The clue is in the name with this model which is loaded with an impressive 4200 PSI. We tried them out on two common jobs, cleaning driveways and vehicles. Power cord: With the exception of the battery-powered WORX Hydroshot WG629, every pressure washer we tested comes with a 35-foot power cord, which can be tedious to store if the machine doesn't have hooks to secure it. Pressure washing the front steps and driveway can increase the value of your home by $10,000 when selling. The Karcher is a 1,700 psi electric pressure washer with a 1.2-GPM flow rate. Just look at the John Deere ride-on mower in the image above. However, its the most user friendly. The MegaShot features a powerful 3,200-psi spray and delivers a generous 2.5-GPM flow rate for powering off even stubborn mud and stains. If you have some heavy equipment on the farm or job site, no problem. Regardless if you decide to do that or not, owning a medium-duty cleaner saves you money in the long run. Removing tough stains on concrete takes a pressure washer that generates some real power, and the Simpson Cleaning MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer fits the bill. So what do you need to consider when selecting the best pressure washer for you? And with the right nozzle theres no reason why a medium-duty cant be used for light-duty jobs. We ran each machine and placed a decibel meter one foot away to measure how loud it was. This gas-powered washer delivers ample water pressure for cleaning stains from the driveway, but not so much as to risk damaging a cars paint job. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Features will vary by model, but in general, a few dos and donts and the following steps to use a pressure washer are the same. Then, browse our detailed hands-on reviews, featuring some of the best pressure washer options on the market for cleanup tasks around the home. Get the Stanley pressure washer on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or at Lowes. In our tests, the Champion pressure washer moved an incredible amount of dirt to clean the driveway twice as fast as the next closest performer. In general, pressure washers generate an average of 1,000 to 4,000 psi of water pressure. Regardless of the machine, these results suggest you should use hearing protection every time you run a pressure washer. They use less water than a garden hose for cleaning and because they use a nozzle with a tiny orifice it generates at least 1,500 PSI to blast away mildew, grime, dirt, grease and whatever else you point it at (it works great cleaning the underside of a lawn mower). The DeWalt DWPW2400 pressure washer is a good, all-round domestic model suitable for most household tasks. Our aim is to help you find the best pressure washer for your needs today. To wash dried, packed-on mud from driveways, users can benefit from the extra power of the Generac 7122 SpeedWash pressure washer. Heavy-duty power washers give you more cleaning capacity than medium and light-duty. Both electric and gas pressure washers are a boon for taking the manual labor out of cleaning exterior surfaces, and both kinds clean in a similar manner. But like mentioned above, if you plan on all-day-every-day pressure washing upgrade to commercial. In terms of prices there are two classes of pressure washer: The most important features we look at when performing our testing and reviews are: Professionals care more about GPM than PSI because GPM tells how much work can be done. For the occasional use, a smaller light-duty pressure washer works well for homeowners looking to clean up patios, BBQs, or cars. Its on the lower end in terms of cleaning power, but the typical price point makes it a good value for many homeowners. It performed well in all of our driveway tests, and it cleaned concrete at about one-third of the rate of the gas pressure washers. It is connected to the drive shaft via a crankshaft with connecting rods that stroke 120 degrees apart from each other. The second best gas power washer for most people allows you to adjust the pressure to 4 settings between 2,000 and 3,200 PSI, at the turn of a knob. And how long do you think that job took? I have. Gas-powered units are also more useful for areas without access to an electrical outlet. Driven by its Honda gas engine and AAA industrial pump, this model cleans in a fraction of the time it would take with an electric washer. Buyers receive five quick-connect nozzles, a heavy-duty wand, and a trigger gun for use without the wand. While she has scooped awards for her journalism, Sophie likes to whip up a storm in the kitchen when she's not writing. With an array of electric and gas pressure washers on the marketall looking somewhat alikeit can be challenging to figure out which surface cleaner is the best. The large plastic wheels are less desirable than pneumatic tires for working off road but still offer decent mobility on uneven terrain. It has no seals moving back and forth with the piston and is self priming and can run dry. While plug-ins dont offer quite as much mobility, the best electric pressure washer options will typically include a 30-foot or longer cord, in addition to a long pressurized hose that can stretch the perimeter of the worksite. We chose this RYOBI pressure washer because we were impressed by its professional cleaning results at such a great value price point. Yet, with the right nozzle and technique can clean vehicles without damaging the surface. Generally speaking, higher numbers result in faster, easier cleanups. Cynthia Lawrence And many prefer to hire contractors for the gig than hire internally. This size range is great because they do everything a light-duty does, just faster. Read on for a breakdown of what you need to know while shopping for a pressure washer, including the types of pressure washers available and the cleaning power offered by each kind. Features include a removable detergent tank so that you can easily refill, and a set of five interchangeable nozzles for different projects. Get the Simpson Mega Shot pressure washer on Amazon or at The Home Depot. Its a pretty long driveway, but with a surface cleaner and pressure washer it takes two hours done properly. Pressure washers significantly speed up cleaning time, reducing or eliminating the need for manual scrubbing. This model delivers a decent power punch and scores well for aftercare options. