Just purchased a new pressure washer and looking for potential upgrades? Or currently suffering from a rubbish hose that came with your pressure washer and wondering if things can get better.
The answer is yes.
I suffered for ages with a rubbish hose, it was unwieldy, constantly knotting and just a pain to work with, so I went on the hunt for the best pressure washer hose. I’m so glad I did, I ended up picking up a cracking hose that didn’t kink or knot up anywhere near as often.
Seriously, before this upgrade, my hose would get knotted around itself, around my garden hose and around the electrical cable, it was a pain in the ass.
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together a few pressure washer hose reviews alongside a buyers guide to ensure that your purchase is as simple and flawless as it can possibly be.
[toc]
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Schieffer Co. 1/4 IN. x 50 FT. Pressure Washer Hose for B & S Craftsman & Generac & Karcher |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Sun Joe SPX-25HD Universal Pressure Washer Hose for SPX Series |
|
|
|
Briggs & Stratton 1/4-Inch X 25′ Pressure Washer Hose 196006GS |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
Best Pressure Washer Hose Reviews
This is an incredibly durable pressure washer hose. Designed to be abrasion, ozone, and kink resistant, it should last a long time.
It’s 50-feet long, which gives you plenty of reach for working around your yard.
Both ends of this hose feature the “female twist” connector, so you need to ensure that your pressure washer and the wand expect a screw fitting. I like this type of connection as it’s secure and prevents the hose from coming out of place.
Being able to withstand 3000 PSI means that this braided textile hose can work with both electric and gas-powered pressure washers.
This is a fantastic medium-duty level hose. If you find your craftsman won’t start check this article out.
Pros
- It is kink and abrasion-resistant, making it very durable
- Flexible thanks to the material it’s contracted from
- A 180-day warranty is amazing
Cons
- The connection fittings limit how many pressure washers this is compatible with
- It can’t be used with high-pressure units
Like with the Simpson Cleaning pressure washers where we expect high-quality, their hoses are no exception to that rule.
This is fit for medium to heavy-duty applications, with the hose being able to handle up 4500 PSI, this hose is well suited to both electric and gas pressure washers.
At 100 feet long, this is fantastic for providing vast amounts of coverage, though this being one of the longer hoses on the market does limit you somewhat, in that you need to ensure that your pressure washer can push water that distance.
You can actually get this hose in a 200-foot length version, so if you are remote and have to keep your pressure washer close to power and water, you won’t have trouble reaching jobs at a distance.
This hose is made from polyurethane with a dual-braided construction of polyester and steel. This is a rather flexible hose that doesn’t appear to get twisted up on itself.
Thanks to how this is constructed, it’s incredibly durable.
Pros
- Thanks to its length, it allows you to reach incredibly far
- Durable construction thanks to its polyurethane dual braided design
- The connections are designed to work with most pressure washers
Cons
- Hard to handle due to its length
- Takes a lot of time to wind up and store
This Sun Joe pressure washer hose can handle up to 2900 PSI meaning it can handle light and medium-duty work.
It uses standard 22mm connections, so it will fit the vast majority of pressure washers on the market.
While not the longest hose on this list, it is a good length at 25-feet and fits the standard length of pressure washer hoses, plus you won’t have to worry about pressure loss.
It’s the perfect length for washing a car or your average-sized yard.
It’s made from a material that is high-quality and incredibly flexible, features that I love.
The connections will fit most standard pressure washers.
Pros
- Very easy to maneuver and doesn’t twist up on itself when in use!
- Flexible even though it’s thick and durable
- Provides constant pressure, regardless of the unit that you use thanks to its length
Cons
- It’s not a cheap hose
- It’s quite a weighty hose
Another cracking hose from a well-known brand being offered by Briggs & Stratton. Being from Briggs & Stratton, you can expect a high-quality product, which will easily handle the test of time.
It can handle up to 3000 PSI, so well suited from light to heavy-duty cleaning.
Another 25-foot hose, this pressure washer hose will easily handle all the typical jobs around your house. It’s well constructed and incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver.
It features 22mm connectors and screws into place on both ends. The connectors are high quality, but it is recommended that you lubricate them so that they remain in place and you get a good seal.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Compatible with the majority of pressure washer units
- The color does not show dirt quickly
Cons
- Can be stiff when in use
- Might leak if you use it for too long without lubricating the connectors
If you want a flexible pressure hose, while being high quality then look no further, this is an excellent option from Apache.
