I am in the market to buy a pressure washer.

I am not loyal to any one particular brand, although I have been partial to Sears store.

Price Range 300-600 dollars

Needs:

• Good quality (i will pay for quality) I don't want cheap parts that break easily
• power - i want to be able to really knock the dirt off, with the fine nozzle it should be able to etch concrete
• good, realiable 4 cycle engine
• different nozzle options

If there are other things I need to consider, or that really make a difference please share - i admittedly don't know that much about the specs.

Also please let me know if my price is reasonable.

I have purchased one by rigid. It has been great and was in the 300 range. Also has all the options you desire.

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Actually, my suggestion would be to rent one. It will obviously be a lot cheaper in the short run. Then, if you're still looking to buy one, you will have been able to test it out, and the rental companies typically have good products that hold up. I personally like Redtail Equipment Rental.

[This message has been edited by JohnGausePlumbing (edited 11/24/2010 9:07p).]

I have a Husky 2600 PSI "3in1" and have enjoyed it. Comes with an attachement for cleaning driveways/decks.

I have also used one of the Ridgid ones once and it worked well.

I went through the same thing. I couldn't find any pressure washer without significant complaints and bad review. Literally none. I think the Honda engines and CAT pumps are the best. But that combo gets pricey quick.

My strategy was ultimately to buy at Costco or Sam's because they seem to stand behind their products a little better than other stores. I bought the 4 year warranty and figured if it made it that long I'd be ahead v. renting.

I've seen Costco do some crazy things like take back a 3 year old Christmas tree because it no longer lit up.

I bought a 2400 psi and returned it for the 3000 psi. Cleaning concrete proved much easier with the 3000. Based on what you want to do I wouldnt go with less than 3000 psi (but get 4000 if you can).

[This message has been edited by dlp3719 (edited 11/28/2010 6:47p).]

Get as much power as you can. 2400 is not much power- it will take you forever to do a driveway. FYI- I bought a 3500 psi at a pawn shop a few years back for $300. The thing has a ~12hp engine.

If you don't plan on using it very often I would recommend renting. The pumps on those things are unreliable no matter what brand you buy.

Another suggestion- get a turbo nozzle.

+1 on renting unless you have a friend that owns one. (+1 on redtail also)

Much better pressure (because they are commercial units)

don't use it enough to own one (maybe twice a year doesn't warrant the investment)

I recently purchased a Power Boss reconditioned model from a Sears repair facility along with a repair policy since, as stated, the pumps on these things are very unreliable. The unit was a 2.7 gpm and worked fine, except the soap dispenser didn't work on the unit. I took it back mainly for that reason, but I would have returned it anyway. Just not enough pressure or water flow.

Forget the PSI; that's not the way to evaluate these units. Its all about GPM. If you read forums from pressure washing pros, they say 4.0 minimum. I think you can probably get away with 3.5, but I would say based on my experience, that is the minimum. The thing is, the engine brand, Honda, Suzuki, even Briggs (which I don't care much for) is generally unimportant. The engines will be fine. Its the pumps. You need to get one with a quality pump that you can replace if it goes out -- where the pump replacement doesn't exceed the cost of a new washer!

Stay away from the consumer models. In fact, you'd be better off staying away from direct drive models as well. This is an area where if you can find a good used pro model, it will last much longer and work much better than a new residential model.

Thank you very much guys, a lot of useful information.

I still haven't bought one yet, but getting closer.