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, it also does so with far less water than doing the same task manually with a garden hose due to the added pressure and aeration, much like how the spray of a shower head is more efficient for rinsing than pouring a bucket of water over something.
As a machine that will be useful to virtually every home owner, 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 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 MSH3125-S MegaShot Gas-Powered Pressure Washer
The Simpson MSH3125-S MegaShot is our top pick not only because it’s an extremely powerful pressure washer that generates a whopping 3100 PSI’s of pressure force, but it also ticks just about every other box as well. 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 Honda engine. 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.
Overall, the Simpson MSH3125-S is a superb machine and, along with the quality of the unit itself, it also comes with clear instructions and well-labeled parts (something that can be hard to find in many products) that make it easy for even a complete novice to quickly figure out how to use it without much of a struggle.
Excell EPW2123100 Gas Pressure Washer
The Excell EPW2123100, another terrific 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.
The second thing to look out for is the gas level. You’ll want to keep an eye on it and refill it before the machine runs totally dry, as many users have reported that if it’s allowed to run dry, it can take a good deal of effort to get the normally easily started engine going again, sometimes requiring you to wait until the unit cools down to do so again. However, this of course is not a problem as long as you monitor the gas level during use.
All things considered, the Excell EPW2123100 is an excellent machine that we recommend to anyone who needs the cleaning power of a Simpson MSH3125-S and want to save a little money.
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.
4 AR Blue Clean AR383 Electric Power 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.
On the plus side, however, Annovi Reverberi has incredible customer service. They can quickly answer any questions regarding the measurements needed to upgrade parts, and have also developed a reputation for going out of their way to please customers.
While not necessarily the case straight out of the box, with a couple of relatively minor, inexpensive upgrades, the AR Blue Clean AR383 can hold a solid claim to being one of the best corded-electric home pressure washers on the market.
5 Best Budget Model: GreenWorks GPW1501 Electric Pressure Washer
The GreenWorks GPW1501 is a superb entry-level 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
All things considered, however, this is a good, inexpensive model that will allow you to enjoy many of the benefits of pressure wash cleaning while at the same time taking less of a hit to your bank account.
Buying Guide: How To Select The Best Pressure Washer
- Gas or Electric
- Pressure
- Ease of Use
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 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.
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.
Pressure
As mentioned previously, pressure is a key consideration when choosing which pressure washer it best for the job.
A person who simply wants to effectively wash the family car or keep the pool chairs algae free may well find that 1000 PSI is more than up to the task. One who is cleaning large areas frequently may find that such a low pressure turns the cleaning into a tedious chore.
Since there is no real right or wrong pressure, this is a characteristic that must be looked at on a case-by-case basis. When in doubt, though, higher pressure is better because it gives more options to the owner.
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.
Whether we want them to or not, the condition of the things we own says something about us. Having knee deep grass versus a well manicured lawn can be the difference between a charming cottage and a crack house in the minds of those driving by. Because of this, keeping the things we have outside our homes clean is important. A good pressure washer is one of the best ways to do this without feeling like Cinderella scrubbing a driveway with a brush.
By making an informed choice to buy a quality pressure washer now, you can ensure that your home makes the best impression possible for years to come.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$$$
Gas Powered
3100 PSI (2.5 GPM)
25 ft.
Feature 4x
65 lbs
Best Value
$$$
Electric
2030 PSI (1.76 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
31 lbs
Best Budget Model
$
Electric
1500 PSI (1.2 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
18 lbs
Top Rated
$$$$
Gas Powered
3100 PSI (2.8 GPM)
25 ft.
N/A (Gas)
76 lbs
Good
$$
Electric
1900 PSI (1.5 GPM)
20 ft.
35 ft.
27 lbs
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