10 Best Pressure Washers 2024 in the US

If you want to thoroughly clean the outside of your house, car, or patio, you can always use the method of scrubbing everything down with a stiff bristle brush and soapy water. But, this can be time-consuming, not to mention very tiring! A power washer, on the other hand, can direct a powerful stream of water onto a variety of surfaces. They’ll be sparkling clean in minutes, sparing you a lot of effort!

However, selecting a power washer isn’t all that simple. You’ll want to select a washer with the power to perform exactly the jobs that you’ll need the most. You’ll have to choose between a gas-powered or electric-powered model. They can save time and effort, but you have to learn how to operate them safely and efficiently. We’ll go through some of the specifications of the best models, to help you decide which one is right for you!
 

Looking at the selection in the Best Review Guide’s list of the top 10 power washers, you’ll see that there are two main types:

• Gas-powered power washer: Gasoline-powered power washers give you freedom of movement to clean almost anywhere since you don’t have to be near an electrical outlet. They usually are able to generate more pressure and cleaning power, at a cheaper price than the electric-powered models. The Westinghouse Gas-Powered Pressure Washer series (Models No. WPX2700, WPX3200, and WPX3400) can achieve maximum water pressures of 2700-3400 pounds per square inch.

Westinghouse Gas-Powered Pressure Washer

• Electric-powered power washer: Electric-powered power washers tend to work more quietly and cleanly than the gas-powered versions. But you have to be near an electrical outlet. An example is the Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Washer (Model No. SPX3000).

Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Washer

Here are a couple of important considerations that customers pointed out when they bough a power washer:

• Portability: You’ll want to be able to transport your power washer easily. They typically are on wheels. But you should check that the wheels are effective in carrying the appliance’s weight. Some complained about one of the Westinghouse power washers about it being relatively heavy, at 62 pounds. One customer said that it wasn’t long that one of the wheels broke! So, this is something to be checked before deciding on a model.

• Quick-connect nozzles: Customers who bought the Stanley Corded Electric Pressure Washer (Model No. SHP2150) were pleased with how easy it was to change the nozzle heads. They’re color-coded, with yellow indicating a 15-degree spray, green indicating a 25-degree spray, and white indicating a 40-degree spray. You just have to make sure that you turn off the device before changing nozzles, to avoid any accidents. There is also a Quick Connect wand, that gives you extra reach and precision when blasting away dirt and grime!

Here are a few pointers regarding specifications of different power washers:

• GPM and PSI: The speed at which the power washer emits water is given in units of GPM, or “gallons per minute”. The rate of water flow is only half the story. The pressure at which the water comes out is also important. That’s given in units of pounds per square inch, or PSI. So, for example, the Stanley Electric Pressure Washer (Model No. SHP2150) sprays at a pressure of 2150 PSI, and 1.4 GPM. That’s over 40 times the power of a typical garden hose! But, the gas-powered models are even more powerful. The Westinghouse Gas-Powered Pressure Washer (Model No. WPX3200) emits water at a whopping 3200 PSI and 2.5 GPM!

Stanley Electric Pressure Washer

• Nozzle types: You’ll notice that power washers come with a set of nozzles, which allow you to either concentrate the water stream in the form of a concentrated jet or to spray at a cone-shaped angle. The Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Washer comes with nozzles that you snap on, to allow you to spray at a 0° concentrated jet, or at 15°, 25°, or 40° angles. (However, health professionals say that it’s better to buy a power washer that can’t spray at less than a 15° angle, out of concern that the spray can cause serious tissue damage!) Here is a key to the use of each type of nozzle:

  • 0°: For crevices between patio boards or tiles, or removing compacted grime from surfaces on upper floors

  • 15°: For cleaning concrete, as well as paint stripping and removing grime

  • 25°: For general cleaning of walkways of different materials

  • 40°: For cleaning delicate surfaces, or washing your car or RV.

  • Soap: Many power washers will have a “soap” nozzle, which gently deposits a soapy solution onto your vehicle.

• What can the washer remove: There are power washers that can remove mildew, grease, oil, tar, mud, rust, and grime, as well as perform other cleaning tasks. The wider settings are good for rinsing large areas at a time, and, even if they may be less effective than the concentrated stream, they’re significantly safer.

• How much pressure do you need: You’ll notice that power washers vary in how many pounds per square inch they’re able to deliver. It’s recommended to use up to 1900 psi for cleaning your car, outdoor furniture, or aluminum siding on your home. To clean off grime from your patio, you can employ up to 2800 psi. And, if you want to use a pressure washer to strip paint off surfaces, you should use an appliance with over 2800 psi.

• Safety concerns: If a power washer can generate enough power to strip paint off a surface, you can imagine what kind of damage it can do to a person! It’s important to never point a power washer at a person! People who have accidentally been hit by the spray of their own power washer don’t show signs of a serious wound on the skin’s surface. But the spray from the washer can inject air or water under the skin, which can cause a tetanus infection and serious tissue damage requiring antibiotics and even surgery! So, it’s important to exercise proper caution. Also, wear eye protection, such as goggles, and proper pants and shoes to cover your legs and feet entirely.

Final Verdict

We examined a few of the gas-powered and electric-powered power washers, noting some of the advantages of each. The gas-powered models have more mobility and power. But you might not need all of that power for your cleaning jobs. And they’re usually noisier than the electric models. One thing is for sure: if used properly, a power washer will get lots of cleaning jobs done in a fraction of the time that you’d need if you’d do it the old-fashioned way!