A pressure washer is a pressure washer, right? almost not. There are a variety of options including different PSI ratings, motors, and more. Choosing the best pressure washer for your specific needs opens up many models. Our team of experts has done the homework to help you sort through your options.
Best Air Pressure Washer Overall
Simpson SuperPro Roll Cage Pressure Washer
The best pressure washer in our book isn’t just one model — it’s the Simpson SuperPro Roll-Cage Series. We love the 4-wheel heavy-duty roll cage frame design, and they’re made in the USA with global materials. Whether you’re pushing it in and out of the store, or loading and unloading it from a trailer, it’s easier to move than a traditional 2-wheel design.
We prefer the Honda-powered model, and there are Kohler and CRX engine options. Pressure ratings range from 3000 to 7000 PSI and flow rates from 2.5 to 8.0 GPM. If you use pressure washers professionally, you’re sure to find the PSI/GPM combination that’s right for you.
CETA certified performance
Price: $949.99 – $5299.99
Best Electric Pressure Washer Overall
Greenworks Commercial 2500 PSI Electric Pressure Washer PW-2500C
Greenworks stepped up its electric pressure washer game by entering the professional category. Capable of 2500 PSI at 1.2 GPM or 2.1 GPM at 100 PSI for gas grade performance.
Throwing it into the commercial category, this model features a 14-amp brushless motor paired with a 1,000-hour industrial-grade triplex pump that lasts far beyond what we’d expect from a residential model. When you consider the range of electric pressure washers, it’s hard to find a better product than this.
PWMA certified performance
Price: $769.99
Want something for residential use? Greenworks has a 3000 PSI electric pressure washer for $399.00.
Best Battery Operated Pressure Washers
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 2000 PSI Pressure Washer
We’ve finally gotten to where lithium-ion powers pressure washers. The second generation Ryobi 40V HP brushless model is the best battery powered pressure washer in a still very narrow field of competition.
Packing 2000 PSI and 1.2 GPM of cleaning power in Boost mode, it’s nearly identical in physical form to the 1500 PISI version we recommended last year. With the power upgrade, you’ll need two batteries to power the device.
A nice feature is that you don’t need a pressurized water source. Drop the siphon hose into your pool or lake for a clean slate. And since it’s part of Ryobi’s Whisper series, it runs so quietly it won’t disturb your neighbors — just 57 decibels.
PWMA certified performance
Price: $449.00 without batteries or charger
Best Heavy Duty Commercial Pressure Washers
Simpson Mobile Trailer 4200 PSI Pressure Washer
When you’re ready to take your pressure washing business to the next level, trailer-mounted models with tanks allow you to work with or without a pressurized water source on site. If this sounds like what you need, check out Simpons’ 95003 Mobile Trailer Unit.
Powered by a Honda GX380 engine with a CAT triple pump producing up to 4200 PSI and 4.0 GPM. In addition to high levels of performance, this engine includes an electric start to make your life easier.
While the trailer is on the small side (4 1/2 x 5 foot platform), it’s on certified construction with a pressure washer, hose reel, and 150-gallon water tank.
CETA certified performance
Price: $5499.99
The best home pressure washers
Ryobi 3000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
When you’re considering the best pressure washer for an individual home, the bone of contention is often the ease of ownership of electric and the higher power of gas. Ryobi gives you the best of both worlds with a brushless electric model that legitimately has gasoline levels of power. It tops out at an impressive 3000 PSI and delivers 1.1 GPM at that pressure level. Like all Ryobi products, it’s easily available at Home Depot.
PWMA certified performance
Price: $449.00
The Best Car Pressure Washers
Simpson PS3228 3300 PSI 2.5 GPM Air Pressure Washer
Our recommendations for the best car pressure washers come with a big asterisk: *Don’t pressure wash your car! Most pressure washers are powerful enough to damage the finish and even seep into the paint. Only use a pressure washer with a soap nozzle to apply soap and rinse the vehicle. Stick to elbow grease and a soft cloth for actual cleaning.
We prefer to use a pressure washer with a foam cannon, and we’re partial to the Big Mouth Max Release Foam Cannon from Chemical Experts. While most foam cannons work over a wide range, we seem to get the best results with at least 3000 PSI and 2.0 GPM. 3500 PSI is about the upper end of the pressure range, excluding many large commercial models.
Again – don’t pressure wash your car!
If you use your pressure washer professionally for automotive detailing, you need a model that can stand up to everyday use. That’s why we chose the Simpson PS3228 as our best pressure washer for cars. Its AAA triplex pump and Honda GX200 engine are built to last.
As far as performance goes, the numbers of 3300 PSI and 2.5 GPM are what we need to get the thickest foam out of a cannon. It’s also significantly less expensive than other professional options in the same performance range.
