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Hose reels are an essential tool in keeping your workshop organized, ultimately keeping it safe from tripping hazards.
In the article below, we'll answer some of the most common questions regarding hose reels and what features to look out for before buying.
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best air hose reels:
Comparison of the Best Air Hose Reels
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Goodyear L815153G  | ||
DeWalt DXCM024-0343  | ||
Giraffe Tools GF-TA10B  | ||
Campbell Hausfeld AA602100  | ||
Goodyear 28287303G  | ||
DeWalt DXCM024-0348  | ||
Giraffe Tools GF-AT15B  | ||
Pantagon Tools 3260  |
Are All Air Hose Reels The Same?
While they may seem simple, there are some slight differences in air hose reels. Make sure you pay attention and get the right one for your situation!
Retractable Air Hose Reel
Retractable air hose reels are the handiest and require the least effort from the user to operate. You would usually install this reel on the ceiling or wall out of the way; they automatically reel the hose back in once it's been let go.
Manual Air Hose Reel
The manual air hose reel is relatively similar to the retractable reel as they're also mounted on the wall. The main difference is that the hose is reeled manually by a handle, this requires a little more effort than the retractable, and if you're in a large space, the walking back and forth can become a cumbersome task.
Portable Air Hose Reel
Instead of attaching the hose reel to the wall or ceiling, you can get a portable air hose reel to carry around with you. If you're working on a construction site or using a portable air compressor, this option might even be best suited to you. The only downside to these reels is that they can be heavy to carry around.
What Should I Look For When Buying an Air Hose Reel?
There are a few features that you should be looking out for when buying an air hose reel. Below are a few features that we feel are most important.
Type
The type of hose reel is important because each type has its benefits and some downsides. Retractable air hoses are most likely the favorite; they require minimal effort to operate but can get expensive. Manual reels are a lot cheaper, but they require you to manually crank the handle to coil the reel back in. Portable is a good option for anyone working on a large site; the only downside to these reels is that they can get heavy carrying them around all day.
Hose Provided
With most hose reels, you'll be given an already attached hose. These hoses are usually made from rubber and don't last very long. There are a few high-quality reels out there that provide you decent hybrid material hoses. However, your hose should be able to be replaced if you want to change it. Also, they tend to be 50ft, which is suitable for some, but you might require a 100ft hose depending on the tasks you'll be carrying out.
Framing Material
High-quality reels are made from durable metals that will effectively protect the internal components from any damages like heavy objects accidentally being dropped. Cheaper models will have a simple plastic casing, which probably won't do much in terms of protection.
Best Air Hose Reel Reviews
There are so many hose reels out there that it's hard to decide what suits best, even with all the information right in front of you. That's why we've decided to feature what we think are some of the best air hose reels currently on the market.
Best Overall:
Goodyear L815153G
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The hose itself is made of high-quality rubber blend that will survive against almost anything you throw at it. The hose will stay flat and works well in temperatures ranging between -40F and 226F. The locking mechanism is another handy feature as it will lock in a position to stop the constant retracting pull, which can be a burden as it would soon wear on your arm.
The non-snag rollers significantly reduce the wear and any abrasion caused by constant use, a common problem for reels that don't have this feature. The reel's body is made from high-grade steel and will protect against a typical construction site or workshop that's filled with accidents.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This retractable reel can be mounted on the wall, ceiling, or floor to easily organize your air hose. Meaning that with one push of a button or letting go of the hose, it'll retrace right back into the reel. A manual or portable reel would take a lot more effort from the user to coil it back into the reel.
Runner-up:
DeWalt DXCM024-0343
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This retractable hose reel is runner's up for a few reasons. The steel body easily protects from any bumps and accidents common in a working environment. The 12 position ratchet locking mechanism allows you to keep the hose reeled out at a certain length without straining your arm.
The hose itself is made from rubber and is effective in temperatures ranging -40F to 150F. Abrasion is a common problem with rubber hoses; they tend to be damaged easily after a while. However, the 4-roller hose guide significantly reduces any frictional damage. The downside is that this particular hose kinks easily after constant use.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
A deserved runner's up spot given to this reel. The weight is slightly less than the Goodyear model; this is noticeable during the installation process. Another standout feature is the self-leveling system that evenly rewinds the hose into the reel, a feature that isn't common among reels.
