An Honest Take on the SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 Pressure Washer Nozzles
Many pressure washer owners have experienced the frustration of cheap plastic nozzles that crack, strip, or stop fitting properly after a season or two. The SIMPSON Cleaning 71155 nozzle kit is marketed as a heavy-duty, all-metal solution with a turbo nozzle included. This set is designed for regular use, particularly for tasks like driveway cleaning and siding washing. Based on extensive owner feedback and spec analysis, here is a full, honest review of what this kit delivers.
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 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. Owners consistently report using the turbo nozzle for about 70 percent of their cleaning tasks, with very good results.
Performance: The Good, The Bad, and The Powerful
The spray patterns are crisp and consistent. Owners report no sputtering or uneven fan patterns, even when running the washer at full throttle. The 15 degree nozzle chews through mildew and dirt on concrete driveways with no problem. The 40 degree nozzle is gentle enough to wash a car without stripping wax, as long as the wand is kept moving. The 0 degree nozzle is extremely powerful; owners caution that it can cut a small groove into wood decking if held 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 many owners buy this kit. On a gas washer, it dramatically increases cleaning speed. Instead of going over the same spot multiple times with a standard nozzle, the rotating jet clears a wider path in one pass. It feels like having a mini surface cleaner attached to the wand. The rotation is smooth and does not cause excessive hand vibration. Owners do note that the turbo nozzle uses more water than the fixed nozzles—that is just physics, as the rotating mechanism creates a wider spray pattern. But the trade-off in cleaning speed is worth it for most. On an electric washer, the turbo nozzle still works, but the pressure drop is more noticeable. It still cleans better than a standard 25 degree nozzle, just not as aggressively as on a 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. They handle units pushing 4 GPM without any issues. The water flow is unrestricted, and the nozzles do not overheat or distort. However, on smaller electric washers that only do 1.5 GPM, the high flow nozzles feel a bit mismatched. The spray pattern is still fine, but the pressure seems 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
These nozzles are heavy. The all-metal construction is a huge pro for durability, but it adds weight to the wand. On the spec sheet, 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. Owners report dropping them multiple times with no damage—they remain perfectly round and functional. The color coding on the ends is bright and has not faded, which helps when 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. 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 many electric washers use a smaller bayonet style connection. The SIMPSON nozzles simply will not fit those wands. Owners often have to buy an adapter, which adds 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
This set typically retails for around forty dollars. 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 owners likely will never have to replace them due to cracking or stripping. The plastic nozzle that comes with many gas washers often strips 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 This Suits
This kit is not for everyone. Here is a breakdown 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.
Verdict
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. For owners with the right washer, this kit replaces all other nozzles and delivers strong performance and longevity. For those with the wrong washer, the fit and weight will be frustrating. Know your equipment before you buy.
Overall, this kit earns 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 available.
