The 11 Best Pressure Washers of 2024, According to Testing

Best Electric

Ryobi 1900 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer

THE HOME DEPOT

This corded, compact option is a sturdy, durable unit that packs plenty of power, is easy to set up and use, and comes with three nozzles.

This corded, compact option is a sturdy, durable unit that packs plenty of power, is easy to set up and use, and comes with three nozzles.

Disconnecting the water hose was a bit challenging.

Disconnecting the water hose was a bit challenging.

If you want an all-around great electric pressure washer, we recommend this pick from Ryobi. We used it to clean a cement porch that had never been pressure washed, so it had plenty of algae, pollen, and dirt built up that all washed away in just 30 minutes. Using the lowest pressure option of the three included nozzles, it took us only 10 minutes to scour our metal railings and stucco siding clean.

It was a cinch to switch between the nozzles (15-degree, soap, and turbo), and the 10-minute setup was so intuitive we didn’t even feel the need to reach for the instruction manual. Similarly, it was easy to disassemble the unit, though we had minor difficulty disconnecting the water hose at first. We found the built-in storage for the power cable handy, plus the wheels and handle offer easy movement when navigating the washer between projects or into storage.

Though small, weighing just 21 pounds, this unit packs plenty of pressure for even the grimiest of surfaces. We felt it was high quality and durable in addition to providing efficiency on cleanup times.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DYLAN THOMPSON

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DYLAN THOMPSON

Key Terms to Know

PSI: The pounds of pressure per square inch.
GPM: The gallons of water that flow through the pressure washer per minute.
CU: Cleaning units, which is calculated by multiplying PSI by GSM.

Best Gas

Simpson CM61083 Clean Machine 3400 PSI Gas Pressure Washer

AMAZON

A sturdy, easy to use pressure washer, this gas-powered unit comes with four nozzles and made quick work of cleaning multiple surfaces.

A sturdy, easy to use pressure washer, this gas-powered unit comes with four nozzles and made quick work of cleaning multiple surfaces.

You’ll want to be cautious using this model around softer surfaces with its high PSI.

You’ll want to be cautious using this model around softer surfaces with its high PSI.

This gas-powered option from Simpson earned a perfect five stars in all our tests, and we found it hard to identify any drawbacks to this model. It comes with four quick connect nozzle tips (0-, 15-, 40-degrees and a soap nozzle), which were extremely easy to switch out and provided ample cleaning options.

It only took 10 minutes to set up, and the process was easy with clear instructions. It only took us 30 minutes (using a detergent) to clean the moldy side of a house that’s often exposed to sunlight, and 20 minutes to clean a dirty driveway that hadn’t ever been cleaned. We also cleaned a concrete patio that had just been power washed recently, which only took 15 minutes.

The 3400 PSI is quite powerful—so powerful that we were hesitant to use it to clean a vehicle, so we skipped that test. However, at just over 60 pounds, it’s a sturdy, durable unit that’s easy to use yet didn’t cause any damage to the surfaces we tested. It also stayed put while we used it, with plenty of hose and cord length so we could easily get the job done. Once we were done, it was easy to store the cords, hoses, and attachments on the unit itself so everything is in one spot for the next project.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LISA PEZZUTO

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LISA PEZZUTO

Best Budget

Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer

WALMART

This option is super simple to set up, has two detergent tanks, comes with five nozzles, and provides ample cleaning power for multiple projects.

This option is super simple to set up, has two detergent tanks, comes with five nozzles, and provides ample cleaning power for multiple projects.

Additional attachments are available for purchase separately.

Additional attachments are available for purchase separately.

Purchasing a pressure washer doesn’t have to mean dropping hundreds of dollars to get an effective model. Case in point: this option from Sun Joe, with an impressive 2030 PSI and five quick-connect nozzles that range from 0- to 40-degrees, including a soap nozzle.

When we first took it out of the box, setup felt a bit daunting but the instructions helped us easily navigate the process in 15 minutes.

We were impressed with the 25-degree nozzle that cleaned an unsealed wooden porch and railing in 10 minutes, leaving them noticeably cleaner. It also whisked away the dirt from high-traffic concrete stairs in two minutes, plus allowed us to wash a sedan (using the 40-degree nozzle and soap) in about 30 minutes. The two tanks that hold detergent came in handy for this particular task.

