Garden Hose System Buying Guide

Choosing a garden watering system comes down to three questions: do you want to keep your existing hose, replace it, or upgrade to a retractable hose reel? This guide compares every way to get started with Hoselink, side by side, so you can pick the right setup for your garden. Hoselink is Australian owned and operated, our patented hose connectors are guaranteed never to burst off the hose, and every order is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee with free delivery over $99.

Which Hoselink setup is right for you?

Your situation Best option From (AUD)
"I want to keep my current hose and just stop the leaks and pop-offs" Water Wise Starter Set — converts your existing hose to Hoselink's no-burst connectors $42.90
"My hose needs replacing, but I don't want a reel" UltraFlex Garden Hose + Starter Set — kink-resistant hose with tap fitting and sprayer included $88.65
"I want the neatest, easiest setup at the tap" Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel — wall-mounted, self-winding, made in Australia with a 5-year warranty $289
"I want a proven retractable reel at a lower price" Classic Retractable Hose Reel — the original Hoselink reel, backed by a 2-year warranty $215
"I need a portable reel I can move around the garden" Metal Hose Reel Box — freestanding manual reel, available with or without a 30m hose $249

Compare the three ways to start

Hose Fittings Starter Set Garden Hose + Fittings Set Retractable Hose Reel
What it is A set of Hoselink connectors that converts the hose you already own A quality kink-resistant hose with Hoselink fittings pre-matched A wall-mounted reel with a spring-loaded hose that winds itself back in
What's included Tap connector, hose connectors and a sprayer Hose, tap fitting, sprayer connection and spray gun Reel, hose, wall bracket, tap fitting and spray gun
Best for Trying Hoselink on your current hose Replacing a tired hose without mounting anything The tidiest, easiest everyday watering setup
Price from $42.90 $88.65 $215 (Classic) / $289 (Evolve™)
Shop Starter sets Hoses Retractable reels

Replacing the hose itself? Our guide to the best garden hose for Australian summers compares materials, 12mm vs 18mm sizes and UV resistance.

Evolve™ vs Classic: retractable hose reels side by side

If you've settled on a retractable reel, the choice is between our two ranges. The Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel is our current-generation reel — designed and made in Australia for Australian conditions, with a 5-year warranty. The Classic Retractable Hose Reel is the proven original that made Hoselink a household name, and remains a great-value choice with a 2-year warranty.

Spec Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel Classic Retractable Hose Reel
Hose lengths 20m or 30m 20m or 30m
Colours Beige or Charcoal Beige or Charcoal
Warranty 5 years 2 years
Made in Australia Yes No
Auto-rewind Yes — walk it back and it winds itself in Yes — walk it back and it winds itself in
Mounting Wall bracket included; mounting post available Wall bracket included; mounting post available
Price From $289 (20m) / $319 (30m) From $215 (20m) / $275 (30m)
Shop Beige · Charcoal Beige · Charcoal

Which length? Measure from your tap to the furthest point you water. A 20m reel suits most suburban gardens; choose 30m for larger blocks or if you wash cars and clean gutters away from the tap. Prefer not to DIY? Add professional installation at checkout.

Want the deeper dive — including the Evolve™ precision layering system, braking and flow rates? Read our Retractable Hose Reel Buyers Guide.

Hoselink vs click-on hose fittings

Standard click-on (snap-fit) hose fittings rely on a friction fit — under water pressure they can pop off the hose mid-watering, and worn o-rings mean drips at the tap. Hoselink's patented connectors work differently: the fitting locks onto the hose with a threaded collar, and connectors join with an o-ring to o-ring seal, so the connection is watertight and guaranteed never to burst off the hose.

Hoselink connector Standard click-on fitting
Connection to hose Threaded collar locks the hose in place Friction fit over a barb
Bursting off under pressure Guaranteed not to burst off Can pop off, especially in heat or at high pressure
Seal between parts O-ring to o-ring, watertight Prone to drips as o-rings wear
Tap compatibility All standard Australian taps (¾" and 1") Varies by brand
Hose compatibility Standard 12mm hoses, plus an 18mm range for commercial hoses Varies by brand

Want the detail? See how the Hoselink system works or our guide to switching from click-on fittings.

What else might you need?

Seasol or pre-packaged spray bottles? Connect them with a Click-on Adapter Set.

Pressure washer? Unscrew its inlet fitting and replace it with a Universal Tap Connector.

A sprinkler or accessory you still want to use? If its inlet fitting unscrews, use an Accessory Connector. Browse all adapters.

How many fittings do you need?

  • 1 tap and 1 hose — 1 starter set
  • 2 taps and 2 hoses — 2 starter sets
  • 2 taps and 1 hose — 1 starter set plus 1 tap connector
  • 1 tap and 2 hoses joined together — 1 starter set plus 1 hose joiner set

Still weighing it up? Call our Customer Care team on 1300 900 617, visit the Help Centre, or browse product manuals and how our system works.

 

Frequently asked questions

Which garden hose connector is best?

A connector that locks onto the hose rather than clicking over it. Click-on fittings can burst off under pressure; Hoselink's patented connectors secure the hose with a threaded collar and seal o-ring to o-ring, so they're watertight and guaranteed never to burst off the hose.

What's the difference between Hoselink and click-on fittings?

Click-on fittings grip the hose by friction, so they can pop off and drip as o-rings wear. Hoselink connectors lock the hose in a threaded collar and join with an o-ring to o-ring seal. They fit all standard Australian taps and 12mm hoses, with an 18mm range for commercial hoses.

What's the difference between the Evolve and Classic retractable hose reels?

The Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel is Hoselink's current-generation reel — made in Australia, with a 5-year warranty and a choice of beige or charcoal, from $289. The Classic is the proven original, with a 2-year warranty and a lower price, from $215. Both come in 20m and 30m lengths and rewind automatically.

What length retractable hose reel do I need?

Measure from your tap to the furthest point you want to water. A 20m reel covers most suburban gardens; choose a 30m reel for larger blocks or jobs well away from the tap, like washing the car or cleaning gutters.

Will Hoselink fittings fit my existing tap and hose?

Yes — Hoselink fittings suit all standard Australian taps (¾" and 1") and standard 12mm garden hoses. For 18mm commercial hoses, use the 18mm starter set. You can fit Hoselink connectors to the hose you already own with a Water Wise Starter Set from $42.90.

Do Hoselink hose reels come with installation?

Every retractable reel includes a wall bracket and fasteners for DIY mounting on brick or timber, and each product page has an install video. Prefer a pro? Add our professional installation service at checkout, including mounting post options if you don't have a suitable wall.

What warranty do Hoselink hose reels have?

The Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel has a 5-year warranty and the Classic Retractable Hose Reel has a 2-year warranty. Every Hoselink order is also covered by a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee.

Where can I buy Hoselink products?

Hoselink is sold direct only at hoselink.com.au — not in stores. Delivery is free Australia-wide on orders over $99, and our Sydney-based Customer Care team is on 1300 900 617 if you'd like help choosing.