What are the Best Pressure Washers? Reviews of the Best Ones

Modern day equipment has become more accessible that tasks which previously required excess professional help is no longer an issue and you can do the job yourself, provided that you have the right equipment. One such tool that can be used by the everyman these days is the extremely useful Pressure Washer.

A pressure washer is a high-pressured mechanical sprayer that propels high-pressured water and is used to remove mold, dirt, dust, grime, mud, loose paint and a variety of other unwanted effects on objects such as concrete, bricks, vehicles, buildings when they are not wanted and a faster and more efficient method of cleaning is required.

If you’re in need of the best Pressure Washer you need to first determine that it has all that you want of it. There are many varieties but it’s good to start with the most basic. Pressure Washers appear similar to each other in many respects, with the basic pressure washer consisting of the following components:

• A motorized high-pressure pump
• A high-pressure hose
• A trigger gun-style

With that in mind you still won’t be able to determine which ones is the best one for you. Careful analysis of what you get from good pressure washers, determining what you want from your pressure washer and a thorough check of the pressures washer reviews will set you on the right track for finding the best one available.

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Pressure Washer and Comparison Chart

What are the best pressure washers?

Below we have reviewed some of the best pressure washers listed above. With the reviews, hopefully you will be able to narrow down your search and find the pressure washer that suits your needs.

AR Blue Clean AR383 1,900 PSI 1.5 GPM 14 Amp Electric Pressure Washer with Hose Reel

his pressure washer is one of the best-rated washers in Amazon with over a thousand reviews resulting to 4.1-star rating. It suits a lot of consumers not only because of its very low price tag but it also functions easily and efficiently.

Features: This pressure washer has a total of 1,900 PSI (pounds per square inch), which is used to measure the cleaning power of the pressure washer. This figure is good for small to medium areas as it is in the lightweight side. However, it can still pack a punch because of its 1.5 GPM (gallon per minute) capacity.

PROS: This pressure washer is electric and can be used safely anywhere in the house because it doesn’t produce any emissions. The electric cord is also very long, measured at 30-ft., which is enough for you to reach a lot of areas without needing an extension cord. The water hose cord, meanwhile, measures 20-ft, so you can easily veer away from the water source if needed.

It has a total stop system that lets the user turn the water on by just the use of a trigger gun. The pump, motor, and all parts of the pressure washer are mounted atop a two-wheel trolley for easier navigation and movement. The universal electric motor runs with 120 volts and 11 amps.

CONS: Because of the plastic material used in the hose adaptor, it is very prone to leaking water overtime. The good thing is that a simple DIY repair can easily fix this leaking problem. All you have to do is purchase a brass male-to-male adaptor for less than $10 and replace the leaky hose adaptor.

Also, many consumers probably won’t like the plastic encasing of the pressure washer, as it seems very cheap to the touch. It also requires proper care and handling, as the plastic seems not to be made of the most durable materials.

Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM Electric Pressure Washer

For almost the same price and size of this pressure washer to the above reviewed AR Blue Clean pressure washer, the Sun Joe is much stronger in terms of PSI and GPM measurement, with 2,030 and 1.76 respectively.

Features: Just like the AR Blue Clean, the Sun Joe has a plastic body that houses the motor and the pump. These are mounted atop two wheels and there’s a handle on top so you can easily pull it behind you to transfer from one place to another. It is also relatively light, weighing only 33 pounds.

PROS: It has a detergent selection dial, which lets you put two types of detergents due to its onboard dual tank system with .9L capacity With just the push of a button, you’ll be able to switch detergents for maximum cleaning. For easier mobility without worrying about power source and the dangers of extension cords, it has a 35 ft. power cord and 20 ft. high-pressure hose.

The spray wand, which measures 34-inch, gives the user easy mobility and maneuverability. It also allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas such as two-story buildings and undersides of automotive vehicles. The package also comes with five quick spray nozzles to cater to different kinds of dirt.

CONS: Most of the complaints are of defective items being sent to customers. To be able to get past this, make sure to purchase the item where you can easily return it if any problems arise. This way you’ll be able to get your money back easily.

AR Blue Clean AR118 1,600 PSI 1.58 GPM Hand Carry Electric Pressure Washer

The AR Blue Clean hand carry pressure washer is small and portable so you can easily take it anywhere. Despite the small size, this pressure washer is quite strong and will clean out buildup of grime, dirt, and molds easily.

