Pressure Washer Buying Guide
How to Choose a Pressure Washer
There are countless projects for a pressure washer, including a surprising number of uses around the home. Users are often amazed at how versatile these machines truly are.
No matter what task a person would like to use one for, it is essential to choose the right one for the job. Each type of power washer serves a different purpose, but with so many endless specs and features to compare, how does one decide on the right unit?
Discover everything a buyer needs to know to confidently choose the perfect power washer in the following guide.
Choosing the Right Pressure Washer
The first step for selecting a pressure washer is understanding what the most important terms mean and how to compare them. Then, you can determine which pressure washer grade is right for you. Please take a moment to review the chart below, which shows approximate spec ranges for different grades of pressure washers.
Understanding the Terminology
Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)
Water pressure is measured in PSI. The PSI rating indicates how much pressure is required to remove a stain. The stronger the chemical bond, the more pressure will be needed to remove it.
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
Water flow is measured in GPM. The higher the GPM, the more surface area a pressure washer can clean in a minute. If Washer A has a 2 GPM rating and Washer B has a 4 GPM rating, Washer B will clean twice as quickly because it uses twice as much water every minute for cleaning.
Cleaning Units
The true test of a pressure washer is measured in Cleaning Units (CU), also referred to as cleaning speed. Imagine two streams of water under the same amount of pressure. The first stream contains twice as much water as the second. As a result, it will clean twice as fast. One can calculate the CU by multiplying the PSI by the GPM. (PSI x GPM = CU).
Water Temperature
When looking at professional units, there are options for using hot or warm water, which can make a world of difference depending on the material being cleaned. There is no shortage of uses for hot-water pressure washers. Using unheated water is standard across all pressure washers, but only some professional units are built for and capable of handling hot water.
Electric vs. Gas-Powered Pressure Washers
This question is frequently asked, and here is the bottom line: Buyers get what they pay for, and it all depends on project expectations and desired usage.
Some homeowners enjoy using electric pressure washers because they are simple to use, lighter, and easier to carry. They can be stored in smaller spaces, require no maintenance, and are quieter than gas-powered units. However, even though the entry price of electric pressure washers might be lower for some units, so is their life expectancy by a few hundred work hours. Electric pressure washers are designed to be used only occasionally and discarded when they break, not repaired.
Many more people choose a gas-powered pressure washer because they are much more powerful at all levels, last much longer, and can be repaired. If a separate part fails, like a pump, the pump can be replaced, and the user can move on—almost anything on the unit's metal frame can be repaired or replaced. And, because it uses gasoline, it can be taken anywhere the job is. Most semi-pro and professional models are gas-powered and can be custom-built to fit specific needs.
Brush vs. Brushless Motors
Universal (or brush) motors are typically found in small, hand-carry pressure washers and perform the job at a very low price. If the pressure washer is rarely used, money can be saved by purchasing an electric power washer with a universal motor. It just won't last as long.
Induction (or brushless) motors, however, are typically used in larger, more powerful electric power washers. They typically last longer than universal motors, but they also cost more. If an electric pressure washer that lasts is desired, spending the extra few dollars to buy one with an induction motor is recommended.
Engine Size and CCs
The size of the engine determines the strength (and price) of the pressure washer. Basically, the consumer is buying CCs. The greater the CCs, the larger the engine, and the more expensive the pressure washer.
Axial vs. Triplex Pumps
Axial cam pumps are found on cheaper pressure washers. They are not meant for everyday use. If the washer is used infrequently, this is fine. In fact, with these pumps, it can be cheaper to buy a new pressure washer than it would be to replace the pump.
Triplex pumps are higher-quality pressure washer pumps that offer longer life and better performance. They also have a higher price tag, but if the intention is to use the power washer frequently, it is well worth the expense. If the pump breaks down, it can be rebuilt instead of requiring a new washer.
Pressure Washers for Homeowners
One doesn't have to be a professional contractor to take pride in keeping a home and garden looking their best. Consumer-grade pressure washers are very affordable and built for the DIY enthusiast. Buyers can choose between electric and gas-powered models.
Entry-level pressure washers are generally equipped with a consumer-grade engine and pump. These units are not designed for everyday use, but rather for homeowners who want to wash a car weekly or perform light periodic maintenance on driveways, sidewalks, siding, or fences. As mentioned earlier, please consider the important differences between electric and gas-powered pressure washers in this category, as they will greatly affect the types of projects the machine can properly clean.
Pressure Washers for Contractors & Professionals
Semi-pro pressure washers bridge the gap between consumer and professional units. These units are generally equipped with either a professional pump and a consumer engine, or a professional engine and a consumer pump. The frames are usually pro-grade steel; the wheels are typically made from never-flat materials, and much higher PSI, CFM, and CU options are available as well.
For folks who take home upkeep more seriously than just a chore, semi-pro pressure washers are the answer. They are designed to handle frequent use so one can clean to their heart's content on a regular basis. At the semi-pro level, options for customizing a setup become available, as does an easier time using attachments or accessories like soap injectors or surface cleaners.
This is also the category that small-business owners should consider if cost is important, and the business is small but growing. For those interested in starting a pressure washing business, the semi-pro category offers professional pressure washers for a consumer price. For mature businesses that already have a fleet of employees and pressure washers, they have likely already upgraded to commercial-grade pressure washers, as seen in the next section.
Commercial/Industrial Pressure Washers
While the PSI, GPM, & CU may be similar, that is not what a professional pressure washer is about. It's about endurance, strength, and versatility.
Commercial-grade pressure washers are built from the top down with professional-grade materials, making them suitable for everyday use. If that is done with a consumer unit, the pump will burn out much faster. Professional units have pro-grade pumps and engines and can use hot, warm, and cold water. They are the only realistic choice for professionals, business owners, and most contractors.
The best features, accessories, and customization options in the market are found on these models. From wall-mount pressure washers found at car washes to truck-mounted and trailer-tow pressure washers, retailers carry some of the best pro models on the market today, many of which can be fully custom-built for specific applications.
Maintenance & Storage
Regular maintenance of a pressure washer is the best thing an owner can do to ensure it has a long, productive life. Following the regular maintenance intervals listed in the owner's manual is recommended because each unit has unique needs.
Attachments & Accessories
Pressure washers come with a variety of tools and attachments designed to make cleaning faster, more efficient, and most importantly, easier.
Detergent Tanks
When cleaning tough stains, the power of water alone may not be enough. However, with the addition of concentrated detergents, cleaning mildew and mold from patios and brick is much easier.
While none of the small gas pressure washers have onboard detergent tanks, the best medium units do. Though less convenient, the other option is a siphon tube, which is placed in a bucket of detergent and water. The more efficient option is definitely the use of an onboard detergent tank.
Many cleaning projects, such as washing siding, require additional detergent. Just add detergent to the tank, conveniently located on the pressure washer, and use it without stopping to set up a separate bucket.
Spray Tips
A nice feature of small gas pressure washers is an assortment of spray tips, allowing the spray pattern to be tailored to the cleaning task. If rinsing detergent from siding, use a wider spray. But if blasting mold and mildew from a walkway, choose a concentrated jet spray.
In a 5-pack, the tips are:
- 0° – red, concentrated pencil jet
- 15° – yellow, high performance
- 25° – green, multi-purpose
- 40° – white, sensitive surfaces
- 65° – black, low-pressure detergent application
Next Steps
At the end of the day, we want to give you the satisfaction of knowing you confidently chose the pressure washer you want and truly need, not just the first one you see. The more you use a pressure washer, the more you'll learn that there are surprising uses for it that will keep you cleaning all season long.
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