Neverkink Garden Hoses, by Apex LTD, are among the best garden hoses available on the market and are an outstanding choice for many of today’s consumers. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, and they have a huge number of different types of hoses, designed for different primary uses. The goal of this article is to compare and contrast each of the different sub-brands of Neverkink hoses, highlight the important features of each, and do an overall Neverkink hose review.
Introductory Video
This short video touches on a few of the major features found on many Neverkink Garden Hoses and is a helpful start.
NeverKink Hose Review
Here is a table that shows the variety of lines of Neverkink Garden Hoses, some basic features, and some basic pricing information to compare a similar size and length hose from each line.
Neverkink Hose Type | Hose Width | Hose Lengths | Coupling Features | Drinking Water Safe | Low Temp Flexability | Price on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commercial Pro | 3/4", 5/8" | 50', 75', 100', 130' | Heavy Gauge Power Coil | No | Yes | (50' of 5/8" hose) |
Heavy Duty | 5/8" | 25', 50', 75', 100', 130' | Rigid Sleeve | No | No | (50' of 5/8" hose) |
Extra Heavy Duty | 5/8" | 50', 75', 100' | Rigid Sleeve | No | Yes | (50' of 5/8" hose) |
Boat & RV | 1/2", 5/8" | 25', 50' | Thumb-thing coupling | Yes | No | (50' of 5/8" hose) |
Lite | 9/16" | 50' | Soft Sleeve | No | No | (50' of 9/16" hose) |
Farm & Ranch Pro | 5/8" | 50', 75', 100' | Heavy Gauge Power Coil | No | Yes | (50' of 5/8" hose) |
Significant NeverKink Hose Features
- Hose does not kink under normal use
- High-quality aluminum couplings (on most lines)
- Variety of coupling options
- Leak and crush-resistant (on most lines)
- Microshield to prevent mold and mildew build up
- Made in the USA
- Can be chained together
- Can be used with standard garden hose nozzles
- Lifetime Warranty
Kinking and Tangling
Neverkink is clearly promoting the non-kink aspect of their hoses as the primary reason to purchase these units, and in reality, they do not typically kink or tangle, as most standard garden hoses do.
However, be sure you turn the hose on before you untangle it, or the hose may kink.
Regardless, this hose may still kink from time to time, but the amount of kinking is generally significantly less than what is found on traditional hoses.
A more accurate term would probably be “Almost Neverkink”.
Couplings
Depending on your needs, the couplings and sleeves of the different lines of Neverkink hoses have different features. In our individual reviews below, we explain the important properties of each individual line of Neverkink hoses.
All of the couplings are lead-free for safety, and most are made of Aircraft grade aluminum, which is an excellent material for coupling, as it will not rust or corrode.
Made in the USA
All of NeverKink’s products are made in the USA, which is always an excellent feature!
Warranty
NeverKink advertises a lifetime guarantee on their hoses against kinking and tangling, and if you find your hose is tangling or kinking frequently, you should contact them for a free replacement.
If you would like to peruse the warranty, here is a link to one of Apex’s NeverKink Warranties (this for the Extra Heavy Duty line).
Rubber Hose Washers
When attaching garden hoses to spigots, chaining one garden hose to another, or attaching a spray nozzle, it is almost always helpful to use some rubber hose washers to improve the seal. These washers are inexpensive and easy to use and will help prevent leaks and drips.
Some buyers have said that their NeverKink hoses came with washers, while others did not receive them. Given their low price, it may be wise to pick some up regardless.
NeverKink Hose Lines Reviewed
Here we will look at each of the major NeverKink lines of water hose, and examine the major features and benefits of each.
NeverKink Commercial Pro Line
The NeverKink Commercial Pro Line of Garden Hoses is aimed at the professional landscaper or construction professional, though it is likely still appropriate for home use in many circumstances.
Hose Thickness
This line of hoses is available in both 5/8″ thickness and 3/4″ thickness, with the 3/4″ hose able to put out significantly more water than the 5/8″ in a given time period, and it also provides more pressure than the 5/8″. Note: the thickness is Inside Diameter.
Coupling Type
The Commerical Pro NeverKink uses aircraft-quality aluminum couplings, and a heavy gauge power coil to help prevent tangles and to relieve strain on the hose at the location of the coupling. Also, these couplings have a swivel design that allows them to screw onto a spigot without rotating the hose.
