5 Best Electric Pressure Washers in 2023

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Pressure washers are extremely efficient cleaning tools, and electric options are a convenient, fume-free alternative to gas-powered models. They're not as powerful, but their light weight and quieter operation make electric pressure washers perfectly suited to handle light to medium cleaning tasks. They're also a great choice for homeowners who don't need the raw power that gas models offer.

Most electric pressure washers use corded electricity. You simply plug them into your home's existing power supply. They also start with the push of a button. Battery-powered models are now available as well, perfect for those who want to maintain the portability of a gas-powered machine.

We used our own experience using electric pressure washers as well as the insight of two experts, David LeVesseur of Northern Tool + Equipment and Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, to assemble this list of the best electric pressure washers.

Best overall: Greenworks GPW3000 Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer - See at Lowe'sCapable of producing 3,000 PSI and boasting a variety of useful features, this Greenworks washer will have you prepared for anything.

Best budget: Greenworks GPW2302FC Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer - See at LowesThis light-duty pressure washer is less than half the price of similar models but still provides enough functionality and power to handle a range of cleaning tasks.

Best portable: Sun Joe 24V-X2-PW1200 Pressure Washer - See at AmazonThis Sun Joe model is lightweight with a removable bucket that makes it one of the most portable options available.

Best cordless: Ryobi RY40PW15VNM Brushless Whisper Series Pressure Washer - See at The Home DepotThanks to the dual 40-volt batteries and built-in siphon hose of this cordless Ryobi machine, you won't be limited to the length of your extension cord or garden hose.

Best for cars: Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer - See at AmazonThis Sun Joe washer is portable enough to carry around comfortably, and its helpful features allow you to clean your car without risk of damage.

PSI: 3,000

GPM: 1.1 (2.0 at 1,000 PSI)

Weight: 51 pounds

Pros: Easy to use, very powerful for an electric unit, convenient on-board storage

Cons: A little heavy

Specifically recommended by LeVesseur, the Greenworks GPW3000 pressure washer combines maximum power and convenient operation, making it a great choice for those who want to avoid a gas-powered option but don't want to sacrifice too much functionality. Its 3,000 PSI is about as high as you're going to get with an electric model. At under $500 and with the ability to generate 2.0 GPM at 1,000 PSI, it's an especially productive option as well, perfect for large projects.

The Greenworks GPW3000 also comes with five quick-connect nozzles, including a "turbo" option for stubborn dirt and grime. There's also a built-in soap tank. The straightforward push-start button makes it really simple to operate, and thanks to the brushless motor, it will last much longer than non-brushed models of the past.

We're also big fans of how much of the design is focused on on-board storage solutions for all the components. The five nozzle heads all have their own color-coded slots to prevent accidental mix-up, and the hose even has a helpful elastic tie-on to keep it snugly in place when coiled up for storage and transport. The large storage arm also makes it easy to wrap up the power cord when you don't need it.

Pros: Low price, portable design

Cons: Not as durable as more expensive options

Despite costing around $200, the Greenworks GPW2302FC is still packed with useful features and accessories, like quick-connect nozzle tips and a 2-liter soap tank. We're also big fans of the open-frame design, which, along with the cushioned handle, makes it easy to wheel around and offers some extra protection to the unit itself.

It's still plenty powerful for light-duty cleaning tasks, especially smaller items like grills, patio furniture, and vehicles. The Greenworks GPW2302FC would also be a great choice for those interested in thoroughly cleaning their homes' exterior windows.

That being said, the low price does seem to come at the cost of some durability. With so many plastic components, particularly the plastic wand, this model is significantly more vulnerable to accidental cracking and snapping than more expensive metal versions. Since this machine probably won't be ideal for intense or frequent use, those with large or extra-dirty projects should consider a more rugged model.

PSI: 800

GPM: 1.0

Weight: 28.6 pounds

Pros: Lightweight design, comfortable to transport, convenient to store

Cons: Lacks the power of more expensive options

If you don't have the budget for a battery-powered machine but still value portability over power, this compact Sun Joe model could be just what you're looking for.

With its own built-in water reservoir and no need for a power cord, this battery-powered machine can be used pretty much anywhere you like. Its 28.6-pound weight is about 4 pounds lighter than our other recommended cordless model, the Ryobi RY40PW15VNM, making it even easier to transport and maneuver around. However, if you need something portable with more power, you should go with the Ryobi instead.

You can also remove the bucket entirely and hook it up to a garden hose to be used like a typical pressure washer. This not only makes the unit even smaller and more compact for travel but also allows more flexibility when it comes to storage.

Although the Sun Joe lacks the power of other cordless models, its 800 PSI is still capable of the majority of light-duty cleaning tasks. Combined with its convenient portability and ability to use water from any open source, it's perfect for use around the pool or for cleaning docks and boats at the lake.

