10 Best Pressure Washers for Cars in 2022
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If your car is starting to look a little grimy, as usually happens after driving for a while, you might want to buy a pressure washer for your car in order to clean it as effectively as possible. Buying the best pressure washer for cars can make the process of washing your car far easier and faster, simplifying your life significantly and making it as easy as possible to return your car to looking sparkling and new.
There are many different types of pressure washer available on the market, and some are better for cars than others, so it is important to know which pressure washer is the best pressure washer for cars before you buy. We’ve exhaustively researched the full range of pressure washers for cars available in 2022, and narrowed the field down to our top 10 pressure washer for cars options.
Below, you’ll find our best pressure washer for cars reviews 2022, breaking down the major features of each of our favorite pressure washer for cars models and explaining why each one is a good choice. You will also find a handy buyers guide, answering some of the most common questions about pressure washer for cars and explaining a few helpful features you should consider when buying a pressure washer for cars.
View the Best Pressure Washer for Cars, Below.
- Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer
- Generac SpeedWash 7122 3200 Pressure Washer
- Greenworks GPW1501 Pressure Washer
- Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Washer
- Ryobi RY141612 Electric Pressure Washer
- Briggs & Stratton 20680 Electric Pressure Washer
- Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer
- Sun Joe SPX3001 Electric Pressure Washer
- Karcher K1700 Electric Power Washer
- AR Annovi Reverberi AR390SS Pressure Washer
1. Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer
The Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer is a versatile pressure washer for cars that offers high performance in a wide range of situations. Its electric motor is quieter than a gas engine, as well as operating at a lower temperature. The power cord built into the Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer is 35 feet long, while the hose is 20 feet long, giving it a more extended reach than many models of electric pressure washer, allowing you to easily clean your car even if it is some distance away from the nearest electrical outlet.
This pressure washer for cars also features 5 alternate quick change spray nozzles for full control of the force produced by its 2030 PSI, 1.76 GPM compressor, and a handy Total Stop System trigger that automatically shuts off the pump completely when the trigger is disengaged.
Versatile and well designed for easy cleaning of your car even when it is not particularly near to an electrical outlet, the Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer is an excellent choice of pressure washer for cars for most users.
Check Price on Amazon ➞2. Generac SpeedWash 7122 3200 Pressure Washer
The Generac Speed Wash 7122 3200 Pressure Washer is one of the more powerful pressure washers for cars options out there, promising to powerfully blast dirt and ingrained grime from your car with ease as long as you take care of it. Its powerful 3200 PSI, 2.7 GPM pressurizing system gives a high level of water pressure, requiring a little attention around fragile parts of cars but easily cleaning off the toughest and most stubborn blemishes on your car.
The easy to use control system integrated into the ergonomically designed spray gun handle allows a high level of precise control to ensure that you do not use too much pressure and damage your car. The 4 interchangeable nozzle tips included with the Generac Speed Wash 7122 3200 Pressure Washer grant the option of even further precise control and flexibility, and the range of included additional attachments push this flexibility further, making this pressure washer for cars one of the easiest to recommend available in 2022.
The Generac Speed Wash 7122 3200 Pressure Washer is one of the more powerful and flexible pressure washer for cars options available and is an excellent choice for any user, no matter what type of car you may have or how deeply ingrained the dirt may be.
Check Price on Amazon ➞3. Greenworks GPW1501 Pressure Washer
Thanks to its 13 amp electric motor, the Greenworks GPW1501 Pressure Washer for cars is quieter than most gas powered pressure washer for cars options, as well as operating at a lower and more comfortable temperature. This portable and compact pressure washer for cars features a long 35-foot power cable and a standard 20-foot spray hose, giving it a long reach to ensure that you can clean your car with ease even if the nearest electrical outlet is some distance away from the vehicle.
In addition to this, the Greenworks Pressure Washer for cars includes two alternate quick connect cleaning tips, offering 25 degree and 40 degree spray angles for full control over your pressure washing experience, as well as a soap applicator for easy application of soap to your car before you begin to pressure wash the car properly.
The Greenworks GPW1501 Pressure Washer is a flexible electric pressure washer for cars that offers a high level of versatility and well-balanced pressure to ensure efficient cleaning without risking damage to the surface of your car.
Check Price on Amazon ➞4. Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Washer
A moderately high powered pressure washer for cars that offers very high performance and a great user experience, the Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Washer is an excellent Karcher pressure washer for cars option for almost any situation. It is well balanced 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM pressurizing system offers a high level of power without risking damage to your car, blasting dirt from surfaces without breaking anything, but it is the extra design elements that help this pressure washer for cars to stand out from the crowd.
The water-cooled induction motor component of the Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Washer for cars promises increased performance and a lifespan that may be up to 5 times longer than that of most other models of pressure washer motor, circulating cold water around the motor system to keep the operating temperatures down as low as possible.
