7 Best Pressure Washers of 2022, According to Testing

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 sun joe spx 3000 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 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.

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 westinghouse pressure washers 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.

westinghouse pressure washers

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.

A few years ago, whenever someone brought up the name “CAT” I would think about their excavators, dump trucks, industrial diesel generators, etc. But it turns out they’ve got their hands in a whole bunch of businesses. And just like their construction equipment, these phones are extremely rugged. I strongly believe it’s one of the best deals you can get, not because of the PSI rating but because of how it’s built. Just pick it up and move it around, there’s a perfectly nice carry handle right in the middle for optimum weight balance. On top of that, Sun Joe’s SPX3000 actually has a slightly shorter hose compared to the Westinghouse ePX3000/ ePX3050.

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 Champion Power Equipment 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.