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Lower psi-rated nozzles are often a bit less expensive than higher psi-rated nozzles, depending on the quality. A light or medium duty can do the job, sure, but it will take longer and youll get annoyed having to go back and redo an area. A light-duty machine is perfect for the front steps (continue to the medium-duty to find the best for the driveway). A mid-tier machine has more flow rate and that means more cleaning capacity. BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. A 4 GPM pressure washer will clean an area 2x faster than a 2 GPM machine. The sweet spot in price, performance and quality. They dont tether the machine to an outlet, so users can move around more easily, plus gas washers have higher pressure to get the job done faster. Here are the ones that matter: Like we mentioned in the beginning of the page, this is our favorite. The pressure washer also includes a built-in detergent tank for convenience. Starting off her career in print journalism, Sophie then moved to digital and now specializes in lifestyle, home interiors and social media. With its extra-long pressure hose, it also offers twice the range of the others. Lastly, always turn the machine off and pull the trigger a few times to release any remaining pressure when you're not actively using it, when switching nozzles or performing maintenance. Why am I telling you this? By Two units tied for the loudest at 91 dB, the Greenworks GPW1501 and the Harbor Freight Portland 63254. Some are gas. We marked off sections of concrete driveway for a timed cleaning comparison, then used each pressure washer and their various attachments to wash a mower, a car, or other machines to get a feel for maneuverability. It can tackle any job that a homeowner needs to throw at it, and would be a great value option for someone looking to pick up a side-hustle a few times per month. To evaluate how easy a pressure washer is to use, our testers considered the following: Pressure wand and hose: The most impressive pressure washers had built-in wand storage, comfortable handles, and made it easy to swap nozzles and store hoses. A heavy-duty can provide the needed flow rate for an extension wand to clean properly on the first pass so you dont spend your entire weekend pressure washing. Gas washers provide the most mobility and power. Oil is necessary for lubricating a gas engine and helping it run smoothly. However, if you use the red tip blasting nozzle it could start cutting into the wood. Youll find some models that come with additional features like a range of different nozzles so you can customize the pressure washer for the surface youre tackling. . Top Ten Reviews is supported by its audience. If so, check out our guides to the best gas lawn mowers (opens in new tab) and the best hedge trimmers (opens in new tab). The induction motors are quieter and about as loud as a vacuum. With my pressure washer in hand the job of cleaning my vehicle actually became fun! Thats what pressure washing contractors with truck fleet washing contracts do. The factor to consider, however, is the psi rating of the nozzles. Most gas pressure washers use regular gas from a gas station, but most are not designed to use gas that contains more than 10 percent ethanol. I watched as the yellow paint peeled off the surface as they pressure washed it. The medium-duty type of pressure cleaner is unique because there are both electric and gas options to choose from. To help, we tested and reviewed some of the best options on the market. Some are electric. To sort things out, weve tested and reviewed some of the best pressure washers on the market that are most suited to DIYers. You can pressure wash your wood fence with a light-duty pressure cleaner but it will take twice as long. Ideally you want to pick the pressure washer that is best for the types of jobs you will be working on most often. Decks, driveways, patio furniture, and window shuttersthey all collect dust, dirt, and an occasional bird dropping, growing grimier by the day. Although it was a pleasure to use very quiet and smooth. Use the right nozzle and adjust spray distance to keep the ideal force for the surface being cleaned to avoid damage (wood: less force, caked on mud to steel: more force). (Up to 1700 PSI)For small, occasional household chores Patio furniture/outdoor furniture Grills Cars / Trucks / Lawn mowers / Boats / Trailers, (1700 2,800 PSI)Regular use and tougher household jobs Fences Driveway House siding Wood decking, (2,800+ PSI)Frequent use & can tackle the toughest jobs the quickest Heavy equipment Vertical walls (brick or other) Tennis & basketball courts Large concrete areas. They tend to cost $1,000 or more. We also keep the pressure washers we buy and test them after 20 hours-use and 50 hours-use not just brand-new. What isnt as great about the Sun Joe SPX3000 pressure washer is that it takes a while to assemble and for some, the electric cords may get in the way too. This model features a 35-foot power cord and 25-foot kink-free hosepipe. Its 5 pounds lighter than the K1700, so were factoring in ease of use. Each week for 2 years I cleaned my work truck with a bucket of soapy water and a broom. The test involved using the pressure washer to remove dried mud from half a wheel well. For those new to the world of pressure-washing, some questions are to be expected. A light-duty pressure cleaner is electric powered and has 25x the cleaning power of a garden hose. Concrete driveways are notorious for collecting all manner of grease and antifreeze spills that seep into their porous surface. As such, you can expect to use most electric pressure washers for cleaning cars, wood decks, plastic patio furniture and concrete. This gas-powered pressure washer features an easy-pull start cord and large never-flat wheels for transporting over rough terrain. Those who prefer the convenience of electric power in a more compact package may prefer the Stanley pressure washer. The 190-cc Honda gas engine on this pressure washer ran quieter, with better fuel efficiency, and equivalent noticeable power compared to the