The Best Pressure Washer | 2023

When you’ve got built-up grime or tough stains on your driveway, patio furniture, deck, car or siding, it’s time to bring in a pressure washer. Pressure washers use a high-pressure stream of water to make cleaning easy (and very satisfying!). Watch dirt, mildew and grease melt away as you run the pressure washer over all the dirty surfaces around your home. Pressure washers are slightly different from power washers, which use high-pressure streams of hot water instead of unheated water.

Pressure washers come in both electric- and gas-powered models. Gas washers typically offer greater pressure and water flow, making them ideal for the toughest cleaning jobs. Electric power washers, on the other hand, are a bit more user-friendly. They’re smaller and lighter than gas power washers, making them more convenient for frequent cleaning. Plus, you don’t have to worry about some of the pitfalls of gas-powered equipment, such as startup problems or pump damage.

“It’s best to make the ‘gas or electric’ decision based on what materials you will be pressure washing and how much pounds per square inch (PSI) they can stand,” says our home improvement expert Vicki Liston. “You’ll also want to think about whether or not you will always have access to an electrical outlet, and how much maintenance and upkeep you are comfortable doing yourself.”

There are several other factors to consider when purchasing a pressure washer. Noise level is very important, especially if you’re in an area where homes are close together. While no pressure washer operates with complete silence, there are some that are quieter than others, especially in standby mode.

You’ll also need to think about maintenance before you buy. In most cases, a pressure washer will be used once or twice a year, then stored for the remainder of the year. It’s important to pay attention to the size of the unit you choose and make sure you have a cool, dry place to store your pressure washer during those months.

• Pressure washers may not work with well water because the water flow is too low.
• To get vertical surfaces clean, power wash from the bottom up and then rinse from the top down.
• Test surfaces before power washing by spraying a smaller, less visible area.
• For gas-powered pressure washers, try adding a fuel stabilizer to the gasoline before filling the tank.
• Safety is key, no matter which type of pressure washer you buy. “With any pressure washer, always use eye and ear protection as well as close-toed shoes,” says home improvement pro Liston. “Small pieces of blasted debris can fly up and injure eyes. The motors — more so gas than electric — are very loud and can damage hearing.”
• Only use identical replacement parts to prevent hazards and damage to your pressure washer.
• Empty water from all pressure washer parts and hoses before storing, and keep in a dry, covered and frost-free area.
• Gas pressure washers need 30 minutes to cool down before storing.
• Electric pressure washers should have a built-in ground fault interrupter to prevent electrical hazards.
• If you’re buying a high-PSI pressure washer, you may want to select one with the option for variable pressure to protect certain surfaces.
• Up to 1,900 PSI is considered light-duty (ideal for grills, cars, boats and windows); 1,900 to 3,000 PSI is considered medium-duty (ideal for fencing, decks, siding and paint preparation); 3,000 or more PSI is considered heavy-duty (ideal for driveways, sidewalks and construction equipment).
• Always keep the pressure washer nozzle moving so water doesn’t cut into the surface you’re cleaning
• If you’ll be tackling projects that require you to pull your pressure washer up a set of stairs, consider a pressure washer with a build that is reminiscent of a hand truck, which makes it more stair-friendly.
• When you think of a pressure washer that’s easy to use, you may think more about the controls. However, lightweight pressure washers offer ease of use thanks to their lightweight design. This makes it easy to maneuver it around while you’re washing.
• Weight is also a factor when it comes time to store your pressure washer. Some pressure washers are designed to be portable and light, while others can weigh between 31 and 60 pounds. But many pressure washers have wheels to make them easy to transport.
• Before putting your pressure washer in storage, consider the benefits of an electric- or battery-powered model. A gas pressure washer must be winterized before it can be put in storage for months, including flushing out the system to remove all liquids.
• Connecting the hose can be challenging, especially if it’s too close to the ground. Look for a pressure washer with hose connections that are well above the ground, which makes it easy to hook up the hose without having to kneel on the ground.
• No matter your budget, you probably want the best deal you can get. As far as gas pressure washers go, all are within the same range. Electric pressure washers tend to be less than half the price of even the most affordable gas water pressures in its range.