An electric power washer is a great tool for all kinds of cleaning and washing jobs, residential, commercial or industrial. Whether you want to wash your car, clean your patio furniture, wash down your deck siding for the beginning of summer or strip paint to prepare for a decorating project, you’ll find electric pressure washer models that will be up to the task.

Rating Power Washers

Power washers are graded according to their PSI rating (pounds per square inch) as well as their water flow (in gallons per minute), and it’s important to purchase the model that’s appropriate for the job you want to do. A residential pressure washer usually operates only on cold water, but there are also commercial power washers available to buy or rent which use hot water and detergent and are suitable for heavy-duty jobs. And apart from electric models, you can also find gas or diesel operated pressure washers which are often more expensive and deliver more power. However, the convenience, quieter operation, portability and relatively lower-cost of electric washers usually makes them the preferred option for home use.

Choosing The Right Electric Pressure Washer

How do you know what type of pressure washer to look for? If you want to do every day cleaning jobs such as washing your car or a barbecue grill, then a model with a power rating up to 1500 PSI may be sufficient. For more general household purposes such as cleaning your deck, a more versatile washer that can deliver 1850 PSI can be more useful to you. You’ll also find models that go up as far as 4000 or 5000 PSI, and these heavy-duty units will likely come with advanced features such as a chemical injector kit or a thermal relief valve. But remember that while higher pressure washers can cut down cleaning time, they may well not be suitable for all purpose use. Too much pressure can damage the paint on a car or the wood surface of a deck, for example.

Here’s a selection of electric pressure washers from popular manufacturers:

Karcher K 5.85 M: this is a durable electric model, capable of delivering up to 1850 PSI and powered by induction motor. It comes with a variety of accessories which include two types of spray wands, a trigger stop gun with child safety lock, a built-in hose reel and a detergent tank. Its ergonomic design and wheels make it easy to maneuver and it has a 35 foot power cord.

Campbell Hausfeld PW1350: ideal for lightweight tasks such as cleaning the car and general household maintenance, this washer weighs just 17 pounds and and delivers 1350 PSI. Its lightness and compact features make it easy to store, and it can usually be found online for under $100.

AR North America #AR240: this unit provides 1750 PSI and 1.5 gallons per minute water flow, which it makes suitable for general household purposes such as washing cars or boats and general lightweight cleaning tasks outside. It has a 20 foot hose and 35 foot long cord, and a spray gun with an adjustable spray nozzle, rotating lance and fixed brush accessory..

Mi-T-M HSE Series 3004-0M10: here’s a high-pressure power washer that suitable for industrial, commercial or heavy-duty outdoor use, delivering 3000 psi at up to 3.5 gallons per minute. It also has the ability to heat water up to 200°F, which makes it useful for intensive dirt removal. The fan cooled motor includes thermal overload protection, there’s a high-pressure detergent injection facility and a 50 foot hose length.

There are many other power washer manufacturers in addition to the ones listed above, including Briggs & Stratton, Cam Spray, Shark, Steele, Kranzle, Delco, Maxus and Pressure-Pro.

Electric Power Washer Accesories and Attachments

Depending on the model you select, your pressure washer is likely to come with some of the most useful accessories such as a variety of brushes, wands and spray nozzles. But if you have a specific need in mind — such as a sandblaster or gutter cleaner — you may find the appropriate spray guns, kits and nozzles available as optional attachments. Some people use the unit for surface cleaning or for hard to reach areas such as downspouts, so require surface nozzles, water brooms, spray lances or telescoping wands.

Choosing the best pressure cleaner for you depends on the chores you want it to do and comes down to a matter of personal choice. Many consumers choose electric power washers because they can cope with a wide range of jobs, are cheaper than gas or diesel models and are easier to maintain.

Featured Video: Setting Up An Electric Power Washer