5 Best Electric Pressure Washer 2018, Reviews Guide & Comparison

Last updated on February 19th, 2018 at 11:57 pm

Pressure washers also called power washers are gifts the engineering gods decided to bestow on us lazy mortals. These washers can clean just about anything. Grills, wooden surfaces, cars, metallic surfaces and even concrete are some of the things a pressure washer can clean.

An Electric pressure washer is a new step in the evolution of pressure washers. These portable electric powered pressure washers have taken the job of cleaning to a whole new level; Indoor and outdoor cleaning can be done with ease.

If you’re looking to buy the best electric pressure washer for 2018, this guide and recommendations will save you countless hours of research. You will be able to choose the best by the time you get to the end of this electric pressure washer reviews

So, let’s get started.

What is an Electric Pressure Washer?

Out of curiosity, before we go much further, we have to tell you what an electric pressure washer is:

An electric pressure washer is a high-pressure mechanical sprayer that is powered by electricity. It is used to remove mud, mould, dirt, grime, dust and loose paint from surfaces and objects such as wooden surfaces, buildings, grills, vehicles etc.

How does an Electric Pressure Washer Work?      

An electric pressure washer sounds like an amazing tool to add to your cleaning arsenal. Of course, it is. But how does it work? An electric pressure washer sounds really fancy. But it is just a basic water pump powered by an electric motor.

These are the important parts you will find in an electric pressure washer and what they do:

Water inlet

This is just a stylish name for the hose that connects your pressure washer to the main water supply. The inlet contains a filter that prevents grit and other substances from entering your pressure washer. The main water supply is usually a tap (aka faucet).

Electric motor

This is the power house of your pressure washer. The electric motor powers the water pump. The pulling of the water pump by the electric motor causes water to come out at high pressure.

Water pump

This is the most important part of your pressure washer. This water pump resembles the ground water pump you operate by hand. The only major difference is that this water pump is driven at high speeds by the electric motor.

The water comes out at high speed. The water pumps in pressure washers are designed to handle water flow of 4-8 litres (1-2 gallons) per minute.

High-pressure hose

This is a tube that connects your washer to whatever cleaning attachment you’re using. A regular hose will burst because it cannot handle the high pressured water coming from your washer. High-pressure hoses are reinforced with wire mesh and many layers of high density plastic.

Residual current devices

These are ground-fault circuit breakers that are built into your electric pressure washer. This is to protect you in case of an electric fault. Water and electricity are not the best of friends. This is also an important part of electric pressure washer.

Cleaning attachment

The cleaning attachment you use with your pressure washer will depend on what you’re cleaning. Trigger guns, spinning wand spray and rotating brush are just common cleaning attachments you can use with your washer. Cleaning attachments are driven by the force of water flowing through them.

Types of Pressure Washers

There are cold and hot water pressure washers. Hot water washers are generally heavier and more expensive than the cold water varieties. Most of the power washers on the market are of the cold water variety.

We will be looking at the different types of pressure washers according to power source.

Gas-powered Pressure Washers

Gas-powered pressure washers are washers that are powered by an internal combustion engine. This engine runs on gasoline (petrol). Gas-powered washers are generally more powerful than their electric washer cousins.

Gas-powered washers generate between 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure. Their water flow rate is usually 2.5 Gallons per Minute (GPM). Gas-powered washers are best suited for heavy duty work like cleaning decks, patios, sidings, boats etc.

Gas-powered washers are expensive. They are not as portable as the electric washers. You can’t use the gas washers indoors as they produce toxic fumes. This is because of their internal combustion engines.Gas-powered washers are very durable, but they require a lot of maintenance. They are also very loud. Moving them around can be hassle.

Electric Pressure Washers

These come with a cord that you plug into a power source. Electric pressure washers generally work with 110-volt or 240-volt power outlets. They are not as powerful as the gas-powered varieties.

Electric pressure washers produce water pressure of 1,300 to 1,800 PSI. The water flow rate produced by electric washers is 1.4 to 1.5 GPM. Light cleaning like washing grills, window shutters, cars etc. are best suited to the electric pressure washer.

Electric washers are portable devices compared to the gas pressure washers. Many of them come with carrying handles for easy mobility. They produce no toxic fumes so you can use them indoors with little stress.

