Cleaning large surfaces that are exposed to the elements can be a long, back breaking ordeal. With a good pressure washer at hand, though, you can save a lot of time and effort the next time you need to clean your driveway, home siding or vehicle. These machines not only make big cleaning jobs easier and faster, they do so using far less water than would be required to do the same job manually with a garden hose. There are a number of factors to consider when buying a power washer, including build quality, ease of use, versatility and pressure power. It goes without saying that it’s important to choose a machine that matches your needs in these areas.
After thoroughly researching and comparing 80 different models of pressure washers, we narrowed the field down to just the nine best units. We split this list up into the top gas pressure washers and the top electric pressure washers. Be sure to also check out our general buying guide and comparison chart.
Best Gas Pressure Washers
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.
Best Electric Pressure Washers
Best Overall: Karcher K5 Premium Electric Pressure Washer
For those looking for an electric pressure washer, we highly recommend the Karcher K5 Premium, our top pick among electric models. This unit works with any outlet and, at 2100 PSI, has a motor that’s about as powerful as you’ll find on an electric pressure washer.
Perhaps the best feature of Karcher K5 is that it comes with a variety of different wands that go beyond just changing the angle of the water as it comes out. One of the wands it comes with is the Vario Power Spray wand, which will allow you to conveniently adjust the water pressure right from your wand, without having to bend over. Also included is a Dirtblaster wand, which is a patented wand designed by Karcher specifically for moving caked or stuck on dirt and other types of debris from any surface.
In addition, the Karcher K5’s motor, which runs much quieter than even the most efficient gas models, uses water induction technology to keep itself cool and extend its life significantly longer than comparable models.
Best Value: Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Joe Electric Pressure Washer
The Sun Joe SPX3000 offers the most “bang for your buck” of any model currently on the market. This electric pressure washer, which is built with an 1800-watt motor that generates up to 2,030 PSI of pressure, combines excellent performance at a very reasonable price.
One great aspect of the Sun Joe SPX3000 is that its a relatively quiet machine, especially when compared to its louder gas-powered cousins, as its motor only really makes noise when the unit is actually spraying and pressure needs to be maintained. This means that you can, for example, have a normal conversation with someone while using it simply by releasing the spray trigger. You also don’t have to worry about bothering the neighbors too much if you live in close proximity to another house.
Another key feature of the Sun Joe SPX3000 is the fact that it comes with dual detergent reservoirs built into the unit, which is great to have in any situation where it’s is being used as a multitask cleaning machine. A powerful, industrial strength detergent can be used for getting tough stains off a driveway and, conversely, a gentler soap for the family car. Switching between the two reservoirs is as simple as flipping a switch. Being able to move straight from one cleaning solution to another on the fly without the rigmarole of having to empty the reservoir and cleaning up in between use is huge.
AR Blue Clean AR383 Electric Power Pressure Washer
The AR Blue Clean AR383 is another good electric pressure washer that can handily tackle most household pressure washing tasks. Annovi Reverberi is an Italy based pump manufacturer, so the internal workings of this machine are top notch.
The unit generates a very respectable 1900 PSI of water pressure to allow you to easily clean outdoor furniture, grills or any other task around the home that might require a pressure washer. With a long 35 foot power cord and 20 foot hose, the AR Blue Clean AR383 also gives you a pretty good deal of freedom to work without being forced to use extension cords or having to relocate to another outlet in the middle of a cleaning job.
There is one quirk about the AR Blue Clean AR383 that prospective buyers should be aware of, though, which is that the company that makes this unit is based out of Europe, so many of the fittings used on the machine are metric while others use English measurements. While not a problem out of the box, this can become confusing when upgrading parts, something that owners of this unit will eventually want to do.
4 Best Budget Model: GreenWorks GPW1501 Electric Pressure Washer
The GreenWorks GPW1501 is a good entry-level electric pressure washer designed for those who either don’t need or can’t find room in their budget for a higher caliber model. Though it does fall a bit short on power when compared to other, pricier offerings, this unit does have a few advantages besides price that make it an attractive buy.
The main advantage of the GreenWorks GPW1501 is its compact size and the fact that it only weighs 18 pounds, making it one of the lightest pressure washers on the market. This means you can hold it in one hand while using the other hand to hold the sprayer. For people whose physical condition makes it difficult to wrestle a bigger machine into and out of storage, this single advantage could be enough reason to make this machine the ideal choice for them. Its small size also means that it takes up significantly less space to store than a bigger, bulkier pressure washer.
