Best Electric Pressure Washers: Under Pressure
Top 8 Best Electric Pressure Washers

It’s totally not a filled-with-soap myth that a clean car runs better, right? Except for off-road rigs. They run best when caked with a thick layer of sticky mud and dirt.
But even the gnarliest 4×4 can do with a good spritz now and then. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last few decades, pressure washers amplify the force of water delivered through a standard garden hose. An electric motor powers a pump which accelerates the water being delivered from said garden hose and pushes it into a long wand. Pulling the wand’s trigger introduces some air and creates a path through which the – now pressurized – water can flow.
It’s never a bad idea to test your pressure washer on an inconspicuous area of the surface you plan to clean before attacking the thing with vigor. This will ensure it doesn’t harm the surface you’re washing. A good pressure washer can strip away flaking paint from a rusting car, for example. And, as always, RTFM before turning the thing on.
Table of Contents
-
Editor's Choice: Karcher K1700 Cube Electric Power Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Ryobi 1600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Greenworks 1500 PSI Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Homdox 3000 PSI Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
mrliance 3500PSI Electric Pressure Washer: Shop Now
-
Westinghouse ePX3000 Electric Pressure Washer: Shop Now
1. Editor's Choice: Karcher K1700 Cube Electric Power Pressure Washer
Measuring just a foot tall and weighing 20 pounds, this cube is a great option for those who don't have a lot of storage space yet still want to keep their ride spic and span. Rated at 1,700 psi, this bundle includes a trio of nozzles for varying levels of cleaning intensity.
Karcher receives its share of internet flack, thanks to the sheer number of products they sell, but your author has had no complaints with the pressure washers he's used and owned from this brand over the years. Reviews for this particular unit are positive, so long as people keep their expectations in check and didn't try to power wash an entire tractor-trailer in 52 seconds.
Pros
- Good brand, convenient size
Cons
- Complaints of hose length and quality (insert joke here)
Bottom Line
- Manage your expectations
Measuring just a foot tall and weighing 20 pounds, this cube is a great option for those who don't have a lot of storage space yet still want to keep their ride spic and span. Rated at 1,700 psi, this bundle includes a trio of nozzles for varying levels of cleaning intensity.
Karcher receives its share of internet flack, thanks to the sheer number of products they sell, but your author has had no complaints with the pressure washers he's used and owned from this brand over the years. Reviews for this particular unit are positive, so long as people keep their expectations in check and didn't try to power wash an entire tractor-trailer in 52 seconds.
2. Ryobi 1600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer
Good for light-duty jobs, this pressure washer from Ryobi is suitable for occasional car washing duties and cleaning off the likes of patio furniture or bikes. Its dimensions are similar to the Karcher unit listed above. Note that it cranks out just 1,600 psi.
Despite this, plenty of customers report being pleased with its operation showing real-world pictures of them cleaning various household surfaces. Just don't follow the lead of the person who used it to obliterate hornet nests, ok?
Pros
- Convenient size
Cons
- Smallish gallon-per-minute and psi output
Bottom Line
- Great to have for a variety of jobs
Good for light-duty jobs, this pressure washer from Ryobi is suitable for occasional car washing duties and cleaning off the likes of patio furniture or bikes. Its dimensions are similar to the Karcher unit listed above. Note that it cranks out just 1,600 psi.
Despite this, plenty of customers report being pleased with its operation showing real-world pictures of them cleaning various household surfaces. Just don't follow the lead of the person who used it to obliterate hornet nests, ok?
3. Greenworks 1500 PSI Pressure Washer
An electric pressure washer for under a hundred bucks? Ok, then. As you might expect for that price, its *ahem* 25-foot hose isn't very long but the 35-foot power cord makes up for some of that deficiency. It includes two cleaning nozzles that are listed at 25- and 40 degrees. In case you're wondering, smaller-degree nozzles result in a more forceful clean.
Reviews and ratings are about what you'd expect for a budget machine, with some customers choosing to pair this pressure washer with wands or hoses from other sources. Compliments on the unit reveal it is light, compact, and simple to use.
Pros
- That price
Cons
- Cleaning nozzles aren't precision units
Bottom Line
- Exceeded the expectations of many customers
An electric pressure washer for under a hundred bucks? Ok, then. As you might expect for that price, its *ahem* 25-foot hose isn't very long but the 35-foot power cord makes up for some of that deficiency. It includes two cleaning nozzles that are listed at 25- and 40 degrees. In case you're wondering, smaller-degree nozzles result in a more forceful clean.
