Choosing The Best Pressure Washer For Your Home Or Business

Looking for the best pressure washer? With improvements in engineering being added every year, knowing and understanding the differences in today’s new features are important when selecting a new power washer for you or your business.

Pressure Washer Reviews 2015

Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional contractor finding the best pressure washer at an affordable price has become easier and easier.With improved engineering and lower manufacturing costs prices have come down considerably over the last few years – and when you combine this with the deals found online it makes doing your research on the web certainly worth your while.

Having been in the business for more then 30 years, I’ve owned dozens of these machines. A good pressure washer with the right set of tips, a well designed “pick-up tube” and the correct PSI is essential if you want the job done right. The purpose of this website is to give you the information you need to find the right machine for your needs at the best possible price.

Having the option to professionally clean everything from the exterior of your home, to your driveway, sidewalks, roof, pool decks, patio furniture or even your car is fast and easy when you own a pressure washer. The best pressure washers are efficient in terms of their water use, energy consumption (gas or electric), have an easy to use siphon tube for applying bleach and detergents, and a comfortable, ergonomically designed wand and gun assembly. Other important considerations include the PSI output, mobility and of course, price. If you’re looking to occasionally clean things around the house, there’s no need to spend the money on a more expensive heavy-duty unit. However, you also don’t want to buy a washer that is not capable of cleaning what you need or too heavy to move and lift by yourself.

Pressure washers are powered by either a gas engine or an electric motor. The increased water pressure exists through a small steel tip at the end of the wand boosting water pressure more then fifty times that of a typical garden hose. This increased pressure makes for an efficient and more thorough removal of dirt, loose paint, mildew or other contaminants. Interchangeable tips can provide varied fans and concentrated pressure as well, giving the operator several options depending on what they are trying to clean. In the “old days’ the only real alternative was to rent a machine at $40 to $50 per day – and sometimes more! But with washers costing between $100 and $500 it makes better sense to buy one in most cases.

Looking For A Discount?

Built to meet the heavy-duty requirements of the professional contractor, the Simpson Powershot has a lot of power while still being small enough to easily transport, set-up and lift by yourself.
This model is ideal for the contractor who’s jobs include stripping of paint, heavy mildew removal, deck cleaning and many other industrial style, hard to clean surfaces. This Simpson model has a commercial series Honda gas engine built with quality parts designed for daily use on difficult jobsites.

The whole unit is mounted on a strong steel frame with rugged tires for easy moving from spot to spot. The high pressure hose has quick connect adapters for the wand and gun making it easy to assemble and break down while still being durable with its poly-braided / steel-braided high pressure hose.

The spray gun is well-built and comfortable to hold even with a 4 foot extension wand attached for hard to reach soffits and ceilings. The attached pick-up tube siphons detergents and chlorine extremely well and comes with its own soap applicator for exceptionally dirty jobs.

“This item is currently available at 52% off retail price with free shipping!”

The Simpson Megashot is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer looking for a powerful, high performace washer – but is equally suited for the contractor who needs a machine for small jobs.

Quick to set up and easy to move around for one person this model works great for cleaning exterior siding, pool decks, lawn furniture, driveways or pavers. Slightly smaller then the Powershot, it’s easy to load into the trunk of a car by one person.

Equipped with a Honda motor, Simpson is well known for using high quality components in the pressure washing industry. Very easy to start, the Honda engine will provide you many years of consistent service with minimal maintenance.

For those really dirty or mildewed jobs, simply place the siphon tube into your detergent safe compartment and really clean the surface like a pro. Also included is an ergonomically designed spray gun, wand and safety lock to avoid injury. Simpson has a one year limited warranty for the entire unit, two year limited warranty for the motor, one year on the pump, and ninety days for the gun, hose, wand and tips.

“This item is currently available at 25% off retail price with free shipping!”

Perfect for the homeowner or light commercial use, this powerful pressure washer from Generic can handle most of the tough jobs around the house. With its 190CC gas engine this model is great for pressure washing decks, driveways or the outside of your house to prepare it for painting.

Included with the gun and wand assembly are four quick change tips including a 40 degree tip used for applying siphoned detergents or bleach, a 25 degree tip for standard cleaning, and a 0 degree tip for pin-point blasting.

