Where Can I Buy a Good Pressure Washer

Staff

It may be the thick of winter where you are, or it may be starting to seem like spring. But one thing is certain, summer is coming. And that means dirt, pollen, mildew, bug nests, spider webs, and bird droppings on surfaces that you'd rather have nice and clean. There's only one way to efficiently clean outdoor surfaces, and that's with a pressure washer, a high-powered blaster that uses less water to do its work than if you attempted it with just a garden hose and nozzle. But some do the job better than others, and of those, each has its strengths. We tested more than a dozen to determine which are worth the money.

Selecting Gas or Electric

A pressure washer will have one of two methods of power—a gas engine or an electric motor—to drive a pump that boosts the water pressure inside the hose connected to it. We find that if your cleaning jobs are relatively light and tend to require 15 to 30 minutes of washing, buy an electric. This kind works well for small jobs like cleaning your car, but the pump and GFCI cord get hot—especially at the height of summer. Also, an electric washer configured like wheeled carry-on luggage tends to tip over when you tug on its hose.

For cleaning sessions of more than an hour, such as cleaning a tall house or a pole barn, go with a gas-engine pressure washer. The power the gas engine brings is even more useful when you need to blast off hardened mud, thick moss, or greasy farm machinery and heavy equipment. On the other hand, gas engine washers are loud; they have a hot muffler, and they require more maintenance than electric pressure washers.

How We Test

There's only one way to test a pressure washer, and that's outside. We wheel them around over lawns, driveways, and walks. We hook and unhook them to garden hoses; we put them on and off a pickup truck. Most importantly, we clean the same surfaces you would, and a few you probably wouldn't. To test this batch, we washed concrete and brick pavements, vinyl and cement board siding, aluminum trim and gutters, faux stone, vertical brick, and wood trim. We washed fences, cars, and even three commercial trash cans with bottoms awash in a nauseating soup of summer stink. They looked and smelled like new cans when we were done with them. We gathered 12 machines, both gas and electric, and put them through the wringer outlined above, all in an effort to help you find the right one. Read on for our evaluations.

High-Powered

Generac 8874

Engine: 196 cc | Weight: 60.8 lb
Cleaning power: 2,900 psi |Max flow: 2.4 GPM

The Generac is classified as a residential pressure washer, but it's a different category of machine, closer to the commercial end of the spectrum. Pick up the spray wand on this thing, and it becomes clear very quickly. The big engine and equally large horizontal-shaft pump have more than enough oomph to tackle tough cleaning jobs. We also liked the thermal relief valve that discharges water from the pump after three to five minutes of the spray wand not being used. By helping the pump run cooler, you extend its life.

In terms of power, consider this demonstration: We blasted clean a portico by holding the spray wand at about 45 degrees and, as we walked forward, the combined air blast and water blast simultaneously cleaned the brick surface and blasted out loose debris like sand and leaves. Given that level of performance, we think the Generac is a lot of machine for the money. Not everybody needs that much cleaning power, but it's good to know that it's there if you need it. Its only demerit was typical, and that is the poorly designed holder for the spray wand.

Resists Tipping

Worx WG604

Motor: 13 amps | Weight: 29. 4 lb
Cleaning power: 1,600 psi | Max flow:1.3 GPM

Here's what we like about this Worx: It's small, light, rolls easily, and is reasonably resistant to tipping. Its hose reel works well. As to its cleaning ability, it punches above its weight class, moving it surprisingly close to the mid-duty end of the spectrum despite its low psi and flow. Given those small numbers, we were surprised at how productive it is. We plugged the turbo nozzle in and cleaned 30 feet of sidewalk in no time, blasted off the front stoop, cleaned out some baggy cobwebs that formed around the front door and its overhang, reeled the hose back, unplugged the thing, and called it a day.

One last word: We like the dial on its detergent cap that lets you select how much or little cleaner you want to apply. The quarter cap itself is a bit fussy, but the idea is great.

