While gas-powered pressure washers are popular among homeowners, electric power washers are more lightweight and tend to have a quieter motor and a quick-start operation. They also tend to be less expensive than their gas counterparts, require less upkeep, and never run out of fuel. Plus, they can tackle pretty much any stubborn mess with ease, including mold, mildew, oil, and tar. To help you decide which is the best electric pressure washer for your home, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind the hose length, pressure rating, machine weight, and flow rate. We also consulted George Schultz, merchant of pressure washers and outdoor power accessories at The Home Depot, and Gary McCoy, a Lowe’s store manager. Here are the best electric pressure washers. Keep In Mind: It isn’t as powerful as a commercial grade pressure washer. If you’re looking for a pressure washer that packs a punch—without being the most powerful, then this option from Ryobi is for you. “Heavy-duty pressure washers like this one are ideal for larger projects such as cleaning fencing, decking, siding, and sidewalks,” says Schultz. “This Ryobi option is great for quick cleaning driveways, decks, windows, patio furniture, and other areas around the house.” Some of its helpful additions include a PSI of 2300, on-board accessory storage, and a 25-foot hose. It also features a bonus Turbo Nozzle that delivers up to 50% more cleaning power, which can be helpful in handling tough surfaces. “This time-saving accessory cleans up to four times faster than a standard nozzle with rotating jets that give you a large, streak-free clearing path,” he says. Plus, it has a three-year warranty for added assurance. Price at time of publish: $479 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 feet | Pressure Rating: 2,300 PSI | Machine Weight: 49 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.2 GPM Keep in Mind: It’s battery won’t last you as long as other pressure washers. An affordable pressure washer doesn’t necessarily have to mean that it’s lacking power or features, as proven by this Greenworks electric pressure washer model. Its battery may not last as long as other alternatives on this list, but it still has a heavy-duty PSI of 2000. “This powerful pressure washer eliminates all hassles, including dirt, grime, and more,” McCoy says. “Its detailed design, which includes a 25-foot house and 10-inch wheels, is incredibly helpful in making it easy to use as well.” This particular pressure washer is also PWMA certified, which means it’s approved by the Pressure Washer Manufacturers Association and adheres to the pressure and flow rate standard. Plus, it has an on-board soap tank and accessory storage, so you can easily switch out nozzles and use soap to clean. The 35-foot power cord is helpful in reaching various areas outside your home. Price at time of publish: $189 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 feet | Pressure Rating: 2,000 PSI | Machine Weight: 38 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.2 GPM Keep in Mind: It’s not meant for stripping paint or doing other commercial-level tasks. The Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max Electric High-Pressure Washer is the best electric pressure washer for detailing and getting that difficult-to-remove grime off just about any vehicle. With a PSI of 2,030, it’s powerful yet gentle enough to use on RVs, cars, trucks, and boats. And, if you plan to use it for other outdoor tasks, don’t worry—it also effectively cleans driveways, decks, patios, outdoor furniture, and lawn equipment. Designed with two removable detergent tanks and an automatic shut-off, it’ll allow you to easily clean different surfaces without having to stop and change solutions. Other helpful features include its 360-degree, easy-glide wheels, which give you complete mobility to move it anywhere within the reach of its 35-foot cord. The electric pressure washer is easy to put together and requires minimal maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. It also comes with a two-year warranty for extra peace of mind. Price at time of publish: $200 Product Details: Hose Length: 20 feet | Pressure Rating: 2,030 PSI | Machine Weight: 31 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.76 GPM Keep in Mind: This is a cold-water pressure washer and does not offer hot water. According to Schultz, this Ryobi model is the best-selling pressure washer at The Home Depot. It has a powerful 2000 PSI, which is great for removing dirt and mold from exterior siding, fencing, decks, patios, windows, and driveways. It also contains a powerful turbo nozzle with three different head options, so you can adjust the nozzle to get the most effective results while cleaning. The best part? All of the nozzles can be stored on the unit to make them convenient to access, too. In addition, its 25-foot hose and on-board detergent tank allow you to access a whole range of areas within your outdoor space and easy soap application. “And, it features a durable metal roll cage frame, wheels, and a telescoping handle, allowing for easy transport, too,” Schultz says. The pressure washer itself also arrives with a three-year warranty and is performance tested and rated per the PWMA standards. Keep in mind, though, that this is a cold-water pressure washer, which isn’t as effective on oil and grease stains as hot water. Cold water still works on mud, sand, and