The AR Blue Clean AR118 and AR383 Pressure Washers Reviews
The AR Blue Clean AR118 and AR Blue Clean AR383 Pressure Washers are two residential level pressure washers from AR North America. Both are good units for home use, but they have some different features. Both units have pros and cons, and weighing these will help make the choice of which model to buy easier.
The AR118 pressure washer is a hand held, electric unit. It produces 1500 psi of pressure, and can pump 1.5 gallons of water per minute. The unit is small, less than 12 pounds, and has a built in carry handle to easily move it around the house. The power cord is 30 feet, and the hose is 20 feet. This ensures you won’t have to move the unit too often while working. This compact unit has space to wrap up the cord and hose, and to clip the gun and nozzle. There is a safety valve with a pressure shut off built into the spray head. The spray head is adjustable, has a detergent tank and a water filter.
The AR383 pressure washer is a larger unit. The upright body has wheels on the bottom for easier mobility. At 27 pounds it is still very light for a pressure washer. The unit also puts out 1.5 gallons per minute, but produces 1900 psi of pressure. Unlike most models, this pressure washer has a hose reel to keep the 20 foot hose neatly stored away. There is also a space to wrap up the 30 foot electric cord. The spray head assembly is fully adjustable and includes a water filter, detergent tank and detergent injector. The spray wand has an automatic safety valve with shut off.
Pros
These two units have some very good features. The AR118’s light weight and portability are nice, but its small size is the nicest feature. This pressure washer would be a good choice for a person with little space in which to keep a larger machine. Many pressure washers are very large and heavy, and wouldn’t work for a home with little storage space.
The AR383, while bigger than the AR118, is built in an upright style. This gives it a smaller footprint than other units, which means it is still easy to store. Both units are electrical models. Electric pressure washers are not as strong as gas units, but they do have cheaper operating costs and don’t require annoying trips to the gas station to finish a job. Both units have on board detergent tanks and detergent nozzles, making jobs like cleaning the car or boat easy.
At 1500 and 1900 psi, these units are a good power for home use. They will easily clean a car or boat, degrease a grill, or power wash a deck or sidewalk. For heavier jobs you would need a more powerful model, like the Generac 6020 2,500 psi washer. There is a good guide to the different psi ratings on pressure washers at UltimateWasher.com. The AR383’s greater power will make certain jobs easier and give a little more versatility to the unit. Having the power controls on the spray gun also makes it easier to use the unit. Being able to turn the motor off when not actually spraying helps to reduce wear and tear on the units.
Cons
Both of these units are mainly plastic, which can break if treated harshly. They simply won’t be as durable as units with a welded metal frame. The fittings for the water inlets on both units are plastic. The threads may easily strip or leak and many people have suggested replacing them with brass fittings to ensure a quality connection and longevity.
Both of these units are cold water washers. Pressure washers that heat the water do a better job with cleaning oil and grease stains, and work well with most detergents. Cold water systems are cheaper, but if the job involves detergents, a hot water system, would be better. There are a few complaints from customers that the water hose could be higher quality. They claim that the rubber tends to kink up and is too hard and inflexible. There are also complaints of leaks from both units.
Bottom Line
Both of these units are good pressure washers for those on a budget. The AR Blue Clean AR118 is perfect for people who don’t have a lot of storage space and need a simple pressure washer to use around the house. It is one of the smallest pressure washers on the market, and one of the lightest. The AR Blue Clean AR383 washer, on the other hand, is good for people who need a slightly stronger washer. Many people have had positive experiences with both units, despite gripes about broken plastic housings and leaky parts. While neither is top of the line, they are both good low-cost choices.
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