High-powered Electric

Ryobi RY142300

Motor: 13 amps | Weight: 48.8 lb
Cleaning power: 2,300 psi |Max flow: 1.2 GPM

The Ryobi is a journeyman machine, one that delivers consistent soaping and washing performance. It's stronger than the Karcher (above) and Sun Joe (below) and about equal to the Craftsman. It's much heavier than the Craftsman, though most of that weight difference is attributable to its physically larger motor. We suspect that the Ryobi is the more durable of the two machines, again owing to that big bruiser of a motor. Our only complaint with this otherwise fine pressure washer is its spray wand mount on the handle. All it takes is one good bump to knock the wand off. It's very irritating.

Best Electric

Greenworks Pro GPW2700

Motor: 14 amps | Weight: 47.4 lb
Cleaning power: 2,700 psi | Max flow:2.3 GPM

The GPW2700 sailed to an easy victory among the electrics, not surprisingly given that this is an expensive and well-made piece of equipment. Its high pressure and volume output enables faster and more thorough cleaning. What enables that is the constant-run motor, which is always turning, not just when you pull the spray wand trigger. This improves trigger response and reduces priming, since the pump is held under constant pressure. Also, the machine has a pressure and flow sensor so that the pump output adjusts to suit the nozzle you insert in the spray wand. All of this adds up to better wash performance.

Although the washer stands for storage or to be wheeled for transport, it operates horizontally, thus it can't tip over. And pivoting hooks ease access to and wrapping of the 35-foot cord. Our complaint with the machine is typical of all pressure washers. The hose outlets (both for the spray wand and the garden hose hookup) are close to each other, reducing access to them.

Best Value

Sun Joe SPX 3000 Xtream

Motor: 13 amps | Weight: 26.2 lb
Cleaning power: 1,700 psi | Max flow: 1.2 GPM

Light-duty washing doesn't get much more inexpensive or portable than this compact machine. For your money, you get a foaming soap dispenser and two cleaning brushes–one general and the other designed to clean automotive wheels. You also get a full set of nozzles (four). The machine's ergonomics are very good; the hose outlets, the on/off switch, and the carrying handle are well shaped and located to make this little machine easy to use. Like the Karcher, it tips over easily when on the lawn  due its small wheels and vertical configuration. It's best confined to working on paved surfaces.

We see the Sun Joe as effective in the light-duty realm. We worked it very hard (harder than a homeowner probably would) and found its cord and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) were quite warm when we were done. There's only so much these small machines can withstand when you run them relentlessly on a summer day, with temperatures hovering between 80 and 90 degrees. Finally, note that our psi and GPM are from the owner's manual, as rated pressure and flow under typical load.

Easiest to Use

Karcher K5 Premium Full Control Plus

Motor: 12.4 amps |Weight: 35.4 lb
Cleaning power: 2,100 psi | Max flow:1.4 GPM

At first, the Karcher seemed to be too small and light to be effective. But, as with the Worx above, we were pleasantly surprised. It may be light duty, but it's certainly spunky. We came to appreciate its combination of thoughtful industrial design and output. Unlike other washers, its spray wand hose and garden hose both hook up by means of pop fittings (supplied with the machine). Also, there are no nozzles to attach, just rotate the tip of the spray wand and fine tune the power, if necessary, using the digital control at the base of the gun. Frankly, though, we found it unnecessary. We dialed the wand's tip to adjust the output and that was that.

The only limitation we found with the machine is that it's not suited to operate on the lawn; it easily tips over on such a surface. Wheel it around on pavement, a patio, or a deck, however, and you'll be fine.

Comfortable and Intuitive

Ryobi RY80942

Engine: 187 cc | Weight: 58.6 lb
Cleaning power: 3,300 psi |Max flow: 2.3 GPM

This is one of the best buys in outdoor power equipment and one of the best homeowner-grade pressure washers out there. Its quiet-running and easy-starting Honda engine make it a pleasure to use, with sufficient power for most cleaning jobs. This Ryobi has the most comfortable spray wand in the test, and the longest hose (pump to spray wand): about 30 feet. Its trigger response is excellent, it's a consistent soaper, and like the Briggs & Stratton below, it has a rotating spray tip that you simply dial to adjust the width and intensity as needed, depending on whether you want more pressure or more flow.

We're pretty harsh in our tests, and we put so much wear and tear on the Ryobi that we began to wear the markings right off the spray tip. In one sense, that's a back-handed compliment. If we didn't like this machine as much as we do, we wouldn't have used it as much. On the other hand, the tip could use more durable markings.

