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If you’re looking for a pressure washer for jobs around the house, you probably don’t need a hot water pressure washer. These are often expensive, heavy-duty machines that are designed to remove oily, greasy stains that can’t be removed easily with just cold water, detergent and force.
But, having said that, a hot water pressure washer is the ultimate beast when it comes to cleaning. These machines can easily disinfect surfaces and remove all types of grime effectively and efficiently. If you think you’ll be putting your machine to good use, or if you’re a pro that uses pressure washers for work, a hot water pressure washer is an excellent weapon to have in your cleaning arsenal.
Here’s a look at the top 5 hot water pressure washers on the market, followed by a quick buying guide on what to look out for when buying one.
Hot water pressure washer Reviews
AR ANNOVI REVERBERI AR630
Main features
- 1 max GPM (Gallons per minute) for a slightly above average water consumption
- 1,900 max PSI (Pressure per square inch) of water pressure
- 19 amp power
- Water temperatures of up to 180°F or 80°C
- Can come with a TSS, allowing for automatic shut-off when necessary
- Built-in detergent injector for soapy pressure washer treatments
- A 25-inch (63cm) long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 25-feet (7.5m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 69 pounds or 31kg
- A convenient hose reel for easy storage of the high-pressure water hose
- This pressure washer has big and sturdy wheels for all terrains
We’re kicking things off with the AR Annovi Reverberi AR630. Available as both hot water and cold water pressure washer, as well as with or without a TSS (Total Stop System) for shut-off, this is a good midrange solution for the average homeowner. It offers 1,900 of max PSI at a 2.1 GPM of water consumption.
It also has a built-in detergent injector although it doesn’t work optimally when using the 25-feet water hose. The AR630 has a nice and practical design that offers both mobility and easy storage.
What we like:
- Excellent average PSI for a hot water pressure washer. 1,900 PSI is just enough to deal with most residential problems without stripping the paint off your car or outdoor furniture.
- With a max temperature of 180°F or 80°C, this Annovi Reverberi pressure washer comes just short of being an outright steam cleaner.
- Thanks to its compact design, this pressure washer is both mobile and easy to store.
What we don’t like:
- If you want to use the additional high-pressure extension water hose, the soap injector won’t work as well.
NorthStar Gas Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure Power Washer 3000 PSI, 4.0 GPM
Mean features
- 0 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 3,000 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful Honda gas engine
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- A 36-inch (91cm) long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 50-feet (15m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 600 pounds or 270kg
- The burner has thermostat control up to 250°F or 121°C
- It’s equipped with two 8 3/4-gallon gas tanks, one for gasoline and one yellow for diesel, fuel oil and kerosene
- High-end ceramic plungers on the cat pump for maximum durability and longevity
- Convenient storage space on the cart
- This pressure washer has four 14-inch pneumatic tires for any terrain
For something with a bit more power, this NorthStar gas hot water pressure washer offers 3,000 PSI and 4.0 GPM. Although it uses a lot of water, it also offers more power. This is perfect for commercial settings, but will also suit residential cleaning tasks if you require a lot of power.
One benefit is that the NorthStar allows you to adjust the pressure of the system, which gives you control over the force of the machine. This enhances its versatility, allowing you to use it for a variety of tasks, from more gentle jobs like cleaning a car to heavy-duty tasks like removing grease off a concrete floor.
The model is gas powered, and smaller and more compact despite its higher power. The overall durability of the machine is enhanced due to its forged brass construction. It’s four large wheels make the model easy to move around, ideal for jobs around the house.
What we like:
- If you’re looking for a pressure washer for ANY situation – this is it. High pressure, high temperature, and high water consumption, this NorthStar washer can take care of anything.
- The high-pressure hose and its spray gun are both extra long and comfortable to use for any situation.
- The four 14-inch pneumatic tires offer this giant machine surprising mobility.
What we don’t like:
- This is a very heavy machine. Its cart can handle the load but you need to be sure that this is what you want.
- A high-consumption and high-maintenance machine, this pressure washer does a lot but takes a lot too.
