The Best Gas Pressure Washers (Review & Buying Guide)
Keep your outdoor surfaces clean with these top picks.
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A pressure washer is a useful household tool that you may not realize how useful they are, until you have one. With a high-quality gas pressure washer you can clean your sidewalk, driveway, siding, fence, concrete floor, deck, and patio with maximum performance and professional quality. The best gas pressure washers contain multiple spray nozzles to provide a powerful and efficient stream of water. A soap nozzle can be extremely useful for washing vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, trailers, and RVs.With care, a good pressure washer will make cleaning your mountain bikes a breeze.
It is critical to have enough pressure, a quality flow rate, and a frame built from heavy-duty material. But, buying the most powerful machine you can afford isn't the best shopping advice. Figure out what you will use a pressure washer for most often and zero-in on the right choice for that job.
Ryobi 3600 Gas Pressure Washer
- Power for tough jobs but controllable for car washes
- Big wheels and sturdy cart for easy transport
- Handle moves to minimize required storage space
- It's a good value, but it's not cheap
- Included hose may need to be replaced in months rather than years
Westinghouse WPX3200 Gas Powered Pressure Washer
- Lightweight and highly portable
- A built-in gas tank and an onboard soap tank
- Includes four nozzles and a 25-foot long and flexible hose
- Prone to overheating and requires taking frequent breaks
- It might come without nuts and bolts
Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Built-in pneumatic wheels makes it easy to maneuver
- Includes five quick-connect nozzle tips
- Doesn't have a soap tank
- Quite loud and requires using earplugs
- The handle is awkwardly positioned and a little short for taller users
Summary List
- Best Overall: Ryobi 3600 PSI Gas Pressure Washer
- Best Value: Westinghouse WPX3200
- Honorable Mention: Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
Our Methodology
Recommending something like a pressure washer is a bit of a crapshoot. Our expectations of a great machine are probably quite different from yours, so instead of usefulness in accomplishing a specific task, we want to look at the general quality, perceived value; and if it would break, the ease of getting parts and service. To get a better idea of long-term reliability we researched reviews from verified customers. The power washers you see here are at the top of the consumer range in terms of pressure and flow rates, these are going to be overkill for car washes and cleaning out the cracks in your patio, but if you're looking at gas-powered, you probably looking for more than a glorified foam cannon.
Pros
Good power and flow rate
Reliable Honda engine
Includes five nozzles
Cons
Included hose isn't as durable as it should be
Easy to roll, but it's heavy
Small percentage of owners experienced oil leaks
Pros
Good flow rate with interchangeable nozzles for blasting power
Half the price of some competitors
Easy to assemble and get running
Cons
Some users complain of noise and vibration
May overheat and require a break
Another top pick for the prosumer customer is the Simpson MSH3125 MegaShot gas pressure washer. The unit provides 3200 PSI at 2.5 GPM, which makes it incredibly efficient for all kinds of cleaning purposes. You can use it for home jobs as well as construction applications. Thanks to the high power output, the washer removes the heaviest dirt and most stubborn stains. The Simpson gas pressure washer features a sturdy and durable construction. The steel frame makes it easy to transport with 10-inch pneumatic wheels that roll easily over different surfaces. The package also includes five quick-connect nozzle tips for more precision and control over the cleaning process. One of the few complaints we have is the unit doesn't have a built-in soap tank. It's also quite loud, so you might want to use earplugs during operation. Lastly, the handle is somewhat awkwardly positioned and short for tall people.
Pros
Pro level power from the Honda engine
Includes 5 stainless steel nozzles
Pneumatic tires work better than solid
Cons
The engine is loud
Is this handle for children
Pneumatic tires require filling
Our Verdict
Our top pick is the Ryobi 3600 PSI Gas Pressure Washer, a well-built and durable machine that delivers near commercial performance at a consumer price. With it, you can get most of the cleaning jobs done around the house. Thanks to the quality construction and user-friendly design, this pressure washer will last for quite a while. It’s an excellent choice for weekend warriors and all those who need a convenient and efficient cleaning machine.
The machine that comes in as the Best Value pick is the Westinghouse WPX3200 Gas Powered Pressure Washer, another highly powerful and reliable machine suitable for all kinds of cleaning purposes. You will trade duty cycle for price, but take a break and have a cold one.
Features to Consider
If you're interested in buying the best possible gas pressure washer, it's crucial to learn all you can about the machine. Once you educate yourself, you can pick the one that works the best for your particular application. We composed a general guide for gas pressure washers which includes not only the most important features to look for, but also answers frequently-asked questions so users will find the best gas pressure washers and be satisfied with their purchases.
DIY Gas Pressure Washers
All gas pressure washers come with similar specifications. However, there is a difference in the overall power of the units. Some of them are budget-friendly but have less power, while others are extremely powerful and, consequently, very expensive.
The units with less cleaning power are mostly designed for home purposes. They are very convenient for cleaning pavements, sidewalks, cars, and more. Although not as powerful as commercial gas models, they are usually more powerful than electric pressure washers.
Commercial Gas Pressure Washers
Gas pressure washers can turn out to be rather expensive. The more powerful the engine, the more heavy duty everything else has to be. In general, the higher the CPU (cleaning power units), the more expensive the washer turns out to be.
Gas pressure washers with high CPU are mostly used for commercial purposes. They can be found on construction sites where high cleaning power and longer duty cycles are needed for removing heavy dirt and even stripping paint. Although they are suitable for home purposes as well, most people don't need excessive power for regular home jobs.
Power
One of the first things to consider when buying a gas pressure washer is the CPU or cleaning power units. CPU represents the overall efficiency and performance of the washer—the higher the number, the better and faster the unit will clean. You can calculate it by multiplying PSI and GPM ratings.
PSI (pounds per square inch) measures the pressure that a compressor can produce per square inch of area. GPM (gallons per minute) is the volume of water the washer can pump per minute. Both ratings are important.
Consider your application before deciding on a particular unit. Average household gas pressure washers have around 2500-3300 PSI and 2-2.5 GPM. Still, you can get more or less powerful ones, depending on the application.
Portability
It's important to consider the overall portability of a gas pressure washer. Although these models are more portable than electric plug-ins, there are still some things to keep in mind. Most consumer units are at the very least 50-pounds, but probably closer to 80. If this is going in the back of your truck, you may need a friend to load and unload.
Extra Features
When buying a gas pressure washer, you can look for some features that would reduce the effort you put in the cleaning process. For example, some machines have a crank-operated mechanism for rolling the hose, while others have a hose storage compartment. Another great feature is a soap tank; It allows you to spray water and soap onto surfaces for a thorough cleanup. Additionally, if you're planning to run the washer over rough terrain, a heavy duty steel frame and larger tires might be necessary to protect it from bumps and impacts.
FAQs You've got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q. How do I test a gas pressure washer?
A: To avoid damaging the cleaning surface, test the gas pressure washer on pavement or scrap wood first, then a less visible part of the actual surface. That way, you can determine the strength of the flow.
Q. What is the best gas pressure washer?
A: It depends on your needs and the application. Some people need less powerful washers, while others need an extra-high flow for better efficiency.
Q. What is the purpose of a gas pressure washer?
A: Gas pressure washers are used for outside deep-cleaning. They are highly beneficial when it comes to removing heavy dirt and stubborn stains due to their high power output.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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