Kobalt mower replacement wheel. The 10 Best Pressure Washers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

The 10 Best Pressure Washers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes Gardens, among others.

Johnathan C. Brewer II is a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and general construction with two decades of professional experience.

Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.

A pressure washer is a handy tool that can power wash and remove stains from decking and siding, patio furniture, concrete patios, cars, and more. We purchased 20 pressure washers of different types from the top brands and tested them at our own homes in various parts of the country. We evaluated the pressure washers on ease of use, effectiveness, power, and design while blasting away a variety of outdoor messes around our homes, cars, furniture, and other outdoor gear. We then continued testing our top picks and noted how they held up after three to five months of use (depending on the weather).

For additional insights, we also spoke to Deane Biermeier, a home improvement expert and current member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board. He noted, “Electric pressure washers with various pressure nozzles are the most valuable for the typical residential user. You likely won’t need to spend the money for a professional-grade gas pressure washer for most household chores.” Based on our testing and research, here are the top pressure washers we tested to keep your home, outdoor spaces, and more looking great.

Best Overall

Sun Joe SPX3000-MAX Electric Pressure Washer

The best overall pressure washer we tested is the Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer, which delivers 2,030 psi at 1.76 gpm. This affordable unit is equipped with dual detergent tanks, and it comes with five quick-connect spray tips to help you tackle all sorts of cleaning tasks. We used this model to clean a wooden fence, concrete walkway, and a car. We appreciated not just the fact that the Sun Joe was relatively quiet for a pressure washer, but also its supreme effectiveness. Its different nozzles allow for more or less pressure, depending on the surface being cleaned, making it easy to hit the perfect power for each specific job. After using this washer on our fence and walkway, we noticed a big improvement in their appearance.

The Sun Joe Pressure Washer features a 20-foot high-pressure hose, a garden hose adapter, a 34-inch extension wand, and a 35-foot power cord. It took us around 15 minutes to assemble the pressure washer, and while the task seemed daunting at first, the instruction manual simplified the procedure. Once put together, the pressure washer was very easy to use and maneuvered well on its oversize wheels even across grass or uneven ground.

This versatile pressure washer can be used for a variety of easy and tough tasks all around the exterior of your home, including cleaning cars and other vehicles, sidewalks and driveways, decks and fences, patio furniture, garden tools, and backyard playsets. You can store two different types of detergent in the dual chambers, switching between them with the selection dial. That’s an especially handy feature when washing a car.

Although this is a somewhat compact pressure washer, we were pleasantly surprised with its power and cleaning ability, which are comparable to that of higher-priced machines. Not to mention, we never felt restricted, thanks to the long length of the power cord and hose. The Sun Joe is small but mighty, and it’s perfect for the average homeowner.

How It Performed Long-Term

After testing the Sun Joe SPX3000-MAX for three months, we’ve found that it is still worthy of our top spot, standing out for its ease of use and powerful, yet compact design. It continues to come in handy, especially for keeping our house, car, and deck in tip-top shape. Although we wish it came with an attachment to clean large areas of concrete and wood flooring, we appreciate the attachments it does have including those for suds and pressure changes.

Price at time of publish: 200

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,030 psi | GPM: 1.76 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best for Patios and Decks

Greenworks 2000-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

• Great attachment for large surfaces
• Easy to assemble and use
• Effective on many different types of messes
• Relatively quiet

After our testing, we think the Greenworks 2,000-PSI Pressure Washer is a great choice for just about any light-to-medium cleaning task around your home. Thanks to the included 11-inch rotating surface cleaner, it’s even more helpful when you have a large stretch of flat surface to clean. We put this device to the test on three such surfaces: house siding, a driveway, and a fence. We also used it to clean a car with excellent results.

At 2,000-psi, the pressure washer delivers 1.1 gpm. Along with the 11-inch surface cleaner, it comes with three nozzles, a cleaning wand, 20-foot heavy-duty hose, and 35-foot power cord. Onboard storage makes it easy to keep everything in place, and the machine itself is fairly easy to set up and use, taking us only 24 minutes from opening the box to having the machine ready to go. Just note that the instructions weren’t as clear as we’d hoped, and there were no specific instructions on how to use the soap dispenser, but we were able to figure it out pretty quickly. It’s reasonably quiet, as well, and we were able to talk over it with no problem.

