Updated Apr. 25, 2024
The best electric pressure washers do the same jobs as a gasoline pressure washer but without the hassles of oil and gas, fumes, and noise.
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For tough cleaning tasks, elbow grease only goes so far. Being able to spray away years of grime and dirt provides spectacular results and instant DIY satisfaction—a feeling attainable only with a pressure washer.
“An electric pressure washer is perfect for removing dirt and grime from hard-to-reach places and is exceptional for quick cleaning of decks, windows and patio furniture,” says Nicole Durden, Senior Merchant of Outdoor Power Equipment at Home Depot. “When coupled with a surface cleaner attachment, corded electric pressure washers can also tackle smaller driveways, sidewalks and other areas around the house.”
You can choose the best electric pressure washers with added features, like 360-degree wheels, a telescoping handle and quick-connect nozzles. Electric models are easier to use and don’t emit exhaust. They’re not as powerful as gas models, but most homeowners don’t need the extra force for around-the-house tasks.
The best electric pressure washers are suited for blasting through all kinds of outdoor mess, including mildew on siding and fences, oil stains on concrete and dirt and grime on patio furniture and driveways. You might find yourself running around your property looking for more surfaces to clean, since electric models are so easy to use and can tackle just about any job.
Ready to see our favorite options on the market? Check out the six best electric pressure washers, tested and reviewed.
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The Dewalt 2400 PSI electric pressure washer sports the classic Dewalt yellow styling. With 2,400 PSI, it kept up with my gasoline-powered Dewalt pressure washer. Despite its size and power, the 40-pound electric pressure washer felt like next to nothing, especially when compared to a gasoline-powered pressure washer.
The machine uses a hook-and-loop mechanism to store both the hose and the electrical cord. The nozzles are easily stowed near the handle. The soap tank nestles neatly on top of the machine.
A 1.1 GPM rating on this washer means that it is designed to remove tough stains, and it did. I was able to easily remove mold and mold “grout” lines from my patio with the 25 degree moderate pressure nozzle. The engine quietly hummed along and the wheeled base was easy to maneuver.
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The Sun Joe SPX3000 Xtream sports both high pressure and GPM, making it versatile for use as a sweeper or a grime remover. It also uses easy-to-attach and easy-to-identify nozzles. It does all this without breaking the bank, making it our choice for best budget pressure washer.
The soap tank rests within the device’s body, and the electric cord storage should be hand-wound and placed in a compartment at the base of the machine when not in use. The garden hose conveniently attaches to the front of the device. Plus, the handle and wheels make it easy to move the machine to a new location.
The SPX3000 Xtream sports a narrow and tall profile pressure washer with a stable base and rear wheels. It looks somewhat like a movie droid, and if it were to get a role as a movie droid, it would keep the set tidy. I found it easy to use and adept at both stain removal and pushing mud. With plenty of soap storage, it’s ready to tackle big messes.
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The Westinghouse EPX 3100 falls into the realm of cute meets function. It’s a pressure washer with a GPM for clearing debris and a PSI for removing grime. Do not be deterred by its diminutive size, as it packs a mean punch.
The Westinghouse pressure washer comes with what I might call “adorable wheels,” which roll around. I thought it was just going to dump over as soon as I tugged on the hose. However, it rolled amazingly well, and it became my favorite feature, making it win the mobility title.
This tiny pressure washer has a soap storage compartment, nozzle storage, and a garden hose attachment on the back side of its body. The front side contains the pressure washer hose attachment, which allows me to pull the washer along from the hose. With 2,300 PSI and the 15-degree nozzle, I was able to wash away mold from pavers with no problem.
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If you’re looking to remove deep stains, stubborn mold, or have lots of area to pressure wash, look no further than the Greenworks 3000 Electric Pressure washer. With 3,000 PSI and an array of nozzles including a turbo nozzle, you’ll have things spic and span in no time.
This machine has a front-wheeled base, with nozzle storage front and center. There’s a huge soap storage tank on board and places to wind both the hose and the electrical cord. One of my favorite features of this pressure washer was the cushioned handle grip on the front of the machine, which makes it easy to pick up the machine and hoist it into a vehicle for transportation.
I used the Greenworks on some oil stains on my patio and loved how easy it was to set up and get running. Though it’s a big machine, the engine was quiet. The turbo nozzle lifted the oil stain with ease.
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I know I’ve already talked about “cute” pressure washers, but the Ryobi 1800 takes the cake for being compact and pleasant on the eyes. You tote it around with a handle like a briefcase turned on its side. With only two nozzle choices, 15 degrees, and high pressure, this diminutive machine is focused on doing one job well: Removing grime.