They are also quieter and less expensive than the gas-powered washers. An electric pressure washer requires little or no maintenance and you save gas money.

The only downside to the electric pressure washer is that they are not quite as durable as the gas washers.

Why Buy an Electric Pressure Washer?

The gas-powered pressure washers look like the better option right? Wrong, here are reasons why the electric pressure washer is your best bet:

• Compact Size: The electric pressure washers are lightweight and portable. You can easily move them and use them wherever you want without stress. They usually weigh less than the gas-powered washers.
• Low maintenance: Oil change and other maintenance issues that come up with the gas-powered washers are non-existent in the electric washers. You just plug in your washer and get to work.
• Save money: The electric pressure washer is cheaper than the gas variety. You don’t have to break the bank simply because you want to keep your house sparling.
• Versatile Use: Electric pressure washer can be used both indoors and outdoors. They lack an internal combustion engine. Thus they produce no carbon dioxide and other toxic gases.
• Environmentally friendly: Electric washer is more environmentally friendly. The gas-powered washers produce carbon dioxide and other gaseous by-products which pollute the environment. An electric washer has no such trouble.
• Noise Level: Electric pressure washers are generally quieter than their gas counterparts. You can now clean in and around your home without any ear muffs.

Electric pressure washers also come with many cool features like induction motors. These use circulated water to cool themselves before releasing the water, thus making the motor more durable.

Popular Pressure Washer Brands

There are many electric pressure washer brands out there. Each claims to be the best in the market. Do you take the manufacturers at their words? – Some, but not all. Check out the brands that make the best electric pressure washers list:

• Generac Pressure Washer: This Company has been in the business of making pressure washers for over 50 years. They are known for their powerful gas-powered pressure washers. Some of their products include the Generac 6809, 6922, 6921 etc.
• Karcher Presure Washer: This brand is known for inventing the first ever hot water pressure washer used in Europe. They offer a range of pressure washers. Popular products from their brand include the K5, K4, K2 Ergo etc.
• Simpson Pressure Washer: The Simpson brand has been in business for over 50 years. They are known for their durable and affordable electric pressure washers. ALV2623, MSVK2723, MS60773 etc. are some of the pressure washers on their residential range.
• AR Blue Clean Presure Washer: This Company is known for their high quality pumps. They are the most popular brand of electric pressure washers. AR383, AE2402 are some of their products on offer.
• Ryobi Pressure Washer: This is a subsidiary company of Techtronic Industries. They sell their pressure washers exclusively via Home Depot. Popular products available include RY802723, RY141600, and RY8033100 etc.

Choosing the Best Electric Pressure Washer: What You Should Know?

You should not buy an electric pressure washer without considering some of these factors.

 Power:

The power of electric pressure washers may be measured in Amps. Cleaning power is the real indication of how powerful an electric washer is. It is measured in pounds-per-square-inch (PSI).

Electric washers usually have ratings of 1,300 to 1,800 PSI. The higher PSI rating equals more powerful washer. Example: The 1,800 PSI pump is more powerful than one rated at 1,500 PSI. So, go for washers with high PSI ratings.

Water flow rate:

The water flow rate is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Electric washers typically have a GPM of 1.4 to 1.5 GPM. Some brands come with 1.6 GPM. Brands with higher GPM are the best. They can carry out more heavy duty work than those with low GPM.

Water Pressure:

The pressure of your water supply at home is pretty important. It can make or break your purchase. If your washer is rated at 1.6 GPM, your water supply should be able to deliver 1.6 GPM or more. Anything less will damage the pump in your power washer.

Warranty:

This is a manufacturer’s seal of confidence on their product. Go for products with a longer warranty. This saves you money on any parts that break within the warranty time frame. Typical electric washer warranty is 1 year.

Accessories:

Your electric power washer should come with some basic accessories. Such things include a quick connect high pressure hose, nozzles, a spray

Durability:

What your electric washer is made of is important. The materials involved in the making of your washer decide how long it will last. Metals are more durable than plastic. Brands with metallic alloys are your best bet.

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Now comes our review, comparison and recommendation. We intentionally left it out because we want you to know the in and out so you can decide easily.