PSI: 1,500

GPM: 1.2

Weight: 33 pounds

Pros: Can be used without garden hose, water-resistant battery enclosure, quiet operation

Cons: Limited run time

Unlike most electric pressure washers that must be plugged into your home's power supply, this cordless Ryobi machine runs on a pair of 40-volt batteries, allowing you to use it practically anywhere. Even though this cordless design lacks the unlimited runtime of corded models, the adjustable PSI allows you to lower the amount of energy being used, letting you use it for longer.

The Ryobi RY40PW15VNM Pressure Washer is pricier than corded models, at around $630. It features a max PSI of 1,500, although Ryobi recommends sticking with the 1,000 PSI default setting for battery efficiency.

The siphon hose of the Ryobi Whisper Series makes this model even more convenient for those looking for maximum portability. If you don't have easy access to a spigot, you can simply drop this siphon hose into a pool or lake and use that water instead. This makes it especially useful for cleaning a boat, dock, or pool furniture. You could even use it to pressure wash your bathroom shower or bathtub, using a sink or 5-gallon bucket as a water source.

At just 33 pounds, it's light enough for many to lift into the back of a pickup truck or onto a garage shelf for storage. A handy telescoping handle makes it easy to maneuver around your workspace, too.

PSI: 2,030

GPM: 1.76

Weight: 24.3 pounds

Pros: Affordable price, two soap reservoirs, lightweight

Cons: Plastic components won't be as durable as metal options

Not all pressure washers should be used to clean your vehicle, and if you're not careful, you can easily cause unsightly damage and expensive repairs. "It's best to play it smart and start at a lower PSI to avoid denting and paint damage," LeVesseur said.

The adjustable PSI and variety of quick-change nozzles of the Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer allows you to switch from a wide, soaking fan to a flat, rinsing stream. Plus, with two on-board detergent tanks, you'll be able to use one for general-purpose soap and the other for specialized tire cleaning. A convenient selection dial makes it easy to switch between containers as you go. The 20-foot hose should allow you to maneuver around your vehicle without having to reposition the washer.

After spending around $170, you'll want to use the Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer for more than car washing. With its 2,030 max PSI and 1.76 GPM output, it's powerful enough to handle small- and medium-scale home washing projects. You'll be glad you have those two soap dispensers when it's time to wash your home siding or lawn furniture.

To help ensure that we included the best possible electric pressure washer options on our list, I reached out to two experts, David LeVesseur of Northern Tool + Equipment and Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. With their professional insight and advice, as well as my own personal experience using pressure washers as part of a landscaping team, I researched a dozen options. Using the criteria assembled below, I chose the five featured above.

Power: Even though electric pressure washers are less powerful than gas, they still have some variance in their PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute) output. A higher PSI and GPM will be needed for more intense cleaning tasks and will also increase overall efficiency. I used these metrics, along with the PSI and GPM recommendations by our experts, to choose the best models for the specific jobs we're recommending them for.

Brand: To ensure that the models we recommend are of high-quality and will be worth the investment, I made sure to only include brands that I know and trust. I also included any brand-related insight and recommendations from our experts, such as the Greenworks GPW3000 suggested by LeVesseur.

Functionality: Electric pressure washers can include features that allow them to be used for different tasks. These could include accessories like a wide variety of nozzle sizes and types, on-board soap reservoirs, or oversized wheels for use on uneven or rocky ground. Different nozzles allow you to control the intensity of the stream, even with machines that do not feature adjustable PSI. I did my best to include options that not only feature accessories that made them suitable for their specific category but also to allow for functionality in other potential projects as well.

LeVesseur specifically recommends Greenworks, and we concur, having used several of their machines. The longer a brand has been around, the higher chance that you're getting a quality product, which is also why we included Sun Joe and Ryobi, too.

Electric pressure washers are "an excellent choice to tackle lighter-duty jobs like cleaning off a sidewalk or spraying the house", says LeVesseur. They're not as powerful as gas-powered models, but they're lighter and easier to operate than gas-powered ones.

The necessary PSI (pounds per square inch) depends on the stain or dirt. "The stronger the bond, the more water pressure is required to remove it," Kiser says. A pressure washer needs at least 2,500 PSI for most home tasks, says LeVesseur.

Kiser said electric pressure washers "have the power to clean everything from decks; patios; pools; sidewalks; fences; siding; docks; boats; ATVs; and smaller items like patio furniture, vehicles, and barbeque grills."

Electric pressure washers won't be practical for heavy-duty cleaning projects, like intense concrete cleaning. LeVesseur recommends at least 3,200 PSI for these types of jobs, making a gas-powered pressure washer the more efficient, effective choice.

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