This electric pressure washer offers a nice combination of value and performance. With a modest 1,900 PSI and 1.2 GPM, the machine is best for smaller jobs, like clearing dirt and mildew from your deck. The telescoping handle and lightweight, 22.7-pound construction make for easy handling. We also liked the compact design and vertical storage, during our testing. Both power washers and pressure washers use pressurized water to remove dirt and other grime from hard surfaces. However, power washers have a heating element that heats the water, which helps it remove tougher grime.
There’s noticeable kickback when pulling the trigger which can be more tiring to use. Since you’ll spend about a quarter of the time cleaning compared to using an electric pressure washer, we feel the extra physical effort is worth it. Which is why I always prioritize efficiency and user-friendliness over performance while recommending pressure washers to home users. Anything between 1500 to 2000 psi is more than enough to clean your car or driveway. And 1.5 to 1.8GPM of flow rate is plenty unless you’ve got a really large deck or boat to clean.
We carry top brands including Bauer, Predator, and Portland, as well as supplies to keep your pressure washer running smoothly. Of the Sun Joe SPX electric pressure washer series, the Sun Joe SPX3500 is the current heaviest. It will definitely be heavier if you have to lift it, but it shows that the unit is made with top quality components, that will allow it to hold up for a long time.
The ePX3000 comes with a 25-foot nylon braided hose while the SPX3000 is equipped with a 20-foot hose. One area where the SPX3000 wins is in extension wand length- 34” vs 17.5” on the Westinghouse. But the ePX3000 has a length advantage where it actually matters- the hose. You’re getting similar performance in a much more compact package, which is a massive win in my book.
As for the power, Ryobi refers to the washer as a 1,500 psi model, but it actually has a running figure of around 1,000 psi. To assess its overall run time, we tested it with two full batteries at the 1,000 psi level, and it ran for roughly 33 minutes. westinghouse pressure washers The RY has a 35-foot hose, a feature that distinguishes it from most gas washers, which usually have either a 25- or 30-foot hose. Like the electric model, the gas Ryobi is available at Home Depot and comes with a long, three-year warranty.
If you have serious cleaning needs then you need a gas pressure washer, like the WEN PW31. Stanley, like Westinghouse, manufactures both electric and gas pressure washer models. Their SHP2150 is one of the most powerful electric pressure washers you can buy, with a maximum rated pressure of 2150psi. With 1800psi this isn’t the best electric model in terms of pressure output alone, but it also boasts 2GPM of water flow which is higher than most electric pressure washers. The high flow rate makes this CAT pressure washer excellent for cleaning larger decks or patios. The CAT 1800 is also one of the most rugged pressure washers I’ve ever seen, it feels less like a machine targeted at homeowners and more like a commercial workhorse.
Dan brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports. He has personally tested pressure washers from more than a dozen leading brands. And, of course, he routinely pulls out the pressure washer at his home to clean the wood deck, brick patio, outdoor furniture and other exterior surfaces. The Ryobi pumps out a respectable 1.2 gallons per minute, which punches above its weight when combined with the superb 2,300 pounds per square inch of pressure.
We gave this a shot, but it’s tough to keep that muffle on and tough to prevent water from splashing everywhere. Instead, we decided to use a five-gallon water cooler jug into which to shoot the spray wand without losing water to splashing. Champion Power Equipment For each machine, we pulled the trigger on the spray wand for thirty seconds and weighed the water to calculate the true GPM rating. This machine has two pressure modes just like a few of the other electric units we tested.
The difference between cleaning with a pressure washer and rinsing something off with a hose is dramatic. In our tests, we took on projects we never would have otherwise, letting the pressure washers loose on all sorts of things—tomato cages, shovels, the kids’ red wagon, a soccer net. We also paid much closer attention to the underside of a lawn mower, which under normal, non-pressure-washer circumstances would require a putty knife to get really clean. This gas-powered Ryobi model lets you wash things you can’t reach with an extension cord, and it cleans twice as fast as an electric model.
Weighing a little over 20 pounds and sporting a top handle, it’s compact enough for you to carry it as you would a duffel bag. It has wheels and an extending handle, like a piece of luggage, but the wheels are small and have trouble managing an uneven lawn . This pressure washer has the same long hose as our main pick, too, but it lacks that model’s high-end induction motor and some of the other, finer details. Despite our team being relatively mechanically inclined, gas pressure washers, in general, were not as straightforward to us as electric models were. We spent much more time reading their manuals to ensure we didn’t damage it with the first use. You have to deal with adding engine oil and finding a way to get gasoline to fuel it.