The FIVE Best Electric Pressure Washer Reviews

We’ve compared 10 electric pressure washers. We present our 5 best electric pressure washer.

Enjoy!

1, PowerHouse International Force 1800 Electric Pressure Washer Review

The Force 1800 from PowerHouse International (PHI) is first on our best electric pressure washer reviews. This compact little guy is the dream power washer for many people. The Force 1800 is a cold water electric washer.

This electric pressure washer is able to deliver high pressure water at 1,800 PSI and 1.6 GPM. You can keep your home sparkling clean with this little washer.

The 13 amp motor on the Force 1800 is quiet, making it ideal for indoor use. It comes with two wheels and a carrying handle for easy mobility.

Weighing just 17lbs, the Force 1800 is as compact as they come. It comes with a 20 foot quick connect hose, 3 different nozzles, nylon brush and a soap dispenser. All the cleaning essentials you would require in using it.

One of the best features of the Force 1800 is its total stop system. This stops the motor when you remove your hand from the safety switch trigger. This will help preserve the life of your washer.

The ON/OFF switch is conveniently located where you can operate it with your foot. A thermal sensor to prevent overheating also comes with this washer. Another safety feature on the Force 1800 is the automatic safety valve with a low pressure by-pass.

Force 1800 works like a dream. This washer will not fall over if you pull it from afar. It will simply come to you. The only minor issue with this washer is storage. If you store it improperly, you can actually damage this washer. Do NOT store it in cold places.

PowerHouse Force 1800 is a great washer. Perfect for every home cleaning issue you may have. If you’re looking for great power and compatibility, the PHI Force 1800 is your washer!

2, AR Blue Clean AR390SS Electric Pressure Washer Review

AR Blue Clean brand is renowned for making the best electric pressure washers on the market. The AR390SS is one of their latest products, and hey we do love it!

The AR390SS is a cold water washer. Its high pressure water delivery rate is 2,000 PSI and 1.4 GPM. From decks to cars, the AR390SS will wash whatever you want it to and more.

The AR390SS has a quiet 14 amp motor. It comes with a carrying handle for easy movement. A hose reel and a 30 foot hose are some amazing features of this washer.

Talk about getting those hard to reach places without moving the washer! The AR390SS weighs in at 34 lbs. It comes with a pro style lance and four quick connect nozzles. A detergent tank is also included in this model.

One of the things we love about the AR390SS is the foot support for reeling in and pulling out the hose. The 35 foot cord on this unit means you never have to worry about your cleaning target being too far from a power source.

The AR390SS is a wonderful washer with a few teensy flaws. If you work far away and pull on the hose, you could topple this washer. We really wish it came with a kick stand to stop it from falling over.

The hose reel and the ever looping hose is a real pain to use at first. But once you get used to it, it works amazingly well.

All this notwithstanding, the AR390SS is an excellent washer. If you want a high power cold water pressure washer with enough hose and cord manoeuvre room, the AR390SS is the power washer for you.

3, PowerHouse International Force 2000 Electric Pressure Washer Review

The Force 2000 is one of the best electric pressure washers from PowerHouse International (PHI). The Force 2000 is the big brother of the very compact and powerful Force 1800.

Force 2000 is a cold water electric washer. It delivers high pressured water at 2000 PSI and 1.6 GPM. Got any tough areas you want to clean, this washer will be your dirt busting champion.

The 13 amp motor on this unit means it is very quiet. The Force 2000 comes with two wheels and a carrying handle for easy mobility. A hose reel is an added functionality.

Weighing just 24lbs, the Force 2000 is compact and powerful. It comes with a 20 foot hose, a spinning patio cleaner and 2 other nozzles. And attachable soap bottle completes it ensemble.

Some of the new features on the Force 2000 include the foldable handle and the hose reel. The total stop system, the position of the ON/OFF pedal, the thermal sensor and the automatic safety valve found on the 1800 model also appear on the Force 2000.

The Force 2000 is amazing but with some slight issues. When you see wheels on something, you expect them to turn. The wheels on this model are just a decoration.

Also, it tips over when you pull the hose during use. Too bad a kick stand wasn’t included in this model. Also we found the hose reel a little hard to use.

The Force 2000 is a wonderful pressure washer. If you’re looking for compact and mind blowing power, the PHI Force 2000 is the washer you’d be foolish to pass up!