Once I had this little machine up and running, it ran quietly and I was amazed at how well such a small device could work. The 15-degree nozzle barreled through the mold almost as well as the bigger machines. The lack of storage for the wand, cord and hoses was not a problem since it was still easy to pick up this machine with all of its accessories and move it to a new location or put it in storage.
After hooking it up to the hose, it was still super simple to carry to a new location. Though small in size, it has a standard 25-foot electrical cord and plenty of hose for the spray gun. Within seconds, I removed mold and dirt between the pavers.
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The Karcher 2000 is the easiest-to-use pressure washer on this list. Of all the machines we tested, it was the only one that did not come with a selection of nozzles; instead, it uses just one variable angle nozzle that you twist in order to adjust. With this method of spraying, you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking the nozzles on your machine.
This is a robust machine with lots of adjustability and advanced hose storage. There’s plenty of space to store the electrical cord and the soap adjustment nozzle is easy to reach on the front of the device. The wheeled base and high handle allowed me to quickly and easily move the pressure washer. I didn’t love that the spraying nozzle was a separate piece that had to be attached to the wand, but found that it did produce great results compared to a traditional spraying nozzle.
Karcher also includes a reel where you can spool your spray gun hose. At first, I thought it wouldn’t work well due to the stiffness of spray hoses and the lack of stability of the machines. Luckily, it was easy to wind the hose right into position for storage.
There are a number of things to consider when selecting an electric pressure washer, but three stand out. The first is the PSI or pounds per square inch of water that the pressure washer can produce. The greater the PSI, the greater the force of the water against whatever it contacts. So, more PSI means better stain and grime removal.
The second thing that stands out is the machine’s GPM or gallons per minute of water that the pressure washer can produce. The greater the GPM, the more water is emitted from the wand. More water equates to a stronger ability to “sweep” or remove debris.
The third thing that stands out is the selection of nozzles that either ship with the device or are available for the device. Larger machines typically ship with three to five nozzles ranging in size from 0 degrees to 40 degrees. Some machines also ship with a turbo nozzle and most use a dedicated nozzle for soap applications. The 0-degree nozzle will have the most severe angle, making it the most aggressive and also most capable of causing damage. Most consumers will be working with 15- and 25-degree nozzles.
So, with three key features in mind, selecting an electric pressure washer should be based on your intended use. If you have a lot of mold or grime to remove, then a high PSI washer would be a good fit. If you need to move lots of dirt, leaves, and pine needles, then a machine capable of sweeping is in order. If you hope to do both, select a pressure washer that is capable of both.
As a product reviewer specializing in outdoor power equipment, I work with all kinds of tools dedicated to residential customers. The tools run the gamut from snow blowers to lawnmowers and everything in between. After owning a landscaping company for several years, I now spend most of my time caring for my home.
Updating and maintaining my property is one of my passions and I’m always on the lookout for equipment that will make my work easier and more efficient. I measure the equipment against a pre-set test plan that is curated by myself and others at Family Handyman. Sharing these findings with readers allows me to help others make purchasing decisions for themselves.
We tested all the pressure washers selected for this roundup. To ensure that we could meet a variety of consumer’s needs, the pressure washers were used to remove mold on pavers as well as sweep debris. We are pleased to recommend six of the best electric pressure washers on the market.
Each pressure washer was reviewed against the same criteria—ease of assembly, ease of use, storage space needed, and, of course, its ability to pressure wash. We assembled and ran each washer and considered its ability to perform specific and various tasks. Afterward, we cleaned up and stored the pressure washers and evaluated considerations such as mobility and storage.
All of the pressure washers were used in both high- and low-pressure situations with the available nozzles. For high-pressure testing, I removed mold from concrete pavers and gutters. High-pressure testing was also performed to remove moldy grit from between the pavers. Low-pressure testing was used for sweeping debris such as pine needles, weeds, leaves and grass, as well as rinsing vehicles.
Depending on the types of jobs you have planned, the PSI you’ll need varies. Be sure the pressure washer you choose has a variety of nozzle sizes for different jobs. Pressure washers with a PSI of 2,000-3,000 will work for most hard surfaces like concrete or brick. For softer surfaces like siding or wood, you’ll need a PSI as low as 1,500-2,000 so you don’t damage the surface.
The color of the tip typically indicates the angle of the nozzle and the spray pattern. The lower the angle, the higher the pressure. From strongest to weakest, the colors usually are: Red = 0 degrees; yellow = 15 degrees; green = 25 degrees; white = 40 degrees. Green should be safe to use on most jobs. You should never use red on wood or siding.
Treat your pressure washer the same way you would treat your sprinkler system. Frozen water in the mechanics of the washer can damage it. Be sure you drain all hoses before storing it in a warm place, preferably a garage or shed that is shielded from the elements and insulated from possible freezing.
Originally Published: May 05, 2023
