Every Major Pressure Washer Brand Ranked Worst To Best

There are several considerations for those looking to buy their ideal pressure washer. They are available in many sizes in gas, battery, or corded electric variants. They come with varying degrees of power and portability and can include features such as detergent tanks and assorted nozzles for tackling different tasks. While some brands offer a range of different pressure washers, others specialize in one segment, so it's important to identify your pressure washing requirements before deciding upon the most suitable brand.

As a rule of thumb, gas-powered units are more powerful and clean much quicker than their electric corded or cordless counterparts. Still, they are generally noisier, heavier, and more expensive. For most pressure washing tasks around the home, an electric model will be perfectly adequate. However, it's important to bear in mind that cordless models generally have a lower pressure output, and corded models require a nearby power source.

Here, we have lent a hand by identifying the most significant pressure washer brands before ranking them according to their products' features, benefits, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction, using data compiled from authority reviews and trusted surveys. Jump to the end of this article for a more in-depth explanation of our ranking methodology. If a brand specializes in one particular segment, we have made sure to mention it to help inform your decision.

Briggs and Stratton is best known for its impressive range of gas-powered generators and lawnmowers that it has produced for over 100 years. It has become the world's biggest manufacturer of engines for outdoor power equipment, and this considerable knowledge is evident in its small but high-quality range of pressure washers.

While the Briggs and Stratton range consists of a single battery-powered model and two gas-powered units, these are sturdily built and capable of tackling demanding tasks. What they do lack, however, is portability, as each is a wheeled unit, and the gas-powered models, in particular, might be too bulky for use in places with limited access or that are elevated. On a positive note, these two models produce well over 3,000 PSI of pressure, with the electric model offering multiple washing modes and 2,000 PSI, which is more than adequate for most tasks.

Unfortunately, both the gas and electric B&S models fell a little flat regarding customer feedback, receiving low to average ratings in their predicted reliability and owner satisfaction reports. This, coupled with its small product range and the limited portability of its available products, leaves Briggs and Stratton lower in our ranking.

Kärcher is a family-owned German brand with an 80-year history. While headquartered in Germany, it employs around 13,000 people globally, including in the United States. It proudly claims to offer quality German engineering and English language support, and on the face of it, Kärcher offers a comprehensive range of gas and electric pressure washers with some genuinely innovative features.

The advanced range of electric pressure washers can include app compatibility via Bluetooth for detailed pressure control and three-in-one nozzle switching, using the multi-jet spray lance. Why you might require an app to use a pressure washer is a valid question, but it demonstrates the company's forward-thinking approach. Another interesting addition to the range is the K3 Follow Me model, which trundles behind you on four wheels, meaning you don't need to keep moving the unit when working on large areas, such as driveways. The rest of the range comes in compact casings, with two wheels for maneuverability (or they are small enough to be lifted into position).

The gas-powered range offers just a handful of models, and its products are typically larger and more powerful, delivering up to 3,500 PSI of pressure for the flagship G 3500 QHT unit. On the other end of the scale, the entry-level G 2900 E model is among the most compact and affordable gas-powered pressure washers, while still powerful enough to tackle heavy-duty tasks. While Kärcher ticks most boxes across its wide range of products, it is a midfielder in terms of its predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings.

Generac was established in the mid-20th century and quickly made a name for itself as a manufacturer of quality generator engines that could withstand the rigors of prolonged and repeated use. It was among the early pioneers of pressure washers and among the first to create models specifically for home use, making this storied brand an important player in the history of this power tool segment.

Generac divides its range according to residential grade and professional grade units, so it's easier to decide which pressure washer best suits your requirements. Prices vary from around $300 for the entry-level 2,300-PSI residential grade washer to over $1,600 for the flagship industrial grade 4,000-PSI gas-powered unit.

The Generac range is heavily weighted toward gas power, with just two of the 16 models in the product line being corded electric designs. There are no battery-powered units available, and none of its pressure washers could be considered to be ultra-portable, with no handheld or lightweight options. However, build quality is excellent, with high predicted reliability and top marks for owner satisfaction from Consumer Reports. This makes Generac an excellent choice for demanding tasks around the home, or for professional use.

Japanese company Ryobi is a leading manufacturer of affordable tools. It has been operational since 1943 and has been producing power tools since 1968. Notably, it is dedicated to sustainable development, which is very apparent given its focus on optimizing and implementing battery power within the industry.

Ryobi has long been making waves in the battery-powered tool segment and is one of the leading proponents of brushless technology. While the range might not be considered up to the task for some professional applications, its products are affordable, high in quality, and convenient to use, with unmatched portability across its extensive product line. There is also a good selection of accessories, including a turbo nozzle, replacement hoses, a 15-inch surface cleaner attachment, and a 5-in-1 nozzle attachment for different types of spraying.

Whereas some companies, such as Generac, produce mostly gas-powered pressure washers, Ryobi is the opposite, with just four gas options, compared to 13 corded electric and battery-powered models. Many of these are affordable at around $100 for the entry-level battery-powered pressure washer, with the most expensive being around the $600 mark. As a bonus, many utilize the Ryobi 40V HP system, which means their batteries are interchangeable with other tools within the 40V HP range.

DeWalt needs no introduction as a premium brand that makes lasting products. The brand celebrated its centenary year in 2024, and its tools have continued to be used in domestic and professional applications worldwide. DeWalt prides itself on its innovative approach to tool design, and has seen its products used in the aerospace industry, space exploration, and countless other industries.

The DeWalt pressure washer range may not be the most extensive, but it is among the most comprehensive. It includes jobsite units in sturdy plastic and aluminum housings, ultra-portable electric models both cordless and corded, backpack-style sprayers, and heavy-duty wheeled gas and electric models. All are recognizable by the black and yellow color scheme, and many accessories and replacement parts are available to ensure you can keep your unit in operation when parts inevitably start to wear. Furthermore, the gas-powered models use engines made by Honda, another brand famous for its reliability.

As premium products, some higher-spec DeWalt products may be deemed excessive for domestic use, and other brands in this ranking might be more affordable and fit for purpose. However, in terms of sheer quality, reliability, and brand heritage, DeWalt is considered one of the best there is, and it is at the top of our ranking. Consumer Reports backs this view, as DeWalt also placed at the top of its 2021 poll for gas and electric models, as it also did in the America's Most Trusted Pressure Washer report of 2024.