Along with the ease of use and maneuverability of the pressure washer, it was its effectiveness that most impressed us. It easily and quickly handled all of the messes we tested it on, blasting away dirt, bird droppings, tree-sap marks, mud, and general grunge with minimal effort. Everything looked better at the end of our tests; the fence practically looked brand new. We especially liked the surface cleaner, which quickly blasted an old rust stain off the driveway.

Overall, we think this reasonably priced pressure washer is a great choice for any homeowner who likes to keep a patio, fence, deck, siding, or other large area clean. It has enough pressure to handle just about any kind of mess, and uses water efficiently.

How It Performed Long-Term

The Greenworks 2000-PSI Electric Pressure Washer continues to impress us with its powerful water pressure and features—it’s held up great during this time and still works like new. We also appreciate how the settings make it easy to quickly transition between tasks. If we could change anything, we wish that the soap-pick up line (detergent tank) was built into the unit and self-contained, so it was easier to move the unit when using soap. But that aside, at this price-point we think its an excellent choice for many different types of tasks, especially for cleaning flat surfaces.

Price at time of publish: 220

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,000 psi | GPM: 1.1 | Included Nozzles: Three

Best for Cars

Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Pressure Washer

Want to wash your car without scrubbing it by hand? A pressure washer like the Karcher K5 will get the job done in no time. This electric power washer delivers up to 2,000 psi at 1.4 gpm, and it has an onboard detergent tank for easy soap application. The Karcher K5 has up to 40 times as much pressure as a garden hose, and it includes two wands: the Vario for everyday cleaning and the DirtBlaster for tough jobs. We used it to wash a riding lawnmower, as well as to clean iron porch railings and rain gutters—while this pressure washer is ideal for cleaning vehicles, that’s certainly not its only function. In fact, we were impressed by how big of a cleaning punch this pressure washer has; it blasted away dirt and grime almost instantly.

The Karcher K5 has a water-cooled induction motor—a system that can help the motor last five times longer, and it comes with a 25-foot high-pressure hose and a 35-foot power cord. At 32 pounds, it’s reasonably lightweight and rolls easily on its two large wheels. We found it very easy to use the machine, thanks to the flexible hose, good cord length, and easily adjusted settings. It was also very simple to switch between nozzles.

Overall, we were impressed by how much power this little machine packs. It easily handled all of our cleaning tasks quickly and efficiently. We even found it fun to use.

How It Performed Long-Term

After testing the Karcher K5 for over four months, we haven’t noticed any changes in its look or performance. We continue to appreciate how powerful it is for such a lightweight, easily maneuverable, and quiet pressure washer. We are curious how the plastic parts will hold up over time, but we have no problems to report so far.

Price at time of publish: 300

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,000 psi | GPM: 1.4 | Included Nozzles: Two

Best Electric

Greenworks 3000-PSI Brushless Electric Pressure Washer

• Very powerful
• Good onboard storage of hoses and nozzles
• Large onboard detergent tank

Our top choice for best electric pressure washer is the Greenworks Pro 3,000-PSI Brushless Pressure Washer because it is powerful, intuitive, and has great features. This electric tool has a 14-amp brushless motor that propels water at 1.1 gpm on 3,000 psi or 2 gpm on 100 psi. Its onboard detergent tank holds 1 gallon of soap. Even though it is not cordless, the cord is nice and long at 35 feet, which came in handy for our driveway cleaning project. We also like that the cord storage on the machine swivels so we could get the cord off more easily (similar to a vacuum). All five of the nozzles can be stored on a panel on the handle, and they’re neatly labeled on the panel with the degree of angle of the tip. The nozzles were easy to switch out, and there was no leakage or spraying when taking them on and off.