CETA certified performance
Price: $599.00
How about an electric pressure washer for cars?
If all you want to do is apply soap without creating the thickest lather layer, an electric pressure washer will work just fine. However, even the most powerful foam cannons fall short of the minimum 2.0 GPM we’d like to see.
If you just want to suds and wet the car and remove some dirt from the tires, cordless electric vacuums offer a great option with far fewer settings. This tool, along with some elbow grease, is for homeowners who want to wash their cars on a regular basis.
Best Portable Pressure Washers
DeWalt 2100 PSI Electric Construction Site Pressure Washer
DeWalt blew our minds with a well-designed electric pressure washer that balances performance and portability better than others. In terms of performance, you’re looking at 2100 PSI and 1.2 GPM – better than most small pressure washers.
Everything fits in a suitcase-sized form factor. The rods and nozzles are stored inside the housing, and the hoses are tucked into the roll cage. DeWalt finishes it off with a telescoping handle and wheels, making it easy to carry even though it’s larger than the models we’ve recommended in the past.
CETA certified performance
Price: $299.00
Best Pressure Washers for Driveways and Concrete
Simpson SuperPro Roll Cage 3600 PSI 2.5 GPM Air Pressure Washer
The best pressure washers for concrete and driveways are partly those that combine a medium to high level of PSI with excellent flow rates. As a professional, if you can roll up and down the trailer with ease multiple times a day, you’ve made it!
Simpson has achieved this with the SuperPro Roll Cage line. Our top pick is powered by a solid Honda GX200 engine with a AAA triplex pump delivering 3600 PSI and 2.5 GPM. Paired with a surface cleaner, you can get multiple concrete jobs done in one day. It’s also easier to save on your business budget than some of the highest-performing models in the range.
CETA certified performance
Price: $1099.99
The Best Pressure Washers for Stripping Paint
Simpson PowerShot 4400 PSI 4.0 GPM Air Pressure Washer PS60843
When you turn to the best pressure washers to remove paint, you’re usually in the graffiti removal business. Pressure washers aren’t smart: They can’t tell the difference between the paint you want to remove and the paint you want to leave behind. For this reason, these machines are best for removing paint from bare concrete or metal where the finish behind is not as important. Of course, you can always come back and paint on it.
We require at least 4,000 PSI of pressure when removing paint. We also prefer commercial solutions since this work usually falls to professionals.
With 4400 PSI and 4.0 GPM from its Simpson 420cc engine and AAA triplex pump, the Simpson PowerShot PS60843 is our pick for the best paint stripping pressure washer. It has a commercial-grade build quality, but it’s surprisingly priced. At $899, it’s also hundreds of dollars less than many competitors at this level of performance.
CETA certified performance
Price: $899.99 from Home Depot
The best pressure washers for the money
Simpson Pressure Washers
In our opinion, no other brand offers the kind of value we see across the board from Simpson. They consistently offer a pressure washer with higher quality parts at the price we are looking for. It is not uncommon to buy a Honda engine for the same price or less than an OEM engine from another brand. They also seem to have a solution for each application (which is one of the reasons they show up so many times on our list).
CETA certified performance
The Best Pressure Washer Surface Cleaners
Simpson 20 Inch Industrial Surface Cleaner
Want to make your neighbors jealous? Wait for them to pressure wash the driveway with a 25º nozzle. Give them a 30 minute head start before hitting yours with surface cleaner. Before they’re done, you’ll be opening the beer with your foot on the coffee table.
Surface cleaners take the work from your pressure washer and direct it into rotating nozzles that clean large areas. Each has a PSI rating that you need to pay attention to and not overdo it. For the easiest cleaning of larger models, look for models with casters.
We like the Simpson’s larger 20-inch diameter and solid build for quick big jobs. It works best with higher PSI pressure washers that match the build quality. Inadequacies? It’s much more expensive than homeowner’s models, like Simpson’s $79.99 15-inch Surface Cleaner.
Price: $449.99
Best Pressure Washer Soaps and Cleaners
While most pressure washers inject soap and detergent behind the pump, nearly all of them come with the same warning: Never use bleach.
Instead, look for products made specifically for pressure washers. You’ll extend the life of your fittings and connectors, and get cleaning done faster than with water alone.
Best Vinyl Siding Cleaners for Pressure Washers
Simple Green Oxygen Solvent House and Siding Cleaner
When those siding-covered walls don’t look as good as they should, the best pressure washer vinyl siding cleaner is Simple Green’s Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner.
It is pre-concentrated for pressure washers, non-toxic and biodegradable. Using peroxide in the mix, you can restore color without using bleach. We like the eco-friendly combo here, and it seems to work just as well as the other options.
