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Check out my list of the best pressure washers on the market. Find out which electric and gas models rate the highest among professionals and homeowners.

I have a large wood deck on the back of my house that is about 400 square feet plus a wooden walkway that wraps around part of my home. The deck is shaded by some nice large trees which makes it ideal to sit out there in the summer time in the shade. I’ve also got it wired up with speakers and lighting making it even more ideal for barbeques and outdoor parties throughout the year. However, the problem with all the shade is that the trees dump a lot of natural dirt and debris onto the deck. You should see it during the fall; you could get lost in the leaves! To protect the wood on the deck and keep it looking good, I have to power wash every year. Sometimes I may even go twice a year, just to touch things up because I hate having people over and my deck looking stained, old and grey. So with a deck this size and lawn furniture and my home’s wood siding, I have a lot of pressure washing to do.

When my wife and I first moved into the home we thought about just hiring somebody to do the power washing for us, but you want to talk about expensive! So then I looked at renting a machine, but when you do the math based on how much I planned to use the washer, it was another losing proposition money-wise. I finally came to the conclusion that buying a really good pressure washer was the way to go. It would be mine, an investment, and I could pull it out an use it whenever I wanted to. Plus there would be no need to call and pay someone to come out.

Now I’m not one to just go out and buy the first thing I see that’s on sale. I really like to do my research, especially with home tools and equipment. So I started investigating, checking all of the major big box stores offline, reading magazines like Consumer Reports and Popular Mechanics, and checking out owner reviews online at sites like Amazon.com. As a result I learned a ton about pressure washers. I thought it would be helpful to share my findings with everyone else, so I created this website. Read on and find out more about what I learned.

Pressure washers can be divided into two major types, gas and electric. They both have advantages and disadvantages which I go into detail about in another article on this site about “How to Choose A Pressure Washer“. Basically the primary difference lies in the power output. Gas pressure washers are just much more powerful than electric. However not everyone needs this much power. You need to look at how you plan to use your washer. If you have a big deck like me that gets really dirty over the year, then you’ll want to go for a gas machine. If on the other hand you have a medium sized deck or patio with moderate stains and you won’t be using your washer more than 40 hours or so each year, then an inexpensive electric pressure washer would be perfect for you.

Once you’ve assessed your usage requirements you can get down to the business of choosing a pressure washer. I’ve broken my list out of the best pressure washers into the best electric and the best gas machines. There are three electric machines that really stand out from the rest, ranging in psi (pounds per square inch) from 1,800 to 2,000, and price from about $130 to $270. I also found 2 outstanding gas powered machines that rose to the top, the Briggs & Stratton Power Boss 020309 at 3,000 psi and costing around $480, and the Ridgid RD80905 3,300 psi machine at around $800. Below is a chart where you can compare the features of all of these fantastic pressure washers. Just below the chart is an overview of each machine and why it made the list of the best washers.

Rank	Best Electric #1	Best Electric #2	Best Electric #3	Best Gas #1	Best Gas #2
	Karcher K 5.540	AR Blue Clean AR383	Campbell Hausfeld PW1825	Ridgid RD80905	Power Boss 020309
Editor’s Review
Best Price
Editor’s Rating
Power Type	Electric	Electric	Electric	Gas	Gas
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)	2,000	1,900	1,800	3,300	3,000
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)	1.4	1.5	1.5	3	2.5
Cleaning Units (CU)	2,800	2,850	2,700	9,900	7,500
Spray Gun Wand Type	Vario Power Spray (VPS) Wand, DirtBlaster® Spray Gun	Adjustable jet nozzle, and foam dispensing lance	Adjustable twist nozzle from 0 to 60 degrees, plus a turbo nozzle	Single wand with 4 contractor grade quick connect nozzles	Single wand with 4 Quick Connect tips
Hose Length (feet)	25	20	20	30	25
Power Cord Length (feet)	35	35	35	NA	NA
Cleaning Solution Tank Built In	Yes	No, attaches to the wand	Yes, 1 liter	No	Yes, single 1 gallon tank
Wheels	Yes, Plastic	Plastic	Plastic	Yes, 12″ x 3″ with steel rims	Yes, pneumatic
Weight (pounds)	31	27	28	75	70
Dimensions (length, width, height in inches)	15.5 x 16.5 x 23	13 x 12 x 29	15 x 11.5 x 22	Unknown	26.125 x 22 x 19.375
Cord Storage Area	Yes, on a reel	Yes, on a reel	Yes, on a hook	Yes, using the hook on the front of the machine.	Yes, on a hook
Pump Type	Direct Drive Axial Pump	Triplex plunger	Wobble	CAT triplex plunger pump with ceramic pistons	Axial Cam
Motor Type	120 volt/30 Hz water cooled induction motor	120 volt, 14 amp universal motor	120 volt, 14 amp universal motor	Subaru EX21fi OHV engine, 7 hp @ 4,000 rpm	Honda GC, 190 cc with recoil start
Hose Connections	Threaded	Threaded	Threaded	Threaded	Threaded
Spray Gun Connection	Karcher Bayonet	Bayonet	Bayonet	Threaded	Threaded
CARB Compliant	NA (Only applies to gas engines)	NA (Only applies to gas engines)	NA (Only applies to gas engines)	Yes	No
Warranty (years)	1	1	1	3	1

