Power Away the Grit: Experts Pick the Best Pressure Washers of 2024 (2024)

Craftsman is definitely a brand you can trust, both for reliability and durability. Its electric pressure washer is no different. A novice could get this easy-to-assemble machine up and running with no real challenges.

A 25-foot kink-resistant hose means jobs can be tackled with few headaches. With a reach of 35 feet, the power cord allows for more range. The wheels roll smoothly over mixed surfaces too. This is a stellar pick for both price and variety.

Burgett assures us this is the pick for cars. "It's got car-friendly pressures, portability, and ease of use," he says. In our test of the best pressure washers, the Gear Team picked the Craftsman as Best Overall.

Does this look like an old-timey radio? Yes. Is it a good pressure washer for a variety of tasks? Also yes. The positives are its size, mobility, and the fact that it has several sprayer tips. Given that the pressure is not as intense as some other units on this list, it's an excellent option for delicate jobs, like on an older prized vehicle.

Burgett pointed out a few shortcomings the Gear Team noted during its testing of the petite ProFlow from the Chemical Guys. He mentioned that it leaked quite a bit, leaving the actual water pressure diminished. "This really brought the psi down while I was testing," he says. "It was nearly half of what I had excepted." Of course, any leakage may have been a fault of the particular unit the team received, but it's worth noting.

This little wonder really packs a punch. When considering a pressure washer, weight, movement, and sturdiness are factors to keep an eye out for. The Ryobi hits all those marks with flying colors.

This pressure washer is excellent for annihilating caked-on dirt and road debris from tailpipes and tires. And given its small stature, it's an ideal addition for garages or sheds where storage is an issue.

"It does lack some versatility for bigger jobs around the house, but it's a great option for pressure-washing first-timers with limited space," Burgett explains.

At just 16 pounds, this Craftsman is indeed a small wonder. The compact size is a perfect addition for jobs you need to be more limber for. And 1700 psi is impressive for a unit you can carry around the car with you.

"It's an incredibly solid choice, given how lightweight it is," Burgett notes.

That said, he did point out that the nozzle options are lacking. So this machine wouldn't be ideal for big jobs or if you have specific needs for a certain task.

This is one of the most powerful electric pressure washers on the market. "I was really impressed with how strong this was, given it's electric," Burgett says. He's absolutely correct—the Greenworks TruBrushless has a max psi of 2600.

We don't recommend you use this on your vehicle, because it's extremely strong and likely to lead to some serious damage. However, this will have no problem taking care of heavy-duty chores around your property.

"I would recommend this for jobs around the yard," Burgett says. "But I would also make sure I have an extension cord, as the only real downside to it is a short power cord."

Another gas-powered pressure washer that tested remarkably well for the Gear Team is this one from Westinghouse. At 3000 psi (the highest on our list), this is what you're looking for if you've got heavy tasks to accomplish. "This is perfect for concrete—cars, not so much," Burgett advises.

This machine might not be an option for the long haul, as several customers have pointed out the engine gave out sooner than expected. But while it is alive and kicking, it's doing much more work than other pressure washers on the market.

Yes, the Kärcher K5 is among the pricier items on the list, but it has some perks. For starters, the pressurized hose reel efficiently protects the durable 25-foot kink-resistant hose. Plus, there is additional storage space for the DirtBlaster spray wand, Vario spray wand, and the whole standard spray gun. All useful and excellent accessories.

Easy to use, good on power, and very high quality—these are the most common kudos for the K5. Numerous happy customers have mentioned that Kärcher is a brand that is not only trusted in this space, but it's one they keep going back to for other things. Given the ability to withstand many dirty jobs, the Kärcher K5 will be a pressure washer you have for a long time.

If you need to move around a lot and hit a ton of different angles, DeWalt's 550 Cordless Pressure Washer is a solid option. While it fell short in some of the Gear Team's testing in terms of pressure power—expected with such a small unit—it stood out in its mobility.

"It's definitely a gentler entry on the list," Burgett notes. "It's a good option for a first-timer or someone who might be nervous to try a pressure washer on their car." However, we're a bit leery of the relatively high price tag for such a small, comparatively meek machine; more powerful washers can be had for less.

