Just like the title says.  Not looking for plastic junk, but not a $500 industrial one either.  Something that can be easily wheeled in and out of the garage (prefer a two wheel/compact model for ease of movement and storage space) when it’s watering or car wash time.  Needs to hold at least 100ft of hose.

The Northern Tool one for $80 looks great, but appears to be much too large and would be a hassle to store, the $100 two wheeled one looks perfect, but has some bad reviews and looks to be on the larger size for my needs.  Might just end grabbing the latter and dealing with it, but trying to see what else is out there.  

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200623839_200623839?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Lawn%20%2B%20Garden%20%3E%20Garden%20Hoses%20%2B%20Reels%20%3E%20Garden%20Hose%20Reel%20Carts&utm_campaign=Ironton&utm_content=41726&&lid=92700042140637472&ds_s_kwgid=58700000740123691&ds_e_product_group_id=662693940930&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_e_ad_type=pla&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000001662305&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg4_65cuV6gIVyp6zCh2GPQb-EAQYDSABEgIqN_D_BwE

https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200788705_200788705?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Lawn%20%2B%20Garden%20%3E%20Garden%20Hoses%20%2B%20Reels&utm_campaign=Milwaukee&utm_content=88922&&lid=92700053262405992&ds_s_kwgid=58700000740123691&ds_e_product_group_id=928388895804&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_e_ad_type=pla&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000001662305&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxLrXpMyV6gIVFrbICh2b1wJfEAQYASABEgKKAPD_BwE

I've got the Ironton one from Northern Tool.  It's big, but if you can swing the storage space its one solid dude.  We've got two actually, one of them has 200' of hose on it with room to spare

I just asked about garden hose reels a few days ago.

Eley hose reels was the consensus for Tier 1 status. They offer wall mount, carts, etc.  I ordered a wall mount one the day I asked, and it should be delivered today actually.

$75 to $100 for one of those metal reels, that is surprisingly.  That's not far off from the plastic ones sold at the big box stores.  I know what I'll be buying the next time need arises.

To be honest I've never bought a new reel.  One time I bought a used plastic reel from a garage sale about 4 years ago for $20 and am still using it.  I've also picked up countless reels from the trash, and combine multiple good units out of various units with broken parts.

I've got this bad boy, survived 5 MN seasons so far, plastic ones might make it 2.

The inflatable tires suck though, 1 season and done, sat on flats for the last 4 yrs. Just picked up some solid wheels from HF this spring, damn thing rolls again.

I use this. Best thing ever. I will never go back to a traditional hose.

2 gallon-

The guy who cleans the dog shelter swears by these things...

OP, I got my cart at Sam’s Club. The inflatable wheels do suck however on any cart.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/mm-hose-reel-cart-members-mark/prod20633356

Eley Hose Reel



I've had two wall mount Eley hose reels and can't ever see having anything else.

Makes using a hose about 87,000% easier. The nozzle works great too.

Over 30 years, I just spend the one or two minutes stowing the hose by making a little circle on the grown, and then repeating that.

I'm not getting it.

Is it really that fucking hard?  

Depends on how much hose you're swingin' I guess.  I swing a big hose

But seriously, I've got 200' on one side of the house and 100' on the other, to reach various beds and gardens.  I ain't making no little circle on the ground and then repeating that, once daily on each side of the house, at this dry time of the year.

Another Eley (fixed) hose reel owner here, they're pretty nice.

+1

I have 2 of those and the bucket. (great minds and all)

The only down side is the hose fitting sometimes comes loose and leaks but it's a minor issue and easy to fix.

Well you can tell who actually uses their hoses in this thread.

Notice the ID on the pocket hose? It’s about 3/16” - the throughput of these things is beyond horrendous. Try hooking a sprinkler up to one. Better yet try running 2 sprinklers. I bought one and compared it side by side to a flexzilla. The coverage of the same sprinkler was legit 10x area when using the flexzilla. The pressure loss going through a tiny orifice is staggering, and limits throughout well below what most devices are capable of using.

For what it’s worth I hate the FZ too as it’s super bulky and kinks regardless of what they say...but it at least works.

How many feet you talking, 25', ya sure, no biggie. 100-200', F U!!

Yeah you can't run two sprinklers off of a pocket hose. I tried and failed.

But for general watering and car/dog washing they're great.

Not exactly what you asked for, but I have this, and love it.

Tacklife hose reel

Link

Hose reels are all junk.  Get a Pocket hose and store it in a planter pot.

Edit: I let the rain water my lawn so I don't need to use sprinklers with my hose; can't speak to how good it is for that.