It’s made from Thermoplastic rubber, meaning it’s easy to work with and move around, while also enjoying a long life, provided you take care of it.
This hose can handle up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is excellent if you are using a pressure washer that uses hot water. Add to that, this pressure washer hose has flexibility restrictors, which prevent the hose from flattening.
This hose weighs 5.5 pounds, which makes this a lightweight hose, which, when you take into account of its length of 50 feet, that’s incredibly lightweight.
Being able to handle up to 3700 PSI means this will handle light to heavy-duty cleaning.
Pros
- Flexible and easy to use
- Incredibly lightweight
- Resistant to scruff and marks
Cons
- Can’t handle some of the more powerful gas pressure washers
This offering from Simpson Cleaning is made using a polyurethane outer jacket and a lightweight polyester braid.
Make this a very easy to work with hose, it doesn’t wrap up on itself and is easy to store.
Thanks to its construction, it’s highly resistant to abrasions and scratches.
Another hose that features a dual o-ring design (female twist connections) this hose will fit most 14.15mm connectors.
This hose comes with a male twist connector in case that’s the type your pressure washer uses.
Being able to withstand up to 3700 PSI makes this great for light to some heavy-duty work. It’s also capable of handling up to 140-degree Fahrenheit, perfect for tackling grease and stains.
Pros
- Very durable construction
- Highly flexible and easy to handle
- Lightweight and easy to work with and store
Cons
- Can form bubbles in the hose which isn’t ideal
IF you want a hose from a well known-brand, that isn’t fancy, long or expensive, then Karcher have you covered.
This is a 25-foot long hose, meaning it’s well suited for your typical household chores such as cleaning your car, front porch, or garage.
This hose can handle up to 3600 PSI so It can handle medium and even some heavy-duty jobs. If you have stubborn stains, this hose won’t let you down.
This hose will fit most brands of power washers, thanks to the fact this pressure washer hose includes a range of compatibility adapters, you can even use this as an extension hose or a replacement/upgrade.
Pros
- Solid and durable construction
- The hose is easy to maneuver and store
- Great for medium-duty work and some heavy-duty tasks
Cons
- Cannot be used with every pressure washer on the market (E.g., Sun Joe)
What Are Pressure Washer Hoses?
Simply put, a pressure washer hose is a hose that’s been specifically designed to handle the level of pressure that your electric pressure washer will exert.
A garden hose cannot handle the force your pressure washer will exert, it will just burst.
So what’s the difference? Your pressure washer hose is designed to be strong, this is why they tend to be rather stiff, and made from hard plastic.
This is the main difference you garden hose is rubber and flexible, where your pressure washer hose is reinforced and designed to handle the level of pressure your pressure washer will produce.
Benefits of Using Pressure Washer Hoses
The benefits of a pressure washer hose are that you can use it to connect your pressure washer to your spray handle. Without it, your pressure washer would be essentially useless.
Some don’t require hoses but those are the exception rather than the rule.
A good pressure washer hose will enable you to direct the jet of water wherever you need without having to lug the pressure washer itself around.
Giving you a wide area of coverage.
That said, don’t just accept that the hose that came with your pressure washer is what they are all like. Some are better than others and if you find yours to be a nuisance, then an upgrade may be due.
You may hear the term alimentation hose, this is just a hose that allows you to connect to a water source, some pressure washers come with a built-in water tank, the alimentation hose will enable you to connect your pressure washer to a water source at a further distance, removing the need to fill the pressure washers built-in water tank continuously.
Pressure Washer Hose Buying Guide
When you are looking to buy a new pressure washer hose, you need to keep in mind a few things. Firstly you need to get a hose that’s strong and durable enough to support your pressure washer.
On top of that, we have the following things you should consider when picking out your pressure unit hose.
1. Purpose
Are you looking to clean a large area? Such as a patio path, or a similar-sized area, in which case you’ll want a good-sized hose, though don’t go over the top in length as it can have a detrimental effect on your pressure washers ability to deliver pressurized water.
If you are cleaning greasy surfaces that you’ll be using a pressure washer that provides hot water, in which case you need a pressure washer hose that’s able to withstand hot water.
