Which Is the Best Pressure Washer to Buy?

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to handle your own pressure washing needs or you’re searching for a professional with the right equipment, it’s important to understand what type of pressure washer is best. The best pressure washer is a gas-powered unit that delivers more than 3,000 PSI with a flow rate of 3.0 GPM or greater. This is the tool that will handle all your cleaning needs well. 

What Pressure Washer Do Professionals Use?

A professional won’t be thinking about what the best electric pressure washer is since most electric units aren’t versatile or powerful enough. While it’s possible to get an electric unit that delivers nearly 3,000 PSI of power, most electric models are in the 1,000 to 2,500 PSI range. 

While it’s helpful to think about what is the most reliable brand of pressure washer, the truth is you can get many different models that perform well. The trick is to look for a unit that’s equipped with a triplex or belt-driven pump and a gas engine that’s known for being reliable. When you get those two things, you end up with a pressure washer you can rely on. 

What Is the Best PSI For a Home Pressure Washer?

While you can clean your vehicle or your siding — and even handle some other light-duty tasks with a pressure washer that produces about 1,500 PSI — the truth is that a good pressure output for a homeowner is still going to be above 3,000 PSI. The only difference between equipment for a homeowner and for a professional is that as a homeowner, you can afford to go with a tool with a lower flow rate and with an axial pump instead of a triplex pump. 

You can save money on a pressure washer by opting for a lower flow rate and an axial pump while still getting the 3,000 PSI you need to clean concrete and handle other demanding cleaning tasks. The only sacrifice you’ll make is that the unit will take longer to clean than a professional unit will. For a homeowner, this isn’t a huge issue and is likely worth saving money when the unit will only be used occasionally. 

Any professional will have a large and expensive gas pressure washer equipped with a surface cleaner for driveway cleaning tasks and built to maintain a high flow rate to get the job done as fast as possible. 

How Much PSI Is Needed to Clean Concrete?

Most homeowners ask the same question when looking at pressure washers: How much PSI do I need to clean my driveway? The truth is that 1,600 PSI is enough to clean concrete, albeit slowly. You will have to spend significantly more time dealing with any stains than you would when using a 3,000 PSI pressure washer. We always recommend that you get a unit that delivers 3,000 PSI or higher if you want to effectively clean driveways, masonry, patios, and other stone surfaces. 

When someone asks if 2,000 PSI is enough to clean concrete, the answer is yes, but more slowly. If you don’t mind taking some extra time to do an annual cleaning, you won’t mind using a lower-powered unit. If you are cleaning driveways and patios daily, you want a minimum of 3,000 PSI to work with and a good flow rate of 3.0 GPM or higher. 

Any professional will come with a powerful pressure washer that produces nearly 4,000 PSI and delivers a 4.0 GPM flow rate or higher. They will have the right attachments to clean every surface and understand how to operate the equipment properly. There’s a learning curve when operating a pressure washer, and this is one of the main reasons why it makes sense to hire a professional to handle your pressure washing cleaning tasks for you.

How S&K Pressure Washing Services Stand Out

S&K Pressure Washing technicians use top-end gas-powered pressure washers that cost several thousand dollars. The units come with all the necessary attachments and nozzles to fully clean any surface around your home, and the users have thousands of hours of experience, allowing them to clean efficiently and safely. Get a deep clean that you can’t get on your own by hiring S&K Pressure Washing Services today. 

Pressure Washing FAQs

What is a good PSI for a pressure washer?

A good PSI for a pressure washer is 3,000 PSI or more. You’ll need at least 4,000 PSI if you want to strip paint and handle industrial cleaning tasks. 

What is the best PSI for a home pressure washer?

For a home pressure washer, you want a minimum of 2,000 PSI, and 3,000 PSI is best when cleaning driveways and masonry regularly. 

Can you get a quality Home Depot pressure washer?

Yes, there are many well-made Home Depot pressure washers that deliver more than 3,000 PSI to choose from. Try and find a unit equipped with an axial pump at a minimum and a triplex pump if you can. 

Can you get a well-made Simpson pressure washer?

Yes, a Simpson professional pressure washer delivers nearly 3,400 PSI of power while maintaining a respectable flow rate. There are many Simpson units equipped with the proper mechanisms to perform well for a homeowner. 

Is 2,000 PSI enough to clean concrete?

Yes, 2,000 PSI is powerful enough to clean concrete, but not efficiently. You need a minimum of 3,000 PSI to clean concrete without wasting time.