Though a bit noisy, this compact machine didn’t irritate our ears during use. It’s intuitive to use and comes with a cord that’s plenty long. There are attachments available that make cleaning easier, such as a patio cleaning attachment, but they’re not included with the pressure washer. All things considered, we think this pressure washer is a steal.

Best Splurge Electric

Greenworks 3000-PSI Brushless Electric Pressure Washer

This powerful machine offers five nozzles, a lower noise level, and easy maneuverability.

This powerful machine offers five nozzles, a lower noise level, and easy maneuverability.

The water hose arrived coiled and wanted to retain its shape rather than straighten out.

The water hose arrived coiled and wanted to retain its shape rather than straighten out.

Maintaining your property is an investment of time and money. If your budget allows, you may want to consider splurging on this Greenworks electric pressure washer. Its 3000 PSI cleaned the grime from a driveway in 11 minutes, powering away a years-old stain while avoiding any damage. It also took just five minutes to scour a push mower which had never been washed before, and blasted away years of dirt and grime from a wooden deck in under 20 minutes. Just be sure to use caution on softer surfaces, and select a gentle nozzle to keep from damaging wood decks or siding.

The 15-, 25-, and 40-degree plus soap and turbo nozzles make this a wide-ranging pressure washer. The flow rate is up to 2 gallons per minute (GPM), so it can handle a lot of water at high pressure for those extra dirty or stained surfaces. Setup time took just over 25 minutes, and the instructions were fairly straightforward, though we found ourselves double checking them for clarity during setup. The hose was coiled in the package and wanted to stay coiled, but we think this is likely to improve with time.

We appreciated the lower noise level on this machine, though like any power equipment, it’s not necessarily quiet. It’s easy to stash the nozzles and hose with the pressure washer since there’s a built-in mounting system. It’s a snap to maneuver yet it’s also sturdy and durable.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANNA KNIEF

Best Splurge Gas

DeWalt 4400 PSI 4.0 GPM Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer

HOME DEPOT

Made with a Honda engine, this is a high-powered machine with a lengthy hose and nozzle options that make pressure washing a breeze.

Made with a Honda engine, this is a high-powered machine with a lengthy hose and nozzle options that make pressure washing a breeze.

The machine weighs 140 pounds and comes with a more technical instruction manual that isn’t always straightforward.

The machine weighs 140 pounds and comes with a more technical instruction manual that isn’t always straightforward.

If there’s room in the budget but you’d prefer a gas-powered machine, this Dewalt pressure washer is the way to go. With an impressive 4400 PSI and 4 GPM flow rate, it handled our grimey surfaces with ease. It cleared multiple mud dauber nests on the front entrance of a house in five minutes, outperforming other pressure washers we’ve tried. Our adirondack chairs, made of plastic composite, came clean in five minutes as well. And it took just 35 minutes to wash away stubborn tree residue from a concrete patio.

This unit weighs a whopping 140 pounds and has a Honda engine, which is why it’s able to provide such effective cleaning power. Assembling it took 30 minutes and was a bit of a challenge—we had to watch online videos to get the hang of it. We also sought out extra help adding oil, which needs to be changed annually. The instruction manual is quite lengthy, so if you’re not into technical details and extra features, this model might not be your best bet.

It’s a quality option with a sturdy hose that’s a generous 50 feet long. It’s a bit tricky to hook up and disconnect the hose simply because the connection is located right by the handle. Yet it’s simple to switch out the five nozzles, which include one for soap as well as 0-, 15-, 25-, and 40-degree options.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANNA KNIEF

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANNA KNIEF

Best High Pressure

Simpson Cold Water Pressure Washer

AMAZON

This pressure washer’s 4400 PSI and nozzle options are ideal for large areas that need frequent cleaning, and it can remove tough blacktop stains.

This pressure washer’s 4400 PSI and nozzle options are ideal for large areas that need frequent cleaning, and it can remove tough blacktop stains.

The starter can be hard to pull, and it’s a larger machine that needs plenty of storage space.

The starter can be hard to pull, and it’s a larger machine that needs plenty of storage space.

