Are garden hose quick-release connectors any good? Or are they frustrating hassles that are more trouble than they’re worth?
Generally, garden hoses are connected to a water spigot at one end, and a sprayer or other kind of nozzle at the other, usually with threaded fittings. There might be a hose reel or splitting valve involved, or other such intermediate connections, but the mechanics are usually the same there too.
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Threaded garden hose connections can be a test of one’s patience. We replaced older outdoors spigots with new frost-free ones, and the threads are a dream. The leader hose that came with my hose reel – that’s a different story.
I don’t know if I haven’t found the right brand, but it seems that most leader hoses or hose reels I’ve seen, tried, or read about are built as cheaply as possible and seemingly designed to spring a leak after just one season.
Quick release connectors or fttings create easily detached and swappable connections.
In theory, you get good quality hose connections and add on quick-release ends that make things modularized and easy to change out.
With quick connectors, you can switch between a higher pressure stream, soft or mist sprayer, wand, or other accessories much easier than if you had to unthread and then reattach each assembly. In theory.
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What I want to know is whether they work well, and if so which brand to try out.
Right now, I’m focused on Gardena, shown above and below, and also Hozelock, which are said to be perfectly compatible with one another. There are other brands as well, but with uncertain cross-compatibility.
My current garden sprayer isn’t that good when it comes to a soft spray, which is easily forgivable because it’s one of those multi-setting handles.
So, I ordered a Gardena and it should be hear in a week or so. It comes with a built-in quick-release fitting and and looks to come with a hose-end adapter.
I ordered a Hozelock water splitter last year, but haven’t attached it yet as I’m still waiting to find a second hose reel that’s not reported to leak all over the place.
While I was at it, I ordered a Hozelock sprayer from Lee Valley. It seems like an interesting examination – whether a soft sprayer and higher powered sprayer with fast-fill option, will serve my needs better than a multi-functional sprayer with rotating spray pattern component.
Should I want to also use my cheap multi-pattern water spray nozzle, all I’d need to do is add in a quick-connector adapter.
I have read some complaints about Gardena’s plastic quick release connectors, but they also offer a metal + plastic starter set, and metal connectors sold separately. I figure that I’ll try the plastic components first, and if I like the idea but not the construction I’ll give the cross-compatible metal components a try later.
I won’t have an answer for the title question until the end of the season, but am hoping some of you could chime in about your own experiences.
So, do quick-release garden hose accessories work well, or are they to be avoided?
Buy Now (via Amazon):
- Gardena Quick Connect Starter Set
- Gardena Premium Metal Connector Starter Set
- Gardena Fine Soft Spray Nozzle
- Melnor Quick Connect Starter Set
John
I have never tried the plastic ones. I’ve used the brass quick connectors for 15 or more years with ok success, by no means are they stellar. Home Depot is pushing some very cheap crap brass ones these days. I don’t think they are actually brass but shiny painted junk metal. Thankfully you can still buy decent real brass ones.
I would think that the plastic ones could be very strong. Plastic treads might be the weak link though.
Tim D.
The big box stores are selling brass colored aluminum ones. These oxidize and lock it up, which ruins it. They’re no cheaper than brass ones to purchase either,
The all brass ones are better than nothing, but can be frustrating too. Still better than screwing connections on every time.
Lyle
I had plastic Gardena ones before and I remember them not being very good. I got some metal ones that I thought were brass, but now that you mention it, it corroded very easily and they probably gold colored or plated aluminum. I just looked at Eley and I know what I’m buying next time. Maybe I’ll pick up a few to try out first.
Anthony
I also bought a bunch of the kind of expensive Home Depot ones, to switch all hoses and accessories to being easy plug-and play.
I come home one day, and Dad says he can’t figure out what’s wrong with the hose. A quick connect somehow came apart. I think it was handled roughly, perhaps smacked against the driveway.
In any event, I returned the lot.
Scott Machovec
Best ones are Orbit 51187N. All brass, internal o- ring. I have tried all the other metal brands, Orbit all brass is the best. I probably have 10 or 12 sets. They are not perfect but they leak the least and last the longest. About $8 on Amazon, but you can find multipacks for less per set.
PTBRULES
I wouldn’t really call them quick connects, but I use any of those we have as the nozzle itself.
