Pressure Washers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentSince there are so many different brands and models available -- far more than any comparison review could cover -- this self-described "do-it-yourself guide to evaluating models" is very helpful, though it doesn't rate or rank specific pressure washers.

Our AssessmentThis article doesn't compare specific brands or models, but it does recommend power washers for contractors. For jobsite use, reviewer Mark Clement advises choosing a gas power washer with at least 2,800 psi, a flow rate of 2.4 to 2.5 gpm, and an engine with 5 to 7 horsepower. Anything higher is judged overkill, which means it's certainly too much for homeowner use.

Our AssessmentAmazon.com sells more electric pressure washers than gas models, so electric models have accumulated more owner-written reviews and ratings. Of those with enough reviews for them to be meaningful, three models stand out -- an AR Blue Clean, a Campbell Hausfeld and a Karcher. All three cost less than $175. A smaller (and less expensive) version of the AR Blue Clean gets high ratings from a handful of people.

Our AssessmentYou can't sort the list of pressure washers sold at HomeDepot.com by their average rating from owners, so the site isn't as convenient to browse as others. There's also a separate category, professional pressure washers, which includes brands like Ridgid and DeWalt, though some of the models included in this category are suitable for consumers. Of the gas models, a Homelite and a Husky model, both with axial cam pumps, both get high marks from a significant number of owners, as does a Ridgid model with a Cat triplex pump. Among electric pressure washers, a Stanley model and a Husky model get the best ratings from the most owners.

Our AssessmentThis retailer publishes owner-written ratings and reviews of the pressure washers it sells, mostly under its own NorthStar brand. It's easy to scan the lists of electric and gas cold-water pressure washers to find the top-rated models. When you click on a model, you can also see how many owners reviewed it and how many of them would recommend it to a friend. Three NorthStar models get the highest ratings among electric pressure washers sold here; they range in price from $470 to $760. Among the gas cold-water pressure washers, two NorthStar models get high ratings, as does a Powerhorse model (Powerhorse is another of Northern Tool's brands, generally lower priced than the NorthStar brand).

Our AssessmentThis brief article by an experienced gardener discusses the joys of cleaning off old garden furniture with a pressure washer. The author recommends two electric pressure washers and five gas models -- featuring the Troy-Bilt 2,550 psi -- but doesn't document any comparison tests. She leans toward the extra power of gas pressure washers, with their price the main drawback.

Our AssessmentThis undated review compares three pressure washers for cleaning caked mud off tractors: a 1,200-psi electric washer, a 1,500-psi gas washer and a 3,000-psi gas NorthStar with an 11-horsepower Honda engine. The 3,000-psi washer is recommended wholeheartedly. The two lesser-powered pressure washers just couldn't cope with washing mud off a tractor, but the NorthStar did fine.

Our AssessmentThis site publishes owner-written reviews, mostly by consolidating them from other sites, including HomeDepot.com and NorthernTool.com. It's a convenient way to browse through reviews, but isn't up to date.

Our AssessmentThis is a summary of messages posted by pressure washer users, discussing the pros and cons of electric vs. gasoline models, with recommendations of specific models for specific uses. Although gasoline models are clearly faster and more powerful, many users say they're happy with their electric pressure washers. The key to satisfaction is to have realistic expectations (and a water supply that can keep up with the washer's flow rate).

Our AssessmentThis review scours online reviews and studies features to compare two gas pressure washers in the size and price range most homeowners would need. On this basis, both Karcher and Campbell 2,500-psi models earn 4-star ratings here, though the Karcher has a higher flow rate. We'd rank this review higher if it were based on testing or provided model numbers and specifications.