The 5 Best Pressure Washers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

Our favorite electric pressure washer is the Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer, which is budget-friendly, fast-acting, and easy to use. And since it’s not as heavy, loud, or bulky as a gas pressure washer, it’s a beginner-friendly pick for any homeowner. 

If you want to splurge on something with a little more power, we recommend the DeWalt DXPW4440 Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer Powered by Honda. This best-in-class gas pressure washer cuts through mess in minutes. And since it’s designed for commercial-grade cleaning, it can handily clean up the toughest messes on your to-do list.

Our Testing Process

We tested 20 pressure washers by putting them through a series of tasks. First, we used a stopwatch to measure the time it took to set up each pressure washer from the moment we opened each box. Then, we evaluated the quality of each pressure washer, taking into account any special features. If the pressure washer had quick connectors, we evaluated how easy it was to connect and disconnect. If the pressure washer didn’t have quick connectors, we investigated how easy it was to connect and disconnect hoses and wands.

Next, we used each pressure washer to clean at least three different surfaces, being sure to use the setting or nozzle most suited to the job. Examples of surfaces used included house siding, cars, patio furniture, driveways, fences, and large equipment (like lawn mowers). We timed each task and took notes on how good of a job each pressure washer did at cleaning. For models that had a soap tank, we used a manufacturer-recommended detergent for at least one of the surfaces and evaluated the pressure washer’s performance with and without the use of soap.

As we used each pressure washer, we paid attention to hose and cord length (if applicable), maneuverability, spray settings, power, and noise level. We evaluated how easy or hard each pressure washer was to use, including how easy it was to navigate while cleaning. Finally, we got each pressure washer ready for storage, including draining hoses and cleaning soap tanks (if applicable). We evaluated the process, taking note of how seamless or difficult it was to complete. 

How to Shop for a Pressure Washer Like a Pro

Type

Pressure washers are either powered by gas or electricity. Gas pressure washers are often stronger than their electric counterparts, which makes them great for anyone who wants professional-level results at home. But electric pressure washers tend to be cooler, quieter, and easier to use. For those reasons, electric models are great for beginners because they're not as intimidating. There are also battery-powered cordless models that are extremely lightweight, as well as compact pressure washers that are easy to store in small spaces.

"Before you purchase a pressure washer, do your research on the type that is most relevant to your desired application," says Stoness. "For heavy-duty jobs, you'll want a large, powerful pressure washer. For small jobs, you may prefer a compact, light-duty pressure washer."

Water Pressure

You can tell how strong a pressure washer is by checking its maximum water pressure, which is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the water pressure, the stronger the pressure washer. “High PSI machines are best for tough cleaning tasks, where more pressure is required to remove baked-on dirt and grime,” Stoness says.

Gehan recommends buying a pressure washer with adjustable pressure settings—and testing the water pressure to make sure it won’t damage the surface you’re cleaning. “[Pressure washers] can be very strong and can damage certain surfaces if the PSI is too high,” he says. Consider testing the water pressure on a small patch of a surface before hosing the whole surface down.

Flow Rate

Water pressure isn’t the only metric to check when buying a pressure washer. You’ll also want to check the maximum flow rate, which is measured in GPM (gallons per minute). The flow rate measures how much water is flowing through the pressure washer, with a higher flow rate meaning more water is flowing through the pressure washer every minute. 

“With [a] higher GPM, you will be able to remove larger debris by using a larger volume of water,” Stoness says. “High GPM machines are great for pressure washing long driveways, where dirt and debris need to be pushed over long distances.”

Ease of Use

Above all, look for a pressure washer you'll feel comfortable using. If the appliance is heavy and bulky, look for wheels that make it easy to transport. If you want a handheld pressure washer, make sure it's lightweight enough to lift and carry. And for pressure washers that require access to an outlet or tap, make sure the power cord and hose are long so you have room to move around. You can also look for pressure washers that have built-in safety features, like pressure relief valves.

More Pressure Washers to Consider

Greenworks 2000 PSI 1.1-GPM Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer: This electric pressure washer from Greenworks proved effective and easy to use in most of our tests. But it wasn’t as powerful as our favorite electric pressure washer, and it took some time to set up.

Karcher K 5 Premium 2000 PSI 1.4 GPM Electric Pressure Washer: This Karcher electric pressure washer was incredibly fast-acting, cutting through grime in minutes. It’s also compact, powerful, and easy to use. That said, it took a full 40 minutes to set up—and costs twice as much as our top electric pick.

Questions You Might Ask 

How do pressure washers work?

Pressure washers are like extra-strong hoses: They connect to some kind of water source and rely on gas or electricity for added power. "A pressure washer connects to an exterior water source and pressurizes the water before spewing it out of the tip at a high pressure," Gehan says. "The highly pressurized water then pushes dirt, dust, and other debris off of surfaces, giving them a thorough cleaning."

What are pressure washers usually used for?

Pressure washers are typically used for outdoor cleaning tasks. They're great for washing cars and boats, hosing down sidewalks and driveways, cleaning patios and patio furniture, and more. “Pressure washers are a multi-use tool that can be used on a variety of cleaning applications,” Stoness says. “From surface cleaning to washing cars, the high-pressure water jet created by pressure washers is a fantastic way to remove dirt without scrubbing or agitation.”

One word of advice, though? "Before you use a pressure washer to clean anything, make sure that you test it out to make sure it won't damage the surface or object," says Gehan. "I recommend testing the pressure on a small patch of the surface before going ahead with the entire thing! This can save you a lot of damage."

What’s the life expectancy of a pressure washer?

The life expectancy of a pressure washer depends on the pressure washer you buy. Many electric pressure washers need to be replaced every 2–3 years, while top-notch gas pressure washers can last up to 10 years.

Is dish soap safe for pressure washers?

Most dish soaps are safe to use in pressure washers, but you have to put them in the right place. "You can add soaps or surfactants to most pressure washers through a device called a downstream injector," Stoness says. "It is important to have the downstream injector hooked up [properly], because the pumps on pressure washers are not designed to pressurize anything but water, and soaps can damage the pump."

What’s the difference between a power washer and a pressure washer?

Pressure washers and power washers are very similar—and both are great for quick and easy cleaning. The difference? Pressure washers produce a pressurized stream of water, while power washers heat up water to create a pressurized stream of steam. 

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a contributing writer for Real Simple with seven years of experience writing lifestyle content. To find the best pressure washers, we tested 20 pressure washers, assessing them on effectiveness, power, noise, design, ease of use, and overall value. For expert advice on buying and using pressure washers, we turned to two experts: Chris Gehan of Shine Above Window and Gutter Cleaning and Chris Stoness of Elite Window Cleaning.