Because it just works.
The Inspector
If you go looking for these, the correct model number is 58117N.
Tony
Nonononono orbit is junk. Bought at Lowe’s, lasted a month.
Kyle Altendorf
As I recall the Orbit I bought at the home store were the anodized aluminum. But, they also sell real brass online at least. I’ve got several.
Josh M
I’ve had no luck with the cheaper ones – try Eley – https://www.eleyhosereels.com/products/garden-hose-quick-connect-system they seem to work very well (going on 4 or 5 years now).
Chris
Thank you for linking to full flow quick connects. We have the plastic restricting ones now.
Branden H
I’ll 2nd the equipment from Eley. Their hose reel is the best IMO. I used to manage a few acres of greenhouse and have tested quite a few products like this, Eley all the way.
John S
I agree – I’ve used their hoses, connectors, and reel and have had good luck so far the past 4 years of homeowner use.
Just a Medic
Agreed: Eley’s brass, commercial-grade quick connects are the best on the market. The large diameter ring can be actuated even in far-below-freezing weather, when lesser QC’s ice up and require a blowtorch. And no, I do not detach my hoses in wintertime. The farm runs year-round.
I standardized the farm on Dixon brass QC’s 5 years ago. Several dozen in use. Dixon’s work adequately, don’t leak. Eley’s are superior, easier to release under pressure, easier to operate with thick gloves. I’m contemplating a switch to Eley everywhere.
I would never bother with a plastic QC. Those toys are in another class entirely. Life is too short.
EJ
I like the Eley too. Very well made. It’s also not shiny so you probably won’t see if there is any discoloring.
I had no luck with the platic ones. The sun just murders them. I tried these recently and found them surprisingly good. And not expensive at all.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074VVQG53/
Stuart
Thanks!
Those certainly look robust. Pricey, but not a big deal, and I like that they’re said to be made from lead-free brass.
red92s
Eley never really has sales, but does runs promotions several times a year (fathers day, black friday, etc) where you get a free set of the their quick connectors if you buy a hose reel or hose. Given the cost of the connectors, it’s a nice little freebie.
All of the Eley stuff is very, very good. It’s not cheap, but it’s frustration free. I’m a product engineer, and their hose reels are very well designed, built, and packaged. My quick connectors were getting a little gummy this spring in their 3rd (?) year outdoors, and a little bit of the silicone grease (which they include) has them working good as new. I got one of their hoses as a Christmas gift this year. I find it less frustrating to pay out the entire length of the nice Eley hose from the nice Eley reel and run it from the back yard to the front, than just using the kink-prone disaster hose from a big box store attached to the front yard bib.
EJ
I have the Eley hose reel. I agree they are very well made and enjoyable but I think it’s kind of overkill. Why would you want a hose reel with frames fatter than a motorcycle?
Keith
I absolutely concur. Have spent more up front for the eley hose reel, but have had no frustrations with them for several years. Great fittings too.
Paul F
To follow what John M said ELEY HOSE REELS all the way. They make a premium product and charge a premium price but its worth it unless you want to keep replacing that plastic junk every year. I’ve had my reel and connectors for 5 years and still works great.
shawn oen
I use the ones from Eley Hose Reels and they are very high quality and don’t restrict flow. 10 year warranty, made in the USA. Lead free brass and stainless steel.
Isaiah Spotts
Do you have proof of their products being u.s.a made . I just received the quick connects and 2 way shut-off valve. Both of which say made in china ? Lol
fred
The more points of connection that you make the greater the possibility for wear and leaks. Screwing a the female end of a hose directly onto the hose bibb or other male threaded connection (or vice versa) relies on a washer or o-ring pressed into place to seal. With a quick connect the seal relies on how well the mating parts and the o-ring fit together.
We have several hose stations scattered around the property fed by underground pipe. Most have a hose reel attached. The ones that give the least trouble have the hose connected directly to the bibb – and coiled up over a holder attached to a post. The fewer connections the better. Most of our hoses have a female quick connector at their end – making it easy to bring out a nozzle or sprinkler and connect them.
