Are you looking for the best pressure washer for cars? If so, then this article is for you. Here are 5 top rated pressure washers that will do a great job at removing dirt and grime from your car.
If you’re new to cleaning a car with a pressure washer be sure to check out our guide on how to clean a car with a pressure washer. You might also want to consider choosing a pressure washer that works well as a foam canon as these can be good for cleaning a car.
Our Top 5 Pressure Washer for Cars
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76
For the budget-conscious buyer, this electric power washer is ideal for washing your vehicle coming with enough power to generate up to 2,030 PSI and deliver water at a rate of 1.76 GPM.
It will not break the bank either, as it comes in at a price that is more affordable than most pressure washers used for detailing cars. Since it is electric with a GFI plug, you do not have to worry about buying gas either because all you need is a ground GFI plugin to hook it up to.
What we like
- Great value
- High power for an electric machine at this price
- The total stop system is useful
- Dual detergent tanks
What we don’t like
- Plastic couplers don’t last as long as a metal one would
- Build quality is not great
- No nozzle storage on the machine
On top of being electric which is safer for the environment, and affordable, it has what Sun Joe refers to as a Total Stop System. What this means is that anytime the trigger is not pressed, the pump will shut itself off to ensure that it saves on the electric bill while making the pump last longer.
Dual detergent tanks (0.9 L in size) allow you to use 2 different types of detergent so that you can ensure whatever you tackle will shine like a diamond. After all, it will be extra clean if you use the right soaps to wash your car.
No need to worry about the pressure washer tips being hard to change out. The Sun Joe SPX3000 features a quick-connect design. Just snap and go, that is all there is to it. This is great to see since some pressure washers overcomplicate the attachment of tips.
You can find additional accessories to get more out of the unit and they are also reasonably priced in comparison to other options. As for what comes with it, you get the power cord which has a length of 35 feet, a 34-inch extension wand, 5 quick-connect spray tips, and a garden hose adapter among some other necessities.
Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp
Generating 1,500 PSI at a rate of 1.2 GPM, this pressure washer is great for light-duty and medium-duty projects around the house. When it comes to affordable pressure washers for cleaning cars, this is one of the best options out on the market today.
It does come with features previously only seen with more expensive pressure washing units, such as 25-degree and 40-degree spray nozzles that flaunt quick-connect technology to make changing and placing them a breeze.
What we like
- Great if you’re on a budget
- Good for small jobs like cleaning a car
- Comes with a selection of nozzles
What we don’t like
- Not that easy to move about as it lacks wheels
- Not suitable for big jobs like cleaning guttering
Greenworks forgot (or just did not care to implement) wheels so that it would be easier to move around, especially when one needs it to embrace some sense of portability. At least it only weighs 17.5 pounds, which is not too heavy for most.
The motor is 13 amps and powered via the 35-foot cord that comes included with your purchase. It is a machine that is considered to fall in the “economy” category, so some of it does seem to be cheaply made in comparison and tends to start falling apart after a couple of years.
But for those worried about saving money who only require lighter usage, this is still an ideal choice.
Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Pressure Washer, 2000 PSI
As one of the biggest players in the world of pressure washing, and with years of maintaining a rock-solid reputation, Karcher is one brand you will not want to ignore and you might want to make them your choice.
Especially if you need a pressure washer for cars that sits with a price tag right between cheap and expensive.
The Karcher K5 produces up to 2,000 PSI which is more than enough to wash your car(s) as well as provide the opportunity for you to use it to clean the driveway, wash the sidewalks, or handle any other pressure washing to-dos that you may have on your list.
What we like
- Karcher is a quality brand
- 2000 PSI of power
- Good quality build
- One of the best warranties you can get
What we don’t like
- Higher price tag
It comes with a warranty, and the details can be found via the PDF on the Amazon product page. In terms of warranties, they have one of the better ones that we have seen provided on any pressure washer for autos.
SIMPSON MS60763-S MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer Powered by 5 Kohler RH265, 3100 PSI
As you can tell by the name of this one, it’s a powerful pressure washer. Much more powerful than most of the ones we have covered today. Powered by a Kohler RH265 residential engine, it boasts a design that will last you for a long time to come. Not to mention, it is easy to start.
