Best Electric Pressure Washers Reviewed

How Do Electric Pressure Washers Work?

Electric Pressure Washers Compared

Advantages of Owning an Electric Pressure Washer

Buying a High-Quality Electric Pressure Washer

Pressure & Cleaning Power

As we mentioned before, pressure shouldn't be the only consideration, but it is a big one. Every electric pressure washer comes with a different pressure rating, which is measured in pounds per square inch (or PSI). The higher the PSI, the higher the pressure and the greater pressure leads to more cleaning power. Most electric models fall in the range of 1600 to 3000 PSI.

You should also think about water consumption, which is measured in gallons per minute (or GPM). Electric pressure washers consume less water on average than gas-powered machines. Try to find the GPM sweet spot - consuming too much water can be costly (and it’s bad for the environment), but consuming too little can weaken the overall cleaning power. If possible, try to find a GPM between 1.2 and 2.4.

Dimensions & Weight

A major perk of choosing an electric machine is better portability. This type of pressure washer tends to smaller and lighter, which helps with storage and mobility. If portability is your main concern, you’ll want to choose a small electric pressure washer that comes with mobility features, like wheels and handles. The lighter the weight and smaller the dimensions, the easier the pressure washer will be to handle.

Noise Level

It doesn't matter if you live in a tight-knit neighborhood or a secluded country home, selecting a relatively quiet pressure washer is always a plus. With a quiet machine, you won't disturb your neighbors, your family, or the peaceful surroundings of your home. A pressure washers noise level is measured in decibels, or dB. The higher the dB, the louder the noise.

Washing Surface/Requirements

Try not to focus solely on a pressure washer's specifications, but also focus on your specific requirements, specifically in terms of washing surface. Will you be washing wood, concrete, metal, or all of the above? The majority of electric pressure washers are compatible with a variety of surface types. However, it's still a good idea to make sure a machine is suitable for washing your deck's wood or your car's exterior.

Cord & Hose Length

Some homeowners feel that using a pressure washer with a cord is restricting, but the good news is it doesn’t have to be. All you have to do is choose a pressure washer that comes with an extended cord and hose. The longer the cord, the further you can move away from the power source. The other option is to purchase a high-quality extension cord.

All-electric pressure washers vary in terms of hose length. A longer hose could be the determining factor in whether or not you can clean every inch of your car without having to reposition the entire machine. Most models come with 25-ft hoses, but some manufacturers go above and beyond with 50-ft hoses.

Adjustable Power Management

Being able to adjust the pressure level of the water stream is an amazing feature. Not all surfaces handle high-pressure as well as others, and you might even end up damaging paint coating if you aren’t careful. But with adjustable power management, you never have to worry about this. This feature allows you to start the pressure on low before building up to a more powerful stream.

Safety

A pressure washer is not something to take lightly. No matter how much fun you have pressure washing the patio, it’s important to remember that this is not a toy. 

As long as you use your machine correctly and you look for one that comes with all the necessary safety features, you shouldn't have to worry. Some must-have pressure washer safety features include automatic shut-down when the machine after a period of inactivity and color-coded nozzles, so you know exactly the degree you'll be spraying with.

Extra Features & Accessories

On-board storage isn’t a necessity, but it’s a huge perk. This feature makes it easy to organize your high-pressure hose, nozzle attachments, and extra accessories within the pressure washer itself. Another helpful add-on to look for is additional nozzle attachments. A lot of people don't realize that different spray nozzles should be used for different cleaning tasks, so try to find a model that comes with several nozzles included.

Price & Warranty

It’s possible to find a cheap electric pressure washer, but try not to be too frugal with your purchase. There’s no need to spend thousands on an industrial machine unless you’re looking for extreme heavy-duty cleaning, but don’t skimp out on the essential safety features. And whatever you do, find a product that comes with a warranty of at least one year, ideally two.

1. Sun Joe SPX3000

2. Karcher K5 Premium

The Karcher K5 Premium is the best rated electric pressure washer that comes with top-of-the-range performance features and 2000 PSI operation. According to hundreds of electric cold water pressure washer reviews, this is the ultimate top-of-the-line model that is capable of handling even the toughest cleaning jobs. The electric pressure washer has a 2,000 PSI pressure rating and a 1.4 GPM flow rate, which adds up to a cleaning power of 2,800 cleaning units.

