A garden hose is a flexible pipe that transports water from a faucet to various outdoor applications. From watering your garden to cleaning your car, a garden hose is an essential tool for every homeowner.
Several types of garden hoses are available including Metal hoses, Vinyl hoses, Rubber hoses, Latex hoses, Expandable hoses and Soaker hoses. A metal garden hoses are highly durable and offer great performance for their price. There are various specifications like the hose length, overall build quality, and most important of all, the available hose width.
If you are not familiar with garden hose types, you can take a brief look at our guide and understand both a ⅝ inch and a ¾ inch garden hose sizes in detail. You will also be able to choose the proper option once you reach the end of this guide.
Standard Garden Hose Sizes: 5/8 or 3/4 Hose?
The standard garden hose size is 5/8 inch (or approximately 15.8mm) in diameter. This hose size refers to the internal diameter only, not including the outer layers.
Here’s a breakdown of some common garden hose sizes:
- Standard Hose Size: 5/8 inch (most common in the US)
- Light-duty Hose Size: 1/2 inch (may be suitable for watering container plants or light gardening tasks)
- Heavy-duty Hose Size: 3/4 inch (often used for larger areas or tasks requiring higher water pressure)
5/8 inch Garden Hose Size
Before we can decide the best hose size for most applications, we need to understand both of these options thoroughly. First, let’s take a look at ⅝ inches hoses and their features.
A ⅝ inch water hose is the most commonly available water hose in the market, and you can easily find these hoses in any supermarket or store that offers gardening supplies. The ⅝ inch hoses have nearly ⅝ inches internal diameter, and hence the name.
These hoses might be popular in the market, but they are significantly underpowered compared to its competitor. For a constant discharge rate, the ⅝ inches cross-sectional area of these hoses offers an increased water velocity but at the cost of a reduced water pressure rate.
For a ⅝ inches water hose which is nearly 25 feet long, you can expect about 44 gallons of water discharge every minute while the input is kept at its peak capacity. While it might look like a lot, it is not compared to what other types of water hose is capable of. The discharge rate of a ⅝ inches hose decreases further with an increase in length. For a 100 feet long ⅝ inch hose, you will be getting nearly 11 gallons of water discharge with the same source.
Let’s take a look at some features of a ⅝ inch water hose:
- A ⅝ inch water hose will offer you a reduced flow of water at the same input capacity. It is ideal for weaker plants that require additional care and cannot be watered at high pressure.
- Comparatively lighter in weight. Thus, it is easier to move a ⅝ inch hose and store it. The advantage can be observed on 100 feet or longer water hoses.
- If you have a large backyard, a ⅝ inch water hose will offer you great portability and make it easier to use daily.
- Due to reduced cross-sectional area, a ⅝ inch water hose also offers an overall compact form factor. Also, it takes less space while it is coiled, which makes it easier to store.
- The best feature of a ⅝ inch water hose is its affordable budget range. Due to reduced material, the cost of a ⅝ inch water hose is driven down, making it a popular option in the market.
3/4 inch Garden Hose Size
Now that you are familiar with the ⅝ inch water hose let’s turn our attention to the ¾ inches water hose. Here’s a brief introduction of ¾ inches water hose and some potential advantages that you can get with it.
The ¾ inches water hose is basically a special type of water hose that is only available at outlets that specifically provide heavy-duty gardening supplies. As the name suggests, the ¾ inches water hose has a slightly larger ¾ inches inner diameter, which increases its cross-sectional area throughout its length.
These pipes are very powerful in terms of fluid discharge and can be used with various types of fluids with a promising performance. For the same discharge compared to a ⅝ inches pipe, a ¾ inches pipe have comparatively higher pressure output but at a reduced velocity.
A ¾ inch hose delivers significantly more water than a ⅝ inch hose. For instance, a 25-foot ¾ inch hose can output up to 72 gallons per minute, nearly double that of a ⅝ inch hose. While a 100-foot ¾ inch hose might deliver less, it still outperforms a similarly sized ⅝ inch hose.
Let’s take a look at some features of a ¾ inch water hose:
- The total water discharge capacity is very high. Thus, it is possible to water large water in a small amount of time with a ¾ inch water hose.
- As a ¾ inch hose has a wider cross-section, it has more material, and hence, it is more durable in comparison. But, it also makes the hose heavier in weight and harder to move around.
- It is safer from getting damaged from bends and sharp turns. Due to the large size, it is very hard to bend these hoes, which further adds up to the durability of these pipes.
- The premium price range of these pipes decreases the number of choices available in the market. Hence it makes the decision-making the process a bit easier.
- If your application requires you to transfer the water upwards at a slanted angle, then choosing a ¾ inch water hose would be the right choice. These pipes can carry large amounts of fluid against gravity at a faster rate due to high pressure.
5/8 vs 3/4 Hose Sizes For Garden
Both ⅝ and ¾ inch water hoses are suitable for a particular application and cannot be replaced with one another. Hence, you should consider your application first before deciding which water hose you are going to buy. Here, we will discuss about 5/8 hose vs 3/4 hose in detail:
1. Pressure Washing
Depending upon what you are washing, a 5.8-inch water hose is generally the right choice for such applications. If you are going to pressure wash from a distance, you will require a high velocity of water which is available with the ⅝ inch hose. Also, a ⅝ inch water hose avoids wastage of water as per minute gallon capacity is lower.