Over the years I’ve tried brass quick connectors from Nelson, Melnor, Gilmour Orbit and Dramm. Once they corrode a bit – they can become hard to connect – requiring wire brushing – o-ring replacement etc. and then may still not seal 100%. Of the newest ones – I think the Dramm ones seem to hold up – but are not 100% leak-free if you apply some sideways off-axis load to them.
https://www.amazon.com/Dramm-22729-Quick-Disconnect/dp/B002J0PMOS
Of the plastic ones that I’ve tried (Vigro, Melnor, Orbit, Gardena and Swan) – I think the Gardena ones seem decent.
https://www.amazon.com/Gardena-36004-Garden-Connector-Starter/dp/B00004SDY5/
Sergey
I can’t stand the threaded garden connectors, so I tried multiple quick connectors in the past 10 years – cheap brass ones from HD and Lowes, Melnor, Claber, Gardena. All of them failed in one way or another except Gardena. They are the best, I’ve been using them for the past 4 years. Surprisingly the plastic ones from Gardena are better than metal ones.
The best ever hose reel that I’ve tried is also made by Gardena. It’s 18v battery powered and can reliably retract the hose with a push of a button. I’ve had it for the past 5 years, works like a charm to this day. No leaks. I stored it in the basement during winter months.
Unfortunately it’s not for sale anymore for some reason.
https://www.amazon.com/GARDENA-Retractable-Operated-115-Feet-Convenient/dp/B00ASF677M
I have a Claber retractable hose reel at the front of the house and it did develop a major leak over the years. I should disclose that I never took it inside for the winter, that’s likely why it has a leak now.
chris
I agree, I have had great luck with Gardena for the past 3 or so years after having terrible luck with other brands.
I’m really bad about leaving the hose out on the driveway, usually without a nozzle/wand in it, so i do make sure to have the metal connectors for drops, drags on the concrete, and the occasional run over with the car.
The nice part is nearly every sprayer or sprinkler from Gardena comes with a female connector, so when they fail or get destroyed due to abuse I typically have a back up ready to go.
William Nicholls
I’ve used both the plastic and metal Gardena quick connectors.
On the plus side: They’re convenient if you switch spray and other attachments frequently. I like to have a quick connect on our electric power washer, for example. They also are easier to deal with in tight spaces, like where I use a dual fitting manifold on a spigot a few inches above a deck.
On the minus side: The o-rings need replacement annually. They tend to be an interesting opening for certain hole-nesting insects. They’re expensive for the convenience they provide.
CaveSAR
Quick connectors make sense if you need to routinely break or add hose sections. Or if you want to switch from a wand to a spray nozzle.
If you are going to screw a couple of lengths of hose together for the summer, and not take them apart until the fall, they make less sense.
1. It seems that each brand has a different size quick connector. So one can’t buy some from Brand A this year, and additional ones from Brand B next year, and expect the male and female connectors to mate.
2. I stick with horticultural suppliers like AM Leonard and Dramm.
Connectors from AM Leonard – https://www.amleo.com/leonard-quick-coupler-brass-hose-connectors/p/VP-58X/
Dramm watering wands and hoses.
Made in the US water hoses – 3/4″ or 5/8.” Now that Sears Craftsman is no longer. Mostly the tube kind, sometimes the Forestry flat hose.
Franklin
I am so frustrated with the quality of garden hose attachments. You seem to be the only tool blog that even cares. I look forward to hearing your findings. BTW, did you ever figure out who makes the best hose washers?
Thanks
Stuart
I got yelled at a lot for not sourcing the much cheaper home center stuff. When I did go to the home center, it took two visits to get them for comparison purposes.
I feel that pricier washers are made from better stuff, but it’s going to take time to determine it, and I really need to figure out a way to test it.
Hose reel sprung a leak, washer dried out. Leader hose isn’t sealing well – washer dried out – and this is all in just two years.
Backyard Dude’s USA-made washers are ~$10 for 12, Lee Valley has made-in-Canada washers at $4.50 for 6.
The home center has washers at $1.06 for 10 or $2.96 for 20 of another kind.
I try to find a way to do a 3-way comparison.
I don’t want to replace washers every year. I know that they’re consumable, but if better rubber lasts longer, it’ll be worth it.
Ruth Burrus
I prefer the brass quick disconnectors because they don’t reduce water flow as much. Metal walls are thinner than plastic walls so the diameter of the opening for water is larger.
