These reels are all-season outdoor objects that have to be:
Weather-resistant
UV-resistant
Climatically stable
Durable yet flexible
Considering the above factors, look for the garden hose reel that is made from any of these three materials:
Plastic: Look for garden hose reels made from outdoor-friendly, light-weight resin materials such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), or high-density polypropylene (HDPE). These plastics withstand UV rays and can take a lot of rough handling and wear-and-tear. In particular, HDPE has a high strength-to-density ratio.
Metal: It is used for hangers, holders, and stands. Wrought iron will be the best material. It is tough yet malleable to form elegant decorative designs. Bronze, steel, and copper are also used for pot-type of garden hose reels.
Ceramic and terracotta: For the pot type hose reels. They are breakable, but then so are planter pots. So, go ahead and buy an elegant terracotta pot to store your hose reels in a stylish way.