5 Best Hose Connectors of 2024

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Written by: - Garden Design Expert

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The Best Hose Connectors

best hose connectors
  1. Gardena System Basic Set

  2. Hozelock Double Male Connector Pro

  3. Aiglam 2 Way Hose Splitter

  4. Hozelock Sprayer & Hose Fitting Starter Set

  5. Homekit Solid Brass Double Hose Connector

Hose Connector Reviews

Editors Choice
  • Clips easily onto the tap without requiring excessive force
  • Adapter included means that the set is suitable for both 13 mm and 15 mm hoses
  • Robust connectors are thick and well constructed
  • Connect well with very few, if any, leaks
  • Adjustable nozzle and stop means flow of water can be adjusted whilst watering the garden

  • All-plastic construction and some people may prefer metal
  • When using the nozzle, only slightly twisting it can cause a large change in water pressure so it needs to be adjusted slowly

Gardena is up there as one of the most popular garden-hose brands, and their System Basic Set offers versatile connectors that attach to both Gardena hoses, as well as many others makes.

When checking for compatibility with an existing hose, the size of the connectors is the most important thing to be aware of; this set is compatible with both a 15 mm hose (5/8” – the most common size) and a 13 mm hose (1/2”).

Within the set there is a female tap connector to attach to any tap with a 33.3 mm (1”) thread or a 26.5 mm (3/4”) thread. There’s also a hose connector, an adapter, a water stop and a hose nozzle.

If you’ve been jilted by poor-quality connectors in the past, the good news is that Gardena has created robust, well-fitting pieces that are not only easy to attach, but are versatile enough to work with different hoses and taps. Unlike some other connectors, these simply ‘clip’ onto the tap without requiring any excess force or frustration – the hose can be ready to use within just a few minutes of opening the package.

As you may have noticed from the name, these are referred to as the ‘basic’ Gardena set (Gardena also has a ‘premium’ option). That’s because these connectors are made from plastic, not metal; however, they are solid and don’t break easily so their construction isn’t a cause for concern.

The water stop and spray nozzle work effectively and mean that the water output can be controlled whilst watering the garden, instead of having to return to the tap. There’s a light spray for gently watering plants, as well as a more concentrated jet that’s useful for jobs like hosing down patio furniture.

Overall, these are some of the best hose connectors on the market. They fit a large variety of hoses and taps, coming with an adapter to help with versatility, and are very high quality. On top of this, they offer good value for money bearing in mind the brand, construction and performance.

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Runner Up
  • Solid and robust metal construction
  • Suitable for large gardens - can be used to connect two hoses together
  • Useful for hose repair as can remove a section of hose and connect it back together
  • Fits into the majority of female hose connectors
  • Rubber seals prevent leakage and are easy to replace further down the line if needed

  • May not stay attached in lower-quality female connectors due to weight of metal

For connecting two lengths of hose together, this metal Hozelock Double Male Connector Pro offers an easy and robust solution.

Whether you’ve had to cut the hose to get rid of a leak, or are simply looking to add an extension, this double-male-end connector can be attached into two standard female connectors to securely lock two hoses together.

Instead of buying a whole new hose, you can make use of any that you already have (nothing wrong with having a perfectly functioning ‘Frankenhose’ in the garden!). Another benefit of this is that instead of having one exceptionally large and unruly hose to deal with when it comes to storage, you can simply separate the hoses out again after use.

When it comes to garden watering equipment, Hozelock is one of the biggest brands out there, so it’s not really surprising that this nickel-plated brass connector is solid, high quality and durable. Whereas plastic connectors can become brittle if exposed to frost, this metal connector is frost-resistant and very hardwearing.

Given that this metal connector doesn’t cost much more than a plastic one, it seems like one of the best hose connectors in terms of value for money – especially considering how easily it lets you connect two hoses together (and potentially avoid having to buy an entirely new hose).

If you have a standard hose (15 mm/12.5 mm) with basic female connectors, there should be no problem fitting this Hozelock Double Male Connector Pro.

Although it won’t be useful in all situations, this is an extremely nifty gadget for either extending an existing hose, or repairing a hose after cutting out a leaky section.

