7 Best Air Hose Reels for Convenience and Organization

best air hose reels
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If you’re a serious Do It Yourselfer, you obviously understand the benefits of a home air compressor. But have you discovered the awesomeness of a good air hose reel for your shop? A safe and organized garage is key.

The best air hose reel will put a stop to common annoyances and safety hazards such as getting the hose constantly tangled around your feet or other objects and tripping you up, having to slowly unfurl the air hose and then spending time to coil it back up.

When buying a hose reel, look for a heavy duty hose and a reel that is made of quality materials. Reels that weigh a hefty amount, are typically built with long term use in mind.

Keep in mind that you will be using this reel a lot over the years, so go ahead and invest enough to pick up a high quality piece of equipment.

Related: 1-Stage vs 2-Stage Air Compressor Comparison

Our 7 Favorite Retractable Air Hose Reels

ProductWeightTypeHose MaterialMax PSI
Goodyear L815153G33 lbsSingle ArmRubber300 PSI
Coxreels P-LP-35040 lbsDual ArmRubber300 PSI
DeWalt DXCM024-034328 lbsDual ArmRubber300 PSI
Flexzilla L8250FZ16 lbsEnclosedHybrid Polymer150 PSI
DuRyte Pro28 lbsDual ArmRubber300 PSI
ReelWorks L815153HA21 lbsSingle ArmHybrid Polymer300 PSI
Tekton 4687537 lbsDual ArmRubber250 PSI

Air Hose Reel Reviews

#1 – Goodyear L815153G Retractable Air Hose Reel

This Goodyear hose reel is assembled in the USA, with the reel made in China and the hose manufactured in the USA. The hose included with this unit is actually our pick for best air hose.

It provides you with a typical 50 feet of  3/8” hose, and is designed for light to medium duty operation (a 2-arm heavy duty version is also available).

Unlike lower quality plastic reels, the L815153G will not deform, crack or crumble, even when used in areas with corrosive liquids or oils.

Designed for use in temperatures ranging from -40 to 190 degrees, it uses 4 rollers and a patented collar to ensure smooth operation.

The base is designed for mounting on a wide variety of surfaces, and includes an adjustable hose stop so you only pull out the amount of hose you need.

The guide arms can be adjusted up to 90 degrees, and the 12 position ratcheting reel means you can lock the hose where you need it.

There have been a few complaints about the hose end not being crimped on as well as it should be, but this can be easily corrected by either re-crimping or replacing the factory hose end with an end of your own.

Other than that, there is very little to complain about making this one of the best retractable air hose reels available. This model lives up to the quality standards of the Goodyear Corporation, with a 2 year limited warranty to back it up.

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#2 – Coxreels P-LP-350 Retractable Air Hose Reel

Made in the USA, Coxreels manufactures a wide range of hoses and reels in their Tempe, Arizona plant since 1923. Their retractable air hose reel provides you with 50 ft of 3/8 inch hose that can handle internal air pressure of up to 300 psi.

It features a spring driven mechanism that keeps your hose organized and avoids kinks. It’s made from professional grade steel and includes axle support for durability and trouble-free operation.

The ratcheting design allows you to lock the hose at the position you need, and precision bearings that operate smoothly under most work conditions. It’ll pair nicely with that new Ingersoll Rand air ratchet you just got, impact gun, digital tire inflator, or other air tool.

Designed to be mounted in a variety of positions, this heavy duty air hose reel can be attached to the floor, ceiling, wall, or even mounted on a service vehicle. The swivel seals are also resistant to oils, and the hose is rated for use in temperatures up to 150 degrees.

coxreels-air-hose-review

The biggest problem you may experience is that the reel retracts the hose very quickly, and could cause the hose end to flop around.

For safe operation, always hold the hose and feed it back to the reel, avoiding possible damages from a loose hose end.

When pulling the hose out, you will hear a ratcheting sound which marks the lock positions, and then you only need to pull the hose again to release the lock and begin retracting.

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#3 – DeWalt DXCM024-0343 Retractable Air Hose Reel

DeWalt air hose reel reviewIt was only a matter of time before DeWalt came out with a good retractable air hose reel. Like most of their other tools, they have a winner here that has quickly become one of the top selling models. An enclosed version and manual hose reel are also available.

The all-steel construction combined with dual arms for extra support means it will stand up better to harsh environments compared to cheap single arm or enclosed plastic models. The 12-position ratchet gearing lock allows you to pull hose to almost any length and the 4-roller hose guide allows you to work from any area of your shop or garage.

As with other good quality air hose reels, you get a 3/8″ x 50′ premium rubber hose that can withstand up to 300PSI and temperatures anywhere from -40 to 150 degrees. It’s not quite as good as a Goodyear hose but still a good upgrade from the standard hose that many air compressors include.