Like most electric pressure washers, it has a maximum water inlet temperature of 104 degrees, so, unfortunately, it's not capable of handling hot water.  We love that the high-pressure hose extends 25 feet - 5 feet longer than the Sun Joe SPX3000.

The variable power spray wand is easily adjustable, allowing you to adjust the water pressure based on the surface you're cleaning. This is a powerful pressure washer, so it's suggested that you start on the lowest pressure setting and work your way up for more delicate surfaces (like cars and house siding).

Even with such powerful operation, the K5 Premium is a portable machine that's easy to handle. It weighs less than 30 pounds and comes with a sturdy carrying handle. The DirtBlaster Turbo spray wand is a signature Karcher feature, and it does exactly as the name suggests: blasts dirt with a heavy-duty spray. The main downside of any top of the range product is the price, but we say that the high cost is worth every penny - especially for those looking for a 2000 PSI electric pressure washer powerhouse.

3. Powerhouse International Platinum

4. Sun Joe SPX3500

We've got another top-rated Sun Joe model to talk about, but this one is slightly different than the SPX3000. The Sun Joe SPX3500 is somewhat more powerful than the last one with a PSI of 2300 instead of 2030. But even with higher pressure, the SPX3500 has a lower flow rate of 1.48 GPM. You’re probably thinking that the lower flow means less cleaning power, but this electric pressure washer isn’t lacking in any way when it comes to cleaning performance.

The SPX3500 comes with a powerful 13-amp/2000W brushless induction motor that works to clean dirt, debris, tar, mud, and even grease and caked-on grime.  Similar to the last Sun Joe, this one comes with a 20-foot high-pressure hose, a 35-foot extension cord, and a 34-inch spray wand. All of this is easy to handle with the sturdy carrying handle and the set of 2 caster wheels. This pressure washer is often called the “Grime Fighter” - go ahead and take a guess as to why.

The only negative feedback for the Sun Joe has to do with its plastic connections. Sure, it's a sturdy machine, but it could be even more durable if it wasn't constructed with plastic parts and pieces where the water hoses are connected. We suggest that Sun Joe replace all this plastic with brass fittings, and maybe in the future, they'll take this suggestion to heart.

5. Briggs & Stratton 20680

For cleaning tasks that require light and medium-duty water pressure, no model compares to the 20680 Briggs and Stratton electric pressure washer. This model has a lower PSI and GPM than the others on our list, but it is still perfectly capable of getting the job done. Some homeowners prefer the lighter pressure since it means there’s not as much risk of damaging the surface of the house, car, or patio furniture. 

This 1800 PSI electric pressure washer has a flow rate of 1.2 GPM and can clean 40% faster with the help of the specialized Turbo nozzle. Another feature we love is the integrated detergent tank, which allows homeowners to up their cleaning potential in seconds by easily adding soap to the built-in tank. But most importantly, the pressure washer is constructed with durability in mind; it comes with a welded steel frame and long-lasting motor.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty pressure washer to tackle big cleaning tasks, the B&S machine isn’t your best bet. For bigger jobs, you’ll want to go with a product that comes with a higher PSI, like the Sun Joe or Powerhouse. If you’ve got your heart set on this machine but wouldn’t mind having more power, there is the option to purchase a Briggs and Stratton electric washer with 2000 PSI instead of 1800.

6. Greenworks GPW1501

The Greenworks electric pressure washer company specializes in creating powerful tools that aren't harmful to the environment. Their products are eco-friendly, and the GPW1501 is no exception. This Geenworks 1500 PSI electric pressure washer has a low flow rate of just 1.2 GPM, but just because you'll be consuming less water doesn't mean you can't get the job done.

7. Stanley SHP2150

A foam cannon is a pressure washer attachment that delivers a thick, soapy mixture that is perfect for washing cars. If you plan to wash cars with an electric pressure washer foam cannon attachment, you'll love what the SHP2150 Stanley electric pressure washer has to offer. It comes with a specially-designed detergent bottle that doubles as high-pressure foamer.

