EmailBest Reviewed
Pressure Washers
- Best pressure washer overall Karcher K 5.93 M *Est. $280
- Light-duty electric pressure washer Karcher K 2.93 *Est. $130
- Best gas pressure washer Ridgid RD80701 *Est. $550
- Mid-range gas pressure washer Troy-Bilt 20344 *Est. $400
- Budget gas pressure washer Craftsman 75218 *Est. $250
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Budget gas pressure washer
- Price
- Engine starts easily
- Axial cam pump
- Not very powerful
- Engine emissions, fuel efficiency
- Durability problems with pump and small parts
This Craftsman gas pressure washer, rated at 2,200 pounds per square inch (psi), is a budget model, but provides more power and speed than similarly priced electric pressure washers. The fuel system and engine don't meet California's emission requirements, and the engine isn't the most fuel-efficient type either. Still, most owners say it's OK for the price. Experts note that paying more for a fuel-efficient engine, and especially for a more durable pump, can be more cost effective in the long run. Most homeowners will be better satisfied with the moderately priced Troy-Bilt 20344 (*Est. $400).
We found over a dozen detailed reviews of the Craftsman 75218 gas pressure washer at Sears.com. The site also makes it easy to compare the washer's average rating with that of other pressure washers sold there. A buyer's guide at The-Power-Washer-Advisor.com helps put this budget model into perspective, as do expert answers at Google Answers. At that site, one owner of a Craftsman pressure washer highlights a problem with pump repairs even under warranty; they're guaranteed only for 90 days even if the original warranty expires later.
Our Sources
1. Sears.com
Over a dozen owners rate and review the Craftsman 75218 pressure washer, giving it a fairly high average rating considering its price. Most are satisfied, but 17 percent say they wouldn't recommend this model to a friend. Some owners report flimsy parts breaking right away and needing replacement, but more serious complaints cover the pump -- which costs almost as much to repair as buying a new pressure washer.
Review: Gas Pressure Washers, Contributors to Sears.com, As of June 2009
This buyer's guide advises using warranty length as a clue to quality, and suggests that spending more for a pressure washer with a top-quality triplex pump can actually cost less in the long run -- since cheaper pumps are basically throwaways once they need repair.
Review: Compare Pressure Washers Like a Pro, Editors of The-Power-Washer-Advisor.com, Not Dated
Expert answers here reinforce the idea that 2,200 psi is OK for cleaning small decks and may even be better than a very high-powered pressure washer -- to protect finishes and keep decks from splintering under pressure. On the other hand, experts reinforce the idea of spending more for a model with a good pump. One owner reports that repair on his Craftsman model was covered by warranty only for 90 days; when the pump failed again it wasn't covered.
Review: Power Washers for Cleaning Decks, Contributors to Google Answers, 2002 to 2005
Pressure Washers Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
NorthStar Pressure Washer - 3000 PSI, 2.5 GPM
 from Amazon.com New: $499.99 In Stock.
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