3/8” or 1/4” hose for Electric pressure washer for the most GPM?

Did some testing on what size hose can be used on electric pressure washers and what effects it will have.
Also tested flow rates for different tips, White 40 degree and Yellow 15 degree chisel tip.
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[@littleAZN248]

I was actually thinking about this today. Thank you for doing this test. My ultimate logic is while you remove the bottle neck of the hose with the 3/8 hose, the fittings and tip are still going through a 1/4 opening. As a result, the gpm is roughly the same with either hose setup. The tip you use is the most important in determining gpm and psi.

[@Jake-mm1cz]

On some tips you can change the needle inside the tip to a 1.25 or 1.5 . I think the come with a 1.15

[@JL4ever]

Thanks for this video. It helped me with the same curiosity I had. Two thumbs up!

[@kimstockdale632]

Surprised you want to keep the 3/8" hose and not the 1/4" if they both provide the same output. Isn't the 1/4" less weight and less bulky?

[@ts6640]

I too don’t understand the logic. We must be missing something

[@Marc-Andre_G]

@@ts6640 with the gaz pressure washer the 1/4 was too restrictive becus it have more flow vs the electric one

[@ts6640]

@@Marc-Andre_G Not to belabor the point but are you now saying the 3/8 does in fact have more flow when used with a pressure washer that in and of itself can take advantage of the higher flow?

[@Marc-Andre_G]

@@ts6640 an electric pressure washer have around 1 to 2 gpm wich is not bottlenecked by a 1/4 hose vs a gas pressure wich can easy output 3gpm or even more wich require a 3/8 to reach that potential

[@ts6640]

@@Marc-Andre_G I see. Makes sense Thanks!

[@martinkorer3720]

so the thinner lighter hose that is more flexible yet produces same output with same machine is inferior to the heavier cumbersome 3/8 hose. well, can't argue with that logic.

[@CENTAUR559]

But just because you have more water coming out doesnt mean it's more pressure or it's cleaning more. It's pressurized because of the air. it would be nice to know numbers on actual pressure coming out because of that wider tube it might take longer to pressurize the flow and may not come out as hard to take off difficult stains on concrete or something. Try a spray paint line on the concrete and test that way with each type.

[@enriquemartinez3674]

what air?? pressure washers make pressure with no air, they compress water no air on that process if you put air they would cavitate and you will soon ruin your pump.

[@jimbrown9885]

Paulo's explanation is jam packed with ignorance.

[@obliviondio]

You should have taken more angles of the reel so we can see what inlet diameter is on the swivel on the reel. If they are the typical 1/4" then your gpm will overall be limited.

[@glossfx8452]

Great vid man like you and the content, keep it coming

[@NeoB-Lac]

So is 3/8 better than 1/4

[@johnrga]

That’s what I want to know.

[@ac14081408]

No. 1/4 is the superior size for washing cars.

[@scottcoleman7304]

My big concern is how unruly the damn hoses are when winding them up. How does the 3/8 reel up compared to the 1/4?

[@bbur75]

Need swivel connections on both ends

[@bennettdavid904]

Ok so since this video didn't explain anything, but flow. So what I've learned is 3/8 is better only because you have to buy fittings for quick connections for the 1/4". If someone knows where i can find hoses that are 1/4" and has a quick connections please let me know!

[@naamangeist7843]

There is plenty of 1/4" hose on Amazon with 3/8" QC fittings.

[@bbur75]

The 3/8" hose provides more Volume, flow of water, but not if you are using those tips. You must use ball valve with 3/8" male tip and use the valve to control the pressure and flow which will be much higher, better for rinsing.

[@enriquemartinez3674]

gpm is determined by the pump head, psi by the tip and the amount of water comming out of your unloader valve not by your hose diameter, you can have a 1 inch hose and the flow and pressure would be basically what you can pump and presssurize with your tip.... by the way both hoses are over kill for the pressure washers and gpms you showed. best of luck.

[@elisicamost5959]

by overkill do you mean a 50 foot 1/4 hose will be ok for an electric pressure washer? thanks

[@lmHimothy]

Hey what electric pressure washer was that ?

[@hedgefund9892]

It all comes down to your Orfice.

[@bigboy1982]

Does the length of the hose affects the pressure?

[@kylerobson1103]

You lose something like 50 PSI at 100 ft with a 3/8 hose 3 GPM machine. In other words, up to 100 feet, not much loss. You could probably go longer if you needed to.

[@drainmonkeys385]

You are going to get higher pressure with the 1/4” hose

[@jimbrown9885]

we've got a bunch of fluid physicists in the comments. they probably think a 14awg extension cord can carry 100A for miles. ...it's just electrons moving.

[@blackraven8841]

Difference in that comparison is the heat factor though.....