The 6 Best Electric Pressure Washers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Got grime to get rid of? These powerful machines have you covered.
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No doubt there was a time when washing your ride with a sponge and bucket of soapy water on the driveway was a fun, sunny-day activity. But fast-forward a couple of decades, and the last thing you want to do on a sunny Sunday afternoon is sweat it out on such a mundane, exhausting cleaning task.
Thankfully, electric pressure washers make tough jobs that require extra muscle—like removing gunk from your car, gear, or property—much easier. These machines attach to a garden hose and give you the power to blast dirt off surfaces that would otherwise require hours of elbow grease to tidy up. And, you don’t need to spend more than a couple hundred dollars to get in the pressure-washing game.
We put a bunch of models from trusted brands to the test to find the best electric pressure washers for home use. Scroll down for expert advice on essentials to consider before shopping, along with reviews of our top recommendations.
The Best Electric Pressure Washers
- Best Overall: Greenworks Pro Electric Pressure Washer
- Best Value: Sun Joe Xtream
- Most Powerful: Ryobi 2,700-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Most Portable: DeWalt 2,100-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Easiest to Handle: Craftsman 2,100-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
- Best for Small Jobs: Craftsman 1,500-PSI Electric Pressure Washer
What to Consider
Uses
Electric pressure washers are best for lighter work and small jobs—figure projects that take 30 minutes max—like washing down driveways and sidewalks or gently cleaning decks, patio furniture, or aluminum siding. These handy tools can also remove debris from cars and gravel bikes as you use a light touch and a white nozzle, which has the widest spray and thus is least likely to damage delicate surfaces. (If cleaning a car is your main objective, you’re best served by a cordless pressure washer.)
Electric vs. Gas
Electric pressure washers have quieter motors and are easier maintain than their gas counterparts, which need oil changes, filter replacements, and yearly spark plug checks. With no fuel on board, electric pressure washers can sit indoors in winter, plus they’re easier to operate and have a convenient built-in soap tank. As for cost, electric pressure washers are generally less expensive, lighter, and better for the environment. The downside is that they aren’t as powerful and can’t handle extended use, especially in hot weather because the components can easily overheat. As a rule, electric pressure washers tap out at about 2,700 pounds per square inch (psi), with a max flow rate from 1.2 to 2.3 gallons per minute (gpm).
Safety
Because they have less power, electric pressure washers are generally safer than gas pressure washers. That said, they can still do damage if you use them incorrectly. For personal safety and to protect your stuff, always start with a green or white nozzle, which have wide spray angles to decrease the intensity of the water stream.
If one of those doesn’t do the job, use careful judgement before moving to a yellow or red nozzle, which produce narrower streams with cutting edges that may gouge more delicate surfaces. Another no-no: never use a pressure washers on anything electrical because they're sure to damage components. If this is your first time using a pressure washer, be sure to stand at a distance from whatever you’re cleaning and keep the wand moving to prevent too much force from damaging an area.
How We Selected and Tested
The electric pressure washers we looked at are all from reliable brands that we’ve come to trust over the years, such as DeWalt, Greenworks, Craftsman, Ryobi, and others. To inform our selections, we relied on the expertise of PopMech’s Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn, as he put every electric pressure washer here through his rigorous testing. That included comparing how each model washed cement and brick paving, vinyl fencing, and outdoor furniture, among other messy cleaning jobs. He also carefully washed a few cars using the safest nozzle, and considered things such as ease of use and performance in real-world scenarios to glean potential flaws and deal-breakers. Our final lineup represents the best models across categories that address different needs and budgets.
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.