With a pressure washer, there is no limit to the cleaning power that you’ll have around your house. Whether you choose one that relies on electricity or gas, you can use that pressure washer for cleaning off your patio furniture at the beginning or end of summer, getting rid of stains on your driveway and even removing pollution and debris from the walls of your home. Pressure washers are also great for removing mold and mildew from the roof without actually climbing onto that roof first.
Though we like both electric and gas pressure washers, we found that the Karcher G3000X Gas Power Pressure Washer (View on Amazon.com) has more power and can outlast all other models.It comes with a Karcher KXS 196 cc engine that is reliable and durable as well as four nozzles that you can easily attach for your toughest of jobs.
70 HOURS OF RESEARCHING
63 MODELS CONSIDERED
1 WINNER
Our Favorite Pressure Washers On The Market
12 Best Pressure Washer - Reviews
1. Karcher G3000X Gas Powered
Whether washing off your roof, driveway or any other area of your home or property, this Karcher G3000X Gas Power Pressure Washer can get the job done. The oversized 12" wheels makes it move smoothly across broken concrete, grass and any other surface. It features a pump that meets commercial regulations and has a brass head that will last longer than you believed possible.
The welded steel frame ensures that not a single part of the frame will ever come off, and the 50-foot long power cord gives you the freedom to work from any spot around your home. This longer cord lets you hit the entire front of your home, including the second story, and even reach the roof without moving to new positions, and you can just grab the handle and go when you need to move. Karcher also includes six professional quick connect nozzles that change the degree angle from zero to 40 and it also have a rinse and soap settings.
2. Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure
The Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S Gas Pressure Washer Powered by Honda can produce 2.5 gallons of water per minute at a maximum PSI of 3,100, which will work well at cleaning exterior surfaces. A 25-foot flexible cord can bend and stretch to reach even the tiniest or hardest to find areas, and this hose can handle the high pressure of the water coming out without kinking, fraying or breaking. Safety features include a lock out that keeps the machine from accidentally coming on, a welded steel frame and parts made from heavy-gauge steel that won’t break.
A powerful Honda motor makes quick work of any cleaning job and lets you get those jobs done faster than almost any other pressure washer can. This Simpson Cleaning pressure washer comes with five nozzles that fit right on the frame, and each one has an image next to it that shows you the size and shape of the nozzles. Those nozzles have different degrees or angles that range from zero to 40 to handle jobs like cleaning outdoor furniture and removing mildew from your house.
3. Powerstroke PS80544B 3000 PSI
PowerStroke guarantees that you can tackle all the tiresome jobs around your house with its Powerstroke PS80544B 3000 PSI 2.5 GPM Pressure Washer, which comes with a OHV Powerstroke engine. This 212cc engine produces a 3,000 PSI that is strong enough for jobs like cleaning your roof from your front yard or removing years of built-up pollution from the siding. An aluminum pump cuts down on the amount of maintenance required and does not require any priming, which helps you start cleaning faster.
The included 25-foot hose has a non-marring design that ensures it won’t leave marks behind on your house, even when turned to its highest setting, and a hose organizer lets you wrap that hose around the frame for convenient storage when you finish with the washer. Larger wheels on the bottom of the pressure washer have a tread cap that allows you to move and pull it across even the most rugged of terrains. PowerStroke gives you four nozzles that are suitable for common cleaning applications and for use at longer and shorter distances, and the warranty on this model covers the first two years of ownership, which is longer than other manufacturers offer.
4. WEN PW31 3100 PSI Gas Powered
With rugged wheels that can move across grass and asphalt with ease on the bottom, a heavy-duty steel frame and bright orange accents, the WEN PW31 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer has the look of a commercial pressure washer but costs less than those machines do. A 208cc engine has a gallon per minute rating of 2.5 to cut down on how long it takes to clean things like your roof or driveway, and an axial cam pump ensures that the water comes out smoothly and quickly. This pump adds some extra power to the pressure washer while also extending the life of its motor.
Wen gives you five quick connect nozzles that attach to the wand easily, and each one is appropriate for different jobs. You’ll get zero, 15, 25 and 45 degree nozzles as well as a nozzle for using the pressure washer with detergent, which can help kill mold and plants growing on your roof as well as eliminate any mildew that you see. WEN gives you a two-year warranty that lets you get repairs or a replacement pressure washer after your purchase.
5. Briggs & Stratton 20545 2200-PSI Gas Powered
While you can buy pressure washers that come with a Briggs & Stratton motor, why not invest in one designed completely by that engine manufacturer like this Briggs & Stratton 20545 2200-PSI Gas Pressure Washer? A 140cc engine is a little smaller than the engines found on other washers, but this engine has a 2,200 PSI rating and a gallon per minute rating of 1.9. That engine makes this perfect for some of the more common jobs you need to do around the house, including cleaning off your driveway or washing your car, and it won’t damage any of those surfaces.
