SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 Review

My Honest Take on the SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 Pressure Washer Nozzles

If you are anything like me, you have probably gone through a few sets of pressure washer nozzles. The cheap plastic ones that come with many entry level machines tend to crack, strip, or just stop fitting properly after a season or two. I was on the hunt for a set that would actually hold up to regular use, especially since I do a lot of driveway cleaning and siding washing. That is when I came across the SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 nozzle kit. This set is marketed as a heavy duty, all metal solution with a turbo nozzle included. I have been using it for several months now, on everything from a mid range gas unit to a smaller electric washer. Here is my full, honest review based on real world use, not lab tests or marketing hype.

How I Tested It

I wanted to give this kit a fair shake, so I did not just spray some water on a brick wall for five minutes. I used the SIMPSON 71155 set on three different pressure washers over the course of about three months. The first was a 3200 PSI gas unit with a standard threaded wand. The second was a 2000 PSI electric unit that uses a bayonet style quick connect. The third was a rental commercial grade unit that had a different quick connect system altogether. I tested each nozzle for spray pattern consistency, ease of swapping, and how well they handled continuous use. I also purposely left the kit out in my truck bed during a few rainstorms to see how the metal would hold up to moisture. I do not have a lab, and I did not measure flow rates with scientific instruments. I just used them like a normal person would, and I paid close attention to any issues.

The Nozzle Breakdown

This kit comes with five nozzles: 0 degree, 15 degree, 25 degree, 40 degree, and a turbo nozzle. The 0 degree is a pencil jet, extremely aggressive. The 15 and 25 are your workhorse nozzles for stripping paint or cleaning concrete. The 40 degree is a wider fan for rinsing or washing delicate surfaces. The turbo nozzle is the standout here. It rotates the stream in a tight circle, giving you the cutting power of a 0 degree with the coverage of a wider spray. I used the turbo nozzle for about 70 percent of my cleaning tasks, and it performed very well.

Performance: The Good, The Bad, and The Powerful

Let me start with the most important part: how these nozzles actually perform. The spray patterns are crisp and consistent. I did not notice any sputtering or uneven fan patterns, even when I was running the washer at full throttle. The 15 degree nozzle chewed through mildew and dirt on my concrete driveway with no problem. The 40 degree nozzle was gentle enough to wash my car without stripping wax, as long as I kept the wand moving. The 0 degree nozzle is scary powerful. I actually cut a small groove into a piece of old wood decking when I held it too close. That is not a flaw of the nozzle, but a warning: be careful with that one.

The Turbo Nozzle Is a Game Changer

The turbo nozzle is the main reason I bought this kit. On my gas washer, it increased the cleaning speed dramatically. Instead of going over the same spot multiple times with a standard nozzle, the rotating jet cleared a wider path in one pass. It feels like having a mini surface cleaner attached to your wand. The rotation is smooth and did not vibrate my hand excessively. I did notice that the turbo nozzle uses more water than the fixed nozzles. That is just physics, the rotating mechanism creates a wider spray pattern. But the trade off in cleaning speed is worth it for me. On my electric washer, the turbo nozzle still worked, but the pressure drop was more noticeable. It still cleaned better than a standard 25 degree nozzle, just not as aggressively as on the gas unit.

High Flow Rate: A Double Edged Sword

The SIMPSON 71155 nozzles are designed for high flow rates, which is great for commercial or heavy duty residential washers. I ran them on a unit that pushes 4 GPM, and they handled it without any issues. The water flow was unrestricted, and the nozzles did not overheat or distort. However, on my smaller electric washer that only does 1.5 GPM, the high flow nozzles felt a bit mismatched. The spray pattern was still fine, but the pressure seemed slightly lower than with the nozzles that came with the electric unit. This is not a flaw in the nozzles themselves. They are built for higher volume machines. If you have a small electric washer, these will work, but you might not get the full benefit of the turbo nozzle.

Build Quality and Value: All Metal Means Heavy

I will be blunt: these nozzles are heavy. The all metal construction is a huge pro for durability, but it adds weight to your wand. When I first picked up the kit, I was surprised by the heft. Each nozzle is machined from brass or stainless steel, and the turbo nozzle has a metal housing. They feel solid, like a tool you could drop on concrete and not worry about. I have dropped them a few times, and they are still perfectly round and functional. The color coding on the ends is bright and has not faded, which helps when you are grabbing one out of a pouch. The quick connect coupler on the back of each nozzle is also metal. It clicks into place firmly on most wands.

Not Compatible With All Quick Connect Systems

Here is the biggest con for me. The quick connect on these nozzles is a standard 3/8 inch female thread with a male quick connect plug. That sounds standard, and it is for many gas powered washers. But I have two electric washers that use a smaller bayonet style connection. The SIMPSON nozzles simply would not fit those wands. I had to buy an adapter, which added extra length and another potential leak point. If you have a washer with a proprietary quick connect, like some brands from big box stores, check the connection type before you buy. This is not a universal fit kit. It works perfectly on standard threaded wands, but it is not compatible with every system. That is a limitation that SIMPSON should be more upfront about on the packaging.

Value for Money

I paid around forty dollars for this set. That is more than a plastic nozzle kit, but less than buying individual metal nozzles from a professional supplier. Considering that you get five nozzles, including a turbo nozzle that costs twenty dollars on its own, the value is solid. The all metal construction means I will likely never have to replace them due to cracking or stripping. The plastic nozzle that came with my gas washer stripped out after six months. These SIMPSON nozzles show no wear at all. If you factor in the longevity, the price is fair. Just be aware that you might need to buy an adapter for certain washers, which adds a few dollars to the total cost.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This kit is not for everyone. Let me break it down by user type.

• Homeowners with a gas pressure washer (2500 PSI or higher). This is the ideal user. You will get the most out of the turbo nozzle and the high flow design. The weight is not a big deal because you are already using a heavy machine. The all metal build will outlast your washer.
• Contractors or heavy duty users. If you clean driveways, decks, or equipment for a living, these nozzles are a good investment. They can handle daily abuse and high flow rates. The quick connect is standard on most commercial wands.
• People who hate plastic nozzles. If you have broken cheap nozzles before, the metal construction will give you peace of mind. They feel like they will last forever.
• Not for owners of small electric washers (under 2000 PSI). You will not get the full performance, and the weight will make your wand feel unbalanced. The quick connect may also not fit without an adapter.
• Not for people with proprietary quick connect systems. If your washer has a bayonet or a push button connection that is not standard, check compatibility first. This kit is designed for standard 3/8 inch threaded wands.

My Verdict

After months of use, I can say the SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 nozzle kit is a solid upgrade for anyone with a standard gas pressure washer. The all metal construction is a clear win for durability. The turbo nozzle is genuinely useful and speeds up cleaning tasks significantly. The high flow rate is a pro if you have a machine that can handle it. But the kit has real flaws. It is heavy, which can be tiring on long jobs. It is not compatible with many electric washers or proprietary quick connect systems without an adapter. The high flow design can actually reduce performance on smaller machines. I do not regret buying this kit. It has replaced all my other nozzles for my gas washer. But I would not recommend it to someone with a basic electric unit. It is a tool for a specific job, and for that job, it works very well. If you have the right washer, you will be happy with the performance and the longevity. If you have the wrong washer, you will be frustrated by the fit and the weight. Know your equipment before you buy.

Overall, I give this kit a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its target audience. It loses a star due to the compatibility issues and the weight. But for durability and cleaning power, it is one of the best nozzle kits I have used.