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Also Good
  • Allows one tap to be used for several jobs including one sprinkler, one hose
  • On/off valve for each outlet allows you to use either one or two valves as required
  • Tap adapter included meaning the splitter fits onto majority of taps
  • Washers included to create a tight fit over tap
  • Robust, well-designed construction

  • Washers may need replacing after a couple of months if connector starts to leak

With a clever two-way water valve, this Aiglam 2 Way Hose Splitter has a surprising amount of versatile uses in the garden.

First and foremost, it will allow two hoses to be connected to the same tap – a factor that is supremely useful when running more than one sprinkler system. It also means that two people can be extremely time-efficient and water different parts of the garden simultaneously. Similarly, you can use the splitter to operate one sprinkler system whilst you use the hose or the tap.

As you can see, I wasn’t kidding – this is one of the best hose connectors available when it comes to versatility. It allows a lot more work to get done even if you often find yourself limited by having just one tap.

The valves can be opened or closed using a simple switch, which is rubberised to be kinder on the hands, meaning it can also be used as a single hose connector without having to disconnect the whole unit from the tap. Also, it comes with a tap adapter, meaning that it can easily connect to the majority of taps.

Overall, its construction is solid and robust with metal threads and plastic connectors. It attaches firmly without leaking, and comes with an assortment of washers and attachments to ensure a good fit. For a standard UK ½” tap, both of the washers are required.

Although there are a lot of similar Y-shaped splitters on the market, they don’t all have the ability to turn the individual valves on and off. Arguably, this is one of the best features of this Aiglam connector because it really opens up a lot of possibilities in terms of how you can use the splitter in your garden.

Not only is this splitter a clever idea, it’s also well designed and robust enough to work as you would hope, which makes it a useful addition to the garden.

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  • Extremely good value considering price and quantity/quality of components included
  • Easy to adjust the flow of the water from a solid jet through to a gentle mist
  • Stop valve works effectively to immediately stop water flow when nozzle/other accessory is removed
  • Hardwearing plastic construction
  • Connectors clip on easily without requiring effort or force

  • Plastic may go brittle or crack over time if left exposed to sunlight

As a big name when it comes to garden hoses, it’s no surprise that Hozelock have produced such a useful Hose Fitting Starter Set. One thing that is slightly more surprising, considering the quality and practicality of the included pieces, is the pleasant, budget-friendly price tag.

Coming with the basic components required to attach a hose to a tap and the included spray nozzle, it takes just a few minutes to go from opening the packet to watering the flowerbeds – providing that it fits your hose and taps.

This shouldn’t pose too much of a problem though, as the connectors are compatible with the majority of standard hoses and 95% of all outdoor taps.

Both 12.5 mm hoses and 15 mm hoses will fit into the hose connector, and taps that measure either ½” or ¾” are compatible with the tap connector. There is a white insert inside the tap connector that can either be left in or removed (easily done) to get it to fit either tap size.

Included in the Starter Set is a water stop connector, hose connector, tap connect and spray nozzle. The water stop connector will stop the flow of water from the hose if the nozzle is removed which cleverly stops any unnecessary wastage.

When using the nozzle, it can be twisted through three different stages, providing either a light spray or more concentrated jet, or stopping the water entirely whilst moving to the next area of the garden.

Considering the price of this set, as well as how well it performs, these are some of the best hose connectors to buy on a budget. Whilst it may be true that all the components are plastic, as opposed to more-weather-resilient metal, they are still well made and robustly built. Plus, everything that you might require from a basic set comes included.

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  • Solid brass construction is robust
  • Allows two hoses/sprinklers to be used at the same time
  • Streamlined, brass appearance is relatively subtle, especially against brass taps
  • Shut off valves work well to stop the flow of water
  • Easy to install within a couple of minutes

  • Shut off valve levers are a little stiff so those with limited hand strength or arthritis may struggle
  • Only fits 3/4" taps with no adapter for different sizes

If you prefer metal components, this Homekit Solid Brass Double Hose Connector offers a great way to have a durable ‘Y-splitter’ tap fitting in the garden. Also, if you have a brass (or brass-coloured!) tap, it provides a nice way to create a cohesive look without using a chunkier plastic unit.

It’s suitable for ¾” taps, with a tight screw-top fitting that helps it stay in place. Whilst this does make it a great choice if you have a ¾” tap, unfortunately there’s no way to adapt the fitting to other sizes. It should also be compatible with most ½” garden hoses, but not hoses of other sizes.

