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Head-to-head · Best Garden Hoses

Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose vs Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about users wanting a lightweight, kink-free garden hose — read the strengths below before deciding.

Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Garden Hoses
Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose
3 sourcesall derived$30.48as of Oct 4

Orbit's 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose is praised for its kink-free performance and durable fabric construction that resists punctures. According to reviewers, it offers a lightweight yet sturdy design that's easy to handle and move around the yard. The aluminum couplings are noted for being tool-free, and users appreciate the uninterrupted water flow. While not extensively criticized, the hose lacks explicit mention of UV resistance or winter durability in comparison to competitors like Stanley FATMAX. This makes it a solid choice for everyday garden watering but may not suit those needing extreme durability in harsh conditions.

Strengths
  • — Kink-resistant design allows for easy handling and unobstructed water flow, per Deals of America
  • — Durable fabric construction provides puncture resistance and longevity
  • — Lightweight yet sturdy build makes it easy to drag around the yard
Watch-outs
  • — Users have reported issues with the hose bursting or needing frequent warranty replacements.
$30.48 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose
Ranked #5 in Best Garden Hoses
Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose
3 sourcesall derived$41.51as of Oct 4

The Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose offers a lightweight yet durable solution for gardeners seeking a high-performance hose. It features forged aluminum couplings with integrated washers that prevent leaks, and is drinking water safe. Reviewers noted its pliable nature and ease of handling, though some concerns were raised about its kinking behavior. This hose is ideal for users wanting a reliable, flexible option that maintains performance in cold weather, though it may not completely eliminate kinking issues.

Strengths
  • — Lightweight design at only 7 lbs for a 50' length, per Gardening Products Review
  • — Forged aluminum titanium coated couplings with integrated washer prevent leaks, according to Gardening Products Review
  • — AntiKink technology helps maintain hose flexibility and usability
Watch-outs
  • — May still kink under certain conditions despite anti-kink claims, per Gardening Products Review
  • — Not explicitly stated as suitable for freezing temperatures despite flexible claims
$41.51 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose

The Orbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden Hose is more durable and kink-resistant than the Project Source 50 Medium Duty Vinyl Blue Hose, but it's less reliable than the Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose which has better leak prevention. While the Orbit offers a lightweight design and aluminum couplings, it lacks the durability of the Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose and has reported burst issues. Compared to the Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose, the Orbit is heavier and less flexible.

Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose

The Stanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose is lighter and more flexible than the Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose, but it doesn't match the Eley's durability and water flow. While the Stanley offers forged aluminum couplings and anti-kink technology, it still has concerns about kinking under certain conditions, unlike the Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose which actively resists kinking. Compared to the Gorilla ToughLite 50 Heavy Duty Garden Hose, the Stanley is lighter but lacks the same burst strength and crush resistance.

Specs side-by-side

SpecOrbit 33185 ExoJacket Fabric Garden HoseStanley Fatmax Professional Grade Water Hose
MaterialFabric with polyester sheathingPolyFusion (polyurethane and PVC hybrid)
Diameter5/8 inch5/8"
Length50 feet25, 50, 75, 100, 150 ft.
Coupling MaterialAluminum, wrench-freeForged aluminum titanium coated
FeaturesKink-resistant, puncture-resistant—
Hose Length50 ft—
Base MaterialFabric—
WarrantyLifetime—
FittingsAluminum—
Dimensions600"L x 0.63"W600"L x 0.63"W
Burst Pressure—500 PSI
Weight—7 lbs (50')
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