dirt, however. Price at time of publish: $239 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 feet | Maximum Pressure: 2,000 PSI | Machine Weight: 29 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.2 GPM Keep in Mind: It may require an extension cord for larger areas. Karcher’s K5 model is the best pressure washer for those looking to effectively (and efficiently) clean their siding, decks, and other home exterior surfaces. With a 25-foot hose and 35-foot electrical cord, you’ll be able to spend less time plugging and replugging in your device and more time cleaning dirt and muck off your home. Its PSI of 2,000 is in the range of medium-duty options yet can easily remove dirt, mold, and other substances from practically anything outdoors, including fencing, decks, and patios. This particular model also comes with two adjustable spray wands, one for lighter cleaning and another, the DirtBlaster, for tougher tasks. Overall, it offers a whole slew of versatile cleaning options, but it’s also compatible with other Karcher accessories, so you can get more work out of it. Its water-cooled induction motor and non-corrosive pump are known to last five times longer than a typical motor and deliver a relatively powerful cleaning power. Plus, it’s backed with a two-year warranty and a rapid exchange program, if you do happen to run into any mishaps. Price at time of publish: $370 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 inches | Maximum Pressure: 2,000 PSI | Machine Weight: 32 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.4 GPM Keep in Mind: The PSI is only 450, meaning it’s not designed for heavy-duty cleaning jobs. For a cordless design, the best electric pressure washer is the Worx Power Share Hydroshot Portable Power Cleaner. The cleaner is specifically designed to wash vehicles, boats, grills, outdoor furniture, and other small items. Plus, it’s lightweight so it’s easy to transport around your outdoor space. This particular model is also cordless, meaning you have the ability to move about freely and wash items without being tethered to a cord. Since its PSI is only 450, it’s best for less-intensive cleaning jobs, so don’t expect it to be able to remove an oil stain from your driveway. However, its nozzle has four settings, which will allow you to select different power ranges for different tasks. Plus, its battery life gauge will alert you on how much power you have left, so you can swap out the batteries when needed or recharge them before they run out of juice. The pressure washer runs on two 20V batteries, and it comes with a two-slot charger for faster charging when the batteries do run low. Price at time of publish: $230 Product Details:
Hose Length: 20 feet | Pressure Rating: 290 (low) and 450 (high) PSI | Machine Weight: 5.11 pounds | Flow Rate: 0.90 GPM Keep In Mind: It’s more expensive than other electric pressure washers. This pressure washer from Greenworks serves as proof that electric pressure washers can be as powerful as gas ones. The Greenworks Pro 3000 Electric Pressure Washer is one of the most powerful electric pressure washers available, advises McCoy. “It’s powerful, reliable, and built for just about any heavy-duty cleaning task,” he says. Due to its gas-style continuous motor and its hassle-free push-button start, the electric pressure washer powers up seamlessly and runs consistently while in the ‘on’ position. Plus, it has a digitally controlled motor that automatically adjusts the pressure and flow to provide the maximum amount of consistent water flow for each nozzle. It also includes an extra-long 35-foot power cord, a waterproof plug, and a metal spray gun with a coating that’s resistant to corrosion to make it last for years to come. The heavy-duty 3000 PSI can remove tough stains from driveways, walkways, patios, or any other larger spaces. Designed with a rugged wheelbarrow design and a steel frame, it’s meant to be stored vertically and can take up 50% less space than other bulky pressure washers. Plus, it has a 10-year motor warranty and a three-year tool warranty, in case you run into any problems along the way. Price at time of publish: $430 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 feet | Pressure Rating: 3,000 PSI | Machine Weight: 47 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.1 GPM Keep in Mind: It has a slightly lower PSI than other options. The best pressure washer with a variety of additional features is the Craftsman Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer. Crafted smartly, it’s durable, mobile, and powerful enough for almost every outdoor cleaning task. The machine itself has three nozzles, including a turbo option, so it offers the ability to clean your car, back patio, deck, and more. It also has an integrated soap tank, comfort grip on the pressure washer wand, and onboard storage to make it comfortable and effective to use and store. Designed with an innovative T-rail handle system that’s created to lock the wand into place during transport and a 35-foot power cord, it can reach most areas in your outdoor space. Along with that, it has 8-inch wheels to let you maneuver it around easily. Plus its 1,900 PSI is medium-duty and can easily remove dirt, mold, and other substances from exterior siding, fencing, decks, patios, and more. Price at time of publish: $169 Product Details: Hose Length: 25 feet | Pressure Rating: 1,900 PSI | Machine Weight: 25.6 pounds | Flow Rate: 1.2 GPM

