Gas vs Electric Pressure Washer: Which Suits Your Jobs?
Electric pressure washers need an outlet and suit cars, decks and patios; test the GFCI before each use. Gas pressure washers need no outlet and suit large outdoor surfaces, but must run outdoors only, away from windows, doors and vents. Cordless power cleaners suit light rinsing away from an outlet.
The short answer
Pick by where you'll clean and what power you have there.
- Electric suits jobs within reach of a grounded outdoor outlet: cars, decks, patios, outdoor furniture. No fuel to store. See electric pressure washers.
- Gas suits big outdoor surfaces away from an outlet: driveways, siding, fences. It means fuel, oil and engine upkeep, and it runs outdoors only. See gas pressure washers.
- Cordless suits rinsing and light cleaning on a tool battery. See cordless power cleaners.
A starting point, not a product recommendation. Follow the manufacturer's manual for where and how to run your washer.
Power source and where each can run
An electric washer runs where its cord reaches a grounded outdoor outlet; follow your manual on extension cords. A gas washer runs on fuel, outdoors only.
Output: compare listed PSI and GPM like for like
Don't compare a gas washer's max figures with an electric washer's rated ones. Manufacturers state pressure differently: some give a maximum and a rated (working) figure, and some measure at a given nozzle. Compare like with like, as each manufacturer states it. Cleaning units (PSI × GPM, per Simpson's FAQ) help, as long as both figures share a basis. See PSI vs GPM.
Noise
Compare the noise figures manufacturers list, where they list them. The maker documents we used for our picks don't give noise figures, so we don't print any.
Upkeep
Follow the manual for fuel, oil and storage. Electric and cordless washers have no engine, so there's no fuel or engine oil; follow your manual for storage either way.
Cords, outlets and GFCI
Where cordless fits
Cordless power cleaners list far lower figures than corded or gas washers (the picks here list 320 to 600 PSI). They suit rinsing and light cleaning where there's no outlet. Some draw water from a bucket or bottle, as the maker states. See cordless power cleaners.
See how to choose a pressure washer, pressure washer safety and all pressure washer picks.
FAQ
Is a gas or electric pressure washer better for home use?
Neither is better overall; it depends on the job and outlet access. Electric suits cars, decks and patios near an outlet. Gas suits big outdoor surfaces away from one, and runs outdoors only. Cordless suits light rinsing away from an outlet.
If a gas and an electric pressure washer have the same PSI, which cleans faster?
Look past PSI: compare GPM and cleaning units (PSI × GPM, per Simpson's FAQ) on the same basis, max against max or rated against rated.
Can I use a gas pressure washer in a garage?
Are electric pressure washers quieter than gas?
Compare the noise figures manufacturers list, where they list them. We don't give decibel figures of our own.
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