Last updated: Dec 21, 2021
Whether you know you want an electric pressure washer, or you’re simply in the market and checking out the options, they’re worth considering.
The main reasons people look to buy an electric pressure washer are to:
- Keep the noise down
- Avoid the added maintenance of a gas powered engine
- Pressure wash a small, or delicate area (patio furniture, car, etc.)
- Pressure wash an area with without (adequate) ventilation
- Buy something environmentally friendly ♻️
If you’re buying your first pressure washer, you likely want to start with an electric machine; partly because when you’re buying your first pressure you’re typically just getting started owning products that need pressure washing.
Once you’ve got enough toys (and real estate) to warrant the need – or if you hate tripping over power cords – then take a look at my picks for best gas powered pressure washers, but for now, let’s take a look at the best electric pressure washers on the market.
What makes a good electric pressure washer? What to consider when buying your first pressure washer?
It probably goes without saying, but when there really is no such thing as the ‘best pressure washer’. Your needs are as unique as the next man’s, so where someone else might need a heavy duty pressure washer to clean their airplane hangar, you might want something compact and portable with a foam cannon attachment to wash you and your wife’s cars.
Here, I’ve attempted to highlight the most popular electric pressure washers on the market; the pressure washer that are easily accessible, easy to find in Home Depot, Costco, Canadian Tire, or your local hardware store.
Are the electric pressure washer brands different than the rest of the pressure washer industry?
The common issue with pressure washers and small home appliances like them has always been the fly-by-night brands built cheaply and shipped from half way across the planet to the American markets. It’s the same old story, whether you’re shopping for a nail gun, or a pressure washer, or a paint sprayer.
So how do you know which brands you can trust? Well the good news is plenty of people have bought plenty of pressure washers made by brand names they had never heard of with no issue.
The list below highlights the brands which have manufactured pressure washers for years, and have a solid track record of making hardy, tough, good quality pressure washers that last for years:
- Annovi Reverberi (aka AR Blue Clean)
- Briggs & Stratton
- Generac
- Greenworks
- Karcher
- Simpson
- Stanley
- Sun Joe
Electric Pressure Washer Comparison Table
Pressure Washer | Images | GPM | PSI | Engine | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun Joe SPX 3000 | 1.76 | 2,030 | Electric | ||
Sun Joe SPX 3001 | 1.76 | 2,030 | Electric | ||
AR Blue Clean AR383 | 1.4 | 2,000 | Electric | ||
Greenworks GPW 1501 | 1.2 | 1,500 | Electric | ||
Greenworks GPW 1702 | 1.2 | 1,700 | Electric |
Our Picks For The Best Electric Pressure Washers
We had to break it down, so after building a huge spreadsheet of various reviews across various site’s, here’s our data on the top pressure washers that are out right now.
The Sun Joe SPX 3000
Kicking it off first on our list is one of the most popular electric pressure washers on the market, and it’s easy to see why.
It’s affordable while maintaining the power of a medium duty pressure washer. The Sun Joe SPX 3000 is a 2030 PSI electric pressure washer.
Both the SPX 3000 and the SPX 3001 listed below target the home owner, but if you own a car detailing business, either of them will suit you well. This is a great machine for all-around use for the homeowner: blast away caked-on dirt from your various toys: cars, RVs, driveways, patios, decks, siding, outdoor furniture, fences, and bricks – all while keeping the neighbours happy at the lack of a gas engine.
It comes with five nozzles, which snap-on to the spray wand easily:
- 0 degree – Orange nozzle delivers a high pressure pencil point jet stream best for small, concentrated areas to remove tar, grease spots and caked mud.
- 15 degree – Yellow nozzle is for intense cleaning on hard surfaces (eg. strip paint, mildew stains and rust from steel).
- 25 degree – Green nozzle is good for home siding, brick patios, wood siding and driveways.
- 40 degree – Gray nozzle is good for cars, trucks, boats and patio furniture.
- Black soap nozzle – For cleaning using detergent at a low pressure.
You can see each of the nozzles in this clip, but they’re just a standard issue, snap on design. What sets this pressure washer apart from it’s sister (the SPX 3001 listed below) is the ability to flick a switch and be pressure washing with hot water. This comes in super handy, and if you don’t really care about the hose reel, the Sun Joe SPX 3000 is a no-brainer.
Features of the Sun Joe SPX 3000:
- 2030 PSI, 1.76 GPM
- Weight: 31 lbs
- It has a ‘Total Stop’ system that automatically turns off to conserve energy when not in use
- Comes with 5 nozzle tips for various power/coverage
The Good Parts:
This best selling model is lightweight, affordable, and powerful. It’s easy to transport and comes from a reputable company. As good as a lower end gas powered pressure washer, with all the benefits of the electric. Has a switch for hot water for extra hard to get areas.
The Bad Parts:
No hose reel can be annoying if it’s going to be somewhere where the hose gets knocked around. The unit’s has been known to leak for some people, though if you’re handy with tools it seems like an easy enough issue to fix.
