10 Best Garden Hose Nozzles of 2024

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We tested 37 nozzles to find the best models for watering plants, cleaning, and more.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

You may not usually give much thought to the end of your garden hose, but a garden hose nozzle can make or break your watering and outdoor cleaning chores. A wide array of hose nozzles are available; some are better for watering plants, while others are better for power washing your patio.

The most common types of hose nozzles are the pistol grip, dial, wand, and traditional nozzles. Each type of hose nozzle has different features and works best for different tasks. “The handheld spray gun [pistol grip] is a great general tool for washing your car and your dog, and cleaning the windows and siding on your house,” says Ron Greening, director of marketing and sales at Dramm.

"A watering wand is a specialized tool for watering plants," he says. "It’s designed to apply a large volume of water to the root zone of the plants, soaking the soil without injuring the plants or disturbing the soil.”

When testing hose nozzles, we evaluated them on factors such as quality, ease of use, and effectiveness. For more information on how we tested garden hose nozzles, check out our testing process below.

This nozzle features an impressive nine different spray patterns as well as a convenient valve so you can easily turn the nozzle on and off using just your thumb.

It’s slightly more expensive than some other models, but you won’t need to replace it every year. Just like other dial-style nozzles, it can break if dropped repeatedly onto hard surfaces.

The Dramm Revolution Nine-Pattern Spray Gun hose nozzle features nine different spray patterns, which is more than many hose nozzles. In addition to the increased spray options for extra versatility, this nozzle also includes a one-touch valve so you can turn the water on and off using just your thumb.

Since you don’t have to squeeze the handle (as you do on many pistol grip models), this hose nozzle is good for older adults, people with hand mobility issues, or anyone who has a lot of garden beds to water. It’s available in six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and berry, so you can have a little fun while you’re watering, too.

During testing, it was very easy to turn the dial and switch between the nine clearly marked spray patterns. We found the highest power stream setting to be quite powerful; it easily removed mud from our Adirondack chairs. After dropping it down cement stairs, we saw no evidence of damage and didn’t notice any decrease in quality. And after months of testing, we haven’t noticed any damage or change in quality.

In our testing, this garden hose nozzle surpassed our expectations for tasks such as watering your garden, washing your car, or cleaning your deck. We found it improved our outdoor routine whenever we needed it. The heavy-duty metal construction will help it last for a long time so you won’t have to replace it anytime soon; in fact, it comes with a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.

Product Details: Material: Coated Metal | Number of Spray Patterns: Nine | Weight: 12.6 ounces | Type: Dial

This is a durable hose nozzle at a budget price—there’s nothing fancy, but it’s simple to operate.

It’s a pretty basic model, so it doesn’t have as many special features as many other hose nozzles.

The Gilmour Zinc Pistol Grip Nozzle is very simple to operate: The harder you squeeze the trigger, the stronger the stream will be. It also features a flow control dial to help you customize the force of the stream.

In addition, there is a lock to keep the nozzle in the “on” position, which makes holding it for any length of time less of a burden. The hose nozzle’s metal construction adds durability and helps it stand up well to frequent use.

When evaluating this nozzle in our testing lab, we felt there was a good strong stream from the nozzle, and the spray went 32 feet when it was in the highest position. It worked well for cleaning outdoor items and didn’t show any obvious signs of wear after being dropped from a height of 4 feet.

Throughout our months of real-world testing, we used it to spray a concrete slab and clean our garbage can, and we found the nozzle performed well during both tasks.

This hose nozzle may not last forever—though we haven’t noticed any signs of wear after six months of testing—but it is surprisingly durable for a model at such a low price point. If you’re looking for a bargain and don’t require a lot of bells and whistles, this hose nozzle is a good choice.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Number of Spray Patterns: One | Weight: 3.53 ounces | Type: Pistol grip

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

This garden hose nozzle has five spray options and some nice extra features that lend additional convenience when you’re using it.

Some lower-price models offer more spray patterns than this nozzle.

You can choose between five different spray settings on this garden hose nozzle; you just turn the dial and it clicks into place. The nozzle features a locking mechanism so you can keep the water flowing without holding down the trigger. 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. For one thing, it includes an integrated dirt filter to prevent coarse dirt from getting into the spray head and impacting performance. (This filter can be easily removed for cleaning.)

