Pressure Washers: Reviews

Reviewers say an electric pressure washer is a good choice for the widest range of chores around the home -- and because it's electric, it's less polluting and less costly to maintain. One of the best-reviewed electric… expandmodels is the AR Blue Clean AR383, which is rated at 1,900 pounds per square inch (psi), with a water flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) -- fine for light duty like washing bikes and cars, and for hosing down sidewalks, but not strong enough to power-wash siding. The manufacturer, Annovi Reverberi, is known for making high-quality pumps, and the AR383 has a triplex plunger pump, unusual for a model in this price range. The big drawback is that it has a universal motor rather than a more durable induction motor. You can easily spend two or three times as much on a more durable pro-grade electric pressure washer (or a gas model), but since most homeowners only use a pressure washer about 20 hours per year, such an expenditure may be overkill. Hence, meticulous adherence to the manufacturer's usage, storage and maintenance instructions is absolutely essential when it comes to inexpensive electric pressure washers. collapse

This gas pressure washer has enough power (2,600 psi) and a fast enough flow rate (2.3 gallons per minute, or gpm) for most homeowner jobs, including washing siding and big decks, and it gets much better reviews than the… expandcheaper and less powerful AR Blue Clean electric pressure washer. The Troy-Bilt pressure washer's axial cam pump isn't the very best or most durable, but the Honda GCV OHC engine and fuel system do meet California's tough emissions standards. No-flat tires and a two-year warranty are added pluses. An earlier version of the Tory-Bilt 20415 did well in comparison tests, and owners give this pressure washer above-average ratings on Lowes.com. Owners give the virtually identical Craftsman 20432 (*Est. $350) even higher marks on Sears.com. (The two brands share the same manufacturer.) collapse

This Ridgid pressure washer, rated at 3,000 psi, gets rave reviews from owners. There's enough power on tap to handle pretty much any homeowner job, from cleaning large decks to stripping paint, and the Ridgid RD80701's… expandflow rate of 2.6 gpm speeds the work. Owners also praise the Subaru OHV engine, which complies with California's strict emission standards. It's unusual to find a durable pump in this price range, but the Ridgid RD80701 pressure washer uses a Cat triplex pump. This is the brand and pump type that reviews find most durable, so it can actually cost less to own in the long run than a lower-priced pressure washer. Ridgid's three-year warranty coverage is also longer than most. Several similar Ridgid pressure washers, all equipped with Cat pumps, also get good reviews. collapse