Pressure Washer Buying Guide

The weight and dimensions of any particular pressure washer often depend upon the pump and the motor. If the pump and motor are quite heavy, then you would expect that the body of the washer is also heavy, big, and strong. The body is one of the most important aspects as a power washer with a lighter and smaller body can be easily knocked over when you use the hose. The bigger and heavier the machine is, the sturdier and more stable it will be.

The body of the power washer contains integral components for the operation of the equipment. The power on/off switches and the fittings used to connect the hosepipe and washer hose are two such components. Ideally, a pressure washer using push-fit connections is preferred, as it will be easier and quicker to attach all the accessories, of which there could be quite a few. To manage the various accessories common to pressure washers, plastic moldings are often in place where the accessories can be safely tucked in when they are not in use.

The cleaning power of a pressure washer is measured in PSI and gallons per minute (GPM) rating. The PSI is used to measure the pressure of the water which flows through the pressure washer and helps to determine the power of the water stream. The GPM is used to measure the water’s volume which flows through the pressure washer. It is used to determine how quickly and effectively the pressure washer will clean the surface.

Pressure washers are available with different PSI and you should choose the one that suits your need perfectly. You can choose from:

Electronic Motor-Models for Consumers – They have PSI in the range of 1300 – 1800 with up to 1.5 GPM. These are basically light duty and used for residential purposes such as cleaning mild surfaces like shutters, car washing, lawn furniture, spot cleaning, light mold removal, etc.

Gas Engine-Models for Consumers – The PSI for these models range from 2000 – 3000 with up to 2.8 GPM. Also used for residential purposes, these are heavy duty in nature and can be used for cleaning sidewalks, decks, pavement, tougher stains, siding, etc.

Gas Engine-Models for Professionals – With PSI ranging from 3,000 – 4,000 and up to 4.0 GM, these models are ideally used for heavy duty jobs such as industrial cleaning, graffiti removal, pavements, concrete, paint stripping, stubborn stains, tougher molds, etc.

In order to determine the cleaning power of a pressure washer, you can simply multiply its PSI with its GPM. You can use the result to compare between different pressure washers and choose the best one that suits your requirement.

Did You Know?

If you notice that a pressure washer has the PWMA logo, then it indicates that the respective pressure washer has been certified by the Pressure Washer Manufacturers’ Association. The PWMA is a non-profit trade association of manufacturers of pressure washers. The association develops standards for the manufacture of pressure washers and strive to educate the public about the best way to use power washers. Being a certified member of the PWMA indicates that a third-party testing program has been used to validate the manufacturer’s claims of their pressure washer’s performance.

Accessories

Pressure washers usually come with one lance and one nozzle. Every washer comes with a trigger and handle for the water to flow through the nozzle once the trigger has been squeezed. A lance is basically a long plastic tube which connects the trigger and handle to the nozzle. There are some expensive pressure washers which come with multiple lances and nozzles. These expensive models provide varying power and jet spray shapes such as:

Fixed Jet – In this jet you cannot adjust the shape and pressure.

Variable Fan Jet – Also known as variable pressure lances, it allows you to change the force of the jet and is mostly preferred for cleaning surfaces such as cars and decks.

Rotary Jet – These are also known as “Roto-power’ lances or Blasters, and usually have a very high pressure. The power of the jet can be adjusted only by moving it away or closer to the surface being cleaned.

Angled Lances – As the name suggests, these are effective in cleaning surfaces which are difficult to reach such as the underside of a car.

Some pressure washers are available only as standalone units and without any additional accessories while others are available with several useful accessories. A few of the common accessories that are usually available include:

Brushes – Some machines come with a fixed brush through which the water flows while others have a rotary brush which rotates according to the water’s power.

Patio Cleaner – These are basically plastic hoods which are circular and have a brush on the bottom edge. A pair of rotating jets are present inside the plastic hood.

Brooms – They are attached to the end of the lance and are effective in cleaning a wider surface area.

