7 Best Pressure Washers of 2024, Tested by Experts

Best Portable Pressure Washer

Worx 1,700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

Weighing just 16 pounds with a compact housing, this well-priced model was the easiest to transport, while still delivering an impressive 1,700 PSI and 1.2 GPM. The DIY-friendly machine was easy to assemble, taking less than five minutes, and also very easy to operate. Cleaning performance was solid across our various test surfaces. The trade-off for the compact design and competitive price is less versatility, which is what keeps it off our current winners list. There's no soap dispenser, for example, and it lacks add-on brushes and accessories. Also, the Worx comes with only two nozzles: a 40-degree nozzle that delivers a wide spray and a turbo nozzle for targeted, high-powered blasts. Still, our experts say it's a great pressure washer for beginners, or for people who want to take the equipment with them, maybe to a construction job site or to the marina to spray down a boat.

Another Great Value Pressure Washer
Ryobi 1,900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

This is another well-priced pressure washer to consider, along with the top value Sun Joe. With a modest 1,900 PSI and 1.2 GPM, the machine is best for smaller jobs, like clearing dirt and mildew from your deck. The telescoping handle and lightweight 22.7-pound construction make for easy handling. We also liked the compact design and vertical storage, both of which we noted during our testing. "It's a nice feature if space in the shed or garage is limited," noted one tester.

Easy-to-Maneuver Gas Pressure Washer
Westinghouse WPX2700 Gas Powered Pressure Washer

Gas-powered pressure washers tend to be beasts, which is what we like about this unit from Westinghouse. Though it tips the scale at 63 pounds, its vertical design and 12-inch "never flat" wheels make it relatively easy to transport from one side of the yard to the other. Its 2,700 PSI is on the lighter side for a gas pressure washer, it will still be able to handle most cleaning tasks.

Our pros put pressure washers through their paces in real-world conditions, including seeing how well they blast away dirt and mildew from a brick patio, as pictured.

Product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute keep constant tabs on the marketplace to identify the pressure washers you're most likely to find on store shelves and online. Hands-on testing focuses on the brands that have performed the best and proved to be the most reliable through years of pressure washer tests, along with other outdoor power equipment.

In the past five years, we've reviewed more than 30 new pressure washers. When it came to evaluating specific models for this round-up, our engineers and product testers spent 50 hours reviewing hundreds of technical and performance data points.

Hands-on testing involved pressure-washing an array of real-world surfaces, including decks, patios, siding, assorted pavements, cars and outdoor furniture.

While overall cleaning ability was our main criteria, we also considered ease of use, like handling and maneuverability, swapping out nozzles and adding cleaning solutions. And we paid attention to noise, since pressure washers are often operated for long stretches at a time. Finally, our engineers evaluated general construction, such as materials and fittings, to highlight models that should deliver the longest service.

Car cleaning is another component of our pressure washer test. Models with detergent tanks and soft-bristle brush attachments are well suited to the task.

• All pressure washers work by forcing water through a concentrated nozzle. But there are differences in how they're powered, as well as other factors related to performance. Here's what to consider:
  
  ✔️ Power source: There are three main options — electric, gas and battery — and your choice will affect power and convenience.
• Electric pressure washers are the best choice for the vast majority of homeowners. The plug-in machines are suited to an array of projects, like cleaning lawn furniture and washing the car. They're affordable ($300 and below), light, quiet and easy to store and maintain.
• Gas pressure washers are preferred by many professionals because they tend to generate more power. They'll blast away nearly any dirt and debris on decks, driveways and sidewalks, but they're much more expensive ($300 and above), plus they're bigger, heavier, noisier, harder to maintain, and, of course, need gas to run.
• Battery-powered pressure washers are the newest addition to the category. Many of these cordless models still max out between 500 and 1,000 PSI, compared with the 2,000 to 3,000 PSIs of the best gas or corded electric models. But we're starting to see the power capacity tick up, as with the 1,500 PSI battery-powered Craftsman featured in this report.

✔️ Water pressure vs. water flow: These two specs tell you how much power a pressure washer will generate.

PSI (or pounds per square inch), indicates the water pressure delivered by the machine. If you're looking to clear dirt and grime from furniture or hose down the car, electric pressure washers with typical PSIs in the 1,600 to 2,300 range should do the job. For tougher cleaning tasks — say, tackling oil stains on a concrete driveway or removing sap from the back deck — you'll do better with a gas pressure washer ranging from 2,700 to 4,400 PSI.While PSI is important, you also need to check the water flow, measured in

GPM (or gallons per minute). The two specs working in tandem are the key to optimal performance. GPM measures the volume of water delivered by the pressure washer — an indicator of how quickly your machine will clean. Higher-GPM pressure washers (2.o and up) will clean faster than those with lower GPM.

✔️ Cost vs. value: While you can find pressure washers for less than $100, the least expensive models that perform capably in our tests are closer to $150. At the other end of the spectrum, you could spend $600 or more on a deluxe-model pressure washer, but our experts say the best of the best for home use are in the $300 to $500 range. That's a serious investment, but hiring a professional to pressure-wash a patio or deck could set you back $250, according to Angi, the home services marketplace. Given how many other uses you'll find for the machine throughout the year, our pros say it will quickly pay for itself.

Many of the best pressure washers have onboard detergent tanks that make it easy to apply soapy water to surfaces before cleaning. While you can add diluted household liquid soap to the tank, our experts recommend using cleaning agents specifically design for pressure washers (available online and at home centers or hardware stores). These products are formulated for specific surfaces, so be sure to match them to your project. Pressure washers with detergent tanks also have nozzles designed to dispense soap. Switch to that nozzle, apply the cleaner, then switch to a higher-powered nozzle to make your surface shine.

Short answer: yes. But you need to respect the power generated by these machines, especially at more concentrated settings. To avoid the risk of serious injury, wear closed-toe shoes and safety goggles at all times when operating your pressure washer. And if your machine comes with interchangeable nozzles, use the least powerful one first.

Our experts also say to stay away from the zero-degree spray nozzle (usually the red one in the set, though more brands are calling it their "turbo spray"). The highly concentrated spray is enough to break the surface of the skin. You can get the same cleaning results with a wider spray; it will just take a bit longer.

Pressure washers can damage surfaces too, including decks and fences made of wood or composite. When operating a pressure washer, position yourself about four feet from whatever you're cleaning. When in doubt, do a spot test on an inconspicuous area first to help ensure the spray won't damage the surface.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including pressure washers. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings 25 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products, including all kinds of outdoor power equipment, for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House. For this report, Dan tested 10 pressure washer himself over a three-month span at his home in Brooklyn, NY, evaluating their performance on a variety of surfaces, including his deck, patio, fence, sidewalk and car.