Automatic Hose Reels: Choosing a Retractable Reel

An automatic hose reel lives on the wall by your tap. You pull out as much hose as you need, and when you've finished it winds itself back in. That means no kinks, no tangled pile on the patio and no trip hazard. If you're looking at retractable reels such as the Hozelock Auto Reel, this guide explains what to look for, how long a reel you need and where to fit it. We sell the Claber RotoRoll range, so that's what we compare against.

How an automatic hose reel works

• Spring rewind: a spring inside the case winds the hose back in when you've finished.
• Lock at any length: pull out the length you need and it holds there while you water. Give it a short tug to release it.
• Controlled return: the Claber RotoRoll's Slow Rewind system brings the hose back smoothly instead of letting it whip across the garden.
• Swivelling bracket: the reel pivots through 180° on its wall bracket, so it follows you left or right and the hose doesn't kink at the corner.
• Short extension hose: a 1.5m hose connects the reel to your tap, so the reel doesn't have to sit right next to it.

What length do you need?

Measure the route you'd actually walk with the hose, from the tap to the furthest spot you water, going round the house, beds and furniture rather than in a straight line. Add a couple of metres so you aren't stretching the last bit.

Reel	Suits
Claber RotoRoll 10m (8692)	Patios, balconies, front gardens, washing the car
Claber RotoRoll Evolution 20m (8696)	Most average back gardens
Claber RotoRoll Evolution 30m (8697)	Long gardens, or a tap at the side of the house

Each RotoRoll comes with its hose, wall bracket, the 1.5m tap extension hose, a 3/4" tap connector, hose connectors and a spray nozzle. It's ready to use as soon as it's on the wall.

Hozelock Auto Reel or Claber RotoRoll?

They work the same way: wall-mounted, swivelling, lock at any length and rewind on their own. In practice the choice comes down to the length you need and the price. The RotoRoll Evolution models add a non-kink hose with an anti-friction surface, a UV-stabilised case and a rust-proof aluminium pivot pin. Those are the parts that take the wear on a reel that lives outside all year.

Where to mount it

• Close to the tap: within reach of the 1.5m extension hose.
• On a solid wall: a full reel is heavy and gets pulled sideways every time you use it. Use fixings that suit your wall, such as proper plugs and screws for brick or block, and check the wall is sound before you drill.
• At a comfortable height: around waist to chest height, so you can reach the handle and the hose comes off at a natural angle.
• With room to swing: leave the 180° arc clear of downpipes, gates and window sills.

Getting years out of it

• Walk the hose back in. Release the lock and walk back towards the reel with the hose, rather than letting go from 20 metres away. It stops the hose dragging over corners and stones and wearing through.
• Turn the tap off after use. Leaving the hose under pressure inside the reel all day strains the hose and the joints.
• Wipe off grit and mud as the hose goes back in, so it isn't wound into the case.
• Before a hard frost, turn off and disconnect the tap end, pull the hose out and let it drain. Water left in the hose can freeze and split it.

Prefer a manual reel?

A wind-up reel or hose trolley costs less and takes a longer, heavier hose. The Claber Metal 60 trolley is a good example. Our hose reel guide covers manual reels and trolleys, and you can browse them all in hose reels.

Frequently asked questions

Will an automatic reel reduce my water pressure?

Not noticeably at these lengths. Any long hose loses a little flow, but a 20m or 30m reel on a normal outside tap runs a spray gun or sprinkler without trouble.

Can I leave it outside all year?

Yes. The cases are UV-stabilised and made to stay on the wall. Just drain the hose before a hard frost, as above.

The hose won't wind all the way back. What's wrong?

Usually the hose has gone back in unevenly or has caught on something. Pull it out fully, straighten it and walk it back in slowly. If it still won't retract, contact us and we'll help.

Browse the Claber hose reel range, or tell us your garden size and we'll recommend the right length.