Buying task · Surface cleaners
Surface cleaners
Choose a pressure washer surface cleaner by its inlet, the PSI and GPM range its maker states against your machine's rated output, water temperature and deck size.
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Picks that fit
- SIMPSON 80625 universal 16.5 in surface cleaner, 2,000‑4,000 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- Westinghouse universal 15 in pressure washer surface cleaner, 3,400 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- Greenworks 5210902 15 in surface cleaner with 12 in extension wand, 3,100 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
Short answer
Choose a pressure washer surface cleaner by four things, in this order: the inlet (1/4 in or 3/8 in quick-connect), the PSI and GPM range its maker states compared with your machine's rated output, whether it is rated for the water temperature you use, and only then the deck size. A cleaner rated above your machine's output is not a fit just because it connects.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
- SIMPSON 80625 universal 16.5 in surface cleaner, 2,000‑4,000 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- Westinghouse universal 15 in pressure washer surface cleaner, 3,400 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
- Greenworks 5210902 15 in surface cleaner with 12 in extension wand, 3,100 PSI, 1/4 in QCCheck price on Amazon
What this topic covers
A surface cleaner is a round housing, or deck, with a rotating spray bar inside. It goes on the end of the wand in place of a nozzle. This topic covers how it connects and what it is rated for. It does not cover cleaning results or which surfaces it is safe on; no source we read supports a claim like that.
The decisions, in order
1. The inlet. Most consumer cleaners attach where a nozzle would. RYOBI's RY31SC12 is a 12 in, 2,300 PSI surface cleaner with wheels and rotating jets that attaches with a 1/4 in quick connect.[1] DEWALT's DXPA34SC is an 18 in cleaner with two rotating jets, rated up to 3,400 PSI, with a 1/4 in quick-connect, for cold water only.[2] Larger models can use the bigger connector: BE's 20 in Whirl-A-Way (85.403.007) connects with a 3/8 in quick connect.[3] Check what your wand's outlet takes on your machine's page.
2. The PSI and GPM range against your rated output. This is where most mismatches happen. SIMPSON's 15 in 80165, now marked discontinued, is listed for cold water from a minimum of 2,200 PSI and 2.3 GPM up to 3,700 PSI.[4] A machine below that minimum is outside SIMPSON's stated range. Compare it with your machine's rated figures, not its maximums: Sun Joe's SPX3000 manual lists 1,450 PSI and 1.24 GPM as rated working output.[5] Kärcher says its residential pressure washers have flow rates between 1.25 and 2.5 GPM, depending on the model,[6] and its FAQ sends owners to its accessories page for surface-cleaner compatibility.[6]
Not every maker states both ends of a range. DEWALT lists no minimum or maximum GPM for the DXPA34SC,[2] and RYOBI lists no GPM range for the RY31SC12.[1] BE's table for its 20 in model does not label which figures are minimums and which are maximums, so we do not publish a range for it. Where a figure is missing, the flow fit cannot be confirmed from the maker.
3. Cold or hot water. The cleaner's temperature rating belongs to the cleaner. SIMPSON lists the 80165 with a 140°F maximum for cold-water use,[4] while BE rates its 20 in model to 180°F.[3] Use hot water only where the machine and every part in the line are rated for it.
4. Deck size. Pick the diameter last. Makers sell 12 in, 15 in, 18 in and 20 in models, each with its own rating. The 12 vs 15 vs 20 in guide lays out what makers state for each size.
What the deck is made of is a maker description. SIMPSON describes the 80165 as having a powder-coated steel shroud and two rotating jets with stainless steel nozzles.[4]
Surface cleaners to compare
Picks that fit3 products
Choose by your machine's rated output and brand. SIMPSON's 80625, Westinghouse's surface cleaner and Greenworks' 5210902 kit (sold with an extension wand) are each sold as one size per listing.
More on choosing
Read the inlet, rating and any minimum the maker states for that part against your machine's rated PSI and GPM before you order, and skip any cleaner whose minimum is above your machine's output. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
SIMPSON surface cleaner with a stated minimum
SIMPSON 80625 universal 16.5 in surface cleaner, 2,000‑4,000 PSI, 1/4 in QC
Westinghouse's own surface cleaner
Westinghouse universal 15 in pressure washer surface cleaner, 3,400 PSI, 1/4 in QC
Greenworks surface cleaner kit with an extension wand
Greenworks 5210902 15 in surface cleaner with 12 in extension wand, 3,100 PSI, 1/4 in QC
Machines and connections
See the 1/4 in quick-connect and 3/8 in quick-connect pages for the inlets, and the Kärcher K2 to K5 and Sun Joe SPX3000 pages for two electric machines' documented output.