Features: For lightweight cleaning jobs inside and outside of the home, you don’t have to purchase a large one as this electric portable pressure washer has all the power and capacity to do a perfect cleaning job. It has 1,500 PSI and 1.5 GPM, an automatic safety valve with pressure shut-off pump head, and three axial-piston pump.

PROS: The gun-wand assembly lets you spray and stop water flow with just the push of a button. It also has an adjustable spray head so you can reach more areas. For more thorough cleaning, this pressure washer also has a detergent tank, detergent injector kit, and high-pressure hose.

CONS: The connectors are made with plastic so you may experience leaking after several uses. It is recommended to replace the connectors with metal ones to fix these. Connectors can be bought from any major hardware shops and don’t cost a fortune.

Generac 2,700 PSI 2.3 GPM 196cc OHV Gas Powered Residential Pressure Washer

Gas pressure washers are the go-to when it comes to heavy-duty cleaning work as it really produces strong streams of water. It will be able to flush down all kinds of dirt, especially in the case of this Generac washer with 2,700 PSI and 2.3 GPM.

Features: This pressure washer has a 196cc OHV engine with low oil shutdown, integrated unloaded valve for easy engine startup, and axial camp pump that is easily accessible for making hose connections. It comes with four quick-Click nozzle tips (0-degree Blast, 25-degree Clean, 40-degree Wash, Soap), and a 25 foot hose.

PROS: The ergonomic spray gun features a cushion grip that reduces the impact of vibration while in use. There’s also the easy-to-pull pray trigger that lets you fire and stop the stream of water whenever you please. The package comes with quick-nozzle tips that can be replaced with ease. It also comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

CONS: Like any other machineries run by gas, this pressure is prone to stalling. The customer support of Generac is also very poor as many customers who have experienced difficulties have waited very long before their problems are looked into. Also, be wary when buying gas-powered pressure washers as Amazon don’t accept returns for these anymore.

Simpson MSH3125-S MegaShot 3100 PSI 2.5 GPM Honda GCV190 Engine Gas Pressure Washer

This heavy-duty gas pressure washer uses a powerful Honda engine that you can always rely on, for hours of pressure washer cleaning without problems and interruptions.

Features: This is the most powerful pressure washer in this list and also the most expensive. It has 3,100 PSI and 2.5 GMP, which is best for heavy-duty cleaning. If you intend to use it for simple cleaning around the house or washing of your car, this pressure washer may be too overpowered.

PROS: The Honda engine, although packed with strong materials, is very lightweight and quiet. It contains maintenance-free OEM Technologies axial cam pump with PowerBoost technology. The engine and the pump are housed in a welded metal frame, carried by a pair of pneumatic wheels for easier transporting.

It also comes with 5 stainless steel quick connect nozzle tips – 0, 15, 25, 40 degree, and soap applicator, and a 25 ft. high pressure hose that is kink and abrasion resistant.

CONS: If you experience problems with your Simpson pressure washer, you have to directly take it to their local service centers. This is bad if their service center is located very far from you. If bought from Amazon, you can’t return it as they don’t accept returns for gas-powered machineries.

What are Pressure Washers useful for?

As was previously mentioned there are a number of different tasks that a pressure washer can perform, depending on the situation at hand. These high-pressure devices are capable of taking on a number of tasks and can be extremely effective if utilized for the right type of activity and handled with care.

First and foremost the main task that a pressure washer is used for is the purpose of “cleaning”. It is created for this purpose and does so quite well. Despite the fact that it is only high-pressure water it still can complete certain tasks much easier and more efficiently than if you were to do them by hand.

Regular use of the pressure washer is for cutting down the growth of mold, dirt and other stains from surfaces such as paths, driveways and brick walls. The high-pressure water is capable of getting into the hard to reach places, has enough power to dislodge the grit without affecting the surface and is much faster than doing it by hand.

Key Takeaway: As such there are other more specialized tasks you can use a pressure washer for, for example the removal of graffiti ,which is especially difficult. This is done with the addition of special chemicals that help to not only loosens the graffiti but makes it much clearer and cleaner after the tasks are complete.

What is the best way to operate a Pressure Washer? 

With all tools and appliances there are a number of different tasks and pieces of information that are important to remember to ensure that when you use it you can operate both efficiently and safely. Listed below are just a few points that you should remember before operating your pressure washer.

