Best Car Pressure Washers For 2023

Why own a pressure washer?

You should buy a pressure washer if a professional car wash is either too coarse or too weak for your liking. Perhaps you own a Jeep or off-road pickup. After a day on the trail, most neighborhood car washes won’t get all that dirt from the undercarriage. Or perhaps you own a luxury car, and the local car wash is too coarse. You can dial in your preferred pressure.

What are common issues with pressure washers?

One of the biggest issues is getting proper water pressure. This can come from a bad connection to one of the hoses, a hole in one of the hoses or a clogged nozzle (from the pressure washer or the wand). Sometimes soap won’t dispense properly or the engine won’t run. For gas pressure washers, the motor can often be temperamental on a cold start. For electric pressure washers, well, you’re mixing water and electricity. There are plenty of ways that can go south.

What kind of detergents can I use in a pressure washer?

There is a whole ecosystem of products specifically designed for pressure-washer use. Do not simply load in dishwasher or hand soap. Depending on the type of job, there is often a car soap specifically designed for it. The same detergent you’d use for cleaning a boat hull isn’t the same you’d use for cleaning a Bentley. 

Do I buy a gas or electric pressure washer?

Gas-powered pressure washers are the traditional type, and if you’ve rented one in the past, it’s likely gas-fueled. These near-industrial types are great for more than just cleaning a car. They can clean sidewalks, boat hulls, siding, old decks and more.. But unless you’re cleaning off caked-on mud from a pickup or 4×4, they might be too strong. Electric pressure washers are compact, convenient, light and provide the ideal pressure for cleaning economy hatchbacks and luxury sedans alike. 

Are battery-electric pressure washers good?

We’ll give an honorable mention to all the battery-electric pressure washers out there. They’re good, but not good enough to make our recommendations. Battery capacity has not yet caught up with the needs of most users. You’d have to continually be swapping out and charging batteries.

What pressure washer nozzle is safe for my car?

The higher the pressure and the narrower the spray pattern, the more force your pressure washer will exert. That might be great for cleaning a driveway, but too much force can damage your car. That’s why 1,500 psi is the recommended maximum pressure when washing a car, and why a 40-degree nozzle is recommended for paintwork and glass, while a 25-degree nozzle is recommended when cleaning your wheels and tires.

Is a pressure washer cost-effective?

Yes! The more you use it, the more you save. Think about how often you wash your car, even in other seasons. All that money goes into a local credit card machine to enter a bay for three minutes. Over time, you’ll start to save money by cleaning your car with the pressure washer at home. Even with rising gas prices, the gas-powered machines will save you money.