Nozzle Protectors – Nozzle protectors help in protecting both the nozzle as well as the surface being cleaned. They can either be slipped or screwed on the end of the nozzle.

Water Filters – Water filters help in keeping away any kind of debris or material in your water supply.

Buyer Impressions

Simpson MSH3125 Megashot

Family Handyman | 5 stars

Family Handyman purchased this unit and says that it is the best pressure washer in this price range. The brass fittings for the hose fittings are much more durable than the plastic fittings that are common on many other brands. This allows Family Handyman to use the MSH3125 for his business as they do not strip like the plastic fittings. Moreover, Family Handyman recommends the Honda motor and Simpson pump as being well worth the money.

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Schafter ST5

Caleb Henry | 5 stars

Caleb is impressed with the perfect water pressure the Schafter puts out. He states that it is not too much pressure, but it’s perfect for washing his vehicle’s grime without stripping paint.

Amazon Customer | 4 stars

This customer compared the Schafter ST5 to other power washers they rented with 4000 PSI for approximately the same price this one costs to buy. The jobs they do are comparable and the hose reel on the Schafter is a nice feature. One problem experienced was that the customer noticed there wasn’t a ground-fault circuit interrupter on the machine. As most outlets have these in place, the customer assumes that is why one isn’t included.

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AR Blue Clean AR383

Bryan W | 3 stars

Bryan liked that this unit is lightweight and portable. The various attachments allow him to accomplish a variety of jobs around the home. He especially likes the adjustable tip on the wide-angled wand. Bryan often uses the AR383 to clean his driveways, decks, grills, and mower. Bryan was unimpressed with the leaking from the hose adapter. He corrected this by buying a brass male-to-male hose adapter and the problem was solved. He also disliked the hose reel as it gave him problems with tangling and trying to bend the hose into place.

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Sun Joe SPX3000

Tim S | 5 stars

Tim loves his Sun Joe SPX3000. He says that, power-wise, it competes with his gas-powered washer, rated at 2200 PSI. He enjoys that it is lightweight and whisper-quiet as he cleans. He suggests to get the multi-angle rotary attachment to get jobs done much faster using the 0 degree stream.

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Quick Tip

The pressure washer nozzles are usually color-coded, and they indicate the spray pattern’s narrowness and forcefulness. For example, a white nozzle means the pressure is 40 degrees, green indicates 25 degrees, yellow indicates 15 degrees while red is 0 degrees. A black nozzle is usually a low-pressure nozzle which is used for dispensing soap.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is the PSI more important or the GPM?

Both PSI and GPM are equally important when it comes to buying a pressure washer. Multiply the PSI and the GPM together to arrive at a standard measurement for all pressure washers.

Is it okay to use bleach or hot water in a pressure washer?

No, both bleach and hot water should be avoided as both can cause damage to your machine.

In a gas engine powered pressure washer, when should the gasoline be drained?

Always ensure that you remember to remove the gasoline if you are storing the pressure washer in your basement or transporting it in a vehicle.

Where should the pressure washer be stored?

Always store the pressure washer in a dry, clean and well-ventilated area. Ensure there are no open flames, sparks, or any kind of combustible materials around it. If you are placing it in an unheated garage, ensure that you winterize it before the first frost.

Picking the Best Pressure Washers for Under $400

Depending on your needs, there is a pressure washer for you! Finding the best pressure washer under $400 may be a tough task due to all those choices. After reviewing four of the more popular power washers, we have selected the Simpson MSH3125 Gas Pressure Washer as the best of the bunch. As it is a gas-powered washer (and an economical one at that!), it can project a powerful stream that can be used for business or home purposes. The big rubber wheels and long hose make it a cinch to use in a variety of places. If you are looking to get the best value out of your purchase, look no further than the Sun Joe SPX 3000. While it doesn’t have the same power as the Simpson, it is capable of a strong stream of pressurized water that can clean a variety of surfaces. Furthermore, the lightweight nature of the ST5 makes exceedingly portable and easy to use. You can’t go wrong with either one, but if you have the money, go with the Simpson and use it for years to come.