Some materials get stiff or fragile when exposed to high temperatures, so make sure that this doesn’t happen to your hose by purchasing one suited to your needs.
2. Length
Length is another factor that you need to consider, this will determine how much reach you will have with your pressure washer.
Let’s say you have a garden hose, which is 5-foot length and an electric pressure washer which has a 10-foot pressure hose, then taking into account the length of the spray wand and water jet, you may have a total reach of 20-foot.
However, if you purchase a longer hose, you’ll be able to reach much farther, giving you the ability to clean larger surface areas, handy when cleaning your car as you need to move around from side to side etc.
Though the longer the cable, the more significant the tripping hazard and also the chance of tangling. Also, don’t go overboard with the pressure hose length. As the longer the hose the harder it is for your pressure washer to supply enough pressure, resulting in a lower pressure output.
3. Diameter
The diameter of the hose is something you need to consider, different hoses have different diameters and different pressure washers have different diameters.
As such, you need to match the hose diameter to the outlet diameter of your pressure washer.
As the PSI and GPM increase, so does the diameter of your hose, so for example, if you had a 2700 PSI pressure unit, you might have a ¼ inch diameter hose. However, as the pressure moves up, say between 2700 and 3400 PSI, you might find that the hose diameter is around 5/16 inches.
I suggest matching the hose diameter to that of your pressure washer, this ensures that you get the pressure output you expect.
4. Material
Power washer hoses are made from usually three different materials, these being PVC/ABS plastic, polyurethane, and rubber.
PVC is the most common type you’ll find, but it can be quite stiff, so it can be a royal pain to work with.
On the other hand, rubber hoses are much more flexible and easier to use because of this. They tend to have a tendency to be heavy and leave scuff marks on surfaces you are cleaning.
A popular alternative to PVC and rubber pressure hoses is one made from polyurethane. These hoses are steel braided and are coated in rubber. This increases their flexibility.
These are much more expensive compared to PVC or rubber hoses.
5. Connection Type
Finally, the connection type, these high-pressure hoses will be connected at both ends to either the pressure unit or the spray wand.
Before buying a replacement or an upgrade, you need to ensure that you get the right type of connection. Check to see if it’s a snap-in style (male connector) or a screw style (female connector).
This is the same for both the connection of the pressure washer and the other end, which connects to your spray wand.
How to Connect the Hoses to the Pressure Washer
Connecting your pressure washer hose to your pressure washer is very simple. It’s either a snap-on connection where you just push until it clicks and locks into place.
Or it’s no different to that of your garden hose to your faucet where you have a screw style. Here’s a detailed guide on the overall pressure washer adjusting process.
1. Check the Hoses
Check the hose from one end to the other, you want to look for cuts, holes or kinks. You’ll want to do this for both the high-pressure hose and the hose, which supplies water to the pressure washer.
2. Check the Water Supply
You need to check that the water supply can supply the level of water that your pressure washer requires.
This is termed as GPM, gallons per minute. Your pressure washer will have it’s GPM requirements usually on the unit itself. Otherwise, you can check the manual.
If you aren’t sure what your water pressure is, you can quickly test this, take a 5-gallon bucket and and fill it from your faucet, time how long it takes to fill. If you fill the bucket within 60 seconds, then your GPM is 5 at your water supply.
Now that we know what you can supply, if you’ve been unable to find the GPM of your pressure washer, there’s a trick you can use to find it out.
Put your inlet hose into the bucket you’ve just filled and see how long it takes for your pressure washer to empty the bucket. If, after 60 seconds, 50% of the bucket is empty, then the GPM is 2.5.
3. Connect the Water Supply Hose
Now the hoses and GPM have been checked. You can connect your garden supply hose to your pressure washer. This will give the pressure unit the water feed it needs.
Ensure that the connections are screwed tightly, as you don’t want any leaks.
4. Connect the Wand Hose
This is your high-pressure hose. Check the connectors at both ends of the hose and make sure that they are in good shape.
The majority of these hoses will feature the snap and clip system, though that’s not universal, and some will require you to screw the hose to the unit and wand.
My pressure washer has both, I screw the hose to the power washer and use the snap and clip system to the spray trigger.
If your’s features the snap and clip system, clip the hose to your power washer by pulling back the slip and inserting it onto the connection on the spray wand or pressure washer.
