Looking for the best electric pressure washer to clean your vehicle, decking, patio and a whole host of other uses? If so, then this article will not only list my top picks, but I will also share my experience on what I believe you should look out for when purchasing your next electric pressure washer.
Guide To Buying An Electric Pressure Washer
An electric pressure washer is an easy and convenient way to tackle outdoor cleaning tasks without the additional pain of messing around with a petrol powered model. However, regardless of how convenient they are, there are a few things you need to know about an electric pressure washer before buying. What’s more, you’ll need to consider the features of the pressure washer before parting with your money to ensure that it is the right model for you.
In this guide to electric pressure washers, I will be talking you through what to look for when shopping and telling you why I think an electric pressure washer is an excellent choice.
Why Choose An Electric Pressure Washer?
In modern times, everyone wants convenience and that is one of the main reasons that an electric pressure washer is such a popular choice. You can simply plug them in and get going with very little, if any, maintenance. If you’re in a hurry to get your patio clean or wash the car, then I would absolutely suggest going for an electric model.
Now, there is no denying that the power behind petrol pressure washers is always going to be greater. This is true of any tool. But with modern innovation and engineering, the level of power you get from an electric jet washer is not all that dissimilar and it is certainly more than enough to tackle some pretty stubborn jobs.
Nobody wants to disturb the peace when they are cleaning outdoors, but some of the petrol powered pressure washers can be terribly noisy. Where electric models are concerned, you’ll find that they are much quieter in comparison. In addition to this, you won’t need to purchase anything else such as petrol, oil or replacement parts for the motor.
Here Are Some Of My Favourite Electric Pressure Washers
Last update on 2022-06-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are There Any Downsides To Using An Electric Pressure Washer?
While I would advocate the use of an electric pressure washer, there are a few disadvantages that you must keep in mind. For some people, these are minor and nowhere close to being a deal breaker. However, for others, these drawbacks may be the difference between choosing electric over petrol.
- Since the electric pressure washer is powered by the mains, it does have a power cord which poses two minor problems. It can get in the way and serve as a tripping hazard or it will limit you on how far away from the power source you can clean. For this reason, these models may not be ideal if you have a larger garden or are using your pressure washer for commercial purposes.
- Electric pressure washers don’t tend to last as long as their petrol counterparts, so while they are cheaper to purchase, you will need to replace them more often. On average, you can expect around 500 hours, that’s about ten years out of your electric jet washer provided you look after it and is used for domestic purposes.
What To Consider When Buying An Electric Pressure Washer
You only have to type the words electric pressure washer into Google and you’ll be bombarded with a myriad of results. This can leave buyers feeling confused, but don’t worry; with a little bit of knowledge, you will soon be able to pick apart each model and determine whether it would work for you.
Power And Flow Rate
You want to make sure that your pressure washer is going to be up for the most challenging cleaning tasks, so one of the first things you should look at is its power. There are two things that you will need to consider; PSI which stands for pounds per square inch and tells you the intensity of the water jet and flow rate which tells you how much water the jet washer puts out per minute.
Where PSI is concerned, you can expect around a maximum of 2500 in an electric pressure washer, but you don’t want to go for anything any lower than around 1500 PSI. While you might not always need that level of power, it is useful to have it for the more stubborn cleaning jobs.
The flow rate is given in gallons or litres per minute, depending on the model. You will find that if the flow rate is low but the pressure is high, the water jet will be much finer and suited to lighter cleaning tasks. On the other hand, a high pressure and high flow rate will deliver a much more powerful stream.
Pressure Washer Pressure Guide
Task | Light Duty 40-110 Bar 600-1600 PSI |
Medium Duty 110-130 Bar 1600-1900 PSI |
Heavy Duty 130+ Bar 1900+ PSI |
---|---|---|---|
Patio | ✅ | ✅ | |
Cars/Vans/Bikes | ✅ | ||
Block Paving | ✅ | ||
Decking | ✅ | ✅ | |
Fences & Garden Furniture | ✅ | ||
Commercial Vehicles | ✅ | ✅ |
Weight And Size
Electric pressure washers tend to be lighter than petrol models, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some pretty cumbersome models out there. You will normally find that more powerful pressure washers are larger and heavier, but you want to make sure that you don’t go for something too bulky.
You will likely already be limited in manoeuvrability thanks to the power cord, add a heavy pressure washer into the mix and it can make cleaning more exhausting and inconvenient than it needs to be. Storage should also be a consideration.
Motor Power
While looking at the water pressure is an important consideration, you will also need to check the power of the motor. Generally speaking, a powerful electric pressure washer will come with either a 12 amp or 14 amp motor to support the high water pressure. If you go for anything lower than this, you may find that it doesn’t offer enough get up and go and may shorten the life of the motor.
Do You Need Accessories?