Jim Felt
We’ve got many true brass (older stock?) quick releases and they’re okay. Yawn.
The Gardena ones seems sturdier. No idea why. And of course the washers are critical so I try to source commercial grade ones. Or Gardena branded ones.
As fred said the real (“reel”? Pun intended) issue is always the less connections the better.
In Portlandia they remain outdoors all but true Winter and bringing them all in is probably the main cause for extended life as well.
fred
For those of us who have harder winters – with strings of days in a row below freezing – we take some winterizing precautions – and then some spring renewal steps that have become routines. I shut off the water to the outside systems (lawn sprinklers, on-house hose bibbs and the piping system that feeds the garden hose stations. I have a service company come in and blow out the sprinkler system and outdoor piping. Even though the piping to the hose stations was set below the frost line – the risers can freeze – and I don’t want to take a chance on a nearly 50 year old red-brass (schedule 80) underground piping system where a burst pipe would be hard to find and even harder/costlier to replace. Before the winter sets in – I bring all the hose lengths in and out of the weather – making sure all the valves are in the open position. In the Spring – I pull the valve stems on all my hose bibbs and replace washers. I also have my backflow preventers tested at that time – before I turn on the water – and bring the hoses back out.
Fazal Majid
Gardena are very popular in Europe and have been available there for years. It’s a good system.
Jp
Been using all metal ones x 6 yrs. Used teflon, no leaks. Here’s the skinny: great for semi static areas (1-3 sprayers, sprinklers), in my case the front yard. I found the hard way for area with a lot change, you find yourself buting too many connectors, etc. Its a real PITA. I prefer the freedom to use whatever I need without extra pieces.
Steve
Stuart, do your self a favor and ditch the hose reel. Get Flexilla hoses and a hanger. Best hoses hands down. Roll up like a dream. Also I’ve tried many a quick coupler and they all seem to fail after awhile.
Stuart
I have a 50′ Flexzilla and a longer one on the way for the back. I’ll go with a wrap for the back, but there’s no place in the front and I’d rather avoid a ground-mounted hanger.
The Flexzilla hose is nice, and I like that they have “pro” fittings that will let me cut a longer hose into female-female leader hoses. The only downside is that they look gross after even a single season.
RKA
You’re going to be replacing the o rings periodically. I use craftsman branded brass quick connects. They do corrode and require cleaning every year, sometimes a little more often. Obsessed Garage offers some in brass and stainless. I might give the stainless a shot the next go round. Matt is pretty obsessive sourcing products, so I suspect he would save me a decade of trying this and that.
Stuart
Wouldn’t be the end of the world, especially if a standard size that can be ordered in EPDM rubber from McMaster.
Sto
Anything made by Gardena are the best available. I’ve been using their connectors and watering devices for 20 years, and have yet to have one break or fail. Their connectors and watering devices used to be carried by Home Depot before they became more expensive than the metal or brass fittings. Amazon appears to be on of the only suppliers of Gardena products.
badwhiplash
Interesting… I’ve been using Gardena quick connect for years, and they always leak. I keep hoping to buy yet another set and that maybe it will be the one that doesn’t leak, but no luck yet – in fact, sometimes they leak right out of the package…
Dave
Plastic=junk
Aluminum = slightly better than junk, but sub-par
Heavy thick brass= good but hard to source and for the price I’d rather just unscrew hoses the old-fashioned way….
Paramount
I’ve never had more than a couple quick connects fail on my pressure washers in a decade or so, and I’m using these things commercially. I don’t really get why the garden hose quick connects suck so bad, but maybe the lower pressure isn’t ideal for such connections?
My mid-sized washers have hose thread connections for supply, so it could be that quick connects don’t function that well at normal supply pressure.
Sal Colon
I’ve tried those plastic ones, and they tend to crack. Specially when winter comes and you forget that they are outside. Come spring, and they are leaking all over the place. I’m currently using the ones from Lowes. They look like brass but feel very light. Real brass tends to be heavy. You need to use teflon on the threads. Its hard to tighten them because they have a plastic/rubber grip that spins if you use pliers on them. I’m not to keen on the plastic ones that have the adapter built-in. The connector breaks, and you have to replace the whole thing, which tends to be quite expensive.