Crush Proof Design
These hoses are designed to withstand 1,400 lbs of weight without getting crushed. Even if you were to run over the hose with your car, the hose should still function properly for years to come!
Low-Temperature Features
The NeverKink Pro is designed to work without kinking or tangling to 45′ F. Below that temperature, the hose becomes more rigid, and harder to work with.
Also, when using this hose at high temperatures of around 100′, the hose becomes a little soft to the touch, which is a strange sensation but does not seem to impact the functionality of the garden hose.
Mildew and Mold Protection
The sleeve of the Commercial Pro hose contains an antibacterial called Microshield, which is designed to keep the hose clean and free of slime growth and other nastiness. That said, this hose is not drinking water safe, so please do not drink out of it!
The Commercial Line is Ideal For:
This line of NeverKink water hoses is best used by landscapers and contractors. It is robust enough to survive being on a construction site day after day, and being moved from place to place.
The Commercial Pro line would work for homeowners, but for the most part, typical homeowners don’t need a hose this robust.
- Industrial grade, crush-proof aluminum couplings
- Heavy gauge power coil strain relief
- All-weather flexible to 45°F
- Self straightening, nts technology guarantees no kinks or tangles
- Metallic black color with exclusive reinforcement view stripe
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
NeverKink Heavy Duty Line
The Heavy Duty Line of NeverKink garden hoses is perhaps slightly less robust than the Commerical line and is more appropriate for most homeowners rather than landscapers or contractors.
Hose Thickness
The hose options on the Heavy Duty line of NeverKink Hoses is only 5/8″ thickness, interior dimension. For most applications, 5/8″ thickness is fine, but if you need to move a lot of water, you may want to opt for a 3/4″ hose, and jump up to the Commercial line.
Coupling Type
The Heavy Duty line of NeverKink Hoses uses the same aircraft grade aluminum couplings with the swivel mechanism that allows the coupling to be secured to the spigot without needing to turn the hose itself. For protection, the Heavy Duty line uses a rigid sleeve that runs for about 6″ along coupling to help prevent kinks and damage to that critical portion of the hose.
Crush-Proof Design
The Heavy Duty hose can handle up to 1,200 lbs of force before it gets crushed. This strength is nearly as high as the Commercial line, and in general, means that a car can drive over the hose without damaging it.
Low-Temperature Features
The Heavy Duty hose does not have the same low-temperature design as the Commercial line and does not function as well when the temperature gets down toward freezing.
As the temperature drops, the hose gets more rigid and is more difficult to control. Consequently, more kinks and tangles may develop.
Mold and Mildew Protection
The Heavy Duty line of NeverKink Hoses uses the antimicrobial Microshield, to prevent the buildup of mold, mildew, and other nastiness that can commonly occur in hoses that aren’t used too frequently. These hoses are not drinking water safe, however, so if you would like to drink out of them, be sure you purchase an appropriate hose.
The Heavy Duty Line is Ideal For:
The Heavy Duty Line of NeverKink Garden Hoses is ideal for most homeowners who are watering plants and a lawn on a regular basis.
It is robust, works well in a garden hose reel, and for the most part, never kinks. It is also not so heavy that it is difficult for most people to use.
- Guaranteed not to kink or tangle
- Rigid sleeve prevents kinking at the faucet
- High strength lead-free aluminum couplings leak and crush-proof
- Guaranteed Not to Kink or Tangle
Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Neverkink Extra Heavy Duty Line
The NeverKink Extra Heavy Duty line of garden hoses falls somewhere between the Commercial and Heavy Duty lines in terms of robustness and features. Like the Heavy Duty line, this garden hose is aimed at homeowners, as opposed to landscapers and contractors, though it is a very robust garden hose.
Hose Thickness
The Extra Heavy Duty line is only available in the 5/8″ format, and not in 3/4″ like the Commercial Line (interior dimension). For most circumstances, the 5/8″ thickness is fine.
If you need to move a lot of water from one place to another, you’ll want the 3/4″, but for typical watering needs, the 5/8″ hose is generally thick enough.
