Whether it be summer or winter, keeping the outside of your home and other outdoor areas clean is a time-consuming chore. You may be faced with having to remove stubborn mold from a patio awning, cleaning unsightly stains that have been deposited on the walls of your house after a storm, or from inconsiderate low flying birds.
If you are struggling to keep on top of things by doing these chores by hand and leaning precariously over the side of a ladder, then climb down, and discover the freedom of a pressure washer.
The 6 Best Pressure Washers
- SUNPOW Pressure Washer
- Sun Joe Pressure Washer (Our Top Pick)
- Karcher Pressure Washer
- WEN Pressure Washer
- Simpson Cleaning Pressure Washer
- Generac Pressure Washer
Our Top Pick for the Best Pressure Washer
Our top pick for the best pressure washer is the Sun Joe Pressure Washer. There is a lot of love about this washer: it is well built, and with 2030 PSI of water pressure and a 14.5 amp motor, it is ideal for light to medium-duty washing and cleaning applications around your home.
If you are going to be working at a distance from a power outlet, you may need an extension cord. However, the Sun Joe pressure washer has a 20-feet high-pressure hose and a massive 35-feet power cord.
Check the price on AmazonWhat is a Pressure Washer?
In basic terms, a pressure washer is a combination of a garden hose and an air compressor. A typical pressure washer can either be powered by a gas or electric motor that powers a water pump, which accelerates the water through the hose and out through a trigger or spray gun.
When the trigger is pulled, the water mixes with the air and comes out of the nozzle in a super-charged stream of water, which is 75 times faster than your garden hose. You even have the option to add detergent to the washer for those hard-to-clean areas around your home.
What to Look for When Buying a Pressure Washer
When you are looking to buy a pressure washer, there are three specifications that you need to keep in mind that will ultimately determine the machine’s overall cleaning performance.
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
GPM is the amount of water flow that the machine is capable of directing into the trigger or spray gun per minute. GPM can range from 1-4-gallons per minute for residential uses and up to 10-gallons per minute for commercial applications.
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)
The PSI is the amount of outward water pressure that is generated by the pressure washer. The more PSI, the more cleaning power you will have to clean away any dirt or mold.
Pressure washers that are to be used for residential purposes range from 500-4000 PSI, and commercial models can be up to 7000 PSI.
Nozzles
A water pressure machine will also come with either a spray or trigger gun and wand that you can use to get to those hard-to-reach places like under the eaves of a roof.
Some models offer different types of nozzles that can control the direction and angle of the water spray and release the detergent.
Light, Medium or Heavy-duty
There are three main types of water pressure cleaners.
- Light-Duty: A light-duty pressure washer can be used for washing small cars, patio, outdoor furniture, small concrete areas, and the exterior walls of your house.
- Medium-Duty: A medium-duty pressure washer is ideal for cleaning large patios and decking, under the eaves and guttering, and for removing grease from the garage floor.
- Heavy-Duty: A heavy-duty pressure washer is ideal for large properties, and large vehicles, especially agricultural and farming equipment.
Electric or Gas-powered Pressure Washers
Whether you choose an electric or gas-powered pressure cleaner will depend on what you are going to use it for and where you will be using it.
Electric
Electric pressure washers are ideal for small properties. They are compact, quieter, and require minimal maintenance. They are great for cleaning the exterior of your house, or small items such as a vehicle, a backyard grill, outdoor areas like a patio or driveway. And for the budget-conscious, they are usually more affordable.
Electric power washers are more efficient and tend to use less water, and as they are emission-free, they are environmentally friendly.
The downside of using electric pressure washers is that they are not as powerful or portable as a gas-powered model and they require access to a power outlet. You may have to use an extension cord, which can be inconvenient and dangerous if you do not keep your eye on the cord.
Gas
Gas-powered pressure washers are ideal for those homesteaders who have a medium to a large property. Gas models are powerful and many of them come with a very high PSI (around 4000), so they can be used to clean large areas around your house, and larger outdoor vehicles and equipment, such as boats, tractors, and ride-on mowers.
Gas-powered models are more portable, which means they are ideal for holidays when you need to clean your vehicle after traveling through the desert or a cloud of locusts.
Although they may be heavier and bulkier than electric-powered washers, some gas-powered models come with 4 wheels so they are easier to manage. The other downside of a gas model is that they require a mix of oil and fuel, and need constant refueling for longer cleaning jobs, and are not environmentally friendly.
Six Cleaning Uses for a Pressure Cleaner
One thing is for certain when it comes to maintaining the outside of your homestead, cleaning is an ongoing and almost full-time occupation. And especially those hard-to-reach places can either have us struggling with the garden hose or paying someone to get the job done.
A pressure washer is a versatile cleaning machine that can be used for a wide range of outdoor cleaning chores. Here are 6 of the best, but you might think of some more.
1. Washing the Exterior of Your House
You can use a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your house regardless of the building material. Just adjust the nozzle to turn on your favorite detergent, give it a blast, and then change the setting to clean the soap off with water. Easy!