Price: $19.99/gallon
We also recommend:
- Rust-Oleum Krud Kutter House and Siding Pressure Washer Concentrate: $14.99/gal on Amazon
- Zep House and Siding Pressure Washer Concentrate: $39.99 for 4 gallons on Amazon
Best Pressure Washer Concrete Cleaner
ZEP Driveway, Concrete & Masonry Cleaner Concentrate
ZEP’s Driveway, Concrete, and Masonry Cleaner is great for cleaning concrete surfaces, even when they’re stained with oil, grease, and tire marks.
It’s not as environmentally friendly as Simple Green, but it makes it easier for us to get our hard concrete cleaning back up to par.
Price: $14.98/gallon
We also recommend:
- Rust-Oleum Krud Kutter Concrete and Driveway Pressure Washer Concentrate: $15.98/gallon at Lowe’s
- Simply Green Concrete and Driveway Cleaner – Pressure Washer Concentrate: $23.99/gal on Amazon
Best Car Soap for Pressure Washers
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds 2 High Foam Conditioning Shampoo and Shine Booster
When it comes to car cleaning, we trust Chemical Guys and recommend their Maxi Suds II High Foam formula as the best car soap for pressure washers. It removes the dirt and oil you collect better than most foams. As it lifts them off the surface, you can easily wipe them off without nicks and swirls on your surface.
Price: $22.99/gallon
We also recommend:
- Karcher Car Wash and Wax Soap for Pressure Washers: $10.98/qt on Amazon
Pressure Washer Buying Guide
Pressure Washers vs Power Washers: Are They Different?
We’ve found that pressure washers and power washers are very similar and you’ll see they have similar PSI/GPM ratings. There’s one major difference, though — power washers have heating elements, while pressure washers don’t.
This makes electric washers better for cleaning stuck-on dirt, such as oil and grease. They’re also more expensive and require more maintenance, which is why many professionals and homeowners choose to use pressure washers with chemical detergents.
PSI and GPM
Every pressure washer and power washer has two numbers: a PSI rating and a GPM rating. PSI, or pressure in pounds per square inch, is usually the one that gets the most attention, but they’re all important.
PSI tells you the maximum force with which the water will hit your surface. Higher pressure means greater cleaning power. You’ll get the most pressure from the 0º tip, and it will decrease (or spread out) as you move to wider angled tips.
GPM (gallons per minute) is a measure of maximum water flow. More water flow means more water hitting the surface. This allows for faster material removal. Some pump models have flow control valves if you want to reduce water flow.
Calculating the Power of a Pressure Washer
One way to compare the power of one pressure washer to another is to simply multiply the two values together. Here is an example:
| pressure | flow | cleaning power | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model A | 3000 psi | 2.2 Gross profit margin | 6,600 |
| Type B | 3100 psi | 2.1 Gross profit margin | 6,510 |
| Type C | 2800 psi | 2.3 Gross profit margin | 6,440 |
Although Type A doesn’t have the highest PSI or GPM rating, it actually has the most all-around cleaning power.
How much pressure washer power do you need?
We considered a few general categories when it comes to pressure washer power. What level you need depends on what you want to do with it. Remember, you can always use a wider nozzle to lower the pressure and clean faster, but you can’t make an underpowered pressure washer do more.
Below 500 PSI
- washing vehicle
- Patio furniture (including wicker)
- Screen
Below 2000 PSI
- blinds
- grill
- Patio/Lawn Furniture
- Screen
- Lighter mildew/mildew
- Limited cleaning concrete/asphalt
2000 – 3000 psi
- deck
- the fence
- pavement
- Concrete (driveways and sidewalks)
- Clean with a smaller surface cleaner attachment
- siding
- the stain
- Lighter mildew/mildew
3000 – 4000 psi
- Concrete (driveways and sidewalks)
- Clean with larger surface cleaner attachment
- pavement
- siding
- the fence
- deck
- darker stains
- moldy / moldy
- paint preparation
- Paint stripping/graffiti removal (at the top of the range)
4000+ psi
- Paint Stripping/Graffiti Removal
- Concrete (driveways and sidewalks)
- Clean with the largest surface cleaner attachment
- pavement
- siding
- the fence
- deck
- darker stains
- moldy / moldy
- paint preparation
Natural Gas, Electricity or Batteries?
When you’re considering what kind of power plant to put on your pressure washer, there are some important trade-offs to make.
Electric pressure washers are ideal for homeowners due to their low-maintenance design. They also run quieter and emit fewer emissions. The downside is that they are limited in terms of power and water flow – exactly what you need to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
If you’re shopping for an electric pressure washer, consider one with a built-in GFCI. If you decide to choose an outlet that doesn’t have this feature, be sure to plug in one that does.
