Are Pressure Washer Wands Universal?

Are you looking for a replacement pressure washer wand? Maybe you are in need of better performance or something more durable. There are a lot of wands available, but which is the best? And can you choose just any wand? There are a lot of factors you have to consider.

You can use any wand on your pressure washer if it has a compatible fitting. If you have a gas pressure washer with a Quick Connect fitting for example, you can use any wand that supports it.

Are Pressure Washer Wands Interchangeable?

You can use a wand that has the same fitting size. Wands for gas and electric pressure washers are not interchangeable however.

The words wand and lance refer to the same thing. The wand is the part where the spray nozzle is connected to. The wand itself it connected to the trigger, which is the spray gun.

Gas pressure washers use three types of fittings: M22, 3/8” and Quick Connect. Check your owner’s manual which type your pressure washer uses.

If the fittings are Quick Connect, look for a wand that supports Quick Connect. If the pressure washer has M22 fittings, then you need a wand with an M22 connection. This is true not just for wands but other types of pressure washer attachments.

Electric pressure washers often require the same brand. If you are using a SunJoe SPX3000 electric pressure washer, get wand from the same brand. There’s a chance a different brand might work but it’s not guaranteed.

To keep it simple:

Gas pressure washers use three types of fittings or connections: M22, 3/8” or Quick Connect. Your pressure washer will support at least one of these. Find out which one works with your pressure washer and the wand will run fine.

Electric pressure washer attachments including wands should be from the same brand. You can avoid a lot of potential problems this way.

Related. Are pressure washer attachments universal?

What Pressure Washer Wand Should I Use?

If you are looking for a replacement, there are two ways to go about it.

A spray gun kit. A spray gun kit includes a spray gun, nozzles and a wand. You also get all the fittings and required connectors. Go with this option if you want to get a new gun and nozzles too. Plus you don’t have to worry about the fittings.

The nice thing about spray gun kits is you get everything you need. All you have to do is make sure it has the same fitting as your pressure washer and it will work. The wand, the gun, the nozzles etc. will be compatible.

If you are looking for a spray gun kit with a wand and nozzles, the Tool Daily Spray Gun Kit is one you might consider. It comes with a complete nozzle set, wand and the fittings you will need.

Wand only. You can choose to buy just a wand. Use this if you only need or want to replace the wand.

If you are only going to a wand, check its connection. Since it will plug into your pressure washer spray gun, it must have the same fitting. If it does you can use it. The Ridge Washer Wand is one of the most popular ones as it works with a lot of pressure washers.

If you are still unsure what to get, here are some guidelines:

Get a spray gun kit if you want a performance upgrade. Replacing just the wand is not going to have much of an effect if the spray gun, nozzles and hose are the same.

If you are happy with the performance you are getting, it is all right to just replace the wand.

Gas Pressure Washer Wands

First consideration is compatibility. Check what fittings work with your pressure washer and that will narrow your choices down.

Decide if you want a spray gun kit or just a wand. In most cases it is better to get a spray gun kit. If the wand is not performing well, you might as well replace the spray gun and nozzle. If you don’t, that new wand might not function the way you expect. Getting all new parts makes more sense.

If the wand works well but already worn out, the spray gun and nozzles might need replacement too. Might as well replace everything now.

Gas pressure washer wands support quick snap-on and adjustable nozzles. The difference between the two:

Adjustable spray nozzles are simple attachments. You twist a knob to adjust the spray pattern from wide to narrow.. If you need basic pressure washing and cleaning, this is for you.

Snap-on spray tips. This allows you to quickly connect and disconnect spray nozzles onto the wand. If you regularly spray different patterns, this is more suitable.

Most pressure washers support both. This is great news if you sometimes need to do different types of cleaning or just a simple wash. The point is you have a lot of options when it comes to nozzles and wands.

Electric Pressure Washer Wands

Electric pressure washer wands are less universal than gas. That’s why it is best to choose a wand made by the same brand.

Can you connect a different wand brand to your pressure washer? You might be able to do it, but there is no telling what happens next. The wand might fit perfectly or cause long term damage.

With just three fitting sizes, gas pressure washers offer greater compatibility. Due to the way electric pressure washers work, it is more restrictive.

Telescoping Wands

A telescoping wand allows you to reach the top of a house roof or even higher while remaining on the ground. With a reach of up to 24 feet (or more), you can easily remove the dirt from a 2-story house or an RV roof.

Telescoping wands require a 3/8” hose. Once plugged in, you can set the height as high as needed. Take note that most telescoping wands are aluminum and heavier than a typical wand. This is necessary though given its length.

A telescoping wand is for you if:

• You need to clean high, hard to reach areas
• Do not have a ladder
• Does not want to put oneself at risk
• Clean second or third floor windows
• Clean gutters
• Wash an RV or truck roof

Cleaning a second story surface used to be fraught with risk. Now with a telescoping wand you can keep your feet firmly on the ground. It takes a bit of practice to get used to this wand. It does bend and can be heavy. But it is safe to use and once you get the hang of it, straightforward to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a gas pressure washer wand on an electric model?

No. Gas and electric pressure washer attachments are not compatible. A gas wand only works with a gas pressure washer. An electric pressure washer wand typically only works with the same brand. It will not even run on electric pressure washers from other brands.

When should I replace a pressure washer wand?

There is no timetable for replacing wands, or any pressure washer attachment. As soon as the wand gets worn out, you have to replace it. When this happens varies because people use pressure washers in different ways. Just keep an eye on the wand and make sure to get a replacement as soon as possible.

How do I know what fitting my pressure washer uses?

This information can be found on the owner’s manual. If you are not sure, just bring the wand with you and the vendor can point out which is compatible with it.

How do I make a wand last longer?

Maintenance is the key. Clean the wand along with the spray gun regularly. Remove dirt, grime, clogging etc.

Use only water at the appropriate temperature. The spry gun manual should tell you what water temperature works with it best.

Can I use any type of nozzle on a wand?

As long as the fittings are compatible, yes.