Taking your car to the car wash can get expensive and be inconvenient. Yet washing your car at home sometimes feels like it doesn’t result in the same professional-level clean. But with one of the best pressure washers, you can get that professional car wash clean without leaving your driveway! In addition to using a pressure washer to wash your vehicle, you can also use it to wash your porch, deck, driveway, garage, and more. The pressure washer is for sure a multi-purpose tool worth having.
What Are The Best Pressure Washers to Wash a Car?
Using a pressure washer provides the most efficient, quick, and thorough clean that you can possibly get when washing your own car. You can also attach a foam cannon to your pressure washer for optimal, thick carwash suds. Instead of scrubbing your car section by section, with a pressure washer, you can simply spray down the entire car. While a pressure washer is undoubtedly an investment, in the long-run, it will be far more cost-effective than paying for a professional car wash each time you want a clean vehicle.
We’ve rounded up the 10 best pressure washers for cars currently on the market. From this guide, you can find the best pressure washers to fit your car washing needs.
The SPX3000 Sun Joe Pressure Washer is the whole package. It is electric with a maximum PSI of 2,030 and 1.76 GPM flow rate. While you never want to go over 1,900 PSI when washing your car, you can use the higher PSI capabilities for more intense jobs, such as pressure washing your deck. This model has two removable soap tanks and five different nozzle tips.
With a 20-foot high-pressure hose and a 35-foot power cord, you won’t need to worry about using an extension cord. With that, this pressure washer will undoubtedly reach all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. Simply plug your garden hose into the garden hose adapter, and your car will be shining in no time.
This inexpensive yet high-quality pressure washer from Greenworks will give your car an excellent car wash. It has a maximum PSI of 1,500 and 1.2 GPM and is electric. Along with car washing, this pressure washer is great for use on patios and driveways. The machine can be used both vertically and horizontally, depending on whichever is most convenient.
This pressure washer comes with a detachable detergent bottle. In addition, the machine comes equipped with a 1/4-inch quick connect on the wand, which is able to fit most foam cannon attachments. The Greenworks pressure washer has a 35-foot power cord and a 25-foot hose. It’s easy to assemble and compact enough for easy storage in small spaces.
Best Premium Choice
3. Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
This monstrosity of a pressure washer from Simpson Cleaning will have you covered for any and all tasks under the sun. With a maximum of 3,200 PSI and 2.5 GPM, this gas pressure washer is extremely powerful. It has five quick-change nozzle tips that range from 0° to 40°. And it has a nozzle specially meant for soap, which would be the optimal car wash nozzle.
The 25-inch hose is made of polyester and polyurethane material to prevent wear from abrasion. With two 10-inch wheels, this machine is very stable and has great shock absorption. And with such a high PSI maximum, that stability is needed. When using this pressure washer for washing your car, it is vital to use the most gentle nozzle tip with a lower PSI. Before using it on your car, test it on the ground or somewhere else nearby to make certain that the pressure is low enough that it will not damage your car’s paint.
The Westinghouse ePX3000 is an electric pressure washer with a 2,030 PSI maximum and 1.76 GPM. The compact and lightweight design of only 19 pounds features a handle and wheels for easy transport. It comes equipped with a soap tank, four nozzles, and a 15-inch braided hose. The technology allows the pump to stop automatically when not in use to maximize energy conservation and prolong the life of the machine.
Westinghouse includes a three-year limited service, labor, and parts coverage warranty. The black nozzle is the soap nozzle which is perfect for washing your car. After using soap to cover your vehicle, you can switch over to another nozzle to rinse the car—making sure to keep the PSI below 1,900. Refer to the user manual to determine the different nozzle capabilities.
Made by Suyncll, this electric pressure washer has a max PSI of 3,800, 2.8 GPM, and comes with many gadgets. Along with the washer, you get a liquid soap bottle, five nozzles, a connection lance, a spray gun, a two-sided metal connector, leakage protection, and a six-meter pressure hose. Needless to say, this pressure washer will be handy for any and all home projects as well as providing excellent car-washing capabilities.
Whether you’re washing your kid’s electric car or your own car, your ride will soon be spotless. With the quick connector, you can easily attach any of the included accessories. The washer has both wheels and a handle, so you can easily move it around. Along with that, the power cord is 10.6 meters long, allowing for even better convenience. The motor is water-cooled for high performance and longevity, so you can plan to use this pressure washer for years to come.
This Wholesun electric pressure washer comes with a maximum water pressure of 3,000 PSI. And you won’t need to worry about purchasing an additional foam cannon, because this pressure washer comes with one. In addition to the soap bottle foam cannon, it also comes with four more nozzles, a 20-foot pressure hose, a 33-foot power cord, a gun lance and handle, and a brush. All of these accessories can be easily connected with the included leak-free connector.
