When was the last time you saw someone gently setting down a hose nozzle?

Instead, you see them tossed to the ground, left lying around, and just waiting to be stepped on or run over by a car.

This relentless low-grade abuse leads to damage, leaks, performance issues, and water waste. We should know: Over the years, in testing products for this guide, we’ve had countless nozzles develop leaks—one of which completely drained a well.

We’ve sprayed, misted, jetted, and showered our cars, lawns, and gardens with dozens of nozzles, and we haven’t found a more rugged, versatile tool than the Melnor R301 RelaxGrip Metal Thumb-Control 8-Pattern Nozzle.

Everything we recommend

Top pick

Runner-up

Best for...

Best for...

Top pick

For a full-featured hose nozzle that can shower delicate flowers just as well as it can blast the mud off a truck tire, we recommend the Melnor R301 RelaxGrip Metal Thumb-Control 8-Pattern Nozzle. It offers eight spray patterns, which run the gamut from a car-rinsing jet stream to a mist that can water delicate seedlings. But, most importantly, this rugged nozzle trades in the standard trigger control for a thumb-operated valve. What’s the difference? The internals on the thumb-control valve are much more durable and simpler than those on a trigger-style nozzle. This means fewer moving parts and less chance for a leak. And for those with limited hand strength, the thumb control can be easier to operate because there’s no need to constantly hold the squeeze of the trigger.

The downside to the thumb-control valve is that it’s trickier to change the flow rate at a moment’s notice, but that’s a trade-off we’re willing to make. After years of hands-on testing and long-term use of trigger-style nozzles, we’ve come to the conclusion that they simply don’t last more than a couple of years (with the exception of the indestructible Gilmour nozzle, which we recommend below).

Runner-up

If the Melnor R301 is not available, we also like the Husky Pro Thumb Control Multi-Pattern Nozzle. It has the same durable thumb control and overall design as the Melnor R301. The differences are that it has three fewer spray settings, the handle isn’t as comfortable, and it’s available only at Home Depot. The two nozzles typically cost about the same. Therefore, we don’t see a reason to choose the Husky, unless you need a nozzle quickly, there is a Home Depot nearby, and you never, ever want to use a cone or flat spray pattern.

Best for...

If you strongly prefer a trigger-grip hose nozzle, we recommend the Melnor XT451 Heavyweight Metal 7-Pattern Nozzle. This Melnor model stands out due to its metal construction and good variety of spray patterns. Arguably, the trigger style’s quick, automatic shutoff can use less water and can offer greater one-handed control. But, as we’ve found with nearly all trigger-style nozzles we’ve tested over the years, the XT451 will eventually start to leak (while its thumb-controlled cousin, the Melnor R301, remains stable).

Best for...

The classic Gilmour Full Size Zinc Pistol Grip Nozzle, a longtime Wirecutter recommendation, proves that you can pay very little for a satisfying hose nozzle, as long as you’re willing to compromise on versatility. This tool has none of the plastic parts common to competitors, and it lacks a rotating wheel of spray settings. Instead, you get a range of sprays, from a mist-like cloud up to a forceful jet. And you can adjust a setting screw to customize this range—slightly. This Gilmour nozzle is perfect for washing a car, but its lack of precision and tendency to overspray can be frustrating if you’re watering small container plants. Through years of hard use, multiple Gilmour nozzles in our tests have proved to be incredibly durable.