Simpson Cleaning 80155 Review

Introduction: Why I Needed a Better Wand

I have been using pressure washers for years, both for my own property and for helping out neighbors with their driveway and siding projects. The stock wands that come with most consumer pressure washers are, frankly, flimsy. They bend under pressure, the plastic threads strip, and the short length forces you to hunch over. When I finally upgraded to a higher flow pressure washer that pushes 3.5 GPM, I knew my old wand was a weak link. That is when I started looking at the Simpson Cleaning 80155. This wand is marketed as a heavy duty professional tool, and I was skeptical. After spending several months using it in real world conditions, I can tell you exactly what works and what drives me crazy.

This is not a lab test. I am not a scientist. I am a guy who cleans concrete, wood, and vinyl siding for a living on weekends. The Simpson 80155 has been my primary wand for the last six months, and I have put it through mud, grease, high pressure, and accidental drops. Here is the full story.

How I Tested It

I did not run this wand through a machine that measures vibration or metal fatigue. I tested it the way you will use it. I connected it to my Simpson 60852 gas pressure washer, which runs at 3,200 PSI and 2.5 GPM. I also used it on a rental unit that pushes 4,000 PSI at 4.0 GPM to stress test the flow rating. My testing included three main tasks.

Concrete Cleaning

I cleaned a 500 square foot concrete patio that had years of moss and oil stains. This required a lot of bending and reaching into corners. I used a 15 degree nozzle for most of the work.

Siding and Gutters

I washed two stories of vinyl siding and aluminum gutters. This is where reach matters most. I stood on the ground and tried to hit the roofline without a ladder.

Heavy Grease and Mud

I cleaned a tractor and a truck undercarriage. This involved awkward angles, mud caked on everything, and high flow to blast off debris. I also intentionally dropped the wand on concrete three times from waist height to check durability.

I used the wand for at least 20 hours of total run time. I did not use any special couplers or adapters beyond the standard 1/4 inch quick connect that came with the wand.

Performance: The Good and the Annoying

Let me get straight to the point. The Simpson 80155 performs exceptionally well in terms of cleaning power and ergonomics, but it has one glaring flaw that will bother some users.

Reach and Vibration Reduction

The 48 inch length is a game changer. With my old 24 inch wand, I had to bend at the waist constantly, which killed my back after an hour. With the 80155, I stand almost upright when cleaning flat concrete. For siding, I can reach second story windows without a ladder. I am 5 feet 10 inches tall, and I can comfortably hit gutters that are 12 feet off the ground by extending my arms. The extra length also keeps you farther from the spray, which means less mist blowing back into your face. That alone is worth the upgrade.

The thick rubber grip is not a gimmick. It is a dense, textured sleeve that covers most of the wand. When I used a high flow 4 GPM washer, the wand vibrated noticeably less than my old aluminum wand. The rubber absorbs the chatter from the pump and the water hammer. After two hours of continuous use, my hands were not numb. That is a huge improvement.

High Flow Compatibility

This wand is rated for up to 4 GPM. I tested it on a 4 GPM machine, and it handled the volume without any pressure drop or overheating. The internal diameter is clearly larger than cheap wands. I did not notice any restriction or turbulence. If you have a high flow pressure washer, this wand will not bottleneck your performance. It delivers the full flow to the nozzle.

The No Swivel Problem

Here is the biggest con. The wand does not have a swivel at the base where it connects to the gun. This means the hose connection is fixed. When you rotate the wand to change your spray angle, the hose twists. If you are working in tight spaces or moving around a lot, the hose will kink and fight you. I had to constantly stop and untwist the hose. This is a design oversight. A simple swivel would cost a few dollars to manufacture, but Simpson left it out. You can buy an aftermarket swivel adapter, but that adds length and another potential leak point. For a wand at this price point, the lack of a swivel is frustrating.