And if you forget to put your hose away before temperatures dip, you don’t have to worry: This model includes frost-proofing to ensure the nozzle won’t be damaged by a sudden drop in temperatures. (If you live in the Midwest where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, this is a nice feature to have.)

We liked the fact that the handle rotates around the hose so you don’t have to keep readjusting as you move the hose around the yard. This hose nozzle effectively got dirt off items within a close range—even before the highest setting—and the spray reached 19 feet. The hose nozzle feels solid in your hand, and it only got lightly scuffed when dropped.

This nozzle improved our outdoor routine throughout our months of testing, and we haven’t noticed any signs of wear. However, we do wish it had a longer handle to reach plants without standing right next to them. All in all, if you’re okay with paying more for some additional features, this hose nozzle likely won’t disappoint—but it’s certainly not the best bargain around.

Product Details: Material: Metal and plastic | Number of Spray Patterns: Five | Weight: 14.1 ounces | Type: Dial

This hose nozzle has 10 different spray patterns and does an especially good job of misting plants.

There are so many spray patterns that it’s sometimes hard to know which one to choose.

The Innav8 Water Hose Nozzle Sprayer is a versatile choice when it comes to the number of spray options; it offers 10 different spray patterns so you can choose the right flow for every task in the garden and beyond. No need to hold down a trigger when you use this model either—you simply push a switch up with your thumb to turn on the water and control the flow.

The soft rubberized grip makes it comfortable to hold and ensures you won’t get your hands burnt if you leave the hose nozzle out in the sun on a hot summer day (unlike with all-metal hose nozzles). A precision threaded connection and rubber gasket help prevent leaks where the nozzle connects to the hose.

We loved all the choices in spray patterns on this hose nozzle and appreciated the fact that you can turn it on and off with one hand. The rubber covering did a good job of protecting the hose nozzle when it was dropped.

We were also impressed by the spray length of 28 feet and thought the mist and lighter settings were great for watering plants. However, we felt that the most powerful spray setting was not quite hard enough to clean the patio as well as we might have liked.

We found it easy to ensure water was out of the nozzle before storing it for the winter, and we didn’t notice any significant wear after months of testing. Overall this nose nozzle seems to be a great value for the price, with plenty of options for watering plants.

Product Details: Material: Metal and molded rubber | Number of Spray Patterns: 10 | Fitting Size: ¾ inch | Weight: 9 ounces | Type: Dial

This hose nozzle is both lightweight and sturdy—and very durable for the bargain price point.

It won’t 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. Seven spray patterns are available on this model: flat, center, cone, full, mist, jet, and shower.

To add convenience for everyone and make it easier to use for anyone with hand mobility issues, the hose nozzle features a lock bar at the top of the handle so you can keep the water on without holding the lever the whole time. The ergonomic rubberized handle is also designed to increase comfort and provide slip-resistance for a better grip.

We liked the hose nozzle’s size and thought it fit very well into our hand. It was easy to turn the clearly-labeled dial to set each of the various spray patterns. This hose nozzle effectively removed mud from outdoor furniture with the hardest spray setting, and the spray reached a respectable 16 feet.

We didn’t 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.

After months of regular use, the nozzle still sprays well without any leaks. We don’t think it’s quite powerful enough for heavy-duty cleaning, but we enjoyed using it to water flowers.

Product Details: Material: Plastic | Number of Spray Patterns: Seven | Weight: 4.2 ounces | Type: Dial

This hose nozzle has a powerful jet setting, which can spray water a long distance and is especially well suited for outdoor cleaning projects.

We couldn’t notice any difference when adjusting the flow rate, so we are unable to comment on that particular feature.

This Restmo hose nozzle features seven different spray patterns: shower, jet, flat, center, cone, full, and mist. It’s made of powder-coated metal, which resists rust; plus, both the body and threads are metal, improving the overall durability of the product.

The nozzle features a flow control knob that allows you to adjust the flow rate of each setting, adding extra flexibility when watering plants, washing the car, or giving the dog a bath. The ergonomic grip makes the hose nozzle more comfortable to hold and helps prevent hand fatigue when using it for long periods of time. The front trigger can also be locked so you don’t have to keep pushing on the lever while you are watering.