Reviews and ratings are about what you'd expect for a budget machine, with some customers choosing to pair this pressure washer with wands or hoses from other sources. Compliments on the unit reveal it is light, compact, and simple to use.
4. Homdox 3000 PSI Pressure Washer
Here's a pressure washer that features a more traditional upright design, complete with an axle of wheels to permit rolling the thing around during use. A series of interchangeable nozzles include 0º, 15º, 25º, and 40º. This is great for a ton of applications; just watch it with that zero degree nozzle. A dedicated soap nozzle is a rarity in this price bracket.
The seller says users can choose high- or low-pressure operation to wash various surfaces, which is an advantage over the all-or-nothing operation of other units. Its motor is more powerful as well, cranking up the wick to a very handy 3,000 psi of water pressure.
Pros
- Great pressure, lots of nozzles, excellent ratings
Cons
- Unknown brand
Bottom Line
- Big power in a standard sized package
Here's a pressure washer that features a more traditional upright design, complete with an axle of wheels to permit rolling the thing around during use. A series of interchangeable nozzles include 0º, 15º, 25º, and 40º. This is great for a ton of applications; just watch it with that zero degree nozzle. A dedicated soap nozzle is a rarity in this price bracket.
The seller says users can choose high- or low-pressure operation to wash various surfaces, which is an advantage over the all-or-nothing operation of other units. Its motor is more powerful as well, cranking up the wick to a very handy 3,000 psi of water pressure.
5. Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer
This is the first power washer on our list that includes a high-pressure foamer. Commonly called a 'foam cannon' (which sounds like a lot more fun), these things are specially designed detergent bottles capable of getting out tough stuff loose or removing deep-down stains.
Its water connection points are advertised as being leakproof, an assertion your author would very much like to test. The hose is only 25 feet long but there are a quartet of nozzles and the aforementioned foam cannon/detergent tank. It's rated as being able to deliver a maximum of 2,150 psi of water pressure.
Pros
- Foam cannon included
Cons
- Not overly compact
Bottom Line
- Spray-n-go
This is the first power washer on our list that includes a high-pressure foamer. Commonly called a 'foam cannon' (which sounds like a lot more fun), these things are specially designed detergent bottles capable of getting out tough stuff loose or removing deep-down stains.
Its water connection points are advertised as being leakproof, an assertion your author would very much like to test. The hose is only 25 feet long but there are a quartet of nozzles and the aforementioned foam cannon/detergent tank. It's rated as being able to deliver a maximum of 2,150 psi of water pressure.
6. Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
Despite bearing a mix-n-match brand name and deploying a wildly rounded-up number in its model name (3,000 doesn't mean that much PSI in this instance), this machine is one of the most widely reviewed units of its type on Amazon, garnering over ten-thousand reviews for an aggregate 4.3/5 rating.
Maximum pressure is just north of 2000psi with a typical working load of about 500 psi south of that figure. Dual detergent tanks are a handy feature - twin 0.9 L onboard, removable tanks can carry and store different types of detergent to simultaneously tackle different cleaning projects. The ad says there are five different nozzles included but fails to mention their degree size.
Pros
- Very popular, on board detergent tanks
Cons
- What are those nozzle sizes?
Bottom Line
- Read the reviews carefully
Despite bearing a mix-n-match brand name and deploying a wildly rounded-up number in its model name (3,000 doesn't mean that much PSI in this instance), this machine is one of the most widely reviewed units of its type on Amazon, garnering over ten-thousand reviews for an aggregate 4.3/5 rating.
Maximum pressure is just north of 2000psi with a typical working load of about 500 psi south of that figure. Dual detergent tanks are a handy feature - twin 0.9 L onboard, removable tanks can carry and store different types of detergent to simultaneously tackle different cleaning projects. The ad says there are five different nozzles included but fails to mention their degree size.
7. mrliance 3500PSI Electric Pressure Washer
Bereft of any and all capital letters in its brand name, this washer comes with several common attachments includes a handy reel with which to collect the pressure hose when you're finished up the cleaning duties. Also on board are a scrub brush and four angle nozzles.
Fill the soap tank up with your detergent of choice to give this pressure washer a little extra cleaning power. Like most others on this list, it features a safety automatic total stop system that automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged to save energy and prolong pump life.
