Pressure Washers: Best Pressure Washer Reviews

Best pressure washer overall

*Est. $280 Compare Prices

Reviewers say that a better quality electric pressure washer is the best choice for the widest range of chores -- and because it's electric, it's less costly to maintain and less polluting. The Karcher K 5.93 M is an… owner favorite; it's powerful enough for most homeowner tasks, such as cleaning decks or sidewalks or washing siding, and it uses a quiet induction motor (better than the universal motors used in cheap pressure washers). You can easily spend twice as much on a pro-level pressure washer that will be more durable in the long term, but since most homeowners only use a pressure washer about 20 hours per year, spending more might be overkill.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PressureWashers Direct.com: This large online retailer offers the most current pressure washer reviews plus useful buying advice. The expert staff recommends ...

Northerntool.com: The Karcher K 5.93 M is no longer sold at this site, but in 2008 the handful of owners reviewing it here gave it near-perfect ...

Amazon.com: Nearly a dozen owners review the Karcher K 5.93 M here, with ratings at both extremes. Some owners love it, but others complain ...

ConsumerReports.org: Comparison tests here include a 1,500-psi Karcher model, but this outdated review compares electric pressure washers that are too ...

PopularMechanics.com: Popular Mechanics rates six electric pressure washers based on thorough testing, including another Karcher model. Annovi ...

DooYoo: At this U.K. site, Karcher is the top-rated brand, though it also earns some criticism.

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for 199.99

Light-duty electric pressure washer

Karcher K 2.93

*Est. $130 Compare Prices

Reviews recommend this lightweight, portable pressure washer for small jobs like washing a car or bike. The low-power Karcher K 2.93, rated at 1,400 pounds per square inch (psi), makes it easy to avoid damaging paint and… tires. Despite the budget price, this pressure washer is powered by an induction motor and is covered by Karcher's rapid-exchange program during the one-year warranty period. The price includes a rotary surface cleaner to speed cleaning of small decks and patios, but for cleaning a larger area you'll need a more powerful pressure washer.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PressureWashers Direct.com: Expert staff recommend this Karcher 1400 K2.93M kit as the best small electric pressure washer, praising its quiet, durable ...

ConsumerReports.org: Comparison tests here include an older but similar Karcher model, the Karcher K 2.97 M 1,500-psi pressure washer with the same ...

PopularMechanics.com: This excellent but outdated comparison review covers an earlier but very similar Karcher pressure washer. A more expensive Annovi ...

Amazon.com: The owner reviewing the Karcher K 2.93 pressure washer here says it's fine for occasional patio and pool-deck cleaning. No ...

DooYoo: The Karcher K 2.93 model isn't reviewed here, but owner-written reviews at this U.K. site favor Karcher as a brand -- though some ...

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Pressure Washers Direct

for $129.99

Best gas pressure washer

Ridgid RD80701

*Est. $550 Compare Prices

This pressure washer, rated at 3,000 psi, is getting rave reviews from owners. There's enough power for any homeowner job, from cleaning big decks to stripping paint, and a flow rate of 2.6 gallons per minute (gpm) speeds… the work. Owners also praise the Subaru OHV engine, which meets even California's strict emission limits. It's unusual to find a durable pump in this price range, but the Ridgid 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 in the long run than a lower-priced pressure washer. The three-year warranty is also longer than most.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

HomeDepot.com: The Ridgid RD80701 is the top-rated pressure washer here, based on reviews from over a dozen owners. Reviewers praise the quality ...

RidgidForum.com: This long forum discussion reviews several Ridgid pressure washers and clears up confusion about whether or not the Ridgid ...

The Power Washer Advisor: This expert buyer's guide doesn't recommend any specific brands or models, but does advise that the manufacturer's warranty is a ...

Tools of the Trade: This article for construction contractors reinforces the idea that a 3,000-psi pressure washer with a flow rate of 2.6 gpm will ...

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Mid-range gas pressure washer

Troy-Bilt 20344

*Est. $400 Compare Prices

This pressure washer has enough power (2,600 psi) and flow rate (2.3 gpm) for most homeowner jobs. The axial cam pump and Honda GC engine aren't the best or most durable, but the engine and fuel system do meet… California's tough emissions standards. The no-flat tires and two-year warranty are also pluses. Owners and comparison tests give this pressure washer high marks in general. Like all gas models, however, it requires careful maintenance and winterizing to last for years.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Lowes.com: More than 40 owners rate the Troy-Bilt 20344 pressure washer here, giving it a reasonably high average rating -- especially for ...

ConsumerReports.org: These excellent objective comparison tests of 15 pressure washers cover an earlier Troy-Bilt gas pressure washer with similar ...

Horticulture: A slightly less powerful Troy-Bilt gas pressure washer is among the models recommended by this gardening expert in a brief ...

GardenWeb.com: This long forum discussion covers many different gas pressure washers, including the Troy-Bilt models sold at Lowe's. ...

The-Power-Washer -Advisor.com: This expert buyer's guide advises that warranty length is a clue to quality, and that the quality of the pump is the main factor ...

Google Answers: Expert contributors here echo the importance of a top-quality pump, but one deck builder urges erring on the side of too little ...

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Budget gas pressure washer

Craftsman 75218

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

This pressure washer, rated at 2,600 psi, pollutes more than any of the other models reviewers like, but it provides more power and speed than an electric model. The Briggs & Stratton engine isn't an OHV model and… doesn't meet California emissions standards, so it emits more fumes from the engine and fuel system. However, owners say it starts easily and can last for years if carefully maintained.

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Sears.com: Over a dozen owners rate and review the Craftsman 75218 pressure washer, giving it a fairly high average rating considering its ...

The Power Washer Advisor: This buyer's guide advises using warranty length as a clue to quality, and suggests that spending more for a pressure washer with ...

Google Answers: Expert answers here reinforce the idea that 2,200 psi is OK for cleaning small decks and may even be better than a very ...

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$319.99 from Sears.com

Pressure Washers: Reviews

Best pressure washer overall

Light-duty electric pressure washer

Best gas pressure washer

Mid-range gas pressure washer

Budget gas pressure washer

Pressure Washers by Price Range


	NorthStar Pressure Washer - 3000 PSI, 2.5 GPM from Amazon.com New: $499.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review: