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We tested 37 nozzles to find the best models for watering plants, cleaning, and more.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
The most common types of hose nozzles are the pistol grip, dial, wand, and traditional nozzles.
Each punch in of hose nozzle has different features and works best for different tasks.
Its slightly more expensive than some other models, but you wont need to replace it every year.
Credit: Amazon
Just like other dial-style nozzles, it can break if dropped repeatedly onto hard surfaces.
We found the highest power stream setting to be quite powerful; it easily removed mud fromour Adirondack chairs.
And after months of testing, we havent noticed any damage or change in quality.
Because of its powerful stream, we didn’t have any problems cleaning mud off of a chair.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
We found it improved our outdoor routine whenever we needed it.
Its a pretty basic model, so it doesnt have as many special features as many other hose nozzles.
It also features a flow control dial to help you customize the force of the stream.
The hose nozzles metal construction adds durability and helps it stand up well to frequent use.
Some lower-price models offer more spray patterns than this nozzle.
It also has a boost feature to make the flow more powerful.
Several other handy features help this hose nozzle to stand out as well.
(This filter can be easily removed for cleaning.)
The hose nozzle feels solid in your hand, and it only got lightly scuffed when dropped.
However, we do wish it had a longer handle to reach plants without standing right next to them.
There are so many spray patterns that its sometimes hard to know which one to choose.
A precision threaded connection and rubber gasket help prevent leaks where the nozzle connects to the hose.
The rubber covering did a good job of protecting the hose nozzle when it was dropped.
It wont last forever, but it will likely serve you well for at least one gardening season.
Made of a blend of rubber and plastics, this Automan hose nozzle is both durable and lightweight.
You just twist the hose nozzle dial to choose between the different spray patterns.
The ergonomic rubberized handle is also designed to increase comfort and provide slip-resistance for a better grip.
We liked the hose nozzles size and thought it fit very well into our hand.
Credit: Amazon
It was easy to turn the clearly-labeled dial to set each of the various spray patterns.
We didnt notice any evidence of damage or any decrease in quality after dropping it down cement stairs.
We felt the low price was a good bargain for the quality and durability of the product.
Although it only has one setting, this classic hose nozzle worked well for many different outdoor chores.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
After months of regular use, the nozzle still sprays well without any leaks.
We dont think its quite powerful enough for heavy-duty cleaning, but we enjoyed using it to water flowers.
However, after six months of using it at home, we havent noticed any damage.
Credit: Amazon
We didnt notice any leaking during lab testing or after months of use.
Plus, thanks to its small size, its super easy to store in the off-season.
This Dramm nozzle might be small, but its mighty.
The spray from this hose nozzle reached 19 feet.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
However, it can also produce a finer mist that works well for watering plants, too.
Once you start using it regularly, though, its easy to get the hang of it.
If youre looking for a fan nozzle, we loved theDramm ColorStorm Fan Nozzleduring testing.
We appreciated that the spray was wide enough to water plants and flowers easily.
We found that it wasnt the typical pistol-key in hose nozzle.
We also appreciated that the handle was ergonomically friendly and easy to hold while in use.
The hose nozzle was durable, and we noticed it was made of heavy-duty metal.
We also liked its glossy and vibrant color (its also available in five other colors).
We werent able to narrow down the spray, which would have been ideal for smaller plants.
The nozzle had a somewhat limited range and wasnt ideal for reaching far distances.
TheMelnor Thumb Control Eight-Pattern Nozzleimpressed us with its comfortable grip during testing.
When we pressed the trigger, the water started immediately.
Each setting gave us the expected outcome and produced a steady stream of water.
However, we had no trouble using it to water a landscape.
There were also no issues when threading this onto the hose.
We also measured how far a stream of water from the nozzle could reach.
Once we completed testing in the lab, we took the nozzles home to test in our own gardens.
Throughout our long-term testing, we noted any changes in performance or signs of wear.
Credit: Amazon
Pistol gripnozzles feature a trigger that you press to control the flow of water.
Dial nozzleshave a dial on the front, which you turn to choose various spray patterns.
Dial hose nozzles usually offer the most variety in terms of spray patterns.
The mist setting sprayed a fine, yet strong, stream that didn’t damage flowers.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
“A watering wand is a specialized tool for watering plants,” he says.
Some metal nozzles have been powder coated to make them even more durable.
Well-made plastic nozzles do have an important role, Greening says.
Look for a good shower pattern with many holes, Greening says.
The more holes, the larger the flow and soaking action.
Also look for ergonomic handles with a good grip to enhance safety and comfort.
(A 30-inch model is also available, if you need a longer reach.)
It may not be as durable as some, but its a good bargain choice.
Its available in several fun two-tone colors.
Your Questions, Answered
Do hose nozzles increase pressure?
Instead, the spray patterns alter how the available water pressure is used.
A good visual of this is the thumb over the end of the hose model, Greening says.
Credit: Amazon
This is good for washing but not watering plants.
If your water pressure seems low, check the flow rate of your garden hose.
Small-diameter, low-flow hoses can hurt the performance of the hose nozzle.
The different settings were clearly labeled, and the ergonomic grip was comfortable to hold.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Greening suggests filling up a 5-gallon bucket and timing it to see how long it takes to fill.
Most hose nozzles need at least 6 gallons per minute to work well, Greening says.
Are hose nozzles universal in size?
The universal standard in the US is 34 inch.
How do you remove a stuck hose nozzle?
Who We Are
Renee Freemon Mulvihillis a writer who specializes in home and garden topics.
This article was updated byNicole Pyles, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens.
She has also written about topics such as outdoor furniture, outdoor decor, and hummingbird feeders.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval?
Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
Credit: Amazon
We liked being able to control the flow rate so we could have a lighter stream for watering flowers and a heavier one for cleaning.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
This classic brass nozzle has three different spray patterns. To change the pattern, simply twist the nozzle.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
This fan nozzle features a thumb latch which can be used to change the width of the spray.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Kim Vogt
Credit: The Home Depot
The Melnor Thumb Control Nozzle has eight different spray patterns, and it has a lock feature so you can have a constant spray without tiring your hand.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Michelle Ehrich
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