A detergent injection system features a separate container for your soap, but once you turn it on, the pressure washer will automatically mix the perfect ratio of soap with water for accurate cleaning. Its steel frame and rugged wheels make this pressure washer suitable for all types of jobs, and it weighs just 50 pounds, which makes it easier to move. The frame has flat attachments on the bottom that help this pressure washer sit evenly as you use it.
6. AR Blue Clean AR390SS 2000 PSI Electric Powered
With the AR Blue Clean AR390SS 2000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer, you can now clean a patio or deck, boat, car, recreational vehicle or even your own driveway. Its 2,000 PSI produces more pressure for faster cleaning, but this lower amount of pressure won’t leave behind scratches or damage those objects like higher pressure sprays can. Though it provides up to 45% more pressure and power than a garden hose, but it uses up to 80% less water than those hoses do to cut back on the water that you waste.
Rated as one of the top electric pressure washers by Consumer Reports in 2016, the AR390SS comes with a pressure washing gun that mimics the design found on commercial models and a washer wand that you can use with the 30-foot cord to stand further back to reduce the amount of water that reaches you. Each of the four included quick connect nozzles fit onto the wand in seconds, and it comes with a detergent compartment that can hold up to 48 ounces of soap.
7. Karcher K5 Electric Powered
Karcher is one of the top manufacturers of pressure washers, but if you’re in the market for an electric model, you’ll want to pick up its K5 Electric Power Pressure Washer, which comes in a bright yellow finish that acts like a bonus safety feature. As this bright color stands out from any background, you can rest assured that people will know when you’re cleaning and won’t get in your way. It comes with a strong engine that has a 2,000 PSI rating and can pump out 1.4 gallons of water per minute, which makes it a good choice for basic cleaning.
An N-COR pump does not require any routine maintenance and will not rust, and the induction motor uses water to keep the motor cool, which keeps it from overheating and extends its life. Its power wand lets you adjust the angle or the flow of water from the handle instead of bringing the nozzle back to you. Karcher also offers a Rapid Exchange Program as part of your warranty, which lets you get a replacement fast when needed.
8. PowerStroke PS80519B 2200 psi Gas Powered
When you need a pressure washer that fits with your budget, consider the PowerStroke PS80519B Gas Pressure Washer, which delivers a 2,200 PSI thanks to its 140cc motor. PowerStroke picked this type of motor because it fits in the compact frame that surrounds the washer, and this frame reduces its overall profile and makes this pressure washer easier to store. The metal frame includes a strap that you can wrap the hose around for storage and small legs that keep the pressure washer upright.
Two of the included nozzles have a 40 and 25 degree design that allows more water to come out in a wider arch that can reach more areas of your home, driveway or vehicle. You also get a nozzle suitable for using this pressure washer with detergent, and the quick connect design of those nozzles ensures that you can swap one out for rinsing later. A storage compartment on the pressure washer holds all those nozzles too.
9. Sun Joe SPX4001 2030 PSI Electric Powered
The 14.5 amp motor found on this Sun Joe SPX4001 2030 Electric Pressure Washer delivers up to 2,030 PSI and produces up to 1.76 gallons per minute, and while you might think that’s a little low for your own needs, this is enough pressure for cleaning furniture, vehicles and many outdoor surfaces. Large wheels provide traction that helps this pressure washer move across your lawn, patio or driveway, and the frame also includes two shorter legs that provide some stability to the machine. Using the 20-foot long hose is easy because you can turn the crank on the side to release that hose or wrap it around the built-in hose reel.
Five quick connect spray tips come included and let you tackle more jobs. Those nozzles include a zero degree option as well as one that you can use with water and detergent. You can pick the right nozzle for the right job based on the total amount of pressure or power that you need.
10. Powerhouse International 3000 PSI Platinum Edition
The force is strong with this Powerhouse International 3000 PSI Platinum Edition Electric Pressure Washer, which has an almost futuristic design that makes it look like something from a Star Wars film. It comes with a patented Total Stop System that monitors the pressure in the handle and automatically turns the engine off when you release the trigger on the handle to help the motor last longer. Brushes used in the motor also keep it from overheating as you clean and can produce 3,000 PSI or 2.2 gallons per minute.
Powerhouse International includes a number of accessories like a brush that you can use with or without detergent in place of a nozzle, and The Red-Platinum Edition has built-in compartments for storing all those accessories. You can adjust the pressure based on the task at hand to drop the PSI to 2,200 or increase it to 3,000. The Red-Platinum Edition also has a hose reel that you can crank to wrap the hose around that reel or release the hose from the washer.
