Are you looking to give your yard a spruce this Spring and Summer? The best pressure washers tackle built-up grime and can quickly transform the appearance of your outdoor space. From decking to driveways, they're designed to clean all kinds of hard surfaces and are a great way to give the exterior of your home a facelift. You can even use them to give concrete or wooden buildings and fences a thorough clean, so they're a versatile investment.
The best pressure washers work by spraying water at a high pressure to blast off layers of dirt and grime and reveal the clean surface underneath. This way it gives you a brand new look at a fraction of the cost and effort. They're a super fast and easy way to get your yard looking perfect, without putting in as much shoulder work.
There are a number of things you want to consider when purchasing the best pressure washer for you. The first choice you'll need to make is between a gas-powered pressure washer and an electric one. A gas option boasts maximum power, while electric models are quieter and more convenient to maintain.
Power is also an important factor and you'll find this measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). If you're looking for one of the most powerful models then you can expect this to set you back a fair amount of money, but it might be worth it depending on your needs. We have included pressure washers with a range of different prices so you can find one that suits your budget.
Our best picks also come with some reassuring warranties that will put your mind at rest when it comes to the reliability of your device. Some models also come with additional features such as a variety of nozzles that make it easy to achieve your desired outcome.
Once your yard looks good as new, you might want to turn your attention to the rest of your outdoor space. The best gas lawn mowers and the best hedge trimmers will help you to keep lawns and bushes in check, so you feel proud of your home.
Best pressure washers
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
At Top Ten Reviews, it's important that we test every product that we feature in our guides. Buying a pressure washer can be a costly task and it's often difficult to figure out exactly what features you should be looking for, which is why it's our goal to test each model ourselves.
On the chance that we're still getting around to trying the pressure washer out, we have included extensive user reviews that outline the benefits and drawbacks of each choice so that you can make a balanced decision.
The best pressure washers to buy now
The Karcher K5 Premium is our best overall choice, thanks to its high-end performance as a reasonable price. Simiar powered pressure washers can set you back up to $1,000 or more, but the Karcher K5 delivers similar results at around the $300 mark.
It has a 2000 PSI so is designed to tackle the toughest cleaning jobs around the home quickly, using 40 times the water pressure of a garden hose. If you're looking for a washer that requires minimal effort and does the work for you, then this will be a great choice. It features a water cooled induction motor that ensures the unit does not overheat after hours of continuous cleaning, which is great if you need to use it frequently. This is also designed to prolong the life of the motor by up to 5 times, making it much more durable and destined to last.
Another benefit of this motor is that it's very quiet to run. Many powerful pressure washers are very loud which can be a nuisance if you're using it around neighbors. It also has auto-shut off which means the pump stops running if you're not spraying water, so it's not putting hours of unnecessary wear and tear on the unit.
The overall design is sturdy yet compact and easy to move around, making it an ideal choice for those who will need to transport it around their yard. This is made even easier by the large 7.7" high impact wheels. Featuring an onboard detergent tank and two spray wands, you can adjust it to meet your exact needs.
The Home Depot scores the Karcher K5 Premium 4.7 out of 5 from over 1,000 reviews, while Amazon customers have rated it 3.4 out of 5. Many customers comment that it has a great balance of cost and cleaning power and that they've been surprised at how quietly the motor runs.
- Read our Karcher K5 Premium review
The Simpson PowerShot PS4240 gas pressure washer is an extremely powerful commercial washer designed for heavy-duty cleaning tasks. Driven by its Honda GX390 premium gas engine and AAA industrial pump, this model cleans in a fraction of the time it would take with an electric washer.
It is well built with premium features and, although it’s fairly heavy, it’s still easily portable. This may not be suitable for light-duty, domestic cleaning but contractors or professional services would benefit from the ease of use and tremendous power.
A plus is that it is priced under $1,000, much cheaper than other professional washers. Which makes the Simpson PowerShot PS4240 outstanding value for money.
If you're looking for the ultimate heavy-duty pressure washer, then the Simpson PowerShot PS4240 will be a guaranteed good choice. It's extremely powerful and is designed for commercial use, so you know it will provide a thorough clean.
It's driven by a Honda GX390 premium gas engine and AAA industrial pump, so it cleans in a fraction of the time it would take with an electric washer. Gas-powered pressure washers are more reliable when it comes to power, but they do require an added expense to run and slightly more maintenance. However, when it comes to requiring sheer force in a pressure washer then it seems like an easy compromise.
The unit also includes a useful oil alert system which automatically shuts down the engine when the oil level is insufficient, and there are quick connect nozzles that offer various spray patterns. The Simpson PowerShot does tend to be noisier than electric washers but again, this is a fair trade-off for fast cleaning.
This model is well built with premium features and, although it's fairly heavy, it's still easily portable. It might not be suitable for light-duty domestic uses such as sprucing up your front gate or cleaning a bike, but contractors or professional services would benefit from the ease of use and huge amounts of power.
The Home Depot have scored it 4.7 out of 5 stars, with many users impressed by its superb performance and ease of use. One customer recommended to use the Tubo Tip nozzle to clean driveways and walls in 1/3 of the time of domestic washers, which is great news for speeding up household tasks.
