Electric pressure washers are becoming extremely popular – and we know exactly why. Compared to their gas-powered counterparts, electric pressure washers are cheaper, easier to maintain, and do the job well for most homeowners.
But with buying gas powered pressure washers, you know what you are going to get. The specifications make sense, you know how they work, they’re reliable, and are generally more powerful. So how do you figure out what to look for in an electric pressure washer?
Bottom Line: Today, I’ll break down exactly what I look for in an electric pressure washer and highlight some of my favorites that I have personally used and reviewed. My personal favorite is the Greenworks Pro 3000 PSI pressure washer that I have reviewed extensively on my YouTube channel.
Let’s get started:
- GPM and PSI explained
- Different nozzle types on pressure washers
- Brushless motors on electric pressure washers
- Typical price range
- Best electric pressure washers I’ve used
My experience with electric pressure washers
I’ve used a ton of electric pressure washers. While I’ve traditionally been a gas guy and used a nice Simpson pressure washer or others with Honda engines, I’ve transitioned to electric. Over the years, I’ve gotten my hands on some of the most popular electric pressure washers. While some have absolutely sucked, others have performance indistinguishable from gas, except much, much better user experience.
I’ve personally reviewed a handful of pressure washers over on my Youtube channel if you don’t believe me!
GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers
PSI stands for pound force per square inch, and represents the force of the water against whatever surface you are washing. GPM stands for gallons per minute, and tells you how much water volume is coming out of the nozzle.
PSI and GPM work hand in hand. Having a high PSI means you have a laser beam of power. The range in GPM tells you how wide the laser beam will be. So high PSI and low GPM means a super small beam. High PSI and high GPM means a big freaking cannon of water.
As you can see, both of these are important in order to achieve the maximum cleaning capacity of your pressure washer. Choose a pressure washer with a high enough PSI and GPM to accomplish your cleaning goals. Usually a PSI between 2000-3000 is perfect for homeowners, whereas anything above that is great for commercial use.
Different nozzle types on electric pressure washers
Most electric pressure washers come with four or five nozzles that all have different uses. Here are some of the common nozzles you might see on your pressure washer:
- A 0 degree, or turbo, pressure washer nozzle – this concentrates the spraying force over the smallest area and is the most intense and powerful.
- A 15 degree nozzle – this is great for a nice combination of power and a little bit of spraying width. 15 degree nozzles are awesome for concrete or stripping paint off of your deck.
- A 25 degree nozzle – this adds a bit more surface area and is awesome for cleaning things at a distance, like second floor windows or other hard to reach places.
- A 40 degree nozzle – the widest spray, great for pressure washing a car or other more sensitive areas where you don’t want to risk damaging the surface.
Some other attachments you might see include pressure washer surface cleaners, extension wands, or soap nozzles.
Brushless motors on electric pressure washers
One must have for electric pressure washers is a brushless motor. Brushless motors are an innovation in the electric motor world that produce less friction when running. Less friction means that the motor runs cooler, it lasts longer, is more durable, and more efficient.
Basically, brushless motors are the GOAT in electric pressure washers. Brushed electric motors are more prone to burning out due to the internal friction, especially with the frequent starting and stopping.
One word of caution – many electric pressure washers do NOT have brushless motors. Getting one with a brushless motor is EXTREMELY important. Easily the most valuable thing you can get in a pressure washer.
Typical price range of electric pressure washers
Most good electric pressure washers range about $300-$400. If you are getting a powerful electric pressure washer with a brushless motor and good components, then you get what you pay for.
Of course there are HUNDREDS of cheap electric pressure washers for sale on places like Amazon, but I would stay away from those. Some common complaints I’ve heard are that the connection ports are plastic-y and really cheap. Others just plain stop working or have their motors burn out after about an hour of use. You’ll see a lot of these for sale in the $100-$200 range and frequently on sale.
Let me break down the best ones you SHOULD be looking for.
Best electric pressure washers I’ve used
I’ve had the pleasure of using a ton of electric pressure washers and can give you my recommendation for my absolute favorites. After testing these extensively, it really gave me a solid sense of what features are most desirable in an electric pressure washer. Let’s get started with my top pick.
Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer
The Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer is a VERY solid pressure washer. I got it, tested it extensively, and posted a review of it on my Youtube channel.
Not only does it look cool, but it is easily the best electric pressure washer I’ve ever used. Here are a few features that made me obsessed with it:
- One of the highest PSI electric pressure washers on the market
- A brushless motor that comes with a ten (10) year warranty. That is a crazy warranty and lets you know just how well this is constructed.
- Really easy to store and wheel around. The wheels are huge and are never-flat, so you don’t have to worry about filling them up with air.
- It comes with a ton of nozzles, including a turbo nozzle, that all store super conveniently on a little dashboard.
- A high quality hose and a really good waterproof extension cord both come included in the purchase.
This thing did a great job cleaning off my deck and even concrete pavers in my backyard. I was impressed. It is also for sale on Amazon for a really good price.
Sun Joe SPX3500 Electric Pressure Washer
I knock the Sun Joe in some of my other posts, but mostly because the predecessor to the SPX3500 was the extremely popular SPX3000. But the SPX3500 is named as the best Sun Joe pressure washer for a few reasons.
For starters, it has the things I recommend in all my electric lawn tools: a brushless motor. This was missing from some of the older Sun Joe pressure washers and is a massive step up from the SPX3000. But it is truly like the people at Sun Joe went and read all the negative Amazon reviews that they got on their other pressure washers and immediately implemented the changes into this pressure washer.
This not only includes the brushless motor, but a huge error in the hose connection port that now solidifies the connection with metal instead of cheap plastic. It also includes a much sturdier design that prevents the pressure washer from falling over when the hose gets pulled or the extension cord reaches the end of its slack.
But the best part is that this pressure washer comes in at a crazy good price. Right now it’s on Amazon for super cheap, which is something they kept from their earlier models.
Ryobi 3000 PSI electric pressure washer
Similarly to the Greenworks pressure washer listed above, this Ryobi electric pressure washer is a great option. It has a ton of power, has a sweet brushless motor, and comes with all the bells and whistles. The reason this one is a little lower on the list is two-fold.
First, the price on this pressure washer is a bit higher than the other two. Second, my neighbor owns this pressure washer and it is rotting in his garage right now because one of the O-rings is busted and he hasn’t gotten a replacement.
This is definitely just an anecdote but has concerned me enough to avoid buying one for myself.
I do think this is still a great option and it can be found at Home Depot for a better price.
Why we review electric pressure washers
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Common questions about electric pressure washers
What PSI is good for electric pressure washers?
A good electric pressure washer PSI is in the 2000-2500 PSI range. This is enough pressure to handle most household jobs but still be lightweight and inexpensive.
How good are electric pressure washers?
Electric pressure washers are great for home use, but not great for commercial use.
What is the most powerful home pressure washer?
The most powerful home pressure washer I have used is the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer.
How much PSI do I need to clean my deck?
Deck cleaning can be done using a pressure washer with about 2000 PSI. This is enough power to not strip the paint, but ensure a good clean.
How much does an electric pressure washer cost?
Electric pressure washers range from about $50 to $350 depending on the PSI and build quality of the machine.
What are the most popular electric pressure washer brands?
The most popular electric pressure washer brands include Ryobi, Greenworks, and Sun Joe.