Not only does the Stanley come with the best foam cannon for electric pressure washer car cleaning, but it also features powerful 2150 PSI cleaning force that can clean decks, siding, cement, pavement, outdoor furniture, and more. The machine is built with leakproof 22mm connections and a 25-foot high-pressure hose that comes with 4 quick-connect nozzles.

There is only one complaint about the SHP2150; from time to time, the machine experiences some fluctuations in pressure. So don’t be surprised if the pressure washer drops from full to normal pressure every once in a while - this is pretty normal. Overall, you can’t go wrong with any pressure washer that is branded with the Stanley name.

8. AR Blue Clean AR383

Although the Stanley SHP2150 comes with a handy foam cannon for washing cars, the all-time best electric pressure washer for cars is the AR Blue Clean AR383. The main reason for this is that it features the ideal PSI for washing cars, so you won’t ever have to worry about damaging your vehicle’s exterior paint.

Yet another reason that this is the perfect solution for washing cars is its extreme portability. It is mounted on a set of wheels and is lightweight and compact, perfect for washing every nook and cranny of your vehicle. Because of the relatively low PSI, you can use this pressure washer on fragile surfaces - even on your home’s windows.

The AR383 has one of the most straightforward assembly processes, so you won't have to spend more than a few minutes putting it all together. These are the easy-to-follow steps for assembling your new pressure washer: "Pull it out of the box, insert the hose reel and attach the handle. Connect the high-pressure hose and garden hose. Plug the GFCI to a 3 prong outlet with a ground. Pull the trigger to start cleaning."

Another perk of choosing the AR383 is that this is an environmentally-friendly choice. It uses 80% less water with 40% more power than a standard garden hose, all while quickly blasting away dirt, mold, moss, and grime. The one thing we would like to see is a foam cannon attachment for washing cars with soapy foam, but unfortunately, the AR383 doesn't come with a foam cannon (you can purchase one separately).

9. Shark CB-353007H

Unlike any of the other models on this list of best electric pressure washer reviews, the Shark functions as an electric hot water pressure washer. The other products we've covered are only compatible with water up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but not the Shark. This machine can handle water up to 180 degrees. Add that to the increased 3000 PSI rating, and you're looking at a pressure washer that can handle just about anything.

The main downside of this model is the insanely high price tag. The high cost is the main thing preventing homeowners from purchasing this 3000 PSI electric pressure washer for cleaning tasks around the house. This is mainly used as an industrial electric pressure washer in commercial settings, like office buildings, parking lots, and other industrial environments.

People also Ask (FAQs)

What kind of cleaning agent or detergent should I use with my electric pressure washer?

Krud Kutter is the best pressure washer cleaning agent on the market. Just be sure to choose a soap that is designed specifically for the surface you’re cleaning. For example, the Krud Kutter company has a type of soap for every kind of surface, including concrete/driveway, house/siding, deck/fence, and vehicle/boat. 

Can I use hot or warm water on my electric pressure washer?

Portland Compressor, a company that has been around since 1984, clears up the debate on hot vs. cold water perfectly:

Can power washers damage car paint? What PSI is safe for washing cars?

What are the steps for winterizing a pressure washer?

There are 3 steps for winterizing an electric pressure washer:

Are there any risks or safety precautions when using an electric pressure washer?

The first step in learning how to use an electric pressure washer is to remember that this is not a toy. Just like electric snow blowers, these pressure washers must be used safely. Never point the water stream at another person, always wear the proper protective equipment, and be aware of your surroundings.

What are the best electric pressure washer brands?

These electric pressure washer reviews have covered most of the top manufacturers, including Karcher, AR Blue, Briggs & Stratton, Stanley, and Sun Joe. You might also consider buying a Husky or Ryobi electric pressure washer to make the most of your power washing.

Conclusion

In our honest opinion, the best top rated electric pressure washer for home use is the Sun Joe SPX3000. It’s powerful yet portable, versatile enough to tackle a variety of cleaning tasks, and easy to maneuver with a lightweight design and flexible hose.

For industrial cleaning, you’ll want to consider something with a higher PSI, like the Shark CB-353007H.