Pros
- Good pressure rating, plenty of accessories
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than comparable units
Bottom Line
- That reel is real handy
Bereft of any and all capital letters in its brand name, this washer comes with several common attachments includes a handy reel with which to collect the pressure hose when you're finished up the cleaning duties. Also on board are a scrub brush and four angle nozzles.
Fill the soap tank up with your detergent of choice to give this pressure washer a little extra cleaning power. Like most others on this list, it features a safety automatic total stop system that automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged to save energy and prolong pump life.
8. Westinghouse ePX3000 Electric Pressure Washer
Your author will freely admit he thought the Westinghouse brand went out with the Reagan administration, at least insofar as making household appliances. It turns out that they, or at least the name, are still very much a going concern, with this pressure washer being but one of the products.
Sitting the thing on four casters instead of two wheels is a smart decision, permitting the user to move it around the driveway with less hassle. The hose is short but nylon braided, drawing praise for its ease of use compared to cheaper options. There is a soap tank onboard as well.
Pros
- Positive feedback, better-than-average-hose
Cons
- Price
Bottom Line
- Retro in brand name only
Your author will freely admit he thought the Westinghouse brand went out with the Reagan administration, at least insofar as making household appliances. It turns out that they, or at least the name, are still very much a going concern, with this pressure washer being but one of the products.
Sitting the thing on four casters instead of two wheels is a smart decision, permitting the user to move it around the driveway with less hassle. The hose is short but nylon braided, drawing praise for its ease of use compared to cheaper options. There is a soap tank onboard as well.
From time to time, TTAC will highlight automotive products we think may be of interest to our community. Plus, posts like this help to keep the lights on around here. Learn more about how this works.
(Editor’s note: This post is meant to both help you be an informed shopper for automotive products but also to pay for our ‘[s]90s sedan shopping habits[/s] operating expenses. Some of you don’t find these posts fun, but they help pay for Junkyard Finds, Rare Rides, Piston Slaps, and whatever else. Thanks for reading.)
[Main photo credit: Krasula / Shutterstock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- ToolGuy @Matt, let me throw this at you:Let's say I drive a typical ICE vehicle 15,000 miles/year at a typical 18 mpg (observed). Let's say fuel is $4.50/gallon and electricity cost for my EV will be one-third of my gasoline cost - so replacing the ICE with an EV would save me $2,500 per year. Let's say I keep my vehicles 8 years. That's $20,000 in fuel savings over the life of the vehicle.If the vehicles have equal capabilities and are otherwise comparable, a rational typical consumer should be willing to pay up to a $20,000 premium for the EV over the ICE. (More if they drive more.)TL;DR: Why do they cost more? Because they are worth it (potentially).
- Inside Looking Out Why EBFlex dominates this EV discussion? Just because he is a Ford expert?
- Marky S. Very nice article and photos. I am a HUGE Edsel fan. I have always been fascinated with the "Charlie Brown of Cars." Allow me to make a minor correction to add here: the Pacer line was the second-from-bottom rung Edsel, not the entry-level trim. That would be the Edsel Ranger for 1958. It had the widest array of body styles. The Ranger 2-door sedan (with a "B-pillar", not a pillarless hardtop), was priced at $2,484. So, the Ranger and Pacer both used the smaller Ford body. The next two upscale Edsel's were based on the Mercury body, are were: Corsair, and, top-line Citation. Although the 1959 style is my fav. I would love a '58 Edsel Pacer 4-door hardtop sedan!
- Lou_BC Stupid to kill the 6ft box in the crewcab. That's the most common Canyon/Colorado trim I see. That kills the utility of a small truck. The extended cab was a poor seller so that makes sense. GM should have kept the diesel. It's a decent engine that mates well with the 6 speed. Fuel economy is impressive.
- Lou_BC High end EV's are selling well. Car companies are taking advantage of that fact. I see quite a few $100k pickups in my travels so why is that ok but $100k EV's are bad? The cynical side of me sees car companies tack on 8k premiums to EV's around the time we see governments up EV credits. Coincidence? No fooking way.
Comments
Join the conversation
I went with a Honda Commercial ICE 3800 psi? and still working going on 12 years now! Was very expensive, $2500.00!
I purchased a Greenworks 1600 from Lowes in early 2016. I use it about 2-3 times a year. The only issue is that it leaks/drips where the garden hose attaches. I opened it up and threaded fastener for the garden hose could be clamped better. After using, I spray WD-40 in the turbo nozzle to keep the ball inside of it from sticking. It was a good purchase.