Best Pressure Washers: The Definitive Buyer’s Guide (2018 Update)

This is the ultimate guide to finding the best pressure washers in 2018.

And let me be clear about something:

This is NOT a lame “Pressure Washers” review post.

Instead, you’re going to see thoroughly reviewed products with their technical specification including a buyer’s guide to make your buying experience more straightforward.

Let’s dive right in.

For those who do not know, pressure washers are high powered washers that use water to clean a lot of different types of equipment. They are used to remove dirt, grime quickly, and even paint that is chipping away.

The pressure washers have become a lot more common in the modern day and age, and are available to the consumers at competitive prices, and offer many features as well.

However, the abundance of pressure washers can lead to many confusions among the consumers as there are so many options to choose from, and not everyone is willing to go through all of them.

This is why I have created the list; the list will contain some of the best pressure washers of 2018 that are available in the market, and will undoubtedly help the readers choose the right pressure washer, and buy that.

As always, the list includes some of the highest end pressure washers, and in addition to that, some mid-range options as well, making things much more comfortable for the consumers, and helping them make the right decision.

We have looked thoroughly at all the options that are on the list and can assure you that your buying experience will be as smooth as possible. Let’s have a look.

Best Pressure Washers of 2018 on Stellar10

Model	Type	PSI*	GPM*
1st Sun Joe SPX3000 #1 Best Seller	Electric	2,030 PSI	1.76 GPM	Check Price
2nd AR Blue Clean AR383 Perfect for Home Chores	Electric	1,900 PSI	1.51 GPM	Check Price
3rd SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S Best Gas Pressure Washer	Gas	3100 PSI	2.5 GPM	Check Price
4th Ivation Compact & Powerful	Electric	2200 PSI	1.8 GPM	Check Price
5th Sun Joe SPX3001 Must-have for Homeowners	Electric	2030 PSI	1.76 GPM	Check Price
6th Karcher K3 Follow-Me Best for Household Jobs	Electric	1800 PSI	1.3 GPM	Check Price
7th Sun Joe SPX1000 For Light to Medium Cleaning	Electric	1450 PSI	1.45 GPM	Check Price
8th AR Blue Clean AR390SS Best for Removing Hard Stains	Electric	2000 PSI	1.4 GPM	Check Price
9th SIMPSON Cleaning PS3228-S Mighty Engine, Specially for Heavy Users	Gas	3300 PSI	2.5 GPM	Check Price
10th Greenworks Perfect for Light Duty Jobs	Electric	1500 PSI	1.2 GPM	Check Price

*PSI – Pounds per Square Inch
*GPM – Gallons Per Minute

A great, multi-purpose pressure washer that has enough power to take care of every task you throw at it.

The first pressure washer we are looking at is the Sun Joe SPX3000, and it right away, I have to say that it is one of the easiest to use pressure washers that is also packed with versatility, making things easier for you.

The pressure washer comes with several features that make it stand out from the crowd, and earn a spot on the list.

Below are some of the features of the Sun Joe SPX3000 that you should look at as well:

Technical Data

The SPX3000 is incredibly lightweight, meaning that the user will not have to face any issue trying to carry the pressure washer around, or even try to a put it back in its place; this is a great feature that is a must-have.

Another thing I love about the SPX300 is obviously the detergent selector, over the course of all the pressure washers I have used. The detergent selector allows you to select whatever cleaning agent you want to use for the best possible results.

Another thing I love about the SPX3000 is the fact that the 1,800-watt motor allows it to give an output of 2,030 PSI, and a 1.76 GPM of water flow. These numbers result in incredibly powerful cleaning efficiency.

The extension wand that comes with it ensures better range, especially when it comes to cleaning ceilings with great ease, this is just one of the many accessories that you get in the package.

I cannot say that many things are missing from the Sun Joe SPX3000; as a matter of fact, it nearly is a complete package, but I wish that the nozzle through which the water comes out could be wider to allow for covering more surface when cleaning.

The A383 is a beautiful pressure washer that aims to deliver perfect performance for home chores.

Next up, we are looking at the AR Blue Clean AR383, a pressure washer that is for people who are not looking to spend much money but still want something powerful enough to get the job done for them.

The AR383 does not come with any advanced features but has enough basic ones that will allow you to clean your home efficiently.

Some of the features are highlighted below:

Technical Specification

Now that we have looked at the feature let’s see just how much of the AR Blue Clean AR383 is admirable; for starters, the star of the show is the motor, of course. The engine is capable of delivering a 1.5 GPM, combined with 1,900 PSI. While it is not the most potent motor found in a pressure washer, you have to look at the price as well, because it is one of the cheaper, more budget-friendly models available.