Weight and Fatigue

The wand is heavy. It weighs over 3 pounds. My old aluminum wand was about 1.5 pounds. The extra weight comes from the thick steel construction and the rubber sleeve. When you are holding the wand at arm’s length for 30 minutes, you will feel it in your shoulders. If you have arthritis or weak wrists, this could be a dealbreaker. I personally did not mind the weight because I am used to heavy tools. But I noticed fatigue after about 45 minutes of continuous overhead work on siding. If you are a casual user doing a small driveway, the weight is not a problem. If you are a pro doing full house washes, you will want to take breaks.

Build Quality and Value

I have broken three cheap wands in the past two years. The threads stripped, the shaft bent, or the quick connect cracked. The Simpson 80155 is built like a tank. The wand is made from heavy gauge steel, not aluminum or thin brass. The threads are machined and feel solid when you tighten them. The rubber grip is molded on, not a slip on sleeve that moves around. I dropped it on concrete three times from waist height. The first drop left a small dent in the steel, but the wand still works perfectly. The quick connect coupler at the nozzle end did not crack or deform. I am confident this wand will last for years.

Let me talk about the value. This wand is not cheap. It costs more than a basic wand, but less than a full pro setup. For the durability you get, I consider it a good investment. You will not have to replace it every season. The high flow rating also future proofs you if you upgrade your pressure washer later. The only thing that hurts the value is the missing swivel. If Simpson added a swivel, I would call this the best wand under 100 dollars. As it is, you get a 9 out of 10 build with a 6 out of 10 convenience feature.

What is in the Box

The wand comes with a 1/4 inch male quick connect at the base and a 1/4 inch female quick connect at the nozzle end. You get the wand itself, a rubber grip, and a small instruction sheet. No nozzles are included. You will need to buy your own set of quick connect nozzles if you do not already have them. That is standard for a wand only purchase.

Maintenance Tips

I recommend applying a light coat of silicone lubricant to the quick connect couplers every few months. The steel is durable but it can rust if you leave it wet. After each use, I blow out the wand with compressed air to remove water from the inside. This prevents corrosion and keeps the threads clean. I also store it vertically in a dry shed.

Who Should Buy It

This wand is not for everyone. Let me break it down.

Buy it if:

• You have a high flow pressure washer (3.5 GPM or more). The wand is designed for high volume and will not restrict your machine.
• You need extra reach. The 48 inch length is excellent for siding, gutters, and cleaning large flat surfaces without bending.
• You are tired of flimsy wands that bend or break. This is a heavy duty tool that will survive drops and abuse.
• You work in cold weather. The thick rubber grip stays comfortable even when the metal is cold.

Do not buy it if:

• You have a low flow pressure washer (under 2.5 GPM). The wand will work, but the extra weight and length will not give you much benefit. You are better off with a lighter, shorter wand.
• You hate dealing with hose twists. The lack of a swivel is a real annoyance. If you clean in tight spaces or move constantly, this will drive you crazy.
• You have physical limitations. The 3+ pound weight is tiring for overhead work. If you have shoulder or wrist problems, look for a lighter wand.
• You only wash a car or small patio. The length and weight are overkill for small jobs. A standard wand will be easier to handle.

My Verdict

After six months of hard use, I can say the Simpson Cleaning 80155 is a mixed bag. On one hand, it is the most durable wand I have ever owned. The steel construction, thick rubber grip, and high flow capability are exactly what a serious user needs. The 48 inch length transformed how I clean siding and concrete. I no longer dread the back pain that came with my old wand. On the other hand, the lack of a swivel is a frustrating oversight. It turns a simple cleaning session into a constant battle with a twisted hose. I ended up buying a swivel adapter separately, which cost extra and added another connection point.

If you can tolerate the hose twisting or you plan to add your own swivel, this wand is a fantastic investment. It will outlast your pressure washer. If you want a ready to go tool that works perfectly out of the box, look elsewhere or budget for a swivel adapter. For me, the pros outweigh the cons. I am keeping this wand and I will buy another one if this one ever breaks, which I doubt it will. Just be aware of the weight and the twist factor before you click buy.

I rate the Simpson 80155 a solid 7.5 out of 10. It excels at durability and reach, but fails at basic hose management. If Simpson releases a version with a built in swivel, I will buy it immediately. Until then, this is the wand I recommend for heavy duty users who do not mind a little extra hassle for a lot of extra toughness.