Every page on surface cleaners
Start here
Guides
- 12 vs 15 vs 20 in surface cleaners
- Nozzle size for your pressure washer's PSI and GPM
- Max vs rated PSI and GPM
Tool
Key terms
surface cleaner, surface cleaner deck, spray bar, operating flow range, rated output and quick-connect.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- 12, 15, 18 or 20 inch surface cleaners: what the makers listHelps owners choose a surface cleaner deck size by the rating their machine can meet rather than by width.
- Surface cleaner fit: inlet, PSI and GPM range, cold waterHelps owners check whether a surface cleaner connects to their wand and is rated for their machine's output before they buy.
Shortlists
- Surface cleaners with a stated inlet and pressure rangeHelps you shortlist a surface cleaner and check its stated inlet and range against your machine's rated output before you buy.
Common questions
What size surface cleaner do I need?
The size whose stated PSI and GPM range your machine's rated output meets. Width comes second: a deck your machine cannot supply is the wrong size however much area it covers. More in 12, 15, 18 or 20 inch surface cleaners: what the makers list
Is a 20-inch surface cleaner too big for an electric pressure washer?
Compare the ratings. BE's 20 in 85.403.007 connects with a 3/8 in quick-connect and BE publishes no clear operating range, while Kärcher puts its residential machines at 1.25 to 2.5 GPM. Without a stated minimum from the cleaner's maker, the fit cannot be confirmed. More in 12, 15, 18 or 20 inch surface cleaners: what the makers list
Steel or plastic surface cleaner housing?
Makers state the material and nothing more. SIMPSON describes a powder-coated steel shroud on its 80165, and BE specifies an ABS polymer housing on its 85.403.007. Neither tells you about the rotating joint or other pressure-bearing parts. More in 12, 15, 18 or 20 inch surface cleaners: what the makers list
How many jets does a surface cleaner have?
The ones we read have two. SIMPSON's 80165 has two rotating jets with stainless steel nozzles, DEWALT's DXPA34SC has two rotating jets, and BE's 85.403.007 ships with two 25-degree size 020 nozzles. More in 12, 15, 18 or 20 inch surface cleaners: what the makers list
Will a surface cleaner work with an electric pressure washer?
Only if your machine's rated output meets the cleaner's stated minimum. SIMPSON listed its 80165 from 2,200 PSI and 2.3 GPM, while Sun Joe rates the SPX3000 at 1.24 GPM and Westinghouse the ePX3500 at 1.2 GPM. Compare the numbers for your own machine. More in Surface cleaner fit: inlet, PSI and GPM range, cold water
What PSI do I need for a surface cleaner?
The range the cleaner's maker states. RYOBI lists its RY31SC12 at 2,300 PSI, DEWALT its DXPA34SC up to 3,400 PSI, and SIMPSON listed the 80165 from 2,200 to 3,700 PSI. Some makers state no minimum or no GPM at all. More in Surface cleaner fit: inlet, PSI and GPM range, cold water
Can a 1/4 in surface cleaner go on a 3/8 in hose?
It attaches where its inlet matches, which is usually the 1/4 in quick-connect at the end of the wand, not the hose. DEWALT's DXPA31SW wand, for example, has a 1/4 in quick-connect outlet for tips. More in Surface cleaner fit: inlet, PSI and GPM range, cold water
Can I run hot water through a surface cleaner?
Only one rated for it, on a machine built for it. DEWALT's DXPA34SC is for cold water only; BE rates its 85.403.007 to 180°F. More in Surface cleaner fit: inlet, PSI and GPM range, cold water
Questions
Do surface cleaners work on electric pressure washers?
Compare the cleaner's stated range with your machine's rated output. SIMPSON listed its 80165 from a minimum of 2,200 PSI and 2.3 GPM, while Sun Joe rates the SPX3000 at 1,450 PSI and 1.24 GPM working output, below that minimum. RYOBI sells a 12 in, 2,300 PSI cleaner instead.[4][5][1]
What size surface cleaner should I get?
Pick the deck size after the inlet and the PSI and GPM range fit. Makers sell 12 in (RYOBI RY31SC12), 15 in (SIMPSON 80165), 18 in (DEWALT DXPA34SC) and 20 in (BE 85.403.007) models, each with its own rating. We found no source that ties a deck size to a machine output.[1][4][2][3]