Paramount
And another thing, which doesn’t really apply to garden hoses, but eh.
The “stainless steel” quick connects do not hold a candle to the solid brass ones, when you are down-streaming a high-chlorine content. They rot out at least twice as fast as brass. I suspect much of what is labeled as “stainless steel” is a bunch of plated pot metal.
Tomonthebeach
We live on the ocean. Salt air corrodes everything. Sometimes even removing a brass hose fitting from a spigot requires pliers and chemicals. Over the years, we have replaced all our hose ends with plastic quick-connects. They are cheap and ubiquitous at all home and garden stores – even ones near our summer house in East Europe. Though the nipples narrow the amount of water entering and exiting, I have not noticed any problem with water force even wide open.
We also replaced our brass twist garden nozzles with 100% plastic twist nozzles – less than 2 bucks each. Final tip, they also make plastic ball type shut-off valve attachments. Attached below our nozzles, it enables switching nozzles or attaching an extension hose without 1st shutting off the spigot.
sam
I’ve used two types of solid brass quick connect fittings. The first type, pictured in this article, has the O-ring on the male quick connect fitting. The second type, has the O-ring captured in the female QC fitting. The QC with the O-ring captured in the female QC fitting has held up far better here in Upper Michigan, connects easier, leaks less (none yet actually), and has overall been more consistent with ease of connecting and disconnecting.
After a small sampling of each type I’ve settled on the second type and purchased more. So far so good.
Here is a link to what has worked for me, though I found the same ones at ACE hardware under a different name: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLQNMR7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
firefly
Funny I have the exact opposite experience. I am guessing it might have to do with the actual connector than the different in style.
mla
We bought a bunch of the “Green Thumb Brass Quick Connector Set for Hose” connectors on Amazon. Seem to be working well for us so far. Only a couple years old though.
JML
Older Nelson brass connectors have worked great for me for years. Dixon is US-made and of similar design. Each of these uses the flat gasket on the female end – and replacement gaskets are available from Amazon (Nelson) and Dixon’s distributors. Newer Nelson QCs and similar ones using an O-ring on the male end reportedly don’t work well at all.
ToolGuyDan
I’ve been pleased with Water Right. They certainly ain’t cheap, but ten years on and all I’ve had to do is replace a gasket on one of the five sets I bought (I was dumb and let it spend a winter exposed). Amazon item ID #B003P9XAE6 . I’m guessing it’s just a rebadged SKU from someone else, and probably available cheaper, but it’s a damn fine piece of equipment that is, or is damn near, buy-it-for-life.
Hugo
I’ve used the Gardena fittings for 10+ years and never had a problem. I actually think the plastic ones are better than the metal ones. Here in the UK we use fittings that directly clamp onto the hose (like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gardena-Original-Push-Connector-12-5mm/dp/B07FMBF629/), rather than a quick-release threaded into another fitting crimped to the hose. This is nice as you can just cut the hose to the length you want and clamp the fitting on (without tools).
Spandex
Not sure if they’re available in the US, but over here I’d recommend Geka fittings. No moving parts and an easy to replace washer means they genuinely last a lifetime. They’re not common in private gardens (only because no one has heard of them and they’re not carried by the big retailers), but they’re often used by professionals.
phil
I have been using Gardena PRO (bringing them from Europe) with 3/4″ hose for 10 years without a single problem.
much better than what i could find locally.
for the main hoses i cut the existing fitting off. for others and the connected accessories (sprayers, pressure washer etc.) i use adapters.
https://www.hagebau.de/search/?q=gardena+profi&sc=
https://www.gardena.com/int/products/watering/sprinklersystem/profi-maxi-flow-system-connector-set/900927901/
https://www.gardena.com/de/suche/?searchText=Profi-System-Ger%C3%A4test%C3%BCck%2026%2C5%20mm%20(G%203%2F4%22)
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=gardena+profi&_sacat=0
Zoltan
Hi Stuart,
You won’t regret Gardena. It is the way to go here in Europe for residential usage and even used by contractors too. Gardena connectors is a little bit pricier than the no name brands, but they are surprisingly durable even if they made out of plastic. Quality of the cheap connectors varies a lot, however, it is common to have some 20+ year old Gardena connectors that still works like new.
