ProPress or Push to Connect?
Today, we’re diving into one of the most requested topics: Pro Press versus Shark Bite fittings. But we’re not stopping there—we’re also throwing Quick Fitting into the mix. We’re going to put each of these into a pressure chamber and see what holds up best. Let’s see which one comes out on top!
Shark Bite and Quick Fitting are push-to-connect fittings. They work like a puzzle—just push the pieces together, and they lock in place using O-rings and stainless steel teeth.
Pro Press, on the other hand, is a bit different. It uses copper or brass fittings with an O-ring, which is then mechanically squeezed to create a tight seal.
We’ve got three pieces of copper pipe and fittings for each type. Here’s the lineup:
Pro Press: VGA cap and VGA male adapter.
Quick Fitting: Metal adapter with a plug.
Shark Bite: Shark Bite Max with a male adapter and cap.
Before we start, it’s crucial to ensure there’s no debris on the outside of the pipes that could interfere with the O-rings inside the fittings. A clean surface is key to a good seal.
For Pro Press, the process is straightforward. Slide the fitting on until it bottoms out. Then you use the handy Pro Press tool to squeeze those rings tight. For Shark Bite and Quick Fitting, you push the fittings together until they lock in place. Pretty easy.
We assembled each fitting and put them into our blast chamber. First up was Quick Fitting. With 76 PSI of water pressure, we cranked it up to almost 2000 PSI before it blew apart. The surprise here was that the stainless steel ring remained locked on the copper, but the fitting blew out from the pressure.
Next, we tested Pro Press. This one surprised me. It withstood over 3000 PSI before blowing off the end. That’s impressive!
Finally, we tested Shark Bite. It held up to about 1600 PSI before blowing apart. The fitting stayed intact, but the pressure was too much.
Quick Fitting: Blew apart at 1556 PSI.
Pro Press: Held strong up to 3163 PSI.
Shark Bite: Blew apart at 1566 PSI.
It’s important to note that these fittings are designed to withstand city water pressure, which should never exceed 100 PSI. All three performed well within those limits, but Pro Press clearly demonstrated superior strength in this test.
If you’re working with any of these fittings, here are some tips to help you be successful:
Know Your Insertion Depth: Mark the insertion depth on the pipe to ensure the fitting is properly seated.
Use the Right Tools: Quick Fitting has a special tool for marking and reaming, which can help ensure a proper fit.
Clean Your Pipes: Make sure the outside of the pipes are clean to avoid any leaks.
This has been an interesting experiment. Pro Press showed remarkable strength, while Shark Bite and Quick Fitting both performed adequately for typical water pressures. If you’re a plumber or a homeowner, any of these fittings should work well for your needs.