Those oil stains on your garage floor aren’t so hard to remove if you have one of the best pressure washers for cleaning concrete and driveways. It also helps to use degreaser and detergent. But how do you know if a pressure washer is powerful enough?
For best results, you’ll need 5000 cleaning units of power. That’s what a medium-duty power washer provides. How do you know if it has at least 5000 cleaning units?
Multiply the pressure (PSI) by the gallons per minute (GPM). In other words, look for machines with over 2000 PSI and more than 2 GPM.
It also helps to use hot water. This is a feature found on many gas-powered pressure washers.
Top Pressure Washers for Cleaning Concrete and Driveways
To help you select the best power washer, we hand-picked top-performing models. Let’s look at the best pressure washers for cleaning concrete and driveways to see which one meets your needs.
Simpson Cleaning MS60763-S 3100 Psi at 2.4 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
This Simpson Cleaning gas pressure washer has more than enough power to take care of your sidewalks and driveway. This is the kind of tool you’ll want if you have regular cleanup duty. Not only can it take care of concrete, but you can reduce the power to wash siding, decks, vehicles, outdoor grills, and more. You can even strip paint with it.
Since it’s a very powerful washer, it has a safety lockout on the gun. This helps prevent accidentally spraying surfaces. The pressure washer pump also protects itself from overheating.
The wand comes with five nozzle tips for different jobs. There’s also a 25-foot pressure hose. All the accessories store onboard. Finally, the pump has a one-year limited warranty, the Kohler OHV engine has a two-year warranty, and the frame a five-year warranty.
Champion 3200-PSI 2.4-GPM Dolly-Style Gas Pressure Washer
Fans of the Champion gas pressure washer love its mobility and power. It has 7680 cleaning units of power, enough for commercial use. But the reasonable price and user-friendly design make it ideal for homeowners, too. And it comes with a two-year limited warranty and free technical support.
This tool is powered by Champion’s own 224cc OHV engine plus a top-of-the-line Annovi Reverberi axial cam pump. It comes with a 25-foot pressure hose, onboard detergent tanks, a gun and wand, and five nozzles including one for soap. The only thing you won’t have is a brush to help you scrub the concrete.
WEN PW31 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer 2.5 GPM
WEN takes on the big brands with their PW31 pressure washer. It runs on a 208cc OHV engine and an axial cam pump. Altogether, it offers 7750 cleaning units.
One advantage is that its pressure hose is 30 feet long, 5 feet longer than competing models. Moreover, it has a detergent tank, a lance with a safety lock trigger, and five quick-change nozzles. WEN offers a two-year warranty.
NorthStar Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer
Fast, quiet and efficient, it’s hard to find something to complain about this electric pressure washer from NorthStar. It blasts water forcefully with its 3000 PSI and 2.5GPM of power, so you can make quick work of cleaning your driveway, siding or deck.
Unlike other pressure washers for concrete, this one works without the unnecessary vibrations. It makes use of direct drive technology, which eliminates excessive movement, which also helps prevent wear and tear on its parts. Coupled with ceramic plungers, it is a pressure washer that will last for a long time.
Briggs & Stratton Gas Pressure Washer 3100 PSI 2.5 GPM with Quiet Sense Technology
Why choose this Briggs & Stratton power washer instead of the one with more pressure? You you’re your neighbors) might love the Quiet Sense Technology. When you release the trigger, the engine noise drops by 40%.
But there are other pluses like the no-prime and no-choke motor. Or the fact that you only need to add oil, never change it.
Dirt Killer H3612 Hot Water Gas Industrial Pressure Washer
The Dirt Killer H3612 may be more than you need, but it’s one of the best pressure washers on the market. At 3500 psi with a flow rate of 4.2 gallons per minute, it has 14,700 cleaning units of power. There isn’t much you won’t be able to clean with this machine. Restaurants, ranchers, and property management companies all use it.
Part of what makes the Dirt Killer great is its freeze-proof Kranzle pump. Not only does it not matter if water freezes inside, but it can stay in bypass for hours, or run dry without damage (Bypass is when the pump is working but you haven’t pulled the trigger).
Next, it’s powered by a Honda GX-LXE 13HP OHV engine with electric start and low oil alert. The burner that heats the hot water operates on diesel fuel. Although it can heat the water to steam, you don’t have to turn on this feature to use the pressure washer.
In conclusion, you also get 50 feet of abrasion-resistant pressure hose and four nozzles.
Briggs & Stratton Electric Pressure Washer 2200 PSI 1.2 GPM
Now let’s switch to electric pressure washers. We included this popular Briggs and Stratton model because it has good features for the money. Unfortunately, it’s at the low end when it comes to power washing concrete. But the included detergent foamer helps make up for that.
First, the brushless induction motor runs quietly and it’s made to last. It only operates the pump when you pull the trigger. Then, the 35-foot power cord has built-in GFCI protection against shocks.
