Best Electric Power Washer?

[ZenkiS14]

Looking for something to do general stuff, clean the dirt bike, power wash the house, foam cannon for car washing etc...

Seems like most of them are all the same in the sub-$200 range, but trying to get a bearing on if any of them stand out as nicer in longevity or use at all?

I've heard mixed reviews about using them with foam cannons for car detailing, anyone have any experience they can speak to about it?

 

[zendriver]

I had a small AR worked like champ. trigger valve finally gave out in gun. never got a replacement.

Purchased a new larger model, have not tried it yet.

Popular product.

https://www.arnorthamerica.com/pages/ar-blue-clean-power-washers/

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve been pretty happy with my AR Blue Clean.

 

[ZenkiS14]

Anyone use the SunJoe units from Amazon? Anything better for the money?

 

[BlackBowtie]

On the low end Sunjoe SPX2000, buy it at homedepot and get a warranty.

Good for washing cars with and that's about it, 900-1100 psi is where Id stay with when washing cars paint safely.

Kranzle would be a more top of the line electric pressure washer.

 

[seber]

Pretty hard to beat the Karcher 1700 for the price. Industrial brand with good service behind it.

 

[Bulldog13]

I’m pretty happy with the big Ryobi

 

[M6erfan]

I bought a Karcher K5 back in 2014. I use it pretty much like you're planning to OP. Still have it. No issues.

 

[4xdog]

I got a Kärcher K2 Ergo electric a few years ago to replace my DeVilbiss/Honda gasoline-powered one. The gasoline pressure washer was really more than I needed. The little Kärcher, rated at 1600 psi and 1.25 gpm, does just fine for simple things around the house and garage. It's not the most durable-feeling piece of equipment, but it's been working perfectly for three years now of light use.

An advantage of the electric is that one can use it inside. Later this summer I'll be cleaning the basement of my folks' old house, getting ready to put it on the market. The electric Kärcher will be perfect for that.

 

[Jeepster04]

Matt recommends the active pressure washer for those looking for an entry level pressure washer.

Active Pressure Washers | Obsessed Garage

Customers have been asking about this one for quite a while now and it's finally here. I tested out this unit a while ago and it did an impressive 1.94 GPM which is insane, but that also means this little guy beats every other entry level pressure washer at its price point. Not only do we have...

www.obsessedgarage.com

Im pretty happy with my AR630TSS, but it sounds like you dont want to spend that kinda $$.

 

[blazemaster83]

A buddy of mine works in a boat yard, they use an electric pressure washer. I checked it out last time I was there, it is a 7.5hp motor and the pump is 4000 psi at 4 gpm. It made me wonder why you don't see more of them. Yes its not great for portability, but if you spray everything off in the same area like a bay or driveway, it really beats a gas engine.

 

[Jeepster04]

A buddy of mine works in a boat yard, they use an electric pressure washer. I checked it out last time I was there, it is a 7.5hp motor and the pump is 4000 psi at 4 gpm. It made me wonder why you don't see more of them. Yes its not great for portability, but if you spray everything off in the same area like a bay or driveway, it really beats a gas engine.

Cost is the major reason.

 

[JRC3]

Bought this one at Menards almost 2 years ago. They don't carry in store anymore. https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...ic-pressure-washer/020700/p-1506320847024.htm

This is what sold me: Amperage (amps) 14.5 A and has proven to be true.



It's heavy and rugged. Two spring buttons and the entire handle assembly comes off.

 

[BlueWho]

A buddy of mine works in a boat yard, they use an electric pressure washer. I checked it out last time I was there, it is a 7.5hp motor and the pump is 4000 psi at 4 gpm. It made me wonder why you don't see more of them. Yes its not great for portability, but if you spray everything off in the same area like a bay or driveway, it really beats a gas engine.

Beyond cost, the electrical supply requirements are burdensome. Residential electric pressure washers are limited to (at most) 120v 15 amps. High power equipment commonly uses a three phase supply, which is impossible to get in many areas. A 240V 30A single phase circuit could be used instead, but single phase motors are more expensive.

Gas doesn't require any of that "complicated" setup and is the expected standard.

 

[JRC3]

Gas is all around cheaper in every way for that range of PSI. 15 years ago I spent like $800 on my 3600/9HP gas washer... I have 200 amps in my garage and 2 years ago I dabbled in looking for a high psi electric. The electric units above like the 3K psi range were like 4-5x the price of gas.

I have also owned 4-5 small electric washers over the past 25 years and the current one I posted earlier is the most robust and seems well worth the few extra bucks.

One thing for sure with these small electric units, if they boast high PSI at something like 11 amps, they are manipulating the numbers at low GPM or with a specific spray tip or something. Power makes pressure and volume, it's that simple.

 

[humpty]

You can get decent foam from a cannon on an electric PW if you swap in the smaller orifice. They will never match what the high GPM and pressure washers can do but that is physics. My buddy uses the MJJC foam cannon with the small orifice on an AR washer and it is decent. A good cannon and good soap will make good foam.

 

[DeeKay]

We had this Dayton at the brewery I worked at. Awesome unit, but pretty expensive....and heavy.

https://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Pressure-Washer-486Z83

 

[LeonardY]

Anyone use the SunJoe units from Amazon? Anything better for the money?