Best for the Money:
Giraffe Tools GF-TA10B
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Value for money is always a big priority, and we believe that the Giraffe air hose reel is one of the best for the money. The steel body provides your internal components suitable protection against accidental falls or bumps, common in workshops or industrial environments. Another key feature is the reel's powder coating that ensures no corrosion, significantly increasing the reel's life expectancy.
The default hose is a hybrid blend meaning that it's relatively lightweight and durable in cold and hot weather. The two non-snag rollers also protect from frictional damage. However, the only downside is that there's space on the left and right of the hose where it can be damaged and easily kinked. To eliminate this, an additional two rollers should be placed there.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The multiple high-quality features make this product stand out. You'll find every single feature of this model on something that costs much more money. Ultimately, this is why we voted this the 'Best for the Money' as you get the same value but for less. The only thing that lets it down is the lack of two more non-snag rollers.
Best Retractable Air Hose Reel:
Campbell Hausfeld AA602100
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Campbell Hausfeld is considered the best retractable air hose reel currently available for several reasons. The main reason is that it can effectively operate between temperatures of 35F and 250F. The 50ft hose and ⅜ inch diameter will facilitate high pressures of up to 300 PSI and limit any frictional air loss.
The heavy-duty plastic coating provides a full protective layer between the internal components and any common accidents. To avoid even more accidents, it can also be mounted on a wall or ceiling. The only downside to this reel is that it struggles to operate below 35F, and anything below 0F is completely stiff beyond use.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This hose reel's stand out feature is the heavy-duty plastic casing, unlike other reels with a steel shell. This plastic casing provides complete protection to the internal components and hose from accidental bumps and falls. It's also incredibly lightweight at only 15lbs, making the installation incredibly easy.
Best Manual Air Hose Reel:
DeWalt DXCM024-0348
PROS
CONS
Our Review
We've voted this the "Best Manual Air Hose Reel" for several reasons. The bend restrictor helps in reducing the number of kinks you encounter. The rubber is usually quite heavy, but this reel only weighs roughly 17lbs, easy enough to install on the wall. Another feature of the rubber is that it's still flexible at -40F and operates effectively in 150F heat.
The only downsides are that it's more at risk of frictional damage as it doesn't have non-snag rollers to help limit abrasion. Although it has a single bend restrictor, this isn't enough to fully protect the hose against kinks.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The stand out feature of this reel is the quick release pin lock. If your reel is mounted on the wall, but you don't have the hose length to reach another part of the room, you pull the quick release pin lock, and it instantly comes away from the mount.
Best 100ft Air Hose Reel
Pentagon Tools 3260
PROS
CONS
Our Review
We think that this reel is currently the best 100ft air hose reel available. The reason being that the all-steel construction protects all internal components from any workshop accidents. The brass fittings are also highly durable and anti-corrosive, a common issue with zinc or aluminum fittings.
The four non-snag rollers also greatly help prevent any frictional damage or abrasion, a common problem in manual or portable reels. The only real downside with this air hose reel is that it weighs just under 60lbs, meaning that mounting this on your wall or ceiling will be a serious challenge for even a group of people.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The stand out feature for this product is that the guide arm can be adjusted into nine different positions to provide you with more mounting options and ultimate flexibility when operating the reel.
Best 100ft Retractable Air Hose Reel:
Goodyear 28287303G
PROS
CONS
Our Review
There are several impressive features on this retractable air hose reel, the first being the offer's length. 100ft is a large amount of ground covered; this would suit a factory line or large workshop.
The steel casing is always a huge benefit, especially in work environments where things get easily broken. The non-snag rollers protect against wear from continuous use. The only downside to this reel is that the hose will stiffen up in temperatures below 0F.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The best part about this reel is that the locking mechanism isn't just an 8 or 12 position mechanism. You can lock the hose in place at whatever length you require, making this product even more flexible and easy-to-use.