Another great thing about this pressure washer is the number of attachments that come with it. You get a pressure washer gun, pressure washer hands, as well as a detergent bottle, and two high-pressure quick change wands that have variable nozzles.

All of these attachments add a great value to the already fantastic pressure washer and makes things super easy for anyone who is looking for a good cleaning experience.

One thing I have seen many users complain in pressure washers is that they are heavy; well, lucky for you, the AR383 is one of the lighter weight pressure washers available in the market, this allows the user to easily carry the washer anywhere they want and set it up for use. While the feature might be a gimmick to some, I find it useful as it allowed me to properly clean the house whenever I wanted to.

The SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S is for people who want the most features, and a lot of power as well.

Simpson has always been one of my go-to brands whenever it came to power tools. Their consistent quality has kept me coming back for more, and the SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S is no different.

Right from the start, I was in search of a powerful pressure washer that gives me power, mobility, and heaps of features all in one package regardless of the price. SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S is what I needed.

The SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S comes with many features, some of the main ones are listed:

Technical Specification

*Rate Pressure and Rated Water Flow is within manufacturing tolerance of (+/- 10%).

Judging by the size of the washer, you might think that this is going to be a pain to carry around, thankfully that is not the case as the washer comes with two 10-inch pneumatic tires that make the job much more comfortable, that coupled with a steel frame, and you have everything in order.

However, the star of the show is the motor that is capable of giving 3,200 PSI at 2.5 GPM: this configuration makes the SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S the most potent pressure washer on our list so far.

Considering how this pressure washer works on gas, you also get a GC190 Honda engine that is powerful and can deliver incredible performance for your pressure washer to the point that you would not need to look for another one.

However, when it comes to pressure washers, I do not think SIMPSON Cleaning MSH3125-S could be bested, at least in the given price range. It is powerful, it is easy to move around, and has a lot of attachments and features that will take care of most of the cleaning needs you have.

If you are on a budget, then the then the Ivation Electric Pressure Washer is excellent with enough features.

If you go to Amazon or even in the market and start looking for pressure washers, you are going to find countless options available to you. To an average user, it is both good and bad things; good because you will have so much to choose from, bad because you will get confused because of the number of options.

The Ivation electric pressure washer is an excellent choice for people who are on a budget but also want some nice features.

Although there are not a lot of advanced features available, the basic ones are there, check them out:

Technical Specification

Taking a thorough look at the Ivation electric pressure washer, there are many things that you would like. For starters, the washer is lightweight and can be carried easily to anywhere you want.

You should also know that the same washer is available three versions; there are two smaller versions available, but we are reviewing the best one available in the market.

Both the hose and the power cord of the washer are long enough, so you can just set the washer on an optimal position and from that point, you can move around as much as you want.

As far as the mobility is concerned, this gets full marks because there is nothing that hinders the mobility and cleaning of this pressure washer.

Increasing the portability, you need to understand that the pressure washer comes with onboard storage for the nozzle, which makes it much better. However, I wish there was storage for the hose as well, but that does not seem to be the case here. Since we are talking about the nozzles, you get five attachments in total, allowing you to customize your user experience properly.

There is an automatic stop feature which I find useful because it made everything a lot easier for me, and you do not get the ease of access that easily. The function means that it will stop the washer completely, allowing you to not worry about anything.

An upgraded version of SPX3000 that provides better build quality as well as a hose reel.

If you remember, I raved about the Sun Joe SPX3001, despite checking out so many pressure washers, the SPX3000 remains one of my favorite pressure washers.

Right now, I am looking at the Sun Joe SPX3001, a seemingly upgraded version of the original that I have reviewed with more features, and flexibility as far as the user experience is concerned. Is it really an upgrade? The list of features that come with Sun Joe SPX3001 are listed below:

Technical Specification

As far as the feature set is concerned, the SPX3001 is impressive as they get, however, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The total stop system is also a convenient feature, because it stops the motor on its own, meaning that the motor will not rotate and consumer electricity for no apparent reason, this is the feature that I would like to see in more pressure washers.

In addition to that, I love that there are different nozzle types, making everything much more comfortable for the user as well because you now get multiple ways of cleaning whatever you want to clean.

The onboard detergent tank is another plus point about this pressure washer because you can simply add as much detergent as you want in the container with 1.2 liters being the max capacity, this allows for thorough cleaning without having to worry about running out of detergent.

The Karcher K3 Follow-Me is perhaps the most portable pressure washer you can buy even on a budget.

The one thing I noticed among people who are looking for pressure washers is apparently the need for portability. Apparently, the higher the portability, the easier it becomes to move the washer around. Same is the case with the Karcher K3 Follow-Me that is built around providing the maximum amount of portability, making it a great option to buy.