11. Karcher K3 Follow-Me Electric Powered
The K3 Follow-Me Electric Power Pressure Washer from Karcher has an adorable look that might encourage your teenagers to get active and help you with the cleaning, and the four wheels along the base let this one more easily follow you as you get to work. A Family Handyman awarded this model its Editor’s Choice Award for excellence, but its low price tag makes this an affordable pressure washer that will fit your budget. As you move, the pressure washer will respond to your movements and follow you around without requiring that you drag or pull it.
A detergent compartment inside holds your soap and allows the soap to automatically mix with the water, but you can use the handle to switch from using that mixture to using just a higher pressure spray of water alone. Though it can use up to 35 times more pressure than your garden hose can, it actually uses up to 80% less water to help you save some money. It also features a patented spray wand that helps you boost the pressure by up to 80%.
12. Excell EPW2123100 3100 PSI Gas Powered
A 212cc motor is just one thing you’ll like about the Excell EPW2123100 Gas Powered Pressure Washer. That motor delivers a powerful 3,100 PSI and an impressive 2.8 gallons of water per minute, which can help you clean the front of your home or your driveway in 30 minutes or less. The brass head of the pump inside is resistant to corrosion and works with the pistons made from stainless steel to help you get years of cleaning out of this washer.
To make your life easier, Excell designed the five included quick connect nozzles with colors in mind, and not only can you use those colors to more easily identify the nozzle that you need, but you can also use those colors to put each nozzle back in the right spot on the frame after using one. Each nozzle easily and quickly screws onto the end of the wand, which is also resistant to rust. A lower profile frame makes this model more convenient when it comes to storage too because it fits right under a table or work bench.
Our Pressure Washer Winner
The best pressure washer in our eyes is the Karcher G3000X Gas Power Pressure Washer, which comes with six quick connect nozzles for using the pressure washer with or without detergent. Its Karcher KXS 196 engine offers all the cleaning power you want without running so noisily that you can’t work late at night or during the early morning hours. The pneumatic tires found on the bottom work with flat-free wheels to help you move the pressure washer all over your property.
A removable 1/2 gal detergent tank makes mixing soap with your water easy, and you can use this washer without that soap too. Its 50-foot long hose can reach more areas of your home without the need for you to move first. This Karcher model is as close to a commercial model as you can get.
How to Choose the Ultimate Pressure Washer
Gas vs. Electric Pressure Washers
The only difference between a gas pressure washer and an electric pressure washer is the power source. Having a gas model lets you work anywhere you want, even if there isn’t a nearby outlet. Electric models usually cost less but will not require that you keep gas on hand.
Cost
You can get a good gas pressure in the $500 to $1,000 range, and some companies offer these models for around $300 or less. If you need to save some cash, look for an electric pressure washer. These models retail for $250, though some models cost even less.
Nozzle Type
Pressure washers can use several different types of nozzles, including low pressure nozzles and those that have a degree setting of between zero and 40. The degree rating shows the angle at which the water comes out of the nozzle and the concentration of that water. The best pressure washer for you may be one with an all-in-one nozzle that adjusts to hit all degrees possible.
Pressure Output
Pressure output refers to the output of the washer and uses a rating that lists the pounds per square inch of pressure produced. For basic jobs like cleaning outdoor furniture or washing off your driveway, you only need 2,000 PSI. For heavy-duty jobs, you need a washer with a 3,300 PSI or higher.
Water Temperature
Most of the pressure washers that you see online or in home improvement stores only have one temperature setting and will let the water come out at its standard temp. professional models have warm, cool and hot settings that will heat up the water first for using on different jobs.
Built-in Storage
When shopping for pressure washers that come with different nozzles or a long power cord and various attachments, see if that model comes with built-in storage. Built-in storage will keep you from tripping over that cord and reduce the risk that you might lose some of those attachments.
Adding Detergent
While the force of the water is often strong enough to remove debris and leave behind a clean surface, most pressure washers let you add detergent to that water. Some lets you add soap directly to the tank, but others come with a separate compartment that can hold the right amount of detergent for any job.
Warranty
Never buy a pressure washer unless it comes with a warranty that covers at least the first year of ownership. Even the top models have a life expectancy of around two to three years, but a warranty will offer you some protection when you first buy one.
Gallons Per Minute
Gallons per minute, also called GPM, shows the amount of water that comes out of the machine in a minute and also lets you know how long certain jobs will take. With a GMP of just two, you might spend 10 to 15 minutes or more on a job. If the GPM rises to four, you can complete jobs in five minutes or less.
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