We Tested Several Electric Pressure Washers—and These Models Are Our Faves for Blasting Dirt Fast

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While gas-powered pressure washers are invaluable for intense, heavy-duty cleaning jobs, electric versions are much more convenient for light-duty tasks that require a gentler touch. Whether you’re washing your car, spraying down exterior siding, or blasting mud off your mountain bike, electric pressure washers get the job done quickly—and without damaging the item you’re spraying. They have all the bells and whistles of their gas-powered siblings, too, including soap reservoirs, a variety of spray tips, and portable frames for easy transport. They’re also easier to maintain and aren’t as loud as gas-powered electric pressure washers.

We rigorously tested a variety of models from trusted brands to find the best electric pressure washers for home use. Scroll down for expert advice on essentials to consider before shopping, along with reviews of our top recommendations followed by tips on best practices if you’re new to power washing.

The Best Electric Pressure Washers

• Best Overall: Greenworks 2700 Electric Pressure Washer

• Best Value: Sun Joe Xtream Electric Pressure Washer

• Most Heavy-Duty: DeWalt DWPW3000 3,000-PSI Compact Pressure Washer

• Easiest to Handle: Craftsman 2,100-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

• Best for Home Exteriors: Hart 2,500-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

What to Consider

Uses

Electric pressure washers are best for light work and small jobs—figure projects that take 30 minutes max—like washing down driveways and sidewalks or gently cleaning decks, patio furniture, or aluminum siding. These handy tools can also remove debris from cars and gravel bikes as you use a light touch and a white nozzle, which has the widest spray and thus is least likely to damage delicate surfaces. (If cleaning a car is your main objective, you’re best served by a cordless pressure washer.)

Electric vs. Gas

Electric pressure washers have quieter motors and are easier to maintain than their gas counterparts, which need oil changes, filter replacements, and yearly spark plug checks. With no fuel on board, electric pressure washers can sit indoors in winter, are easier to start, and don’t produce the harmful fumes of a combustion engine. Electric models are also lighter, smaller, and easier to store when not in use (particularly cordless battery-powered versions).

The heftier, bulkier gas-powered machines offer significantly more power though, and their durability is well-suited to extended use, especially in hot weather that can overheat electrical components. As a rule, electric pressure washers tap out at about 2,700 pounds per square inch (psi), with a max flow rate from 1.2 to 2.3 gallons per minute (gpm).

Safety

Because they have less power, electric pressure washers are generally safer than gas pressure washers. That said, they can still do damage if you use them incorrectly. For personal safety and to protect your stuff, always start with a green or white nozzle, which has wide spray angles to decrease the intensity of the water stream. If one of those doesn’t do the job, use careful judgment before moving to a yellow or red nozzle, which produce narrower streams with cutting edges that may gouge more delicate surfaces.

Another no-no: Never use a pressure washer on anything electrical because it’s sure to damage components. Regardless of the type of pressure washer you use, make sure to always wear closed-toe shoes and proper eye protection like safety glasses.

How We Selected

The electric pressure washers we looked at are all from reliable brands that we’ve come to trust over the years, such as DeWalt, Greenworks, Craftsman, Sun Joe, and others. To inform our selections, we relied on the expertise of PopMech’s Senior Home Editor Roy Berendsohn, as he put every electric pressure washer here through his rigorous testing. That included comparing how each model washed cement and brick paving, vinyl fencing, and outdoor furniture, among other messy cleaning jobs.

He also carefully washed a few cars using the safest nozzle, and considered things such as ease of use and performance in real-world scenarios to glean potential flaws and deal-breakers. Our final lineup represents the best models across categories that address different needs and budgets.

2700 Electric Pressure Washer

This model from Greenworks easily came out on top during past testing as the best overall electric model for performance and price.

Berendsohn found that it delivers high pressure and volume output, which makes for fast and effective cleaning power. No doubt that’s thanks to its always-running motor, so you don’t have to constantly be pulling the spray wand trigger to work, as with most electric models. We also appreciated the pressure sensor, which automatically adjusts output for whichever nozzle you’re using.

Other highlights include fat 10-inch wheels with deep treads, an on-board soap tank, accessory storage, and five spray nozzles. This model also stores upright to save floor space, though it operates horizontally so you won’t have to worry about it tipping over.

Another bonus is that it comes with a 10-year warranty on the motor and a three-year warranty on tools. This model also includes a foam cannon—a reservoir that connects to the spray hose and generates a thick layer of cleaning suds for added power.

