Electric Pressure Washers

[redpoint5]

I was hoping to get an electric pressure washer since I don't care for the hassle and noise of a gas one, but I'm not seeing many options for 240v single phase that aren't super expensive.

Do any 120v pressure washers have performance comparable to a gasser? My dad has a Ryobi one that performed poorly with a spinning driveway attachment.

Primarily I want something to wash the driveway or prep wooden decks.

[samwichse]

I have two of these:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...0515_200350515

Definitely comparable to gas pressure washer, but it requires a 20A plug/extension cord. The built in cord is pretty long at 36' though.

There is a cheaper version that is apparently somewhat worse in performance but only requires at standard 15A outlet:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...0514_200350514

Haven't tried it though.

The 20A ones get used 1 week on/two weeks off so far for 5 years with no worries except oil changes (non-detergent SAE30, which is a bit unusual). If reach isn't an issue, I'd recommend this over the 15A version.

EDIT: if you do get one of those, you'll want to replace the stupid pneumatic tires that will always be flat when you want to use it with some solid ones. It has a 3/4" axle, not 1/2" or 1" which is a bit less common.

[redpoint5]

How accurate are the specs given by manufacturers? The one linked above says 2000 PSI and 1.5 GPM, which is on the lower end of what I see advertised. I've seen some gassers advertised at 5 horsepower (peak, whatever that means), 3500 PSI, and 2.5 GPM.

[IsaacCarlson]

We have an electric 120v model. It works quite well.

[oil pan 4]

120v ones suck.
That's why I went to a 240v 56c frame Baldor motor on a general pump.
Even my 240v electric pressure washer is no match for the gas powered one.
My gasoline one does about 2.3gpm at 2,200psi. That's actual measured, yes I aquired a gauge that can measure that pressure. Measuring volume is easy.
When the manufacturer of the cheap ones says "1.5 gpm" and "2,000psi" you do get both. Just not at the same time.
You get what you pay for.

Doing a driveway and wooden deck you absolutely want the raw power of the biggest gasoline powered one in your budget.
Trying to wash a driveway or deck with an anemic underpowered 120v unit would be madening.
If I was going to wash a drive way I would fire up both my gas and electric and use both spray guns at the same time.

[hayden55]

To be any good you probably want at least a 2.5 gpm 3000 psi power washer. Anything below is about as useful as a 15" deck plug in lawn mower.