I was so tired of unraveling and recoiling my garden hose every time I watered the plants.  I would end up tangled up in a hose with dirt and water all over my hands. I swore I would get a reel when I moved to my new house.  I finally did and I am happy.  This does the job and I stay much cleaner when working in the yard. I wouldn't say it is completely effortless, you still have to guide the hose as you're reeling it in so it doesn't twist and kink.  But, usually it reels in just fine and it does hold a pretty large length of hose.