How to Use a Pressure Washer on Everything Around Your Home (2026)

The Simpson MegaShot 3200 PSI gas pressure washer is the maximum-power option in this lineup and the right tool when electric models fall short — stripping multi-year paint from a wooden deck, cleaning a long concrete driveway with embedded tire rubber and oil stains, or restoring weathered wood fencing to near-original appearance. The Honda GC190 engine is the reason this machine commands a premium: Honda small engines are known for reliable starting, consistent power output over the engine's life, and parts availability that keeps the machine running for decades. At 3200 PSI and 2.5 GPM, the combination of pressure and flow rate blasts stubborn mildew, algae, and staining in a single pass where lower-pressure electric models require multiple overlapping passes. The 25-foot high-pressure hose provides reach without moving the washer constantly. Compared to the DeWalt electric at 2400 PSI, the Simpson generates 800 more PSI with higher flow — the difference is significant for concrete and weathered wood but overkill for car washing and wood deck rinsing. Gas storage, oil changes, and fuel stabilizer for winter storage are the maintenance requirements that electric models eliminate. Best for homeowners with large concrete areas, multi-car driveways, long fence runs, and wood surfaces that require stripping rather than gentle cleaning.

The DeWalt DWPW2400 is the serious electric pressure washer in this lineup — a brushless motor design that extends service life significantly beyond the brushed motors in standard consumer electric units, which degrade with use and eventually require replacement. At 2400 PSI and 1.1 GPM, it handles heavily stained concrete, multi-season mildew on siding, and weathered wood preparation for staining — applications that the lighter Sun Joe and Greenworks units struggle with. The DeWalt brand construction reflects tool-grade build quality: heavier, more durable fittings, a commercial-style lance, and the brand's standard 3-year warranty. Compared to the Greenworks 2200 PSI in this lineup, the DeWalt generates 200 more PSI with a brushless motor that outlasts the Greenworks' brushed design. Versus the Westinghouse ePX3500 which claims 2500 PSI, the DeWalt at 2400 PSI is the more credible number from an industrial tool brand — pressure washer PSI ratings from consumer brands are often measured under conditions that inflate the stated figure. The trade-off over the gas Simpson is portability and noise: the DeWalt runs on 120V household power with no fuel storage, no emissions, and significantly less noise. Best for homeowners who want heavy-duty electric cleaning performance without gas maintenance, prioritizing build quality over absolute maximum PSI.

The Greenworks GPW2200 at 2200 PSI and 2.3 GPM is the flow-rate leader among electric pressure washers in this lineup — and GPM (gallons per minute) matters as much as PSI for cleaning efficiency on large surfaces. Higher flow rate rinses a broader path per pass, meaning fewer overlapping strokes to cover a deck or driveway. At 2.3 GPM, the Greenworks rinses approximately 15% more water per minute than most 2.0 GPM electric competitors, which translates to meaningfully faster cleaning time on a large deck or extended fence line. The trade-off is that higher flow rate increases water consumption — relevant where water is metered or scarce. The 35-foot hose is longer than the standard 25-foot hose on the DeWalt and Westinghouse, reducing how frequently you need to reposition the washer. Greenworks has an established track record in the outdoor power equipment category. Compared to the DeWalt at 2400 PSI, Greenworks generates 200 fewer PSI but more gallons per minute — for large soft surfaces (wood decks, vinyl siding), Greenworks' higher flow is more efficient; for dense stained concrete, DeWalt's higher pressure is more effective. Best for homeowners with large decks, long siding runs, and wood surfaces where volume of water contact matters more than maximum pressure force.

The Westinghouse ePX3500 claims 2500 PSI and backs it up with a 5-nozzle set that covers every residential cleaning application — the 0-degree pencil jet for stubborn stains, 15-degree for concrete cleaning, 25-degree general purpose, 40-degree for delicate surfaces, and a soap nozzle for applying detergent. Having all five nozzles in the box eliminates separate purchases. The steel-reinforced hose and metal connectors are a step up in durability from all-plastic connections on entry-level electric units. The onboard storage for nozzles and the 35-foot hose reduces setup and teardown time per use. Compared to the DeWalt at 2400 PSI, the Westinghouse claims 100 more PSI at a lower price — the caveat is that PSI ratings from consumer brands are sometimes measured under conditions that inflate the figure. Real-world cleaning performance is comparable to the DeWalt for most residential tasks. Versus the Greenworks 2200 PSI, the Westinghouse claims more pressure but the Greenworks has the higher-flow 2.3 GPM for large surface efficiency. The Sun Joe SPX3001 at the entry tier offers the hose reel convenience at a lower price. Best for homeowners who want an all-inclusive electric pressure washer package covering multiple cleaning applications without buying accessories separately.

The Sun Joe SPX3001 2030 PSI is the entry-level electric pressure washer in this lineup, and the integrated hose reel is the practical differentiator over every other unit on the page — the reel stores the 20-foot hose neatly when the machine is not in use, eliminating the tangled coil on the ground that causes tripping hazards and hose kinks. At 2030 PSI and 1.76 GPM, the Sun Joe handles standard residential cleaning tasks: rinsing patio furniture, cleaning a car, washing down a wood deck between annual stripping sessions, and removing surface algae from a fence. The 34-ounce onboard detergent tank mixes soap automatically. Compared to the Westinghouse ePX3500, the Sun Joe generates 470 fewer PSI and less flow — adequate for maintenance cleaning but insufficient for heavy-stain removal on concrete or stripping multi-year accumulation from wood. Versus the DeWalt and Greenworks, the Sun Joe is the most affordable unit but the least powerful. The hose reel convenience is the reason to choose Sun Joe over the budget competition. In this pressure washer guide, the Sun Joe serves homeowners who pressure wash 2-3 times per year for maintenance rather than restoration. Best for apartments with patios, small townhouse decks, car washing, and light maintenance cleaning where storage convenience matters more than maximum cleaning power.