Alongside the lawn mowers and snow blowers you store in your garage or shed, we recommend adding a newly minted pressure washer to your list of home appliances.
Otherwise known as “power washers,” these nifty essentials will save you much time and money replacing your vinyl siding or concrete — especially if you pencil in a few weekends during the year to properly wash away any mildew, dirt and debris. (Related: best places to buy outdoor patio furniture).
“Pressure washers will be powered by either electric or gas and can range from light-duty to heavy-duty or commercial grade models,” Gary McCoy, store manager at central Charlotte Lowe’s, told the New York Post. He outlines what else to know about these trusty home appliances in our FAQ section.
Luckily, McCoy hand-picked the five best pressure washers of 2023 you can pick up online, along with New York Post Shopping selecting five other models worth the buy. Our favorite retailers include Amazon, The Home Depot and Lowe’s and Walmart, though they’re readily available just about anywhere.
Not to mention, we provided specifications and packed this guide with details on how to best use each one. From electric to gas, we know you’ll be (or rather, your home will be) in good hands.
Click to jump to a specific pressure washer:
Best Electric Pressure Washers
1. Greenworks Pro 2300 Max Brushless Electric Pressure Washer, $318 to $349
Dimensions: 12 x 21 x 13 inches
The Greenworks Pro 2300 Max Brushless Electric Pressure Washer is a mouthful, but surely worth it. This model boasts Jet Flow Technology to rapidly rinse your area of choice. Plus, its 25-ft hose coupled with a pressure-sensing brushless motor, make this a standout appliance.
Its patented JETTFLOW technology delivers up to 50% more flow, reaching higher areas and quick power rinsing. More, its easy-to-grip spray nozzles offer cleaning options for every job, while its 10″ wheels offer simple maneuverability.
“In addition to its tangle-free hose, this responsive pressure washer features water pressure-sensing technology, assuring the perfect amount of pressure delivery,” McCoy adds. “Its brushless motor technology provides added torque.”
2. Craftsman Electric Pressure Washer, $167 to $189
Dimensions: 18.5 x 12.6 x 13.5 inches
If you’re looking for the best budget power washer, the Craftsman Electric Pressure Washer fits the bill. It’s just shy of $175 and features an integrated soap tank, an onboard nozzle and an extended reach of feet (we love a long power cord).
This model has a kink-resistant hose that eliminates hassle and provides long-lasting performance, too.
“This pressure washer is compact for easy storage and comes equipped with the accessories you need – including a soap applicator and two nozzles, plus a turbo nozzle – to wash your car or clean your back patio,” McCoy adds. “The pressure washer wand contains a comfort grip that is designed for ease of use.”
3. Greenworks 2300 PSI Electric Pressure Washer, $290
Dimensions: 20.5 x 36 x 35 inches
The Greenworks 2300 PSI Electric Pressure Washer isn’t just a Lowe’s best-seller but also one of the best with a long 25-ft hose that provides ample length to reach all areas of your surface. It’s also one of the most ergonomic, thanks to its rugged roll-cage design and 10″ wheels.
Equipped with a metal spray wand with soap, turbo, 15- and 40-degree spray tips and a premium foam cannon to use on a variety of projects, it’s tough to be beaten.
“This pressure washer is designed to tackle medium to heavy duty jobs with a variety of included spray nozzles to meet any project need,” McCoy says. “It helps to clean siding, decking, outdoor furniture, cars and everything in between.
Best Gas Pressure Washers
1. SIMPSON MegaShot 3200 Gas Pressure Washer, $399 to $450
Dimensions: 21 x 24 x 34 inches
The SIMPSON MegaShot 3200 Gas Pressure Washer is a wonderful Honda-engined super-cleaner that is reliable, great for cleaning large areas (like decks and patios) and boasts thermal relief to prevent overheating.
Its welded steel frame construction features a powder-coated finish for durability and corrosion resistance, too. You’ll also appreciate its 10″ premium tires for ease of maneuverability across various terrain.
“This top-rated pressure washer is perfect for the ‘Do-it-Yourselfer’ looking for maximum performance with minimal investment,” McCoy notes. “t’s great for cleaning decks, patios, outdoor furniture, house siding, and prepping home exteriors for painting.”
