Best Pressure Washers of 2025

As a group, gas pressure washers are more powerful than electric and battery-operated machines. That makes them best suited for heavy-duty jobs, like cleaning a long-neglected deck or patio.

Electric pressure washers, which you plug into an outlet, start instantly and easily. You don’t need to fuss with gas or oil, and there’s no engine maintenance. They’re often much quieter than gas options, too. But because they tend to be less powerful than gas models, they’re best for lighter jobs, such as monthly walkway wash-downs. You can find some high-power electric options on the market, but it takes some digging.

It’s hard to beat battery-powered pressure washers for convenience, though they have drawbacks. These models can cost significantly more than either gas or corded electric pressure washers. Also, the batteries might not provide full power throughout a big job; you may have to recharge or replace a battery before you’ve finished.

Any pressure washer will pump out water with far more force than a garden hose, but if you’re just browsing at the home center, it’s hard to tell which models can deliver outstanding cleaning performance.. At Consumer Reports, we assess pressure washers according to a range of factors, but we place the most weight on how well they handle and clean. Here’s what our top picks have in common:

They’re effective. The best pressure washers in our tests can completely clean a surface, stripping paint at multiple angles and using different nozzles. In your yard, that means effortless cleaning of any suitable outdoor surface.

They’re fast. Some pressure washers take their time getting a surface clean. The best are not only effective but also quick. Our power test measures potency and, in turn, how fast each pressure washer can blast through grime.

They’re easy to use. The best pressure washers start easily and have simple controls, cords, and hoses that don’t feel unwieldy. They also make it seamless to switch from one nozzle to another.

We measure how much pressure each model can produce in psi, then use the pressure washer to strip paint from plastic panels, timing how long it takes. Models with a higher pressure output tend to perform better on this test. We also measure noise. Almost all pressure washers are loud enough to require hearing protection, like earplugs or an earmuff-style headset.

Last, we size up ease of use. We start the machine and note features that make the experience simpler and faster. We assign a higher score to, say, a model with an engine that automatically shuts off when the oil is low, protecting the device from burning out.

In the past, our buying advice zeroed in on the best pressure washers that use gas or a power cord plugged into an outlet. No battery-operated pressure washers scored high enough in our tests to earn a CR recommendation. But that changed in 2024. Some battery-powered models now score well enough in our testing to be strong options for homeowners.