Let’s talk pressure washers in 2025

[Jtels85]

I’m in the market for a gas pressure washer. It’ll be used primarily for pressuring washing the house, driveway, sidewalks and washing cars.

I keep coming back to this 3400 psi Westinghouse available at Home Depot. It has the attachments I want.

Before I pull the trigger, are there any other pressure washers to consider? Anything specific I need for my applications? Budget is around $400.

Thanks,

 

[Tinkerer2]

I'd buget a little higher and get a minimum of 3.5 gpm. While pressure is nice, the water delivered makes the washing go faster. And for driveways and sidewalks you are going to want a surface cleaner to do a better job and faster. 3.5 gpm will be able to run a 14 or 16 inch one and 4 gpm will run a 16 or 20 inch.

Here is a Westinghouse for $630. 1/4" hose and connections with 274 CC engine
Westinghouse WPX3800 Heavy Duty 3800-PSI 3.6-GPM

If I could swing it, I'd go for the Dewalt for $900. More pressure, higher water delivery and 3/8" hose and quick connects. 422 CC engine
Dewalt 4400 PSI 4.0 GPM

If you have vinyl or wood siding, be careful with the pressure you are washing with as you can drive water behind the siding and possibly cause a mold issue.

Buy once and cry once.

 

[jeffp1979]

Just got a Simpson 3500 psi 3.5 gpm haven’t used it yet, this weekend working on tractors so I’ll finally get to

 

[Jeepster04]

I got tired of the **** at the local stores and got a 4200 PSI 4 GPM Simpson with a Honda GX engine and a Cat pump.

Way overkill for washing a car but it really speeds up pressure washing concrete. It'll wear you out if you use the tips it comes with.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I got tired of the **** at the local stores and got a 4200 PSI 4 GPM Simpson with a Honda GX engine and a Cat pump.

Way overkill for washing a car but it really speeds up pressure washing concrete. It'll wear you out if you use the tips it comes with.

Ive got a belt drive Dewalt, might be 5yrs now, like yours, 4200psi, 4-something GPM, Cat pump, GX390 engine.. it moves so much AIR, ( with a turbo tip on it ) and removes so much paint and stickers, I rarely fire it up. Ive got 1 smaller gas simpson ( honda mower engine on it ), and a dewalt electric that do 99% of my work cleaning equipment and parts. Kinda would like back the $ I dropped on that big dewalt. I just dont need that much machine ( food for thought for the OP ).

Agreed if you are cleaning concrete or allot of surface area, your getting done in a hurry, and your arms will be tired !

 

[mm08822]

Really want to be careful washing vehicles with a pw. You can lift the paint.

Use lowest pressure setting if you must.

 

[Tinkerer2]

You can get larger orifice tips which will reduce the pressure while still outputting the full flow. This would be recommended for autos. You would look at the psi output of your machine and use nozzle charts to determine the needed nozzle orifice. I’d get a 25 deg with whatever the determine orifice size. I would not mess with any pressure regulator on the machine as it will be difficult to set it back properly and could later damage the machine.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Check my post here to determine nozzle size for desired pressure.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/driveway-powerwashing-diy-or-hire.528970/page-2#post-10555084

 

[mike93lx]

I bought this one last fall on sale for 600. The hose is terrible but the washer seems good

https://www.northerntool.com/products/powerhorse-gas-cold-water-pressure-washer-4400-psi-4-2-gpm-115179

 

[Tinkerer2]

Link doesn’t work for me.

But is this it? $1000 Powerhorse Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, 4400 PSI, 4.2 GPM

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I like the Karcher gas with Honda motor. $700.

 

[mike93lx]

Link doesn’t work for me.

But is this it? $1000 Powerhorse Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, 4400 PSI, 4.2 GPM

Yes.

I wanted 4+gpm as a top priority... Haven't tested it but it seems pretty good.

Also bought a big BE surface cleaner and a 100ft single wire hose

 

[Rinspeed]

I've been so happy with my Simpson 3300 psi over the last fives years if died tomorrow I would go out and buy another right away. We have multiple bikes/wheelers so it gets used all the time.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Yes.

