by Christopher Clark
Last Updated January 17, 2019
If you recently purchased an air compressor, you are going to need to find a reel to store the hose. Of course, you can look at reviews in this guide or others to find out which products have been rated the best, but before you begin your search, it is a good idea to know a little bit about the features that you want your new air product to have.
The first thing that you are going to need to consider is the construction of the air hose reel. Some reels are constructed using an all-metal design that is going to be durable enough to last quite a while, while others have a plastic construction, which means that they may not be rated to be used in an industrial capacity.
These are typically fine for a home garage, but if you are going to be using your new air hose reel more frequently a metal design may be much more durable.
Having the best air hose reel can be a big advantage to anyone who has an air compressor in their home or business. You can choose to have the unit mounted on the wall, ceiling, or floor, but before you decide which one is best for your needs, take another look at our reviews. All six of the best air hose reels that are reviewed in this guide are great options.
Today, an air hose reel is simply a place to store your hose, but retractable technology could make it much more convenient for larger industrial hose storage in the future.
Best Wall-Mounted Air Hose Reel
This product has a very durable design that will last for years of use. The bracket is made of steel, and it is coated so it will not rust or corrode because of weather damage.
The hose is a durable rubber that is designed to withstand a wide range of temperatures, from negative four degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
There is no leader hose included with this unit that connects the air hose to the compressor. This is most likely a minor inconvenience, but it still may require you to make a trip to the hardware store before you can use it. In addition, this hose reel has a 3/8th-inch fitting, so you may need to purchase a 1/2 inch fitting for some home air compressors.
The unit is designed with four-directional rollers so the hose does not snag during the rewind process, which creates less wear on the hose and increases its lifespan. This system has an automatic rewind feature which allows you to lock the hose at any length that you need.
If you are looking for a sturdy product that is sturdy, easy to use, and adjustable, then the Klutch Auto Rewind Air Hose Reel is a great option to consider. It has a hose that is 50 feet in length, a max PSI of 300, and it can be mounted to nearly any floor, wall, or ceiling.
Best Retractable Air Hose Reel
This is a very durable hose reel that is designed to be used with both air and water, which means that the hybrid polymer hose is designed to take a lot of stress over time.
The hose is 50 feet in length, and it comes with a 3/8 inch connection, which is great for a small workshop.
Even though this hose reel is rated to work with water, its plastic covering does not hold up very well to the pressure of the water, especially if you retract the hose with water still inside it. It works great and holds up to air quite well, but it may not last as long if you use the product with water.
The hose is designed with an auto rewind system that will help eliminate kinks in the unit. The hose nozzle is also designed to swivel 180 degrees, which helps to keep the kinks out of the hose and prevent leaks from occurring due to the hose rubbing when it is wound and unwound.
There is even a locking feature that will keep the hose in place when you are using it.
This is a great product if you are looking for a place to store your hose in a small workshop, but if you are looking for a hose reel that you can use frequently for high-pressured water, then this may not be the best reel for your needs.
Best Air Hose Reel for Cold Temperatures
This product, which comes with a 50-foot hose, is designed to be mounted on the wall or the ceiling of your workspace, which gives you more versatility when you need to find a location that gives you easy access to the hose.
It also has a hose stopper that is designed to lock the hose in 18-inch increments, so there’s no excess hose getting in the way.
The hose tends to retract rather slowly when there is air inside. This means that you may need to release the air in the hose before you store it away.
In addition, the hose that connects to the air compressor is a bit short, which may mean that you need to place it in a specific location in your workspace.
The hose that comes with this product is designed to be more flexible than most. In fact, it has no memory, which means that it will lie flat when it is not being used. This helps prevent kinks from forming in the hose.
Additionally, the hybrid polymer material even remains flexible in weather that is up to 40 degrees below zero.
If you are looking for a product for a small work area, then this Flexzilla air hose reel may be a great option to consider. It is a durable product that can be mounted on the wall or the ceiling, and it’s designed with durable materials that are adjustable and easy to use.
Best Floor-Based Air Hose Reel
If you need an air product with a lot of reach, then this unit from Goodyear comes with a hose that is 100 feet in length, which is double the length of the other hose reels that we have reviewed thus far. It also has quite a long lead hose, which gives you more flexibility as to where you can position the product.
This is a large air product that is designed with a heavy duty steel frame. Though this is great for stability, it makes it much more difficult to move when necessary. In addition, the weight of the frame makes it nearly impossible to mount the unit on the wall.
The steel frame of this product is designed to be durable, but it is also coated with a powder that is designed to add more strength to the design and keep the metal frame from corroding. This means that you can place the frame in a location where it will experience extreme temperatures and even a little bit of moisture without worrying about compromising the stability of the base.
This air product from Goodyear is a great option for those who need to use an air compressor a lot around the home or in their workspace. It is designed with a very stable base, so it is ideal for a garage or a location where you will not have to move it.
Best Air Hose Reel for Portability
This product’s hose bracket is designed to swivel up to 180 degrees, which will help prevent the hose from twisting and kinking. This is especially useful when you are retracting the hose. There is even an automatic guide inside the plastic case that helps keep the hose straight as it winds up.
he hose that is designed to connect to the air compressor is only about three feet in length, which means that you may need to purchase an extension so it does not need to be mounted right above the air compressor.
The DuRyte Pro is designed with a polypropylene case that can survive high impact, high temperatures, and daily use, which makes it a great, durable option, especially if you are looking for a portable product. The hose is also designed to withstand temperatures from negative 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are looking for an air product that is fully enclosed for a workspace, then the DuRyte Pro is a great option that can easily be mounted on the wall. It has a durable, crack resistant design that will last, which makes it great for a contractor who may need to take it on the job a lot.
Best All-Metal Air Hose Reel
The final air product that we are going to be looking at is from Lincoln Lubrication. It is designed with an all steel construction that is durable enough to withstand years of use. The unit is designed with an automatic rewind that helps keep the 50-foot hose in place as you store it away.
The O-rings inside of the hose can crack, which means that the hose will leak air. If this does occur it is a simple replacement, but it will require you to make a trip to the hardware store. If there still seems to be a leak, the swivel may need to be adjusted as well.
The hose is designed with a ratcheting system that allows you to angle the hose in up to eight different positions, which means that you don’t have to mount the unit to the wall specifically. It can also be mounted to the floor and the ceiling if this is more convenient.
If you are looking for a simple air hose reel that comes without all of the bells and whistles, then this steel reel is right up your alley. It is durable, dependable, and it can be adjusted to accommodate your needs in your workspace.
Frequently asked questions
The ideal air flow rate for flexible hose depends on the outer and inner diameter of the hose itself. Other factors include the diameter of the pipe and the length of the pipe. For instance, the usual ideal rate is 60 to 80 SCFM.
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.
Accepting the air is still inside the closed hose by one means or another, and rectifying hoses completely does not dispense with it, you would need to either drain the framework which would include opening the lower valve or by one means or another apply weight or break the air bubble specifically. A pole slenderer than the hose inserted through the reservoir and through the valve and into the hose, trailed by coaxing it out might be adequate to that errand.