Putting Hoses to the Test
Whether you are watering the lawn, filling the kiddie pool, or washing the car, the best garden hose is worth its weight in gold, particularly if it's non-kinking. We did some of our own testing—the old-fashioned way, not scientifically—and found hoses that totally deserve the "no-kink" label.
NeverKink Commercial Duty Series 4000 by Teknor Apex
This heavy-duty hose is manufactured of recycled materials and reinforced with self-straightening Reflex Mesh technology, making it truly anti-kink. All-weather flexible, it is intended for commercial and industrial-strength jobs, so it gets heavy at longer hose lengths. NeverKink also makes an Ultra Flexible Series 2000 hose with the same technology, which might be more appropriate for lighter-duty residential uses. Available on Amazon; $36.
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MaxFLEX by Scotts
This flexible, kink-resistant hose is manufactured with the environment in mind. Both the hose and couplings are lead-free and contain Agion, a silver-based compound that discourages the growth of bacteria and mold. MaxFLEX is light and maneuverable, and has a collared section near the coupling which prevents kinking at the spigot. Available on Amazon; $35.
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Tuff-Guard by JGB Enterprises
The Tuff-Guard is not only the newest, but the lightest and most flexible of the best garden hose contenders we tested. In fact, it's 35% lighter than conventional hoses and you can actually tie it in a knot without disturbing the water flow. The one drawback: The couplings spin, so removing a sprayer can be difficult—something the company is working to fix for the next iteration. In the meantime, a pair of pliers will help you out. Available on Amazon; $85.
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Forever Garden Hose by Flexon
Another good kink-free option, the commercial-grade Flexon boasts five-ply construction and crush-proof couplings. The most distinctive thing about it, though, is the Guard-N-Grip connector, which makes it the easiest hose to attach and remove from a spigot. The connector is essentially a plastic sheath that slides over the coupling and acts like a built-in wrench. Available on Amazon; $59.
Garden Hose by Flexzilla
The Flexzilla Garden Hose is both flexible and lightweight. It’s easy to drag around the yard, even when completely full of water. The hose is abrasion resistant and has no memory, which means it will always lie flat during storage. Available on Amazon; $32.51.
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Extra Heavy Duty NeverKink Hose by Green Thumb
Not only does this premium Green Thumb hose never kink, but it also self-straightens to avoid tangling during use. Microshield anti-microbial protection helps prevent mold and mildew, while machined brass couplings make it heavy duty–and more than adequate for regular residential usage. Available on Amazon; $25.65.
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