As far as the features are concerned, you can have a look at them below to have a better understanding:

Technical Specification

Now onto the stuff that matters. Honestly, I was not sure what to expect from the Karcher K3, the pressure washer is the smallest I have seen, and from the looks of it, you do not ever think that the performance is going to suffer. However, the good thing is that I was proven wrong in no time.

In reality, the Karcher K3 Follow-Me is an excellent pressure washer. However, it does feel like it is made for a niche audience because not everyone is going to need a power washer that is not powerful enough. Comparatively, the K3 has lesser pressure, meaning that it will not be suitable for all the cleaning jobs.

Lastly, I also found the hose to be smaller than what I would prefer.

The good thing is that the lightweight and compact nature of the pressure washer makes it a handy power tool for most of the situations. It can quickly clean a variety of surfaces, but the pressure is not as high, so keep that in mind before you start cleaning some tough stains.

Thankfully, the pressure hose does not tangle with the power cord, which is a common issue in most of the pressure washers that I have reviewed.

The Sun Joe SPX1000 is the perfect electric washer for people who want to have light to medium cleaning.

Right out of the box, it is a tell that the SPX1000 is built for people who are looking for a pressure washer that is affordable for everyone, and especially people who do not need something heavy duty because their cleaning requirements are not limited to those. As long as you only want to do light to moderate cleaning, the SPX1000 is an excellent option for you, because it will help you with the cleaning process.

As far as the features are concerned, you can have a look at them below:

Technical Data

I was already aware of most of the things about the Sun Joe SPX1000 because this is not the first Sun Joe pressure washer that I am using. I had used and reviewed two of the pressure washers from the same company before and loved them. However, the experience was slightly different as this was my first time using a low powered, budget-friendly pressure washer from Sun Joe.

The great thing about this pressure washer is that this is one of the quietest pressure washers I have used. Whether you are near the unit or at a distance, you will not hear a lot of noise, which is fantastic because most of the units that I have tested made a lot of noise, especially the more powerful ones, but this does not make as much noise.

Another feature that I love about the SPX1000 is that you can quickly connect and disconnect the wand from the hose. A feature that even the highest end pressure washers lack

If there is one thing that I don’t like, it is the fact that the hose on the pressure washer is smaller than what I would have preferred, but considering how the pressure washer is not made for reaching heights, this shortcoming is more than understandable.

The AR Blue Clean AR390SS is the best washer for anyone who is looking for removing hard stains.

The AR Blue Clean is back with another pressure washer, and this time, we are looking at the famous AR390SS. Yes, all the pressure washers from AR Blue Clean come with a slightly confusing name, but I can assure you that this is indeed one of the best pressure washers that you are looking for in the market, and should serve you well too.

The feature list for the AR Blue Clean:

Technical Specification

Now the good thing about the AR Blue Clean AR390SS is that it is very effective at most of the jobs that you would throw at it. Sure, you might think that it is not suitable for stain removals, but after thorough testing, I can assure you that it is terrific and effective, to say the least. Whether you are removing stains or doing an overall cleaning job, it is effective and works well at all the ranges.

Another great thing I love about the AR Blue Clean AR390SS is the quiet operation that you get from it; this needs to become more common in the pressure washers because most of the pressure washers that I have used are very loud. With this, you are in luck as the operating noise is as quiet as it gets.

The overall ease of access that you get from the AR Blue Clean AR390SS is also excellent; the washer is easy to use and control without getting into a lot of technical details. Not to forget, the mobility is worth it.

Best pressure washer for people who want a powerful, gas-powered pressure washer.

I have reviewed a Simpsons pressure washer before as well, and if you are looking forward to buying one, then I have to tell you that the Simpson are really good with their pressure washers, especially the high-end ones that are powered with Honda engines.

The SIMPSON Cleaning PS3228-S is no different, and so far, it is the most potent pressure washer on the list.

The features need no introduction, but if you are interested:

Technical Specification

Judging by the features alone, one can attest to the fact that the SIMPSON Cleaning PS3228-S is not playing around when it comes to being dominant. The engine is capable of providing 3,200 PSI pressure along with 2.8 GPM; this is some serious raw power that this pressure washer has. So much so that it can take care of pretty much all the stains that you want it to remove without really taking much time.

Both the power cord, as well as the hose are super sturdy, so you will not have any issues with mobility if that is what bothers you. I would say that the SIMPSON Cleaning PS3228-S is a great pressure washer as far as the mobility is concerned, and this is a surprise because the sheer size of this pressure washer is worth keeping in mind.