If you tend to reach for a pressure washer often and have large areas to be cleaned, having a high pressure model can be a huge time saver. We were slightly surprised that this Simpson model scoured away blacktop stains from a concrete driveway in just 15 minutes—and we didn’t even have to use the highest power setting. We also washed two vehicles in 45 minutes, thanks to the five nozzle choices that can handle multiple surfaces (0-, 15-, 25-, and 40-degree plus a soap nozzle).

Setup took about 30 minutes and was intuitive, but we struggled a bit getting the handles inserted into the machine at first. The unit includes storage for the spray handle and nozzles to keep everything close at hand. It’s larger in size and weighs over 100 pounds, so plan for it to take some space in storage.

It’s a bit noisier than we’d like, and we had to pull the starter several times, which could be problematic for those who lack upper body strength or experience mobility challenges. However, once started, the washer was a cinch to use and despite its size, was easy to move around. Overall, we were impressed with its cleaning ability and ease of use.

Best for Cars

Greenworks Pro Electric Pressure Washer

LOWE'S

This electric model is easy to maneuver.

This electric model is easy to maneuver.

The plug is on the heavier side and may pull away from the receptacle.

The plug is on the heavier side and may pull away from the receptacle.

Washing your own cars at home can be incredibly convenient, saving you both time and money you’d otherwise spend on a commercial car wash. The 2300 PSI of this Greenworks washer was gentle enough to safely clean a car—it took 20 minutes and two wash cycles, one with soap and one without. Yet it powered away a stain in the driveway in two minutes.

The washer’s small size makes it easy to stash away when it’s not being used, and startup instructions are conveniently printed on the unit itself, making it even easier and more intuitive to use.

The flow rate is up to 2.3 gallons per minute (GPM), so it can handle a lot of water at high pressure for those extra dirty surfaces. The 15-, 25-, and 40-degree plus soap and turbo nozzles make this a wide-ranging pressure washer, and its wheels make it easy to maneuver around to tackle multiple cleaning projects in one day. It’s a solid choice for just about any pressure washing project you can think of, plus it comes with a three year warranty.

Keep in mind, we found that the two hoses and electrical cord were slightly difficult to keep from tangling. In addition, the plug was so heavy it didn’t want to stay fully plugged into our outlet, but it never came all the way out, so it didn’t disrupt our cleaning projects.

Best for Beginners

Sun Joe 2030-PSI Electric Pressure Washer With Hose Reel

AMAZON

Setup time took less than 15 minutes and only required a few simple steps, plus it’s powerful enough for light household cleaning projects.

Setup time took less than 15 minutes and only required a few simple steps, plus it’s powerful enough for light household cleaning projects.

Mildewy areas required a few passes with the washer and it struggled with tough stains like dried paint and oil.

Mildewy areas required a few passes with the washer and it struggled with tough stains like dried paint and oil.

For those who are new to the cleaning power of pressure washers, this Sun Joe model is a user-friendly option. Setup was incredibly straightforward, taking about 13 minutes and requiring just a few steps before it was ready to use. Washing multiple surfaces was a snap, without needing to check the owner’s manual much at all. The five nozzles (0-, 15-, 25-, and 40-degree plus soap) were simple to swap out and store on the washer itself.

At 30 pounds, the washer is quite compact, but it offers decent pressure. It scoured our driveway in 10 minutes, gently washed a car in five minutes, and removed decades of mildew from stone columns. The highest setting couldn’t quite remove tough stains like dried paint and oil, and it took a few passes before algae and heavy mildew came clean. But the power is still impressive for its size, and we were satisfied with the cleaning results overall.

Large wheels made for an easy time moving the machine around. The electrical cord was a generous length, but proved troublesome to store on the pressure washer itself, and we felt the hose reel is a bit flimsy. Overall, this earned our pick for the best pressure washer for beginners because it’s easy to use and can handle most standard cleaning projects.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CAITLIN SOLE

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CAITLIN SOLE

Best Battery-Operated

CRAFTSMAN V20 1500 PSI 1.2-Gallons Cold Water Battery Pressure Washer

LOWES

This is a lightweight pick with no cord, making it super easy to move around to multiple areas.

This is a lightweight pick with no cord, making it super easy to move around to multiple areas.

The spray pattern was inconsistent which left some streaks of dirt on our surfaces.