What To Know About Electric Pressure Washers Before Shopping

PSI

Different power washing projects require different pounds per square inch (also known as PSI). Generally, the stronger the PSI, the more powerful the machine is. Those looking to clean objects like boats, vehicles, and outdoor furniture can go with a lighter-duty pressure washer with a PSI of around 1,900. If you’re looking to clean tough-to-remove substances like graffiti or you want to strip paint, you’ll want a PSI of 3,100 or more. “A good PSI for an electric pressure washer is about 1,800 to 2,000 PSI,’’ Schultz says.

Tank Capacity

The best tank capacity for you can be determined by how long your pressure washer sessions usually last. You’ll want to take into account the PSI and GPM (gallons per minute) along with what you plan to use the pressure washer for to figure it out. In general, those with a higher PSI tend to have a larger water tank capacity and vice versa for a small tank.

Battery Life

If you’re choosing a cordless electric pressure washer, you’ll want to make sure the battery life will last you through the duration of your typical pressure washing session. You may also want to pick up two batteries so you’ll always have a charged battery to swap in if the first one dies while you’re hard at work blasting grime.

Cord and Hose Length

In general, the longer the cord and hose length the more reach the unit has. This gives you more freedom to move around without having to reconnect to a power source.

Special Features

Items like brushes, nozzles, and tips can be helpful additions for specific pressure washing projects. “There are many attachments that are made for particular projects, including rotating brushes and extension wands for high cleaning,” Schultz says. “With the right accessories and a little guidance, a pressure washer can make your outdoor spaces and furniture look fresh and clean all year round.”

Your Questions, Answered

What are the benefits of an electric pressure washer?

If you’re deciding between gas and electric, neither one is necessarily better than the other, but they are each suited to different tasks. Generally speaking, gas pressure washers are more efficient than electric pressure washers. They’re also better designed for removing materials like paint. However, gas pressure washers are also typically larger, making them harder to store, and require more of an upfront investment and maintenance, explains Schultz. “Electric pressure washers are budget-friendly, lightweight, and low maintenance,” Schultz says. “However, they’re usually not as powerful as gas models.”

What is a good PSI for an electric pressure washer?

According to Schultz, an 1,800 to 2,000 PSI is a great range for an electric pressure washer. “This PSI is great for light-duty jobs such as cleaning your car or grill,” says Schultz. Every pressure washing project will require a different PSI, so it’s worth remembering that 1 to 1,899 PSI is considered low, 1,900 to 2,788 is considered medium-duty, 2,800 or more is heavy duty, and 3,100 or more is considered commercial grade. Something light-duty would be used for tasks like washing vehicles, boats, etc, whereas something commercial is for tougher tasks like graffiti removal, paint stripping, and more.

Can you use an extension cord with an electric pressure washer?

You can use an extension cord with an electric pressure washer, but it’s imperative to read the manufacturer’s instructions ahead of trying anything new. However, it is typically fine to use an extension cord with a pressure washer. “It’s important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operating the pressure washer,” says Schultz. This is because it won’t provide enough power to your machine, which is why you should use a twelve gauge wire with a length of over 25 feet. Any cord that’s 16, 18, or lighter will likely not provide enough power.

Who We Are

Rachel Dube is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To come up with this list, she consulted Gary McCoy, a Lowe’s store manager, and George Schultz, merchant of pressure washers and outdoor power accessories. She also thoroughly researched the best electric pressure washers while considering their PSI, hose length, cord length, and machine weight.