When testing this nozzle, we didn’t notice much of a difference in flow rate when we tried to change the pressure adjuster dial. We were most impressed by the jet setting, which sprayed an impressive 36 feet and easily got mud off our outdoor items.

After dropping the hose nozzle on cement, we noticed some scratches on the hose nozzle body, but it still sprayed as expected. We felt that the rubber grip and dial felt sturdy and durable (more than expected for the price point), but the trigger felt a little cheaper, making us somewhat worried about the long-term durability of the nozzle.

However, after six months of using it at home, we haven’t noticed any damage. We didn’t notice any leaking during lab testing or after months of use.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Number of Spray Patterns: Seven | Weight: 10 ounces | Type: Dial

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

This hose nozzle is made of brass, a strong and durable material, so it will undoubtedly work for a long time. Plus, thanks to its small size, it’s super easy to store in the off-season.

Because of its small size, it can be easy to lose in the garden (or even in your garage if you’re storing it there).

This Dramm nozzle might be small, but it’s mighty. It puts out a powerful stream that is ideal for cleaning walkways, patios, gutters, and outdoor furniture. However, it can also produce a finer mist that works well for watering plants, too. You simply twist the barrel to change the spray setting between three spray patterns: fan, cone, and a powerful stream.

It took us some trial and error to find the correct spray setting because the settings are not marked, unlike on dial hose nozzles. Once you start using it regularly, though, it’s easy to get the hang of it. We found it especially effective for power washing—it only took a few seconds to remove mud on chairs and the spray reached 20 feet (even against the wind).

After being dropped from 4 feet, there was no sign of damage and no change in how it worked. This type of hose nozzle doesn't have as many bells and whistles as other types of hose nozzles, but most (including this one) are made of brass which is the strongest material you’ll find in hose nozzles.

If you purchase this nozzle, you shouldn’t need to buy another one for a long time (unless you lose it in the garden).

Product Details: Material: Brass | Number of Spray Patterns: Three | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Type: Traditional

Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson

The width of the spray pattern is ideal for watering plants, and the handle is comfortable to hold.

You can’t narrow down the fan spray to be direct and precise, so it may not be suitable for use in more precise areas.

If you’re looking for a fan nozzle, we loved the Dramm ColorStorm Fan Nozzle during testing. We appreciated that the spray was wide enough to water plants and flowers easily. The built-in latch allowed us to adjust the strength of the water stream and widen its reach, making it ideal to use while gardening.

We found that it wasn’t the typical pistol-type hose nozzle. We didn’t have to hold down a trigger; instead, we used a thumb latch to adjust the spray, which was an uncomplicated process. 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 (it’s also available in five other colors). We had no difficulty in threading the nozzle onto the hose, and we didn’t spot any leakage while in use.

Although we tested using the hose nozzle on windows, siding, furniture, and the patio, we found it was more suitable for garden beds. We weren’t able to narrow down the spray, which would have been ideal for smaller plants.

While the water pressure could get fairly high, we did not find it ideal for targeted cleanings, like patios or sidewalks. In addition, turning off the hose nozzle proved to be difficult at times—we noticed it didn’t always turn off right away.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Number of Spray Patterns: One | Weight: 7.2 ounces | Type: Pistol

It has a slip-resistant grip that molds to the hand and features a lock for constant spray.

The nozzle had a somewhat limited range and wasn’t ideal for reaching far distances.

The Melnor Thumb Control Eight-Pattern Nozzle impressed us with its comfortable grip during testing. It was easy to use and had a grip that had a finger-grip mold, making it comfortable to handle.

We also liked the lock feature, which allowed us to maintain a constant spray, ideal for watering a large landscape. However, if we didn’t want to use the lock feature, it was simple for us to hold down the handle without difficulty.

When we pressed the trigger, the water started immediately. The dial easily allowed us to change the spray to full, soak, shower, jet, flat, center, cone, or mist. Each setting gave us the expected outcome and produced a steady stream of water. The nozzle itself was made of hard plastic with some metal construction, and it felt sturdy in our hands.

We noticed the spray only reached a certain distance, and since the nozzle didn’t have an extension handle, it wasn’t suitable for longer-distance usage. However, we had no trouble using it to water a landscape. There were also no issues when threading this onto the hose.