Despite being lower in price, this Generic pressure washer is built to last and is exceptionally easy to move around and operate. I like the welded step for easy pull starting and the built in holster for the spray gun as well. Generic is relatively new to the power washer industry.

However, Generic sells more home emergency generators on Amazon then all competitors combined. It appears they have brought that same high level of commitment and quality to their pressure washer line as well.

“This item is currently available at 15% off retail price with free shipping!”

If you decide to go with an electric powered pressure washer, this Karcher X-Series 2000 psi model is a powerful unit with their patented water cooled motor. This new technology allows the combined use of a strong induction motor cooled by water and is exclusive to Karcher.

About as strong as you can get for an electric washer, this machine comes with two spray wands, one for light duty cleaning and the other for jobs requiring more pressure and cutting power. This heavy duty wand increases the psi by more then fifty percent.

Also included is a quick connect for your garden hose which eliminates the need to thread your hose to the machine – as well as an adapter to draw water from a container or standing source when a water faucet is not on the jobsite (optional accessory must be purchased).

Electric washers are much quieter then their gas powered relatives and the Karcher X-Series is the most powerful electric pressure washer in this price range. Low maintenance, quieter and the ability to draw water without a water faucet make this my favorite if an electric machine is best for you.

“This item is currently available at 17% off retail price with free shipping!”

AR Blue Clean 1900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

The AR Blue Clean is an electric motor pressure washer designed for light cleaning and occasional use. Small, lightweight and easy to operate this unit is great for chlorinating and cleaning mildew, patio decks, outdoor furniture or your car.

Although the machine shows 1900 psi, the power is not enough for tough cleaning jobs where cutting power is needed so you’ll want to keep that in mind.

This model comes equipped with a gun, an adjustable spray tip, attached wand and high pressure hose. The machine is capable of siphoning chlorine or detergent for cleaning with its built-in injector kit. Great for easy cleaning around the home of office but not recommended for tough or dirty jobs.

“This item is currently available at 27% off retail price with free shipping!”

How To Select The Best Pressure Washer For You

Pressure Washer Reviews – Overview

Statistics show that most homeowners end up buying an electric pressure washer because of its lower price and less maintenance. Electric models are also quiet, but their cleaning power is less then half of what you’ll get from a gas powered pressure washer. The cutting and cleaning ability with an electric motor is noticeably less and only recommended for light use around the house.

There’s no doubt that the gas powered engines are clearly better performing in terms of speed, stripping of loose paint and applying bleach or detergents. But they can be dangerous to use and are also capable of damaging surfaces if you are not careful. A gas pressure washer will get the job done much better and in less time, but you need to operate it safely and correctly.

The PSI of your machine is a measurement that defines the pounds per square inch of water pressure as it leaves the end of the tip. Most gas powered washers will be in the 1500 to 3000 PSI range, while electric units generally fall between 750 and 1500 PSI. Having said that, the gas powered machine will always out perform the electric with similar specifications. The cutting power for a gas machine is roughly ten times that of its electric counterpart. If you’ve got projects requiring anything more then light chlorinating and cleaning you’ll probably want to go with a gas engined pressure washer.

Gas powered models require more safety precautions to avoid personal injury and/or the damaging of the object being cleaned. For example, a zero degree tip at 2500 psi can splinter or gouge wood siding, stucco and even cement. Just imagine what it could do to your body. Further, gas models are noisier, producing approximatly 82 decibals of sound, with electric motors averaging 75 decibals when the motor is running.

Gas Pressure Washers

Gas powered pressure washers are extremely powerful machines. Anything over 2000 psi will deliver impressive results for most pressure cleaning requirements. Anything more then 3000 psi is in most cases over-kill with the potential to damage the surfaces being cleaned. However, for tough jobs and most painting projects a gas pressure washer is the only way to clean the surface properly. Personal injury is also a concern. Learn to use the machine properly and exercise proper safety procedures (see safety guide below).

Electric Pressure Washers

These machines are fine for homeowners or handymen who need a small washer for light duty cleaning. Because of its lower pressure, an electric washer is easier to handle, is not likely to damage the surface, and is considered safer to operate. In most cases it’s enough for normal cleaning projects around the house but would not be powerful enough for stripping paint or other tough jobs. Electric pressure washers are also quieter then gas pressure washers and are silent when the trigger has been released.

