If you’ve been running a Graco Ultra 395 PC for a few years and you’re thinking about stepping up to the Ultra Max II 695, you’ve probably looked at the spec sheets, noticed both machines say “3,300 PSI” and wondered what exactly you’re paying an extra $400 for.
The answer isn’t in the pressure rating. The answer is in flow rate, motor power, and what those differences mean for your actual work. Here’s the honest comparison that the product page doesn’t give you.
The Machines: What You’re Actually Comparing
The Graco Ultra 395 PC (models 17E844 stand, 17E845 cart, 17E846 hi-boy) runs at 3,300 PSI maximum, flows 0.54 gallons per minute, accepts tips up to .024-inch orifice, and weighs approximately 30 lbs. Motor: 7/8 HP TEFC DC.
The Graco Ultra Max II 695 (models 17E572 standard, 17E574 ProContractor, 17E577 hi-boy) runs at 3,300 PSI maximum but flows 0.75 gallons per minute, accepts tips up to .031-inch orifice, and uses a 2.0 HP brushless DC motor. Weight: approximately 42 lbs.
The Number That Actually Matters: Flow Rate
| Specification | Ultra 395 PC | Ultra Max II 695 |
| Max Pressure | 3,300 PSI | 3,300 PSI |
| Flow Rate | 0.54 GPM | 0.75 GPM |
| Motor Power | 7/8 HP TEFC DC | 2.0 HP Brushless DC |
| Max Tip Size | .024″ orifice | .031″ orifice |
| Pump / Kit | Endurance 246428 / 18B260 | Endurance Chromex 16Y598 / 248212 |
| Machine Weight (stand) | ~30 lbs | ~42 lbs |
Flow rate determines how much material the pump can physically move per unit of time. At 0.54 GPM the 395 delivers about 32 fluid ounces per minute; at 0.75 GPM the 695 delivers about 45 — a 40% difference in throughput. On a door or trim piece that gap is invisible. On a 3,500 sq ft exterior it represents roughly 90 minutes of additional spray time per day. You can browse the full Graco Ultra 395 parts and pump kit listing to see how the 18B260 packing kit applies to this machine’s fluid section.
Where Each Machine Earns Its Place
Ultra 395 — The Right Tool for Most Residential Work
Interior painting, exterior residential repaints on single-family homes, deck staining, and cabinet finishing all sit comfortably within the 395’s operating range. If your typical job involves standard latex paint, a 515 or 517 tip, and surfaces in the 1,500–3,000 sq ft range, the 395 handles that workload for years without strain.
Ultra Max II 695 — When the 40% Flow Margin Pays Off
Elastomeric coatings: the 695’s 2.0 HP brushless motor and Endurance Chromex pump handle the sustained thermal load of thick, abrasive material that pushes the 395 to its limits. Large commercial exteriors: covering 8,000–15,000 sq ft per day makes the 0.21 GPM difference between the machines translate to a full day’s throughput advantage over a 3-day job.
.027–.031 inch tips: the 395 is at or past its design limit at these orifice sizes. The 695 runs them without stress. For back-to-back heavy daily jobs, the 695’s motor headroom means significantly less thermal wear.
The Parts Difference Over a 3-Year Ownership Period
The Ultra 395 uses the 18B260 packing kit at approximately $65–$85 per rebuild. Total routine service cost: approximately $90–$115 including the 239922 intake valve seat. The Ultra Max II 695 uses the 248212 packing kit at approximately $145–$175, making its service interval cost roughly $110 more — find the complete Graco Ultra Max II 695 parts list to see every component involved in a full service.
At two rebuilds per year under heavy use, that’s approximately $220 more annually in parts. Against a machine that costs $400–$450 more to purchase, the 695 pays for itself in productivity within the first season for contractors at the volume where it excels.
The Verdict
Buy the Ultra 395 PC if you do primarily residential work with standard latex materials and your typical job is a single-family home or small commercial space. The 395 is one of the most reliable machines in the Graco lineup with a 20-year track record.
Buy the Ultra Max II 695 if you spray elastomeric regularly, work on large commercial or multi-family exteriors, run .027 or larger tips, or operate the machine continuously for 8-hour days in warm conditions.
Both machines are fully supported with genuine OEM parts at SprayersAndParts.com. Browse our complete Graco paint sprayer parts catalog for packing kits, valves, pump assemblies, and maintenance supplies for every Graco model currently in production — same-day shipping from Houston, TX before 1pm CST.