The Best Electric Pressure Washers

Most electric models that have come on the market in the last few years are much more powerful and efficient than earlier electric models. They are ideal for many common cleaning tasks that you’ll have around the house, including cars, home siding, and medium to small decks and patios. They are much quieter, require less maintenance, and are generally better for the environment than gas powered machines. They are also very easy to use; you basically just plug them in and start cleaning. Here are the top 3 electric pressure washers.

Karcher K 5.540 X-Series – #1

Out of all the electric models I looked at, the Karcher K 5.540 X-Series really stood out as the best. This innovative model features a patented water cooled induction motor that is more efficient and longer lasting than a standard fan cooled engine. This type of engine is also about 50% quieter than other types of electric engines, so you’ll barely be able to hear it.

The Karcher also has a unique pump design that showcases a durable, long lasting swash plate made of a corrosive resistant polymer substance. This type of pump design will outperform standard axial cam pumps all day long.

At 2,000 psi the K 5.540 is one of the strongest of the electric pressure washers on the market. You’ll have more than enough power to handle all of the cleaning chores you need completed around your home. Combine that with a gpm (gallons per minute) flow rate of 1.4 and you have a winning combination. The higher the gpm, the faster you’ll be able to clean a given area.

You get two spray wands with this machine. The DirtBlaster wand rotates 360 degrees, spinning and cleaning out dirt and grime with force and strength. The Vario Power spray wand is used for areas that don’t need as intense a cleaning or have delicate surfaces, like your car, or home siding. You can adjust the degree of spray on this wand by twisting it. This wand is also used to apply detergent from the onboard container in the unit.

In addition to its innovative features, the Karcher K 5.540 is looks sharp and sleek. I really like the black “x” on the front of this baby. There are also a bunch of really cool accessories that you can buy for the Karcher, including a really neat deck and driveway cleaner that keeps the spray at the same level and distance from the cleaning surface. That comes in real handy when cleaning a large deck for a couple of hours.

You can read more about the Karcher K 5.540 pressure washer in my full review.

AR Blue Clean AR383 – #2

The AR Blue Clean pressure washer is one of the most popular machines out there in the home market. There are over 200 owner reviews for this machine on Amazon.com alone. It gets rave reviews from owners who simply love its reliability, light weight, compact features, durability, and mobility. They say it has more than enough power to handle all of their jobs around the house and many reviewers talk about what a bargain the AR383 is for the price.

The AR Blue Clean produces 1,900 psi, 1.5 gpm, and 2,850 cu. Cu is cleaning units, which is psi multiplied by gpm. It is a good way to compare the relative power of different pressure washers. This numbers show that the AR383 has more than enough power to clean that medium sized deck or patio, your lawn furniture and grill, and the dirty siding on your home.

The AR383 also comes with two spray nozzles. The adjustable nozzle lets you twist it to move from a pencil thin sharp blast to a broad stroke. The turbo nozzle rotates to help you clean a wider area faster. It’s great for decks. There is also a detergent tank built right into the machine that will automatically mix cleaning solution and water for you in the right amount.

The pump is very high quality on this machine. It features a triplex plunger made of durable stainless steel that will last much longer than other standard pumps. And there is a total stop mechanism on the AR Blue Clean that shuts the pump down when you release your finger from the trigger. This helps to prolong the life of the pump.

If you’d like to find out even more about the AR Blue Clean AR383 pressure washer just click on over to my in-depth review.

Campbell Hausfeld PW1825 – #3

The Campbell Hausfeld PW1825 is the least powerful of the washers on my list, in terms of psi, however, it is the least expensive, coming in under $130. In my opinion that is a real bargain for the features you get with this machine. Although it doesn’t have the top of the line parts and the power of the other pressure washers, for the price you are getting a pretty darn good machine and for most home uses it’s perfect with more than enough power for common tasks.

The Campbell Hausfeld can produce 1,800 psi, 1.5 gpm, and 2,700 cu. This means it’s capable of handling many of the dirty jobs around your house like cleaning a small deck or patio, lawn furniture, bikes, and garden tools.

You’ll really love the quiet, emissions free electric motor as well. Just plug it into a 120 volt wall socket and you’re good to go, no oil changes, spark plugs, or gas to deal with.