The pressure washer has a “Total Stop System” which means that the pump automatically shuts off when not in use. Wholesun includes a two-year warranty with all of its products. Because it is lightweight and easy to move around, washing your car with this pressure washer will be enjoyable and efficient.
The Westinghouse WPX3200 is a gas-powered pressure washer with 3,200 max PSI and 2.5 GPM. It comes with a soap tank and five nozzles. To wash your car, we recommend using the soap nozzle followed by the 40-degree white nozzle to rinse off the soap. The soap tank is large and works with most kinds of soaps and detergents.
Because it is gas-powered, this pressure washer comes with engine oil tools and a user guide to get you started. This high-quality washer is made of steel with heavy-duty wheels for added durability. If anything were to ever go wrong with any parts, Westinghouse backs all of its products with three-year limited service, labor, and parts warranty.
This Briggs & Stratton pressure washer has 2,000 max PSI and 1.2 GPM flow rate. It has a steel frame for added durability. Best of all, the foldaway design means it takes up as little space as possible in your garage or shed. It has an attached half-gallon soap tank and a turbo nozzle that makes it even more efficient.
The set comes with a 25-inch high-pressure hose and four different nozzles. And it has a quiet motor so you won’t disturb the neighbors. Make sure to read the user manual and use the correct nozzle for your car. This will help prevent any damage to your car’s paint.
This electric pressure washer from Karcher is ideal for cars. It has a max PSI of 1,700 and a flow rate of 1.2 GPM. It is lightweight and has a convenient on/off foot switch. Along with that, it has a half-gallon detergent tank, storage bin, and three removable nozzles. Once delivered, the assembly will only take five minutes and no tools are required.
The machine has an aluminum frame and a standard hose connection for ease of use. The 20-foot high-pressure hose means you can easily maneuver around your car. Karcher backs this product with a three-year warranty, so if anything goes wrong, you can reach out to their customer service.
This handheld pressure washer from WEN has a max PSI of 2,000 and 1.6 GPM. Unlike other more bulky pressure washers, you can easily carry this lightweight machine using the included handle. You can attach the 16.5-foot hose and adjust the spray from 0 to 60 degrees. It has one single flow nozzle that can be adjusted by turning it to the left or right.
It has a detergent bottle and water filter, making for a seamless car wash. WEN backs this product up with a two-year warranty. It has a very easy set-up. With the quick-turn nozzle, you’ll be washing your car faster and better than the professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I safely use a pressure washer?
Pressure washers spray water between 1,300-3,000+ PSI. With that, it is incredibly important to properly and safely use a pressure washer to avoid injury to yourself and damage to your property.
Before using your particular pressure washer, you should always read the owner’s manual. This will tell you how to operate the pressure washer safely.
When washing your car, there is generally a specific nozzle that you will want to use. Be certain to use the correct nozzle, as using the wrong one could cause severe damage to the exterior of your car. For washing a car, you will want to use the low-pressure nozzle.
Next, wear protective clothing. It may be tempting to wear shorts and flip flops while washing your car, but it is best to wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and protective goggles.
Before turning on the pressure washer, be aware of your surroundings. Make sure there are no animals, children, or fragile items nearby.
Finally, always hold your pressure washer correctly. And never, ever point it at anyone!
Is 2,000 PSI too much pressure to use to wash a car?
Yes. Generally, when using a pressure washer to wash your car, you do not want to go above 1,900 PSI. The lower the PSI, the less risk there is of damaging your car’s paint. We recommend using a pressure washer between 1,200-1,800 PSI on your vehicle.
Do I need a pressure washer to use a foam cannon?
Many foam cannons only require a regular hose, but for the best results, you will need a pressure washer. A foam cannon is a great addition to your car wash routine. By using one along with your pressure washer, you can spray water and soap onto your car all at once, in thick dirt busting foam form.
What features should I look for in the best pressure washers?
When purchasing a pressure washer with the intention to wash your car, there are a few things you should consider.
First, you should consider the type of pressure washer. The two main types are electric and gasoline. For the purpose of washing a car, you will generally want to steer toward electric, as they have lower max PSI, which is ideal for car washes.
Next, consider if the pressure washer has adjustable nozzles that allow you to change the PSI as needed. A pressure washer with interchangeable wands makes it adaptable to many situations.
Other things to consider include the weight, price, and hose length of the pressure washer. Finally, since you’ll be using your pressure washer outside, cord length is important.
Joybeth Sullivan is an accomplished content creator. She does it all as a writer, photographer, and videographer. Her work has been published in local and international outlets. She graduated from the University of Georgia in May of 2020 with a dual-degree in English & Film. Today, she is based out of Denver, CO. When she isn't writing, you can find her on long drives in the mountains with her husky, Newman, riding shotgun.