If it’s the screw style, make sure you tighten everything up nice and secure so there are no leaks.
5. Turn the Power Washer On
Now that you’ve checked that the hoses are healthy, and the connectors are good, and all connections are secured. It’s time to turn your power washer on.
Do so in a safe location and check for any leaks, if all is well, you can crack on with whatever you need to clean/wash.
Common Reasons for Hose Failure
Hoses will fail for all sorts of reasons. If you see any leaks or if the water isn’t coming out like it usually would. Well, here are some common reasons why that may be the case.
1. Incorrect Coupling
Incorrect coupling is one of the most common reasons why your hose will be malfunctioning or failed entirely.
If it’s not fitted to the spray gun or accessory correctly, it can lead to accidents and injuries. This can happen due to the hose bursting off of the spray gun or any fittings attached, this can injure you or others.
That explosive decoupling can actually lead to damage to the hose and permanent leaks, which can be rather costly to address in the future. Think… new hose.
So take a few seconds to ensure all your connections are secure.
2. Excessive Kinking
You should never kink your hose and should do your best to ensure that it doesn’t become kinked as you move around.
Kinks cause damage to the hose itself. Those rigid hoses aren’t designed to kink so when they do, it’s a scar that lasts and that kink location becomes prone to kinking again in the future.
Once kinked, that point can become a weak point, and the hose can start leak there.
Also, kinks will cause a reduction in water flow which can cause damage to your pressure washer pump.
3. Flattening
If you notice that your hose has started to flatten in places, it will mean that the minimum bending radius is no longer being met.
This will hinder the flow of the water, reducing the hoses pressure output.
This can happen due to things sitting on the hose, perhaps you walked over it when you were moving around, or it got stored incorrectly.
The end result is the hose now has a flat spot where water can’t flow through as efficiently.
4. Abrasion of the Hose
Your hose is going to be dragged about, it’ll get stuck under the wheels of your car when you wash it, it’ll rub on furniture, concrete, etc.
The life of a hose is hard.
This rubbing or abrasions will cause excessive wear to the pipe, this wear can lead to a reduced lifespan of your hose, thinning of the outer reinforcement layer and potentially leaks or even a burst hose.
While a lot of this is just how it is for the hose, you can reduce the wear by taking a few moments to help guide your hose around corners or rear wheels of a car.
5. Improper Application
I know that sounds off, it’s a hose, it’s for moving water.
But as mentioned above, hoses are made from a variety of materials and if you have a pressure washer that you use indoors, perhaps a hot water pressure washer which you use in a kitchen for cleaning down grease.
And you pair that pressure washer with a polyurethane hose, you’ll find that high temperatures cause changes to the hose, in this instance, it’ll become hard and stiff.
This then quickly turns to cracks as you attempt to bend the hose, and well from then, it’s time for a replacement.
So take a moment before purchasing to make sure you pick a hose that suits the applications you’ll be using it for.
6. Improper Maintenance
Maintenance on a hose? Don’t be daft!
Actually, taking care of your hose and keeping it well maintained will ensure it lasts you a long time.
Failing to monitor the health of your hose can prove to be expensive and for it to fail at the wrong and usually most inconvenient time.
So while the maintenance isn’t much, it’s just a case of eyeballing the hose from one end to the other, it’s a worthwhile task to ensure that you aren’t hurt by sudden jets of water coming from breaks in the pipe and that the job you have in mind is completed without an unexpected hose failure.
FAQ about Pressure Washer Hoses
1. What Is the Difference Between a Garden Hose and a Pressure Washer Hose?
The main difference is in exactly how much pressure they can withstand. Your average garden hose will explode if it’s subjected to the high pressures produced by your pressure washer.
A pressure washer hose will be reinforced, either by being constructed from stronger materials or by steel braid, this is so it can handle the high pressure that it’ll be subjected to.
Other than that, they both are a hose that moves water.
2. Can I Increase the Pressure of the Hose by Replacing the Nozzle?
The nozzle is used to control the pressure of the water coming from your pressure unit. So changing the hose will have minimal effect on the PSI of the machine.
If your power washer has a maximum PSI of 2700, then that’s the most you can expect it to produce.
Your hose is just a device to transfer the pressurized water from the pressure unit to the spray wand.
If, however you change the tip within the nozzle, then yes, you can increase or decrease the pressure from the hose.
