I've been looking at getting a new pressure washer for my house since my old one is currently living at our ranch.

I'm partial to a gas powered unit but would be willing to consider an electric one. I would mostly use it for cleaning around the house (driveway, house, car).

I have looked around online and haven't been able to find one that is hands down better than any other. Consumer Reports apparently won't review anything that comes with a 0* tip because they are too dangerous but...


Budget is ~$500 although feel free to be OB and suggest something considerably more expensive.

Got one for Fathers Day from Northern Tools. I think it was around tree fiddy. I like it. I'll try to find model number and post it up as it's not here at the house.

I got this one recommended by wirecutter on sale at home depot for below $200. I've only used it a few times but seems to work fine cleaning outdoor furniture, sidewalks and stone around my house. There are much more expensive and more powerful options but I didn't want the noise and maintenance of gas and by the looks of it I don't need the extra PSI either.

I should add that there are some plastic parts that may fail and cause the whole thing to be garbage but so far so good.

GPM is more important than advertised psi for most diy applications. The more GPM, the more work it'll do in less time. Belt driven units usually have a better heavy duty long life pump, but are $$$.

Simpson is one of the largest manufacturers of residential power washers. Lots of their units get re-badged and sold under other brand names. They make a nice aluminum frame unit in your price range.

Triplex plunger pumps are better than axial cam pumps. More output and will have a longer life. Cat pumps are supposed to be the top tier. In your price range you'll see lots of AAA pumps which are solid units.

Honda motor if you can afford it. Really, as long as you keep up with oil changes and run ethanol free fuel or run it dry every time the engine will likely outlast the pump.

Agree with GeeBee on gpm. Once you get into the +3000 psi range, extra gpm is what you're looking for.

Costco one with Honda motor. Had it for about 10 years. Starts on first pull always.

Though it had a clogged carburetor when I bought it, I have been very pleased with the Troybilt 2.7GPM 2800PSI model with the Briggs engine sold at Lowes. After cleaning the carburetor and adding an inline petcock to the fuel line it has run dependably for five years of modest use. As long as I remember to close the petcock and and use ethanol free gas it started without a problem on the first or second pull. I believe I paid about $240 for it.

I bought a Simpson with a Honda motor from Sam's. It's been great.

Electric will probably be OK for light duty work as long as you're near an AC outlet. Suggest a gas powered from Lowes, Sears or Home Depot w/a Briggs, Kohler or Honda engine. Makes sure to use ethanol free fuel and install a shut off valve in the fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor so the gasoline can be run out of the carburetor prior to stopping the engine. Helps prevent gumming carb parts if it sets for an extended period w/o operating.

Cen-Tex said:

---

Electric will probably be OK for light duty work as long as you're near an AC outlet. Suggest a gas powered from Lowes, Sears or Home Depot w/a Briggs, Kohler or Honda engine. Makes sure to use ethanol free fuel and install a shut off valve in the fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor so the gasoline can be run out of the carburetor prior to stopping the engine. Helps prevent gumming carb parts if it sets for an extended period w/o operating.

---

The electrical cord is annoying, but you also have a water hose connected to a gas unit so I wouldn't let that make the decision for you.

We have a little Krcher unit that works great for residential purposes.

Generac at work and at home.

Another previous thread on this topic from June '19 here:
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3041353/replies/54429310


I still recommend the Ryobi, and I still recommend running TruFuel or some other high-octane, ethanol free fuel no matter which model gas powered pressure washer you go with. Will save you frustration and trips to the small engine repair shop.

I got the Ryobi 3,000 PSI 2.3 GPM Honda Electric Start Gas Pressure Washer from HomeDepot and highly recommend it.

1) Honda powered
2) Electric start
3) Plenty of PSI for driveways, sidewalks, house, deck, pool, car, truck, etc.
4) Light enough to take up and down stairs (for decks, balconies)
5) Reasonable price

Very easy to start and very reliable.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-3-000-PSI-2-3-GPM-Honda-Electric-Start-Gas-Pressure-Washer-RY803000E/301004439

Btw, good idea to use TruFuel in your small engines. Saves on trips to the repair shop for carb cleans after sitting up for any length of time, especially over the winter.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TruSouth-TruFuel-4-Cycle-Ethanol-Free-Fuel-6527206/205913140

If you're just going to use it around the house, I'd recommend getting a SunJoe. This is the one I have and have been very happy with it using it for what you say you'll be using it for. I've done the patio, walkway, driveway, fence, etc and it looks great. Not as powerful as a gas powered one, but I get the same results for what I want to do and that's 1 less gas engine to deal with.

Throwaway plastic electric one. You can find them less than $100. When they die, just go get another one. No messing with carbs, oil, plugs and whatnot. Mine has seen typical home use and going on four years strong. OB hates when I recommend throwaway stuff. Buy once, cry once, blah blah blah. I will be sipping cold beer in a clean lawn chair before those old farts get their expensive gasser even fired up.

* If you are doing serious work with it, get a good one.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will have to look into the Simpson units with a Honda engine, or look at the electric pressure washer as a disposable purchase and run the numbers that way.

I like the idea of having more flow but not sure I can justify the extra space those larger units will take up in the garage.

Pressure washers have changed a lot over the years, but there is still a few constants:

-- don't worry about the PSI as the Gallons per minute is key; that is what will really provide the cleaning power
-- gas washers are needed for higher power cleaning (concrete, fencing, etc.), however, gas washers MUST be in CONSTANT use (i.e. while the engine is running the pump needs to be engaged)
-- consumer electric washers have come a long way from their early days of essentially being disposable units; they work great for many jobs and can be used for non-constant applications like car washing
-- the consumer gas model (lower than 4 gpm) pumps used to be junk; with Amazon pump prices pretty cheap, you can replace them fairly easily, so while they may still not be great, they're cheapER to replace
-- even cheap gas motors will last much longer than the pump on any pressure washer, so focus on the pump brand if you're buying a gas unit

Bottom line:

-- if you NEED a gas unit, get a 3.5 gpm unit (preferably a 4) or higher;
-- MOST homeowner tasks can be accomplished by a good electric washer
-- a near top of the line electric washer that can be mounted in your garage can be had for around $700 and puts out around 2.2 gpm, plenty for car washing and most other tasks (recommend you look at the Comet brand)\
-- it is ALL about GPM; foam cannons foam due to GPM; driveways get clean due to GPM but for some reason, novice pressure washer buyers focus almost solely on PSI. DON'T!
-- if you get a gas model, change the PUMP oil 3x a year whether it gets used or not