Looking to wash your car, truck, or SUV…or even boat a bit faster? There’s no denying pressure washers are the way to go. They can wash your vehicle quicker, but they aren’t as expensive as you may think.

If you’re a beginner, an electric pressure washer is a very practical and affordable option that will allow you to use accessories like foam guns. Knocking off a lot of mud? You may want to spend a little more on a gas-powered unit.

Keep in mind most professional detailers use gas pressure washers due to better overall durability, but as long as you have access to a customer’s power (or a generator for detailing) electric is a good way to start.

Today I’ll share and break down 5 of the best electric pressure washers you can purchase for under $300 (in no particular order) I think are perfect for the average joe.

If you need a lightweight unit for regular maintenance washing, this unit is perfect. The build quality on Sun Joe units is a bit better than no-name competitors and I found it here on Amazon for under $150.  

This unit has a safety lock switch that shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged (to help prolong the life of the pump) which is nice.

Sun Joe is probably the most popular consumer-grade line of pressure washers out there, and if you want something with a higher GPM rating to wash a little faster, they make several models all under around $300 (including pick #5).

General Specs

• Max PSI: 2,040
• Motor: 1,800 watts| 14.5 amps
• GPM (gallons per minute): 1.76
• Weight: 31 pounds

Includes

• 5 Quick-Connect spray nozzles (0º, 15º, 25º, 40º and soap)  to tackle any project.
•  Dual Detergent Tanks (Two 0.9 liter onboard tanks that are removable to allow you to store different types of chemicals for certain applications)

Pros

• Full two-year warranty
• Lightweight and quiet
• Good power
• 5 Quick-Connect nozzles and lots of accessories
• Great reviews

Cons

• Connector is plastic
• Somewhat of a shorter hose (20 feet)

Briggs & Stratton is known for making great pressure washers in general, and this electric model is no exception. This one features a max PSI of 1700 and is suited for lightweight projects in addition to cleaning your vehicle, and even comes with a detergent siphon hose.

This one is significantly lighter than #1 on at our list weighing 22.09 lbs while the Sun Joe SPX3000 weighed in at 31 lbs. Click here to check the current price on Amazon.

B&S is known for using quality parts, and the ergonomic design of this one definitely stands out from others in the category.

General Specs

• Max PSI: 1,700
• Motor: 1,650 watts| 13.75 amps
• GPM (gallons per minute): 1.3
• Weight: 25 pounds

Includes

• 3 quick connect tips for soap, (15-degree sprayer, and turbo)
• A hose for siphoning soap
• 35-foot GFCI-protected cord

Pros

• Collapsible hose reel
• Very affordable
• Good pump from a reputable brand
• Lightweight and quiet
• Very portable, stores easily

Cons

• Not as powerful as some
• 12-month consumer warranty
• Only 3 quick-connect spray tips (15°, soap, & turbo)

This 4,700 pSI electric pressure washer on Amazon I was pretty impressed with for the money.  While I haven’t heard of this brand before, the power you get for the money is several hundred PSI greater than similar models, which I like.

This one puts out over 3 gallons of water per minute, which is great for washing larger vehicles quicker! I also like the fact that this one has a reel you can wind up…which not all in this class have.

General Specs

• Max PSI: 4,700
• GPM (gallons per minute): 3.2

Pros

• Lightweight
• Built-in reel

Cons

• Cheaper reel
• Some cheaper components

This Karcher pressure washer is made by one of the best brands in pressure washers on the market. Karcher makes a ton of models, and I like this one because it’s a good entry-level unit with a better form factor than most in this class. The K2300PS is compact and has a built-in hose reel which is a must for washing cars in my opinion. Many others in this class force you to hand wind the reel (which I find annoying). These units are known for being quiet, which is why they are my favorite in this category.

I’ve used very load electric pressure washers in the driveway…and they can get loud if you have neighbors super-close.

I found this unit here on Amazon for less than $300 the last time I checked.

General Specs

• Max PSI: 2,875
• GPM (gallons per minute): 2.07
• Weight: 43.7 pounds

Includes:

• 25-foot hose
• 4 easy to connect nozzles
• Dual detergent tanks

Pros

• Well-designed 
• Quiet
• Dual detergent tanks for pre-treatment applications
• High GPM for removing soap easily

Cons

• Included attachments are nothing special (but easy to upgrade)

Sun Joe makes its second appearance on my list with the Sun Joe SPX3001. This pressure washer has the exact same specs as the SPX3000, only with a few additional features: a PSI of 2030, 14.5 amps, and 5 Quick-Connect nozzles.

This one is nice because it comes with a detergent tank as well. While a foam cannon would be ideal, it’s a nice addition. This is a good starter unit, and one of my favorites by Sun Joe since it comes with a 2-year warranty. The brass attachments are nice, although the other components are made of plastic.

General Specs

• Max PSI: 2,030
• Motor: 1,800 watts| 14.5 amps
• GPM (gallons per minute): 1.76
• Weight: 38 pounds

Includes

• 5 Quick-connect tips
• 40.6-fluid ounce (1.2-liter) built-in detergent tank
• 20 ft hose and reel
• Two year warranty

Pros

• Highly rated and good warranty
• TSS pump shut-off feature to preserve pump life
• Good power for the price

Cons

• Hose reel can be hard to use, flimsy
• Would have liked to see a longer hose
• Lack of cord storage

Choosing a great electric pressure washer for detailing

If you decide to go with another model, there are a few other things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure it is PSMA certified. This organization (Pressure Washer Manufacturers Association) verifies the GPM and PSI ratings through testing. While some Chinese knock-offs may claim certain specs, this seal indicates it has been properly tested
2. For detailers, Kranzle units are really the industry standard for commercial-grade electric pressure washers, and worth the money if you wash a lot of cars every week and need the durability
3. Always make sure your electric unit is GFCI protected. These plugs protect against power surges and shock by shutting off whenever there is an imbalance between conductors – super important for anything near water.
4. A PSI of around 1300-2000 will do the job for power washing your vehicle, just make sure to stand at least two to three feet away to make sure you’re only removing dirt and grime, and not paint.

Final thoughts

When looking at this list it’s all about what features you want when deciding on your pressure washer. All five can provide a great wash for your vehicle when used with the right equipment. If you want more mobility? Look at something by Greenworks. More power? Perhaps a Stanley.

Electric pressure washers are awesome to have, and one reason is that you can now use foam cannons! Check out my post, Foam Gun vs Cannons:  Beginner’s Guide fora complete breakdown.

The built-in foam tanks are a good feature on these electric pressure washers, but really don’t compare to a quality foam cannon.

Have any other suggestions or feedback? Let me know!