SIMPSON MB1518
Main features
- 8 max GPM for a slightly above average water consumption
- 1,500 max PSI of water pressure
- 120 volt and 15 amp diesel motor
- Water temperatures of up to 220°F or 100°C
- Comes with a TSS, allowing for automatic shut-off when necessary
- Comes with an extra-large fuel tank for prolonged work with no need of refueling
- A 50-feet (15m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 255 pounds or 115kg
- Comes with 5 different nozzles for every situation
- This pressure washer has two 13-inch pneumatic tires for any terrain
- 1-year warranty
For a heavy-duty style machine with nice midrange characteristics, the Simpson MB1518 is excellent for virtually any residential and most commercial situations. The 1500 PSI and boiling hot water temperatures combine for an excellent cleaning performance, all at the cost of just 1.8 GPM of water consumption.
Although the water usage is low, which reduces utility bills, the power of the Simpson is low too. At only 1500 PSI, this model is not as powerful as some of the other machines on this list. What’s more, the machine is quite bulky and not as user-friendly as other models, with its large cylindrical tank. However, the large tank means fewer refills required, as a single top up of diesel will keep the machine working for a long while.
What we like:
- A great midrange hot water pressure washer with quality across the board
- The 50-feet high-pressure water hose and the mobile cart make this model convenient to use almost anywhere
- The extra-large fuel tank makes this model excellent for prolonged cleaning situations
- Excellent price for its class
What we don’t like:
- The warranty period of just 1 year is unfortunately short. The MB1518 is durable and of high enough quality for that to not be a problem most of the time but you’d still want a 2 or 3 year warranty period.
- The machine is large and heavy
Shark SGP-353037
Mean features
- 5 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 3,000 max PSI of water pressure
- A powerful 11HP Honda gas engine
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- Total weight of 550 pounds or 250kg
- It is ETL certified and has a stainless steel coil wrap for extra durability
- The burner has a thermostat control
- Convenient storage space on the cart
- This pressure washer has four tubed 13-inch pneumatic tires for any terrain
- A complex warranty of 7 years on the pump, 1 year for the parts, and 3 years for the coil
For another high-PSI option, the Shark SGP-35037 offers a lot of power thanks to its 11HP Honda gas engine. This heavy-duty pressure washer is ideal for virtually any stain, oil, grease, graffiti, or dirt of any type. Thanks to its sturdy and mobile cart this pressure washer can also be used over vast areas and its large fuel tank will also ensure that it can work for a long time.
The system is quite compact, with a small tank and four wheels for easy mobility. But it’s small size isn’t testament to its powerful cleaning potential. With 3,000 PSI, this is a cleaning beast with the power to remove even the toughest dirt. It’s marketed as a commercial hot water pressure washer, but as we’ve mentioned above, it will suit heavy-duty residential tasks as well.
What we like:
- With 3,000 PSI and 3.5 GPM, this pressure washer delivers excellent cleaning potential
- The fragmented warranty is very user-friendly and fair
- The powerful 4-wheel cart is very durable and mobile
What we don’t like:
- There’s no dedicated hose reel or convenient storage space on the cart
- 550 pounds is too heavy for most residential needs even with the nice and durable cart
NorthStar Electric Wet Steam and Hot Water Portable Pressure 1700 PSI, 1.5 GPM
Main features
- 5 max GPM for excellent cleaning
- 1,700 max PSI of water pressure
- High-Efficiency Leeson motor
- Comes with 6 different nozzles for every situation
- Offers multiple different settings and operation modes for any type of cleaning
- A 36-inch (91cm) long high-pressure hose spray gun and a 50-feet (15m) high-pressure water hose
- Total weight of 340 pounds or 154 kg
- The burner has thermostat control up to 250°F or 121°C
- This pressure washer has two 12-inch pneumatic tires for any terrain
To end our list with something in the midrange section, this NorthStar model is the lightweight variant of the heavy-duty NorthStar model we mentioned above. It comes with an extra-large fuel tank for its power range and with standard 1,700 PSI, it can take care of any problem in and around your property. What’s more, it only uses 1.5 GPM of water, which is impressively low for the power it provides. This is also the model with the lowest water consumption on this list.
The 2-wheel cart is small but mobile and the model is quite compact and easily stored in your garage. The system is easy to move around, with the wheels able to take on even rugged terrain. Overall, this machine offers effective cleaning with proven reliability, saving you time and effort when cleaning even the hardest surfaces and tackling the toughest jobs.