Those who only need a light-duty pressure washer to clean vehicles, furniture or grills will find the 1500 PSI generated by the GreenWorks GPW1501’s 13-amp motor to be more than up to the task. Even medium duty tasks like cleaning a deck or driveway can be tackled, albeit requiring much more time than would be necessary with a more powerful pressure washer
Buying Guide: How To Select The Best Pressure Washer
Choosing a pressure washer can be trickier than expected because they all generally do the same thing: they turn the low pressure spray from a garden hose into a blast of water that can power stains out of existence. While differences in features are few, they are all important to ensure that the pressure washer chosen is the perfect model for the task. There are three general considerations you need to make when choosing a pressure washer, including pressure power, ease of use, hose quality, frame type, number and type of nozzle tips it comes with and whether to get a gas or electric model.
Gas vs. Electric
Whether to go with a gas or electric powered machine is probably the most important decision to be made. Each offers some advantages over the other and matching those benefits to your own needs will make the decision easier.
Advantages of Gas Pressure Washers
The first and biggest advantage is power. The gas models tend to produce much more pressure than electric pressure washers. While this is not an issue for things like cleaning deck furniture, the ability to have enough water pressure to effectively clean second story walls, for example, can be the difference between a pressure washer that fulfills its role and one that fails miserably.
The other benefit of this extra power is speed of cleaning. Cleaning a driveway with a low power pressure washer, for example, can require the owner to slowly focus the spray, moving at a snail’s pace to get it adequately cleaned. Higher pressure, on the other hand, allows the owner to get all but the most stubborn stains out with a faster pass. For those who frequently clean large areas, this difference in speed due to the higher pressure of a gas engine can mean hours saved versus using an electric pressure washer.
The second key benefit of using a gas model over an electric one is its durability. Electric pressure washers tend to be engineered to function in a relatively civilized environment, with the biggest hazard being a couple of stairs.
Gas pressure washers, on the other hand, are designed to stand up to being dragged onto job sites across bumpy terrain. The pneumatic tires and steel cage found on most gas pressure washers protect them from this off road travel in a way that the hard plastic wheels and largely plastic construction used on most electric pressure washers simply cannot.
The final major benefit of a gas pressure washer versus an electric pressure washer is freedom. With no power cord to plug in, the gas model can be used in places that the electric model would be useless, or would at least require a gas generator to function. The freedom of the gas engine means there is no fiddling with extension cords or trying to park the car in a specific spot so the washer will reach it.
Advantages of Electric Pressure Washers
Probably the biggest advantage of an electric pressure washer over a gas powered model is the lack of noise. A gas engine based pressure washer makes noise comparable to a gas lawn mower. While this is not a consideration for those who live in the middle of Montana with neighbors far enough away that you could fire a gun and not disturb them, anyone who lives in closer quarters will find this a serious disadvantage.
The extra noise of a gas pressure washer means those who want to avoid enraging neighbors will be limited to using the washer during times when mowing lawns will not cause complaints. For those who are only available to do their cleaning at night, for example, using a gas model would be limited to weekends.
An electric motor is not only quieter than a gas engine, making noise comparable to a powerful electric appliance like an air conditioner or trash compactor, but in many models even this noise is absent unless one is actively spraying. The ability to use the washer whenever there is a little free time to do so is a major benefit of electric pressure washers.
The second key advantage of electric pressure washers over gas models is the fact that they can be stored inside. While a gas pressure washer thrown into an indoor closet will quickly permeate the entire building with the odors of gas and oil, an electric model will create no more of a problem than storing a rug shampooer. For people who have no shed, garage or outdoor closet to keep the machine in, being able to store it in any closet in the home is a massive benefit.
Pressure (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.
Ease of Use
This is another aspect that is down to personal taste, but no less important for that. While one person may not have a problem screwing the fittings together before using a pressure washer, to another the lack of quick connect fittings could be a deal breaker. Similarly, one person may opt for a lighter and easier to maneuver model over a more powerful unit. The only way to match ease of use to your personal taste is look at the available features and decide how much weight those will make on your purchasing decision. Thankfully, there are relatively few major differences to cloud the issue.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$$$
Gas Powered
3400 PSI (2.5 GPM)
5 (0/15/25/40-degrees/soap)
25 ft.
59 lbs
Best Value Gas
$$$$
Gas Powered
3100 PSI (2.5 GPM)
5 (0/15/25/40-degrees/soap)
25 ft.
65 lbs
Best Budget Gas
$$$
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
Best Electric Model
$$$
Corded Electric
2000 PSI (1.4 GPM)
25 ft.
35 ft.
32 lbs
Best Value Electric
$$
Corded Electric
2030 PSI (1.76 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
31 lbs
Best Budget Electric
$
Corded Electric
1500 PSI (1.2 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
18 lbs
Good
$$
Corded Electric
1900 PSI (1.5 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
27 lbs
Good
$$
Corded Electric
1900 PSI (1.5 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
27 lbs
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