Whilst this makes it slightly less adaptable than the Aiglam 2 Way Hose Splitter (also featured on this page), it still works well in a variety of gardening situations. Whether you want to fill two watering cans at the same time, run a sprinkler whilst you hose-wash your car, or have two hoses on the go at once, it makes all of these scenarios possible.

There are two small valve switches, making it possible to switch either valve on or off as required; however, they are not always easy to use. They can be a little stiff, and slightly tough on the hands, which is something to be aware of if hand strength is challenging. Also, because the switches aren’t very big, they can be hard to get a good hold of.

Apart from this, the Homekit Brass Double Hose Connector is a useful and problem-solving piece of equipment for the garden. It’s one of the best hose connectors if you’re looking for something more subtle and a little sleeker than a bulky plastic unit, but still want to divide your tap’s water channel into two.

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Clive's Smart Buying Tips

  1. You’ll need to know the diameter of your outdoor tap in order to get the correct hose connector. Standard garden taps have a 3/4 inch BSP (British Standard Pipe) thread. Many hose connectors will state their compatibility with these taps.
  2. Some older garden taps have a 1/2 inch BSP thread. Therefore, it can’t be presumed that all taps are the standard size. You’ll need to measure across the outside of the tap (instead of measuring the diameter of the hole). A 20.9mm diameter will likely be a 1/2 inch tap, and a 26.4mm tap will likely be a 1/4 inch tap. However, you may also need to count the number of threads per inch to ensure it’s a BSP tap.
  3. Some of the best hose connectors come with additional accessories – not just for attaching the hose to the tap, but also for attaching to the end of the hose. One useful accessory to look out for is a water stop connector. These make it easier to use the hose with an accessory such as a spray nozzle, gun, or sprinkler. With a water stop connector, you can remove the attachment without turning off the main tap (and without getting soaked!).
  4. If you want to attach two hoses to the same tap, or use the hose and tap at the same time, consider a ‘splitter’ connector. These can be invaluable in busy gardens, allowing you to run a sprinkler whilst still using the garden tap for other things, for example. 

After comparing several of the best hose connectors, my top choice is the Gardena System Basic Set. This set contains connectors for both 1 inch and 3/4 inch taps. It will also connect to hoses of either 5/8 inches (the most common size) or 1/2 inches. There’s an additional spray nozzle included too. All in all, this makes the set highly versatile and great value for money.

How to Choose the Best Hose Connector For Your Tap

Hose connectors can transform your garden hose, making it capable of performing a number of different tasks. Naturally, you’ll also need a hose connector to attach a hose to your garden tap.

Different connectors are available for different things. They can allow you to fix on certain accessories, like a spray gun or sprinkler, or attach two devices to the same tap.

Choosing the best hose connector will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. The information below will give you a better idea about what’s available on the market, how to understand connector-specific vocab, and the ways in which different connectors could help you in the garden!

READ NEXT: Best Expandable Garden Hose

Understanding the Lingo

When it comes to hose connectors, hoses and taps, there’s a surprising amount of topic-specific vocabulary to get your head around, particularly if you want to make sure the connector that will fit properly. This section will explain some key terms:

Male/Female Hose Connectors

If you already have existing connectors, it helps to know if they are male or female. This is so that you don’t buy the same connectors again, and to ensure that you buy connectors that will actually join onto them.

A lot of hose connectors (and fittings in general) are described as being either ‘male’ or ‘female’. You need one of each so that they fit together.

Male connectors have the screw thread on the outside. They lock into female fittings. Female connectors have the screw thread on the inside.

For the most part, a tap connector will have a male fitting, to fit into a female connector on the hose. This is standard, but there are some exceptions. This is why it helps to be aware of the difference – if you buy the wrong part, the connectors won’t slot together.

READ NEXT: Best Garden Sprinkler

Sizing

Despite the fact that most things have moved over to metric measurements, a lot of hose-related lingo still prefers to use imperial inches.

Tap connectors (that fix onto the outdoor faucet) are commonly measured in inches. Most of the time you will see them talking about ¾” (19 mm), ½” (12 mm) and 5/8” (15.9 mm) taps. Most modern outdoor taps are ¾” – this means they have a ¾” BSP (British Standard Pipe) thread. Older outdoor taps might have a ½” BSP thread. If the tap connector comes with an adapter, it will likely be able to fit both ¾” and ½” taps. 5/8” taps are rarer still, and will require a specialist connector.

