Often when talking about pressure washers, one comes across terms such as “fan head” and “Rotopower head” (or rotary nozzle).

They sound similar, but actually offer very different performance! Understanding the difference will help you choose the right accessory for each job and achieve better results.

Fan Head

This is the most common and versatile nozzle that comes with almost all pressure washers.

How it works: It produces a flat, wide jet of water that opens like a “fan”. The width of the fan (e.g. 15°, 25°, 40°, etc.) determines the coverage and thus the intensity of the wash. A narrower angle (e.g. 15°) concentrates the power on a smaller area and is more aggressive, while a wider angle (e.g. 40°) covers a larger area with a more distributed and gentle pressure.

Ideal for:

• General cleaning: cars, motorbikes, bicycles.
• Cleaning large areas: terrace floors, driveways, walls, fences.
• Light to medium dirt removal: dust, mud, surface dirt.
• Application of detergents: often have a low pressure mode for soap dispensing.

Advantages: Versatility, control of coverage, gentleness adjustable to the angle, less risk of damaging sensitive surfaces.

Disadvantages: Less effective on stubborn dirt than Rotopower.

Rotopower head (Rotating or Turbo nozzle)

This head is the 'turbo' of the pressure washer, designed for maximum cleaning power.

How it works: Inside, a very narrow and powerful jet of water (similar to a point jet) rotates rapidly on itself. This creates a cone of water that hits the surface with the force of a concentrated jet, but with the ability to cover a slightly larger area due to rotation. The combination of high pressure and “hammering” action is extremely effective.

Ideal for:

• Stubborn dirt: moss, algae, encrustations on concrete, stone, bricks.
• Cleaning of hard, resistant surfaces: porphyry paths, pavements, stone facades, building site equipment.
• Removal of graffiti or old paintwork.

Advantages: Extremely high cleaning power, removes stubborn dirt quickly, increases the effectiveness of your pressure washer.

Disadvantages: Extremely aggressive. Not suitable for delicate surfaces such as cars, soft wood, paint, or plastic parts, as it can easily damage them, create halos or leave marks.

When to use which nozzle?

The choice of brush head depends on the type of dirt and the surface to be treated:

For daily cleaning, delicate surfaces or large areas: use the fan head. Adjust the angle to suit the job (narrower for medium dirt, wider for delicate cleaning or detergent application).

For stubborn dirt on hard surfaces: use the Rotopower nozzle.

Knowing and using the right nozzle will not only give you the best cleaning results, it will also prolong the life of your pressure washer and protect your surfaces.

credit to GEMINI