The Final Word:
If you’re looking for a powerful, all-purpose pressure washer, this model is a great choice. It’s versatile and rated highly.
Here’s the Sun Joe SPX 3000 in use:
The Sun Joe SPX 3001
I’ve used this and the one above it extensively; both are super popular electric pressure washers, best sellers, simple pressure washers that do the job and don’t break down. The Sun Joe SPX 3001 is a 2030 PSI electric pressure washer.
I know what you’re thinking… “What’s the difference between Sun Joe’s SPX 3000, and the SPX 3001?” Under the hood, there are a lot of similarities, but the major differences are that the SPX3001 comes with a hose reel, and doesn’t have the option for hot water.
For those that consider a hose reel and absolute must have (and I know there are a lot of you), then look no further than the SPX 3001 – it’s a best seller for a reason! I don’t care too much about cords as I keep a pretty tidy garage, but different strokes for different folks.
Features of the Sun Joe SPX 3001:
- 2030 PSI, 1.76 GPM
- 31 lbs
- Total Stop System to conserve energy
- 5 changeable nozzle tips
The Good Parts:
Comes with a hose reel. Portable, well priced, and easily as powerful as low-to-mid tier gas pressure washers, without the noise or air pollution. It’s easy to haul around, does the job, and is a best seller.
The Bad Parts:
It’s a bit heavier and larger than some other electric pressure washers, making it harder to move. The unit has been known to leak for some people. No hot water option.
The Final Word:
If you’re looking for a powerful, all-purpose pressure washer, this model is a great choice. It’s versatile and rated highly.
The AR Blue Clean AR383
Similar to the Sun Joe, but is both bigger and heavier and costs a bit more. Response to this pressure washer has been better than it’s predecessor the AR Blue Clean AR383. The AR Blue Clean AR383 is a 1900 PSI electric pressure washer.
Features of the AR Blue Clean AR383:
- 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM
- 40 lbs
- 4 changeable nozzle tips
The Good Parts:
The AR Blue Clean AR383 is a 2000 PSI electric pressure washer and comes with a 35 foot power cord and 30 foot hose which are longer than the others. Personally, I think the extra 10 feet makes a huge difference over time.
At 2000 PSI it can be used for intense cleaning like driveways and cement, and also more delicate things like wood furniture that’s survived a few winters without cover.
The Bad Parts:
It’s bulky and more expensive without adding a significant amount of power. (Take that with a grain of salt, because it pumps out 1.4 gallons per minute which is still fairly decent for the size and price, from AR: a brand that’s been manufacturing pressure washers for decades.)
What’s the final word?
This is another solid choice for an electric pressure washer. It has medium-duty power with a variety of nozzles to choose from and can be easily moved around to accommodate your cleaning needs
If you end up grabbing one of these, I recommend investing the extra little bit and picking up the Quick Connect Hose Adapter which makes connecting and disconnecting the washer a lot easier.
The Greenworks GPW 1501
I think the Greenworks GPW 1501 is a great pressure washer for home use, though I’d really only recommend it for smaller jobs (think: cleaning a fence, washing a shed, washing a car, but not pressure washing an entire parking lot). The Greenworks GPW 1501 is a 1500 PSI electric pressure washer.
The one I originally bought is now in the hands of a friend who uses it to wash his (ridiculous) number of cars, but I think this is a great washer for anyone who needs a pressure washer for “around the yard”.
Features of the Greenworks GPW 1501:
- 1500 PSI, 1.2 GPM
- Weight: 17 lbs
- 20 ft hose length
- 35 ft power cord with inline GFCI so you don’t electrocute yourself
The Good Parts:
The Greenworks GPW 1501 is a 1500 PSI pressure washer, and is one of bestsellers in recent years. It’s lightweight model and is both affordable enough for the small homeowner, and powerful enough to handle a multitude of cleaning tasks around the yard.
The GPW 1501 has a switch where you can turn on hot water, which is super handy for places where dirty and other crud are extra caked on, and deserve a hot water soak before you get down to business.
I dig that Greenworks is an environmentally-focused company, so it comes as no surprised that they know how to do electric pressure washers. They’re one of the most reputable companies in the electric pressure washer space and their electric pressure washers are comparable to the lower-end gas powered pressure washers, except smaller, quieter, and better for the environment.
The Bad Parts:
It’s an entry-level pressure washer, which means if you run it pretty hard, you will likely burn out the motor (not a common problem, but no need to redline this little machine). Once you have a large area needing a good annual cleaning, or… if you run a landscaping company and want to offer pressure washing as a standard base service, this is going to feel dinky and it might make sense to get something bigger and badder.
But if you’re simple cleaning off your boat at the end of the season, want to keep your car clean, etc, this is a great machine.
What’s the final word?
If you’d like a more in-depth review, one of the first reviews I did on this site is on the Greenworks GPW 1501. (Note to self: I should probably go back and update that)
This deck seriously needs a clean… After a pressure wash, it’s good as new!
The Greenworks GPW 1702
Greenworks is back with another competitive player in the electric pressure washer category. The Greenworks GPW 1702 is a 1700 PSI electric pressure washer, that packs a serious punch.