- Read our Simpson PowerShot PS4240 review
If you just need something inexpensive and suitable for light-duty cleaning jobs, the Greenworks GPW1501 pressure washer is an excellent choice. Although small, it has adequate pressure for cleaning cars, patios and decking. Greenworks are known for designing lightweight appliances and this is no different. This model is super light, compact and easy to assemble. It weighs only 18.4 pounds so you can carry the washer around while operating the sprayer wand with no problem. The added bonus is that it’s one of the few washers available on the market for just under $100.
The Greenworks GPW1501 provides 1,500 PSI but does not waste any water. It pushes water out through a 20ft hose quickly, providing plenty of power for the majority of jobs. The washer is flexible so you can use it both horizontally and vertically, offering much more ease of use. It has a removable soap tank too that allows the user to fill it up with the specific detergent required for each job.
One drawback is that the hose can be a little stiff for unrolling but should loosen over time and more usage. This may not be powerful enough to do heavy-duty tasks like cleaning sidewalks or walls but is ideal for a starter pressure washer.
86% and 85% of Lowes.com and Home Depot customers, respectively, have recommended this pressure washer, so it comes highly rated. The majority of users have rated the washer based on its adequate power, good design and affordability. Users have successfully cleaned decking, patio, driveways as well as patio furniture.
- Read our Greenworks GPW1501 review
The Sun Joe SPX3000 pressure washer is an affordable electric model. It has been designed to tackle backyards, driveways, and cars, and while it’s not dirt cheap, it is far more affordable than some of the brand giants like Karcher. Its spray wand reaches 34 inches so you can easily get to all areas without having to transport the machine around.
The Sun Joe pressure washer has dual detergent tanks - each of them allowing you to use the detergent most suited to the job you’re tackling. The tanks are removable too, so you can fill them up or wash them out separately to the base. This pressure washer comes with a clean-out tool and five spray tips that make it easier to reach those trickier areas. It also has a Total Stop system which shuts off the engine when the trigger isn't engaged, preventing damage to the pump. In terms of accessories, it has five spray tips that allow you to customize the type of clean you want.
What isn’t as great about the Sun Joe SPX3000 pressure washer is that it takes a while to assemble and for some, the electric cords may get in the way too.
There are a whole host of positive reviews for the Sun Joe SPX3000, noting that it 'doesn't have the noisy gas engine or the heavy weight' that would be expected. Some reviews report leaks from the motor case and say it's cheaply made, but with an overall rating of 3.5 stars on Amazon it's generally seen as a good quality choice.
- Read our Sun Joe SPX3000 review
The RYOBI RY803001 was our best professional value choice for a gas pressure washer. While gas washers usually cost up to $1,000 or over, you can find a RYOBI 3000 for a fraction of the price at just $349. Driven by its powerful, Honda gas engine it quickly dealt with heavy duty grime in record time. Whether it's driveways, patios, window or other domestic jobs, you can quickly achieve professional results.
Despite its weight, it’s easy to move around terrain on its sturdy track wheels. The fuel tank is a bit smaller than others, however the powerful engine handles cleaning jobs in half the time, so you won’t need to keep refueling. It has an on-board detergent tank for easy soap application that minimizes wastage, as well as a two-level dispenser setting. The integrated power control gauge rotates so it's simple to adjust for the pressure you need. It has a 5-in-1 quick-change-over nozzle, ideal for choosing different spray patterns to match different cleaning requirements.
We chose this RYOBI pressure washer because we were impressed by its professional cleaning results at such a great value price point. This washer is backed with the RYOBI 3-year limited warranty and is guaranteed to deliver results for years to come. It also comes highly rated by 96% of customers of Home Depot and many were impressed with how user-friendly it is as well as offering high power.
The Stanley SLP 2050 2-In-1 is one of the most versatile pressure washers on the market. It is well engineered and durable and its unique 2-in-1 design means it can be used with the mobile cart or detached for use as a standalone unit. The universal motor and tri-axial pressure washer pump delivers a powerful 2,050 PSI of adjustable cleaning power, which is enough to quickly blast grime off vehicles, brickwork, decking or patio furniture. It's also designed as a 2-in-1 unit that has the bonus of being easily detached from the cart for standalone use.
This makes it much more portable and handy for those light-to-medium cleaning jobs around the home and means it is light and compact enough to carry and store away.
Considering its high-spec features and design, it's reasonably priced. The Stanley SLP 2050 2-In-1 is ideal if you don’t have heavy-duty projects to tackle. One drawback is the pressure hose can be stiff and difficult to reel, but this should loosen in time.
Reviews were generally very positive with 90% of Home Depot customers recommending this product. Meanwhile Amazon ranked it as 'Amazon's Choice' and had many great reviews citing assembly, ease of use, portability and quality engineering as the top factors.