No slouch when it comes to performance, this is a great choice for cleaning decks or wooden fences. We cleaned a back section of a wooden deck that was dark with dirt and grime with excellent results. The turbo nozzle in particular really dazzled us: The grime started washing away immediately. It’s worth noting, however, that we started with one of the high-power nozzles and noticed that it was actually damaging the wood. However, once we switched to a lower-powered nozzle, we had no further problems. This was more user error than the machine’s fault, but it’s worth noting that this is a powerful machine that can damage surfaces if you’re not careful. Still, that can be true of any pressure washer.

Overall, while it costs more than many other electric pressure washers, this one can’t be beat for performance. It’s as close as you are likely to get to a gas-like performance from an electric pressure washer, and it’s reasonably quiet as well.

Price at time of publish: 449

Kobalt 40V Electric Lawn Mower. Gen 4. 2022

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,000 psi | GPM: 1.1 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best Budget

WORX Hydroshot 320-PSI Cordless Power Cleaner

Electric pressure washers usually have a cord and require you to find a reasonably close-by electrical outlet, which can be a challenge outdoors. However, manufacturers have started to produce battery-powered options that provide enough power for lightweight cleaning tasks, including washing cars, patio furniture, Windows, and walkways, without dragging around a cord. We loved testing this budget-friendly, cordless pick from Worx Hydroshot. Not only is it a great value, but it provides five times the pressure of a garden hose, releasing a little over a half-gallon of water per minute at 320 psi. That’s not going to peel paint or tackle the toughest stains, but it will certainly speed up outdoor cleaning tasks. We had the tool ready to go in under 10 minutes and then used it to wash a walkway, metal patio table, and compost bin.

When it comes to power, we found that while the washer effectively loosened dirt and grime from the walkway, it didn’t have enough power to actually wash away the resulting sludge, meaning that we had to use a broom to sweep away the grunge after washing the surface. It was more effective on the very dirty compost bin, blasting away accumulated slimy and smelly grunge. The battery lasted for an hour after a 1-hour charging period.

The washer weighs only 4 pounds and includes the 20-volt battery and charger. It has three options for water supply: connect it to your garden hose with the included adapter, use the included 20-foot water tube to draw water from a bucket, swimming pool, or lake, or use the included attachment to pull water from a 2-liter bottle. The sprayer itself has five pressure settings ranging from light enough to water plants to heavy enough to blast away mud and other grime from many surfaces.

This washer is fairly inexpensive, well-made, and feels sturdy, however, we didn’t find it as powerful as many of the other options we tested. If you need heavy-duty cleaning, this is not the one for you. But for general upkeep and minor cleaning, this power cleaner is easy to use, maneuver, and store.

Price at time of publish: 110

Power Source: Battery | Pressure: 320 psi | GPM: 0.57 | Included Nozzles: No nozzles, but five pressure settings on wand

Best Gas

Simpson Powershot 4400 PSI 4.0 GPM Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer

Gas pressure washers are typically considerably more powerful than electric models. And if you’re looking for a top-rated gas model that packs a mean punch, after testing the Simpson PowerShot Pro Gas Pressure Washer, we think this is the best choice. This heavy-duty pressure washer delivers 4,400 psi at 4 gpm to tackle even the toughest jobs. We used it to clean a stained concrete driveway, truck, and car. Within minutes, this beast of a machine got rid of stains that had been on the driveway for years. We didn’t even have to use the most powerful setting to remove the stains.

It took us around 30 minutes to unpack the machine and get it ready for use. We did find it a bit tricky to assemble the handles, but once everything was in place, the pressure washer was intuitive and easy to use. However, like many gas-powered tools, it took several pulls of the starter before the pressure washer roared to life, and it did indeed roar. This machine is loud enough that you might want ear protection to use it.

This unit gets its power from a 420 cc engine, and it’s made from solid steel for durability. The washer’s kink- and abrasion-resistant hose is 50 feet long, and the 13-inch tires make it easy to steer across various terrains, including pavement or grass. The PowerShot Pressure Washer comes with five quick-connect nozzle tips that can be used for all sorts of applications, such as wood restoration and graffiti removal. It’s a fairly large tool, so you’ll need room to store it in between uses. And of course, you’ll need to have access to gasoline to fill its fuel tank periodically.