Spray Tips – Adjustable Spray Nozzles

Depending on the type of cleaning required and the surface being pressure washed varied spray fan widths are needed. The larger the tip size, the lower the pressure. For example, a 40 degree tip would have more volume and lower pressure then a 25 or 15 degree tip. Conversely, the smaller the orifice (or tip size) the higher the pressure. A typical assortment of tips would be a 40, 25, 15 and 0. Lower pressure machines will have an adjustable nozzle for varying the fan size and pressure – whereas the more powerful, commercial use pressure washers will use interchangable tips.

Mobility and Set Up

Choose a pressure washer with a sturdy frame, large balanced wheels, and easy storage for the hose, gun and wand. Pressure washers have to moved frequently when cleaning some projects so you want a machine that rolls easily without much effort. Weight, size and the overall configuration of your pressure washer should be easy to pick up and transport by yourself if you are working alone.

Motors and Pumps

The best electric pressure washers use induction motors because they’re quiet, stay cool when running and are very low in maintenance. Top-line gas pressure washers are water cooled when the pump is running via a thermal relief valve. This allows water to circulate and cool the pump when the trigger is not pulled. Overheating of the pump is the single biggest cause of machine breakdowns. Make sure the water faucet is always on when the motor is running. This is a common oversight by inexperienceed users and must be avoided.

Warranty and Service

These machines do not have a very long life span. The pressure washer reviews on this site are for models that should last at least 5 years if you take care of them. I recommend a one year warranty for electric pressure washers and gas pressure washers should have at least two years on the pump and motor.

Avoid Injury And Protect Your Property

Pressure washers are powerful machines and should be used with caution. According to Consumer Reports injuries resulting from pressure washing have risen to over 2500 incidents per year. Common injuries include skin lacerations, eye injuries from caustic chemicals (bleach, detergents, industrial cleaners), debris bouncing back, and burns from the gas engines muffler. Surfaces can be damaged from scarring, splintering or gouging from the wrong sized tip or holding the spray wand to close to the surface.

Here are some quick tips to avoid these problems:

• Always begin your cleaning by holding the tip at least 4 feet away from the surface being pressure washed. Move closer as needed.
• Use extra caution when operating with a zero degree tip. The concentrated blast from this tip size can damage soft wood, masonry and people!
• Protect your eyes with safety goggles, avoid exposure to chemical burns from bleach and detergents, and wear shoes.
• Be aware of your surroundings, protect plants, fabrics, cars and others who may walk into the work area.
• Always check windows and doors before starting. Be sure to keep your distance when rising these openings.
• Avoid direct blasting to electrical outlets, light fixtures, air conditioners, and screens.
• Practice, practice, practice!

Pressure Washer Reviews – Helpful Tips

Excluding the pump and motor, most parts are inexpensive and easy to replace. Plastic connectors attaching pressure hoses to the gun or pump are most likely to fail. Keep an eye on any plastic connections and replace with brass or steel when possible. Steel braided reinforced pressure lines are the best and will last for years. Avoid kinks during storage and during operation.

Protect the pump from overheating by checking oil and making sure the water faucet is on while the motor is running. Gas powered engines require more maintenance then electric. Schedule regular tune-ups, change the spark plug, use a fuel stabilizer to stop it from gumming up the carbuerator (for long storage periods), and take precautions for freezing weather during the winter.

For electric pressure washers always use a commercial grade, heavy gauge electric cord. Keep the extension cord length as short as possible during use and go with a twelve gauge extension cord for anything over twenty-five feet.

Electric pressure washers need heavy-gauge extension cords. Experts say it’s best not to use an extension cord, but if you need the extra distance from the outlet, make sure you are using the right cord: a 14-gauge cord for up to 25 feet or a 12-gauge cord to reach up to 50 feet. Check operating manual for maximum length.

Pressure washing is not a cure-all for stripping and prepping substrates for painting. By using the best pressure washer for your job you can make fast work of any project. However, getting good results often requires a sensible combination of power washing and hand tools.

Try applying your bleach and detergent solution on a dry surface and allow it ample time to work before pressure washing. When chlorinating exteriors always apply the solution from the bottom working your way up. This can dramatically reduce unsightly stains because the drips and run-off are hitting wetted out surfaces as it makes its way to the ground.

The recommendations and guidelines provided by Pressure Washer Reviews should help you find the best pressure washer at a discounted price. Good Luck!