2. Westinghouse Gas Pressure Washer, $294 to $349
Dimensions: 21 x 19.5 x 39 inches
The Westinghouse Gas Pressure Washer amounts to nearly 15,000 reviews — and for a good reason. It’s high-performance pressure makes it wonderful for decks, fences, siding and more. Plus, its tough steel frame construction is one of the most durable we’ve seen.
Perfect for deep-cleaning home siding, windows, cars, patio furniture, and more, this model allows you to add your own chemical or detergent for extra cleaning power. Plus, its quick-connect nozzles come in multiple degree varieties to spray how you like it.
“This pressure washer is designed to tackle your toughest cleaning jobs with ease,” McCoy poins out. “The fuel tank and never-flat wheels offer easy mobility and maneuverability, allowing you to get into those hard-to-reach places with the toughest grime.”
New York Post Shopping Recommended Picks
1. Ryobi Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer, $429
Dimensions: 12.4 x 20.5 x 12.6 inches
As one of the most widely searched-for power washers on the market, the Ryobi electric model is one to add to your online shopping cart. Specifically, it features a high-performance brushless electric induction motor, a bonus turbo nozzle (to really clean fast) and is apt to cover the toughest of jobs, whether you’re washing your driveway or outdoor patio furniture.
2. Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer, $169, original price: $199
Dimensions: 15.6 x 13.5 x 33.9 inches
With nearly 50,000 rave reviews, it’s no surprise the Sun Joe Electric Pressure Washer is an Amazon best-seller. Namely, it has two detergent tanks (that are removable to carry and store different formulas for different cleaning jobs), an auto shut-off pump to save energy and prolong the pump life and a 34″ extension spray to target hard-to-reach places and areas.
3. Dewalt Electric Pressure Washer, $287
Dimensions: 23.1 x 11 x 15.5 inches
For something compact and easy to store — that doesn’t compromise efficiency — there’s none other than the Dewalt Electric Pressure Washer to render your home to a spick-and-span state. It only weighs 24 pounds, too, so it’s one of the easiest to manuever.
4. Simpson Clean Machine Gas Pressure Washer, $360
Dimensions: 22 x 13.5 x 29.3 inches
With an easy-to-start residential engine, the Simpson Clean Machine Gas Pressure Washer is abrasion-resistant (thanks to its powder-coated finish) and comes fully assembled. Its premium, heavy duty wheels are great on terrains, too.
5. Blubery Gas Pressure Washer, $400
Dimensions: 36 x 26 x 28 inches
The Blubery Gas Pressure Washer is a splurge-worthy buy if you love the efficiency of high-performance wheels. Its ergonomic handle make it great to maneuver around your home’s perimeter, and you’ll also appreciate how it has five adjustable nozzles to tackle every home improvement project on your list.
Do keep in mind that this model is quite large compared to others on this list, but great if you have room to store it in your garage or shed.
An FAQ on Pressure Washers
Ahead, Gary McCoy, store manager at central Charlotte Lowe’s, details what to know about pressure washers before ordering one online.
What types of pressure washers are there on the market?
As mentioned, pressure washers will either be powered by electric or gas, so choosing the best one for you depends on what you’ll be using it for.
“Electric pressure washers are great for light- to heavy-duty jobs such as removing dirt and grime from patio furniture, grills and deck patios,” McCoy suggests. “If you’re facing a heavy-duty job – think washing driveways, sidewalks or home exteriors – a gas pressure washer will give you the power you need.”
You’ll also see cold-water pressure washers, which are most common for DIY use, and hot-water pressure washers, which are better suited for industrial and farm use.
What to look for in a pressure washer, according to an expert
When buying a pressure washer, you should think about the power you need to get your job or task done.
“Power is measured by pressure output (in pounds per square inch or PSI) and water volume (in gallons per minute or GPM),” McCoy explains. “That means washers with a higher PSI and GPM will clean surfaces faster and give you more power.”
Again, what will work best for you depends on your individual needs.
Where can a pressure washer be used?
Most commonly, people use pressure washers for outdoor projects around the home. “That could include pressure washing home exteriors, decks and fences, cars, trucks, and boats and concrete driveways, to name a few typical uses,” McCoy lists.
How often should a pressure washer be used?
This information may vary based on the pressure washer you pick, so be sure to check your owner’s manual before starting any jobs.
“As a rule of thumb, gas pressure washers will require longer breaks from use than electric models,” McCoy explains. “If you’re looking to pressure wash your home, driveway or deck once a year (the standard for most homeowners), you should be fine – just check your maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual.”
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.