We were admittedly a bit intimidated by this gas unit at first, but once we discovered how powerful and effective it was, we were nothing but impressed. While expensive, this pressure washer gets out even the toughest stains and grunge quickly and easily.

How It Performed Long-Term

If you are searching for a powerful, gas pressure washer, after five months of testing, we think this should be your go-to. It can tackle even the toughest stains quickly and easily and stands up well over time, and many uses. We are impressed by how well it cleaned a car and removed water stains on surfaces from garden planters. We do want to note that this is not the best option for everyone—this is a loud product, and we wish it was easier to start (it almost requires two people to get it going). It also takes up quite a bit of space so it isn’t the best option if you have limited storage space. In that case, we recommend choosing a lighter, smaller model. However, if you have the space and the need for a powerful pressure washer, this is a great choice.

Price at time of publish: 900

Power Source: Gas | Pressure: 4,400 psi | GPM: 4.0 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best for Around the Home

Greenworks Pro 2300 PSI Brushless 2.3-GPM Electric Pressure Washer

The best pressure washer for use around your home has enough power and gallons-per-minute to blast away grime from walkways, cars, siding, and patio furniture, but not so much power that it damages surfaces. It should also be easy to use and store. Luckily, the Greenworks Pro 2300-PSI Pressure Washer fits the bill. While testing, it took us only 10 minutes to set the machine up and get it running. We then used it to wash a car and a stained concrete driveway, both with excellent results. While powerful, the device washed the car beautifully without any damage, knocking off bugs at the first spray and leaving the car clean and shiny with the second pass of the sprayer. And a discolored spot on the driveway came clean right away once we put the sprayer close enough to the cement.

The Pro 2300-PSI has a brushless motor that delivers 1.2 gpm on the 2,300-psi setting, but can deliver as much as 2.3-gpm on a low setting of 100 psi. That, along with the five included nozzles, gives you maximum versatility to tailor your cleaning to the surface being washed. Go lower pressure on patio furniture, cars, and siding, and turn up the pressure for tough stains on pavement and concrete.

Along with the nozzles, the pressure washer comes with a 25-foot kink-resistant hose, 35-foot power cord, wand, and onboard detergent tank. It’s easy to use; we especially appreciated the startup procedures indicated right on the machine, as well as its maneuverability, compact size, and easy-to-attach-and-detach nozzles. On the downside, the hoses tended to get tangled during use. However, that can be an issue with any electric pressure washer. The noise level was average, as well—although it seems loud, it’s about the same as many others we tested.

Price at time of publish: 330

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,300 psi | GPM: 1.2 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best for First-Time Users

Sun Joe SPX3001 2030-PSI Electric Pressure Washer With Hose Reel

Pressure washers can be a bit intimidating to first-time users: They tend to be loud, large, and equipped with various nozzles and hoses that might be overwhelming if you’ve never used such a machine before. However, the Sun Joe SPX3001 is very user-friendly, compact in size, not exceptionally loud, and reasonably powered, making it an ideal choice if you are shopping for your first pressure washer. It took us only 13 minutes to have the machine up and running, and once it was ready, we used it to clean a car, a concrete driveway, and old stone pillars that were encrusted with mildew, dirt, and algae.

The pressure washer was fairly effective at its highest pressure, though some stains, like dried-on paint and oil stains on the driveway, were too tough to remove. Additionally, it did take a few passes to remove heavy mildew. However, it effectively removed lighter mildew and algae growth from a wide range of surfaces without much effort. We felt the pressure washer was easy to use, observing that the nozzles were very simple to change, the washer was light enough to move without effort, the trigger required little pressure to squeeze, and the overall performance was smooth and reasonably powerful.

The Sun Joe SPX3001 delivers 2,030 psi and 1.76 gpm, making it a good choice for light-to-medium cleaning tasks. Its compact design, along with two sturdy wheels, makes it fairly easy to maneuver, although at 38 pounds, it’s a bit heavy. One nice feature of this pressure washer is the built-in hose reel, which makes storing the 20-foot high-pressure hose a breeze. You get five nozzles for various cleaning pressures, a 34-inch extension wand, and 35-foot power cord.