All you have to take care is it avoid connecting dusty connectors and you may need to replace the o-rings after some years of usage.
Frank D
Have used quick connects for decades. Got them at the big box stores. Used to be Orbit was good. They had models with a built-in spring-loaded shutoff disc. Some had a 90 degree twist valve, then you added the quick connect. Not any more.
They’re now made thinner & smaller – no more built in springy shutoff – and because they’re smaller, you can barely grip the ring to release anything. The shape of the plug changed some. Plus they now corrode onto the threaded hose fittings!
I have good memories of Gardena in EU. Plastic.
Pretty durable. But very high / premium cost.
Chris
Stuart, while you’re on the subject of sprayers, I’d love to hear your thoughts on hoses. Specifically, are the any “non-kink” hoses out there that are truly non-kink, that have a long range 25’-50’, and that are actually durable. Every supposed non-kink hose I’ve ever owned has failed their claim
Frank D
The green as seen on tv ones are junk, 1 week to 3 months with careful use … maybe 1 summer season.
I thought I had better luck with the member’s mark ones from sams club. I have 6. On the second summer one now sprung a leak. Despite undamaged fabric, never frozen, no abuse, …
JML
I mentioned the Nelson connectors earlier. Although they have apparently changed to the O-ring design (per postings on Amazon decrying the change as for the worse), their website still shows the older ones, which are still available from vendors on Amazon. Here are the Nelson pages: http://www.lrnelson.com/products/accessories/quick-connectors/brass-quick-connectors-set/ and http://www.lrnelson.com/products/accessories/quick-connectors/brass-male-quick-connectors-2-pack/. I never had these leak, over two decades of use. Ace Hardware used to sell the Nelson repackaged under their name, but now they’ve changed to a different design (the O-ring style).
I had tried the Gardena plastic connectors, with one of their sprinklers, and it leaked and then broke when dropped on the driveway. I have never had the Nelson ones leak or break. If the sleeve is reluctant to move, just drop a bit of oil in the sleeve by the bearings.
I just got the Dixon ones, which are heftier than the Nelson, designed similarly, but not interchangeable. Amazon carries them, and Lee Valley looks to offer them, too, but I can’t be sure: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/water-and-irrigation/hoses-and-accessories/10370-brass-quick-couplers.
I recommend staying away from the QR connectors that shut off water flow when disconnected. When you go to reconnect, you’ll get soaked and it’s hard to overcome the water pressure to rejoin a sprayer or something else. Instead, get a ball-shutoff. I have some from Lee Valley, but they’re now offering a different trigger handle: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/garden/water-and-irrigation/hoses-and-accessories/59443-trigger-valve
The benefits of a QR system are two-fold. A QR system really does make it easier to change fittings. When washing the car, I can easily and quickly go from a fire hose end to a high-pressure nozzle or to a foam gun. And it’s so much easier when using a garden spray for chemicals to go from a regular nozzle to a spray gun. Just use teflon tape when attaching the brass fitting to the hose end. The second benefit is that the QR fitting puts less pressure on the hose connection to a spigot because the hose can rotate more easily than when it’s just connected via the standard threaded end.
Greg
Eley quick connects + reel, combined with underhill hoses.
Marlin Gegan
Which quick releases should I go for, plastic or matel one?
Steve
I’ve used Eley with a lot of success. They are more expensive but I think worth it.
Farmerguy
If you want durable quick connect, look outside gardening centers and into grazier’s water systems for livestock pasture. Plasson quick connect male and female ends. (Like $10 for female end and $4 for a male end) If you use hdpe pipe for water look at Plasson agrifit couplings. I’ve done about 2 miles with those. Super durable, dont restrict flow, simple, and easy
firefly
Wow… this one look amazing. Auto shutoff, can be reconnect while under pressure. Seem to be pretty easy too. I definitely will get a few.
fred
Gardena also offers a auto-shut coupler:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/watering-and-irrigation/garden-hose-connectors/7439797
firefly
I haven’t used Gardena before. I saw they many time while searching for lawn sprinkler and such on Amazon. I am glad they are a solid brand based on the feedback around here.
Farmerguy
Plug the quick connect into a 3/4 inch line under high water pressure with ease. Flip to uncouple the same and flow stops with barely a drop loss. Good UV protection too. Lasts when year round sun exposure.
