HomeReviewsOutdoor Power EquipmentBest Electric Pressure Washer To Clean Your Car

Best Electric Pressure Washer To Clean Your Car

The Best Pressure Washer for Cars, Trucks, ORV, or RVs You can Buy

If you love taking care of your vehicles and are looking for the Best Electric Pressure Washer for Cars in 2023 – You’ve come to the right place. Today we’ll help you narrow your search (and your workload) with this pressure washer buyers guide – including the Six Best Electric Pressure Washers for Cars, Trucks, RVs, or ORVs you can buy.

In a hurry? Then check out the Sun Joe SPX3000.  It has a max psi of 2030 PSI and a dual detergent tank to help you get your cleaning done faster. 

BEST PRESSURE WASHER FOR CARS & TRUCKS

If you love your car, truck, or RV, you probably spend a few hours washing and detailing it each week. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you also love your free time, like watching football on weekends.

And free time for us doesn’t mean fighting with a gas-powered engine, whose spark plug, pull cord, or gas won’t seem to fire.   You also don’t want to damage your paint with a super-high PSI pressure washer.  All the reasons why our article focuses on:

The Best “ELECTRIC” Pressure washers For 2023


Editors Pick: Sun Joe SPX3000

Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric High Pressure Washer, Cleans Cars/Fences/Patios

PROS:
  • Perfect pressure for washing delicate items
  • Extremely versatile
  • 14.5 amp / 1800 watt motor
  • Astounding 2030 PSI
  • Five spray nozzles to adjust pressure output (40°, 25°, 15°, 0°)
  • Total Stop System turns the pump off when it’s not in use
  • Dual Detergent Tanks
CONS:
  • The connector/coupler is plastic – some owners like more durable metal.
  • Some owners like aftermarket nozzles for this washer

What is the best pressure washer for cars?  Our research concluded that the best pressure washer for cars (trucks and RVs) is the Sun Joe SPX 3000. We have heard a lot about Sun Joe (and Snow Joe) products, and I have to say this manufacturer is quickly growing on me. 

Besides having a great price point, we love this model’s specifications:  14.5 amp, 1800 watt motor with a staggering 2030 psi with 1.76 GPM (gallons per minute) water flow. After all, you don’t want to rip the paint off your vehicle 🙂

For these reasons, we picked this Sun Joe pressure washer as our first pick for cleaning a car or truck.

Video: How to use a Pressure Washer (By Sun Joe)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb9m6b10UJs]

The Verdict

Overall, this is one of the better electric pressure washers you can purchase without emptying your wallet. There are some review comments,  but nothing to the extent that gave us any due caution.

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


 

Runner-Up: Briggs And Stratton Pressure Washer #20680

BRIGGS & STRATTON 20680 Electric Pressure Washer, 1800 psi 1.2 gpm, Red/Gray/Titanium

PROS:
  • Solid frame built to withstand the abuse
  • Could easily withstand transport for mobile car wash business
  • 12-month limited consumer warranty
  • Two different pressure options for more versatility
  • 25’ high-pressure hose allows you to reach higher than many competitors’ models
CONS:
  • The hose and power cord are on the same side of the unit, so they can get tangled if you aren’t careful.

Anyone with a lot of experience doing lawn work knows that Briggs and Stratton is a name worth remembering. They always produce quality items that provide top-notch power without the top-tier price tag.

Although the PSI rating on this machine is a bit small, it gives you enough pressure to wash your vehicle with 1800 psi and a 1.1 GPM flow rate. Or 900 psi at a 1.2 GPM flow rate.

We also know an ORV craze is going on in the U.S. – and with all those plastic or fiberglass body parts, you don’t want to ruin the part or the finish.  With only 1800 PSI, we recommend the Briggs & Stratton as the best pressure washer for ORVs.

Where this machine truly stands out is in its rigid metal frame. Where some pressure washers use lesser quality frames, The Briggs & Stratton washer uses Steel.

The Verdict

This electric pressure washer is ideal for people who will use it to wash their vehicles and perhaps windows and siding.  For concrete driveways – bump up to something over 2,000 psi.

There isn’t enough psi flowing through this machine to clean driveways and other projects that require maximum pressure.