• Always aim at least 2 feet away from the surface
• Ensure that the electrical wiring is safe from water
• Take care when operating the device
• Never aim the pressure washer at another person or creature

Pushing the nozzle of the pressure washer hose within an inch of the surface is not going to help improve the process of cleaning the surface any greater. Not only will you not get a cleaner surface but you may also end up causing damage to it as well as the possibility of damage to your pressure washer.

Keeping the tip of the nozzle at least 2 feet away will prevent the high-pressure water from making significant damage to your surface as a result of the power that is forced out of it. Likewise, you prevent the residual effect of that damage from striking back at your pressure washer, where it could hit the spray tip.

If it is absolutely necessary that the spray tip of the pressure washer does need to get close to the surface it is advised that you start at the distance of at least 2 feet from the surface and gradually move closer. This will allow for you to get closer and keep a consistent flow going without making a sudden erratic move.

Since the pressure washer operates on an electric motor that forces the water in and out, you have to remember to keep all circuitry covered. The last thing that you want to do is allow that electrical wiring to come in contact with any water, as it could damage your pressure washer or worse, cause pain and damage to yourself.

With all pieces of powerful equipment you should always take care when operating them. In the case of a pressure washer you should wear the appropriate protective gear including eye protectors, gloves and protective footwear. Additionally you may want to wear rubberized sole shoes to prevent slipping, and also long sleeved shirts and pants.

Key Takeaway: Never aim the pressure washer at another person or creature. The high-pressure water can be dangerous and you do not want to cause any harm to anyone at all. Getting too close to the spray from the nozzle can cause significant harm to yourself and others. You should contact emergency services if you are ever injured as a result.

What should I look for in a Pressure Washer?

Now that you have a better understanding of what a pressure washer is, what it is used for and how to operate it properly, you should look into what makes them so varied. With all of these features in mind it can be hard to determine which the best one for you is. Detailed below are some of the features that should help you make up your mind:

• Type
• Pressure
• Size
• Intended purpose

As you may know there are a variety of different pressure washers and they fall under two categories of either electric or gas powered. Most these days are electric, so this type is easier to find however you can still get gas-powered ones. Determining which one is the best for you should be one of the first steps, as both are different.

Electric vs. Gas Pressure Washer

Electric pressure washers are mainly for light-duty work such as outdoor cleaning and smaller scale cleaning projects. For the most part they are smaller, lighter and much easier to start. They can also be used indoors and require an active connection to an electrical outlet in order to be operated.

Gas powered pressure washers are for medium to heavy-duty projects and give you the benefit of much stronger power, more mobility and the ability to use them without being connected to an outlet. They are harder to start due to their manual pull-start but will get tougher jobs done that electric ones can’t.

Power

The pressure of the power washer is also an important factor. Depending on your use, you will need varying amounts of pressure. Most light duty cleaning is around 1500 to 1900 PSI, with Medium at around 2000 to 2800 PSI and Heavy duty from 2900 to 3200 PSI. Anything higher is extra heavy duty and 500 to 3000 PSI is for multi-purpose.

If you’re performing tasks such as cleaning home surfaces such as driveways, fences, patios, sidewalks of stairs then the light to medium duty pressure washer is best for you. If you’ll be doing more variable tasks including car or furniture cleaning then multi-purpose is best, with heavy-duty suitable for more industrial needs.

Size

The size of the pressure washer somewhat links in with the type of engine that it is operating on. For the most part you should not use size as a deciding factor, but rather determined by your intended use of the pressure washer. Expect that smaller ones will have less power and be more accessible and portable than more powerful washers.

Key Takeaway: When it comes down to it the main thing you want to keep in mind is the tasks that you will be using the pressure washer for. If you’re intending on keeping surfaces outside the house clean then you will most likely only need a smaller and lighter duty pressure washer, with no need for a heavy duty one.

If you have plans to use this pressure washer for more industrial scale work like stripping paint off surfaces or even getting into much harder and ground in stains and dirt or even attacking concrete then perhaps you should consider purchasing a heavy-duty pressure washer to perform those tasks.

Conclusion

Hopefully with all this information and these pressure washer reviews in mind it should be easy for you to determine what the best pressure washer is for our home and the task that you need it for. Remember that there are varieties of pressure washers available and that you should be able to find the best one to suit you.

Safety and care should always be taken with appliances at every moment, as safety is the most important part of operating devices such as these. If you want to gain more information on your purchased pressure washer then your best option is to investigate further by contacting the manufacturer or visiting their website.