Metal hose fittings have better durability than plastic barbed hose fittings.

Also known as ball-seat hose nipples, these fittings consist of a barbed shaft with a rounded end that sits inside a female threaded nut. When mated with a male threaded fitting, the rounded end presses tightly against the inside of the male threads for a better seal than a single-piece fitting. Once assembled, insert the barbed end into hose and secure with a clamp or a crimp-on hose ferrule.

Fittings meet NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water. Attach them to garden hose for a variety of water supply applications. They are metal for better durability than plastic garden hose fittings.

Couplings are metal, which has better durability than plastic cam-and-groove hose couplings. They consist of a plug and a socket that connect and disconnect quickly. Use them if you need frequent access to a line. To connect, insert the plug into the socket and push the levers down.