2. Under the Eaves of the Roof and Guttering
As most pressure washers come with an extendable wand, they are especially useful for those hard-to-reach places like under the roof’s eaves or to clean out the gutter. However, a high-powered pressure washer has so many other uses as well, not only for the house but for maintaining outdoor equipment and machinery.
3. Car, Boat or Caravan
A pressure cleaner can make light work of cleaning your car and caravan. You can choose from an array of water streams (from pinpoint to wide fan, to turbo) and nozzles which allow you to change the angle and force of the spray, so that that you can clean underneath the vehicle.
As there are a lot of lightweight and portable pressure cleaners, you can pack them up and take them in the back of your car when you go away on holiday, or for use on your boat.
4. Removing Wasp or Spider Webs
During the warmer months, the stinging insects can start to invade our garden and set up their nests on the walls and even on the roof of our homes.
A pressure cleaner is a safe way for you to clean away any spider webs or destroy any wasp nests. However, a good gardening tip to remember is to spray the wasps’ nest at night, while they are sleeping.
5. Outdoor Equipment (Ride-on Mower, Lawnmower, Industrial or Farming Equipment)
A heavy-duty pressure cleaner is very useful for cleaning large farming equipment such as tractors or ride-on mowers, which can get a buildup of dirt and grass. With just a few blasts of the spray gun under a lawnmower, you can remove any grass without having to get your hands dirty.
6. Swimming Pool or Jacuzzi
Pressure cleaners are useful for cleaning out the swimming pool or jacuzzi before the start of a new season. Some cleaners can use hot water and produce steam, which can help you remove any build-up of mold on the surface.
6 Best Pressure Washers – Reviews
1. SUNPOW Pressure Washer
If you are new to the world of pressure cleaners and would like a lightweight cleaner that can still produce a powerful spray, then the SUNPOW Pressure Washer is a good choice.
The SUNPOW pressure washer has a strong 1500-watt motor and a high-pressure pump that generates up to 2000 PSI and 1.32 GPM of water, which makes this washer ideal for small to medium domestic chores, such as cleaning decks, patio floors, washing the car or garden furniture.
The compact and lightweight unit is made from durable orange plastic, and the foam dispenser evenly distributes over large surfaces.
There are 2 innovative safety features, the “Total Stop System”, which automatically shuts off the pump to prolong pump life, and the spray gun that has a safety lock.
You can adjust the quick plug-in spray gun to change the water stream from a pinpoint jet to a powerful fan spray. The pressure washer offers you a better reach and greater portability with its 18-feet high hose. It also has convenient storage space for the trigger gun and other accessories.
Pros
- Powerful spray
- Effective for light to medium-duty jobs
- Compact and lightweight
- Total Stop System prolongs pump life
- Quick Plug-in spray gun has a safety lock
- 18-feet high-pressure hose
Cons
- Not enough power for heavy-duty jobs
- Hose is not overly durable
2. Sun Joe Pressure Washer
A sturdy pressure washer that is built from tough plastic components, the Sun Joe Pressure Washer is ideal for most household tasks from light to medium duty cleaning applications.
The 14.5 amp motor can generate up to 2030 PSI, and the 1.76 GPM of water flow will provide the power you need for cleaning walls, hard-to-reach places like guttering, and will remove stubborn oil stains on the garage floor.
The unit comes with a TSS (Total Stop System) that automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged, which saves energy and prolongs the life of the pump. This pressure washer features dual detergent tanks, making it suitable for cleaning surfaces with oil stains like driveways.
Equipped with a trigger gun, a spray wand holder, a 20-feet high-pressure hose, and a 35-feet power cord, the Sun Joe SPX3000 can be used to easily reach up to clean difficult areas like gutters and drainage pipes. Once you use the Sun Joe, cleaning and maintaining your homestead will be a pleasure.
The 5 Quick-Connect spray nozzles give you that extra control over the water pressure, from a gentle spray to an intense jet, and the extra-large wheels provide you with greater maneuverability, especially if you are using the unit over uneven terrain.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ideal for light to medium-duty cleaning
- Easy to assemble
- Quiet
- Dual detergent tanks
- Five spray nozzles to choose from
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cleaning
- Hose connector is plastic and can leak
3. Karcher Pressure Washer
Karcher is a well-known German company that has been making reliable and efficient electrical home and garden cleaning products since 1950. Its dedication to high-quality cleaning machines is evident in this award-winning Pressure Washer.
The Karcher K3 Follow-Me Electric Power Pressure Washer is the perfect choice for light cleaning duties around your home. The machine is designed with a water-saving feature as it uses 80% less water than a garden hose. However, with a PSI of 1800 and a 120-volt motor, it is powerful enough to clean larger areas.
Karcher’s Quick Connect System makes it so easy to connect the hose or the trigger gun with 2 spray wands, all you have to do is push and click the connection of your choice into position.
The water pressure can be adjusted so that you can choose a light spray or a strong jet. The Dirtblaster turbo wand (with integrated soap dispenser), and 15-feet of high-pressure hose allow you to clean hard-to-reach places such as spider webs or wasp nests from under the eaves of the roof.
Karcher has also designed this cleaner with the operator in mind as it has handy features like the detergent tank, which can be easily located at the back of the cleaner. All of your accessories, hose, spray wand, and power cord can be stored securely on top of the unit, so they are easily accessible while you work.
