A gas pressure washer is a must have for anyone who needs a higher performance cleaner capable of working on brick and other surfaces. These washers can remove years of environmental build up in less time than a standard electric model can and will leave behind a clean surface without any damage caused by the pressure of the water used. The gallon per minute and pressure per square inch ratings are just two of the things you need to consider. Other factors will help you find the right pressure washer for any of the professional jobs or cleaning tasks you need to do.
After thoroughly researching and comparing 40 different models of pressure washers, we narrowed the field down to just the five best units. In addition to our list, be sure to also check out our general buying guide and comparison chart.
Best Overall: Simpson ALH3425 Gas Pressure Washer
The Simpson ALH3425 is our top pick not only because it’s an extremely powerful pressure washer that generates a very high 3400 PSI’s of pressure force, but it also ticks just about every other box as well.
One of its best features is that its pre-built and ready to use engine is from Honda, the same company that makes car engines. It is a commercial series, which lets you know that it can keep up with the demands of any professional cleaning job. This engine also has an oil alert that will tell you when you need more oil to reduce the maintenance that you need to do and make the engine last longer.
In addition, the Simpson ALH3425 is both very easy to use and easy to install out of the box. This unit also comes with a quick connect system for attaching the hose, an aluminum frame that keeps its overall weight down for better maneuverability and large, durable rubber wheels that help you easily move the washer across grass, gravel or any other type of surface.
Generac 7122 SpeedWash Gas Pressure Washer
The Generac 7122 SpeedWash is another top gas pressure washer that comes with both a turbo nozzle to help reduce cleaning times, as well as a blaster spray that works with any type of detergent or soap.
It soap blaster spray head functions like an attachment that you can add to the included hose in seconds, as the entire pressure washer has a rapid connect system. This head sprays up to three times as fast as those found on other washers to help you finish jobs without wasting time. Once you add your choice of detergent, it mixes with the water to create a powerful foam that won’t clog the head to help you clean any surface with just one tank.
Additionally, the 3200 PSI Generac 7122 SpeedWash comes with a hose that is both flexible and lightweight, and is designed to prevent kinks from forming that will block how quickly the water can move through the hose. It also has a non-marring design that keeps it from scuffing or scratching your floors.
Best Value: Simpson MSH3125-S MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
The Simpson MSH3125-S MegaShot is affordable enough for most budgets, but comes with the tips and the durable hose that you’d expect to see on more expensive pressure washers. Its heavy-duty construction and ease of use combine to create a machine that can reliably be used over and over for years on end.
The cornerstone feature of the Simpson MSH3125-S is its 187cc Honda engine, which produces a high 3,100 PSI and has a flow rating of 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Having long been a legend in the small engine world, Honda engines offer compact power and fuel efficiency with the reliability that got Honda to where it is today. The engine starts easily with a single pull and delivers a powerful jet of water to make quick work of cleaning tasks.
In addition, this unit is engineered for durability. A welded steel frame and under-engine bottom plate protect the pressure washer from bumps that these machines will inevitably encounter when being rolled up and down stairs or over obstacles. This focus on durability even extends to the MorFlex hose that comes with the unit, which is extremely flexible and resists kinks to prevent damage and save the time and frustration of being forced to walk back to undo a kink.
4 Excell EPW2123100 Gas-Powered Pressure Washer
The Excell EPW2123100, another good model, is very similar to the Simpson MSH3125-S, except with just a little less attention to quality but with a smaller price tag.
This pressure washer is built around the Excell 212CC OHV engine that starts easily in just one or two pulls. And like the Simpson above, this unit also produces up to 3100 PSI of pressure to power through cleaning jobs.
The welded cage and bottom plate found on the Excell EPW2123100 also do a great job of protecting its engine from dings and bumps the unit may encounter during use. Additionally, its handle folds easily to make the unit even more compact, allowing you to store it under a work bench or in some other small space.
And to make cleaning more effective and convenient, the Excell EPW2123100 features a soap siphon hose on the wand. This soap siphon allows the user to take a container full of soap or other appropriate cleaning solution and have the unit mix it with water automatically during the spray process.
5 Best Budget Model: Karcher G2200 Gas Pressure Washer
Cleaner and quicker are two words that are frequently used to describe the Karcher G2200. This affordable, entry-level gas pressure washer allows you to do all the cleaning jobs on your to do list in less time and without wasting water or soap.