The spray pattern was inconsistent which left some streaks of dirt on our surfaces.

If you’re looking for an electric option but don’t want the hassle of cords, we recommend this battery-operated Craftsman pressure washer.

Setup time took just seven minutes with clear instructions, though the process was intuitive enough that the manual wasn’t really needed. Plus, putting the washer to work was just as simple, making outdoor cleaning chores easier and faster. Similarly, stashing it away for storage was just as easy since all the attachments mount right to the model, including the two batteries which sit under a protective lid.

Because it’s battery powered, there are no cords to contend with and it was easy to move this lightweight machine between projects. It cleaned a wooden fence and one side of a house in about 10 minutes each, then washed a vehicle in 20 minutes using a soap cycle followed by a rinse. However, as we washed the top portion of the house and cleaned the car, we noticed an inconsistent spray pattern which left streaks of dirt behind.

The four nozzles (soap, turbo, 15-, and 40-degree) are a cinch to swap in and out and the lower pressure meant we didn’t need to worry about damaging nearby surfaces. At 21 pounds, this is a super lightweight option which is perfect if you need to carry it around to different areas. And if it tips over, the washer is protected by a frame to help prevent damage.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY

Best Portable

Worx Hydroshot Cordless Power Cleaner

WORX

At just eight pounds with a rechargeable battery, this model is incredibly easy to carry around to multiple projects if you have a variety of cleaning to be done.

At just eight pounds with a rechargeable battery, this model is incredibly easy to carry around to multiple projects if you have a variety of cleaning to be done.

The handle must be continuously squeezed and this model isn’t powerful enough to clear stuck-on debris off of surfaces.

The handle must be continuously squeezed and this model isn’t powerful enough to clear stuck-on debris off of surfaces.

When you have several areas to clean around the house, you probably won’t want to lug around a heavy pressure washer. That’s where this 8 pound pressure washer from Worx comes in. Powered by rechargeable batteries, it’s an ultra lightweight model that’s also quiet and straightforward to set up. You can hook it up to a garden hose or simply use a large bucket of water or even a lake as your water source, making it ultra portable.

Operating the washer is easy, but you’ll need to continuously squeeze the handle to keep water flowing, which could lead to fatigue. We washed a textured cement walkway and a compost bin with this model. While the bin came clean after eight minutes, it took 15 minutes to clean the walkway because we needed to manually remove moss and debris since the washer just wasn’t powerful enough to do so. It also wasn’t strong enough to remove paint from a metal table. With this in mind, this portable option is going to work best for multiple and small, light duty cleaning jobs.

Despite its small size, the unit is quite sturdy. And of course, it’s easy to store since it doesn’t take up much room. You can plan on roughly one hour of charging time giving you about one hour of cleaning time. For added convenience, this comes with a 5-in-1 nozzle that lets you toggle between a watering, 0-, 15-, 25-, 40-degree setting without manually switching out nozzle attachments.

Best Small

ACTIVE 2.0 Electric Pressure Washer

AMAZON

This model is lightweight and easy to operate and set up.

This model is lightweight and easy to operate and set up.

It doesn’t include storage space for the cord or hose, so they’ll need to be stored separately.

It doesn’t include storage space for the cord or hose, so they’ll need to be stored separately.

If you’re short on storage space, finding a compact pressure washer is important. At just 17 inches long and eight inches tall, the Active 2.0 Electric pressure washer earned our vote for the best small unit. With a respectable PSI of 1800, it took just eight minutes to clean a wooden deck that hadn’t otherwise been cleaned in about a year. It had been five years since the last cleaning of our stucco wall, but it took just seven minutes to get it noticeably clean using a liquid detergent. And our car, covered in tree sap residue, came clean in 22 minutes with some help from a detergent.

Switching between the four nozzles (0-, 15-, 25-, 40-degree) was no trouble and setup was also simple, taking just over 15 minutes. Because of its small size, moving it around and finding a spot for storage was easy. However, it doesn’t include cord or hose storage, so you’ll need to store those separately.

The noise isn’t overbearing and overall this model is a quality, durable option despite its compact size. It’s also another great pick for beginners thanks to its easy set up process.

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LIZZ LEONARD

BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LIZZ LEONARD