Need a little more power to clean a concrete driveway – Check out the best pressure washer for concrete here

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


 

Best Battery Pressure Washer:  Greenworks  40v  For Boat, RV, and More

Greenworks 40V Cordless Pressure Washer 4Ah USB Battery Included (PWMA Certified)

PROS:
  • 800 PSI pressure spray
  • Three quick-connect spray nozzles (Soap, 25°, 40°)
  • Use House water or Pond or Lake water to Spray Equipment Before leaving.
  • Onboard Detergent tank
  • 3-Year Warranty
  • Onboard Hose Reel
  • Extremely easy on your budget for this Power
  • 1.0 GPM flow rate
  • 20′ long Pressure Hose
CONS:
  • Undersized – But for its intended application, probably perfect

If you are looking for a portable, battery-powered pressure washer you can use at the lake, or when camping near a water source, the Greenworks battery pressure washer is the one we recommend.

With stellar ratings, this very competent but low psi assure washer handles a particular niche in the pressure washer world.

Although we wouldn’t recommend it for cleaning decks, siding, or other heavy-duty applications, it is perfect for light-duty jobs when you don’t have electricity to run your pressure washer.

With this machine, you’ll get three different spray nozzles that offer just enough versatility for your job.

The Verdict

This enormous portability and convenience, however, comes at a price. At 240 dollars +/-its fairly expensive for a lower-rated PSI and GPM water flow. However, convenience over price will win out for users who want to clean their boat before they leave the dock,

Or daytime warriors who want to clean their ORV before leaving the campsite.

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


 

Best Onboard Accessories:  Paxcess 2300 PSI Max Power Pressure Washer

PAXCESS Electric Pressure Washer 2150 PSI 1.6 GPM High Pressure Power Washer Surface Cleaner with All in One Adjustable Spray Nozzle Foam Cannon for Car, Home, Driveway, Patio

PROS:
  • 2300 PSI pressure spray
  • Four spray nozzles (0°, 15°, 25°, 40°)
  • Onboard Detergent tank
  • Onboard Hose Reel
  • Extremely easy on your budget for this Power
  • 1.6 GPM flow rate
  • 26’ power cord
CONS:
  • It used to have all plastic parts – But the manufacturer recently upgraded to Metal Wand and Connectors.

If you are looking for high psi in a complete pressure washer package for under $150, then you are probably looking for this pressure washer from Paxcess.

With this machine, you’ll get four different spray nozzles that offer plenty of versatility for your job.

The Verdict

If you need high power output but aren’t willing to pay premium prices, this pressure washer has your name written all over it. We were astonished at how well it cleans, especially since it is not considered inexpensive compared to other models we’ve researched.

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE >>>


 

Best Portable Washer: Greenworks  Pressure Washer PW1800

Greenworks PW-1800 1800 PSI 1.1 GPM Electric Pressure Washer

PROS:
  • GreenWorks GW1501 1,800 PSI
  • 1.2 GPM 13AMP motor
  • 20 Ft. Pressure Hose
  • Mobile Electric Pressure Washer
  • GreenWorks 5201802 Brass Turbo Nozzle
  • GreenWorks 5200402 High-Pressure Hose, 25′
  • Onboard Soap Dispenser
  • Very affordable for a Pressure washer of this caliber
  • Easy to move – Lightweight
CONS:
  • Lower PSI than other pressure washers in this category
 
 

 

Best Value: Whole Sun – 2.4GPM – 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

WHOLESUN WS 3000 Electric Pressure Washer 1.58GPM Power Washer 1600W High Pressure Cleaner Machine with 4 Nozzles Foam Cannon for Cars, Homes, Driveways, Patios (Blue)

PROS:
  • 3000 PSI – Easy and quick for decks, patios, siding, driveways, outdoor furniture, cars, trucks, RVs, ATVs, and more.
  • 2-Year Warranty
  • Includes 5 Nozzles:  Soap, Zero, 15, 25, and 40-degree spray nozzles
  • Auto shut off when the trigger is disengaged.
  • Professional-style pressure washer gun, pressure washer wand, 33-foot high-pressure hose, 48 oz. Pressure washer Soap tank, and four different Quick Change pressure washer nozzles.
  • Conserve water using 80% less water with 40% more power than a standard garden hose. Quieter than gas engine models.
  • Easy Assembly: Pull it out of the box, insert the hose reel and attach the handle. Connect the high-pressure hose and garden hose. Plug the GFCI into a 3-prong outlet with a ground. Pull the trigger to start cleaning.
CONS:
  • 20 ft. hose length is shorter than some other competitors.
 
 

 

Benefits of Electric Pressure Washers

Aside from making your cleaning jobs significantly easier, these benefits will keep your car, truck, or camper looking spotless!

Fuel

The word “electric” tells you everything you need to know. You’ll never have to buy gas for these machines. Simply plug it in at start pressure washing whatever it is that needs to be washed. You’ll save gallons of money on these machines. Plus, you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint.