Top 5 Electric Lawn Mowers in 2023 ��

Price at time of publish: 168

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 2,030 psi | GPM: 1.76 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best for Concrete

DeWALT 4400 PSI at 4.0 GPM Gas Pressure Washer Powered by Honda

If you need a commercial-level machine for removing graffiti, washing stained concrete, or other heavy-duty tasks, then you need a model like the DeWALT 4,400-PSI Gas Pressure Washer. This tough piece of machinery is designed for professionals. And with the help of its premium Honda GX390 engine, it can blast away dirt, grime, mold, paint, and more with ease. We tried the machine on house siding, a concrete patio, and plastic patio furniture. All came clean almost immediately. With this kind of power, few common around-the-house messes can withstand the pressure, but this might be more pressure washer than the average user requires.

It took us around 30 minutes to assemble and prepare the pressure washer for use, and we felt the process was somewhat complicated, with online videos for assembly and for adding oil to be more helpful than the written instructions included with the machine. Once assembled, however, we noted that it was fairly easy to maneuver the pressure washer to where it was needed, the hose was very sturdy, and it was easy to swap out the attachments. Like all pressure washers, and especially gas models, the noise was significant, but not worse than any other gas pressure washer.

This DeWALT Pressure Washer delivers 4,400 psi at 4 gpm. And it boasts a durable, 50-foot, steel-braided hose that’s more abrasion-resistant than rubber hoses. It has a AAA industrial triplex plunger pump that drives pressure to the nozzle, and it’s easy to direct the ergonomic spray gun and switch out the five quick-connect nozzle tips.

How It Performed Long-Term

This power washer continues to stand out for its powerful performance, especially for tough jobs like cleaning a cement patio. We found it also came in handy for cleaning off outdoor furniture before putting it into storage and cleaning around the house. While it’s not an everyday item, we think this power washer is an excellent one to have on hand and is worth the splurge if you have the space and need for it.

Price at time of publish: 1,279

Power Source: Gas | Pressure: 4,400 psi | GPM: 4.0 | Included Nozzles: Five

Best Compact

BLACKDECKER BEPW1850 1850-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

If you need a lightweight, fairly quiet pressure washer for washing your car, cleaning patio furniture, hosing down sidings and walkways, and similar common tasks, then you’ll find that the BLACKDECKER 1850-PSI Pressure Washer is more than up to the job. While testing, this reasonably priced pressure washer required only 10 minutes to assemble the tool before we began using it to wash a car, wooden fence, and deck. With 1,850 psi and 1.2 gpm, this isn’t the most powerful pressure washer available, but it’s a fine choice for light-to-medium cleaning projects around the yard and garage.

We weren’t sure how powerful the device would be, but were definitely impressed once we got started. It quickly removed all manner of grunge and grime from the fence and deck, and the cord was long enough for easy maneuvering. We also found that it did a great job washing the car, efficiently blasting away dirt and bugs. The soap dispenser made the job even easier, and the car was shining by the time the test ended. As a bonus, we found this pressure washer to be quieter than most similar models.

The pressure washer has a 25-foot high-pressure hose, a 35-foot power cable, an onboard detergent tank, and includes three nozzles. We appreciated the light weight of this washer—it only weighs 22 pounds—but the telescoping handle and large wheels make it extra portable. Best of all, when you are finished cleaning, this compact pressure washer has onboard storage for the nozzles, hose, and cord, and its shape and size make it easy to store; something that can’t be said about many similar pressure washers.

How It Performed Long-Term

We have no complaints to report after testing this pressure washer for four months. We are still raving about its compact size and powerful performance, and continue to find it really easy to store and carry anywhere. Plus, we love that it’s not too loud, especially compared to gas models we tested. We think it’s an excellent value as well and have noticed no changes in its appearance or performance over time.

