Best Electric and Battery-Powered Pressure Washers of 2024
These top-performing models start instantly, clean efficiently, and weigh less than gas models
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These days, many electric pressure washers, which you plug into an outlet, can clean as well as gas-powered models. A few battery-powered models perform well, too.
But there’s a catch: Most of these pressure washers lack the power generated by gas models, so tasks may take a bit longer.
The most powerful gas machines will work up to twice as fast as electric or cordless models, making gas the better choice if you’ve neglected outside surfaces for years. But you can always rent a powerful gas model to do a deep clean, then invest in an electric or battery-powered model for maintenance.
How to Pressure-Wash Your Deck
You can consult our pressure washer buying guide for more advice on what type of pressure washer to purchase—and whether you need one at all. Not all surfaces are safe to clean with a pressure washer, and sometimes it makes more sense to rent a machine instead of buying one.
CR members can compare models in our pressure washer ratings, and see below for our picks of the best electric and battery-powered pressure washers of 2024, based on testing by our experts.
Best Electric Pressure Washers
Below, we highlight six electric pressure washers and zero in on what makes each one special. These electric pressure washers are designed for common household tasks, such as maintaining a patio or walkway. None include a zero-degree nozzle, a known safety hazard, and all earn very good ratings for cleaning, and all but one for noise.
Best Battery-Powered Pressure Washers
It’s hard to beat battery-powered pressure washers for convenience. Like their electric counterparts, battery-powered pressure washers—sometimes referred to as cordless models—start instantly, and you don’t have to deal with or store a power cord. But these models can cost significantly more than either gas or electric pressure washers. Also, the batteries may not provide full power throughout a big job, so you may have to recharge or replace a battery before you’ve finished the job. Still, for the first time, Consumer Reports is recommending two models that earn commendable scores for both cleaning and noise. Both are also very easy to use.
How CR Tests Pressure Washers
Power: We assess how much pressure each model can produce in pounds per square inch (psi). Those with a higher psi earn a higher score. We then time how long it takes for each pressure washer to strip paint from painted plastic panels. Models with a higher pressure output tend to perform better on this test.
Noise: Even though electric and cordless pressure washers tend to be quieter than gas-powered washers, using them still requires hearing protection, such as earplugs or an earmuff-style headset. So we measure noise for those models, too.
Cleaning: We evaluate how well a pressure washer can clean a variety of surfaces. Better performers have multiple spray patterns that can cover various cleaning chores, from light cleaning to deep cleaning of concrete and other hard-to-clean surfaces.
Ease of use: This reflects how easy the machine is to use, assessing factors, including maneuvering and cord storage, and how easy it is to swap out the nozzle.
If you’re unsure what type of pressure washer is right for you, our pressure washer buying guide provides more details about how these different types of pressure washers differ in terms of features and capabilities. It also explains when you might be better off renting a pressure washer instead of buying one. CR members can explore our full pressure washer ratings to see how various models in all categories compare, according to CR’s exhaustive tests.
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