The lead in hose is 4 feet which is long enough for compressor connection in most cases but if not, it’s a simple matter of adding a coupler and additional hose piece.

While most users have had zero issues, the DeWalt reels don’t seem to be as consistently good as the Goodyear. The steel is fairly heavy gauge but it doesn’t seem to operate as smoothly as the options above and the lock mechanism is a bit hit or miss. Since it’s a fairly new model, we expect DeWalt to improve it over time.

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#4 – Flexzilla Retractable Plastic Air Hose Reel

Made of a flexible hybrid polymer with zero memory, this super popular 50-foot hose reel is designed to hang from the wall or ceiling on a swivel mount bracket.

The high-grade anodized aircraft aluminum fittings are built to last, and the latch automatically locks at 18-inch intervals. Capable of handling a max psi of 150, this is an excellent choice for most workshops.

One of the key selling points off this hose has been its ability to stay flexible in extreme temperatures from -40 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, this flexibility doesn’t decrease with age. The mounting bracket actually swivels up to 180 degrees to give the hose a straight line to your work area.

The sole complaint about this air hose is that the auto-retract doesn’t work properly. Adjusting the spring tension is a simple procedure that can be performed when the hose arrives.

You will also need to clean the hose frequently, as dirt can jam the system. This is a good hose reel for a home garage but not really recommended for everyday use in commercial applications.

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#5 – DuRyte Pro Dual Arm Retractable Air Hose Reel

Built to function in everything from home to industrial settings, this 50-foot rubber air hose reel is designed for durability. The hose guide has a four roller design to reduce wear and can adjust to 45 degrees for a variety of mounting options.

Capable of handling a max psi of 300 in temperatures ranging from -30 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the hose has brass fittings to ensure the best fit without risk of corrosion.

A few adjustments to the spring and reel may be necessary upon arrival to provide the best possible airflow and retraction. Overall, however, owners of this product have had no need to make use of the three-year limited warranty.

They have noted that the hose isn’t as flexible as they’d hoped, but retains most of its flexibility in cold temperatures, making this a minor issue for most.

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#6 – ReelWorks L815153HA Steel Retractable Air/Water Hose Reel

For those times when you need a true beast, the L815153HA is an excellent choice. Made of steel with corrosion-resistant powder coating and a hybrid polymer hose with excellent bend radius, this 50-foot hose can be used to pump either water or air at a whopping max 300 psi.

Able to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s both chemical and abrasion-resistant.

Customers have no shortage of praise for the L815153HA. Its commercial-grade quality and versatility make it extremely useful in any workshop, and it can be adapted to hang from the ceiling for added safety.

You may need to purchase an adaptor to hook this hose up to your compressor, as noted by some owners. In fact, the need for an adaptor is pretty much the only complaint buyers have had with this amazing air/water hose.

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#7 – Tekton 46875 Dual Arm Auto Rewind Air Hose Reel

Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Tekton is a family owned and operated tool company with decades of experience in producing high quality tools.

Considered the best hose reel by mechanics and nail gun users alike, the 46875 is designed to fit well into any shop or garage.

It provides a typical 50 ft by 3/8 inch hose that can handle temperature extremes from -40 to 190 degrees without losing flexibility or compromising the integrity of the hose.

The dual arm design reduces stress on the winding mechanism, and the ratcheting design makes it easy to pull out only the amount of hose you need, without any backward tension while you work.

It comes with a handy mounting template, a 90-degree swivel inlet valve, and an O-ring replacement kit.

Where problem are concerned, the most common issue is with adjusting the double arm, a problem which is most likely related to lack of information in the user’s manual rather than a flaw in the product.

Additionally, you may need to secure the stub-out connector to prevent it from rotating with the reel as the hose unwinds. The good news is that the company stands behind their products and will work with you to fix any problems you encounter.

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FAQs

An air hose reel can be an excellent tool for any garage, but there are a few concerns regarding the best way to choose or install one.

Where should I mount my air hose reel?

The joy of modern reels is the wide range of mounting options. Traditional bench and wall options are great, but lead to safety concerns.

As a result, an increasing number of shops are now mounting their hose reels from the ceiling. This allows easy access while keeping the hose off of the floor, which can be a major tripping hazard.

See Also: What is the Best Way to Store an Extension Cord?

Is a retractable or hand crank reel better?

Manual reels have always been a reliable go-to for smaller workshops. They are efficient and need less maintenance. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to use when mounted from the ceiling.

Retractable reels, meanwhile, can be mounted anywhere and are generally quick and efficient to use.

Despite their higher maintenance needs, we suggest you aim for a retractable model, as the ease of use and higher safety of mounting your reel on the ceiling far outweighs the need for occasional cleaning.

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