Big Detergent Tank

Karcher G3000X

amazon.com

$779.66

$581.32 (25% off)

Engine:196 cc |Weight: 77.2 lb
Cleaning power: 3,000 psi | Max flow:2.4 GPM

The G3000X is a bit old school in its design (note the carriage bolts) and lacks the finesse of the Husqvarna and the Generac. But it has outstanding cleaning ability. lt's another machine closer to the commercial end of the spectrum because of its big engine, horizontal-shaft pump with big brass hose fittings, and a thermal relief valve that helps the pump run cooler. We also liked its fold-forward handle that reduces its storage space in the garage or shed.

Lightweight

Craftsman CMEPW2100

Motor: 13 amps | Weight: 29.4 lb
Cleaning power: 2,100 psi | Max flow:1.2 GPM

This is a light, easy-to-handle machine with adequate power for mid-duty jobs. We particularly appreciated two features: the large, easy-access detergent tank, right on top of the machine; and the whopper of a power cord, 35 feet long. That's about 10 feet more than on the average electric pressure washer, virtually eliminating the need for an extension cord.

Of all the nozzles we tried on it, we had the best results with the turbo (rotating blast). It proved particularly adept at cleaning concrete. A final design detail that we really like is its slide-on spray wand mount. The gun can't be knocked off, like it can with other machines.

High Power-to-Weight Ratio

Craftsman 021022

Engine: 190 cc |Weight: 50.4 lb
Cleaning power: 3,000 psi |Max flow: 2.5 GPM

To handle just about any pressure-washing needs, a homeowner need to look no further than this Craftsman. We found the machine has a high power-to-weight ratio, afforded by the big 190-cc engine and a hefty axial cam pump driven directly from that engine. Because this Craftsman proved to be so capable, we spent a lot of time with it, and there wasn't a single surface that we tried it on that didn't come away looking better for our work. As for room for improvement, the bent wire hanger for the hose was flimsy, and the mount for the spray wand was not particularly secure.

Nearly Commercial Grade

Simpson MegaShot MSH 3125-S

Simpson lowes.com

$405.46

Engine: 187 cc | Weight: 61.2 lb
Cleaning power: 3,200 psi | Max flow: 2.5 GPM

If ever there was an aptly named piece of outdoor power equipment, the MegaShot would be it. For the money, you get a big Honda engine with massive air cooling fins on its head (it's one of the best engines in the business, by the way) and an equally hefty pump, complete with anodized hose fittings. And the combined action of that engine and pump produce a lot of dirt-blasting capability. No, this isn't a commercial power washer; you'd need to spend another $1,000 to get there. But it comes about as close as you're going to get at this price level. We used it to blast clean concrete (including removing masonry stain), dirty vinyl siding and trim, mildewed wood, outdoor furniture that could only be described as grotesque, and equally nasty vinyl fencing. While we were at it, we blasted anything else in the vicinity that looked even remotely dirty.

Our verdict: This is a productive, no-nonsense machine complete with a pull rod choke and a big red on/off switch. But, hey, pull that choke, yank the recoil starter, and that big Honda roars to life in seconds. Demerits? Its hose appears to be very durable, but boy is that thing stiff. It will likely take a lot of use before it softens up a bit.

Big Engine

Husqvarna PW3200

Engine: 208 CC |Weight: 68.2 lb
Cleaning power: 3,200 psi |Max flow: 2.5 GPM

The PW3200 was the only gas-engine machine that we could assemble in minutes—and without tools. From that moment on, we knew we were going to like it. And we did. The panel on which the spray tips are mounted is labeled with the degree of each nozzle and color coded, so you'll never make the rookie mistake of under or over blasting a surface by putting the wrong tip in the spray wand. The washer also has the best and most secure mount for the wand, and it was the only one in the test with a well-positioned knob on the back of the machine that you can turn left or right to limit spray pressure output.

Other than that, the biggest engine in the test coupled with a big, brass head horizontal-shaft pump enabled the Husqvarna to clean everything in sight. It was only our personal preference for an onboard detergent tank that caused us to rank this a slight notch below the Generac and on par with the Karcher, another capable washer.

Roy Berendsohn Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

Where Can I Buy a Good Pressure Washer

Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/tools/reviews/g120/we-test-the-top-small-pressure-washers/

Share this post