12 Best Hose Nozzle | Australian Buying Guide 2024

As different sizes and plant types have a variety of watering needs, there’s a huge market of hose nozzle types available.

So, how do you know which one to choose? Follow our Australian buyer’s guide to find out which hose nozzle will be right for garden needs and what to look out for purchasing. 

What is the Best Hose Nozzle? 

The best hose nozzle is one that is made of a solid, lasting material and offers a clean and consistent spray. 

When watering the garden, a sprinkler is great but not always the most effective or economical way to water your garden. Especially, as it’s so easy to forget and leave your sprinkler running. 

A garden spray gun is also ideal for when watering gardens along walkways and flowerbeds. It’s also optimal when having to focus your watering on new seedlings or grass seed. 

A garden spray gun changes the pressure of the water flow and makes it optimal for watering. With each type of nozzle, you can have different kinds of spray patterns. 

Depending on your nozzle type, your hose can produce a powerful jet or a soft mist. 

Bigger plants will be able to tolerate stronger water streams, but seedling and more fragile plants will only be able to withstand a gentler watering. 

A garden spray gun is also great as it works with a trigger that allows you to easily control when the water comes on or off.

What to Look for When Choosing a Spray Nozzle

As there are so many different types of nozzles which offer a wide range of applications, it’s hard to pin down which really is the best spray nozzle. 

When in the market for a new hose nozzle the main features you’ll want to consider are: 

• Material
• Nozzle Type
• Grips 
• Spray Pattern
• Hose Connection
• Flow Rate

If you’re looking for a spray nozzle for your vegetable garden, you’ll want to consider a fan hose gun. If you’re looking for a hose nozzle to provide a strong spray, you’ll want to look at a fireman nozzle. 

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A good choice, for all round, everyday gardening would be a dial nozzle. 

The best hose fittings usually have similar redeeming qualities, such as;

• Brass Mechanisms – offering more resistance to seizing and rust, brass mechanisms are better able to handle the rigours of service we expect from our garden tools. At the very least, the pin that levers open the nozzle should be brass and if possible the male hose attachment should also be brass (but I’ve found good ones without the latter option).

• Hard Plastic – especially the lever that activates the brass pin. If this isn’t sturdy – and unfortunately it probably won’t be recyclable – then you will only ever get one season out of your nozzle.

• Moulded Hand Grip – this is a necessity if you plan to spend more than 10 minutes watering your garden each day. Many of the good ones have now added softer grips as well to ease any undue strain on your hands

• Always-on Clip – these are essential for long watering stints. Holding a lever against a spring for long periods can cause stress on your hand muscles. The Always-on clip can be set once you’re into your watering process saving copious amounts of pain.

Metal Spray Nozzles Vs Plastic Nozzles 

Metal and plastic are the most common materials used for spray nozzles. A full metal spray nozzle is generally heavier but will last you far longer.

The usual metals used include brass, zinc and aluminum. If you’re looking at a metal nozzle, powder coated varieties are best. Full plastic nozzles are best avoided as they simply don’t last and as such aren’t great value for money. 

The most common and cost-effective hose gun you’ll find on the market is a combination of metal and plastic. In this design, the most important parts are made of metal, but the handle will be plastic, which makes the hose gun lightweight and rust-proof.

What are the different types of Nozzles? 

There are 7 main types of hose nozzles that you’ll find on the market. Each offers different kinds of spray styles and will have different applications within your garden. 

Here are 7 types of spray nozzles:

Pistol Grip 

This is a common garden hose nozzle you’ll find in plenty of gardens. It makes for easy single-handed watering, with a trigger controlling water flow.

The best pistol grip spray gun would be made from a mix of plastic and metal. When it comes to finding the right hose gun, be sure to invest in a quality one as cheaper varieties are prone to break. 

Dial Nozzle 

This is a great option for general garden use, as it has a dial that allows you to change to diverse spray patterns. 

Most dial nozzles allow you to interchange between water flows like: 

1. Jet – while I don’t waste precious water hosing down my driveway every week there are always tasks that require a little more pressure than just dribbling water through a hose.
   
