Gas Pressure Washers

Best pressure washers for big cleaning jobs

If you need to wash large decks, clean stained driveways or strip paint, the experts agree: You need a gas pressure washer. Although we did find warnings that it's easy to damage home siding with too high a pressure setting (especially soft woods like cedar or in spots where the siding is caulked), most experts say that a gas pressure washer is the best tool for that job, too.

Pressure washers that meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions requirements are less polluting and emit fewer gas fumes. Quite a few gas pressure washers use Honda engines that meet the stricter requirements. Reviews especially recommend Honda GX OHV engines for long life and fuel efficiency; the less expensive Honda GC engines get more mixed reviews. Some (but not all) Briggs & Stratton engines also meet the tougher California standards.

As with electric pressure washers, the quality of the pump is even more important than that of the engine. Reviews say that triplex pumps with ceramic or ceramic-coated plungers are best. Cat pumps have a very good reputation, but other commercial or industrial-level plunger pumps can also be fine. Buying guides say that belt-drive designs make the engine last longer than direct-drive models, since the latter run at higher engine speeds.

At HomeDepot.com, the top-rated pressure washer -- with rave reviews from owners -- is the 3,000-psi Ridgid RD80701 (*Est. $550). It's powered by a Subaru OHV engine that meets California's strict emission standards, and the 2009 version uses a Cat triplex pump -- a top-ranked brand. (The 2008 version used an AR axial cam pump.) The Ridgid RD80701 pressure washer isn't sold at PressureWashersDirect.com, but experts there say that 3,000 psi is powerful enough to strip paint. Cleaning large areas will be a bit slower than with some pricier models, since the Ridgid's 2.6-gpm flow rate is lower, but we found no complaints about this from owners. The three-year warranty is also excellent.

If you need to wash a lot of siding and even strip paint, the 3,300-psi John Deere 20382 (*Est. $695) has enough power. The Deere pressure washer's fast flow rate of 3.2 gpm makes quick work of large areas; its Briggs & Stratton OHV engine is CARB-compliant, and the commercial-grade triplex plunger pump is the type experts recommend for durability, longevity and ease of repairs. Other features include never-flat tires, quick-connect nozzles and adjustable pressure, along with two-year warranty coverage. Owners rating this model at Lowes.com have given it high marks for two years in a row.

The 3,000-psi NorthStar 1578112 (*Est. $570) is the top-rated gas pressure washer at Northern Industrial, but uses a less desirable axial cam pump. The NorthStar pressure washer uses a Honda GX engine and carries a two-year warranty. However, the Cat pump on the similarly priced Ridgid 80710 pressure washer makes it a better buy.

Mid-priced gas pressure washers balance performance and value

For most homeowner uses, you don't need the power that pressure washers of 3,000 psi or higher offer, and thus can spend less. The main trade-off, though, is in pump quality and repairability. Experts say it can cost less in the long run when spending a little more initially to get a repairable pump and a more efficient engine that costs less to operate and maintain. Still, if you're on a smaller budget in the $400 range, you can find some good buys.

The 2,600-psi Troy-Bilt 20344 (*Est. $400) has a flow rate of 2.3 gpm and can be found in some areas for $100 less, making it a bargain. This Troy-Bilt pressure washer uses an axial cam pump instead of a triplex pump -- standard fare at this price point. Its Honda GCV160 engine isn't recommended by experts as frequently as the more expensive Honda GX engines, but it does meet California emissions standards. Never-flat tires are another plus, making the Troy-Bilt an attractive mid-priced option.

Owners reviewing the Troy-Bilt 20344 pressure washer at Lowes.com give it reasonably high ratings, but comments make it very clear that it won't start the following year unless you explicitly follow the directions for storing it over the winter. This is true for all gas pressure washers; it's crucial to follow all the manufacturer's instructions with great care or the warranty will be voided. (See the Useful Links page for more information.)

The staff at PressureWashersDirect.com recommends the Karcher G 2650OH (*Est. $450), which also uses a Honda GC engine. It's got an axial cam pump, but Karcher rates it "commercial grade," and it features a brass head for longer life. The flow rate is 2.6 gpm for fast cleaning, and the pneumatic tires roll well even on rough terrain (the trade-off here is that they can also go flat). Karcher's one-year warranty is short compared with the two-year Troy-Bilt coverage and three-year protection from Ridgid, however.

For even less money, owners reviewing pressure washers at NorthernTool.com recommend the 2,800-psi NorthStar 1577543 (*Est. $380). It has less stain-removing power than the pressure washers discussed above, but its 2.5-gpm flow rate should still be satisfactory for all but the tallest or largest jobs. It's powered by a Honda GC160 OHV engine.

The top-rated pressure washer at Sears.com is the 3,000-psi Craftsman 020396 (*Est. $400), which provides an outstanding 2.7-gpm flow rate for fast cleaning. This Craftsman pressure washer's Honda GCV190 engine is a bit more powerful than the Honda 160 engines usually found in this price range. At the time of our report, however, Sears.com lists the washer as "temporarily unavailable" for shipping, so it may be being discontinued. We called Sears customer service for additional clarification, but the representative we spoke to was only able to confirm that this pressure washer is a Sears exclusive available only in stores. You'll have to call your local retailer to confirm availability.

As a budget pick, owners like the 2,200-psi Craftsman 75218 (*Est. $250), but be advised: its 158 cc Briggs & Stratton engine isn't OHV and it doesn't meet California emissions standards. This means more gasoline and engine fumes, so it's not as good for users' health or for the environment. However, owners say the engine starts easily and that this pressure washer can last for years as long as you add fuel saver to protect the carburetor and properly winterize the pump.