A hose reel is the tool we use to store a hose. Hose reels come in various formats, materials and sizes plus can be bought with or without a hose. Hose reels are designed around a cylinder shaped barrel which allows easy and tidy storage for your garden hose. Portable, freestanding and permanently placed hose reels are available including various attachments to be wall mounted. You can also mount a hose reel to lorry’s, trucks and trailers, anywhere you wish.What to consider when buying a hose reel.The size and capacity of the hose reel.The diameter and length of the hose pipe to be stored.The water pressure that the hose reel manages.Material the hose reel is made from.Do I want to operate the hose reel manually or with automatic hose feed and retraction?Where and how do I want to store the hose reel?How do I protect my hose and hose reel?Types of Hose Reel.Manual – can be permanently fixed or mobile/portable. A simple way to store a garden hose is normally with a handle or crank allowing you to retract and reel in or out the hose. A mobile hose reel can then be carried or wheeled away to store safely.Hose Reel Carts – same as mobile/portable hose reels. A Hose reel cart is normally horizontally designed with a flat shape and often includes added storage for easy and quick connection to the water source.Spring Loaded hose reel. Spring loaded hose reels allow you to retract and reel in the hose. The reels are fitted with a spring loaded mechanism operated by pressing the switch to reel the hose back into the hose reel.Air Hose Reels. Air hose reels can be installed anywhere but are normally installed in commercial garages, petrol stations and service centres. This type of hose reel us used with compressed air and are available in permanently fixed, mobile and portable types. Air hose reels come with a quick connect system especially for use with compressed air hoses and power tools. Air hose reels are normally self-retracting allowing the hose reel to retract via a spring loaded system.Hose reels are available in various types of material, casings and connections plus suitable for all weather conditions.