Coupling Type
The NeverKink Extra Heavy Duty couplings are the same aircraft-grade aluminum found on their other high-end hoses, with the Heavy Gauge Power Coil for added protection at the first several inches of the hose where it meets the couplings. The Heavy Gauge Power Coil works great at preventing kinks in this location, and also keeps the hose from getting damaged from frequent use.
The Power Coil is one of the most significant upgrades from this line over the Heavy Duty line.
Crush Proof Design
The Extra Heavy Duty line is crushproof up to 1,200lbs of weight. This is similar to the Heavy Duty line of water hoses and is only slightly below the Commercial Pro line in terms of strength.
Low-Temperature Features
Like the Commercial Pro line, the Extra Heavy Duty line of NeverKink hoses is designed to function well down to 45′ F. It generally will not kink or soften until the air gets below 45′, at which point it tends to get a bit more rigid and difficult to roll up.
When the temperature is very high, around 100’+, these hoses tend to feel a bit floppy, but still work fine.
Mold and Mildew Protection
The Extra Heavy Duty line features the same antibacterial coating known as the MicroShield, to help prevent mold and mildew buildup on the hose. This is a helpful feature, but remember, the MicroShield does not prevent all mildew and mold growth, and this hose is not drinking water safe.
If you require a drinking water safe hose, be sure to purchase one that specifically is labeled drinking water safe.
The Extra Heavy Duty Line is Ideal For:
This Extra Heavy Duty NeverKink Garden Hose straddles the line between the Commercial Pro line and the Heavy Duty Line. If you frequently need to move a lot of water, the Commercial line’s 3/4″ diameter may be useful, but if you don’t need that, the Extra Heavy Duty may suit your needs fine.
It is appropriate for most homeowners who want a strong garden hose, and for most contractors and landscapers that don’t need a 3/4″ hose.
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NeverKink Boat and Camper Hose Line
The NeverKink Boat and Camper Hose line is targeted at those who have boats and RVs, who may have white fiberglass that does not react well to black hoses.
These hoses are not as robust as the Heavy Duty hoses but have a few extra features that make them ideal for use in Boats and recreational vehicles.
Hose Thickness
All of the Marine and RV lines of hoses are 5/8″ thick. Typically these are not needed to move huge amounts of water, and the 5/8″ thickness is appropriate for these hoses.
Coupling Type
The Boat and Camper Line has a coupling design that is unique to this line of hoses. It is called the Thumb Thing coupling and is set up to allow easy attachment and detachment of the hose from the spigot, as opposed to supreme strength. Since boat and RV users frequently have to attach and detach their hoses, this sort of setup makes a lot of sense.
Crush Proof Design
The RV and Boat line of hoses does not feature the crush-proof design that is common among the heavy-duty NeverKink hoses, so be wary when driving vehicles or heavy machinery around while these hoses are in use.
Low-Temperature Features
The Boat and Camper line does not have the low-temperature features found on some of the other lines of NeverKink hoses. These are generally designed to be stored inside the boat, or in the RV, where there is enough ambient heat to keep them above 45′ before use.
Mold and Mildew Protection
The Boat and Camper line of hoses features the anti-microbial coating common to most all NeverKink garden hoses.
The Boat and Camper Line is Ideal For:
The NeverKink Boat and Camper Line of garden hoses is excellent for those with boats and RVs, who want an easy on, easy off hose that doesn’t kink and doesn’t mar fiberglass like many black hoses can.
The white finish blends in easily with typical boat and RV finishes and the hose looks and works great.
Unfortunately, this hose is not hot water safe, which is an aspect that may be a negative for some boat and RV owners.
That said, it is drinking water safe, so it’s excellent for those who need that feature.
- No matter the destination, it’s along for the ride.
- Drinking Water Safe - Manufactured with FDA sanctioned materials
- Patented anti-kink technology prevents kinks, twists and tangles, the # 1...
- RIgid sleeve prevents kinking at the faucet
- Ergonomic leak proof coupling for easier attachment to the faucet
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
NeverKink Lite Garden Hose Line
The NeverKink Lite line is extremely lightweight, and clocks in generally 25% lighter than its other lines of similar-length garden hoses.
It is targeted at those users who don’t have the strength to pull huge garden hoses around, or who simply don’t want to deal with heavy garden hoses. It is fairly unique among the NeverKink line.