2. Maintaining a Lawn or Garden
For compact-sized gardens and lawns, a ⅝ inches water hose is still the right choice. It is easier to move and can easily cover the whole area within a few minutes. Also, it is important to choose a smaller diameter pipe if you require a longer hose as larger pies are very heavy and harder to move.
3. Maintaining a Large Backyard Lawn
The situation gets a bit tricky with large sized backyard or lawns. For such instances, you should probably go with a stationary pipe installation that has multiple sprinklers connected to it. This way, you will not need to manually water the whole area, and you can rely on the high discharge capacity of the hose to get the job done.
4. Miscellaneous Applications
If your job requires you to manually control the hose, it is recommended to get a ⅝ inches water hose. If you are unsure, you can always try either option and get a feel before selecting the right choice for yourself. If you are sure that you can carry a heavy load, you can prefer a ¾ inch water hose.
5/8 Inch, 3/4 Inch & 1/2 Inch Hoses Differences
While choosing a water hose, you need to consider many aspects such as length, build quality, brand, price range, pipe width, etc. On top of that, you need to carefully select these specifications so that you get a decent performance from your water hose without any complaints. As for the pipe width, there are only 2 options available that are ⅝ inch and ¾ inch variants. Here’s how they differ in terms of performance.
5/8, 3/4, or 1/2 Garden Hose: Which Is Right For You?
| Features | 1/2 inch Hose | 5/8 inch Hose | 3/4 inch Hose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Pressure | Lowest water pressure | Lesser water pressure | Higher water pressure |
| Hose Attachments | Easiest to find attachments | Easier to find attachments | Difficult to find attachments |
| Water Velocity | Highest water discharge velocity | High water discharge velocity | Low water discharge velocity |
| Overall discharge capacity | Lowest discharge capacity per minute | Lower discharge capacity per minute | Higher discharge capacity per minute |
| Price range | Cheapest option | Cheaper option | Expensive option |
| Availability | Most easily available | Easily available | Not as easily available |
| Build quality | Least durable | Comparatively less durable | Better in terms of durability |
Garden Hose Lengths
Garden hoses typically range from 25 to 100 feet in length. Consider the size of your yard and the distance between your water source and the farthest point you need to reach.
- Short hoses (25-50 feet): Ideal for small yards, patios, or container gardening.
- Medium hoses (50-75 feet): Suitable for average-sized yards and general outdoor tasks.
- Long hoses (75-100 feet): Best for large lawns, gardens, or areas with a significant distance between the water source and the target area.
How To Choose The Right Garden Hose?
Selecting the perfect garden hose involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs.
- Hose Material:
The material of your garden hose significantly impacts its durability, flexibility, and overall performance. Metal hoses are extremely durable but heavy and expensive. Vinyl hoses are budget-friendly but less durable. Rubber hoses offer durability and flexibility. Latex combines both qualities. Expandable hoses are convenient but less durable. Choose based on your needs and budget.
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Yard size:
Measure the distance from your water source to the farthest point needing water. Small yards require 25-50 feet hoses. Medium yards need 50-75 feet, while large yards demand 75-100 feet hoses. Consider handling ease when choosing length.
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Watering Tasks:
Consider the specific tasks you’ll be performing. For gentle watering, a lightweight vinyl hose might suffice. Heavy-duty cleaning or irrigation may require a more robust rubber or metal hose.
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Water Pressure
High water pressure requires a larger diameter hose to handle increased water flow efficiently. A smaller hose can restrict flow, leading to decreased water pressure or potential damage to the hose. Larger diameter hoses can handle higher pressure without compromising performance.
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a garden hose that perfectly aligns with your outdoor needs and preferences.
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Conclusion:
After taking a look at both ⅝ inch and ¾ inch water hoses along with their features and possible pros and cons, you must have decided which option you need for yourself. We have also provided a detailed comparison table here so that you can make a choice easily. If you are still not sure which one you need to get, here’s our recommendation.
For basic operations like spray washing your car or watering your personal garden, a ⅝ inch water hose is more than capable enough for the job. On top of that, it is easily available in the market at a cheaper price range. Thus, you can get a better option in the same budget compared to a ¾ inch pipe. And if you feel that the pipe is not suitable for your work, you can always get an upgrade later in the future.
FAQs: 5/8 or 3/4 Garden Hose Diameter
Is 5/8 Bigger Than 3/4 Hose?
Yes, but the difference in diameter translates to a significant increase in water flow (almost double the flow of a 5/8″ hose)
How does the garden hose diameter affect water flow?
A larger diameter hose like 3/4 inch, allows more water to flow through compared to a smaller diameter hose.
Can I connect hoses of different diameters together?
Yes, you can use adapters to connect hoses of different diameters, but it may affect water pressure and flow.
What diameter garden hose is best for home use?
A 5/8 inch hose is best for general home use, balancing water flow and ease of handling.
What size hose should I get for my small garden?
For small gardens or potted plants, 1/2 inch hose is the right choice. It is lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Are there specific fittings for different hose diameters?
Yes, ensure you use fittings that match your hose diameter to maintain proper water flow and pressure.