Depending on the type of cleaning you intend on doing, you may need a variety of accessories. One of the first things you should look for is the ability to twist the nozzle to adjust the water pressure and this is excellent if you want to clean a variety of surfaces. Some delicate surfaces may be prone to damage if they are cleaned with too high power.
Next, you may wish to look at whether the electric pressure washer comes with other accessories like extension hoses, foam lances and even some detergent. In some cases, the pressure washer will have onboard storage for these accessories, which makes cleaning even more convenient.
Foam dispensers and brushes are ideal for cleaning cars, bikes and vans, where a rotating patio cleaner will make cleaning a patio or decking with your pressure washer a breeze. What’s more it will result in a much cleaner job with less mess on the surrounding area.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an easy, quick and convenient way of tackling outdoor cleaning jobs then an electric pressure washer is, without doubt, one of the best options. However, you will need to familiarise yourself with these tools and get to know the types of features and accessories that you need to get the best results.
Below is a table whereby you can select the features you require and the ideal electric pressure washer will be shortlisted for you.
10 Best Electric Pressure Washer Reviews
Select your requirements by ticking the applicable checkboxes below; so I can help you pick the perfect electric pressure washer for your requirements.
Best Electric Pressure Washer FAQs
How Long Can You Run An Electric Pressure Washer?
Your electric pressure washer is not designed to run for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time, before giving it a short break to cool down. Doing this could result in overheating which could cause irreparable damage to your machine. That said, the recommended running time will vary between models so you should always check your user manual to be sure.
Do Electric Pressure Washers Have To Be Plugged In?
An electric pressure washer has a power cable which needs to be connected to a mains electricity socket. However, because this limits your reach and freedom of movement, some people opt for a cordless or petrol pressure washer. Do keep in mind that a cordless pressure washer will be limited on run time owing to the need to recharge the batteries.
Can You Use An Extension Cord With An Electric Pressure Washer?
It is not recommended to use an extension cord with your electric pressure washer as this could affect the machine and shorten its lifespan. However, if you absolutely must use one, it should be at least 12 gauge if the wire is more than 25 feet in length.
Can An Electric Pressure Washer Overheat?
Yes. It is possible for your electric pressure washer to overheat, so it’s important to make sure that you don’t run it for too long. The good thing about electric pressure washers, especially when compared to petrol, is that most of them will shut off when they overheat, reducing the risk of further problems.
Does An Electric Pressure Washer Need Oil?
Electric pressure washers do need oil to keep the pump lubricated. But this is not the same as the engine oil you would use for a petrol pressure washer. The electric motor needs nothing but a power supply to run smoothly.
Why Is My Electric Pressure Washer Pulsating?
The most common reason for an electric pressure washer to pulsate is a starvation of water or that there is something stuck in one of the inlet or discharge valves. Keep an eye on these parts and regularly clean them to prevent debris from building up and affecting the performance of your machine.
Can You Use An Electric Pressure Washer In The Rain?
Your electric pressure washer should not be exposed to outside sources of water, including rain. This could cause problems with the performance and damage internal parts. Moreover, mixing water and electricity comes with a risk. While your pressure washer is designed with a degree of water resistance, owing to the fact it contains water, it certainly cannot be used in the rain. Always consult the user manual for full safety instructions.
Are Electric Pressure Washers Safe?
When used incorrectly or by someone who is inexperienced, an electric pressure washer can be unsafe. However, provided you follow the manufacturers instructions and be careful when using your pressure washer, there is no reason that you should experience any issues. One thing to be mindful of is electric shock which can occur with damage to the power cord, allowing water to seep through.
What Happens If A Pressure Washer Hits Your Skin?
What Happens If A Pressure Washer Hits Your Skin? The force of the water jet from your pressure washer is incredibly strong and if it hits your skin, it can cause serious injuries. It is therefore important to operate your machine with care and wear appropriate clothing and footwear to reduce the risk of injuries.
What Should I Look For In An Electric Pressure Washer?
When choosing an electric pressure washer, there are several things you should look for. The most important things tell you about how the machine will perform. GPM tells you how much water passes through the machine each minute while PSI informs you of the force of the water as it leaves the pressure washer.
How Much PSI Does A Pressure Washer Need?
For domestic pressure washers, you would want to look for something with a PSI between 2000 and 3000 for a petrol model and between 1300 and 2000 for an electric model. Electric pressure washers are, by design, less powerful than petrol but there’s no reason that they shouldn’t suffice for most domestic tasks.
Other Pressure Washer Articles
Click here to see my full list of best pressure washers for general cleaning.
Click here to see my full list of best pressure washers for cleaning your car.
Click here to see my full list of best pressure washers for cleaning decking and patios.
Click here to see my full list of best cordless pressure washers.
Click here to see my full list of best petrol pressure washers.