The Karcher K5 Premium Electric Pressure Washer is a versatile and well-balanced Karcher pressure washer for cars that offers an exceptionally long lifespan and a great user experience, making it an excellent choice for any user.
Check Price on Amazon ➞5. Ryobi RY141612 Electric Pressure Washer
The Ryobi RY141612 Electric Pressure Washer is an exceptionally small and lightweight Ryobi pressure washer for cars that offers a high level of portability thanks to its compact body, allowing for easy and effective cleaning at home or even away from home, as it can easily be stored in the trunk of your car. Its small body means that it is not enormously powerful, but it is more than capable of effectively cleaning a car without any risk of damage and the compact nature of its construction more than makes up for this lack of power.
As an added bonus, the Ryobi RY141612 Electric Pressure Washer for cars includes a set of 3 interchangeable nozzles for different washing tasks: a turbo nozzle for high powered cleaning of problem areas, a standard 15 degree spread nozzle, and an extra wide detergent nozzle for spreading soap over your car before you begin to wash.
Smaller and more lightweight than most pressure washer for car models, the Ryobi RY141612 Electric Pressure Washer is a great, portable choice for cleaning your car in any situation, as it can be easily stored in the trunk of your car for access at any time.
Check Price on Amazon ➞6. Briggs & Stratton 20680 Electric Pressure Washer
The Briggs & Stratton 20680 Electric Pressure Washer is a large, heavy-duty pressure washer for cars that offers high performance and a well-designed body that is built to last. The durable welded steel frame of this pressure washer for cars is exceptionally sturdy, protecting the mechanisms within from unexpected impacts and accidents in order to keep everything running at peak condition throughout the long lifespan of this best pressure washer for cars.
The 20-foot long hose is more durable than the hoses of many competing models of pressure washer for cars, easily withstanding regular and intensive use with no risk of damage or splitting.
Offering a high level of reliability and durability, the Briggs and Stratton 20680 Electric Pressure Washer is built to last, and promises excellent performance throughout its impressively long lifespan even when used regularly and heavily.
Check Price on Amazon ➞7. Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer
The Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer is a well built electric pressure washer; thanks to its powerful electric motor, it operates at a lower temperature and far quieter volume than gas powered pressure washer for cars models, without any cost to its effectiveness and power. This electric pressure washer for cars features a 35-foot hose, longer than many competing models, allowing for more flexibility and control of your pressure washing experience, while it also includes 4 different spray nozzles for precise control over power and spread of spray.
The specially designed incorporated detergent bottle also doubles as a high-pressure soap foamer, allowing for more effective loosening of tough or deep-rooted stains than standard detergent application processes.
Offering excellent performance in a well-built body, the Stanley SHP2150 Electric Pressure Washer is one of the best pressure washers for cars options available in 2019, thanks to its versatility and quality construction.
Check Price on Amazon ➞8. Sun Joe SPX3001 Electric Pressure Washer
Designed for flexibility and high performance in a wide range of different applications, the Sun Joe SPX3001 Electric Pressure Washer offers a variety of helpful features that make it one of the best pressure washer for cars models available in 2022. Its 2030 PSI, 1.76 GPM pressurizer is powerful enough for effective cleaning and is driven by an electric motor that runs at a lower volume and operating temperature than gas powered pressure washers for cars models for a smoother car washing experience.
In addition to this, the Sun Joe SPX3001 Electric Pressure Washer features the Sun Joe Total Stop System trigger, a system which shuts off the pump entirely when the trigger is disengaged.
The Sun Joe SPX3001 Electric Pressure Washer is a high-quality electric pressure washer featuring a range of handy extra features to boost the performance of this pressure washer for cars.
Check Price on Amazon ➞9. Karcher K1700 Electric Power Washer
The Karcher K1700 Electric Power Washer may be lower pressure than many other pressure washers for cars options, but it is still more than powerful enough to easily clean most cars while being gentle enough to avoid the risk of damage to the surface of your car. This pressure washer for cars also offers an impressive level of flexibility and versatility, thanks to its 3 interchangeable included nozzles.
The included turbo nozzle provides maximum cleaning power for small spots of particularly tough dirt, although it should only be used with caution around vehicles, the all-purpose nozzle gives well-balanced cleaning for most areas of your car, while the detergent nozzle gives efficient detergent spreading power before pressure washing commences.
The Karcher K1700 Electric Power Washer is a balanced and well-designed pressure washer with a relatively compact body, making it a great choice thanks to its balance between cleaning power and convenience and high level of versatility.