   Cleaning buckets, tools, the wheelbarrow etc seem to take a little more forcefulness. Plus, this pattern gives you the option where needed to blast some unwanted lichen from your patio bricks or hose down your compost tumbler. In reality, the main purpose of the jet option is for cleaning more than watering.

2. Shower – a handy choice for watering your established perennials that can handle some aggressive action. It delivers water efficiently around the root ball of the plant and helps with those where watering the foliage is also desirable.

3. Flat – this produces a flat, almost horizontal spray that works much like a water sprayer used on roadworks. It’s a great option for bedding in seeds especially in the veggie patch and while you probably won’t use this option much, it is handy if it’s available.

4. Cone – similar to the Shower pattern, the Cone differs only in that it doesn’t water the foliage per se. It can deliver water to the roots of the plants in a fashion that’s less aggressive than the Shower option and will apply less to the foliage than to the root ball.

5. Soaker – I always wondered the purpose of this option until I transplanted some seedlings in the garden. The Soaker option is a must for this chore because it delivers a heap of water very gently around the base of each plant. It does the same for planting any of your plants ensuring that any air pockets within the soil are quickly eradicated.

6. Mist – the final option on my 6 pattern is Mist and it doesn’t really need any introduction. Useful for container plants and soft-foliage herbs it’s a must for any spray nozzle. This option is also great for keeping your seedling trays moist where you don’t require a lot of water.

Fan Nozzle

This is a specialized hose nozzle that is great for fast and effective watering. This nozzle is especially good to use when watering delicate plants. As the hose nozzle has many little holes, it creates a soft spray that still wets quite significantly. 

Traditional Nozzle 

A traditional metal spray nozzle is one made of brass or zinc. They have a simple twist control which produces a powerful jet of water. As these are super simple and standard, without any bells or whistles, they tend to the strongest and longest lasting.

Fireman Nozzle 

Fireman nozzles aren’t really great for gardening as they release lots of water at high pressure. These nozzles are however great for misting large areas or for cleaning patios etc.

This is the only nozzle type you can use to pressure wash.

Soaker Nozzle

Also known as a bubbler nozzle, this kind of hose nozzle is not very common. They do really well to release water at a very slow pace, so are great for a good soaking.

A soaker nozzle is optimal for tender plants and to minimize runoff. 

Watering Wand

Watering Wands are stiff extensions to hose pipes, allowing users more reach into garden beds, and a more direct way to water individual plants.

Despite being much larger hose attachments than smaller spray nozzles, they provide more accuracy and often a softer pressure which is far better for more attentive gardeners.

To find the best watering wand, check that it has multiple functions, and ideally a pressure dial to reduce or increase flow rates

When to Use a Watering Wand

Watering wands are ideal for vegetable gardens where seedlings need gentle, direct, watering, which avoids flushing seeds out from their rows, and means you don’t have to stand on loose soil, which can run the risk of compacting, making it harder for annual vegetables to establish roots. 

Common uses for Watering Wands:

• Gutter cleaning - refer to our guide to gutter cleaners for more info. 
• Seedling watering
• Direct watering at roots
• Watering deep borders
• Handheld spray irrigation

There are dozens of examples where watering wands should be used, but the reality is that once you’ve got one, you’ll never look back. They’re more versatile, and more gardener friendly than any other hose nozzle, so quickly become the go-to attachment in any garden, whatever the need.

1. Green Mount Water Hose Sprayer

2. Best Garden High Pressure Hose Nozzle

3. Hozelock Flexi Spray Gun

I’ve honestly never been this excited about a hose nozzle. And I’m a full-time gardener, with a serious obsession for new tool innovations, so that’s saying something.

Not only is Hozelock’s latest watering wand completely flexible, but it’s also got a full 60cm reach, super durable, high-quality connectors, and a beautifully comfortable grip.

Oh, and to top it off, the flexibility of the pipe means it can be wrapped around a support and used as a sprinkler for lawns, borders, or to mist and humidify parts of the garden when needed.

