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Best Cheap Pressure Washers 2021 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Last Updated on December 17, 2021 by Mark Johnson

Shopping for a pressure washer doesn’t have to be a high-pressure situation, but if you’ve browsed the online listings for these machines, you may think that you’ll need to spend an arm and a leg to get a good model.

This isn’t the case! New advances in the field, as well as an influx of competition in the past few years, mean that you can get a great pressure washer for far less money than ever before. Of course, you want to purchase something that’s high-quality, even if you’re not paying top dollar for it, and it can be hard to get a good deal when shopping online.

We want you to be well-informed and make great decisions, so we’ve compiled these reviews of the best cheap pressure washers of 2020. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide so that you can understand the market before you buy, even if you’ve never used a pressure washer before.

Our Top 5 Favorite Washers of 2021:

5 Best Budget Pressure Washers Reviewed:

1. Sun Joe SPX3000 – Top Pick

If you’re looking for a pressure washer and you’re on a budget, the Sun Joe SPX3000 is a great choice. It combines a relatively low price with great performance and features. This is an electric pressure washer; you’ll never have to worry about buying gas or oil, which adds a lot of value to your purchase. It comes with five different nozzles, so you’ll be able to do a ton of different tasks with this machine. And it also produces up to 2030 PSI, which is more than enough for most domestic cleaning jobs.

One of this model’s coolest features is its total stop system. When you’re not holding down the trigger, the electric engine comes to a complete stop, greatly extending your machine’s life. You’ll love how long this pressure washer will last, making this excellent value on that factor alone. The only real issue is that it comes with odd fittings that won’t accommodate most aftermarket hoses, so it’s hard to upgrade those. However, if you’re happy with the stock hose, and most people will be, then this is a great purchase for you.

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2. PAXCESS 1800C – The Runner-Up

The PAXCESS 1800C would be the top model on our list if the Sun Joe SPX3000 didn’t exist. As things stand, it’s a very good pressure washer and does well enough to earn second place on our list. This model produces up to 2150 PSI, which the eagle-eyed among you will note is more than our top model. It also comes with an adjustable nozzle, which allows you to switch between stream types without having to change out nozzles—a feature that many people will like. It also comes with a hose reel, which makes it easy to prepare for storage when you’re done.

Like the previous model, it comes with a total stop system that turns off the electric motor. This is good for the internal components and will help them last much longer. However, this machine has some problems that keep it out of first place. The 26-foot hose that comes with it is a bit on the short side. And some consumers report that this model puts out underwhelming power, which extends the cleaning time. Overall, it’s not a bad pick, but you might like other models better.

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3. Greenworks 1600 PSI GPW1602 – Best for the Money

The Greenworks 1600 PSI GPW1602 is a cheap pressure washer that also provides great value, making it the best overall for the money. This model can produce up to 1600 PSI of pressure, which is going to be enough for most light or medium tasks. It has less power than our top two models, but you can get it for far less—a trade-off many people will probably be happy to make. It also includes a soap dispenser, which makes it easy to apply soap to a car without having to do so by hand.

This model comes with two easy-attach nozzles, which are useful for different tasks. The 25-degree nozzle is more powerful and should be your go-to choice for cleaning a driveway, wall, or fence, while the 40-degree nozzle is gentler, and is good for cleaning your car without damaging the paint. There is a chance that you’ll get a lemon, however, which is what keeps this model out of the top two. If the manufacturer could resolve this problem, it would rise on this list. But even with that shortcoming, it still provides the best value for the price.

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4. Karcher K2 Plus

Many people will see the Karcher K2 Plus’s price and think that they may have found an excellent deal. While there are certainly reasons to like the Karcher K2 Plus, it’s not without its flaws. And whether or not it’s a good deal for you will depend on whether you’d rather save money or get something that you’d like using a lot. This model comes with 1600 PSI, which isn’t an overwhelming amount of pressure, but it’s a good amount for the money. It also comes with an adjustable wand, which means you won’t have to switch out nozzles while you work.

It also comes with a detergent siphon, so you can easily add soap to the mix. However, it comes with a hose that is only 20 feet long, which will be far less than many people will want and will probably feel a little restrictive. Additionally, the handle breaks after a few weeks on many units and other parts have questionable lifespans. If you need a model that you’ll use once, this might be a good deal. But if you’re looking for something that will last forever, you’d be better off with a different model.