- Read our Stanley SLP 2050 2-In-1 review
The DeWalt DWPW2400 delivers a decent power punch and scores well for aftercare options. It’s from a big brand, and the majority of users found it performed well for a domestic model. This unit has 10-inch pneumatic wheels and comes with a 35-foot power cord and 25-foot kink-resistant hose. It also has five nozzle attachments including a turbo nozzle, soap nozzle, 15-degree nozzle, 25-degree nozzle and a 40-degree nozzle. This offers a much customizable cleaning style.
It delivers 2400 PSI and 1.1 GPM (gallons per minute) which isn’t as powerful as some comparable models but should still be enough for most domestic tasks.
Features include a removable detergent tank so that you can easily refill and transport. As it's powered by electricity rather than gas, it's quiet to run and won't annoy the neighbors or disrupt your own weekend morning. The wheels are pneumatic too, which makes it easy to maneuver over rough ground.
At around $300, it’s towards the top end of the price bracket but offers a three-year warranty, one-year free service plan, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. Reviews for this model are mixed, but it scored 4 out of 5 stars on Home Depot meaning customers were overall happy with their purchase. There were a small number of issues mentioned such as the wand storage not being secure, but overall most noted that it was powerful and easy to use.
How we tested the best pressure washers
When it comes to performance, you can rest assured that we put the best pressure washers through their paces. We tried them out on two common jobs, cleaning driveways and vehicles. Scoring was based on the extent to which they delivered a thorough clean and how fast they worked. Our testers were tough to please with only the RYOBI RY14122 and the Craftsman CM1800 earning top marks.
We wanted to make sure our picks could tackle the toughest of cleaning tasks so we designed our tests to be a real challenge. For the vehicle cleaning test, we drove a pickup through thick mud so that the wheel wells were fully caked. The test involved using the pressure washer to remove dried mud from half a wheel well. You’ll be pleased to know that all of our picks scrubbed up well and could handle cleaning a car or similar surface with ease.
Next was the driveway challenge. We put the pressure washers to the test against a stubborn oil stain on a driveway. This was because our research had shown that oil is one of the hardest things to clean off a driveway, so if they could cope with that they would make light work of anything else.
An impressive seven of the eight machines passed this test leaving no trace of the oil spot, though some did take longer to do so. The remaining machine, the WORX Hydroshot WG629, didn’t quite have the power to remove the oil spot.
How we tested pressure washer usability
To evaluate how easy a pressure washer is to use, our testers considered the following:
Pressure wand and hose: The most impressive pressure washers had built-in wand storage, comfortable handles, and made it easy to swap nozzles and store hoses.
Portability: Although a pressure washer's weight affects portability, we noticed that portable pressure washers need high-quality wheels like those on the RYOBI RY14122, Craftsman CM1800 and Sun Joe SPX3000.
Battery-powered units, like the WORX Hydroshot WG629, which we chose as the most portable unit in our comparison, can provide extra portability far from the nearest power outlet.
Assembly: Generally speaking, units come mostly assembled, snap together without tools and can be used within minutes of opening the box. One pressure washer even came fully assembled in the box: The Craftsman CM1800. Although some units, such as the Sun Joe SPX3000, require a bit more work to assemble, the process takes 30 minutes or less.
Power cord: With the exception of the battery-powered WORX Hydroshot WG629, every pressure washer we tested comes with a 35-foot power cord, which can be tedious to store if the machine doesn't have hooks to secure it. We paid attention to this and scored accordingly.
We ran each machine and placed a decibel meter one foot away to measure how loud it was. The quietest pressure washer we tested was the WORX Hydroshot WG629 at 79 dB. Two units tied for the loudest at 91 dB, the Greenworks GPW1501 and the Harbor Freight Portland 63254. Regardless of the machine, these results suggest you should use hearing protection every time you run a pressure washer.
What to look out for when buying a pressure washer
Pressure washer safety
Before buying a pressure washer, you should be aware that they can cause serious injuries if used improperly. For this reason, you shouldn't use the machine until you read the manual and are using proper safety equipment. Anderson says that Mi-T-M asks users to "follow all safety instructions on decals located on the washer and always wear safety goggles and closed toe shoes to protect yourself from the possibility of direct spray." Regardless of safety equipment, keep the spray away from people and animals.
With electric pressure washers, check that your power cord has a working ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) by hitting the "test" button before every use. While a GFCI can help prevent electrocution, you should keep water away from electrical cords and outlets as much as possible. Lastly, always turn the machine off and pull the trigger a few times to release any remaining pressure when you're not actively using it, when switching nozzles or performing maintenance.
Pressure and flow rate of pressure washers
When buying a pressure washer, pay attention to the pressure rating, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI,) and the water flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM.) In fact, you can get a quick idea of the cleaning power by multiplying PSI and GPM together to get what pressure washer manufacturers call cleaning units (CU.) While higher pressure and flow rate lead to more cleaning power, Anderson says "in most cases, a 2,000 PSI pressure washer will be sufficient for most homeowner cleaning tasks."
Likewise, our testing revealed that pressure washers with ratings as low as 1,500 PSI are good for most homeowners, though they can take longer to match the results of more powerful units. As such, you can expect to use most electric pressure washers for cleaning cars, wood decks, plastic patio furniture and concrete.