The PW1825 comes with an adjustable fan lance where you can twist the nozzle and get a spray range between zero and 60 degrees. You can use the adjustable fan lance at its widest setting apply detergent to the cleaning surface. The PW1825 has a built-in detergent tank that will automatically mix the cleaning solution in a 10 to 1 ratio for optimal application. That’s a nice benefit – no need to mix detergent with water yourself. There is also a turbo lance that will rotate as it sprays, covering a wider area and helping you clean faster. Many turbo lances will be able to clean up to three times faster than most standard nozzles.

There is even more information about the Campbell Hausfeld PW1825 pressure washer in my in-depth review.

The Best Gas Pressure Washers

If you need power, then gas pressure washers are the way to go. Even the weakest gas powered machine is more powerful than the strongest electrical machine. You’ll get around 100 times more power in terms of pounds per square inch than your typical garden hose. Plus these machines will clean faster than electric models, up to three times as fast in some cases, allowing you to spend less time power cleaning and more time doing fun stuff. If you have tough stains or a big area to clean, then you need to get a gas machine.

Ridgid RD80905 – #1

There are a lot of gas powered pressure washer models out on the market but the Ridgid RD80905 clearly breaks away from the pack as the best. The two major components that make up a washer are the engine and the pump and the RD80905 has top quality manufacturing and durability in both.

The pump is a CAT triplex plunger pump with ceramic pistons which you’ll generally only see in commercial or industrial power washer models. But in this case you can buy one of these models for your home. The CAT pump is designed to be durable and long lasting and is much less prone to breaking and leakage than conventional pumps.

The engine is a Subaru EX21fi overhead valve electronic fuel injection model that has a number of patent pending technologies built into it. This 7 horsepower machine is designed for efficiency and easy starting. High quality parts and manufacturing make this engine long lasting. As a bonus, the EX21fi is also CARB compliant, which means it meets California’s strict engine low emission standards, making the RD80905 environmentally friendly.

As far as power goes, this washer really packs a punch. The Ridgid RD80905 is capable of producing 3,300 psi with a 3 gpm flow rate, resulting in a very powerful 9,900 cu. You won’t have trouble with any stains with this much power. You’ll even be able to peel paint if you need to. If you are worried about damaging anything, don’t. Of course you need to be careful, but the RD80905 comes with 5 different nozzle tips to match to the jobs you need it for.

There is a soap application nozzle that will blast the soap out to 30 feet, which will really save you time when soaping up your deck. Then there are four other nozzles ranging in spray width from zero degrees to 15 to 25 and to 40. The lower the degree spread, the more intense and focused the water is shooting out of the spray wand. You use lower degrees for tough stains and higher degree tips for more delicate work, like cleaning your siding or car.

Another great thing about the Ridgid RD80905 is that it comes with a 3 year warranty, which is one of the longest you’ll find.

Check out my Ridgid RD80905 pressure washer review to find out even more about this wonderful machine.

Briggs & Stratton Power Boss 020309 – #2

The number two gas pressure washer to make my best list is the Briggs & Stratton Power Boss 020309. This washer also comes with a fantastic high quality engine, a Honda GC 190. This overhead camshaft engine gets very good reviews from owners who say it runs smooth and starts on the first pull. And the engine will produce more than enough power for you to clean with.

The Power Boss 020309 produces 3,000 psi and has a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. This results in a cleaning unit measure of 7,500, which is excellent for a gas powered machine. With this level of power you’ll easily be able to clean your deck, sidewalks, and driveway.

You’ll also get 4 color coded nozzle tips to use with the Power Boss. The black 65 degree tip is for applying cleaning solution from the built-in detergent tank. It’s nice having the tank right on the machine – no need to mix solution separately and run a tube to another bucket, the Power Boss does it for you. The white nozzle is 40 degrees and used for sensitive surfaces, the yellow 15 degree tip offers even more power, and the red zero degree tip provides enough power for really tough stains. You’re sure to find one that matches the task at hand.

The factory sealed axial cam pump is also a nice bonus because it’s essentially maintenance free. It’s pre-lubricated at the factory so there is no need to add any oil to it over time. It holds up very well over time and is built strong and durable. The Briggs & Stratton Power Boss also has a pump safety feature that prevents the pump from overheating. Water is harmlessly discharged on the ground to help cool the system if you let the machine run without firing the spray gun for over 3 minutes. Hot water can damage the pump and this helps to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.

If you need some more info about the Briggs & Stratton Power Boss 020309 pressure washer, then just head over the my full review page.

These are all great pressure washers and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. The important thing is to match your power needs at hand with the machine. And remember it’s always good to go a little bit more powerful than you think you need. You can always use the nozzle adjustments and tips to control the degree of the spray so that you can use the machine for both difficult and delicate tasks.

If you have some experience with any of these washers that you’d like to share or a question you’d like to ask, just add it to the comments below.

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