Are Electric Pressure Washers Any Good?
It’s time to wash away the remnants of winter now that spring is in full swing. Many of us are breaking out the pressure washer to deep clean everything! Have you wondered if an electric pressure washer is as good as a gas powered one? Or if electric pressure washers are dangerous if they get wet? In general, are electric pressure washers any good at all? I had the very same questions. Check out my experience with one I decided to buy last fall. The results are shocking.
For over 15 years I’ve had my good ole’ trusty gas powered pressure washer with a Honda motor. They last a long time, work great at cleaning, and are very powerful. From cleaning my house, to the concrete, cars, decks and furniture. It’s been through a lot of cleaning with me. I use it for so many home maintenance checklist items.
Even though I had my doubts, and resisted for quite some time, I went to buy an electric one. Originally I wanted it so I could have something easier to use and start up just to wash the cars. After a few uses though, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it worked. I’ll share my experiences with you now, as well as the model I chose.
Power Washer vs. Pressure Washer
First let’s address the difference between the two. For years I called mine a “power washer”, when in fact it was not. A power washer uses hot water in a high pressure piece of equipment in order to provide the deep clean. Pressure washers use water straight from the tap, along with high pressure equipment. Water temperature being the only real difference between the two.
Gas Powered Pressure Washer
My Ryobi branded gas powered pressure washer with a Honda motor has served me well over the years. It has 2800 PSI and processes 2.3 gallons of water per minute (GPM).
Pros: You can use it anywhere since you don’t need a cord to power it.
Cons: Very loud when operating. Also you have to change the oil and give it tune ups. Can be tricky to start up.
Electric Pressure Washer
We chose the Greenworks Pro 2700 PSI pressure washer that also processes 2.3 gallons of water per minute. Since the GPM were the same, and the PSI was very close, we thought the electric one could keep up with our gas powered one. I’ve had my Greenworks now for 2 years and am a huge fan. There hasn’t been anything it couldn’t do for me yet.
Pros: Easy to start up (just push a button) and VERY quiet motor when in operation. No oil changes or tune ups needed.
Cons: You can only go as far as your extension cords will allow.
Another great pro for electric is that you can use it indoors! Since there are no exhaust fumes, it’s completely safe to do so. Of course, NEVER use a gas powered pressure washer inside, or in any enclosed space.
As for the question of safety when using electric near water, keep in mind these are made to get wet. As long as the cord, or the machine itself isn’t cracked or damaged. Also, use a GFCI outlet to plug it in to.
Head To Head
The first time using the Greenworks Pro I was skeptical. I drug out the Ryobi gas powered one too just to have on standby. It was last fall and I wanted to give the house a quick wash, as well as my decks before winter came. To my surprise, the electric on cleaned everything just as good as the gas one. In fact, I didn’t even need to use the gas one on standby as there was not a speck of dirt to be found.
During the winter when we’d have nice weather days we would wash the salt off the cars. As expected, the electric one was easy to plug in, hook up the hose, bush a button, and go.
Once spring arrived, it was time to really put the electric one to the test. I had to pressure wash all of the outside furniture, the planters, decks, windows, siding, gutters and concrete. Yes, even the concrete needed a good cleaning as it had a few years worth of black grime along the top. Again, to my surprise the electric one did EVERYTHING I needed it to do. It even blasted all of the black grime off the sidewalks and driveway.
Final Thoughts
Needless to say I am now a huge fan of electric pressure washers. In fact, I doubt I’ll use my gas powered one again unless I need to use it in a place where I don’t have electricity available, or close by.
As for which is the best electric pressure washer to buy, I cannot say for certain as I’ve only used one. But what I can tell you is the one I do have is amazing. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a new electric pressure washer. Search online for reviews and you’ll see that I am not alone. This model is well loved and works great for many others too. Find your new pressure washer below.
Shop For Pressure Washers