Our expert also mentioned how, during testing, he was concerned that the 20-volt MAX battery—the same battery used on all DeWalt 20v MAX tools—wasn't housed in a waterproof casing. "I've never been one to think water and electricity are a good combo! I really wished this battery had more water protection."

Gannon Burgett is a testing editor for Hearst Autos who uses, evaluates, and even photographs many of the products that we test. In January 2024, the Gear Team conducted a hands-on test of some of the best pressure washers currently available. Burgett and the team spent substantial time on this test, evaluating power washers from both a commercial and consumer perspective.

"I would say the biggest lesson I learned was to be cognizant of the nozzle you're using," he says. "It's easy to get it mixed up when switching nozzles, and the last thing you want to do is damage your car." While you might not be testing multitudes of pressure washers like our Gear Team, using one properly does require a certain amount of concentration. So take your time. "Patience is definitely a key factor," Burgett says.

He also suggested wearing ear plugs if you plan on using a pressure washer for a prolonged period of time. "They are so much louder that you'd think, even the ones on the quieter side." He was also extremely direct about safety for everyone using one—and any other adults, children, and pets who might be around while you're using it.

Aside from his dedicated and thorough hands-on testing for Hearst, Burgett has also had his words and photography appear in USA Today, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, and Digital Trends.

What's more important, flow (gpm) or pressure (psi)?

The two work alongside one another. You'll need a consistent flow from the hose in order to get the best pressure. The pressure ratings given by the manufacturers are based on the pressure directly out of the spray wand, without a nozzle attached. When you throw a nozzle on there, the pressure you get from a given nozzle (15 degrees, 40 degrees, etc.) will vary.

This is based on how hard you're squeezing the trigger and the maximum pressure. All else being equal, a 15-degree nozzle on a 3000-psi pressure washer at full tilt will be much stronger than a 1500-psi pressure washer. So both aspects are important.

The Detail Geek agrees. "Both psi and gpm are equally important," Mitch tells us. "When you're looking at a pressure washer, the two numbers together give you the cleaning power of your unit."

How often should you pressure-wash your vehicle?

That depends on your geographical location, driving regimen, and personal preferences. If you drive on dirty roads in a colder climate, corrosive salt can pose a problem. So it's probably better to pressure-wash more frequently. If you live in a place that has cleaner roads and doesn't have widely fluctuating weather patterns, you should be able to get away with doing it less often.

"I'd recommend pressure-washing your vehicle every time you wash it," Mitch says. "Even if your vehicle's paint doesn't look all that dirty, you always want to get the surface as clean as possible before the contact wash to reduce the chances of instilling scratches or swirls."

What's the best pressure-washer nozzle for cars?

Different nozzles are better for different objectives. For example, if you're looking to simply wet the car before using a foam cannon or giving the car a wash, you'll want a wider nozzle that covers more area at a lower pressure. If you're hoping to bust some dirt from your wheel wells, you'll want a narrower nozzle as it increases the pressure and likelihood of getting rid of the debris.

Mitch adds that "wheels and wheel wells are usually the dirtiest part of the vehicle, and a garden hose just isn't going to cut it there."

Do keep in mind though that you shouldn't be using high-pressure nozzles on fragile components. Pressure washers can easily start to take off paint, screw up electrical connections, or otherwise damage a car if not used carefully.

Do you recommend a foam cannon?

Foam cannons are relatively cheap and a great addition to your car-cleaning toolbox. As Mitch uses foam cannons quite often in his videos, he mentioned they aren't necessary but can serve as a good pre-soak. "It allows you to soak your vehicle in thick suds, which can be useful for a more intense washing job."

"I'll always have one on hand, and I would certainly recommend others to do the same if they plan to wash their own vehicles," he notes.

Advice for a first-timer?

Less is more. You can always choose a narrower nozzle, but you can't reverse damage done from using a "turbo" nozzle. Also, make sure the nozzle is properly fitted to the end of the wand—if it doesn't lock securely in place it can shoot out, hitting your vehicle hard.

Also, never put your hand directly in front of a nozzle. It can and will do serious damage.

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