The biggest advantage of this unit is that it’s one of the smallest, most compact and lightweight models on the market. Not only can one man or woman maneuver it without any help, but you’ll also find that you can easily store it in your garage or workshop. You can fold down the handle to make it even more compact and store it standing upright on the wheels and feet on the base or in a horizontal position with the handle serving as a set of feet. It also leans back slightly with minimal effort for wheeling anywhere you need it to go.
The Karcher G2200 comes with a set of nozzles designed to look and work like the ones found on professional models. Three of the nozzles correspond to different angles, but the last nozzle is a soap tip that lets you clean with both soap and water. This tip has a wider end that lets thicker soap foam and detergent come through without blocking the tip.
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Gas Pressure Washer
Whether you live in a major city or a moral rural part of the world, you will notice dust and dirt building up on your home. Any pollutants in your neighborhood will cling to your home and make it look dingy and dull. Using a pressure washer lets you remove all that debris from your home in a day or less. Pressure washers have a number of other uses too. You can use one to:
Many do it yourself enthusiasts pick electric models because they think that gas models require too much work or maintenance. Some even think that gas models are hard to use. The truth is that gas pressure washers are just as easy to use as electric models are. These models cost a little more upfront but are easy to maintain and provide more pressure, which helps you finish any type of job you have in mind faster. You should take a look at the factors that are most important when buying one for your job or home.
PSI and GPM
PSI and GPM are two of the most important features to consider when looking at pressure washers. The pounds per square inch, or PSI, is a pressure rating that tells you how much pressure the washer generates. Gallons per minute, or GPM, tells you the total amount of water that comes out each minute.
A PSI of up to 2000 is suitable for most basic household jobs. You can wash your car without damaging your paint job and remove dust that built up during the off-season on your patio furniture. For cleaning your driveway, brick walls and other hardier materials, you need a pressure washer with a PSI of around 2200 to 2800. A heavy-duty model is one with a PSI in the low 3000s, which is strong enough to strip paint off a wall. You shouldn’t need more pressure than that for most jobs around the house.
Nozzles
You’ll want to know the type of nozzles (also referred to as tips) that the model you’re planning on buying comes with. A 40-degree nozzle allows the water to come out at a wider spray, which disperses that water and keeps it from damaging sensitive or breakable surfaces. A zero-degree nozzle concentrates that stream down to get off the toughest of stuck on dirt. Some models come with just one nozzle, but has a top that you can twist to use on different modes or settings.
Soap Options
While water pressure alone is strong enough to clean some surfaces, you may want to use soap too. Not all models will work with liquid detergent though. The two features you should look for include a detergent tank and a soap nozzle. A soap nozzle, sometimes called a low-pressure nozzle, allows the combination of soap and water to come out without damaging the nozzle or clogging the tip. Gas pressure washers that come with a detergent tank allow you to keep soap on hand and use it whenever you need.
Hose Features
Two things to consider in terms of the include hose is the rack on the pressure washer and the length of the hose. Depending on the number of stories on your home, you may need a hose of 20 feet or more. This lets you clean the roof and the top floor while standing in the middle of your yard and away from any debris that might fall off. A shorter hose will require that you stand on a ladder when using the washer. The rack on the frame should include some type of reel that helps you keep track of the hose and unravel only the exact amount that you need. This rack should keep the hose from tangling too.
Frame
All gas pressure washers come with a frame that supports the weight of the engine. Lightweight aluminum frames are generally safe to use around your house and weigh less, which makes it easier to pull one along behind you. Check the tires on the base of that frame too. All-terrain tires are best because these wheels are more rugged and will move across surfaces and terrains that feature rocks and other hazards. Look at the feet or legs on the base too, which lets you store and use the pressure washer in an upright position. Cheaper or thinner feet can pop off with regular use.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$$$
Gas Powered
3400 PSI (2.5 GPM)
5 (0/15/25/40-degrees/soap)
25 ft.
59 lbs
Best Value
$$$
Gas Powered
3100 PSI (2.5 GPM)
5 (0/15/25/40-degrees/soap)
25 ft.
65 lbs
Best Budget Model
$
Gas Powered
2200 PSI (2.0 GPM)
4 (0/25/40/65-degrees+soap)
25 ft.
60 lbs
Top Rated
$$$$
Gas Powered
3200 PSI (2.7 GPM)
4 (0/25/40-degrees/soap)
30 ft.
62 lbs
Good
$$
Gas Powered
3100 PSI (2.8 GPM)
5 (0/15/25/40-degrees/soap)
25 ft.
76 lbs
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