Best Small & Portable Pressure Washers Reviewed

Most small pressure washers can adjust within a range of pressure levels. However, smaller units generate lower pressures. This is not necessarily bad: Higher pressures are more likely to damage property or even people. If you want to do basic residential cleaning, very high pressures might be more a liability than an asset.

Consumer Reports found that small electric units actually can handle tough stains and big jobs, but they will take longer. However, most homeowners just want to clean dirt off cars, small vehicles, bicycles, patios, and patio furnishings. Some might want to blast grime from exterior surfaces—medium-pressure portable washers (1600-psi) can do this.

All washers reviewed here require cold water as a source; they cannot tolerate hot water (usually 104⁰F). (You can find the best small hot water pressure washers for enhanced cleaning.) A couple reviewed have features that allow you to use water sources other than a hose—a bucket or bottle of water, even a natural body of freshwater.

The Sun Joe SPX3200 is the best portable pressure washer for most homeowners—and arguably, the best small portable electric pressure washer, overall. The rated 1450 PSI is more than enough for most residential tasks while also reducing the risk of property damage or injury. The SPX3200 has other safety features: GFCI on the power cord, excessive pressure reduction, trigger lock, and thermal sensor to prevent overheating. Also, for the pump’s safety, it has a Total-Stop System (TSS)—the pump will shut off if the spray trigger is not engaged.

Users of all sizes and physical conditions will appreciate that the SPX3200 is not only lightweight with a prominent handle along the back but also easy to roll along, with 2 pairs of wheels and 360⁰ swivel. Furthermore, it has a 35-ft electric cord, a 20-ft pressure hose, and a 34-inch wand. Sold separately, Sun Joe Patio Cleaning Attachment is a helpful accessory for basic surface cleaning.

This unit is also feature-rich. It gives you a choice of 5 nozzle tips: red (0⁰), yellow (15⁰), green (25⁰), gray (40⁰), and black (detergent). You can store the tips, hose, and cord on intended racks along the washer’s body. It has a 27-oz detergent tank built-in. Sun Joe offers a choice of 3 detergents for typical residential jobs: Sun Joe® HOUSE + DECK WASH (SPX-HDC1G), Sun Joe® SNOW FOAM AUTO WASH (SPX-FCS1G), or Sun Joe® HEAVY DUTY CLEANER (SPX-APC1G).

Some users are disappointed that the company advertises a somewhat higher max pressure than the actual one: Sun Joe explains this by reporting that the 2030-psi value is a CSA test value right from the pump; they acknowledge that the nozzle pressure is less. However, Sun Joe does have an unusually good warranty—you do not need to fight for repairs or replacements.

The Greenworks GPW1502 is the best portable electric pressure washer overall: It is the lightest and most compact among similar-pressure-level units on this review list; almost anyone can use it, and it has all the features a homeowner needs. Moreover, its max pressure is impressive for its size, yet not enough to damage surfaces.

This Greenworks portable pressure washer is PWMA-certified (Pressure Washer Manufacturers' Association); despite its small size, it has a 35-ft GFCI electric cord and a 20-ft pressure hose. While it comes with only two nozzles—25⁰ and 40⁰, you can get a kit of Greenworks nozzle tips that gives you 0⁰, 25⁰, 40⁰, and detergent. Greenworks also offers a soap applicator that can attach to the nozzle, which many users prefer to the internal detergent tank.

The GPW1502 has straps and hooks for the hose and cord, but—likely because it is so small—some users find it hard to really keep the coils neatly on the unit body. Somehow, this well-rated model is absent from the Greenworks website; however, there is also the functionally similar GPW1501. (The GPW1501 has the same GPM and PSI values, but the build is a little different.) Greenworks offers a more thorough warranty than most, even paying shipping charges for flawed product returns.

The Yard Force YF1600A1 is the best portable pressure washer for cars and one of the best small electric pressure washers. It is easy to move around in every way: It very lightweight, has small wheels, and a fold-down top handle; plus, it has a 35-ft GFCI electric cord and 19-ft non-marring PVC hose. Furthermore, its body has a closed compartment/slot for every accessory.

Yard Force pressure washers are PWMA-certified and made in the USA, with their customer service center in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is straightforward about psi values: The rated pressure is the advertised 1600 psi, while the max pressure is 1750 psi.

While only 3 tips are included (25⁰, soap, and turbo), you can get a Yard Force Universal-Fit Quick-Connect Spray Tip 3-Pack (0⁰, 15⁰, 40⁰, Soap) to give you more options. However, many users like the turbo tip and really do not need more than those included. Despite its small size, the YF1600A1 has the largest built-in detergent tank (32 oz.) on this review list and a drainage opening to release unused detergent.

Users are happy to find that they can wash all exterior parts of their car—along with almost all exterior parts of their home—with the YF1600A1. Sometimes, users struggle to coil the hose into the dedicated compartment on the unit; however, there is sufficient space if one finds the right method.

With its convenience and compactness at an economical price, the Brizer X100 is the best portable commercial pressure washer and one of the best small electric pressure washers. At just under 25 lbs.—most adults can carry it easily by the large handle integrated with the washer’s body. While the 15-ft pressure hose is a little shorter than those of similar psi on this review list, some might actually see this as a plus: There is less hose to carry, wrap, or otherwise juggle, while you are cleaning.