Air pressure washers are noisier, require more maintenance, and have gas emissions. But the electric motor doesn’t have any effect on the pressure and water flow you get from a gas engine. In fact, electric pressure washers can pretty much do their job in the 2000 PSI range. More, you will need a 240V plug.
Then there’s battery power. Currently, Greenworks has the only battery-operated pressure washer on the market with a legal pressure, although there are some pressure washers in the 300-450 PSI range. The sacrifice here is mostly runtime.
When you look at the battery powered industry replacing gas engines on ZTR or Milwaukee’s MX Fuel systems, if the electric option has any chance of competing with gas, it will be powered by batteries instead of wall outlets.
Commercial or Residential?
While there are some electric pressure washers labeled “commercial,” they still fall far short of the pressure and flow a professional needs every day.
Instead, we’re really talking about the difference between commercial and residential pressure washers. It comes down to two main components: the engine and the pump.
Commercial pressure washers use commercial grade engines, such as the Honda GX series. Residential models use lightweight engines. The Honda GC series is a good example.
Another difficulty is the pump. The best pressure washer pumps are the triplex pumps on professional use pressure washers and the axial lobe pumps on home models. Many residential electric models use an integrated pump, but we prefer a separate axial cam design.
If you’re on the commercial side, consider an engine with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). It will give you easier starts and better fuel economy.
Buyer Beware: PSI Max* (Buy Certified Pressure Washers)
There are pressure washers on the market, primarily from the Snow Joe brand Sun Joe, that use “PSI Max” on their boldest product packaging and product web pages. Unfortunately, this is completely misleading when you’re trying to compare pressure washers on a like-for-like basis.
Somewhere in smaller print, you’ll find “Working Pressure” or “Rated Pressure.” And significantly less.
Take Sun Joe’s 3000 PSI Max/1.30 GPM system as an example. That’s surprisingly high power for an electric model, right? It sounds like it, but the actual working specs are 2300 PSI and 1.1 GPM. “Maximum” pressure is more than 30% higher than its actual working pressure.
The rationale is that pressure washers do hit those numbers instantaneously , and it’s important for consumers to know this to avoid damage or injury.
Things that make you go hmm…
Avoid confusion by purchasing a PWMA or CETA certified pressure washer. To learn more, check out our article on pressure washer PSI, which is too good to be true.
Read more about the Better Business Bureau’s NAD decision to allow PSI Max* advertising based on consumer relevance here.
pressure washer nozzle
Every pressure washer requires a set of nozzles, a hose, and a wand. Most use standard quick connectors, and replacements are easily available if you need them.
Many pressure washers come with 0º, 15º, 25º, 40º and soap nozzles, but some may have one or two less. This grouping covers the vast majority of applications you will encounter. They are color coded and most models have a key on the frame that you can refer to. Even if not, the angle is marked on the nozzle itself.
They are very cheap if you need to replace the nozzle. However, they have a PSI rating . Make sure you buy at least as much as the pressure washer is rated for. Most are 1/4″ QC (Quick Connect) and are compatible with most pressure washer wand connections.
High pressure washer hose
The hoses that come with your pressure washer will be intentionally mated by the manufacturer. Like nozzles, they are rated for a specific PSI. When looking for a replacement, use this rating as a guide and get as close as possible to what your model has.
You don’t want to put more pressure through the hose than it’s rated for. On the other hand, getting a hose rated for much more pressure than your pressure washer can produce will degrade your performance, especially as you increase the diameter.
When in doubt, check your manual for the hose diameter and length for your exact model.
pressure washer stick
The pressure washer wand is probably the weakest part of the whole system. Since they are essentially tubes and need to be light enough to be effective, they are also prone to bending, crushing or breaking altogether if stepped on.
The best way to avoid damage is to hang the wand on the ground when not in use, and try to avoid leaning it against a wall or trailer.
Sooner or later, though, you’re going to need a replacement. Like the other accessories we’ve been discussing, they have a PSI rating. Stick to the same diameter tubing and quick connect nozzles (mostly 1/4″ tubing with a 1/4″ QC) and you should be good to go.
The last thing to look for is the connection to the gun – the threads need to match. Most are M22 connections, you can always double check your manual to be sure.
On the water supply well?
Most pressure washers require a pressurized water supply, even though pumps and motors take it to another level. The water from the well pump usually does not have enough pressure and may not be suitable for some pressure washers. Double check the manual to be sure, and email the manufacturer if it’s not clear.
Hey, you’ve reached the end of the article! Thank you for sticking with us – we know this is a long process. There are many related themes and scenes, including some we had to omit for the sake of time and space. If you have any questions, comments, or want to give us a shout out about your favorite pressure washer, feel free to leave them in the comments below!
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