The Differences Between Pressure Washers and Power Washers (and When to Use Each)

When it comes to maintaining a home’s exterior—from the house itself, to the driveway, sidewalk, deck, and patio—pressure washers can shave hours off of an otherwise time-consuming, tedious job. For example, if you’re restoring your wood deck, you could spend countless hours scrubbing stains and old paint with a stiff-bristled brush or broom—or use a pressure washer, and get it done much faster. 

In that particular DIY scenario, and many others, using a pressure washer—rather than a power washer—makes the most sense. That’s right: Though the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same piece of equipment. Here’s a breakdown of the difference between pressure washers and power washers, and when to use each.

The difference between pressure washers and power washers

Both pressure washers and power washers use highly pressurized streams of water to clean exterior surfaces. The main difference is that pressure washers use cold or room temperature water (whatever comes out of the hose), while power washers heat the water to temperatures up to 311°F before blasting it out. But that heat comes at a price: While a pressure washer will set you back between $100 and $200, power washers start around $2,000.

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Here’s some more information on both types of equipment, including when to use each:

Pressure washers

• Cheaper

• More versatile

• Lighter and easier to move and maneuver 

• Can be powered by gas or electricity

• Gas-powered: Louder, more powerful, fumes, can move around without being plugged in

• Electric: Quieter, not quite as powerful, no fumes, some must be plugged into an electrical outlet, while others have rechargeable batteries

• Typically connected to a hose, but can be attached to a sink faucet (with an attachment) and use hot tap water (which typically gets up to between 105°F and 140°F

• Remove dirt, leaves, moss, and other yard debris from driveways, sidewalks, patios, decks, outdoor furniture

• Safe for concrete, brick, softer stone surfaces, other masonry, vinyl siding

• Using the fan attachment and lower pressure, it’s safe to use on wood (e.g., decks, platforms, walkways, and docks), windows, vehicles, tile, and painted surfaces

• Better for getting into tight spaces and crevices

• Requires less water than power washer

Power washers

• Much pricier to purchase, but can be rented from hardware stores and equipment rental companies for $150 to $400 per day, which is still cheaper than hiring a professional

• Can be used to sanitize surfaces, getting rid of germs, bacteria, fungi (including mold and mildew), and other types of organic growths

• Cleans surfaces faster than pressure washing

• Surfaces dry faster than they do after being pressure washed

• Better for removing grease and oil

• Gets the job done with less detergent 

• Heat + pressure can damage surfaces softer than concrete

• Better for larger surface areas and commercial projects 

Pressure washers to consider

Given the high cost of power washers—and the versatility of pressure washers—it typically makes more sense for homeowners and DIYers to purchase a pressure washer. Here are some of our favorite models:

• Homdox Cordless Pressure Washer ($119.99): Weighing in at seven pounds, this rechargeable electric pressure washer has a battery that lasts for up to 80 minutes when fully charged. It does need to be connected to a water source, but its 20-foot hose doesn’t need to hook up to a spigot: It can draw water from a bucket, pool, river, or anywhere else the hose can reach. It’s easy to assemble and use, has a 6-in-1 spray nozzle, and can get up to 960 PSI.

• PowRyte Electric Pressure Washer ($119.99): This powerful pressure washer has a max PSI of 3800 and comes with four nozzles, and a foam cannon that turns ordinary detergent into a shaving-cream-like consistency. It’s electric and must be connected to an outlet, but does have a 20-foot-long hose.

• Kärcher Cube Electric Pressure Washer ($82.90): This highly rated, easy-to-use pressure washer operates at 1800 PSI, but can get up to a max PSI of 2250. It’s lightweight, compact, and has a 20-foot cord, making it a good option for most exterior household projects, as well as washing vehicles. 

• Westinghouse WPX3200 Gas Pressure Washer ($292.41): If you’re leaning towards a gas-powered pressure washer, consider this one from Westinghouse. It’s quick to set up, simple to operate, and can get up to 3200 PSI. Its solid construction will withstand wear-and-tear, but if it doesn’t, it comes with three-year limited service, labor, and parts coverage.

If you’re still on the fence and need to clean yours, you can also rent a pressure washer for a day for between $25 and $100.