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What is the best pressure washing machine for starting a pressure washing business? What is the best pressure washer for cleaning your home?

Pressure washing machines, also known as power washers, are a powerful tool for cleaning a variety of surfaces, including driveways, decks, patios, and buildings. When it comes to choosing the best pressure washing machine for your needs, there are a few key factors to consider.

First, consider the type of cleaning you will be doing. If you will be using the machine for heavy-duty commercial cleaning, you will need a machine with a higher PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute) rating. Keep in mind however, if the PSI is too high, you can damage event he hardest surfaces like concrete. A perfect median we have found is around 3000-3500 PSI. The GPM is super important for flow. The higher the flow, the easier it is to use tools such as a surface cleaner which speeds up pressure washing times by up to 10x. For lighter residential cleaning, a machine with a lower PSI and GPM rating will suffice. Keep in mind some machines are not strong enough to remove the desired organic or inorganic growth from surfaces. For instance, a 1-2k PSI machine with 1-2 GPM will not be enough to penetrate enough layers of a concrete surface to fully clean a driveway. Instead, a recommended machine with at least 4GPM and 3000 PSI would be best.

Next, consider the size and weight of the machine. If you will be moving the machine around often or storing it in a small space, a lightweight and portable machine may be best for you. If you will be using the machine primarily in one location, a larger and more powerful machine may be a better choice. Because of this most commercial pressure washing companies utilize a skid or a trailer where their equipment is mounted permanently on the vehicle or on a trailer. Skids are usually made up of aluminum or steel and consist of a pressure washer mounted to a skid plate (sheet of metal or steel) which is then mounted to a skid or trailer.

Another important factor to consider is the type of nozzle or wand that comes with the machine. Some machines come with adjustable nozzles, which allow you to change the pressure and spray pattern for different cleaning tasks. Other machines come with a fixed nozzle, which is best suited for specific cleaning tasks. Almost always, you will never use a 0 degree tip nozzle for any cleaning applications, this tip will penetrate surfaces and permanently damage whatever you’re cleaning. For most applications you will use a 40 degree or 25 degree fan tip. For example: the best tip for washing a car is most always going to be a 40 degree fan tip or a soap application and doing the rest with a sponge or by hand. Some people also like to use turbo nozzles. Turbo nozzles are a fast and easy way to clean surface area.

Based on the above factors, some of the best pressure washing machines on the market include:

Simpson PowerShot 4000 PSI 3.5 GPM Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer with 270cc Engine. It is light weight, can be pulled in and out of a truck bed, and also hooks directly up to a spicket using a water hose. The cost for this pressure washer is usually around $800-1200. This is an ideal option if you would like to clean your own driveway. Buy Here 

Honda GX 690 3500 PSI at 8 GPM with General Pump on a 690 CC engine. This pressure washer is meant to be attached to a skid but occasionally is seen on wheels. This is the best starter pressure washer for people looking to get into the pressure washing business. This is an ideal option if you want to clean lots of square footage. The cost is usually around $3500-4000. Buy Here

Honda IGX 800 3000 PSI at 10 GPM with General Pump or Comet Pump. This pressure washer is only meant to be attached to a skid plate and is meant for all commercial applications. This is considered the top of the line for cold pressure washers on the market. If you want to take this to the next level you can purchase a hot box add-on for this machine at Buy Here. This is the best option for starting a pressure washing business as you’ll be able to clean the most surfaces ever. The hot box add on is meant for heating up the water used to pressure wash, this speeds up washing times by 10x and can also remove tough stains like oil stains or even gum residue. Cost for the washer is around $4500-5000. The hot box add-on ranges from $3500-8000.

Ultimately, the best pressure washing machine for your needs will depend on the type of cleaning you will be doing, as well as your budget and personal preferences. Be sure to research and compare different models before making a purchase to ensure that you choose the best machine for your needs.

Written by: Robert Dill

Pressure Washing Expert