What we like:
- The high-efficiency gas Leeson motor on this model makes it ideal for residential use and it’s as economic as possible.
- The comfortable and sturdy cart can be driven on almost any terrain and is easy to store.
- The midrange pressure plus excellent temperature output means you can use this pressure washer for virtually any stain.
What we don’t like:
- The cart’s designs compromise convenience for compactness. This means that while the cart is easy to store, it’s not as convenient to store the hose and trigger gun on it.
How to Buy a Hot Water Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are very popular cleaning devices, with a range of uses, and buying the right model can be difficult, as there are several factors to consider. However, buying a hot water pressure washer is even more complicated, because of the significant investment and consideration of specific features that purchasing them often entails.
As we’ve already mentioned, only buy a hot water pressure washer if you need to tackle tough, grimy, greasy jobs that require significant cleaning power. Otherwise, you’ll just have a fancy machine sitting in your garage for no good reason.
To make purchasing a hot water pressure washer easier, here’s a breakdown of what you would ideally take into account before buying one:
1- Gas or Electric
Pressure washers are typically divided into gas and electric models, each offering its pros and cons. Electric models are typically easier to handle around the house, but they are often less powerful than their gas counterparts. They’re also quieter, and easier to use.
Fuel engine pressure washers are more powerful, and can be powered by either gas or diesel. These are ideal if you’re looking for maximum power and cleaning potential.
Check out our article detailing the difference between these two types of engines.
2- Burner
Unlike cold water pressure washers, hot water models require a burner that provides the heat required for the water. The burner fuel tank size typically ranges between 4 to 10 gallons, and holds the fuel required to heat up the water – typically kerosene or diesel. As we’ve seen in the reviews above, some units have large tanks for the fuel. These are heavier and less user-friendly, but they also require less frequent refills, which balance out the pros and cons.
3- Water Flow Rate
The water used by a pressure washer is measured in gallons per minute. Naturally, the lower the GPM, the less water is used and the lower your water bills. However, higher GPM models typically have greater cleaning power. They use more water and are better able to blast off dirt. More water usage isn’t always better though, so check what works for your needs.
4- Pressure
The pressure is one of the most important points to consider, as after all, that’s why you’re buying this machine. For its pressure.
Pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), with most machines ranging between 1500 PSI to 3200 PSI. For most residential jobs, a PSI of around 1700-2400 works fine, but naturally, for the most force, you’d be looking at models with higher pressure.
However, there’s a trade-off between pressure and safety. Very strong pressure can break glass, damage vehicle paint work and even chip brick and plaster. Check the type of pressure you will require for your cleaning jobs to find a machine that does the work you need.
5- Price
As we’ve mentioned already, hot water pressure washers are more expensive than regular pressure washers. The difference in price can be well over a $1000, depending on the model. The price of the model is determined by its power, performance and other similar factors. This is why it’s a good idea to consider what you’ll be using the machine for and then to choose accordingly.
Difference Between Cold and Hot Water Pressure Washers
There are several reasons that make a hot water pressure washer more effective than a cold water machine. Here are some:
- More kinetic energy: The higher temperatures of the hot water means that there’s more kinetic energy in the water molecules. These move around more effectively, working to remove the dirt with more efficiency than cold water.
- Better use of soap: We’ve all seen it. Hot water works better with soap, dissolving it, foaming better and overall acting more effectively. By using foam with hot water, you’ll be able to up your cleaning potential easily.
- Disinfection of surfaces: While cold water pressure washers clean, they don’t disinfect. Hot water systems, however, are able to kill bacteria and germs, effectively sanitizing the surface while cleaning it.
- Higher initial investment: As we’ve mentioned already, hot water pressure washers cost a pretty penny upfront. They’re not the best option if you have a limited budget.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the ultimate cleaning machine, look no further than a hot water pressure washer. If possible, consider purchasing a hot and cold water pressure washer for more versatility and use.
Having a hot water pressure washer will always come in handy when cleaning out garages, pavements, brick walls and even cars, furniture and decking, provided that the correct attachments are being used.
While these machines are costly, they make up for their price in effectiveness and efficiency. To learn more about pressure washers, check out our guide on how to buy a pressure washer. We’ve also covered pressure washer uses and best pressure washer cleaners.