Be aware that BSP does not refer to the outside diameter of the tap. It refers to the inside diameter of the pipe. This is why it can be hard to know which connector size if required, but it’s still possible to accurately measure your tap using the following advice:

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How to Choose a Connector That’s the Right Size

To find the right size tap connector, measure the outside diameter of your tap (not just the inner tube). Then, use the following information to find the correct connector size.

  • ~ 20.99 mm diameter = buy a ½” tap connector.
  • ~22.99 mm diameter = buy a 5/8” tap connector (these are particularly old fashioned now and you may not have many options – you might want to start thinking about changing the tap altogether).
  • ~ 26.44 mm diameter (you have a standard UK tap) = buy a ¾” tap connector.
  • ~ 33.25 mm diameter = buy a 1” tap connector.

To find the right size hose connector, you will need to measure the inside diameter of your hose. This may be referred to in either inches or centimetres, so record both measurements and have them to hand when looking at different hose connectors.

Functions and Benefits of Different Hose Connectors

You might remember how I mentioned in the introduction that there are different types of hose connectors, and they’ll be useful in different ways. Here are the most common type of connector:

Tap Connectors

We’ve already spoken about these extensively in the previous section, so all that’s left to say is that these are vital if you want to attach your hose to the tap. Without one, you won’t be able to connect the two together.

Hose Connectors

These go over your hose and allow the hose to attach to the tap connector. Hose connectors usually have a ‘female’ fitting, but this still isn’t the case 100% of the time.

Water Stop Connectors

If you’re going to be using accessories on the end of your hose – a spray nozzle, spray gun, sprinkler, etc. it will be very useful to have a water stop connector attached at the same end. This will allow you to remove the accessory without turning off the main tap (and also without getting soaked!). When the accessory is removed, the water stop connector stops water from coming out the end of the hose.

This can help with easily changing between accessories.

Double Male Connectors

A double male connector can be used to bridge together two pieces of hose (as long as both pieces have a female connector attached). There are two main instances where this is useful.

Firstly, if your hose is leaking, you can cut the hose and remove the leaking section, without having to get rid of the whole hose. Simply use two female connectors and a double male connector to attach the pieces again.

Secondly, you can use a double male connector to join two hoses together if you are after a longer hose. Again, you just need to attach female connectors on the end of both hoses and use the male connector in the middle.

Three-Way Connectors (‘Y’ Connectors/Splitters)

Hose connectors can split just one water supply into two different outlets. This means you can use your outdoor for two different types of equipment at the same time. There are many ways this can be useful, for example if you want to run a sprinkler, but also use the hose, or if you want to have two hoses/sprinklers running from the same tap.

READ NEXT: Best Water Butt

Choosing the Right Material

Hose connectors are usually made from plastic, steel or brass.

Brass fittings are more resilient if dropped or knocked than plastic. Brass is a good choice for low-pressure hosing and is resistant to corrosion. However, quality is important; low quality brass can be weak and porous.

Stainless steel is another alternative. It’s highly resistant to rust and is better than brass when used for high-pressure water; however, it’s a lot more expensive. For most garden hoses, you don’t need a connector that can withstand very high pressure, so most people choose brass over steel.

Plastic hose connectors are affordable, versatile and great for domestic use. Good quality plastic connectors are generally still very robust. Do be aware that they might brittle if left exposed to bright sunlight, so it’s best to store them when not in use.

Hose Connector FAQs

Fitting a hose to your garden tap is relatively easy. You’ll need a tap connector and a hose connector. 

Most standard UK outdoor taps have a ¾” BSP threaded outlet. However, you’ll need to measure the tap to check what size tap connector you’ll need.

You’ll also need to measure your hose to find the internal diameter. Hose connectors will state this internal diameter so that you can find the right one. Once you have the tap connector connected to your tap, and the hose connector connected to your hose, you’ll be able to connect the hose to your garden tap.  

Yes. If you have a large garden, you may wish to connect two hoses together to give you a better reach or alter the direction of the water. Ensure the connectors fitted to each hose end are compatible with each other. One of the easiest ways to do this is to put two female connectors on the ends of the hose that you wish to connect. Then, use a double male connector to join the two together. 

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