I wanted 4+gpm as a top priority... Haven't tested it but it seems pretty good.

Also bought a big BE surface cleaner and a 100ft single wire hose

4 gpm is great.
You are going to love the BE surface cleaner. I have the 20 inch with wheels.

 

[mike93lx]

4 gpm is great.
You are going to love the BE surface cleaner. I have the 20 inch with wheels.

I went no wheels. My driveway is pebble-topped concrete, so casters always roll like ****. Just confirmed, mine is the 20" as well

 

[Tinkerer2]

I've been so happy with my Simpson 3300 psi over the last fives years if died tomorrow I would go out and buy another right away. We have multiple bikes/wheelers so it gets used all the time.

I was really looking at the Simpson units when I found my Milwaukee Pressure Washer Model 4555-22 on Craigslist almost new for $600. Has 13 HP Honda engine. Couldn't pass it up. I've had it for 16 years now. They discontinued making them around 2011.

 

[5ubtle]

If you can resist letting these guys talk you into buying a bigger machine, have a look at:
$330 Powerhorse Pressure Washer, 3400 PSI, 2.7 GPM
I bought one last year for $300, and am happy with it for the uses you mention.

 

[Tinkerer2]

The hose is terrible but the washer seems good

I've never liked the hose that came with mine either. It is beefy and still looks really good but it is fairly stiff and doesn't coil easy when you want to coil it up. It also has a memory and wants to coil when you lay it out. It has a "canvas" like exterior which would make it abrasion resistant.

I just received today the Flexzilla HFZPW426050Q-E 4200 PSI, 50' Pressure Washer Hose, 3/8 in. x 50 ft It is a couple pounds lighter and is a lot easier to coil up. I hold the hose in my left hand, and coil with my right into my left hand. My PW has a bag on the back for the hose and other accessories so the coiled hose can't be a super large diameter which is why I don't try to coil it on the ground before storing. This doesn't look as abrasion resistant and the covering is smoother to the feel.

 

[M635_Guy]

I got the HF Predator 3400psi/2.8gpf when it was on sale for $100 off ($299). I went that way because of the reviews and the brass manifold at the rear vs. cast aluminum. It's been great so far - done some pressure washing of my house and deck.

I'll use it for a foam cannon for car washing, but will just use the Ely shower nozzle to rinse/etc.

 

[drtyler]

Craftsman

 

[dawgn86]

Check out Northern Tool stores...

I'm no expert, but consider a unit with a Honda GX Engine with a Comet or CAT pump and horizontal shaft.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Check out Northern Tool stores...

I'm no expert, but consider a unit with a Honda GX Engine with a Comet or CAT pump and horizontal shaft.

Those specs are very good but the units are very expensive!

 

[Tinkerer2]

So, what did the OP get?

 

[Kscardsfan]

I use a Stihl and it's been great for us. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I got tired of the **** at the local stores and got a 4200 PSI 4 GPM Simpson with a Honda GX engine and a Cat pump.

Way overkill for washing a car but it really speeds up pressure washing concrete. It'll wear you out if you use the tips it comes with.

ALH4240?

I did the same thing 3 years ago. I dont use it often, but when I do, I'm glad I didn't cheap out on it. Thing's a beast.

 

[Tinkerer2]

OP still hasn't responded with thoughts or what was purchased.

 

[Sumboodie]

After getting a hot water unit, I haven't used my gas powered cold water one.

Maybe not an issue in the south, but my water is ~38* so not only does it not wash that great and make the hose stiff but it's not fun getting splashed.

I got mine at an auction for I think $200. Landa. New it's like $4500 though

 

[Jtels85]

So, what did the OP get?

I still haven't made a decision yet. There were quite a few recommendations to look at the Simpson brand. We also have a Northern Tool that opened recently and my plan is to stop there Sunday.

I still have to keep within my budget. So far I'm still interested in the Westinghouse at Home Depot, Predator 3200 psi from Harbor Freight, Simpson and the Powerhorse model at Northern Tool.

The Craftsman on display at Lowe's seemed kind of cheap, and I'd rather avoid Lowe's and Craftsman all together.