Product Details: Material: Metal body and rubber handle | Number of Spray Patterns: Eight | Weight: Not listed | Type: Dial

It had nine easy-to-identify spray patterns and had a comfortable, padded handle.

We noticed some initial leaking when attaching the nozzle to the hose until we made some necessary adjustments.

The Orbit Turret Wand Spray Nozzle is our top pick for someone looking for a watering wand.

At the highest pressure, the nozzle sprayed water as far as 9 to 10 feet, making it suitable for reaching into flower pots, hanging plants, and across large raised garden beds. The handle was padded, making it comfortable to hold while in use.

We found that the nozzle was not difficult to twist onto the hose, and we liked the on-and-off lever to switch when we were ready to use it. This lever was close to the base of the nozzle, so it was easy to reach. It was also easy to adjust the nine spray patterns, which included mist, jet, flat, angle, flood, shower, fan, cone, and center flow.

We appreciated that each provided a good variety of directions and pressures, so it was suitable for a variety of yard projects. The nozzle clearly identified these options, making it simple to adjust when needed.

The hose nozzle was made of lightweight metal, and the head was made of hard plastic. However, we noticed the plastic part scratched easily. Additionally, there was some leakage after twisting the nozzle onto the hose. However, after examining it, we spotted two different connections to tighten, and once we tightened those spots the leaking stopped.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Number of Spray Patterns: Nine | Weight: Not listed | Type: Dial

After testing out the features on all of the different hose nozzles, we found the best garden hose nozzle to be the Dramm Revolution Nine-Pattern Spray Gun because it combines convenience and durability. We loved its array of nine different spray patterns and the easy-to-use thumb control that allows you to turn the water on and off and lock it in place while you’re watering.

If you’re looking to have a variety of hose nozzles on hand, we like the Orbit 10-Pattern Pattern Nozzle Set, which includes three hose nozzles for various purposes. With this set, you get a multi-spray pattern nozzle, a nozzle for washing and rinsing, and a wand for watering plants.

Our team of experts put 37 garden hose nozzles to the test in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to determine which nozzles were the best for spray settings, reaching longer distances, and durability.

To test these hose nozzles, we connected each nozzle to a garden hose to evaluate how easily it threaded onto a standard hose. We then tried out all of the spray settings to make sure they worked and attempted to clean off an outdoor chair to see how well various sprays removed dirt and mud.

We also measured how far a stream of water from the nozzle could reach. Finally, we dropped each hose nozzle from a height of 4 feet onto a concrete surface and checked the nozzles for any wear or breakage.

Once we completed testing in the lab, we took the nozzles home to test in our own gardens. Over the course of six months, we used the hose nozzles in our regular routines, using them for watering plants, cleaning chores, and more. Throughout our long-term testing, we noted any changes in performance or signs of wear.

Better Homes & Gardens / Lory Stewart

The most common types of hose nozzles are pistol, dial, wand, and traditional. The right nozzle for you will depend on how you want to use it and how many spray patterns you need.

Pistol grip nozzles feature a trigger that you press to control the flow of water.

Dial nozzles have 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.

Watering wands are ideal for watering plants; they can be a great option for watering the back of garden beds and hanging planters. Some wands have dials that allow you to change spray patterns and some have telescopic handles to help you reach farther away.

Traditional hose nozzles are generally made out of metal (often brass); you twist them to change the spray pattern. Traditional hose nozzles may not have as many features as other types of hose nozzles, but they will last a long time.

Hose nozzles are generally either made out of metal, a combination of metal and plastic, or all plastic. Metal—including brass, zinc, and aluminum—is the strongest material; hose nozzles made out of metal will probably last the longest (although they will generally be a little heavier than other options). Some metal nozzles have been powder coated to make them even more durable.

Nozzles made out of metal and plastic will often be less expensive than all-metal options; however, if the important parts inside the nozzle are made of metal, these can also be a durable option.

“I prefer to use nozzles made from metal and plastic,” says Ruth Rogers Clausen, a horticulturalist, speaker, and author of several books, including 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants. “The all-metal ones get too hot and burn my hands; plus, they tend to rust unless protected by the plastic.”

