Evolve™ vs Classic Retractable Hose Reels Side by Side Comparison

Classic vs. Evolve™: Which Hoselink Retractable Hose Reel is right for me?

Jessica Turner

One retractable hose reel is much like another, right? Well, not quite. The best retractable hose reel for you comes down to a variety of factors: your outdoor space; your personal style; your overarching garden goals. This blog is here to help you navigate the nuance and decide once and for all whether you’re all about the Classic or ready to revolutionise with the NEW Hoselink Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel.

Why choose retractable?

Let’s start at the beginning. The main benefit of a retractable hose reel is the freedom and flexibility it gives you to go where your garden needs you – perfect for any outdoor space bigger than a balcony or terrace. The ‘stop-anywhere’ locking mechanism clicks your hose into place at your preferred length, providing you with unparalleled stability and support as you water. And when you’re finished, a gentle tug is all it takes to activate the automatic rewind feature. The hose retracts slowly and safely back into the casing, so you don’t have to expend any additional time or effort winding it up manually. You’ll find this feature in all of our premium retractable hose reels – but the difference is in the detail, so let’s get into it!

Meet the Classic 

Our most popular retractable hose reel to date, and for good reason. The in-built self-layering system allows you to water anywhere in your garden, while the ‘stop-anywhere’ locking mechanism holds the hose firmly in place for an effortless, enjoyable experience.

The Classic Reel features our hard-wearing patented hose fittings, guaranteed never to burst off or leak, and a new and improved Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer, which lets you switch seamlessly between spray settings with complete control. The integrated carry handles put every inch of your garden within reach, whether you’ve got a large suburban lawn or multiple levels to water. You can simply buy an additional bracket to attach to a wall or post anywhere in your garden and move your reel from A to B with ease.

Our Classic Reel comes in two sizes and two stylish colours, each designed to complement your garden. And no matter which variation you choose, you can count on the UV-stabilised outer casing to protect your hose from the elements all year round.

hoselink classic hose reel mounted in deck area by pool
Classic 30m Retractable Hose Reel | Beige

Classic 30m Retractable Hose Reel | Beige

Now $275.00 Was
Was $275.00
Classic 30m Retractable Hose Reel | Charcoal

Classic 30m Retractable Hose Reel | Charcoal

Now $275.00 Was
Was $275.00

The Classic: what’s included  

  • A 20m or 30m quality hose, suitable for every season
  • An enhanced Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer
  • A complete set of our famous Hoselink hose fittings, guaranteed never to leak or burst off the hose
  • A 2m leader hose, to connect the reel to your tap effortlessly
  • A one-size-fits-all mounting bracket and screw set, compatible with any size reel

Introducing our NEW Hoselink Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel

After four years in development, our Hoselink Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel is ready to revolutionise your gardening experience from the ground up. A leap forwards in watering innovation, it builds on 25 years of expertise to combine features you’ll recognise from our Classic Reel with industry-leading technology that changes the game completely. 

Beige Evolve Retractable Hose Reel on a white background

Evolve Retractable Hose Reel | Beige

Now $279.00 Was
Was $279.00
New
Charcoal Evolve Retractable Hose Reel on a white background

Evolve Retractable Hose Reel | Charcoal

Now $279.00 Was
Was $279.00
New

Built for more

The most notable addition to the Evolve™ Series Retractable Hose Reel is the auto rewind Precision Layering System. Engineered with 6 guidance rollers (vs. only 2 in most competitor brands), it relayers your hose with zero overlaps, from any angle. This technology is completely unique to the Evolve™ Hose Reel, and an industry-first you won’t find in any other reel, anywhere in the world.

Another feature taking the industry by storm is the Evolve™ Reel’s enhanced UV protection. Other brands also include UV resistance – but at a much lower level. In contrast, the outer casing of the Evolve™ Series Reel has been dramatically fortified and tested to the highest standards to combat harsh Aussie sunshine over long periods of time. The Evolve™ Hose Reel also benefits from additional internal and external frost resistance features – including the all-important water flow path inside. So whatever the weather, your Evolve™ Reel will be able to handle it. 

Beige Evolve Hose Reel Mounted in backyard deck by a river

What else is new? More power, more comfort and more control.

Like the Classic Reel, the Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel comes with a new and improved Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer, featuring a shorter, lighter handle that’s even easier to use, with yet more frost resistance features and our most hard-wearing lever, ever.

There’s also 22% more powerful water flow (depending on your existing water flow rate) compared to our Classic Reel, a refined internal braking system for slow, steady and safe retraction, and a handy built-in storage compartment for keeping connectors or spare sprayers. Evolution at every single level.