This hose has the easiest handling and maneuverability of any of the NeverKink hoses and is squarely targeted at the homeowner market, specifically those that don’t want to deal with heavy, awkward hoses.
Hose Thickness
The Lite garden hose is the only NeverKink hose available in a 9/16″ interior diameter. It is the smallest NeverKink hose around, and part of the light weight comes from the narrow interior diameter.
Coupling Type
The couplings are made with the usual NeverKink aircraft-grade aluminum and are quite sturdy. The sleeve on the Lite water hose line is a soft sleeve that helps prevent kinks at the coupling but is also fairly lightweight.
Crush Proof Design
The NeverKink Lite hose features a crushproof exterior, though with the lightweight comes much less resilience. This hose can withstand 500 lbs of pressure, which is notably less than what many of the other hoses on this list can handle.
Low-Temperature Features
The Lite model does not feature the low-temperature resistances that some of the heavy duty lines offer. Consequently, these can be a bit more troublesome when the temperature drops.
Mold and Mildew Protection
Unlike most of the other hoses on this list, the Lite line of NeverKink hoses does not feature the anti-microbial protection, presumably to reduce weight on the hose.
The NeverKink Lite Line is Ideal For:
Homeowners, retirees, and those who do not want to lug heavy hoses around. The lite line is focused purely on weight, and ease of use. While it still uses NeverKink’s kink-free technology, these hoses dispense with some of the other features common to NeverKink’s other lines in favor of reducing weight down to the lowest point possible.
- The lightweight hose that gets the hard work done.
- Up to 25% lighter weight
- Patented anti-kink technology prevents kinks, twists and tangles, the # 1...
- Leak proof and crush resistant couplings
- Soft sleeve prevents kinking at the faucet
Last update on 2024-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
NeverKink Pro Farm and Ranch Line
The NeverKink Pro Farm and Ranch line is targeted at farmers and ranchers and has much in common with the Extra Heavy Duty line of NeverKink garden hoses.
Hose Thickness
The NeverKink Pro Farm and Ranch line features 5/8″ thick hoses, which are fine for most circumstances.
Coupling Type
The couplings on the Farm and Ranch are made of aircraft-quality aluminum and are quite strong. Connecting the coupling to the hose is a Heavy Gauge Power Coil that is designed to prevent the hose from kinking at the end, which is a common point of failure among garden hoses.
This setup is virtually identical to the Commercial and Extra Heavy Duty lines.
Crush Proof Design
These hoses are quite crushproof, though unfortunately, NeverKink doesn’t say what the weight estimate for this hose is. We presume it is between 1,200lbs and 1,500 lbs, given the ratings of the Pro and Extra Heavy Duty lines.
Low-Temperature Features
The Farm and Ranch line is designed to withstand temperatures down to 45′ F without getting rigid and difficult to maneuver. When the temperature drops below that, these hoses can get to be a bit of a challenge to work with, and may have some kinks and twists from time to time.
Mold and Mildew Protection
The Farm and Ranch line has the anti-microbial coating known as MicroSheild, common to many of NeverKink’s hose lines. These hoses are protected from mildew and mold build up, which is a nice feature. However, they are not drinking water safe.
The NeverKink Farm and Ranch Hose Line is Ideal For:
The Farm and Ranch line is targeted at farmers and ranchers, though really it is extremely similar to the Extra Heavy Duty line. If one is cheaper than the other, we would suggest getting the cheaper one, as there are no significant differences between them.
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Stephen C Slade says
I hate the Neverkink hose I purchased from my local hardware store!!! It kinks bad!!! Someone should sue the manufacturer for false advertising! The only reason I bought it was because of the claim on the label. NEVERKINK, what a joke!!! I will be telling everyone about it!
Eric Clark says
Thanks for telling us Stephen! What a bust for you. Ours has worked out ok. What do you other readers think?
Lisa Avedisian says
I had a problem with the Neverkink 5/8 in. Dia x 50 ft. Heavy Duty Water Hose, which sprung a leak. I contacted the company, followed their instructions and instead of replacing the hose under their warranty, they sent me a gift card. Now the gift card was for $19.00 and change. To purchase the hose through Home Depot’s web site, the hose cost me $26.72. I contacted them about the price difference, and I go NO RESPONSE. So much for their warranty, ripping off customers.