The one thing that I would say that I did not like is that the engine is way too powerful, and while power is not the concern or the problem here, the problem is that the engine will outlast the pump itself. Which means that the pump will need to be replaced after a while because the engine itself is going to outlive the pump, which is completely fine.

The Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp is the best pressure washer for people who are looking for something small.

If you are in a market looking for a pressure washer that is small, compact, easy to use, and can easily be carried around like a backpack, then I would suggest buying the Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp. In all honesty, the Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp did not let me keep my expectations high.

Before I go any further, you can check out the feature:

Technical Specification

My first impressions of the Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp were not positive, because I thought that the pressure washer would not be able to hold its own against the competition. That is mainly because it was way simpler, and looked flimsy. However, I forgot that this was made for specific purposes like cleaning your car, or your house, and even your backyard with this pressure washer, making it the ideal choice.

The only thing I did not like is the fact that the pressure washer comes with a motor that is way more underpowered than what I would prefer. For those who do not know, underpowered engines mean that there will not be enough pressure, which in many cases, is not acceptable by many people.

Buyer’s Guide – Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Pressure Washer

If you are going to the market to look for a pressure washer, or even if you are shopping online, I have to tell you that there are going to be several options at your disposal.

This is not a bad thing at all, because having options is always a good thing, but it is also important to keep in mind that whenever you are buying a pressure washer, you need to be completely sure, because otherwise, you might end up buying a pressure washer that is not all that useful for you.

This buyer’s guide is for people who are not familiar with the buying process of a pressure washer.

There are so many options, and these pressure washers are used for so many different purposes, it is really easy to get confused and have a mix-up.

Hopefully, this buyer’s guide will make things easier for all the buyers who are confused, or feeling overwhelmed due to the sheer number of options you have available.

Know What You Want to Clean

The first thing that I would advise you to consider is knowing that you want to clean. I know it sounds weird, and out of place, but if you know the primary use of the pressure washer it becomes much easier for you to decide.

For starters, you do not want to clean your car with a super high power pressure washer because that would not make much sense at all. Similarly, you do not think you can clean the tough stains on your wall using a portable power washer that does not have enough power, right?

What sort of Pressure Washer, PSI and GPM you will need for different jobs:

So, before you make your decision, just consider what you want to clean beforehand, and you will be able to buy the right pressure washer without any issue whatsoever.

The Size of the Pressure Washer

Another essential thing that you need to consider whenever you are in the market looking for a pressure washer is the size of the pressure washer.

I say this because pressure washers are available in different sizes. You get the super portable ones that are almost the size of a backpack, and then there are medium-sized ones, and lastly, you get the big ones that come with a steel frame and pneumatic tires.

The simplest way to make the right choice here is knowing the task you are going to handle with the pressure washer. Once you have figured that out, you can buy the pressure washer that fits your requirements.

PSI and GPM

Going through this review, you are going to see terms like PSI and GPM being used a lot. That is because these are standard terms in pressure washers.

If you are wondering, what PSI is, it is pounds per square inch of pressure. The higher the PSI, the higher the pressure of the water that comes out of pressure washer. In addition to that, one more thing you need to consider is the GPM, and that is gallons per minute. Again, the higher the GPM, the more the water will come out.

You should know that if you do not want to buy a pressure washer for more large tasks, then buying one with lower PSI and GPM is not that bad at all.

Electric or Gas Powered

Another important thing that I would ask you to consider whenever you are in the market looking for the best pressure washer is making sure the power source of the pressure washer.

Do you want to buy a pressure washer that is powered by electricity, or do you want a pressure washer powered by gas?

Now here is the simplest thing to understand, if you are looking for a small to a medium-sized pressure washer, then you are going to buy the electrical one.

But if you are looking for the larger sized version, then the best option would be to go for the gas powered one since those don’t come in electrical versions, because of the power draw.

Conclusion

Testing these fantastic pressure washers have been a fun thing to do, however, at the same time, it did feel like a chore because some of them were less than helpful as compared to the others. However, at the end of the roundup, I can only say that I managed to make sure that almost all the best pressure washers that are available in the market get adequately tested because otherwise, there is no point in actually buying a good pressure washer.

There were some of the pressure washers that stood out the most, especially by Simpson, as they were way too powerful. However, thanks to pressure washers like the Greenworks, it all made sense and the overall roundup was appropriately balanced.

In conclusion, I would only like to say that I hope this list helps you find the best possible pressure washer you are looking for. Sure, you might find more suggestions on the internet, but if you are not in the mood to randomly scroll the web finding the right solution, then this is the right way to go.

In case you think the list could have had more options added, feel free to let us know your suggestions in the comment section, and we would love to have a look at them.