The spray nozzle tips change the spray pattern of the water, and the spray pattern will directly affect the pressure produced.
3. Can I Use a Pressure Washer Hose for High-Temperature Pressure Washing?
The short answer is yes.
Most pressure washer hoses are capable of handling high-temperatures when pressure washing, certainly something you can’t use a garden hose for.
But as mentioned above, you need to bear in mind what material your pressure washer hose is made from.
Reinforced rubber is suitable for high temperatures, whereas cheap PVC or polyurethane will react poorly to high-temperatures, potentially ending up with the hose being destroyed.
So check what your hose is made from and aim to use a good quality hose.
4. Is a Shorter Pressure Washer Hose Better Than a Longer One?
Yes and no.
So a shorter pressure washer hose will ensure that the pressure isn’t lost in transit. Though you can go 20-30 feet in hose length and not notice any loss in pressure.
Above that and you may start to notice a loss in water pressure.
5. Can I Use Any Pressure Washer Hose on My Unit?
The vast majority of pressure washers come with their own hose. So you may be wondering, “can I use any other hose except for the one that it came with?” A fair question.
The answer is yes… but you need to take into account the hose diameter, and hose connections. These things ensure that the hose fit’s your pressure washer and produces the same pressure.
On top of that, you need to ensure that the hose can handle the pressure output of your pressure washer.
If your pressure washer produces 4500 PSI and you attach a hose rated for 3000 PSI, well, it may be like attaching a garden hose, expect the hose to fail.
Best Pressure Washer Hose Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | BASE MATERIAL | LENGTH (FT.) | CONNECTION TYPE | MAX. PSI |
| Schieffer Co. 1/4 IN. x 50 FT. Pressure Washer Hose for B & S & Craftsman & Generac & Karcher | ABS Thermoplastic | 50 | 2 x Female Twist Connectors | 3000 |
| SIMPSON Cleaning Monster 41030 Replacement Hose | Polyurethane | 100 | 1 x Male Twist Connector, 1 x Female Twist Connector | 4500 |
| Sun Joe SPX-25HD Universal Pressure Washer Hose for SPX Series | ABS Thermoplastic | 25 | 1 x Male Twist Connector, 1 x Female Twist Connector | 2900 |
| Briggs & Stratton 1/4-Inch X 25′ Pressure Washer Hose 196006GS | ABS Thermoplastic | 25 | 2 x Female Twist Connectors | 3000 |
| Apache 10085591 5/16″ x 50′ 3700 PSI Pressure Washer Hose | Thermoplastic Rubber | 50 | 2 x Female Twist Connectors | 3700 |
| SIMPSON Cleaning MorFlex 40226 Extension Hose | Polyurethane | 50 | 2 x Female Twist Connectors | 3700 |
| Karcher 8.756-105.0 25-Foot Replacement Hose | Thermoplastic Rubber | 25 | 2 x Female Twist Connectors | 3600 |
Wrap Up
The hose of your pressure washing machine is an incredibly important part. So why wouldn’t you want to invest in and use the best pressure washer hose?
Hopefully, my pressure washer hose reviews have helped guide you in purchasing a replacement hose or even an upgrade for your pressure washer, I still remember using my old hose and how much of a pain it was.
The day I fitted my new hose, was the day that washing my car became a breeze, my old hose would twist and bunch up vastly reducing the length I had available. So trying to clean around my car was impossible, I just didn’t have the hose length.
That was gone the second I upgraded to a high-quality pressure hose.
All the products in my reviews have been chosen for you because they are high-quality and well worth their price. With proper care and maintenance, they should last a long time.
Any questions or have a hose to recommend? Let me know in the comments below.
Why keep Sun Joe’s secret untold? They use a proprietary “Euro” size. Yes it is 22MM on the thread pitch, BUT the inner connector with the o-ring is 15mm not the 14mm found everywhere else. That means your favorite aftermarket hose, foam cannon, or wand gadget won’t fit! Oops!! Unless you buy a 22MM x 15-14 mm adapter, and think it through for all your attachments.
Hey Dave,
The M22 quick connect and screw connections on gas pressure washers usually come with a 14 mm internal diameter, while that same M22 connection will have 15 mm internal diameter on an electric pressure washer.
You are absolutely right to highlight this and I’ll update this article to be more clear about.
Thanks