 This Product Flexi Hose | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Boat, RV, and Camper Owners |  Best Overall | Best Coil-Style Expandable Hose | ||
| Price | $55 List $54.99 at Amazon | $30 List | Check Price at Amazon | $30 List | $38 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This hose is easy to use, performs well, and has plenty of features that make it ideal for boat or RV owners | A great hose for those short on storage space who are looking for an economical blend of convenience and performance | A compact coil-style hose with great spray performance at a budget-friendly price | We love that this expandable hose is available in a variety of lengths, and its expansion & contraction performance is top-tier | This hose is ease to use and sprays water well, with four length options |
| Rating Categories | Flexi Hose | Pocket Hose Silver... | Orbit Coil with ABS... | AmazingForLess Expa... | Xhose Pro |
| Convenience (35%) | |||||
| Performance (35%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (20%) | |||||
| Variety of Options (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Flexi Hose | Pocket Hose Silver... | Orbit Coil with ABS... | AmazingForLess Expa... | Xhose Pro |
| Available Lengths | 50, 75, 100 feet | 25, 50, 100 feet | 50 feet | 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 feet | 25, 50, 75, 100 feet |
| Nozzle Included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Coupling Shape | Round | Round | Hex and round | Round | Round |
| Hose Material | Latex | Not specified | Rubber | Plastic | DAC-5 fiber |
| Measured Weight Per Foot | 0.04 lb/ft | 0.04 lb/ft | 0.03 lb/ft | 0.03 lb/ft | 0.05 lb/ft |
| Coupling Material | Brass | Aluminum | Plastic | Plastic | Brass |
| Measured Expanded Length | 51.4 ft | 52.1 ft | 44.3 ft | 47.8 ft | 51.5 ft |
| Measured Contracted Length | 17.7 ft | 17.1 ft | 2.4 ft | 17.5 ft | 16.7 ft |
| Expansion Multiplier | 2.9x | 3.1x | 18.5x | 2.7x | 3.1x |
| Valve Included | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| PSI Limit | 175 PSI | 150 PSI | Not stated | Not stated | 500 PSI |
| Available Diameters | 3/4 in | 3/4 in | 3/8 in | 5/8 in | 5/8 in |
| Diameter Tested | 3/4 in | 3/4 in | 3/8 in | 5/8 in | 5/8 in |
| Length Tested | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft |
| Measured Weight | 2.2 lb | 1.8 lb | 1.6 lb | 1.4 lb | 2.3 lb |
| Expansion Type | Expansion | Expansion | Coil | Expansion | Expansion |
One impressive model that we tested is the Flexi Hose. This hose is very convenient to use, and excels at shrinking back to its original size. It is more expensive than some of the other top-performing expansion hoses, but it also includes both a valve and a nozzle. Because of its convenience, features, and construction quality, we think this hose is the best option for boat, RV, or camper owners looking for a hose to store onboard their vehicle while on the go.
Hoses are relatively straightforward to use, but certain features can enhance their possibilities and convenience. We studied how easy each hose was to shrink and store, drag around a yard, and screw onto spigots and nozzles. The Flexi Hose excelled at some of these individual metrics.
The Flexi Hose is one of the best expandable hoses we tested at shrinking back to its original size. Because expandable hoses expand and contract based on water pressure, we did notice a slight backward tug every time we sprayed water, but it didn't negatively impact performance in the long run. With no pressure, the Flexi is 17.7 feet long; when fully expanded, it reaches 51.4 feet long, expanding to almost three times its original length. We had no issues using the hose when it was fully expanded, and it was flexible and easy to maneuver.
The connectors on the Flexi Hose were average. They were round in shape, versus hex, which we prefer for its ability to be tightened and loosened with a wrench. That said, it is easy to hand-tighten, and the valve is convenient in the event you don't have a nozzle.
The Flexi Hose can adequately accomplish everything you need a hose to do, but it doesn't stand out in any one category. We considered the job accomplished as long as a hose didn't leak or kink excessively. During testing, we looked for features or attributes that helped a hose perform above and beyond this minimum level.
First and foremost, we experienced no leaks while testing the Flexi Hose. Like most other expandable hoses, we also didn't experience any flat spots or kinking due to the fact that the water pressure helps the Flexi actively resist any accidental kinking. We were slightly underwhelmed with the included nozzle. Though there are eight different settings, they don't click into place nicely. We were able to use the valve as a makeshift nozzle, which is a great bonus if you don't have, or don't want, a nozzle.
We tested the Flexi Hose in a variety of conditions throughout months of testing: direct sun, humid and hot temperatures, rain, and more. We drug it across rocks, dirt, grass, driveways, and even ran over it with our car. We noticed no issues with the hose outside of normal wear and tear from usage.
The brass connectors and valve on the Flexi helped it stand up to the elements well. The hose sheath is latex, and we noticed no issues from exposure or abrasion during use. We also checked reviews online; there is a trend of reviewers stating that this hose worked great until, all of a sudden, it failed completely, but we didn't experience that in our testing.
The sheath of the Flexi is a soft woven fabric that protects both the hose and whatever you might be using it on. This may not be as important in the home or garden, but if you're using it on a campervan or boat, protecting your paint job can be paramount. When testing this hose on our boat, we found it slid around obstacles with ease, and also didn't scuff or scratch the boat's white gelcoat at all.
Users looking for a little variety of choices will be pleased with the different size options in which the Flexi Hose is available. When looking at expandable hose lengths, it's important to note that a little extra room can be beneficial, as using the hose at max extension isn't always the easiest.
The Flexi can be found in 50, 75, and 100-foot options. This variety allows you to purchase the right amount of hose for your needs. The Flexi is only available in one diameter, ¾ inch, and we found this suitable for all kinds of intended usage. We like that the Flexi comes with some extra features like a valve and an included nozzle, adding to its attractiveness as an option.
If you own a boat, RV, or camper van, you've likely experienced the frustration of trying to fit everything you need into small storage compartments, as well as the frustration of dirt and mud everywhere. A compact hose like the Flexi can alleviate both of those concerns. It shrinks up small enough to be shoved under seats or in oddly shaped cabinets, and it expands long enough to wash off your entire vehicle and then some. Though this hose is more expensive than others in our lineup, we appreciated the convenience and features that it included and recommend it because of this.
Expandable hoses are ideal for many people because they provide the advantages of a hose in a space-saving design. Not all expandable hoses are created equal, though; in fact, there are two separate types: coil and expansion. If you liked the concept of expansion hoses, most of the options in our lineup performed very similarly. The Pocket Hose Silver Bullet, AmazingForLess Expandable, and Flex-Able Xtreme all boast very similar features and performance. The other type, coil hoses, are ideal for watering items in a small space and can be mounted permanently for an even more convenient watering experience. Our favorite coil hose is the Orbit Coil with ABS Threads for its contraction and performance capabilities. On the other hand, if after reading this review you're not sure that expansion hoses are the best type of hose for your watering needs, we also reviewed the best hose reels. Hose reels combine the benefits of a top-rated garden hose in a space-saving design, retracting into a storage unit.