Price at time of publish: 162

Power Source: Electric | Pressure: 1,850 psi | GPM: 1.2 | Included Nozzles: Three

Compare

The best pressure washer according to our tests is the Sun Joe 2,030-PSI Electric Pressure Washer, which makes quick work of cleaning dirty or stained driveways, outdoor furniture, cars, and more. However, if you’re looking for something with the kind of power only a gas-powered pressure washer can provide for cleaning away graffiti and other very difficult stains, then the Simpson PowerShot 4400-PSI Gas Pressure Washer offers the performance you need.

Other Options We Tested

SPX2688-MAX 2050-PSI Electric Pressure Washer: This affordably-priced and effective pressure washer was previously our best budget pick based on our original testing results. However, after three months of testing, we did note one safety concern: The nozzle attachments have a tendency to pop off when you first put them on if they’re not placed on perfectly—and it’s hard to tell when they are on right. When they do pop off, they fly off fast. While it’s not making our current list, other than that safety concern, this pressure washer continues to be effective at most lightweight jobs, and is easy to set up and put away,

How We Tested the Pressure Washers

We tested 20 pressure washers in our own homes around the country. We started by timing how long it took to assemble each pressure washer and get it ready for use, evaluating every step for difficulty. We then judged the machines on the apparent quality of the parts, the included attachments, and the difficulty of attaching and detaching hoses and wands. Now, the real testing began: each pressure washer was used to clean at least three different surfaces, which might include fences or decks, automobiles or boats, house siding, Windows, driveways and other walkways, and patio furniture. We noted how long it took for the pressure washer to clean the surface thoroughly, as well as how dirty the surface was to begin with. For pressure washers with detergent tanks, the test included evaluations of the performance both with and without detergent. While using the pressure washer, we evaluated the machine for noisiness, maneuverability, power, and ease of changing the spray settings. On pressure washers with power cords, the evaluation also included how easy it was to work around the cord, and whether or not it was an adequate length. Once all of the cleaning was accomplished, we followed the manufacturer’s directions for storing the pressure washer, including draining the hoses and cleaning out the soap tanks. Finally, every pressure washer was given a score of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the lowest possible score) on several attributes, including effectiveness, design, noise level, ease of use, power, and value. Once all the results were in, the numbers were tallied and the winning pressure washers were declared. We also updated this article with long-term insights on our top picks, noting how these pressure washers held up over three to five months (depending on the weather) and through a variety of uses.

What to Look for in a Pressure Washer

Water Pressure

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a pressure washer is how much force it creates. After all, more pressure equates to more cleaning power. This pressure is measured in psi, or pounds per square inch. Generally speaking, lower psi means less pressure. However, that doesn’t mean you should simply buy the highest psi machine you can find. Depending on how you intend to use your pressure washer, a lower psi may be perfect for your needs. Consumer pressure washers often start at around 1,300 to 1,800 psi. This type of light-duty machine is great for small residential jobs, such as washing cars, cleaning shutters, washing lawn furniture, and spot-cleaning light stains. The next step up is around 2,000 to 3,000 psi. These machines are often considered heavy-duty, as they can be used to clean house siding, driveways, decks, and other tough stains. Our top choice, the Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer, has 2,030 psi, making it a heavy-duty tool. Finally, machines with 3,000 psi are considered professional-grade and are used for industrial cleaning, paint stripping, graffiti removal, and more. These high-end pressure washers are the most expensive, and in general most homeowners don’t need this much power. The DeWALT 4,400-PSI Gas Pressure Washer is one such tool.

Gallons per Minute

The other key factor that goes hand in hand with psi is gpm, or gallons per minute. This measures the volume of water that goes through the pressure water. Models with a higher gpm will clean faster and more effectively because they’re using more water. Gpm is directly correlated to psi; the higher the pressure, the more water the machine will use per minute. Light-duty machines may only use 1.1 to 1.5 gpm, while professional-grade models can reach up to 4 gpm. When shopping for a pressure washer, you’ll want to look at psi first, but keep an eye on gpm, as well. Depending on what you’re using for a water source, you might not be able to support a high-gpm machine.