Lance
Cheap plastic hoses and fittings have pissed me off, but no more!
After using a small portable Gardena hose reel for washing cars trouble-free for years I finally replaced our crappy main hose reel with another Gardena reel and hose. It’s fantastic, and not a single leak after three years.
Last fall I bought a Gardena multi-position spray nozzle and it’s great! The selector clicks freely with a quality feel, and the flow control can be operated with one thumb while spraying.
I see no reason to experiment with another brand, I’m sold. They might be 50% more up front, but much cheaper in the long run and a pleasure to use.
David Funk
Gardena hose connectors are the official connection of Husqvarna concrete saws…
fred
That’s not exactly surprising since Gardena (Kress+Kastner GMBH) is a subsidiary of the Husqvarna Group.
As I said above – I do Like their products.
Hon Cho
Gardena all the way for typical home use. Started using their products in the 80s while living in Europe. My son has a Gardena aluminum / plastic manual hose reel and hose from the 80s that still going strong. The hose was probably made with some sort of carcinogenic plastic since it’s incredibly flexible.
Tc
They are all garbage now
The plastic ones break way faster then they did 10 years ago
And the brass ones are half the weight also. I have one from about ten years ago and put both on a gram scale, it was half the weight. I have to buy new ones every year
Raf
Obsessed garage sales quick disconnects, anything from brass quick disconnects to stainless steel. I have had the brass fittings for about a year
and havent had any issues with them.
I have been wanting to try the prevost quick connectors with a valve but they are a little more expensive.
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/collections/garden-hoses-bibbs
Matt Roberson
Raf, I’ve got the Prevost quick connectors, and while they are a bit pricey, they are flawless in their operation! Amazing product worth the money.
firefly
Glad to see other old-timers such as fred still around 🙂
Been too busy lately so haven’t got time to swing by. Some great suggestions in the comments. The Eley one seem like a solid choice.
Here is another interesting take. https://aquorwatersystems.com It’s fairly pricey even more than the Eley. It’s very well build. It cut off the water on disconnect. It can be reconnect while under pressure with very little effort. On lessor quick connect that also cut off the water, the pressure can make it almost impossible to reconnect without shutoff the water.
I also have good experience with cheaper quick connect that I got off Amazon. They look like the Eley where the seal is on the male side. I found that kind to work better than the style where the seal is on the female side.
david brock
do you remember which ones they were?
firefly
This is the exact one that I have https://aquorwatersystems.com/shop/hose-quick-connect-kit/
In fact that was the only option that they had at the time. They seem to have an echo system going now. So look like they are doing well.
Ross
Eley hose, reel, brass quick disconnects. Pricey but worth it, quality is very impressive.
Steve
Cam lock fittings are the way to go. Zero leaks, and they’re stainless. The homebrewing hobbyists like them a lot, and you can find them at brewhardare.com
mike ricchino
I bought a 5 pack of brass connectors off Ebay last year, they have been by far the best I have used so far.
Bought 5 more just last week so every hose & accessory can have an adapter ready.
Bonus points for picking up QC for your power washer hoses too, once you make it easy to use, you enjoy using it.
Jimmie
Have a link to the ones you bought?
Ewoud
Over here in Europe Gardena style connectors are the standard and all the other brands copy them it seems. Off all the brands I have used Gardena are by no means hassle free but still better than the rest. Hozelock for me were crap, used their connectors once… more poorly made. Let’s see if we can get they Eley stuff on this side of the water, would like to try it.
Evan
I love Gardena products and have used their connectors, sprinkler, nozzle, and microdrip system for my raised garden beds. One of the biggest issues I have is finding their product. Amazon is constantly out of stock and I haven’t found another vendor in North America. Anyone have any good sources for finding Gardena product.
Bryan
Check out ELEY Hose Reels. They have awesome quick connects, hoses and reels that are quality products. I’ve tried Gardena, they don’t last very long.
https://www.eleyhosereels.com
WoodcarvingGypsy
I us Siroflex on my RV. It makes hooking up water lines so much easier. I only use it on potable water & use big-box plastic on the flush lines. So far, I’ve had good luck with the Siroflex.
