I also appreciated how it collapses to a compact 17-foot size when not in use, making storage a breeze. Expandable hoses aren’t typically known for their durability, but this model stood out.

There's a new breed of as-seen-on-TV expandable garden hoses that promise to be lighter, easier to use and will never kink. Consumer Reports checked out the Pocket Hose, FlexAbleHose and XHose.