Benefits Of Costco's Highly Rated Garden Hose (And If It's Worth Buying)

If there's one item that tends to wear out quickly in the yard, it's a garden hose. Often accidentally left outside in the winter or laid out in a hot summer sun, garden hoses spring leaks or get too tangled to manage. It's easy to be drawn to Costco's Teknor Rapid Flo compact garden hose for its price tag, but let's dig into the reviews to see if it's really worth buying.

With more than 8,600 reviews, it averages a 4.3-star rating. About 6,000 reviewers give it 5 stars, which all seem very promising. But is this the product for you? The answer depends on what you're looking for. If you want something easy to carry, then maybe. Much of the praise for the Teknor comes from it being lightweight and easy to hold. This hose, which weighs in at 8.79 pounds, is lighter than some traditional vinyl hoses that can weigh up to 15 pounds. Rubber hoses can be even heavier.  

Because it's lighter, several buyers of the Teknor felt it was easier to lug around large gardens than the previous 100-foot versions they'd bought. Some said it wasn't just lighter, but also more flexible and less stiff than others, which they liked. All of this is helpful, especially if you need to remove stuck hoses, so that's the good news. Now, let's dig into the bad news, since not all customers were impressed with every part of this garden hose.

Those who did complain about this product tended to cite problems with leaks. One customer said it leaked "straight out of the box." Drips, when they happened, mostly seemed to be concentrated in the fittings, but some did report ruptures in the hose itself. Rather than try to repair holes in the garden hose, some said they simply returned it to get a refund.  

Of course, any hose can eventually spring leaks if left out in the elements. Hot sun, pouring rain, or frigid temperatures aren't kind to hoses, especially vinyl ones that often don't last as long as their rubber counterparts. If you do buy it, you might want to get a container for protection, like this other highly rated Costco product. Leaks may not be the only thing to worry about, either. Some customers said that despite the product's "no kink" promise, the hose did sometimes get tangled. Though others felt the kinking wasn't a deal-breaker, and one felt it was easy to unwind. 

So before investing in this $49.99 hose, think about what pet peeves trigger you the most. If you want something lightweight and maneuverable, then the Teknor will likely be great for you. If nothing raises your blood pressure more than a dripping hose with the occasional kink, you may want to pass. Given the different experiences of customers and the tempting price tag, however, the best option might be just to try it out and keep the receipt in case you need to make a return.