Best 50ft Air Hose Reel:
Giraffe Tools GF-AT15B
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The best 50ft air hose reel currently on the market, by far. There are so many benefits to using this product. The hose is made from a hybrid material blend that offers durability without resulting in a heavyweight. The non-snag rollers are effective at limiting the wear and tear of constant use, considering there's only two.
There are two parts to the locking mechanism, each with four locking points, offering extra flexibility and putting the user's strain. The steel body weighs only 19lbs, meaning it's one of the lightest featured. The only downside is that the hose can sometimes get trapped at the sides and cause some kinking.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This reel's stand out feature is that the guide arm can be adjusted into three different angles. The manufacturers wanted to provide the user with extra flexibility, as many tasks require different angles to operate. They also reinforced the guide arm to provide that extra needed strength.
Hold up, are you interested in other topics related to air compressors? If so, these might be something to check out:
Pros and Cons of Getting a New Air Hose Reel
Just like most product’s there are so many benefits and even a few downsides in using them. In the following section, we’ll talk more about these various pro’s and con’s in more detail.
Pros
Makes You More Efficient
With a standard hose, you'd have to round it up and find a safe space for it. That's so much effort compared to what you could be doing. An automatic retracting reel is so much easier, just let go, and it reels back in. A manual one is just cranking the handle until it rewinds in. So simple and fast.
Keeps Your Workplace Tidy
If you work with air compressors a lot, you soon find out how annoying air hoses can be when you keep tripping over them, or they're just a sight for sore eyes. If you have a hose reel, you can mount it on the wall or ceiling, effectively making more space and keeping the place tidy.
Makes The Workspace Safer
We previously mentioned above that tripping over hoses can be a pain, but it's also a huge safety concern. You could seriously injure yourself by tripping over a hose and hitting your head on something solid. By ensuring that your hose is placed away in a safe area, you'll remove another risk factor from your workplace.
Cons
Storage Space
This isn't a concern for mountable hose reels. But, reels that don't have mounting brackets can quickly become hard to store. They're bulky and sometimes really heavy, so they end up taking more space away from you. I'd highly recommend getting a wall bracket and mounting the reel.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options out there to suit your budget and need for convenience. Now that you've got all the information, you're more than ready to go and purchase the air hose reel that suits you.
People Also Ask
We've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about hose reels below. Once you know this, you'll be on your way to buy your first reel.
Where To Mount Air Hose Reel?
You can mount your hose reel on the ceiling, floor, or wall. It depends on how you'll be using it. If you're working in a mechanic's workshop, the ceiling would be best if it's retractable. If it's not retractable, don't put it on the ceiling. Otherwise, you'd be having a hard time reeling it back in.
How Does An Air Hose Reel Work?
The reel itself can be manual when the user cranks the handle clockwise or anti-clockwise to reel it back in once it's been used. The retractable models do this themselves by the push of a button or by simply letting go.
How To Mount Air Hose Reel
Some air hose reels have mounting brackets built into them. If yours does, then find a spot, drill the holes and attach the reel by screwing it into the mounting bracket.
If you don't have a mounting bracket built-in, you'll need to look at the manual to see what brackets are compatible and check the manufacturer's website if they recommend any in particular.
How To Wind An Air Hose Reel
In retracting air hose reels, you can let go of the hose, and it will guide itself back into the reel. You might need to unlock it first if it has a locking mechanism; you do this by slowly pulling on it until you feel the reel's pull again, you then let go or walk it back. The manual one is straightforward because you crank the handle to rewind it into the reel.
How To Fix A Frozen Air Hose Reel
Perhaps it's been a cold night filled with some rain. This can quickly freeze all the components of your air hose reel. There's a simple solution to this problem. Water! Some hot water can quickly fix this problem in a few minutes. Boil some water and then pour it over, it might take a few turns, but it'll eventually loosen up.
What Size of Hose Reel Do I Need?
This depends on the length of your hose. If you're using just a 25ft or 50ft hose, a medium-sized reel around 13x10 is more than sufficient. A larger hose of 100ft requires something like 22x11.