I’ve slowly but surely been making upgrades to my small backyard in anticipation of summer: I snagged my first outdoor smoker, hoping my planter yields something green (anything, please!), and have been eyeing this fancy hammock chair. My deck box is pristinely organized with camp chairs for extra seating, and I can’t wait to host the first backyard hang of the season.

Throughout this process of moving, assembling, and sprucing, I was tripping over my garden hose the entire time. It sits right next to the door and was a gnarled mess, serving as both a hazard and an eyesore. I somehow overlooked the easiest (and cheapest) fix I probably should’ve started with—a retractable garden hose. Namely, the Giraffe Tools Heavy Duty Retractable Garden Hose.

I’ll admit, a standard hose reel would’ve sufficed, but I’m glad I splurged on the Giraffe Tools hose. Standard reels are still manual, and there’s a bit of untangling involved when using the hose. Wall-mounted options also require that you haul your bunched-up hose across the yard if you’re watering something further away. Plus, the hose left from previous tenants was already quite crimped and weathered. I figured it was best to start anew, completely.

The Giraffe Garden Hose comes in four different lengths and two diameters. Other than checking your hose bib to see if you need the 1/2- or 5/8-inch opening, there’s nothing else required. It arrives fully assembled; simply attach the hose to the nozzle, and it’s ready to go. It comes with lawn stakes and hardware to mount to the ground or wall, but I did neither—it sits sturdily in the corner of my patio without ever tipping or blowing over.

When something as mundane as a garden hose is enjoyable to use, you know it’s a good product. The Giraffe hose’s sleek casing has a handle on top, making it easy to tote across the yard when I need to water plants. It automatically retracts—not in the way a tape measure snaps back and you feel like you may lose a finger—with a smooth gliding action. Other niceties include a hose holder on the side and a stopper that prevents the hose from fully retracting into the case.

The party trick I most enjoy is the swivel base. I never would have thought a swiveling hose would be necessary, but it makes it so much easier to use and maneuver around the yard. I also appreciated the included spray nozzle, which features nine spray modes and an onboard shut-off valve.

I no longer put off hosing down my grill, and the omnipresent tripping hazard is no more. Functionality aside, the Giraffe Retractable Hose is compact, sleek, and looks like the BB-8 Droid from Star Wars. I’ve spent time and money prepping my backyard for the warmer months ahead and thoroughly enjoy the process. However, if I had to do it again, I would’ve started with something as simple as the garden hose.

Shop the Giraffe Tools Heavy Duty Retractable Garden Hose