As winter fades into spring, it becomes time to go back outside to enjoy our decks and patios. However, during the colder months, deck surfaces often become grimy, mossy, dirty and ugly, a far cry from the shiny patio you enjoyed just a few months previously. If this has happened to you, or your outdoor surfaces have become stained or dirty for some other reason, then this list of the best pressure washers is just what you need!
Read on to learn more about what to look for in the best pressure washers and see our choices for the 10 best pressure washers on the market today.
Comparison Table
Best Pressure Washers FAQ
Below we answered the most frequently asked questions so you can become more informed on what a pressure washer is and which one is best for you.
1. What Is a Pressure Washer?
A pressure or power washer uses a high-pressure water spray to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, mud, chewing gum and dirt from surfaces and objects such as driveways, sides of buildings, your back deck, and more. Because you are just using water, you do not have to worry about the surface being permanently stained or damaged unlike when using many chemical-based cleaners.
2. What Are the Benefits of Buying a Pressure Washer Instead of Renting One?
A pressure washer is a great tool to have around your house, and it makes any outdoor cleaning project a breeze. If you are looking for a pressure washer to do a big onetime job and then never use it again, you can usually rent a pressure washer.
However, if it is a surface you will need to clean repeatedly, even just once a year, or if it’s a big project that could last multiple days, then buying a washer is probably the best option as you can have your own power washer. Also, once you have one, you will often find uses for it you could not have thought of before having your own!
3. Which Is Better, a Gas or Electric Power Washer?
Gas and electric power washers each have their own benefits depending on how you plan on using them. A gas pressure washer is usually much more powerful and suited for professional or industrial work. You will also have more room to move around because it does not need to be plugged in.
Electric pressure washers are more suited for light work around your home or business and are quieter, lighter and easier to handle than the gas powered washers. However, they need to be plugged in to an outlet, so you will have a limited range when using one.
4. What Is PSI?
PSI stands for “pounds per square inch” and it measures how much water pressure you will get from a power washer. PSI helps you determine the cleaning power, and a low PSI for power washers is usually between 1500 and 1900, while a high PSI would be 3300 and up. Some power washers offer adjustable PSIs ranging from 500 to 3000 so you can either crank it up for the toughest of stains or turn it down for a more fragile surface.
5. What PSI Will I Need for My Pressure Washer?
The PSI you should look for will depend on the projects you are planning on doing. For example, if you want to wash your car or patio furniture, you won’t need a heavy duty power washer with a high PSI, and anything between 1000 and 2500 will work fine.
If you’re looking to pressure wash sidewalks, siding, stairs or fencing, a higher PSI between 2000 and 3000 is preferable. Your best bet if you plan on doing a variety of projects is to get a multi-duty power washer that ranges from 500 to 3000 PSI.
6. What Is GPM?
GPM is short for “gallons per minute” and is a measure of how much water is released. It is used with PSI to get a good measure of a power washer’s overall cleaning power and most home-use pressure washers have a GPM of up to 2.8.
7. How Are the Motors of Pressure Washers Measured in Terms of Power?
For gas engines, power is measured horsepower (HP), while for electric pressure washers, power is measured in amps.
8. What Features Should I Look for in a Power Washer?
Some good features to keep an eye out for include adjustable and interchangeable wands or interchangeable nozzle tips, a rotating nozzle and an easy-to-pull starter.
How We Reviewed
We reviewed the best pressure washers based on features, durability, power, efficiency, mobility, price and ease of use so you can find the pressure washer best suited for your needs.
Overall Price Range
Typically, electric washers are cheaper and less powerful whereas high-end gas pressure washers are durable enough to last a lifetime and powerful enough to clean any stain but may not be mobile enough to reach every surface.
What We Reviewed
PowRyte Elite 3500 PSI 1.80 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
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Features
With a motor capable of generating up to 2000PSI and 1.80GPM, the first product on our list of best pressure washers is portable and more than powerful enough to take on all your medium-duty outside washing chores.
Featuring the Total Stop System (TSS), it will automatically shut off when the trigger is not in action which not only saves energy but also conserves the life of its pump. Caked on dirt, mold, or even stains from dead vegetation are easy pickings for this surprisingly powerful washer.
Pros
Cons
Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer
Features
The Stanley Electric Pressure Washer is one of our best pressure washers because it can be plugged in anywhere you need to clean and comes with a plastic casing and a handle that makes it easy to move.