similarly sized gas models we tested. Top Ten Reviews is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. What are these types of pressure washers best for? Each clean took 1/2 the time and no longer did I have to break my back pushing the broom hard to remove the grime. The MegaShot includes a 25-foot high-pressure hose. A gas pressure washer is louder than electrics and is about the same as a lawn mower. At around $300, its towards the top end of the price bracket but offers an extensive warranty. The measured cleaning units came in at 1518 for us (1380 PSI measured, 1.1 GPM measured), which was impressive to see. For most typical household jobs, the Westinghouse pressure washer is an excellent pick because it offers the best combination of cleaning power, maneuverability, user comfort, and affordability. Get the Karcher pressure washer on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or at Tractor Supply Co. Keeping up with chores is easy with the Greenworks GPW1703. The added bonus is that its one of the few washers available on the market for just under $100. This is basically the premium version of our mid range choices. Nevertheless, the Karcher K5 packs a powerful punch for cleaning vehicles, fences, driveways and more, at a very reasonable price. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Pressure hose flexibility and maneuverability improve under pressure, but stiff hoses are awkward to set up and clean up. It is well built with premium features and, although its fairly heavy, its still easily portable. We still feel the Generac SpeedWash is a well-built pressure washer at a great price suited perfectly for homeowners. Pine will be damaged at 2,320 PSI. It can be helpful to consider the following factors when searching for the best pressure washer. Finally, we use them on house siding and windows to gauge their effective reach. One pressure washer even came fully assembled in the box: The Craftsman CM1800. Its a good deal for what you get. Fill a detergent tank or attach one if soap is desired. The unit weighs just a little more than 25 pounds, making it a lightweight choice. If that doesnt help, contact the manufacturer. In our tests, it cleaned as well as the gas-powered pressure washers. 1,400 PSI 3,000 PSI and 1.5 GPM 2.5 GPM is ideal for a homeowner, Spend more for higher GPM before higher PSI, Lifespan varies based on specific pump specs: 200 300 hours up to 3,000++ for the Kranzle wobble pumps. Get the Westinghouse pressure washer on Amazon or at The Home Depot. This is because youll need to use a telescoping extension wand to clean the upper level while staying safe on the ground. It delivers 1.2 GPM at 1,700 psi. Professionals prefer 5-8 GPM because it means they can make more money per day. In our tests, we liked the amount of cleaning power it offered for such a compact size. More than 65 hours of researching and testing the devices went into this guide so you can be sure each of these devices makes the grade. This is because gas engines often have pressure above 2,000 PSI. Likewise, our testing revealed that pressure washers with ratings as low as 1,500 PSI are good for most homeowners, though they can take longer to match the results of more powerful units. The 6-inch wheels are a bit undersized for working on unpaved surfaces, but this is a good choice for a variety of driveway projects. Before buying a pressure washer, you should be aware that they can cause serious injuries if used improperly. The Westinghouse WPX2700 earned high marks in our field tests with its combination of cleaning power, maneuverability, relatively compact footprint, and competitive price. While gas washers usually cost up to $1,000 or over, you can find a RYOBI 3000 for a fraction of the price at just $349. One drawback is the pressure hose can be stiff and difficult to reel, but this should loosen in time. We are laser focused on pressure washers and always will be. However, gas models are larger, heavier, usually cost more than $200 and require more maintenance than ones that run on electricity. The most versatile. We also considered whether the devices were easy to use and checked the noise levels to give a rounded view of each device. While a GFCI can help prevent electrocution, you should keep water away from electrical cords and outlets as much as possible. The washer boasts oversize 10-inch wheels and a welded steel handle for maneuverability. A medium-duty power washer is great for a small one-story house siding clean but heavy-duty is recommended once you get to two-story bigger homes. Scoring was based on the extent to which they delivered a thorough clean and how fast they worked. Be sure to not use the red tip and be sure to hold the spray a few feet back from the deck surface. So to help you find yours we break up the pressure washer buying advice as: Since March 2013 we have spent 1,000s of hours researching, testing, disassembling and reviewing so we can recommend the best pressure washer to you. A pressure washers overall cleaning power is measured in cleaning units (CU). A drawback is that the hose can be a little stiff for unrolling but should loosen over time and more usage. The best pressure washers work by spraying water at high pressure to blast off layers of dirt and grime and reveal the clean surface underneath so it looks as good as new. If you plan to use your light-duty unit daily like someone would at a car wash business just know that this extended frequent use wears it down much quicker. Deciding Between Gas and Electric Pressure Washers, The Best Heavy-Duty Pressure Washers for the Biggest Jobs, The Best Pressure Washers for Most Homeowners Medium Duty, Ultra Portable Light Duty Pressure Washers for Small Chores, 7 Essential Pressure Washer Safety Tips For Beginners, surface cleaner attached to a large power washer, How We Test, Review and Recommend Pressure Washers, Portable because you have no need for electric cord, Powerful but not ridiculous for around the home with 3,200 PSI and 2.5 GPM, Sturdy steel carriage frame with space for nozzle, spray gun and pressure hose storage, Easy access to hose hookups at the back of the unit, Very reasonable price point given the power it provides.
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