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Pressure washers are the ultimate cleaning tool when it comes to removing all types of dirt, grime, mold and fungi from a variety of surfaces. These machines make light work of heavy cleaning tasks, which is why they’re a favorite tool in commercial settings. If you’re a professional relying on a pressure washer for work, a commercial pressure washer is a handy weapon to have in your arsenal.
The main difference between residential and commercial pressure washers comes down to the machine’s construction, design and durability. Finding a pressure washer that’s durable, reliable, powerful and effective is essential to making the most of your investment and giving you the peace of mind that it won’t die on you in the middle of a job.
In this guide, we review the top 5 commercial pressure washers, highlighting the features that make them stand out from the pack. In the second section, we cover the basics of buying a commercial pressure washer.
Commercial Pressure Washer Reviews
Briggs & Stratton ELITE4000 4000 MAX PSI at 4.0 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
Main features
- 0 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 4,000 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful and durable Briggs & Stratton 2100 Series OHV Engine
- An adjustable pressure triplex pump
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- A 50-feet (15m) high-pressure steel-braided water hose that can siphon detergents
- Convenient hose reel for easy storage and access
- Total weight of just 99.8 pounds or 45 kg
- A fuel tank capacity of 1.75 gallons
- A 2-year limited consumer warranty and a 3-months limited commercial warranty
- This pressure washer has two 12-inch pneumatic tires for any terrain
We’re kicking things off with something extra powerful. The Elite4000 offers a max PSI (pressure per square inch) of 4,000 and 4.0 GPM (gallons per minute) water consumption to boot. This means that this gas pressure washer will eat quite a lot of water but it will also use it for truly impressive cleaning potential.
All that is enabled thanks to the powerful Briggs & Stratton 2100 Series OHV engine and the adjustable pressure triplex pump. The pressure washer also comes with an excellent 50-feet long hose and mobile and compact cart.
What we like:
- This model’s design is quite lightweight for its power-class. The nice pneumatic wheels and cart design further complement this by giving this pressure washer excellent mobility
- The high-pressure water hose is a great perk with its steel-braided design and detergent siphoning characteristics
- The powerful Briggs & Stratton 2100 Series OHV engine gives this model its impressive effectiveness
What we don’t like:
- The price for the Briggs & Stratton’s power is quite a bit of noise
Generac 6565 4,200 PSI 4.0 GPM 420cc OHV Gas Powered Commercial Pressure Washer
Main features
- 0 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 4,200 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful 420cc Generac OHV engine for optimal performance
- A pro-grade triplex pump for an extended lifetime of the pressure washer
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- A long and comfortable high-pressure hose spray gun and a 50-feet (15m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 146.5 pounds or 66.5 kg
- This pressure washer has two large pneumatic tires
Generac is a well-known name in the industry of pressure washing, known for their quality pressure washers designed for various purposes.
For an even greater cleaning power, the Generac 6565 offers 4,200 PSI and 4,0 GPM. All that is thanks to its powerful OHV gas engine and its pro-grade triplex pump. This machine is the perfect beast when it comes to handling complex cleaning tasks. However, adjustability allows you to put the Geenrac 6565 to good use across a variety of tasks, as it offers a range of pressure options to suit any cleaning task. This ups the machine’s versatility, making it good value for money.
The pressure washer’s frame is both compact and convenient in the features it offers, however, the wheels are not perfect for all terrains. The machine is easy to store away after use, with dedicated spots to hold the wand and hose.
What we like:
- 4,200 PSI is an excellent power for any commercial or residential situation, thanks to the 420cc Generac OHV engine
- This model offers excellent control settings and additional features
- The pro-grade triplex pump ensures an extra-long lifetime
What we don’t like:
- The wheels on this model are a little lackluster so beware if you’re going to need it on uneven terrain or in high-grass
- Some of the plastic parts such as the want holster are not very well secured.
Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer
Main features
- 5 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 3,200 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful Honda GC190 premium residential engine
- A no-maintenance OEM Technologies axial cam pump
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- A long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 25-feet (7.5m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 55 pounds or 25kg
- This pressure washer has four 10-inch pneumatic tires and a welded steel construction frame.
- A 1-year limited warranty on the pump
Next, for something in the midrange-to-heavy-duty section, this Simpson Cleaning MegaShot model offers 3,200 PSI and 2.5 GPM. It’s impressive Honda GC190 gas engine and OEM axial camp pump deliver excellent quality while maintaining high-efficiency as well. This is not the most powerful model on our list at 3,200 PSI, but it packs a punch with its performance.
The MSH3125 also has a very convenient and compact design with a welded steel construction frame and is very light weight. It’s easy to move around and store away after use. Overall, a thoughtfully-designed, well made model suitable for various commercial cleaning purposes.
What we like:
- Impressively lightweight and compact design for a powerful gas engine pressure washer
- With 3,200 PSI and 2.5 GPM, this midrange pressure washer offers excellent cleaning for most commercial and residential situations
- The OEM Technologies axial cam pump will make your life much easier with its limited to no maintenance needs
What we don’t like:
- The 1-year limited warranty is a little disappointing on this model, especially considering that it has the durability to last for quite some time
- The hose on this model is only 25 feet long which isn’t as great as the industry’s standard 50-feet hoses
Pressure Pro E4040HC Heavy Duty Professional 4,000 PSI 4.0 GPM Honda Gas Powered Pressure Washer
Main features
- 0 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 4,000 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful 13 Horsepower GX390 Honda engine
- Has a Cat brand triplex plunger pump for cooler and smoother operation
- The thermos sensor prevents overheating and prolongs the engine’s life
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- The pressure washer comes completely factory assembled and tested individually before delivery
- A long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 50-feet (15m) steel re-enforced high-pressure hose
- Total weight of 99 pounds or 45kg
- This pressure washer has two large pneumatic tires two padded shock absorbing feet
Back to the 4,000 PSI range, the Pressure Pro E4040HC model sports an impressive gas Honda engine and a nice Cat triplex plunger pump. The lightweight and mobile design of this pressure washer mean that you can use this pressure washer for any terrain too. Keep in mind that its dimensions are quite large too and it will take a fair bit of storage space.