Soap

Many of the pressure washers we reviewed have an onboard soap dispenser; however, for those who do not, you can buy an inexpensive soap dispenser attachment with additional spray nozzles, like this one from Tool Daily Foam.

Portability

Another benefit you get from not having a pressure washer that isn’t powered by fuel is how lightweight and portable it is.

Not having a giant gas tank and a motor that needs a way to convert that gas to fuel that can make it work means that you have a pressure washer that is easy to lug around with you wherever you need to take it.

Price

Electric pressure washers tend to be far less expensive than gas versions. Of course, there are some tradeoffs (we’ll get into those later). But you can rest assured that purchasing an electric pressure washer won’t hurt your pockets.

Pressure

There are two sides to this (as with most things), but electric pressure washers typically don’t have as much power as gas-powered pressure washers. Therefore, they are Safe Pressure Washers for Vehicles like cars, trucks, or RV Paint.

The amount of power a pressure washer is measured in two ways.

One is PSI; (pounds per square inch), and the other is the Water Flow Rate. Now, you might ask, “how is less power a good thing?”

The correct pressure washer can simplify your cleaning job and help you complete that job much faster and safer. But as good as pressure washers are at cleaning, they are equally adept at ruining delicate items.  You know, like the paint on your car.

Because electric pressure washers don’t usually have the same psi or water flow as gasoline-powered pressure washers, they are much less risky of damaging your equipment. And this doesn’t only go for vehicles, either. They are safer for your house windows, siding, wooden decks, or sliding doors.

Noise Discipline

Noise Discipline isn’t needed in most cases (unless you are a ninja, of course), but it’s still nice to have a machine that doesn’t wake the baby up from her nap. Your neighbors will be thankful for the quieter engine too.

If you don’t want to hear the loud drone of a pressure washer the entire time you need to use it, then your best option is to purchase an electronic one.

Better for the Environment/ and your Body

This is another spin-off of the whole ‘no fuel’ thing. We somewhat touched on it earlier when we talked about being able to cut gasoline out of the picture.

Gas releases foul, harmful odors when it is burned. Not only is it unpleasant for your nose, but the smoke that blows from the gas pressure washer also pollutes the air around you. Thankfully, electric washers work without having to use any external fuels.

Maintenance

Anything gas-powered has a lot of working parts. They need spark plugs, fuel injectors, fuel lines… The list goes on and on. All these working parts mean more opportunities for something to go wrong.

And even if nothing hasn’t gone wrong, you will need to perform routine preventative maintenance on gasoline-powered pressure washers.

Electric pressure washers don’t have this issue. What that means for you is that you can spend less time fixing and maintaining your pressure washer. And if you pay somebody to do those things for you, you can save more money by nixing almost all of the maintenance costs of a gas washer.

Cost

The relatively low cost of purchasing an electric pressure washer greatly enticed me. It can be why people decide to buy electricity over a much more expensive gas-powered power washer.

While some electric power washers don’t have the same longevity as gas-powered washers, if you do your homework,  you will find models that can outlive their gas counterparts.

By the way – If you need “More Power” than for your Car or Truck – Check out The Best Pressure Washer for Concrete Driveways – These pressure washers are Beasts! 

Make sure you purchase any power washer that has already been put through the wringer and came out on top. You should also ensure that the model you are buying has an extended manufacturer’s warranty.

Power


While electric pressure washers that are moderately powered are great for washing a vehicle or cleaning windows, they won’t be as effective as the higher-powered gas versions unless you opt for something over 2,000 psi.


Wrapping Up

We know how difficult it can be to make your first pressure washer purchase, so we trust we’ve given you a little more information to help you make that decision and better understand what to look for. Don’t miss the rest of our Pressure Washer buying guides.

If you’re looking for a way to take the chill off your patio – Check out these Top 10 Fire Pit Tables!


References and Further Reading

Photo Credit: Simon Harrod via Flickr CC, license/usage info.

Kevin
Kevin
Kevin is the author and editor for Best Home Gear. In addition to his work in publishing, Kevin enjoys exploring the Outdoors in Michigan and Arizona, Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Reading, and Completing Projects for Home and Garden.

Best Home Gear Is a One-Stop-Shop for Expert DIY Guides, and the Best Products & Equipment for Your Home.

Since 2018 we've provided Homeowners with  Professional Lawn, Garden, Home Repair, and DIY Advice - Along with Product Reviews You Can Trust.

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure statement.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Popular Now

PRODUCT REVIEWS