Next, the pressure washer comes with three tips including turbo, 15°, and 40°. Use the detergent foamer to lay down soap on greasy spots. Then rinse with the turbo tip to strip away the oil.
Briggs & Stratton 20667 Electric Pressure Washer 2000 PSI 3.5 GPM
The Briggs & Stratton 20667 electric power washer has a faster flow rate than the one above. As a result, it offers 7000 cleaning units. This is perfect for blasting away stains on your driveway.
In fact, this model is versatile enough to clean vehicles, the exterior of your home, and many other surfaces. To its advantage, it has a detergent tank and a seven-in-one nozzle. You won’t have to fiddle around swapping tips. Instead, click the nozzle to the setting you desire.
The brushless induction motor makes less noise than comparable brands. It’s made to last, but it’s also protected by a 12-month warranty. Finally, this pressure washer has a sturdy steel frame but it folds up to fit in the trunk of your car.
Sun Joe SPX4000 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer w/ Pressure-Select Technology
The Sun Joe SPX4000 is powerful enough for everyday cleanup around your house and yard. While it doesn’t heat water, it does have a large detergent tank.
Better yet, you can dial up the pressure to deal with difficult jobs. It comes with five quick-connect tips ranging from the intense 0° to the gentle 40° and one for soap, too.
Plus, Sun Joe’s own Total Stop System saves on electricity and extends the pump’s life. It halts the pump whenever you aren’t pulling the trigger. This model is covered by a two-year warranty.
Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S 3200 PSI at 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer
The Simpson Cleaning MSH3125-S is powerful enough for commercial use, but it suits homeowners, too. With a gas engine like the Honda GC 190 engine, it’s easy to move this compact power washer wherever you need to work.
There is an onboard detergent tank, a soap applicator, and for other nozzles. The pump is maintenance-free and it’s covered by a one-year warranty. Plus, the rest of the pressure washer comes with a two-year warranty.
Karcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer 1700 PSI with 11″ Surface Cleaner
The Karcher K1700 pressure washer includes an extra tool that makes cleaning driveways easy. The 11-inch Surface Cleaner does the scrubbing for you. It also works on decks and pools.
There are other features we liked about this model. One is that it has a foot switch to turn it off and on. The next is that it has a bin to store accessories on board. And finally, you can purchase other accessories to extend its capabilities.
Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Joe 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
Sun Joe’s SPX3000 has two detergent tanks instead of only one. That can save you time. It comes with an assortment of quick-connect nozzles, a 20-foot pressure hose, and a 35-foot power cord.
Like other models from Sun Joe, this one features the TSS technology that stops the pump when you release the trigger.
Sun Joe SPX1500 Pressure Joe 1740 PSI 1.59 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
The Sun Joe SPX1500 is a top-seller because it’s inexpensive but offers a lot of value. If you adjust the nozzle on the wand, you’ll control the pressure for different jobs like washing the car or cleaning the sidewalk. The 35-foot power cord and 20-foot hose also give you a long reach.
On the downside, you’ll need to purchase a detergent tank, surface brush, or foam cannon separately. But it’s CSA-certified for safety and covered by a two-year warranty.
Goplus Electric High-Pressure Washer 2030PSI 1.6GPM
The Goplus pressure washer is an inexpensive option with a lot of power. With 3248 cleaning units, it’s ready to take on driveways, patios, cars, decks, and siding. You won’t need to lug around because it comes with caster wheels. Furthermore, it’s easy to stay organized because you can wind up the pressure hose on a reel.
TACKLIFE Pressure Washer, High Efficiency 1600 PSI 1.72 GPM 1400W
TACKLIFE’s pressure washer has 2752 cleaning units, just enough to wash the grime off the driveway. Use the included detergent tank to help you degrease spots. You can carry it around by its large handle, or set it down while you work.
The three spray lances have adjustable nozzles. Then there is a 20-foot pressure hose and a 35-foot power cord. The cord has built-in GFCI protection against electrical shocks. Finally, the package includes extra parts like washers in case the pressure washer develops leaks.
The two steps that make power washing your driveway faster
To get the job done as quickly as possible, start by sweeping debris from the surface. This is a good practice because you’ll see stains ahead of time and prevent problems.
By problems, we mean hitting gravel with the spray and launching it accidentally. Many a broken window could have been prevented with this one simple step.
Then, the second step is to use detergent. Apply the detergent to oily spots or stains and let it work. Consult the directions for details.
Generally, you’ll need to wait between five and 30 minutes. But allowing the soap enough time will speed up the process overall. You’ll also have to do less scrubbing.
Conclusion
We hope that our reviews helped you find the best pressure washer for cleaning concrete and driveways today. May your new tool be exactly what you need to make your chores easier. Visit us again soon to get inspiration for home and garden cleanup.