Plastic nozzles can also be a good option in some cases; just stay away from the inexpensive ones that are likely to fall apart quickly. “Well-made plastic nozzles do have an important role,” Greening says.

“In areas with hard water, there is a lot of mineral content, and it will attack the metal and corrode it," she says. "In these areas, a well-made plastic nozzle is a good alternative as plastic cannot be corroded and will last for a longer period of time.”

Some hose nozzles only have one spray pattern, some have a few different options, and others have as many as 10 different spray pattern options.

Many include a mist setting that’s good for newly seeded areas and a shower setting that’s a solid choice for watering plants. “Look for a good shower pattern with many holes,” Greening says. “The more holes, the larger the flow and soaking action.”

You may also want to find a garden hose nozzle with a jet setting that offers a powerful spray for cleaning outdoor walkways, patios, and furniture.

Other options include a full spray that is usually a bit more powerful than the shower setting and a cone spray that can help you water a group of plants all at once. “I like to water plants as low as possible with a cone-shaped spray to get the roots rather than the foliage,” Clausen says.

If you have arthritis or any kind of hand mobility issues, the best garden hose nozzles are ones with a locking mechanism so you can keep the water flowing without needing to hold down a lever or trigger the whole time.

Thumb controls to turn the water on and off and adjust the flow rate are easier on the hands too. Also look for ergonomic handles with a good grip to enhance safety and comfort.

Before purchasing any hose nozzle, be sure to consider how it feels in your hand and ensure it will be comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

“Try out several hose nozzles before you buy any to get a real feel for it,” Clausen says. “Grab the handle—sometimes tricky to do if it’s attached to a sales card—and then walk around and do some shopping while still holding the nozzle.” If it still feels comfortable in your hand after walking around with it for awhile, it will likely feel comfortable when you’re using it in your garden.

We loved the quality of the Dramm One Touch Rain Wand with One Touch Valve and felt it was a great choice for watering plants. If that’s all you want to do with your hose nozzle, this 16-inch rain wand is a good choice—but be aware that it only has one spray setting, so it doesn’t offer as much versatility as other types of nozzles. (A 30-inch model is also available, if you need a longer reach.) The One-Touch on/off control is convenient and easy to use, and the hose nozzle comes in several fun colors.

This 15-inch watering wand from Sprout offers versatility with eight different spray patterns, although we thought it was best for watering plants and that it offered weak to medium pressure. It may not be as durable as some, but it’s a good bargain choice. It’s available in several fun two-tone colors.

The Bernini Easy Grip Spray Nozzle had an ergonomically friendly handle and up to nine spray patterns. However, we felt that the construction of the nozzle was low in quality and had the risk of breaking if it happened to drop accidentally. Also, we would have preferred the on-and-off switch be on the same side as the T-handle for a more comfortable access.

Better Homes & Gardens / Lory Stewart

Hose nozzles may appear to alter water pressure, but they can’t actually increase the pressure of the water that is coming from the end of your hose. 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. “If you block some of the flow with your thumb, the water comes out with more force but less volume. This is good for washing but not watering plants. Some of the patterns on hose nozzles are made to create force for washing, others to spread the water out for watering.”

Of course, the best garden hose nozzles can only be as good as the water pressure coming out of your garden hose. 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.

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.

In the United States, all garden hoses have the same size treads, and hose nozzles are made to fit that size so they can all fit together. The universal standard in the US is ¾ inch.

Try soaking the fittings in a heavy-duty cleaner like CLR or a 20% vinegar/80% water solution to dissolve the minerals and salts that may form when nozzles and garden hose fittings are made of different metals. If the fittings are of a similar metal, you may need to use a good pair of pliers to separate them, Greening says.

Renee Freemon Mulvihill is a freelance writer who specializes in home and garden topics. To write this article on the best garden hose nozzles, she spent time online researching various hose nozzles and comparing this data with insights gained during lab testing in Des Moines, Iowa. She also checked in with Ron Greening, Dramm’s director of marketing and sales, to find out more about what to look for when purchasing a hose nozzle and Ruth Rogers Clausen, horticulturist, speaker, and author of 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants, to discover additional tips for using various hose nozzles.

This article was updated by Nicole Pyles, a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also written about topics such as outdoor furniture, outdoor decor, and hummingbird feeders.

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