 

[Beemer]

I have had a Honda powered Dirt Killer for as long as I can remember and it has served well. I particularly like that the pump can be run dry without damage. The frame is stainless steel.

I am pretty sure the company is still around.

 

[FTG-05]

I got the HF Predator 3400psi/2.8gpf when it was on sale for $100 off ($299). I went that way because of the reviews and the brass manifold at the rear vs. cast aluminum. It's been great so far - done some pressure washing of my house and deck.

I'll use it for a foam cannon for car washing, but will just use the Ely shower nozzle to rinse/etc.

I got that one yesterday but without the $100 savings. Used it with the HF 14" surface washer (yuck!) for about an hour yesterday. I immediately ordered a new surface washer with wheels afterwards. I'm taking the HF surface washer back today.

 

[Tinkerer2]

I got that one yesterday but without the $100 savings. Used it with the HF 14" surface washer (yuck!) for about an hour yesterday. I immediately ordered a new surface washer with wheels afterwards. I'm taking the HF surface washer back today.

Which surface cleaner did you order?

 

[FTG-05]

Which surface cleaner did you order?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSPMCXBD?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mike93lx]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSPMCXBD?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's not going to work well with a 2.8gpm washer... Too large

 

[5ubtle]

That's not going to work well with a 2.8gpm washer... Too large

Pulling 6.6 gpm at 4500psi from the product listing, I estimate that you will get about 800 psi from your 2.8 gpm washer. Might be OK if you're washing a wood deck?

 

[Tinkerer2]

That's not going to work well with a 2.8gpm washer... Too large

Mike93lx is correct about it being too large for your pressure washer. Once should figure 4-5" in diameter per 1 gpm. So a 2.8 gpm machine should power a surface cleaner with a diameter of 11 - 14 inches.

20" surface cleaners usually have two 25020 nozzles. The 25 is the degree angle and the 20 (actually 2.0) is the orifice size.

Pulling 6.6 gpm at 4500psi from the product listing, I estimate that you will get about 800 psi from your 2.8 gpm washer. Might be OK if you're washing a wood deck?

I agree with 5ubtle that you might get 800 psi from your PW. However, you won't ever be able to get 6.6 gpm from your hose spigot as it probably only produces around 4 gallons per minute. For machines that have a higher gpm than your spigot supplies, you'd need a supply tank that is constantly being filled. Pulling 8 with a supply of 4 to try to keep from running out. But as some point the tank will get empty.

As far as a wheeled surface cleaner, I'd get one with 4 casters so you could use it straight, angled or side to side easily. Also note that a 14" wheeled version is measured from outside wheel to outside wheel. A 17" wheeled model would get you close to an actual 12 inch surface cleaner.

 

[mike93lx]

I agree with 5ubtle that you might get 800 psi from your PW. However, you won't ever be able to get 6.6 gpm from your hose spigot as it probably only produces around 4 gallons per minute. For machines that have a higher gpm than your spigot supplies, you'd need a supply tank that is constantly being filled. Pulling 8 with a supply of 4 to try to keep from running out. But as some point the tank will get empty

Hose spigots can do far more.

Mine will flow 15+ gpm and are 105psi (county water).

I filled my pool at an overall average of 25gpm over a 24 hr period by running a hose to a bib on each side of the house

 

[Tinkerer2]

///

 

[Tinkerer2]

Hose spigots can do far more.

Mine will flow 15+ gpm and are 105psi (county water).

I filled my pool at an overall average of 25gpm over a 24 hr period by running a hose to a bib on each side of the house

You must take some great showers!

 

[mike93lx]

You must take some great showers!

It was wild until we installed a prv for the house. No idea how the previous owners lived here for nearly 20 years without a toilet blowing apart

 

[FTG-05]

That's not going to work well with a 2.8gpm washer... Too large

Well ****, now you tell me. I could not find one thing on the Amazon listing showing any lower limit for gpm. Nor any chart showing surface cleaner size vs recommended gpm.



It's already on the UPS truck. Guess we're gonna find out.

ETA: Just read the Owner's Manual again: Nothing about max size for a surface washer: https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/71000-71999/71100-193175528889.pdf