You can roll it on the built-in wheels anyplace you want to clean up and the special water gun-style sprayer allows you to aim directly at the places that have the most dirt, grime, or debris. You could use this machine on your driveway, siding or deck with ease.
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Generac SpeedWash 7122 3200 PSI 2.7 GPM 196cc Gas Powered Pressure Washer
Features
The Generac SpeedWash is an industrial unit you push on a tiny cart to all the places you want to work. The SpeedWash system allows you to use all the accessories you need for cleaning, making this a good unit to use if you need it for part of your business and you don’t want to bother with an electrical cable. While it is loud, the unit earns the noise and place on our list of best pressure washers by being powerful enough to conquer almost any project.
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WEN PW31 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer
Features
The WEN 3100 PSI gas pressure washer has a 208 cc engine you can use for the biggest commercial jobs possible, so if you need a pressure washer for work, this product has you covered. You can also push this machine anywhere you want on the large wheels and the machine allows you to clean large spaces easily with several accessories for maximum versatility.
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Cons
Stanley SHP1600 Electric Power Washer
Features
The Stanley SHP2000 pressure washer features a 60-foot hose on a spool and the large water nozzle gun makes it easy for you to clean anything of any size with its high-pressure tank. The motor creates more pressure than most other devices and comes in a suitcase-style package that allows you to pull it around and move to any location you want.
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Sun Joe SPX1000 1450 PSI 1.45 GPM 11.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer
Features
The next product on our list is the Sun Joe 1450 PSI electric pressure washer, which is one of the more unique best pressure washers on the market. If you are looking for a pressure washer to use around the house, this machine has a backpack-style tank that attaches to a nozzle with its own sheath for easy and convenient transportation.
The machine is easy to use because it weighs so little and you can easily spray down any area on your residential property.
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Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S MegaShot 3200 PSI 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Features
The Simpson cleaning gas pressure washer cart is set up to help anyone who does commercial sized jobs but is small enough to be easily transported.
These features make it perfect for anyone looking for an industrial power pressure washer they can use around the house as it is more than powerful enough to clean the driveway, stone walkways and the siding on your house. Because the engine is exposed, it is much easier to maintain and the accessories that come with the device make it easy to spray water anywhere you need.
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SPX3001 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5 AMP Electric Pressure Washer
Features
The second to last Sun Joe product on our list, the SPX3001 electric pressure washer is one of the more compact best pressure washers in the industry.
You can fit the nozzle into the design of the cylindrical case, which makes it easy to store when cleaning is done around the house. Filling the tank is easy and you can reach anywhere you need to clean as the many accessories fit right into the case, making it one of the more mobile machines on our list. You can roll it around or carry it and the simple design makes it so easy even the kids in the family can use it.
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Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Joe 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer
Features
The second-to-last machine on our list is the Sun Joe 2030 PSI pressure washer, which is one of the tinier cart-style pressure washers on the market and has the motor exposed for easy maintenance.
It is powerful enough you can clean anything you want in a matter of moments and the Sun Joe brand is known for its quality products. Because of its mobility and ease of use, it is a perfect item to have around the house and you could clean your own deck or siding for many years with the multitude of accessories and easy maintenance.
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AR Blue Clean AR383 1,900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
Features
The last product on our list features an accessory kit including a gun, a plastic, aluminium and copper body, an adjustable jet nozzle, foam dispenser and is a cold water electric pressure washer.
The unit is mounted on a trolley with two wheels and the pump head is equipped with a Total Stop system which allows for automatic safety pressure switch off. The maximum water pressure is 1900 Psi and volume is 1.5 gpm, and with the 3 axial piston wobble plate pump, gun wand and lasting induction motor, the machine provides 120V at 60 Hz and 12 amp power.
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The Verdict
In conclusion, the best pressure washer for you depends on if you need it for commercial or home use.
We would highly recommend the SPX3001 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5 AMP Electric Pressure Washer for use around the house, but if you need something more powerful, we would suggest the Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S MegaShot 3200 PSI 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer as it is mobile enough for lighter residential work and powerful enough to beat even the toughest stains.
If you liked any of the best pressure washers on our list, go out and buy one today to get your deck, siding or driveway looking like new again.
Last update on 2022-11-30 at 07:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
