Last Updated on
Top Overall Pick
Stanley SHP2150
Premium Choice
Powerhouse Platinum Edition
Best Value
Sun Joe SPX201E
Do you have a big cleaning job that takes hours and hours of scrubbing if you do it by hand? If you want to save time and spare yourself lots of aching muscles then it would be wise to look into getting a pressure washer.
Using a pressure washer can be a lot of fun. There isn’t quite anything like blasting crud and grime off of your deck, siding, boat, RV, or hundreds of other things. But it’s not without its dangers. We’ve put together this article to help educate you about the most important things to look for when purchasing a pressure washer and provide reviews of the very best electric pressure washer on the market today.
Our Favorite Electric Pressure Washers on the Market [2020]
10 Best Electric Pressure Washers - Reviews
1. Stanley SHP2150 Pressure Washer - Best Overall Pick
Key Features
Our favorite electric pressure washer is the Stanley SHP2150, which hits every mark on our list of necessities for an excellent all-around pressure washer. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and portable.
The Stanley SHP2150 applies genuine pressure at 2150 PSI, which is sufficient for most home cleaning jobs, including some of the tougher ones that other washers can’t handle.
Stanley SHP2150 offers a quick-change system for nozzle attachments and keeps all your nozzle attachments stored conveniently on the wand for easy access. Stanley also includes a high-pressure foam cannon bottle attachment, making it easier for you to soap down your vehicle (or any other cleaning surface).
One other nice feature that the Stanley washer has, which others do not, is the collapsible handle. Much like a luggage trolley, you can stow the handle down to save a little room when storing it in the garage. Factoring all of this together, this very well might be the best home electric pressure washer on the market.
Pros
Cons
2. Sun Joe SPX201E Electric Pressure Washer - Best for the Money
Key Features
It’s unfair to compare the Sun Joe SPX201E with some of the other, more robust pressure washers on our list because it doesn’t aspire to be that. It’s a straightforward washer that’s light, portable, and provides enough power to take care of light jobs (like spray washing your patio or outside furniture).
Much like the Sun Joe SPX3000 below, its total stop system completely shuts off the unit when you’re not pressing the trigger. But, rather than having an assortment of nozzle heads to quickly swap, this version has an adjustable nozzle with a few possible settings. These settings don’t have the range of options you may want from a fancier pressure washer, but they’re adequate for most household chores.
The Sun Joe SPX 201E’s best feature is its overall design. Compared to most other pressure washers, this unit is tiny and weighs just under fifteen pounds. So it stores easily in nearly any available space with no trouble. All in all, this is the best small electric pressure washer available.
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3. Powerhouse Electric Pressure Washer (Platinum Edition) - Premium Choice
Key Features
At the other end of the cost-benefit analysis is our premium pick, the aptly named Powerhouse International. One glance at this beefy unit shows a sturdy pressure washer crammed with attachments held neatly in place for every possible use.
The Powerhouse International comes stocked with quick-change attachments, putting it at the top of several other top ten lists. It includes a soap bottle, bristle brush, and surface cleaner, and somehow manages to find space to hold them all, along with the handy hose reel. It also has a stunning 3000 pounds per square inch, which is high enough to rate it as a professional model.
There is little this beast can’t do, which is reflected in its price. But, with all the features it offers, it will keep you from buying additional attachments, making it economical in the long run. Whether you are cleaning leaves out of the gutter or blasting graffiti off of a wall, this washer can handle it.
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4. PRYMAX 3000 PSI 1.85 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
At the other end of the spectrum is this pressure washer from Prymax, delivering a stunning 3000 pounds of pressure per square inch. This amount of power comes at a very reasonable price with an assortment of terrific features, like an onboard hose reel and quick-change attachments. While it may not be the best of the bunch, it’s still fantastic for its price range.
While it isn’t uncommon among pressure washing systems, the quick-connect system for attachments on the Prymax is an excellent addition that complements the intense power. It enables you to swap out spray nozzles with little fuss where competitors may use inefficient twist-on attachments that can be frustrating.
The Prymax washer comes with four color-coded attachments covering most situations for home use. And they snap directly onto the spray wand for ease-of-use.