For the homeowner who not only wants to get a pressure washer to clean their car, it works great for projects such as deck cleaning, gutter cleaning, and window washing (but you must be careful) among many other tasks that you can easily take on with this model.
What we like
- Very powerful
- Well packaged
- Easy to move around
- Good build quality
What we don’t like
- Can be noisy and a bit smelly
- Quite expensive
With big wheels and a light design, it is a breeze to move the unit and even load it up to take it to another location should the need arise to do so. You will find that it is also designed to be durable, so no matter what environment you are in you do not have to worry about harming it.
It is on the expensive side than some of the pressure washers that come with a cheaper design and do not do as much, but this is one case where you will be getting what you pay for.
Backed by a 2-year limited warranty on the engine, a 1-year warranty on the pressure washer pump, and a 5-year warranty on the frame that houses it all. Accessories come with a 90-day warranty too.
Homdox Electric Pressure Washer
As another addition to the lineup of affordable pressure washers best for cleaning cars and taking on some of the light-duty tasks one may have around the house, it has a friendly design. A great addition is the axle-mounted wheels to make moving and story as simple as it can be.
Water flows at a rate of 1.5 GPM and it operates at up to 2500 PSI thanks to its 1600-watt electric motor. To save on pump life, they have incorporated a total stop system, which turns off when you are not using it. This implementation will also help you save money on the power bill.
What we like
- 2500 PSI of power at a good price
- Total Stop System
- Friendly design
What we don’t like
- By spending a little more you can get a much better machine
- Prone to leaks
Coming with 4 pressure washer tips, it provides you with exactly what you need to wash your car and wash other surfaces (keep in mind it is only for light-duty jobs).
Those needing to spend as little as possible might consider this to be a feasible option, but a little more would get a higher quality pressure washer at the end of the day.
Considerations When Buying a Pressure Washer to Clean a Car
Want to make sure you make the right choice? Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for pressure washers for your car.
As far as power, does it have enough to get the job done?
Realistically, if all your going to use your pressure washer for is to clean your car(s), a light-duty one with about 1,500 PSI is what most detailers recommend.
If you have other projects that require a little more power, you can go up in size but be careful cause higher pressure being sprayed on your car could hurt the paint for sure.
Does the manufacturer stand behind the product with a warranty?
Most pressure washers used for cleaning cars come with a warranty, so this is something you will want to check into. Make sure they stand behind their product or you could foot the loss yourself if the pressure washer is defective or fails you entirely.
Gas or electric, which one suits you the most?
We recommend electric because they are less powerful and more affordable which suits most car owners looking to get a pressure washer so they can eliminate their trips to the car wash. If you need more power though, gas is the way to go.
However, for washing cars, you do not need something really powerful. Only if you need to clean your driveway or other surfaces.
Is it easy to move around or is it going to be a pain?
For example, is it small enough to fit in your trunk if you need to take it somewhere? How hard will it be to move around while you are using it? Look for something lightweight, compact, and with a design that is sure to make portability easier. Big wheels are a strong plus too!
Just how easy is it going to be to put the hose up when you get done?
Some pressure washers come with a rack or nothing at all to store your hose on after you get done playing in the water. Some of the better pressure washers come with a hose reel, so all you must do is reel it up and go with it.
That is what you want ideally, but if you can handle something more basic which does not come with a reel it might save you money.
What kind of car cleaning accessories are included with it?
There are pressure washers out there that come with scrubbers and other handy accessories to make cleaning your car a lot easier. Keep your eye open for these as it will save you money in the long run and enhance your detailing abilities.
When it comes to the spray wand, what is it like?
While plastic pressure washer wands will work for light-duty tasks, the best and most sought-after wand is one that is made of metal. It will not break as easily, and you will find accessories a lot easier than you can with the plastic ones. Plus, they last longer! Enough said?
In Summary
If you’re looking for a pressure washer to clean your car, then this article will help point you in the right direction. We’ve compiled 5 of the top rated models on Amazon that are sure to meet all of your needs.
Whether it’s power or convenience features, these tools can be just what you need to get rid of dirt and grime from your vehicle with ease!