4. Green Mount High Pressure Hose Nozzle

5. Hozelock 2676P0000 Multispray Hose Spray Gun

6. Hozelock Jetspray Hose Spray Gun

7. Signature Garden Heavy Duty Nozzle

8. Dramm 12705 9-Pattern Revolver Spray Nozzle

9. Orbit 56044 Fireman Lever 10 Pattern Turret Watering Wand

10. GREEN MOUNT Watering Wand

11. Rocky Mountain Goods Watering Wand 

This 18” watering wand by Rocky Mountain goods is comfortable, sturdy, and feels substantial in hand, providing a luxury feel to this otherwise unassuming hose nozzle.

The nine different watering settings provide flexibility, and adjustable pressure, with a simple on-off valve that can be used to adjust flow rates too. 

All in all, for gardeners looking for gorgeous tools that look good and work well, there are few hose nozzles that can compete with this luxury quality hose nozzle from Rocky Mountain Goods.

12. Gardena Spray Lance

Whether you call them hose lances or watering wands, the purpose is identical – they extend your reach. This simple watering wand from Gardena is designed to suit simple gardens, where reach, height, and adaptability is a must with your tools.

Don’t buy a basket full of watering wands when one can do the job of many. This basic watering wand from Gardena is well built, and has a comfortable handle, with a locking trigger to save your hands and wrists from strain during use.

There are some reports of leaks from the fittings, but this is pretty common with watering wands from wall brands due to the strain on the connectors.

Made of premium zinc alloy, the Green Mount Water Hose Nozzle Spray is our pick as the best hose nozzle for 2024! It’s more durable and reliable than plastic options, creating a stronger, high-pressure spray without the risk of wear-and-tear.

It has a high-quality anodized finish to prevent rust and corrosion, and it’s lightweight and easy to handle at the same time. It’s leak-proof, has an integrated lock-trigger, and a slip-resistant rubber handle.

With several adjustable spray patterns between a gentle shower and a strong, high-pressure jet, this is a great hose nozzle for cleaning cars, pets, driveways and watering the garden. 

Affordable without being cheap, the Best Garden High Pressure Hose Nozzle offers great quality and features without being hard on the wallet.

It has a high-pressure industrial design and ergonomic comfort handle, fitting all standard garden hoses without needing additional connector attachments.

The 8 spray settings have you covered for all cleaning and watering needs, and the manufacturer offers a money back guarantee.

I’ve never been more confident in crowning a product than I am right now. The best premium hose nozzle on the market in 2024, and frankly, the best hose nozzle for any gardener, is the Hozelock Flexi Spray Gun.

This global brand has produced a truly inspired garden tool with this flexible, sturdy, well-fitted watering wand, which can be used for short-range watering, distance watering, and even pumped up as a sprinkler.

As a rule, every tool you own should serve a dual purpose. Tools need to earn their keep to be worth parting with significant sums of cash for.

Hozelock have listened to that consumer concern, and come up with a clever hose nozzle that fits the needs of any and every Australian gardener out there, looking for simple tools that help to irrigate gardens without complicated systems.

Hose Nozzle Care and Maintenance

As time goes on and you start to use your nozzle more frequently you may find that your nozzle clogs or corrodes over time. It’s important to remove your nozzle after use and store it properly indoors. 

It is also recommended to allow your hose pipe to drain fully after use, to ensure there is no built-up pressure. You should also avoid dragging your hose by the nozzle to avoid wear and tear or nozzle loosening. 

How Do You Unclog Your Hose Nozzle?  

Should you notice that your nozzle has some blockages in your nozzle caused by debris and specks of dust, there is an easy way to try and de-clog it. 

Here’s how:

• Fill a bucket with 4 cups of hot water, ¼ cup bleach and 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid.
• Soak your nozzle in the solution for 15 minutes.
• Thereafter rinse under cold water.
• Allow your hose nozzle to air dry.

For more in-depth buying guides for different tools to help maintain your garden, check out our list below:

• Soaker hoses
• Garden irrigation systems
• Tap timers
• Retractable hose reels
• Water flow meters
• Garden hoses
• Pop up sprinkler systems
• Watering cans