I've got one but I bought it directly from SunJoe. There was a percent off for first time buyers and free shipping. They also let me take care of the sales tax.

I'm very happy with it. Came with 5 nozzles. I wish it came with a longer hose but don't we all.

 

[JRC3]

^
The hose/fittings are something else to consider. Ones with odd proprietary fittings give you less option. I have an extra hose procured from a small junked gas unit and with a store bought $5 coupler I can extend my 25' pressure hose another 35' when I want.

 

[colintrax]

Obsessed garage did a test of all the cheapo electric pressure washers and gives you actual specs in a spreadsheet.
I strongly recommend splurging on their hose and gun set up. Spendy but increases the performance and just makes the machine nicer to use. All the stuff on his site is much higher quality than what you'll find at the box stores.

 

[Keep]

Pretty hard to beat the Karcher 1700 for the price. Industrial brand with good service behind it.

Find your local "Industrial Cleaner" supplier. They usually service units as well as sell them. Up here its Swish. They always have refurbished electric power washers for sale for 50% off with a 90 day warranty. I picked my Karcher up 4 years ago for less then $100, still going strong.

 

[Rickster]

I’m being tempted to buy the Ryobi 18v hand held power washer. Reviews are fairly positive but remind you it definitely does not have the power of a standalone unit. I’m thinking for ease of use and the light duty work around the house I may just give it a try.

 

[ThatSickRip]

I’m being tempted to buy the Ryobi 18v hand held power washer. Reviews are fairly positive but remind you it definitely does not have the power of a standalone unit. I’m thinking for ease of use and the light duty work around the house I may just give it a try.

Same. Only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is all the reviews with the QD issues and it breaking

 

[GeoBruin]

Same. Only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is all the reviews with the QD issues and it breaking

Dewalt has one with better specs. I have it and it's great as long as youre not expecting pressure washer type psi.

 

[redmondjp]

Project Farm just reviewed all of the low-buck electric pressure washers (link below) - the only quibble I had with his testing is that he used a tip that was for a higher flow rate than what the tested units could output, so of course your pressure and cleaning effectiveness will be lower:

 

[vpd66]

I’m being tempted to buy the Ryobi 18v hand held power washer. Reviews are fairly positive but remind you it definitely does not have the power of a standalone unit. I’m thinking for ease of use and the light duty work around the house I may just give it a try.

I bought the handheld Ryobi 18v power washer and have been pretty happy with it. While it doesn't come close to a "real" power washer in the pressure department it is quick and easy to use. I use it weekly to clean off my riding mower after cutting the grass. I've also found it very useful for cleaning off my wood deck. It has more pressure then just a hand spray nozzle on a garden hose but not enough to damage anything. For washing cars I'd say its just right. One of the selling points for me was the attachment that lets you run it out of a 5 gallon pail. I don't have water in my shop and it works great for cleaning things in the winter.

 

[ThatSickRip]

I bought the handheld Ryobi 18v power washer and have been pretty happy with it. While it doesn't come close to a "real" power washer in the pressure department it is quick and easy to use. I use it weekly to clean off my riding mower after cutting the grass. I've also found it very useful for cleaning off my wood deck. It has more pressure then just a hand spray nozzle on a garden hose but not enough to damage anything. For washing cars I'd say its just right. One of the selling points for me was the attachment that lets you run it out of a 5 gallon pail. I don't have water in my shop and it works great for cleaning things in the winter.

Any issues with the QD connector like the reviews talk about?

 

[pbon]

I bought the Sunjoe SPX3000 on sale. I tried to pressure wash siding on a small 2 story house. I could not put water with any effectiveness very far up the 2nd story. A garden hose with brass nozzle was better. But within its range, it did fine. Using broader nozzles and trying to spray soap reduced the range. I’d say this unit is fine for small tasks like cleaning a deck or washing a car.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a sunjoe spx4004 that i'm happy with. cleans the driveway, patio, everything i've used it for. had it a couple of years now.

Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer

YOU NAME IT. YOU AIM IT. GRIME IS GONE®. Your toughest cleaning tasks and home improvement projects are no match for the

snowjoe.com

 

[vpd66]

Any issues with the QD connector like the reviews talk about?

Not yet. Even if you have issues the quick disconnect unscrews from the washer and has regular garden hose thread size.

 

[MatBirch]

My old "Snap-On" 1700 psi crapped the bed this past weekend mid-project, so I was forced to scramble for a replacement. I was never really very happy with it anyway, but it did ok. I wanted to upgrade to the newer generation of 2000+ psi machines. The only things available locally was the Ryobi 2000, the Bauer 2000, and 2300. I opted for the Bauer 2300 on an open box deal. 180$ because it was missing the hose. I was able to reuse the hose I had (which I was planning to do no matter what I bought, as it's a very nice, supple hose I upgraded to just last year.) I can't speak for lifespan of course, but I'm pretty happy with the machine. It's not particularly stronger using the same tip, but there is an increase in volume. Enough so, that it runs really well with the "turbo-swirly-doo-hickey" nozzle, that my old one wouldn't even run.