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5. DEKOPRO 3000 PSI

The DEKOPRO 3000 PSI is a cheap pressure washer that tries to convey the quality of a much more expensive model, but at a price that’s a fraction of what you might expect it to cost. It’s the most powerful model on our list, delivering a whopping 3000 PSI. At the low end of commercial-grade power, this machine can do everything you’d want to do domestically and then some. It comes with a great turbo nozzle, which is a zero-degree, spinning nozzle—the most powerful type available on the market today.

It also comes with a total stop system, so the motor shuts off entirely when you’re not squeezing the trigger. As a result, the internal components will take less wear and last longer. Unfortunately, this model has temperature control issues.

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Buyer’s Guide

We hope that you’ve found our reviews to be helpful and informative. If you’re looking to get a full understanding of the pressure washer market before you buy, then be sure to check out this buyer’s guide. We’ve included a ton of information about pressure washers, and we also walk you through the steps you need to follow in order to get the best value from your washer, even if you’re not going to spend a lot of money to get it. This is a great resource for both beginners and experienced users alike, as we cover everything you need to know before you buy.

Nozzle Type

Pressure washers come with widely varying nozzles, so if you want to make sure that you get a model that meets all of your needs, then you’ll want to make sure you get a model that comes with the right nozzles for the job. Many models, especially more expensive ones, come with multiple nozzles, typically ranging from zero to 45 degrees in spread. The zero-degree nozzle is the most focused and is usually used for jobs like stripping graffiti off walls or varnish off a fence.

Nozzles like the 25- and 40-degree nozzles are used for gentler cleaning tasks where the underlying surface might get scratched or damaged from high pressure. People typically use nozzles in this range to clean their cars, though they’re also useful for easier cleaning tasks on sidewalks, driveways, or walls.

Cheaper pressure washers might come with an adjustable wand instead of interchangeable nozzles. While you might think a wand that can perform the function of many nozzles would cost more, the reality is that it’s a cost-saving measure. Adjustable wands tend to not have the high-end cleaning power that you can get from a nozzle, even if the PSI is the same. Some wands are also prone to breaking, which makes the whole machine unusable. But they’re very cheap, so they might be worth the risk to you.

Extra Features

Of course, the nozzle isn’t the only feature that can make a big difference in how much you enjoy using your pressure washer.

A soap dispenser is an often underrated part of many pressure washers. While not all pressure washers come with options for dispensing soap, many people use their pressure washers to quickly and easily clean their dirty cars. Having the option to dispense soap makes that job that much easier.

Some models use an inline soap system, where you add soap to a compartment on the pressure washer’s base, and then the machine automatically adds it to the water as you work. Attach a soap nozzle or turn the wand to the soap setting, and it will create soft foamy soap to help you with the toughest jobs.

Other models use a special soap nozzle that has a detergent bottle on the nozzle itself. Fill that bottle with soap, attach the nozzle, and apply soap until you’re ready to clean. Models with the detergent bottle on the base tend to have a higher capacity, which means you can work for longer without having to stop to refill.

Other features that contribute to mobility are often neglected. Some models come with wheels, which can make it easier to get the base from place to place without having to lift or drag it. Many people will also appreciate a carrying handle, which can make it easier to wheel the base around or to carry it when needed. If you plan to use your pressure washer at multiple sites, it’s good to invest in a model that comes with both a handle and wheels.

Hose length is also very important, though it’s a challenge to find a satisfactory one at discount prices. 50-foot hoses that come bundled with a pressure washer are the best you can find on the market. When you get down into the inexpensive range, you’re far more likely to see a model with a 20- or 25-foot hose, which isn’t nearly as good. Longer hoses mean you can work for longer without having to reposition the base, which saves you some time and effort.

You could potentially try to upgrade your hose on the aftermarket, but that would cost you extra money. You also have to watch out for the fact that some manufacturers use non-standard fittings, which means that your new hose might not fit the base or the nozzles. You can sometimes solve this problem by purchasing an extra adapter, but that also costs more money.

Conclusion

The Sun Joe SPX3000 is our favorite cheap pressure washer due to its 2030 PSI, five quick-connect nozzles and total stop system. The PAXCESS 1800C comes with 2150 PSI, an adjustable nozzle, and a hose reel, making this a convenient model, but its short hose and underwhelming power drop it to second on our list. The Greenworks 1600 PSI GPW1602 comes with a soap dispenser, two nozzles, and 1600 PSI, and since you can get it for a low price, it earns the title of best value on our list. The Karcher K2 Plus is very inexpensive, but its short hose and poor overall quality will drive many people away. The DEKOPRO 3000 PSI has the most power on our list, but its temperature problems drop it to last place on our list.

We hope that our reviews and buyers guide have helped you find the cheap pressure washer that will make your next cleaning project fast and easy—without putting a dent in your bank account.