This model is ideal if you want exceptional performance, but note that it doesn’t come cheap. This is one of the most expensive models on our list.
What we like:
- The 13HP GX390 Honda engine and Cat triple plunger pump offer effective pressure washing, efficiency, as well as longevity
- This model comes 100% assembled and pre-tested. If/when there are problems with the delivery they tend to be from the shipping company
- Quite a lightweight design for its power range
What we don’t like:
- The additional purchasable insurance seems nice but doesn’t cover most things that’d interest most people
- The more horizontally-oriented design makes this model mobile and sturdy but it also means it will take more storage space
Sun Joe SPX9008-PRO 2.41 HP 1800 Max Psi 1.6 GPM Commercial Pressure Washer
Main features
- 6 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 1,800 max PSI of water pressure
- An efficient 13.5 amp/1800 Watt brushless induction motor
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- A built-in 1-gallon detergent tank
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- A long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 25-feet (7.5m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 70 pounds or 32kg
- A compact, 2-wheel, and easy-to-store design
- A 2-year no questions asked warranty
For those looking for something lighter, we’d recommend the Sun Joe SPX9008. It offers the midrange 1,800 PSI as 1.6 GPM water consumption. Its design is very practical and lightweight, with the only drawback being the wheels which aren’t suitable for all terrains. Aside from that, the powerful electric induction motor offers effective and efficient cleaning and tends to have an impressive longevity.
This model comes with a detergent tank with a 1-gallon capacity, which is perfect if you require soap for your cleaning purposes. The large capacity also means fewer refills required. The pressure is adjustable, giving you the option of suiting the pressure to the task. Simply adjust the pressure valve to quickly take control of the cleaning task at hand.
However, with only 1800 PSI, this is not a very powerful model, relatively speaking. It’s ideal for lighter jobs, but if you need to remove tough dirt, this isn’t for you.
What we like:
- An excellent low-to-mid pressure commercial option for those who want just general cleaning and convenience
- Comes with a lot of perks and features such as the 5 nozzles, the built-in detergent tank, and all its settings and functions
- The lightweight vertical design makes this unit very easy to store wherever you want, plus it looks pretty slick
What we don’t like:
- While the design is lightweight and compact, carrying it around isn’t great on all terrains due to the lackluster wheels
How to Buy a Commercial Pressure Washer
You might be wondering why you need a commercial pressure washer if the cleaning power of residential machines are similar. After all, both residential and commercial machines have PSI ranges of 2700 – 4000, so what is the difference?
It comes down the the machine’s reliability, durability and design.
Residential pressure washers are used infrequently, whenever a job comes up around the house. This might be cleaning patio furniture, washing the deck, car, brick walls or path. These are jobs that aren’t done everyday.
A commercial pressure washer, however, is often used on a daily basis. They have to be powerful and reliable, able to withstand daily use. They should be worth the investment and be long-lasting.
As such, these machines need to be made of durable materials, without plastic or poorly-made components. The pump has to be of better quality, the engine must be powerful and the overall design should be carefully thought out for daily reliable use.
Uses for Commercial Pressure Washers
Commercial pressure washers are used in a range of settings, where large areas need to be cleaned quickly. These machines are often put to work every day, which is why their reliability and durability become a main factor when choosing one.
Here are some of the main uses of commercial pressure washers.
- Industrial Facilities – general cleaning in these facilities is frequently carried out for safety and hygienic purposes. This can include cleaning walls, bins, machinery, floors and other similar tasks. In these settings, a heavy-duty power washer assists in completing the job quickly and efficiently.
- Construction Sites – Cleaning out the dust and dirt from various surfaces is often a requirement at construction sites. Think roofs, floors and windows, to name a few.
- Ships and Vessels – Cleaning ships and boats with a power washer helps in getting to hard to reach areas and removing dirt and grime.
- Machinery – This is one main use of pressure washers in a commercial setting. Machines are difficult to clean, especially those dealing with soil, oil and greasy situations. These can be very hard to clean so having a pressure washer is handy.
- Parking – Indoor parking lots are commonly cleaned with pressure washers. These surfaces often have greasy, dirty surfaces that benefit from a power washer’s force.
- Buildings – Cleaning the external surfaces of a building is a tough, thankless job often done with a pressure washer. Think steps, brick walls, glass and steel from top to bottom. Often elevated platforms are required to get the job done.
- Carwashes – For thorough manual carwashing, pressure washers are the equipment of choice. These get the dirt and grease out of even the hardest to reach areas of the car, resulting in sparkling rubber, paint and metal.
- Sidewalks and Paths – Cleaning out city sidewalks and paths with a pressure washer is a common use of these machines. Hot water pressure washers are often chosen for this job.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right industrial power washer saves you time, money and labor in the long run. It’s important to know what you’re looking for, based on the sort of tasks you will be doing.
For example, if your cleaning work entails dealing with greasy and oily surfaces, opting for a hot water pressure washer might be a better option. Additionally, if you’re going to be cleaning a lot of delicate surfaces, like vehicles or outdoor furniture, you’ll need the option of a lower PSI setting.
For a detailed guide on what to consider before buying a pressure washer, check out our article here. For the difference between gas and electric pressure washers, go here. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a pressure washer PSI chart, check out our guide here.
