5 Best Pressure Washers (2023 Guide)

A quality pressure washer removes stuck-on dirt and mold from your home’s siding, driveway, and walkway to restore their natural appearance. While all pressure washers are designed to clean your home’s exterior, not all models have the same features.

Our team has researched the best pressure washers to help you find models with a variety of features to choose from. Here are our top four selections.

You can find more information to help you make a smart purchase in our buying guide to tools.

Top 5 Pressure Washers

• Best Pressure Washer Overall: Westinghouse Gas-Powered Pressure Washer
• Best Electric Pressure Washer: Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Washer
• Best Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer: Simpson Cleaning MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
• Best Light-Duty Pressure Washer: WHOLESUN Electric Pressure Washer
• Best Gas Pressure Washer: Generac Gas-Powered Residential Pressure Washer

Best Pressure Washer Overall: Westinghouse Gas-Powered Pressure Washer

Pros and Cons

✔ Built with robust steel framing for protection
✔ Has a foam handle that offers comfortable gripping
✔ Includes color-coded quick-release heads

✘ The hose isn’t long enough to reach the second story of homes or businesses
✘ Has loud operation

What Customers Are Saying

The numerous customer reviews that we found said that the pressure washer was well-built and complimented its ease of use. While most reviews raved about this product, a handful said the pressure washer broke after a few uses. A couple of people also mentioned that they didn’t receive all the necessary parts for operation.

Best Electric Pressure Washer: Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Washer

Pros and Cons

✔ Outfitted with a total-stop system, which automatically powers off the pump when the trigger isn’t engaged
✔ Allows you to reach hard-to-access spaces with its 34-inch extension spray wand
✔ Lighter and quieter than gas-powered options

✘ Doesn’t offer the same level of pressure as gas models
✘ Some customers said that their model stopped working a few weeks after purchasing it

What Customers Are Saying

We saw that reviewers liked this product because it was quieter and more environmentally friendly than gas-powered options. Satisfied customers also liked how lightweight, easy to store, and easy to assemble it was. However, unsatisfied customers said the pump stopped working soon after it arrived, though one buyer stated that the problem was easily fixed by applying pump protector lubricant.

Best Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer: Simpson Cleaning MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a high-pressure gun that’s designed for comfort and control
✔ Has a welded steel frame for long-lasting durability
✔ Built with a Honda GC190 gas engine and maintenance-free axial cam pump for reliable performance

✘ A few customers mentioned issues with leaking oil and water
✘ Can’t be shipped to Alaska, California, or Hawaii

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who were satisfied with their purchase said the pressure washer offered plenty of power, allowing them to tackle nearly any project around their home. However, dissatisfied reviews that we saw noted various issues with the motor leaking oil and water.

Best Light-Duty Pressure Washer: WHOLESUN Electric Pressure Washer

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a lower price point than other, similar models
✔ Most lightweight model in this review
✔ Is not battery-powered and also doesn’t require oil

✘ May strip water-based paint
✘ Some customers said that this product doesn’t deliver as much pressure as advertised

What Customers Are Saying

Many of the reviewers we looked at said that this pressure washer worked better than their former gas-powered unit. They also liked how affordable the machine was. However, some customers said it didn’t deliver the advertised amount of pressure, and some said it leaked.

Best Gas Pressure Washer: Generac Residential Pressure Washer

Pros and Cons

✔ Has quick change nozzle tips for soap as well as 0-, 25-, or 40-degree angles
✔ Features a high-pressure hose that connects to the rear of the spray gun
✔ Has thermal relief valve that helps keeps power washer cool

✘ Does not have a soap wank
✘ May be too heavy for small jobs

What Customers Are Saying

We found that many customers who gave this product a positive review liked that it worked quickly and had a high power level that could remove large amounts of dirt and grime. On the other hand, we also found some customers that said this pressure washer was challenging to start, and others claimed that the garden hose did not work properly.

Pressure Washer Buying Guide

Before buying a pressure washer, it’s important to consider how each model’s accessories and specifications affect its user experience. Our team determined four factors to consider to help you find the best pressure washer for you.

Power Source

Pressure washers are gas- or electric-powered. Gasoline-powered pressure washers deliver more power than their electric counterparts, though they require more maintenance because of their motor’s oil use. Electric-powered pressure washers use power cords instead of gas, making them lighter and easier to move around your yard.

PSI

Pounds per square inch (PSI) refers to how much pressure the washer’s stream of water creates. The higher the PSI, the higher pressure the machine can generate. Most gas-powered pressure washers we researched deliver around 3,000 PSI, while most electric models generate around 2,000 PSI.

Weight/Portability

The weight of a pressure washer directly affects its portability. Most gas-powered models are over 50 pounds, which is why they’re usually equipped with heavy-duty wheels to make transportation easier. We noted that electric pressure washers are lighter, so they come with small wheels or handles for transportation.

Spray Nozzles

The spray nozzles used by a pressure washer are typically color-coded to correspond with a specific angle degree and water pressure. For example, most pressure washers use red to signify the zero-degree nozzle, which sprays a high-pressured, direct stream fit for cleaning stains off hard surfaces, such as concrete.

Brand

While there are dozens of brands that make pressure washers, we’ve found that the most trusted are:

• DeWalt
• Generac
• Greenworks
• Karcher
• Predator
• Ryobi
• Simpson
• Stihl
• Sun Joe
• WEN
• Westinghouse
• WHOLESUN

Pressure Washer Safety Tips

Pressure washers have intense cleaning power that can quickly clean anything from the side of your house to a vehicle to your grill. But it’s important always to use pressure washers safely. Here are some tips on how to stay safe when using a pressure washer:

• Before starting the job, take 5 minutes to think through and develop a game plan for the cleaning task ahead. Be sure to identify any potential hazards and ensure all pets, children, or items that could be damaged are clear from the area. 

• Wear appropriate protective gear, such as protective goggles, closed-toe shoes, and clothing that covers your arms and legs. This will help keep you protected from direct spray, debris, and chemicals.

• Make sure the pressure washer is on a flat surface and stable before turning it on. This will prevent it from tipping over during use.

• Avoid spraying the pressure washer at any people or delicate surfaces such as wood or glass, as this can cause injury or damage. Instead, aim the nozzle at the surface you want to clean from a safe distance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Washers

Can you pressure wash your car?

Yes. However, we’ve found that it’s important that you use the right pressure washer and correct setting so that you don’t strip or damage your car’s paint. Usually, a 2,000-PSI washer with a 40-degree nozzle is suitable for cleaning your car’s exterior.

What type of fuel can I use in my gas pressure washer?

We recommend using fresh, unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane of 87 to fuel your pressure washer. The gas should not contain more than 10% ethanol.

What is a good PSI for a pressure washer?

It depends on the job you want to tackle. If you’re cleaning vinyl siding or driveway, a high-powered gasoline pressure washer with around 3,000 PSI is your most robust option. However, if you want to complete small jobs around the house, such as cleaning patio stairs or your car, we advise using a lower-powered model that delivers approximately 2,000 PSI.

How can you lower the PSI of a pressure washer?

To reduce a pressure washer’s PSI, increase your distance from the material you’re cleaning or switch nozzles. Nozzles with a greater angle degree have a lower PSI because the water is less concentrated.

How We Selected Top-Rated Pressure Washers

To provide our readers with the best pressure washer recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of pressure washers with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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