The only drawback of note is that the hose outlets for the spray wand and garden hose hookup are fairly close together, which isn’t ideal in terms of easy access.

Xtream Electric Pressure Washer

We recommend the Xtream for light-duty washing and easy portability on a budget. This machine punches well above its price tag for extras and includes two removable detergent tanks, a cleaning brush specifically for automotive wheels, plus five spray tips.

Thoughtful ergonomic design was another notable attribute discovered during testing, with every outlet, switch, and handle well-located and comfortable to use.

You can expect solid cleaning power for an electric pressure washer in this price range, with 2,030 psi and a max flow rate of 1.2 gpm. We found that it’s best on pavement, since it tends to tip over on uneven surfaces.

DWPW3000 3,000-PSI Compact Pressure Washer

The stronger, more powerful sibling to the DeWalt 2100, this updated model packs another 900 psi and slightly beefier wheels into its sturdy frame. It still uses the same suitcase-style design that’s so convenient to carry–including a telescoping handle for wheeling around–and user-friendly onboard accessory storage.

The wand, nozzle, hose, and power cord all fit neatly into their own designated areas, including a molded storage space for the foam cannon–a feature not found on the previous version. We used this model mostly on concrete, cleaning, degreasing, and blasting loose moss and dirt. If it can handle that, it can certainly handle the more typical surfaces such as vinyl siding and a pressure-treated deck.

It’s worth noting that although its 3,000 psi provides a ton of stripping power, the 1.1 gpm flow rate is relatively low, making it less effective when it comes to rinsing away that grime when you’re finishing up.

2,100-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

Craftsman’s 2,100-psi electric pressure washer handles like a dream thanks to its compact, lightweight design and large wheels. It also cleans relatively quietly and with impressive power for its size; it’s capable of tackling medium-duty jobs like blasting dirt off concrete with its turbo nozzle.

We particularly appreciated its extra-long 35-foot power cord and large, easy-to-access top-and-center detergent tank, plus its slide-on spray wand mount that makes it pretty tough to knock off.

Overall, it’s another great choice for the price, much like our value pick Sun Joe. That said, if you need enough power and reach to clean second-story siding, there are better choices.

2,500-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

Combining an impressive psi and flow rate (just slightly less than our top overall pick), this Hart pressure washer provides an impressive amount of functionality for the price.

We tested this unit on every available surface we had access to—including vinyl fencing and lattice, concrete pavers, a stainless-steel barbecue, patio furniture, vinyl siding, painted wood, pressure-treated wood, and two types of trim (vinyl and aluminum)—all of which it handled with ease.

Although we didn’t find the soap-dispensing mode very effective when washing our pickup truck, that could be due to the type of car wash detergent we used.

1,500-PSI Electric Pressure Washer

If you can swing the price, this compact Craftsman model is a great investment should you need a power cleaner and electric pressure washer in one. This machine runs on two 20-volt batteries and offers three power settings, with a max flow rate of 1.2 gpm. In addition to a regular garden hose, this model can also draw from any fresh water source, thanks to its 10-foot suction hose. Like DeWalt’s portable electric pressure washer, it also has a convenient telescoping handle.

We found its 800-psi low setting to be the most useful for light-duty work and appreciated its lightweight build, easy maneuverability, and relatively quiet operation. Use it for cleaning things like gunked-up mountain bikes and dirty car floor mats.

Best Practices for Power Washing

If you’re new to pressure washing, and want to ensure you don’t damage the surface you’re cleaning, take the time to better understand the machine’s capabilities before diving right in.

Choose the Right Tip

Start about 10 feet away with the widest tip available, and as you get a feel for how the spray affects the surface you’re cleaning, gradually increase pressure by switching to a more focused tip, or simply walking closer to the surface. Keep in mind that different types of surfaces react differently, and the same pressure that works on blasting grime off of a trash can could potentially strip or damage something more delicate like painted wood.

Keep Moving

The movement of an electric pressure washer’s stream also affects its cleaning effectiveness—the longer the stream is focused on the same place, the more debris it removes. In order to prevent unsightly streaks and potential damage to your surface, it’s important that you keep the nozzle moving as you go, maintaining even, consistent coverage.

When to Go Gas

For heavy-duty cleaning projects, like removing decades of grime and mold on a concrete patio or cleaning graffiti, consider a gas-powered version instead. Even if you can technically get the job done by using the most focused nozzle and bringing it right up against the surface, a gas-powered washer is much more efficient, allowing you to remove wide, even swathes of grime with each pass.

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