Here at the house I’ve used the brass ones and think that this year, they all get replaced with some of the either high-grade brass or the high-grade plastics.
Maybe it’s because I’ve reached a certain age but not being able to hook or unhook a hose (be it water or air) one handed just doesn’t cut it.
Matt J
We had Gardena ones growing up (my dad actually bought them in England while there at a horticulture conference…he was an agronomist). I can’t speak for the quality of the plastic ones now, but I have some that he gave me when I moved out and they still work well after 20ish years. Obviously I’ve replaced some washers and O-rings, but the quick connects still fit tight and while I generally turn my nose up at plastic fittings, these things are tough.
Nick
I’ll echo the Eley fan comments – I have 2 Eley hose reels, and an assortment of their quick-connects, sprayers, and valves. Quality is top knotch. Customer service is fantastic too.
I installed the first one about 4 years ago, and it’s been rock-solid. Zero leaks. Literally not even a drop. I used silicon tape on the connections, and put their quick-connects on everything. I don’t unscrew anything any more.
I just bought a 2nd one for the other side of the house with their aluminum pole mount. Even the aluminum post is super-high quality. It’s all pricey, but I’m already throwing out the old hose cart I had and it’s only 6 years old, rusted through, and leaks everywhere. Pay a lot once, or pay a little every few years.
Chris
Do the Eley connectors stop the flow of water when disconnected? I am curious because I use these for the last 4 years and they have been excellent: https://www.amazon.com/Rainmaker-Quick-Connect-Fittings-Adapter/dp/B078NQDVSB
And yes they are aluminum but very thick and durable and they stop water when disconnected which is nice so you don’t have to go all the way back and turn the water off to change hoses or hose ends. I also put teflon tape on them to prevent sticking to the hose and have been very happy with their performance.
xaver
Hi
With us in Germany the Gardena couplings have been available as standard in every private garden for over 50 years.
Unfortunately, the flow rate is only designed for 1/2 “hose and is further reduced by the couplings with water stop function. The plastic of the couplings is not particularly UV resistant. You have to buy new parts almost every year that they become brittle and break.
Anyone who needs professional and durable couplings in Germany uses GEKA (plus) couplings from karasto. The couplings are designed from Messig and flow rates also over 3/4 “. If the water stop function is required, as with you is inserted with a ball head valve.
The Gilmour Rear Control Adjustable Watering Nozzle ‘# 0572 is one of the few professional tools that we often use. (the best for cleaning cow udders)
The water connections and hoses are also in inches with us but we have 1/2 “3/4” 1 “5/4” Whitworth threads.
The connections with you are 5/8 “and 3/4” Unified Thread Standard
that doesn’t fit 100%.
Again the old problem with the metric u. imperial system. 😉
Kind regards from Bavaria
Xaver
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Paul F.
Good comments on this thread. I saw a few recommend Gardena and Orbit for connectors and sprinklers… are there any specific recommendations for all brass (preferred) sprinklers with a good range? I bought two from lowes (link below) made by Melnor based on reviews but they have been getting stuck in their rotation and I’ll probably return. I have a relatively big yard.
Even if the Gardena ones were in stock it appears you are forced to use their hose connector?
Thanks in advance.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Melnor-5675-sq-ft-Impulse-Sled-Lawn-Sprinkler/1000798948
Dean
Love ELEY connectors, and Chris, no they do not stop the flow when disconnected. Any of the ones that do will also reduce the water flow because of that mechanism.
Keep the O-ring lubed once a season with the Eley grease and they perform flawlessly year after year.
I was looking for drinking water safe, full 3/4” flow and durability and ELEY took the cake.
But they are kind of heavy so place them where you’ll actually be using them on a regular basis. Or at the faucet where you’re not having to carry the extra weight. Be aware. Once you go Eley you can’t go back haha.
EJ
All my hoses, bibs and watering tools have Eley connectors on them. The release ring will sometimes get stuck a little and will not disconnect. I’ve also had a few accidental disconnects with my Eley connectors, probably because didn’t push in hard enough and the release ring was stuck in a half release position.
I tried banjo cam lever connectors a few times and I really liked those. They are made in the USA and are a lot lighter yet still feel quite sturdy. However I’m already too heavily invested in Eley.