Armed with a hose reel, Greenworks unleashes a slight upgrade to their ultra popular 1500 PSI machine.
Features of the Greenworks GPW 1702:
- 1700 PSI, 1.2 GPM
- Weight: 23 lbs (10.1 kg)
- 20 ft (6.1 meter) hose * Note: Many places list a 25 ft hose, don’t believe the hype! They’re either willfully ignorant, or copy-pasting their answers from elsewhere. I went straight to the source on Greenworks website.
- Comes with a hose reel, so you aren’t tripping all over cords in your garage
- Comes with a soap applicator attachment, which is super handy if you’re going to be washing your car, but otherwise I tend to mostly just use the washer on these machines.
The Good Parts:
I have used its younger brother (the Greenworks GPW 1501 which is a 1500 PSI) and think either would be a great washer if you like to go 4×4’ing, or if you’re someone who likes to keep their car clean all the time. The major benefit to the 1700 PSI versus the 1500 PSI is not the water pressure, believe it or not, it’s the hose reel!
If you’re the type of person whose garage gets full of junk and cords everywhere, then you’ll understand how nice it is to have a reel built right into the pressure washer, that you can simple reel back in at the end of the job and it’s ready to go (with no kinks or knots) the next time you’re looking to pressure wash your driveway. I think it’s worth the extra scratch, personally.
The Bad Parts:
Probably not a big enough machine is you have a gross deck that’s covered in algae, or if you need to wash a large area like a decent sized outdoor patio, or concrete surrounding a pool area, etc.
The Final Word:
This is a great pressure washer if you’re a car fanatic, or if you’re just looking to tidy up your siding clean from grass clippings, and dust that’s settled over the last year or so.
If you have a large deck that’s in need of a good solid pressure wash, you’re better off using a higher power machine (perhaps consider a gas powered machine?). In either case, if you’re looking to pressure wash a giant slab of concrete that’s had a few Summer’s to bake in, and a few Winter’s to freeze in, this one might leave something to be desired.
Honorable Mentions For Top Electric Pressure Washers
While I was researching this blog post, I invariably found another 30 or 40 electric pressure washers I’d never heard of but which had a large following of rabid fans. I haven’t owned, touched, or used the pressure washers listed below, but they’ve all been recommended in one way or another by people I know, or forums I frequent.
The Clean Force 1800
This model is unique in that it has a pull behind design rather than a stand up design. It’s affordable and yet still powerful enough to be considered a medium duty pressure washer.
Features of the Clean Force 1800:
- 1800 PSI, 1.76 GPM
- 17 lbs
- Total Stop System to conserve energy
- Brush attachment
The Good Parts:
This pressure washer is lightweight! At 17 pounds it’s super easy to move around, and the pull-behind design makes it compact and easy to store as well.
The Bad Parts:
It’s not the most powerful washer at only 1800 PSI, and the hose is only 20 feet long.
The Final Word:
If you’re not looking for a super powerful pressure washer but want something convenient and affordable, this is a great choice. It’s lightweight and easy to store, while still maintaining the power of a medium duty washer.
The Ford FPWEF 1800
If you don’t like the pull behind design of the Powerhouse pressure washer, but like having those same features, this is a great alternative. The Ford FPWEF is 1800 PSI electric pressure washer.
Features of the Ford FPWEF:
- 1800 PSI, 2.1 GPM
- 24.5 lbs
- 35 foot power cord
- 4 sprayer modes
The Good Parts:
This one has slightly more power than the last (higher GPM) and has the bonus of a longer power cord and longer hose. Instead of nozzle attachments which can be easily lost, it has 4 different settings for the sprayer wand.
The Bad Parts:
It’s heavier and more expensive than the Powerhouse, without significantly more power.
The Final Word:
This model is similar in power and quality to the Powerhouse pull-behind washer. With different features and design, it’s a great alternative.
The Shark HPB-251607A
This is one of the rare electric pressure washers with a hot water option. This is not a washer for light cleaning around your home, but it’s seriously powerful if you need to do some big jobs.
Features of the Shark HPB-251607A:
- 1600 PSI, 2.5 GPM
- 490 lbs
- Hand truck design
- Hot and Cold water options
The Good Parts:
Hot water pressure washers amplify already high cleaning power. This one will clean just about anything. It has a 7 year warranty and insanely durable build.
The Bad Parts:
It’s enormous and expensive. At almost 500 pounds and $2500 this is not a pressure washer for the average consumer looking to clean their driveway.
The Final Word:
The price and weight of this make it an impractical buy for most. But if you’re looking for industrial strength cleaning power and reliability for some really big jobs, this is a solid choice.
If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment. Likewise, if you have more info to add to the conversation, I’d love to hear from you and to grow this as a great resource for electric pressure washer reviews.
Leave a comment, and let me know if you enjoyed the post! ?
Very in depth and transparent, solid info when it comes to pressure washers. Thanks for this.
I agree with you on opting for a pressure washer gun. It really makes cleaning easy, really does!
Pressure washer gun kit = wise decision. lol