Power Source

You’ll also want to look at how different pressure washers are powered. There are both gas and electric models (corded and cordless) available, and each of these styles has its own pros and cons. Electric-powered pressure washers are typically less expensive, lighter, and easier to maintain. Additionally, they run quieter and don’t create harmful air pollution. However, electric models are generally less powerful than gas ones, and you have to use them near an electrical outlet. This type of pressure washer is often best for small jobs around the house, such as cleaning cars, patio furniture, and grills. Our top choice for electric power washers is the Greenworks 3000-PSI Brushless Electric Pressure Washer, impressing us with its powerful performance during months of testing. The other option is a gas-powered pressure washer like the Simpson PowerShot Pro Gas Pressure Washer. These machines are much more powerful, and because you’re not confined by a cord, they’re more portable and versatile. The downside is that gas machines need regular maintenance, have extra requirements for long-term storage, and they’re louder and worse for the environment due to the gas combustion engine.

You’ll need to connect your pressure washer to a water source. Most often, that source will be an outdoor tap, and you’ll use your garden hose to connect the tap to the pressure washer. Most pressure washers require a garden hose that’s less than 50 feet long and with at least a three-fourths-inch inside diameter. If you don’t have access to an outdoor water tap, you still have options. One is to use the water tap for your washing machine. Those taps are threaded the same as an outdoor hose tap, so you’ll be able to hook up the hose without need of an adapter. You can also use a kitchen or bathroom sink. But as these are not threaded for hose attachments, you’ll need a threaded adapter sized for the tap as well as your hose. When using an indoor tap, you’ll need to run your garden hose inside through a window or door, so plan accordingly.

• The red nozzle creates a very focused, powerful stream of water. It’s best used for spot-cleaning very tough stains or dried materials on hard surfaces, such as concrete or steel.
• The yellow nozzle creates a 15-degree angle of spray, which is a narrow fan suitable for removing dried mud, tough stains, rust, mildew, or paint off sturdy surfaces, such as concrete or metal.
• The green nozzle creates a 25-degree angle of spray. This is the general-use nozzle and is suitable for blasting away mud, leaves, and other grime from decks, walkways, siding, fences, and driveways, as well as for cleaning boats, automobiles, and outdoor furniture.
• The white nozzle creates a 40-degree angle of spray, which is gentle enough for use cleaning delicate items, such as flower pots, Windows, blinds, and automobiles. It’s also very useful for quickly rinsing objects.
• The black nozzle creates a large, 65-degree fan of water. This nozzle is typically used with detergents.

For many simple cleaning jobs, you don’t need detergent; the water blasting out of your pressure washer is enough to get the job done. But for many tasks, particularly those involving dried or tough grunge, you’ll get the best results by using a detergent. Some pressure washers have built-in tanks for detergent, while others require you to set a tube into the bottle of detergent so the pressure washer can suck it directly from the bottle. Either way, your best option by far is using a detergent specifically formulated for pressure washers. These detergents cut through grease and grunge yet don’t get soapy or foamy, leave a film on whatever you’re cleaning, or make the ground slippery. There are formulas for a variety of purposes: cleaning cars, siding, wooden decks, concrete, and driveways to name the most common. There are also many general-purpose pressure washer detergents, which are a good choice if you expect to use your pressure washer for a variety of cleaning jobs around your property. While some people use dishwashing detergent, this isn’t recommended, as there’s a good chance you’ll end up with an overflow of suds. And pouring dishwashing detergent into your pressure washer’s tank could destroy or damage the machine.

Choosing the right size pressure washer to clean your house depends on the type of materials you’ll be cleaning and the extent of the job. If you’re trying to clean exterior vinyl siding, decks, and patios, the best pressure washer should be between 2,000 and 3,000 psi. For stucco, aluminum, or soft wood, choose a pressure washer with a lower psi (1,200 to 1,800 psi) to avoid damage.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, who is the tool and home improvement expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience writing and researching home content and has executed many DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.

For this roundup, she received extensive input from pressure washer testers who put pressure washers (20 in total) through their paces around their own homes. She received extra insight from Deane Biermeier, who is a carpenter and former general contractor, as well as a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. Commerce Editor for The Spruce, Jenica Currie, updated this article with long-term insights from five months of testing, as well as additional reporting.

What Is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.