Pressure washers seem simple on paper, but there’s a lot of features and design differences that can completely change how they work, what they can do, or how they’re meant to be used. It might seem tempting to buy whichever model or band you come across first, but you should understand what you’re buying if you want to make sure that it’s the right product for you – not every electric pressure washer will work perfectly for every purpose, especially if you need it for delicate or niche jobs.
We’ve put together a list of ten of the best electric pressure washer models we could find, including some of their main pros, what they do differently and the reasons we think they stand out from the crowd.
Our Top Pick
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Top 10 Best Electric Pressure Washers
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10 Best Electric Pressure Washers Reviews
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Electric Pressure Washer Buyer’s Guide
There are a lot of intricate differences between certain electric pressure washer models and designs, so knowing what to look for is an important part of the purchasing process – if you buy something that’s not useful to you or doesn’t suit your needs properly, you might not get another chance to replace it, so you should always make sure you’re well-informed about each decision you make.
PSI
A higher Pounds per Square Inch measurement generally means that more water is flowing through the washer’s hose every second, which usually equates to more cleaning power and a stronger force behind the stream of water it puts out. However, it’s possible to have too much PSI if you’re using it for weaker surfaces, so you should choose something that’s balanced for the purpose you need it for, rather than going for the strongest PSI measurement each time.
The Hose
While you can technically attach your own hose to an electric pressure washer, it’s not always an option if you’ve got a limited budget or need a very specific type of hose that you can’t buy separately. Ideally, you should try to get one that’s long enough to reach most dirty areas, but powerful enough to still wash them properly without having a drop in pressure or PSI.
How Do I use an Electric Pressure Washer?
The first step to using any kind of electric tool is to plug it in – however, unlike a lot of similar cleaning utilities, some electric pressure washers are designed for external plugs and power sources rather than the normal ones you’ll see inside your house. Once it’s plugged in, attach the hose as tight as possible and make sure there’s no obvious gaps or cuts that could result in water spraying out in the wrong direction.
Make sure it’s got an adequate supply of water, whether it’s a built-in tank, external reservoir or direct connection to the water mains, and be sure that you’ve filled up any optional extra detergent tanks if you’re planning to use them. Once you know that it has power and water, attach a spray tip to the end of the hose – some models might come with multiple tips, so make sure you know what they do ahead of time.
Why Does my Electric Pressure Washer keep Cutting Out?
If your electric pressure washer keeps cycling on and off, it could be a pressure issue rather than an engine problem, especially if the water seems to be slowly fading on and off rather than suddenly cutting out. Check for obvious water leaks in the hose and washer frame to make sure that no water is draining out and making the pressure drop.
If you find one, either replace the hose or repair it with something waterproof, like rubber repair tape. If there’s no leak, you may need to check the engine and see if there’s something wrong with one of the connections, or look at the place it’s drawing power from to see if it’s actually keeping up with the demand.
How to Winterize an Electric Pressure Washer?
To winterize an electric pressure washer while you’re not using it, remove any water and cleaning agents left in its water tanks, then add some pure water and run it through the nozzle at a low pressure to clear out the internal pipes. It should be almost completely drained of water when you’re done, and the rest should hopefully evaporate naturally.
Once you’re sure it’s empty, add some ‘pump saver’ antifreeze instead and make sure that it’s running through the entire system. This will stay in liquid form throughout the whole winter, making it safe to leave in the electric pressure washer until you need it again.
Expert Tip
Pressure washer wands may look one-handed, but they’re designed to work as a two-handed tool as well – this is incredibly important at higher pressure levels since you’re more likely to accidentally drop it.
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