With the X100, there is no need to switch nozzle tips: the nozzle is adjustable by twisting. For yet more convenience, the unit comes with an accompanying foam cannon. However, the connections are universal—if you want, you can use a detergent bottle/foam cannon, or even spray gun, from another brand with it. This is also a great portable pressure washer for cars; Amazon frequently sells the well-rated Chemical Guys Snow Foam Car Wash with the X100.

As an electric pressure washer, this unit is quiet and produces no fumes. Its size and shape make it easy to store in a small space and unobtrusive when sitting out. The lack of company website makes it difficult to learn much about this brand; however, this pressure washer seems to be on par with those of similar build and psi.

For at-home jobs, the Sun Joe SPX6001C-CT iON is the best portable pressure washer with water tank. Moreover, it can be used entirely unconnected, since it is also cordless—powered by a 40-V rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This unit is rated by Consumer Reports.

Some users are frustrated by Sun Joe’s over-reported psi values: In reality, this unit has 3 rated pressure levels of 507 (low), 650 (medium), and 800 psi (high)—controlled by a dial. While these are relatively low pressures, they are generally sufficient. (For instance, users agree that this is a great pressure washer for auto detailing.) Plus, lower psi values make this pressure washer safer for both people and property.

The SPX6001C-CT iON is very portable, with two pairs of wheels and a handle to pull it along. You can take the 5.3-gallon tank off and hook the unit up to a hose if you prefer. It comes with 0⁰, 15⁰, 25⁰, and 40⁰ spray tips, plus you can attach a soap sprayer, even potentially one from another brand, to the 34-inch wand. Sun Joe All-Purpose Heavy Duty Cleaner is a well-rated detergent option, too.

You can purchase the Sun Joe iONMAX iCHRG40 EcoSharp Battery Charger, and Sun Joe iONMAX iBAT40 EcoSharp Battery (4.0-Ah) or iONMAX iBAT40XR EcoSharp Battery (5.0-Ah) Sun Joe EcoSharp batteries separately. For safety, the charger has heat, current, and voltage overload protection, and EcoSharp promises steady power flow. The 4.0-Ah battery delivers at least 20 minutes of runtime per charge on this model.

Well-suited for most light-medium cleaning tasks, the AR Blue Clean AR112 is the best portable bike pressure washer and one of the best portable electric pressure washers. It has a no-nonsense design—its solid-blue body, under 20lbs., is one of the lightest on this review list. It has an on/off button; slots/hooks to store spray gun, hose, and cord on the body; and a large handle across the top.

The AR112 has all the necessary features, and then some: It has a 35-ft power cord with GFCI, a 20-ft pressure hose, Total-Stop System, and a twist-adjustment pressure nozzle; plus it comes with a turbo nozzle and 14-oz detergent bottle that attaches to the spray gun. Users agree that this washer gives what it promises and that the Annovi Reverberi (AR) customer service is unusually helpful.

Annovi Reverberi is an originally Italian company that specializes in pumps—including industrial, agricultural, and commercial; AR Blue Clean is their line of consumer pressures washers, and their United States headquarters is AR North America. Their pressure washers are Kiwa- and CSA-certified and Accredia-accredited.

You can get AR Blue Clean Car and Truck Wash as a detergent for vehicles, and, unlike other brands, AR sells its own AR North America Pressure Washer Pump Saver for winterization. If you are interested in AR’s latest update of the AR112, look at the AR Blue Clean AR112S (1500 PSI).

The WG625.4 comes with an unusual number of accessories one can attach in place of the wand: a 13.5-oz detergent bottle with a nozzle that attaches to the spray gun; a rotary cleaning brush; and an auto power scrubber. These features make the WG625.4 one of the best pressure washers for small vehicles, bikes, and kayaks. However, if you would like a little more power, consider the WORX WG630.2 20V 4.0Ah High Flow Hydroshot (350 PSI).

Since the battery runtime is only 15 minutes but charge time is 5 hours, you might want to have a replacement battery. This might seem like a drawback; however, these PowerShare batteries are relatively inexpensive, plus they can be used with all WORX devices.

The Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S is the best small gas pressure washer. While it is the heaviest on this review list, it is light compared to other gas-powered washers. Furthermore, it does not need to be carried during use: It has 10-inch traction pneumatic tires that make it suitable for rough or slanted surfaces.

The MSH3125-S has the highest max pressure and is the most heavy-duty on this review list: it has a 25-ft. MorFlex™ non-marring pressure hose and a powder-coated (corrosion-resistant) steel frame; it is CETA-certified, and made in the USA. Many users choose this model especially for its Honda GC190 engine—Honda has a stellar reputation as a maker of small engines for pressure washers, snow blowers, generators, etc.

The MSH3125-S also has many familiar pressure washer features—5 nozzle tips, 16-inch wand, spray gun, and onboard hooks to store accessories. If you are doing light patio cleaning, the Simpson Cleaning 3600 PSI Universal 15’’ Surface Scrubber is an accessory to consider.

One consequence of gas-powered devices is noise. However, most users found this washer to be on par with its peers—no louder than a small lawnmower. Another tradeoff for the (usually) greater power of a gas engine is the complication of maintaining and starting a combustion engine: the on/off switch, recoil, and choke system—plus being sure there is appropriate fuel and oil. However, most users found this one relatively easy to maintain and use.