A pressure washer (or power washer) is like a magic wand for erasing stains on decking, walkways, patios, and steps. With a brief blast, it can erase months or even years of stubborn stains, including spilled food, mud, or long-decomposed leaves.
But all of that power requires a hefty dose of caution when directing a stream of water with such force that it can pierce skin and cut through protective gear, including boots.
In this article
- Best Pressure Washers by Type: Gas Electric Battery-Powered
- How CR Tests Pressure Washers
- How CR Picks the Best Pressure Washers
More on Home Maintenance
Best Electric Pressure Washers
Should You Use a Pressure Washer to Clean It?
How to Apply Wood Stains
Best Decking
That’s why CR doesn’t recommend pressure washers that include a zero-degree tip or nozzle, which harnesses water power into the finest, most powerful stream.
“It’s not just that zero-degree nozzles are dangerous,” says Dave Trezza, who oversees pressure-washer testing for Consumer Reports. “They’re not really necessary.”
If you buy a model with a zero-degree nozzle, toss that nozzle into the trash and use the others in the set instead. “Our testing routinely finds that you can get the same results with a little patience and a 15-degree tip,” Trezza says.
Our pressure washer buying guide can help you choose between a gas-powered, electric, or battery-operated model—or no model at all. (Not all surfaces are safe to clean with a pressure washer.) It can also help you decide whether renting or buying a machine is your best option. CR members can then compare models in our pressure washer ratings.
Best Gas Pressure Washers
As a group, gas pressure washers are more powerful than electric and battery-operated machines. That makes them best suited for heavy-duty jobs, like cleaning a long-neglected deck or patio.
Best Electric Pressure Washers
These pressure washers, which you plug into an outlet, start instantly and easily. You don’t need to fuss with gas or oil, and there’s no engine maintenance. They’re often much quieter than gas options, too. But because they tend to be less powerful than gas models, they’re best for lighter jobs, such as monthly walkway wash-downs. You can find some high-power electric options on the market, but it takes some digging.
Best Battery-Powered Pressure Washers
It’s hard to beat battery-powered pressure washers for convenience, though they have drawbacks. These models can cost significantly more than either gas or electric pressure washers. Also, the batteries may not provide full power throughout a big job; you may have to recharge or replace a battery before you’ve finished. Still, for the first time, Consumer Reports is recommending two models that earn commendable scores for cleaning and noise. Both are very easy to use.
How CR Tests Pressure Washers
We measure how much pressure each model can produce in pounds per square inch (psi), then use the pressure washer to strip paint from plastic panels, timing how long it takes. Models with a higher pressure output tend to perform better on this test. We also measure noise. Almost all pressure washers are loud enough to require hearing protection, like earplugs or an earmuff-style headset.
Last, we size up ease of use. We add fuel to the machine and note features that make the experience simpler and faster. We assign a higher score to, say, a model with an engine that automatically shuts off when the oil is low, protecting the device from burning out.
In the past, our buying advice zeroed in on the best pressure washers that use gas or a power cord plugged into an outlet. No battery-operated pressure washers scored high enough in our tests to earn a CR recommendation. But that changed in 2024. Some battery-powered models now score well enough in our testing to be strong options for homeowners.
How CR Picks the Best Pressure Washers
Any pressure washer will pump out water with far more force than a garden hose, but the best boost water pressure by a factor of 60 to 80 pounds per square inch. If you’re just browsing at the home center, though, it’s hard to tell which models actually generate that kind of power and the cleaning prowess that comes with it. At Consumer Reports, we assess pressure washers according to a range of factors, but we place the most weight on how well they handle and clean. Here’s what our top picks have in common:
They’re effective.The best pressure washers in our tests can clean a surface completely, stripping paint at multiple angles and using different nozzles. In your yard, that means effortless cleaning of any suitable outdoor surface.
They’re fast. Some pressure washers take their time getting a surface clean. The best aren’t just effective, they’re quick, too. Our power test measures potency and, in turn, how fast each pressure washer can blast through grime.
They’re easy to use. The best pressure washers start easily and have simple controls, cords, and hoses that don’t feel unwieldy. They also make it seamless to switch from one nozzle to another.
James K. Willcox
James K. Willcox leads Consumer Reports’ coverage of TVs, streaming media services and devices, broadband internet service, and the digital divide. He's also a homeowner covering several home improvement categories, including power washers and decking. A veteran journalist, Willcox has written for Business Week, Cargo, Maxim, Men’s Journal, Popular Science, Rolling Stone, Sound & Vision, and others. At home, he’s often bent over his workbench building guitars or cranking out music on his 7.2-channel home theater sound system.
Paul Hope
Paul Hope is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports and a trained chef. He covers ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, as well as grills, drills, outdoor power tools, decking, and wood stains. Before joining CR in 2016, he tested kitchen products at Good Housekeeping and covered tools and remodeling for This Old House magazine. You’ll typically find him in his old fixer-upper, engrossed in a DIY project or trying out a new recipe.