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5. Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
The Sun Joe SPX3000 has enough power for virtually any regular household job, so it should come as no surprise to see their entry on a top ten list.
The Sun Joe SPX operates at a steady 1450 PSI, which is good enough for blasting the crud off your deck or your grill, but not powerful enough to risk damaging the stain or the paint on most projects. This pressure washer comes with dual onboard detergent tanks, providing versatility and convenience to your cleaning routine. You can even switch quickly between detergents without swapping out attachments or complicated maintenance.
This Sun Joe pressure washer is also nearly noiseless, which makes it great for quiet neighborhoods. And, unlike more powerful gas units, it stores in small spaces when not in use.
Arguably the best thing about this pressure washer is its price. There are a lot of excellent pressure washers out there, but there aren’t many that are this good at such a reasonable price point. Sun Joe makes some of the most notable pressure washers around, and you’ll often find them on several top ten lists.
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6. Karcher K5 Premium Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
Another entry in this top ten list is also on the expensive side, but its water-cooled motor and adjustable spray wand make it well worth it. At 2000 PSI, the Karcher K5 is one of the more powerful units on our list, but the addition of two different spray wands also makes it versatile enough to handle any situation. One spray wand applies maximum pressure in a single stream, while the other has an adjustable nozzle for more specific applications.
In spite of its high pressure, the Karcher K5 only uses 1.4 gallons per minute, making it environmentally friendly. And, its sleek design includes an onboard hose reel, built-in detergent tank, and durable wheels for easy maneuverability as well as storage space for both spray wands.
The Karcher K5 includes a 2-year limited warranty if anything should go wrong.
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7. PAXCESS 2150 PSI 1.85 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
One of the most impressive pressure washers we’ve seen (that might actually be a little too powerful) is this unit from PAXCESS. At 2150 PSI, it scours away even the toughest grime. But, with this kind of power, it’s possible to unintentionally strip away paint or damage other surfaces.
The PAXCESS pressure washer comes with a unique adjustable spray wand with two settings — narrow and wide. Twist the nozzle to change the setting from one to the other, which allows you to direct the spray from high to low pressure without needing to affix a new nozzle attachment. It also comes with a removable detergent tank, making it easier to clean and also allowing you to use different kinds of soaps and cleaning agents.
The PAXCESS Pressure washer also comes with a long 26-foot hose and onboard hose reel.
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8. SNAN 3000 PSI 1.8 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
The SNAN Pressure washer is another that offers a lot of power for a comparatively small price tag, which makes it the runner up in the most economical field. It has all of the features one should expect from a good pressure washer, including the total stop system, multiple nozzle attachments, and a foam detergent attachment.
The low price distinguishes this from others in its field. It easily offers many of the features you expect from a much more expensive pressure washer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a hose reel for easy cleanup, and at 19 feet, it has one of the shorter hoses compared to many of its competitors, limiting its range.
Customers have also reported issues with leaky hoses or ill-fitting hose attachments. Potential buyers should factor these concerns into their purchasing decision.
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9. Greenworks GPW1501 Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
Greenworks has been making strides in providing affordable home maintenance gear like snow blowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, trimmers, and pressure washers. Though it may not offer a lot of power, we still think the Greenworks GPW1501 1500 PSI unit is a terrific pressure washer for most home uses, which is why it is included in our top ten.
The Greenworks pressure washer doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it doesn’t try to. It’s easy to use, portable, and designed to be functional for everyone — even the less mechanically inclined. It includes only two quick attachments and a detergent bottle. The wand and hose may be small compared to many other units, but it works perfectly for most simple tasks such as washing furniture or sidewalks.
If you’re looking for something simple without all the frills, and at a reasonable price, the Greenworks washer might work beautifully for you.
Pros
Cons
10. AR Blue Clean AR383 Electric Pressure Washer
Key Features
If you’re looking for a pressure washer that has a little more oomph, you might consider the AR Blue Clean. At 1900 PSI, it’s at the top end of useful home pressure washer, making it a bit of a danger to more sensitive materials like brick and sandstone.
The AR Blue Clean boasts the ability to conserve 80% of your water, making it environmentally friendly. This version has a nice assortment of attachments, including two pressure wands and an attachable 14 oz detergent bottle. The variable nozzle is a great added feature but it can be dangerous if you change it while washing.
