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Effortlessly clean driveways, sidewalks, houses, and even cars with these powerful picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Not only will they look great, but washing these surfaces makes for a longer lifespan in many cases.
Of course, it helps to have tools to make those jobs easier.
Pressure washers are a great tool for cleaning and prepping surfaces around a home or property.
Credit: The Home Depot
Generally, for residential use, the best pressure washers will fall between 1,500 and 16,000 cleaning units.
We determined each productsvaluebased on itseffectiveness,design,ease of use, andpower.
For more information on how we tested pressure washers, check outour testing processbelow.
Our concrete patio before and after using the Ryobi.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Disconnecting the water hose was a bit challenging.
If you want an all-around greatelectric pressure washer, we recommend this pick from Ryobi.
We felt it was high quality and durable in addition to providing efficiency on cleanup times.
Youll want to be cautious using this model around softer surfaces with its high PSI.
It only took 10 minutes to set up, and the process was easy with clear instructions.
We alsocleaned a concrete patiothat had just been power washed recently, which only took 15 minutes.
Additional attachments are available for purchase separately.
Purchasing a pressure washer doesnt have to mean dropping hundreds of dollars to get an effective model.
The two tanks that hold detergent came in handy for this particular task.
Though a bit noisy, this compact machine didnt irritate our ears during use.
Its intuitive to use and comes with a cord thats plenty long.
All things considered, we think this pressure washer is a steal.
The water hose arrived coiled and wanted to retain its shape rather than straighten out.
Maintaining your property is an investment of time and money.
If your budget allows, you may want to consider splurging on thisGreenworks electric pressure washer.
The 15-, 25-, and 40-degree plus soap and turbo nozzles make this a wide-ranging pressure washer.
Its easy to stash the nozzles and hose with the pressure washer since theres a built-in mounting system.
Its a snap to maneuver yet its also sturdy and durable.
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The machine weighs 140 pounds and comes with a more technical instruction manual that isnt always straightforward.
With an impressive 4400 PSI and 4 GPM flow rate, it handled our grimey surfaces with ease.
Ouradirondack chairs, made of plastic composite, came clean in five minutes as well.
We had no trouble accessing the gas cap and canister which sit on top of the unit.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
And it took just 35 minutes to wash away stubborn tree residue from a concrete patio.
We also sought out extra help adding oil, which needs to be changed annually.
Its a quality option with a sturdy hose thats a generous 50 feet long.
The starter can be hard to pull, and its a larger machine that needs plenty of storage space.
The unit includes storage for the spray handle and nozzles to keep everything close at hand.
Overall, we were impressed with its cleaning ability and ease of use.
The spray pattern was inconsistent which left some streaks of dirt on our surfaces.
Plus, putting the washer to work was just as simple, making outdoorcleaning choreseasier and faster.
And if it tips over, the washer is protected by a frame to help prevent damage.
The handle must be continuously squeezed and this model isnt powerful enough to clear stuck-on debris off of surfaces.
Thats where this 8 poundpressure washer from Worxcomes in.
Powered by rechargeable batteries, its an ultra lightweight model thats also quiet and straightforward to set up.
We washed a textured cement walkway and acompost binwith this model.
It also wasnt strong enough to remove paint from a metal table.
Despite its small size, the unit is quite sturdy.
And of course, itseasy to storesince it doesnt take up much room.
It doesnt include storage space for the cord or hose, so theyll need to be stored separately.
If youre short on storage space, finding a compact pressure washer is important.
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Because of its small size, moving it around and finding a spot for storage was easy.
However, it doesnt include cord or hose storage, so youll need to store those separately.
The noise isnt overbearing and overall this model is a quality, durable option despite its compact size.
Our initial setup took less than half an hour.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Its also another great pick for beginners thanks to its easy set up process.
Once assembled, we evaluated the quality of parts and features like nozzles and hose storage.
We timed how long it took to get each surface clean.
Our initial setup took less than half an hour.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
In general, gas models tend to offer stronger power.
And while theyre heavier than their electric counterparts, they can be more portable as there arent any cords.
Electric models, however, do provide a few upsides.
Credit: Home Depot
They tend to be quieter than gas options and lighter in weight.
He explains, Gasoline-powered pressure washers need well-ventilated spaces due to fumes and exhaust.
Electric-powered pressure washers can be used both outside and inside since they do not give off exhaust and fumes.
The included hose is 50 feet long, though its location makes it a bit tricky to install.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
A higher PSI number means the pressure washer will clean more efficiently.
A higher GPM number means youll spend less time cleaning.
Waller explains, Cleaning units are calculated by multiplying a pressure washers pressure and flow.
For residential use, its recommended to look for a pressure washer that falls between 1,500 and 16,000 CU.
Use yellow 15-degree nozzles for prepping most surfaces or cleaning dirt, mold, mildew, or flaking paint.
You should also consider if a model is corded or cordless.
Our favorite portable option is theWORX Hydroshot 20V Power Share 320 PSI Portable Power Cleaner.
It also had impressive power with multiple nozzles, but the soap nozzle didnt allow for much pressure.
First, the higher pressure nozzles didnt easily allow us to clean large, porous surfaces like a driveway.
Second, the power cord needs to be stored separately which can be inconvenient.
Your Questions, Answered
Which is more important: PSI or GSM?
He advises that you consider cleaning units as you compare model options.
Do you should probably use detergents with a pressure washer?
Detergents arent a must-have, but they will be beneficial for difficult stains or heavy-duty projects.
Detergents dont have to be used, but they can boost your cleaning power.
It really depends on what youre cleaning, Waller adds.
For example, soap can help break down oil stains in a driveway.
Do you should probably connect pressure washers to a water source?
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so that function properly, youll need to connect your pressure washer to a water source.
Oftentimes, that means connecting the machine to a garden hose.
Her areas of expertise focus on shopping, cleaning and organizing, and home Improvement.
Credit: Lowes
What is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
The portable nature makes this washer a great pick for cleaning cars.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: WORX
Credit: Amazon
The Active pressure washer quickly removed dirt from our wall.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
