The 6 Best Electric Pressure Washers We Tested and Recommend
Got grime to get rid of? These powerful machines have you covered.
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While gas-powered pressure washers are invaluable for intense, heavy-duty cleaning jobs, electric versions are much more convenient for light-duty tasks that require a gentler touch. Whether you’re washing your car, spraying down exterior siding, or blasting mud off your mountain bike, electric pressure washers get the job done quickly—and without damaging the item you’re spraying. They have all the bells and whistles of their gas-powered siblings, too, including soap reservoirs, a variety of spray tips, and portable frames for easy transport. They’re also easier to maintain and aren’t as loud as gas-powered electric pressure washers.
We rigorously tested a variety of models from trusted brands to find the best electric pressure washers for home use. Scroll down for expert advice on essentials to consider before shopping, along with reviews of our top recommendations followed by tips on best practices if you’re new to power washing.
The Best Electric Pressure Washers
- Best Overall: Greenworks 2,700-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Best Value: Sun Joe 2,030-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Most Heavy-Duty: DeWalt DWPW3000 3,000-PSI Compact Pressure Washer
- Best for Home Exteriors: Hart 2,500-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Easiest to Handle: Craftsman 2,100-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
What to Consider
Uses
Electric pressure washers are best for light work and small jobs—figure projects that take 30 minutes max—like washing down driveways and sidewalks or gently cleaning decks, patio furniture, or aluminum siding. These handy tools can also remove debris from cars and gravel bikes as you use a light touch and a white nozzle, which has the widest spray and thus is least likely to damage delicate surfaces. (If cleaning a car is your main objective, you’re best served by a cordless pressure washer.)
Electric vs. Gas
Electric pressure washers have quieter motors and are easier to maintain than their gas counterparts, which need oil changes, filter replacements, and yearly spark plug checks. With no fuel on board, electric pressure washers can sit indoors in winter, are easier to start, and don’t produce the harmful fumes of a combustion engine. Electric models are also lighter, smaller, and easier to store when not in use (particularly cordless battery-powered versions).
The heftier, bulkier gas-powered machines offer significantly more power though, and their durability is well-suited to extended use, especially in hot weather that can overheat electrical components. As a rule, electric pressure washers tap out at about 2,700 pounds per square inch (psi), with a max flow rate from 1.2 to 2.3 gallons per minute (gpm).
Safety
Because they have less power, electric pressure washers are generally safer than gas pressure washers. That said, they can still do damage if you use them incorrectly. For personal safety and to protect your stuff, always start with a green or white nozzle, which has wide spray angles to decrease the intensity of the water stream. If one of those doesn’t do the job, use careful judgment before moving to a yellow or red nozzle, which produce narrower streams with cutting edges that may gouge more delicate surfaces.
Another no-no: Never use a pressure washer on anything electrical because it’s sure to damage components. Regardless of the type of pressure washer you use, make sure to always wear closed-toe shoes and proper eye protection like safety glasses.
How We Selected
The electric pressure washers we looked at are all from reliable brands that we’ve come to trust over the years, such as DeWalt, Greenworks, Craftsman, Sun Joe, and others. To inform our selections, we relied on the expertise of PopMech’s Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn, as he put every electric pressure washer here through his rigorous testing. That included comparing how each model washed cement and brick paving, vinyl fencing, and outdoor furniture, among other messy cleaning jobs.
He also carefully washed a few cars using the safest nozzle, and considered things such as ease of use and performance in real-world scenarios to glean potential flaws and deal-breakers. Our final lineup represents the best models across categories that address different needs and budgets.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Rachel Klein is the Deputy Editor of Popular Mechanics.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
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