic and aluminum Real Simple / Rachel Marek
Who it’s for: People who want a classic garden hose with an element of style. Who it isn’t for: People who want spray settings to be more clearly marked on their hose nozzle. Our tester found this brass hose nozzle to be both “very sleek in design” and “super effective for the work that it is designed for.” Unlike many other hose nozzles we tested, this model is made up of 100 percent brass, so it won’t rust or corrode overtime. The brass proved to be durable, as it survived our drop test. Not only did it not show any signs of damage, but dropping it didn’t change the performance of the nozzle whatsoever. In fact, our tester was able to clean mud off of their chairs using the power wash setting in just seconds. In addition to the power wash, you have two other spray settings to choose from, including a fan and cone spray. However, unlike some other hose nozzles we tested, the spray setting isn’t marked on the nozzle. You have to turn the spray nozzle to adjust the settings, which took some time for our tester to figure out. Those with sensitive plants may want to choose a different hose nozzle that has less of an intense spray.
Spray Settings: 3 Water Pressure: Not listed Material: Brass Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Our Testing Process
We tested 28 hose nozzles in our Lab and assessed them based on ease of use, range of features, effectiveness, durability, and value. Our first test involved seeing how easy it was to thread the nozzle onto our hose. After we got it securely on, we tested out the spray settings by adjusting the nozzle to each spray setting to ensure that the correct spray came out of the hose nozzle. We also noted if that spray pattern was normal and steady or spotty and erratic. We then tested the hose at close range, assessing the water pressure from its lowest to highest setting based on its ability to get dirt off a dirty Adirondack chair. We then wanted to see how far each hose could spray on its highest setting by measuring the distance with a tape measure. Finally, we wanted to see how durable the hose nozzle was against drops. We dropped the hose nozzle four feet onto a concrete surface and assessed the damage and whether or not its performance was affected after that. We collected all of this data and used it to come up with the best hose nozzles.
How to Shop for Hose Nozzles
Material
Metal and rubber are the best materials for hose nozzles, as they can survive outside during inclement weather. Many metals are rust-resistant and won’t corrode overtime. Meanwhile, rubber is water-resistant and comfortable on the hands. Plastic is a solid option too, however, it isn’t as strong as metal. This is because plastic does not do well when exposed to direct sunlight, as it can lead to cracking. If a hose nozzle is made of plastic, make sure there’s a mix of other more durable materials as well, such as metal.
Comfort
If you are going to be spending long periods of time using your hose, whether that’s watering plants or washing your car, you’ve got to be comfortable while doing it. The most comfortable hose nozzles are those that have a handle that is ergonomically designed. This includes padding, preferably rubber, and indentations for your fingers. Others also offer a simple on and off button or lever to power the hose nozzle. If your hands tend to tire out easily, avoid pistol hose nozzles, which require you to hold down the handle while spraying to ensure that the hose stays on.
Spray Settings
The number of spray settings you need are all dependent on your watering needs. Some hose nozzles come with up to 10 spray settings. If you are looking to use your hose nozzle purely for cleaning, then you don’t need to get something with multiple spray settings. A traditional spray will suffice. However, if you are watering plants of any kind, you’ll need something with spray settings that include a rainfall spray setting. This is because traditional, singular sprays are too powerful for many plants, except trees and shrubbery.
More Hose Nozzles to Consider
Automan Garden Hose Nozzle: This low-cost garden hose nozzle offers many of the same features as its pricier counterparts, including several spray settings that are clearly marked on the nozzle, a comfortable ergonomic handle, and an option to lock your spray in place (so you don’t have to apply pressure with your hand). However, it didn’t have as far of a reach as other nozzles we tested. Orbit 10-Pattern Nozzle Set: Although this set offers an incredible value (you get three nozzles for the price of one), our tester found that with its spray settings and varying performances, getting all three may not be necessary for everyone.
Questions You Might Ask
How long does a hose nozzle last?
This depends on the materials and how often you will use it. Metal lasts longer than plastic, as it holds up outside well regardless of whether it’s raining, snowing, or super sunny outside. Plastic, on the other hand, wears down when exposed to direct sunlight. Use also matters. If you are using your hose weekly, you can expect to replace it faster than if you used it once or twice a month, or even during certain seasons out of the year. Replace your hose if the water flow isn’t what it used to be, or if there is sudden leaking out of the sides of the attachment.
Is a hose nozzle really necessary?
It’s a very affordable tool that helps a lot with yard work. Without a nozzle attached to your hose, you have to walk back to your spigot every time to turn the water on and off, as well as to adjust the water pressure. That can get tiring, especially while working outside during the summer. A hose nozzle also makes watering plants easier. A lot of plants benefit from a rainfall spray instead of a traditional spray. Most hose nozzles have this rainfall spray, so by attaching this to your hose, it saves you potentially multiple trips of refilling your watering can.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. We researched the best hose nozzles and tested 28 of the most popular options in our Lab, evaluating them on ease of use, features, effectiveness, durability, and value.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. If that’s the case, we test the product just like we test anything we buy, but we also disclose that we received it for free to be as transparent with you as possible. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