The highlight of the Karcher K3 is its portability, with 4 sturdy wheels, and a handle, so there is no need to re-position the unit, it just follows behind you while you work.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Attachments are easy to connect
- Ideal for light duties
- Integrated soap dispenser
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cleaning
- Not ideal for large properties
- Need to be close to a power outlet
4. WEN Pressure Washer
If you are looking for a high-powered washer that can easily tackle any kind of cleaning task from light to heavy-duty chores, then the WEN Pressure Washer is destined to become your new gardening buddy.
The pressure washer has a OneWash and a powerful 208cc 4-stroke OHV engine that pumps 2.5 GPM and creates 3100 PSI worth of pressure.
Whether it is cleaning your car, patio furniture, or reaching those hard-to-reach places like cleaning out the gutter and removing wasp nests from under the eaves, the WEN 3100 can do it all.
As well as the soap nozzle, there are 4 additional spray nozzles, so you can adjust the spray to cater to your individual cleaning needs. The Quick-change connectivity system also simplifies the process of switching from nozzle to nozzle.
WEN has designed this washer with the operator in mind. It has a comfort-grip handle. The Axial Cam Pump provides a reliable spray and quick access to the hose connections so that you do not have to kneel on the ground.
A large 32-ounce onboard soap tank lets you quickly top up the detergent as you work. The massive 30-feet high-pressure hose gives you an extended cleaning range above your head. Heavy-duty reinforced Never-flat 12-inch wheels make it as easy as possible to move the pressure washer’s trolley over a variety of tough terrains.
Pros
- Powerful
- Easy to use
- Great value for money
- Four Quick-connect spray nozzles
- Massive 30-feet high-pressure hose
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Needs a mixture of oil and gas
- Connections are made of plastic
5. Simpson Cleaning Pressure Washer
Simpson Cleaning is one of the biggest manufacturers of electrical home appliances, and its commitment to reliability and quality cleaning machines is evident in this powerful gas Pressure Washer.
The unit is designed with commercial applications in mind, which means if you have a large property and heavy-duty cleaning chores, the Simpson Powershot can tackle any job around your home with ease.
The HONDA GX200 OHV commercial series engine with Oil Alert and AAA industrial triplex plunger pump with PowerBoost technology provides that much-needed high water pressure for removing the accumulation of stubborn dirt and algae from all outdoor surfaces and large vehicles like farming equipment.
A strong machine with a welded steel frame, steel engine plate, solid steel axle means the unit is durable and will remain part of your gardening entourage for many years. And for those longer jobs, the 10-inch pneumatic tires provide you with that need maneuverability.
One of the highlights of this machine is the pro-style spray wand with 5 quick connect nozzle tips, which gives you a greater choice over the spray settings. In addition, there is a soap applicator nozzle that draws the detergent directly from the downstream detergent injection system.
Another bonus feature that makes this washer such a great choice is the flexible, non-marring, kink, and abrasion-resistant 25-feet MorFlex high-pressure hose. So there is no fear of having to struggle with a defective garden hose.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Quickstart
- Powerful
- Sturdy
- Portable
- Great cleaning performance
- One tank of gas lasts up to 2 hours
Cons
- Engine vibrates a lot causing stored nozzle tips to fall out
- Cheap plastic hose
6. Generac Pressure Washer
Compact, powerful, and affordable, the Generac Pressure Washer is ideal for light to medium residential cleaning tasks. Its strong OHV engine creates an impressive water pressure output of 2900 PSI and a water flow rate of 2.4 GPM.
The Generac pressure washer also features a user-friendly design that makes it so quick and easy to blast away stubborn grime, dirt, and deep stains around your home.
Its never-flat 10-inch wheels and 25-feet flexible hose give you that much-needed maneuverability when cleaning areas around a patio, a vehicle like a car, truck, or boat, walkways, and negotiating stairs.
This pressure washer comes with 4 quick-change spray nozzles (0°, 25°, 40°, and Soap), which can be used to clean a range of surfaces like concrete, brick, tiles, and masonry. The ergonomic spray gun and the wand can be conveniently stored in a side hook. A handy onboard storage area also keeps the spray nozzles within easy reach.
As the Generac pressure washer has a compact design, it is quite easy to pack away in a garden shed or garage.
Pros
- Ideal for small to medium cleaning applications
- Choice of 4 nozzles
- Never-flat wheels and 25-feet flexible hose make it easy to maneuver
- Ergonomic spray gun
- Handy storage area
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty cleaning
- Can lose water pressure easily
- Plastic parts are not overly durable
Our Top Pick for the Best Pressure Washer
Our top pick for the best pressure washer is the Sun Joe Pressure Washer. There is a lot of love about this washer: it is well built, and with 2030 PSI of water pressure and a 14.5 amp motor, it is ideal for light to medium-duty washing and cleaning applications around your home.
If you are going to be working at a distance from a power outlet, you may need an extension cord. However, the Sun Joe pressure washer has a 20-feet high-pressure hose and a massive 35-feet power cord.
Check the price on Amazon
