Choosing the Right Pressure Washer
Does it feel like dirt and mud are constantly covering everything and your garden hose just can’t keep up? If you’re struggling to keep your car, boat, deck, and driveway clean, it’s time to upgrade that hose to a pressure washer!
Pressure washers turn deep cleaning jobs into quick tasks. Also called power washers or pressure cleaners, they let the water do the heavy lifting. Whether you like to wash your car every week or need a heavy-duty system for seasonal maintenance, a pressure washer is an efficient solution for all cleaning projects.
Different Types of Pressure Washers
Gas-powered pressure washers are the strongest options. Most models are mounted to a cart for ease of transporting. Despite their larger size, these are actually more portable than smaller electric pressure washers, which need to be plugged in. Gas-powered models require some ongoing maintenance and must be used in well-ventilated areas.
Electric pressure washers offer the benefit of clean energy and no maintenance – just plug them into an electric power source. Because they don’t use gas, they can be operated inside or in other areas where fumes would be unsafe. Electric pressure washers are quiet and lightweight options that are best for cleaning decks, outdoor furniture, and other household uses.
Battery-powered pressure washers are the ultimate convenience in outdoor washing. Just pop a fresh battery into the pressure washer and you’re off! Just like electric pressure washers, these are very quiet, lightweight, and require no ongoing maintenance. Battery-powered pressure washers are ideal for light cleaning tasks where portability is key.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Pressure Washer
1. Purpose
Your cleaning goals will dictate the type of pressure washer needed. Washing vehicles, boats, weathered siding, or outdoor furniture is considered light duty. Medium duty is spraying down larger areas like patios and fences. For cleaning driveways or stripping paint, go with heavy duty. Commercial grade should only be used for preparing an area to be painted or cleaning heavy stains.
2. Power and pressure amount
There are three basic ratings to understand when buying a pressure washer:
- Pounds per square inch (PSI) is how the pressure generated by a pressure washer is measured.
- Gallons per minute (GPM) is how the water volume produced by a pressure washer is measured.
- Cleaning power units (CPU) is the full measure of the pressure washer’s cleaning ability. This is calculated by multiplying the GPM by the PSI. The larger the CPU, the deeper the pressure washer will be able to clean.
Many buyers only consider PSI ratings when picking a pressure washer, but it’s important to calculate the CPU as the true indicator of strength. In general, gas-powered pressure washers have higher CPU and GPM ratings than electric or battery-powered models.
3. Hot vs. Cold Water
Anything cold water can clean, hot water can clean much better. The main difference between cold water and hot water pressure washers is the ability to remove very challenging grime or stains. Hot water (165° or higher) will get oil, grease, gum, and other caked-on materials off much easier than cold water will, and it’s especially recommended when dealing with oil or grease stains. Cold water pressure washers are better for all other types of cleaning.
4. Nozzle Type
The main risk with pressure washers is choosing the right focused intensity and angle of the water being sprayed. Always be careful to select a nozzle system that you can physically support and won’t damage your property. High-pressure tips deliver more cleaning power with their narrow spray, but low-pressure tips have greater coverage and are easier to control.
Some pressure washers use an all-in-one adjustable spray wand, which lets you change the water pressure just by twisting the nozzle. These are very convenient washers because you can switch pressures on-the-fly. Other pressure washers come with a set of interchangeable nozzles. These options allow you to customize the pressure and flow needed for any job.
5. Pump Type
There are three types of pumps: wobble plate, axial cam, and triplex. The first two are best for light-to-medium household cleaning projects because they’re economical, have comparable PSI, and will eventually wear out. Triplex pumps are ideal for tougher tasks or commercial projects, as they allow for very high pressures and run for long periods without needing maintenance. Their pump heads and valves are also rebuildable.
6. Level of Maneuverability
When deciding between models, always take into consideration where you’ll be cleaning and how the pressure washer will get there, especially for large properties.
Most pressure washers are mounted to a cart with wheels for total convenience. Gas-powered models are best on wheels because of their weight, but many electric washers now use wheels, too. Rolling pressure washers can come on two, three, or four wheels and vary in overall maneuverability depending on size.
Standing pressure washers use a similar design but are more compact and have handles for carrying. These are usually lighter weight and better for cleaning areas that are difficult to access with a rolling system.
Hand-held pressure washers are the smallest and most portable options. These are usually battery-powered models because of their size and weight. Most hand-held washers use a contained system within the body of the nozzle and only weigh between 5-8 pounds.
7. Starting Method
There have been many pressure washer upgrades created over the years, and one feature you may want to consider is how to start your washer. Some pressure washers now come with one-touch electric starts rather than traditional pull starts. If your pressure washer will be used regularly, being able to quickly start and stop is a convenience not to be overlooked!
8. Added Features and Accessories
Most pressure washers have some bells and whistles worth considering that make cleaning jobs much easier. Spraying wands and other nozzle extenders can help you reach elevated areas, and are a much safer option than taking a pressure washer on a ladder. Powered broom attachments are perfect for cleaning the deck, driveway, or other solid surface. Make sure whichever pressure washer you purchase can accept some accessories!
Learn More and Shop All Pressure Washers
We will continue to expand our collection of pressure washers and project guides, so check back with us soon or sign up for email updates to get them delivered right to your inbox!
Last updated: 5/23/23