Buying A Pressure Washer

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Pressure Washers

Pressure washers have become very affordable and useful around the house. When it comes to pressure washers there are two basic choices; gas powered and electric. Electric power washers are great for small projects around the house like washing outdoor furniture and cleaning cars. Gas powered pressure washers have more power and features and work great for larger projects like cleaning decks, patios and washing house siding.

When selecting between a gas powered and electric power washer it’s helpful to identify how often you’ll use the washer, availability of electricity and the required water pressure. The following guidelines can help with identifying the water pressures you may need based on your project requirements:

1200 to 1350 psi – Low Pressures

Lower water pressures are acceptable for cleaning lawn furniture, cars and yard equipment like mowers and tillers. Pressures like this are typical of most electric power washers.

1500 to 2200 psi – Medium Pressures

Larger electric power washers and smaller gas powered pressure washers produce water pressures acceptable for cleaning decks, greesy grills and equipment.

2200 to 3500 psi – High Pressures

Large gas powered pressure washers produce pressures high enough for cleaning siding and patios. They are also built for more frequent uses and larger volume projects.

Recommended Power Washers

Karcher 1800 psi electric pressure washer.

I recommend the following electric and gas powered pressure washers for your next cleaning project.

Electric Power Washer

If you’re looking for a good quality electric power washer then check out the Karcher #K3.48M 1800PSI Electric Power Washer. This is a great value at just $169.99 from Amazon. It features an easy to use electric pump with a built-in detergent tank in a small easy to store size.

Karcher 2000 psi gas powered pressure washer.Medium Size Gas Power Washer

If you’re looking for a medium sized pressure washer then I recommend you check out the Karcher 2,000 PSI 2.0 GPM 87cc Gas Powered Pressure Washer. Karcher pressure washers are very well reviewed and offer great features and quality. This model features 2400 psi pressure with a 2 year limited warranty for a great price of $216.73 with FREE shipping from Amazon.

High Pressure Gas Powered Pressure Washer

Power Boss gas powered pressure washer.

When it comes to a high pressure gas powered pressure washer I recommend the Power Boss 3,000 PSI 2.5 GPM Honda GC190 Gas Powered Pressure Washer. This pressure washer features a Honda motor which I’m a huge fan of and it creates 3,000 psi of pressure for the toughest jobs. At $499.99 from Amazon with FREE shipping it’s a great value.

About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

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2 Comments

  1. mark crooks says:

    which pressure washer do you recommend?

    KARCHER [$800]= 13 hp honda engine, karcher pump, rated 4000 psi and 3.6 gpm

    -OR-

    JOHN DEERE [$999] = 13 hp honda engine, triplex pump, rated 3800 psi and 4.0 gpm

    • Todd says:

      @ Mark – I’m not familiar with the John Deere model but I am a huge fan of Deere equipment. Karcher is one of the industry leading pressure washers. I’d say it’s a toss up.

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