It does have a few design flaws that prevent it from getting a higher rating. The wheels are smaller, which makes it less maneuverable. And the pressure hose connection is too close to the tool caddy, which can make hose replacement and removal more of a chore than it should be.
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Final Verdict: Our Overall Winner
Stanley SHP2150
What makes a pressure washer ‘good’ is largely determined by what the user is trying to accomplish. So it’s not easy to pick a one-size-fits-all absolute best electric pressure washer. It’s always relative to the buyer’s specific needs.
That being said, for general-purpose home use, you can do no better than the Stanley SHP2150. It’s strong enough to handle almost all of your home needs without being so strong that you need to worry about it damaging the surface you are cleaning. If you think you may need more power and features, then consider the Powerhouse international. It has every feature you could desire and more.
Buyer’s Guide
Low-pressure Facts about Pressure Washers
A pressure washer acts much like your thumb when you press it down into the stream of water flowing from your garden hose, except it uses an internal motor to increase the velocity of water intake and then shoots it out through a nozzle head that concentrates the force of the water.
Concentrated water fired at high-pressure can blast off dirt and caked in grime. With industrial-grade models, you can even strip off paint or scour decades of grime from old brick. Pressure washer is perfect for removing mold from siding, erasing grease, flushing dirt off your deck, or simply washing your car.
What kind of Pressure Washers is right for me?
Pressure washer come in two basic styles, Gas and Electric. Gas pressure washer operate with standard gasoline engines and are fully portable. Often quite heavy, their motors are capable of throwing out an industrial-grade 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure, which is capable of stripping paint, or disintegrating brick mortise.
Electric pressure washer frequently have lower PSI and are restricted by an external power source to an insulated cord. (And, yes, the power cords are waterproof.) Though some electric pressure washer can dish out astonishing amounts of power, most are milder, which makes them perfect for home use. Electric pressure washer is also quiet, so you won’t need to worry about annoying your neighbors.
Unless you’re planning on industrial cleanings, such as removing graffiti or caked in oil stains, you’ll likely want an electric pressure washer. They’re the best option for home uses such as patios, grills, and siding. Most people use them as a quick and painless way to clean their car. In fact, they usually have detergent attachments that allow you spray soap onto your vehicle.
Things to Look for When Buying a Pressure Washer
The first thing you want to consider is what you’re planning on using it for and what surfaces you want to clean. If you only need it for occasionally cleaning your car, then a smaller and more portable unit is entirely sufficient. If, on the other hand, you have years of mold on your home siding, or particularly nasty stains in your driveway from oil spills, you may want to consider a more robust system.
All pressure washers measure pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI). The higher the PSI, the greater the force (and velocity) of the water. Thus, if you have more resilient dirt and stains, you’ll be looking for something with higher PSI, while a little mud on your deck or car may require only a low PSI.
Most pressure washers offer different attachments to generate pressure differentials in the nozzle, much like attachments for your garden hose. These attachments create more diffused or concentrated sprays for various purposes. A zero angle nozzle, for instance, creates a single stream of high-pressure water firing out of the nozzle, whereas a 40-degree attachment throws water in a fan capable of washing larger areas.
Pressure washers also measure in gallons per minute (GPM). This indicates the total volume of water that is firing out at any given moment, which tells you how much force is being applied. Units with a higher GPM force out more water out and are therefore capable of handling tougher jobs. However, they are also less environmentally friendly.
A Word of Caution
As fun as they are to use, pressure washers can be dangerous. You should always read the instruction manuals on any electric pressure washer you buy.
Pressure washers blast dirt at high velocity. The high velocity can, and often does, create dislodged projectiles that may accidentally injure the user or anyone standing by. Never fire a electric pressure washer at another person and always use safety goggles or a face shield.
Certain surfaces (like sandstone or asphalt roofing) don’t take well to pressure washing as it disintegrates the granules and erodes the surface, causing extensive damage. You may be able to prevent any damage by using a wider angled nozzle or by adjusting the pressure, but you should generally avoid porous surfaces.
Until you understand how much power your washer has, stand at least five to six feet from the surface you are cleaning, and use an attachment.