4, Sun Joe SPX3001Electric Pressure Washer Review

Sun Joe is known for their affordable and durable tools. Who knew they also made one of the best electric pressure washers around? The Sun Joe SPX3001 is truly the most powerful washer on our review list.

The Sun Joe SPX3001 is a cold water electric washer that you can also use warm water with. High pressure water is delivered at the rate of 2030 PSI and 1.76 GPM. This rate is powerful enough to clean decks, patios, sidewalks, driveways, concrete etc.

The 14.5amp motor on the Sun Joe SPX3001 is surprisingly very quiet. It goes quiet when you release the trigger. Although it lacks wheels, it makes up for it with a carrying handle.

Weighing 32 lbs, the Sun Joe SPX3001 is lightweight and powerful. A 20 foot hose, 4 nozzles and a soap spray are some of the other features of the Sun Joe SPX3001. A hose reel is also included in this model. The 35 foot cord is also excellent. More room to manoeuvre.

A total stop system is another feature we love on the Sun Joe SPX3001. This shuts off the motor when you release the safety switch trigger. This is one feature that enables durability of your motor.

Much as we love the Sun Joe SPX3001, we really didn’t like the hose and the hose reel. They do not feel sturdy at all. Removing the hose seems like a tall order but it can be done if you have a lot of patience.

The Sun Joe SPX3001 is the perfect tool for anyone who has heavy duty cleaning and needs an electric pressure washer that can hold its own. Don’t hesitate; the Sun Joe SPX3001 is the washer to handle those tough cleaning tasks.

5, Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer Review

Coming in at number 5 on our best electric pressure washer review list is the Sun Joe SPX3000. It doesn’t mean the SPX3000 is the least rated among all the washers we tested. Underestimate this washer at your own peril.

The Sun Joe SPX3000 is a cold water washer that delivers 2030 PSI. Its water flow rate is 1.76 GPM. Decks, patios, cars, you name it, the SPX3000 will handle it.

The 14.5amp motor on the Sun Joe SPX3000 is very quiet. This makes it suitable for indoor use. It comes with a carrying handle for easy mobility.

The SPX3000 weighs 31 lbs, powerful and lightweight. This model comes with a 20 foot hose, 4 different nozzles, dual detergent tanks and a hose reel.

We love the 35 foot cord. That is more than enough room to manoeuvre in any circumstances. A garden hose adapter is also included in the SPX3000.

Do you know your SPX3000 motor is more durable? This is thanks to the automatic stop system that disengages the motor when you’re not using it. Awesome right? – We thought so too.

One of the issues we noticed with the SPX3000 is the difficulty of assembly and no manual to help. If you’re not comfortable around pressure washers, you will need to take some time to learn how to assemble this properly. Thank God for instructional YouTube videos.

All in all, the Sun Joe SPX3000 is an excellent pressure washer. Do you need a washer for robust tasks at home? Get the SPX3000, it won’t disappoint you.

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Electric Pressure Washer Comparison Table

Here you can compare our top 5

		PHI Force 1800	AR Blue Clean AR390SS	Sun Joe SPX3001	PHI Force 2000	Sun Joe SPX3000
Power (Amp)		13	14	14.5	13	14.5
Water flow rate (PSI)		1800	2000	2030	2000	2030
Water pressure(GPM)		1.6	1.4	1.76	1.6	1.76
Safety switch		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Weight (lbs)		17	34	32	24	31
Hose length (feet)		20	30	20	20	20
Cord length (feet)		35	35	35	35	35
Warranty	1 year		1 year	2 years	1 year		2 years

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Our Thought!

You’ve made it to the end of our review and guide. We hope you have learned enough to make buying your electric pressure washer easy.

If you’re still undecided, here are a few recommendations:

• The best portable pressure washer is the PHI Force 1800; this little guy is very powerful and just weighs 17lbs.
• If you’re looking for the best pressure washer for home use, then go for the AR Blue Clean AR390SS. Tremendous power for any heavy duty household work.
• Do you want the best cold electric pressure washer on the market? Then go for the Sun Joe SPX3001. You get tremendous power and a great design.

Have further questions, drop us a message in the comment section and we’d get back to you.