4 Of The Best Pressure Washers For Car Detailing (According To Reviews)
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Detailing a car is, well, all in the details. It's often a task many procrastinate on, but once completed, is all the more glorious and worthwhile. For some car owners, it's easier and perhaps even best to just get the pros to help with a proper detailing. This could be done every spring, as part of your routine maintenance. Others may endeavor to detail their cars with a trusty pressure washer themselves, with certain models making the job easier, and importantly, safe for cars. Power washers come in all sizes, shapes, forms, and of course, pressure potentials. With varying PSI options, some are better for cleaning, say, a sidewalk or vinyl siding, than a car.
Here, we will look into four of the best electric pressure washers for all of your car detailing needs, according to user reviews. This opens up the potential to buy these machines new or used, with a range of budgets and styles. Then, all you need is access to water, car washing soap, a power source, and a Sunday afternoon to blast off all that grime.
Kärcher K1700
Kärcher claims to be the "world's number one pressure washer brand," per its site, with a good reputation and visibility behind the brand. The company has a wide range of power washers, with its Kärcher K1700 model coming in at an affordable $229.99, being a car-friendly option for detailing. As you may have guessed, it has a total PSI of 1,700, with a 0.5 gallon side detergent tank, 1.2 gallons per minute flow rate, and a total weight of 20.7 pounds. The unit is equipped with a 20-foot-long high-pressure spray hose, as well as a convenient on/off foot pedal for operation. With 116 reviewers on Lowe's site providing an average of 4.4 out of five score for the machine, it has a solid backing. Many users appreciate the ease of use and value of the unit, finding the power sufficient for most jobs.
There's a video on YouTube of a gentleman using this very power washer to clean his yellow Lamborghini — a pretty solid endorsement. He claims to have owned the machine for several years without any issues, and appreciates how the pump only engages when in use, resulting in a quieter overall operation, as well as the turbo nozzle for effectively cleaning wheels. The unit comes with a three-year limited warranty, combined with a solid track record of performance, providing you with peace of mind. The Kärcher K1700 is a sure bet.
Greenworks 2003
The Greenworks 2003 pressure washer is a respected machine with an incredible value proposition for those in need of a car-friendly unit. Coming in at $199.99, there's a lot of bang for your buck here. With 2,000 maximum PSI via 1.2 gallons per minute of water flow (at 100 PSI), there is plenty of fluid and power at your disposal for making your Miata shine again. The 2000 features a 25-foot-long kink and abrasion-resistant hose, in addition to a 35-foot power cord with an inline GFCI, allowing users access to all exterior outlets. With an average of 4.3 out of 5 rating on Amazon, per 3703 customers, the machine is a safe bet.
The unit itself boasts an open frame design, making it lightweight for maneuverability. Some users have noticed a slight delay between engaging the pressure and the water spraying, but it doesn't affect performance. Owners appreciate the value-to-performance ratio here, effective for most cleaning tasks. Quite obviously, many users will find utility in the machine beyond car detailing, with some users finding the 2000 handy for cleaning decks and dirty driveways. Per the website, Greenworks will honor customers of the 2003 with a three-year tool warranty. If you're on a budget, this is a superb option.
Westinghouse ePX3500
Westinghouse is a brand that seems to do it all — light bulbs, air fryers, blenders, and of course, pressure washers. Its ePX3500 machine is no slouch, boasting a 2,500 maximum PSI combined with a 1.76 maximum gallons per minute flow rate. Unlike the other washers in our list, it has a platform-style base with four wheels, meaning it always sits flat and balanced, easily turned or moved laterally, and won't tip. The Westinghouse ePX3500 is packaged with five nozzle attachments and has a 25-foot nylon-braided hose with a total power cord length of 35 feet. The soap tank capacity is 20 ounces, while the total weight comes in at 20.9 pounds — relatively light and agile.
The ePX3500 has great reviews online, known to be one of the quieter options in this tier of electric power washers. With a 4.7 out of five average review, according to 7,698 customers on the Westinghouse site, the machine has clout. Users also appreciate its maneuverability and ease of use, so much so that it might be an option for the elderly or mobility-challenged. It also takes up little space with a 16.5-inch tall profile, it can be hidden away in garages or storage areas easily. With a price tag at the time of publishing of $159.00, it is our most budget-friendly and value-packed option here.
Sun Joe SPX3000
For detailing needs, the Sun Joe SPX3000 will surely get the job done by most car owners. With a name like Sun Joe, it evokes a productive Saturday afternoon of blasting away road dust in the sun. Here, you get 2,030 PSI of power via a 13-amp electric motor, with a 1.2 gallon flow rate and 0.9-liter onboard detergent tank. The unit comes with five different nozzles as well as a 34-inch extension wand, a 20-foot long high-pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord with GFCI safety. It is relatively lightweight at 24.3 pounds, with rolling rear wheels.
The power afforded by the SPX3000 helps to remove the most stubborn filth: grease, tar, oil stains, caked mud, and even heavy mildew, per the website. This unit is PWMA certified for performance, which is an industry certification that validates PSI and GPM (flow rate) claims by third-party testing and independent labs, assuring customers that the specs are on point. With a staggering 57,313 reviewers on Amazon giving it an average of 4.4 out of five stars, the SPX3000 has earned its respect. Users note the power and affordability, with a slightly louder motor noise when close by the unit — earplugs can remedy this. At $199.00, this is another lower-priced yet revered pressure washer to consider.
Methodology
For a well-reviewed power washer to be included in our list, we had some criteria to consider. To be effective in car detailing, but not overkill, they need to be within a range of pressure. 1,500 PSI would be the lower limit, with 2,500 PSI being the upper limit. Anymore, and you risk hurting the coating and paint on a car; any less, and that stubborn grease on the rims may not come off so easily. You also need a decent flow rate to ensure enough water continuously sprays, at around 1.5 to 2.0 gallons per minute, in addition to having multiple nozzle options for different tasks.
All of our machines are affordable, with a max budget we set for $250.00. They are also all electric; gas-powered washers can be costly, bulky, obviously requiring trips to the gas station, and possibly overpowered for car detailing. Additionally, having a machine that is relatively easy to move around was prioritized and is ideal for people of varying mobility. A long hose length of approximately 20 to 30 feet is necessary, as well as a lengthy cord. Lastly, these units all have two-year-plus warranties for consumer confidence.