Teknor Apex Zero-G Review

The Teknor combines above-average results in all of our testing metrics, resulting in a convenient and high-performing hose that is ideal for most situations. It scores on par with much more expensive options, and we could not find many faults with it. It is ergonomic and easy to use, sprays water well, and won't break the bank. Overall, this is the hose we recommend to most people when they're looking to purchase a new garden hose.

Convenience

The Teknor is a well-designed hose featuring ergonomic design elements that make it easy to use.

Unlike most hoses that are made from a single layer of rubber or synthetic material, the Teknor consists of an inner core covered in an abrasion-resistant sheath that helps protect it and reduces the need for a heavy rubber casing. The inner lining of the Teknor collapses when empty, making it easy to coil and store. The thin materials also make it maneuverable and easy to drag around the yard.

Interestingly, the Teknor does feel somewhat stiff in use, due to the water pressure that can build up in the hose. We didn't find that this subtracted from its maneuverability; on the contrary, it helped prevent kinking. It also slid easily over pavement, rocks, dirt, and mulch, though dirt and mulch stuck to the fabric sheath more than a rubber hose.

The Teknor is equipped with a large ergonomic grip attached to the connector that spins freely around the hose. This allows you to securely hand-tighten the hose to prevent leaks, as well as prevent the hose from twisting and kinking.

Performance

Because it's extremely easy to screw on, we experienced no leaks when testing the Teknor. Like most hoses, it also features an O-ring on each connector. However, we attribute the success of preventing leaks to the ability to firmly hand-tighten the connectors to nozzles and spigots.

The Teknor is a semi-rigid hose, with the inner core collapsing to almost flat when not pressurized with water. This design helps it resist any sort of coil memory; we were able to pull it right out from a tight coil, and it lay flat when empty and when full of water. We did note that, given the flat design, when uncoiling the hose, it tends to cinch up on itself, much like untangling a ball of yarn. However, we didn't experience that same issue when uncoiling it with water pressurized within the hose.

The Teknor not only resisted accidental and manual kinking, but it actively sprang back straight out of a kinked position with a flip of the hose. Even when we kinked the hose manually and stood on it, water continued to flow through the constriction. We also noticed no flat spots that developed, likely because the hose is designed to collapse flat when empty. The spray performance of the Teknor is also above average. Though it didn't come with a nozzle, we noted excellent spray distance and water pressure when we evaluated it with our standard test nozzle.

Construction Quality

Overall, we were very impressed with the construction quality of the Teknor.

The woven sheath on the Teknor is prone to picking up dirt and debris. That said, we noticed no signs of wear or tear during our testing, even after repeatedly dragging it over concrete, pavement, rocks, and logs.

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Variety of Options

The one area in which the Teknor falls short of excellence is the availability of different options for this hose. We wish there were a greater variety of length and diameter options to choose from.

The Teknor is available in only one diameter, ⅝ inch, though this is a standard hose diameter and provides great spray performance. It is also only available in three different length options: 25, 50, and 100 feet. Although one of these lengths will likely work for most people, it would be nice to have different options available to avoid paying for unnecessary hose. Lastly, the Teknor does not come with a valve or nozzle.

Should You Buy the Teknor Apex Zero-G?

At first glance, the Teknor Apex Zero-G stands out from other hoses given its unique core-and-sheath design. We were impressed with its all-around usability and performance and recommend it for most people looking to add a high-quality hose to their arsenal of gardening equipment. Not only does this hose blend convenience with performance, but it is available at a significantly better price point than other models in our lineup.

What Other Garden Hoses Should You Consider?

Garden hoses play a crucial role in a homeowner's toolkit of yard care equipment, but there are numerous options available to meet your needs. Like the Teknor, the Dramm ColorStorm Premium is a convenient and high-performing hose capable of handling the toughest watering tasks. The Dramm really stands out for its extra-long lengths, available in custom sizes up to 330 feet. It also resists kinking and is incredibly thick and durable, making it ideal for prolonged use outside. For an upgraded and premium option, suitable if you are most concerned about the quality and longevity of your hose, the Eley Polyurethane is one of the most well-made and impressive options we tested. From the time you open the box to any time you use the hose, you'll be impressed with its craftsmanship and performance. The Eley performs just as well, if not better, than the Teknor, but it does cost quite a bit more. The Flexzilla 5/8-Inch is another option to consider if the price point of the Teknor appeals to you. It boasts above-average convenience and performance and includes a nozzle. Flexzilla also offers this hose as a retractable hose reel. Ultimately, almost any option in our lineup of the best garden hoses will move water from point A to point B without leaking, and, for the most part, there's little variance in convenience or performance.