But don’t just take our word for it. Tested to perform over 10,000 retractions, the Evolve™ Series Reel is proven to outperform competitors every time. And in the unlikely event that everything doesn’t go smoothly, our extended 5-year warranty (compared to 2 years with the Classic Reel), should put your mind at ease.

Changing the game, discreetly. 

Available in two classic colours, Charcoal and Beige, the Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel is thoughtfully designed to slot seamlessly into your garden. The 180-degree pivot on the bracket means it can sit flat against the wall when you’re not using it and, unlike other brands, the discreet leader hose can be tucked away too, keeping things neat and tidy – just the way you like it.

Evolve Charcoal Hose Reel mounted outside a window of a home

The future of watering

The Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel paves the way for a more sustainable future for Hoselink. It has a compact new design, which uses fewer materials and reduced packaging. And for the first time ever key components like the main hose, leader hose, spray gun, guidance tooth and hose fittings can all be repaired, refreshed and replaced with products available from our website – reducing waste and prolonging the overall lifespan of your reel.

There’s more good news. For the last four years we’ve been working tirelessly to bring product innovation back where it belongs… Australia. And so we couldn’t be more proud to announce that the Evolve™ Reel, was designed, moulded and assembled right here on home turf, in Sydney, New South Wales. 

Evolve metal hose reel mounting post on white background.

Hose Reel Mounting Post | Evolve Series

Now $49.90 Was
Was $49.90
New
Gold long shackle padlock and set of keys

Padlock | Evolve Series

Now $26.90 Was
Was $26.90
New

Evolving your existing reel 

If the Evolve™ Series Retractable Hose Reel is your first ever retractable hose reel, excellent choice. If you’re upgrading from one of our existing reels, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Evolve™ Reel has been purposefully designed to use the same wall bracket template, so you won’t need to drill new holes in your wall. A smooth, seamless transition, for a smooth, seamless experience.

The  Evolve™ Reel: what’s included  

  • A 20m or 30m quality hose, suitable all year round
  • A new and improved Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer
  • A complete set of patented Hoselink hose fittings, guaranteed never leak or burst off your hose
  • A 2m leader hose, so you can connect from reel to tap effortlessly
  • A one-size-fits-all mounting bracket and screw set to be used with any size Evolve™ reel 

Laying down the facts

As you can see, there’s a lot to love about both our Classic Reel and the new Evolve™ Series Retractable Hose Reel. So to make your decision a little easier, let’s take a look at the facts side by side. 


Classic Retractable Hose Reel

Watering made easy

Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel

Built for more

From $215

From $279

Manufactured overseas

Designed & built in Australia

2-year warranty 

Extended 5-year warranty 

Smooth self-layering system

New Precision Layering System (PLS), with additional rollers to relayer your hose without kinks or tangles, from all angles.

Tested to over 1,300 retractions

Tested to over 10,000 retractions

Water flow rate:
16.74L per minute

Improved water flow rate:
20.54L per minute
10% higher output and
22% better flow rate

Auto rewind and controlled hose retraction

Auto rewind and refined internal braking system for a safe, slow retraction. 

Stop Anywhere Locking Mechanism:
a gentle pull unlocks the hose to extend
or resume retraction.

Stop Anywhere Locking Mechanism:
a gentle pull unlocks the hose to extend
or resume retraction.

Good UV protection 

Industry-leading UV protection 

Enhanced Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer with a shorter, lightweight handle, new frost resistance features and a more hard-wearing lever. 

Enhanced Comfort 8-Pattern Flow Control Sprayer with a shorter, lightweight handle, new frost resistance features and a more hard-wearing lever. 

No frost resistance features

Internal and external safeguarding features designed to withstand frost

L610mm x W270mm x H490mm

New compact size:
L555mm x W300mm x H452mm

2 replaceable parts

6 replaceable parts

Easy-to–install wall mounting bracket 

Easy-to-install wall mounting bracket,
with built-in storage compartment.

Fixed hose stopper

Adjustable hose stopper  

180-degree pivot on the bracket

180-degree pivot on the bracket

Top and bottom handle grips  

Built-in front and rear handle grips  

 

On the left is Hoselink's Classic Beige Retractable Hose Reel in a garden and on the right is the Evolve Beige Hose Reel in a garden

 

Are you team Classic or Evolve?

Remember, there are no bad decisions here. Whether you’re a fan of the Classic or ready to join the revolution with our Hoselink Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel, your gardening experience is about to be transformed for the better. If there’s anything else you need to know, you can take a deep dive into either reel on their individual product pages, or reach out to our friendly customer service team with any questions. Otherwise, happy watering!

 

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