As good as the Honda engine is, it will need oil changes, spark-plug maintenance, and seasonal shutdowns. You also need to factor the price of gas and stabilizer into the operating costs. No electric pressure washer requires that Champion Power Equipment kind of upkeep, which is why we recommend an electric model first if you think that type would work for your property. This 1,900 psi Ryobi model has many of the same features that we like about the larger, 2,300 psi model.
For electric models, extended use or the use of an improper extension cord can cause the motor to overheat. Models that claim to have thermal motor protection will shut the motor in those circumstances to prevent damage. This pressure washer from Westinghouse is gas-powered and claims 3200 psi Champion Power Equipment max with 2.5 gpm. It comes with 5 nozzle tips, solid wheels, and the cleaning tip is replaceable. The AR Blue Clean AR390SS is one of the best electric pressure washers out there. The Ford FPWG3100H-J comes equipped with 4 quick connect spray nozzles as can be found in other pressure washers.
Now you must tilt the pressure washer to drain the rest of the soap in the tank and then proceed to rinse the tank with clean water before you can wash other surfaces with it. This is not an issue if the soap compound you’re using is non-caustic. But a lot of soaps you use to clean your driveway are caustic and can eat away stuff like plastic. In the end, we couldn’t see any real difference between the majority of electric models as far as cleaning speed. We did see a difference, though, in convenience features, so that’s where we focused our attention. We evaluated things such as stability, cord and hose storage, portability, accessory storage, hose quality, overall durability, and motor noise.
Rachel’s passion for electronics goes back in even further — she was born into a family that owned and operated a consumer electronics distribution business for over seven decades ! She has since tested just about any consumer tech gadget, ranging from computers, TVs, smartphones, smart home products and more. But while PSI is important, you also need to pay attention to water flow, measured in GPM, or gallons per minute. GPM measures the volume of water delivered by the pressure washer — an indicator of how quickly your machine will clean. Higher GPM pressure washers (2.0 and up) will clean faster than those with lower GPM. We assessed performance, ease of use, safety and durability, and we combined our Lab-based findings with a thorough analysis of thousands of online reviews to come up with this round-up of winners.
To aid this, it is fitted with oversized pneumatic tires to make movement easy even if it is through uneven terrain. Finally, the spray wand that comes with it is well designed and easy to use. These help to concentrate or disperse the pressure depending on the task you’re trying to accomplish. It will make your work faster due to the added power, and you don’t have to look for electric outlets or drag around messy cords along with already difficult-to-handle water hoses.
Most of the time, you’ll be using the Yellow or Green tip to clear out mildew or remove stains. Most professionals will advise against using the Red nozzle, some even say you should discard it after purchasing the pressure washer. That’s because a lot of people have accidentally broken skin or hurt someone else by using the Red tip.