The 5 Best Pressure Washers for Big and Small Cleaning Jobs

By Corrie Pelc

While standard garden hoses can do a pretty decent job of cleaning dirt and muck from outdoor surfaces, it’s usually hard to get enough pressure to really get the job done. A lot of times you end up having to go in with a sponge or rag to really get something clean.

Enter the pressure washer — a mechanical device that uses pressurized water to easily and thoroughly clean outdoor areas. Want to clean up the grime stuck on your patio stones? Pressure washer. How about cleaning the dirt off your house siding? Pressure washer. Got a mess on your walkway you need to make short work of? You guessed it — pressure washer.

Now that we’ve convinced you that you need a pressure washer in your life, let’s look at this complete guide to the best ones you can buy this year.

What is a Pressure Washer?

A pressure washer is a device that uses pressurized water to clean outdoor areas, such as driveways, walkways, patios, grills, outdoor furniture, and home exteriors. A water hose connects the pressure washer machine to an outdoor spigot. Once water starts to flow into the machine, you turn the washer's motor on which pressurizes the water, forcing it out of the pressure washer's hand wand.

At the end of the hand wand is a nozzle. Pressure washers will come with either one nozzle that allows you to turn it to different angles for different cleaning purposes, or it will come with a variety of nozzles you can change in and out as needed.

There are a few important pressure washer features you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing:

Gas or Electric? — Pressure washers are either powered by gas or electricity, whether it’s corded or battery-operated. Both options come with their own pros and cons, and it’s really a personal preference which you like best.

PSI and GPM — The main ways in which a pressure washer's power is calculated are through the gallons per minute (GPM) and pounds per square inch (PSI). The GPM measures how much water the pressure washer shoots through its spray wand, and the PSI measures the force the water is being shot out with. There are three levels of pressure washers based on the GPM and PSI measurements:

• Light-duty pressure washers are usually smaller and lightweight, making them a great option for lighter cleaning jobs around the house or cleaning a car. They usually have a PSI up to 2,000 and a GPM of 2 or under.
• Medium-duty pressure washers can handle tougher jobs like removing stains from decks and deep-cleaning concrete. They are still appropriate for home use but will be larger and a bit more expensive than light-duty washers. Medium-duty washers usually have PSIs between 2,000 to 2,800 with 2-3 GPM.
• Heavy-duty pressure washers are the best for large-scale cleaning projects that are usually left to professionals, like removing graffiti and paint stripping. They'll have PSIs of 2,800+ and 3-4 GPM.

Important Note: Pressure washers are no joke. They are powerful tools and as such, require safety equipment such as goggles or safety glasses when operating. Never point the pressure washer wand at other humans or animals, and watch out for plants as pressurized water can damage them. And always make sure the safety lock is turned off on the wand or trigger when you are changing out nozzles or not using the pressure washer at that moment.

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Pressure Washers

Let’s go over the test factors we used when deciding on the best pressure washers for 2022:

• Price: Knowing the price of the pressure washer is important for factoring it into the user’s home improvement and maintenance budget.
• Power: Is the pressure washer powered by gas or electricity?
• Weight: How heavy is the pressure washer? This is important in determining how easy it is to move around a property.
• Max Pressure: How much force does the pressure washer use to shoot water out of its wand? This is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The higher the PSI, the tougher jobs the washer can tackle.
• GPM: How much gallons per minute (GPM) of water does the pressure washer move through the wand? The more water that shoots out of the wand, the faster the washer can get something clean.
• Wand: Pressure washers come with a wand used to guide the water as it shoots out. Some wands are extendable and some come with built-in sprayers.
• Nozzles: How many different nozzles does the pressure washer include?
• Detergent Tank: Some pressure washers come with a detergent tank for applying cleaners for projects like cleaning a car.
• Water Hose Length: Pressure washers come with a hose to attach to an outdoor spigot. Knowing the hose length indicates how much room the user has to move the pressure washer around a property.
• Warranty: Does the manufacturer back the performance of its product?

Without further ado, here are our picks for the best pressure washers this year.

Pressure Washer Care Tips

A pressure washer is an investment and as such, you want it to last for many years to come. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your new tool:

• Read the Manual — Before firing up your new pressure washer, always read the user's manual to learn what every button does and how to use it safely and properly.
• Inspect Before Each Use — If you have a gas-powered pressure washer, check the oil levels. If you have an electric-powered pressure washer, check the cord for any fraying. And regardless of which type of washer you have, check the water hose and couplings to ensure there are no leaks or faults to worry about.
• Remove Excess Detergent — If your system is a detergent tank, make sure to flush any excess detergent out thoroughly when you are done. You don't want to allow detergent to build up in the system as it will affect its performance.
• Store Properly — Once you're done with your pressure washer, make sure you're storing it somewhere it will stay safe and dry, such as a shed or garage. Leaving it out in the elements can lead to rust or rips in hoses and cords.

Do you have a particular pressure washer that makes you happy? Tell us about it in the comments below!