Best Hose Nozzles for the Job

From misting flowers to power washing your home’s siding, there is a hose nozzle for you. Few nozzles are designed to tackle all jobs. Instead, you’d be wise to select the best hose nozzles for each task.

Misting Nozzles

Seeds, flowers and other delicate growth need water, but it must be delivered with a light touch. While an irrigation drip is one option, you may prefer to monitor the amount of water delivered and complete the work in a matter of minutes with the correct nozzle attached to your hose.

In this example, most garden hose nozzles will get the job done, but only if a misting setting is included. Mist is especially important if you’re starting your garden from seed so as not to wash the seeds away.

A water mister nozzle may be the best approach if you want to ensure your seeds and delicate flowers aren’t hammered by placing the garden nozzle on a wrong setting. Typically, dedicated misters come with an internal metering device in an effort to restrict water and produce fine droplets. A built-in mesh filter turns those droplets into a mist.

Garden Hose Nozzle

Your typical garden hose nozzle can handle a variety of tasks ranging from watering the garden to washing the car. Further, such nozzles are cost effective, easy to use and offer a consistent spray pattern.

A zinc pistol handle will get the job done and may last for several years. Some plastic versions are sufficient, but be mindful that the nozzle or handle may crack, rendering it useless. To conserve water, simply adjust the spray pattern, then tighten the nut near the top.

Water Wand Nozzle

Hanging plants and other hard to reach foliage require a special nozzle. In fact, what you need isn’t called a nozzle at all. Instead, what you’ll need is a multi pattern wand.

Attach the wand to your garden hose just as you would a nozzle to water your hanging plants without a ladder. Such wands typically come with seven or eight settings, include an ergonomic grip and can adjust the flow. They can also be used for gutter clean out, if you haven’t gotten around to investing in a dedicated gutter-cleaner wand.

Pressure Washer Nozzle

You can attach a pressure washer nozzle to your garden hose and clean your home’s siding, wash the driveway and deck, and handle other tough jobs, right? Not exactly. Such nozzles aren’t designed to work only with a garden hose. Instead, you’ll need to attach the hose to your gas or electric pressure washer.

Why is there no pressure washer application with garden hoses? Because at a relatively tepid 40 to 60 psi, you won’t get the desired effect. Pressure washers typically deliver 1,300 to 1,700 psi for electric units with some gas units topping 3,000 psi. Replacement pressure-washer nozzles are great to have on hand, but these are designed exclusively for hoses connected to power washers.

Best Hose Nozzles

The best hose nozzles are the ones you’ll use. Water jet nozzles are the favorite of some, composed of brass and designed for a long life. While you’re at it, check your garden hose and replace the washers, as needed. If you’re in the market for a new garden hose, you have your choice of vinyl, vinyl-reinforced, rubber and expandable latex hoses — the latter coming in lighter than the others and kink free.

With this information in mind, you’ll be well informed when picking out the best hoses and options for your needs.

Check out all the lawn & garden products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on the best hose nozzles, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.