Buying a water-fed pole: what to look for

1. What size water-fed pole do you need?

First, the most common mistake: the length in the product name is the total length, not the length you work with. A 7.5 m (24.6 ft) pole has a working length of 7.1 m, because the sections overlap and you never extend beyond the red MAX marking. So always compare poles on working length.

Then add your own reach. You stand on the ground holding the pole up, so as a rule of thumb the height you can reach is roughly the working length plus your arm length. Because you stand back from the wall, allow some extra in practice: about 1.5 m for walls and windows, and about 2 m for a gutter or roof.

2. Aluminium or carbon fibre?

Aluminium is strong and affordable. Carbon fibre is lighter and stiffer, so the pole flexes less at height and is easier to work with. You really feel the difference from about 7 metres: a long aluminium pole bends as soon as you push with a washer, and that makes the work hard. Carbon stays straight, so you need less effort.

In practice: for most homes (up to 5.5 or 7.5 m), the Aluminum Supreme with AlignTrack™ is more than stable enough. Choose carbon once you work above 7 m or want the lowest possible weight — for example if you clean all the high windows of a detached house in one go. Cleaning every week, or right up to the ridge? Then the 3K Full Carbon is the stiffest choice.

Our recommendation

Aluminum Supreme water-fed pole

Five lengths from 3.5 to 10.2 m, 25 mm tubes with a 12 cm section overlap, the AlignTrack™ V-groove and SureLock™ clamps. Includes the HexaLock® Soft 4-Jet Wash Brush.

€ 109,90View the Aluminum Supreme

Our recommendation

Carbon Fiber Supreme water-fed pole

9, 10.2 or 12.05 m, with a working length of up to 11.5 m. Lighter and stiffer than our aluminium poles, so it flexes less when you put pressure on the brush at height.

€ 409,00View the Carbon Fiber Supreme

3. What to look for in the build

Two poles of the same length can work completely differently. The difference lies in details that are easy to miss in a product photo:

• Clamps: the SureLock™ clamps are made of fibre-reinforced plastic with metal hinge parts. They don’t slip when the pole is fully extended. On any pole, check whether the clamps can be replaced individually — that can save you buying a whole new pole later.
• Anti-rotation: AlignTrack™ is the V-groove that runs the full length of the aluminium sections. It stops the sections from turning: you steer at the bottom and the brush follows at the top. Without it, you’re constantly correcting a brush that sits crooked.
• Tube diameter: the Supreme range has a 25 mm top section (22 mm on the 12.05 m models). A thicker tube is stiffer — exactly what you notice when you want to apply pressure at height instead of wobbling.
• End adapter: the top section carries the HexaLock® end adapter: a hexagonal click system that holds attachments firmly and stops them turning. You swap them in one click, without tools.
• Internal water feed: the hose runs inside the pole. That prevents kinks and stops it catching on window sills, awnings or gutters.
• Base and grip: GroundGuard is the rubber protective cap at the bottom. It protects the pole on paving and guides the hose. MultiHold is the ergonomic grip zone; from 3.5 m there’s a double grip zone for extra control.

4. Water feed and choice of brush

All Eagle Extend® poles have a standard click-on hose connector (Gardena-compatible), so most click-on garden hose fittings connect directly; other systems may need an adapter. You don’t need a pressure washer: the poles are designed for normal mains pressure of 3–5 bar, and more pressure won’t give a better result. Prefer to work without a hose? Dip the washer in a bucket of soapy water and lift it to the window.

As standard, you get the versatile Soft 4-Jet Wash Brush 35 cm: four jets spread the water more evenly, and the soft bristles clean glass, paintwork and solar panels without scratching. For woodwork and window frames, or very delicate paintwork, you can add a 5-Sided or SoftWash brush later — which one, and when, is explained in which brush do you need?

5. Pole on its own or a complete kit?

Every pole already comes with a HexaLock® wash brush, so you can start straight away. A kit makes sense once you plan several jobs: glass and woodwork, or glass and solar panels. You get the matching brushes, cleaners and attachments in one go, for less than buying them separately.

Because the HexaLock® system is modular, you’re never locked in: all brushes and accessories are also sold separately and fit every pole in the range. Start small and add a cobweb brush, an angle adapter or the washer and squeegee set later.

6. Guarantee and spare parts

All Eagle Extend® poles come with a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee. It covers material and manufacturing defects in the tubes, clamps and mechanism, provided they’re not the result of wear. Normal wear — bristles, for example — and damage from dropping, knocks or incorrect use aren’t covered. The full terms are on the guarantee page.

Just as important: can the pole be repaired? If a clamp breaks within the guarantee period, we send a replacement part free of charge — the poles are easy to repair yourself. After that, clamps, section guides and the water hose are still available separately as spare parts. How to prevent wear is covered in how to look after your water-fed pole.

In short

1. 1Choose on working length, not on the model name — and add 1.5–2 m for the working angle.
2. 2Up to about 7 m, aluminium is fine; if you work higher or more often, choose carbon fibre or 3K full carbon.
3. 3Check the clamps, anti-rotation, tube diameter and internal water feed.
4. 4A modular click system and separate spare parts keep your pole in use for years.

Still undecided? Try the Pole Finder or see every model in our water-fed poles range. Got a specific situation — a dormer, an extension or an awkward recess? Send us a photo.