Check Price on Amazon ➞10. AR Annovi Reverberi AR390SS Pressure Washer
The AR Annovi Reverberi AR390SS Pressure Washer is a quiet pressure washer with a low operating temperature and a relatively minimal environmental impact, thanks to its 120-volt electric motor powering the 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM pressurizing system. The 30-foot hose built into the AR Annovi Reverberi AR390SS Pressure Washer for cars is longer than the hoses of many competing models, giving more flexibility and control in most car pressure washing situations.
This relatively environmentally friendly pressure washer for cars uses 80% less water than a standard garden hose while offering 40% more power, making it an excellent choice for pressure washing your car.
The AR Annovi Reverberi AR390SS Pressure Washer is marketed on its environmentally friendly design, using 80% less water than a standard garden hose. This is a significant strength, making this pressure washer for cars an excellent choice for anyone with environmental concerns.
Check Price on Amazon ➞Pressure Washer for Cars Buyer’s Guide
How to Assemble a Pressure Washer for Cars
All models of pressure washer for cars available on the market function slightly differently, with each one offering certain unique elements, and therefore, each one requires a slightly different process when assembling it. Because of this, you should always begin by checking the instruction manual for your pressure washer for cars, even if you have assembled a pressure washer for cars before.
If you can’t find the manual, try looking up the serial number of your pressure washer, usually printed somewhere on the body of the pressure washer. Most standard pressure washer for cars models are relatively easy to assemble, and very few require more tools than just a standard screwdriver.
However, the methods required for assembly tend to vary, so you should always follow the instructions for your particular model of pressure washer for cars to ensure that you are assembling everything correctly and safely. Incorrectly assembling any model of pressure washer can cause severe damage to the mechanisms of your pressure washer, and potentially risk injury to yourself when you attempt to use the pressure washer for cars.
Soap vs. Detergent for Cleaning Cars
There are many different types of detergent and soap available for use in your pressure washer for cars, and it is often worth using soap as well as just water to remove grime from the outside of your car. Choosing the right option can be confusing, however, as they look very similar
It is essential to know the difference between detergents and soaps; the two are not just alternative names for the same product but are actually entirely different categories of similar products. As such, soaps and detergents can have different results when used for pressure washing a car.
Soaps are natural cleaning products made from an alkaline solution and oils, combined to form a cleaning product. Detergents, however, are more aggressive chemical products, containing cleaning chemicals chosen for specific purposes such as killing mildew or cutting through grease.
Detergents are more effective cleaning products for some situations but are more harmful to the environment. The runoff from detergents can kill vegetation, while soaps are generally biodegradable and safer for use.
Overall, the added benefits of detergents are unnecessary for cleaning a car, although they may be useful for other cleaning tasks, and therefore soap is generally the best choice for use when pressure washing your car. It is safer, and the benefits of detergent are not needed.
Troubleshooting your Pressure Washer for Cars
Pressure washers for cars are large and expensive appliances, which means that breakdowns can be particularly frustrating and problematic. If you make sure to maintain your pressure washer for cars carefully, you can avoid problems for as long as possible. Even the best model of pressure washer for cars will eventually wear out, as the components themselves will become fatigued and wear out, especially if you use your pressure washer for cars intensely and regularly.
Fortunately, there are a number of handy tips and tricks you can use when your pressure washer for cars stops running as smoothly and effectively as you would like. There are many possible problems that can arise with any model of pressure washer for cars, but if you follow these suggestions, you may well be able to repair your pressure washer in the comfort of your own home without needing to spend money on professional repair services.
One of the most common problems that arises with car pressure washers is a simple air based blockage in the system, preventing water from getting through properly. This is usually a relatively easy issue to fix, however; first, unplug the pressure washer from any electrical outlet (or ensure that it is fully switched off and cool if you’re using a gas pressure washer), and disconnect the pressure hose.
Next, attach the machine to a standard garden hose and run water through it for a little while to flush any blockages out of the system. Finally, reassemble your pressure washer for cars, and you should be all ready to clean your car again with no problems!
Other common water flow issues can be fixed by carefully inspecting the water supply of the pressure washer for cars and the hose itself. Inspect the hose thoroughly from one end to the other, ensuring that there are no kinks in the hose itself, as these can prevent water from flowing through, and check that the water has been turned on to maximum flow to make sure there is sufficient water pressure for cleaning.
More serious issues with your pressure washer for cars generally require replacement parts, which are easy to acquire from the website of the manufacturer of your pressure washer.
Expert Tip
Pressure washers provide a higher level of power for cleaning your car than a standard garden hose is capable of reaching, but this comes with a higher risk to your safety. You should always remember to wear protective gear when pressure washing your car, prioritizing safety goggles!
Did you know?
High powered industrial pressure washers can be too powerful for the surface of your car; if you use a pressure washer that is too powerful, you can actually damage the surface of the car and strip the paint away.