Best Budget Electric Pressure Washers for Washing a Car
The best budget electric pressure washers for washing a car include the Westinghouse ePX3100s for a compact body with a foam cannon, the Sun Joe SPX100-GO for a built-in foam bottle and four nozzles, and the Greenworks 1700 PSI for light-duty car and yard jobs.
On this page (8 sections)
- The 6 best budget electric pressure washers for washing a car in detail
- Side by side: pressure, foam setup and warranty
- How we picked these 6 budget washers
- What a budget electric pressure washer can and cannot do for a car
- What to give up and what to keep
- Accessories worth adding
- Warranties at this budget level
- Which budget electric pressure washer for car to pick
A budget electric pressure washer for car washing does two jobs well: it rinses off loose dirt and it runs soap through a cannon or an applicator. Four of the six washers below include a foam cannon, and a fifth comes with a soap applicator.
We compared pressure, foam setup, warranty and kit contents. For the whole routine, start with the Pressure Washer for Car: The Complete Home Wash Guide.
Our picks at a glance
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The 6 best budget electric pressure washers for washing a car in detail
The Westinghouse ePX3100s scores highest because it pairs a foam cannon with 2100 max PSI in the most compact body here. The ePX3100v scores lowest because it repeats the ePX3050's figures in a heavier body, though its steel wand and carry handle stand out.
Westinghouse ePX3100s
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Adjustable foam cannon and turbo nozzle
- 35 ft GFCI cord and 20 ft hose
- Built-in holders for the gun and lance
A foam cannon and a 2100 max PSI motor in the most compact body here. Westinghouse also gives lower rated figures of 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM.
Pros
- Adjustable foam cannon and turbo nozzle in the kit
- Most compact body in this group
- Built-in holders keep the gun and lance together
Cons
- Rated figures are 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM, below the max numbers
- 2-year limited warranty is shorter than the 3 years on the ePX3050 and ePX3100v
The Westinghouse ePX3100s is for a home washer who wants a foam cannon and a small body in one kit. Westinghouse calls it ultra compact, and at 13 x 9.7 x 8 in it is the smallest washer in this group.
It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, with lower rated figures of 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM. The adjustable foam cannon and a turbo nozzle come with it.
Built-in holders keep the spray gun and lance together, and a 35 ft GFCI cord and 20 ft hose give you room to walk around the car.
Skip it if you want the longest warranty, since Westinghouse gives it 2 years while the ePX3050 and ePX3100v get 3. If you want a small body for detailing, compare the Best Compact Electric Pressure Washers for Car Detailing.
Tip: compare the rated 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM, not the max numbers, when you line it up against other washers.
Sun Joe SPX100-GO
- 1800 max PSI from a 13-amp motor
- Four quick-connect tips: 0, 15, 25 and 40 degrees
- Onboard detergent system with a 13.53 oz foam bottle
- 35 ft GFCI-protected cord and 20 ft hose
A foam bottle is built into the washer, and four nozzle tips store onboard. Sun Joe says its Total Stop System shuts the motor off when you release the trigger.
Pros
- Four nozzle tips, including a 40 degree fan tip
- Onboard detergent bottle and telescoping handle
- 2-year warranty plus 90 days of bonus coverage when you register
Cons
- 1800 max PSI is below the 2100 max on the Westinghouse models
- Check the flow rate on this model before you compare rinse speed with the Westinghouse washers
The Sun Joe SPX100-GO is for a home washer who wants soap built into the machine. It has a 13-amp motor, a max of 1800 PSI and an onboard detergent system with a 13.53 oz foam bottle.
Four quick-connect tips store onboard: 0, 15, 25 and 40 degrees. Start with the 40 degree fan tip on a car, and keep the 0 degree tip off paint.
Sun Joe says its Total Stop System shuts the motor off when you release the trigger. A 20 ft hose and a 35 ft GFCI-protected cord give you reach.
Sun Joe backs it with a 2-year warranty, plus 90 days of bonus coverage when you register.
Skip it if you want the most pressure, since 1800 max PSI is below the 2100 max on the Westinghouse models. Check the Sun Joe's flow rate before you compare its rinse speed with the others.
Tip: pull out the telescoping handle and roll it to the car instead of carrying its 14.33 lb.
Greenworks 1700 PSI
- 1700 max PSI at 1.2 GPM
- Push button start, no gas or oil
- 35 ft power cord with GFCI plug
- 25 degree and 40 degree nozzles
1700 PSI at 1.2 GPM for light-duty cleaning. Greenworks says it suits cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and RVs.
Pros
- Push button start with no gas, oil or pull cord
- 3-year limited warranty
- 35 ft cord with a GFCI plug
Cons
- Greenworks calls it light-duty, so heavy grime takes more passes
- The kit has a gun, two nozzles and a hose, so you add your own foam cannon
The Greenworks 1700 PSI is for a light-duty home washer who wants a simple corded setup. Greenworks says it suits cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs and patio furniture.
It makes 1700 PSI at 1.2 GPM, tied for the lowest pressure in this group. Push button start means no gas, no oil and no pull cord.
The kit has a gun, a 25 degree nozzle, a 40 degree nozzle and a tangle-free hose, plus a 35 ft power cord with a GFCI plug. Greenworks gives it a 3-year limited warranty.
No foam cannon comes in the kit, so add your own if you want thick foam.
Skip it if you have heavy, caked-on grime, since Greenworks calls it light-duty. Greenworks does not state a weight, so confirm it before you order if you carry the washer far.
Tip: start with the 40 degree nozzle, which Greenworks describes as its gentle option.
Westinghouse ePX3050
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Foam cannon with 15 degree, 25 degree and turbo nozzles
- 35 ft GFCI cord and 20 ft hose
- 26 in tall on 5 in never-flat wheels
A foam cannon in the kit, 5 in never-flat wheels and a 3-year limited warranty. Westinghouse says it also takes other foam cannons with M22 fittings.
Pros
- Foam cannon and three nozzles in the kit
- 5 in never-flat wheels
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- The 15 degree tip is narrow and does not belong on paint
- At 17 lb and 26 in tall it takes more storage room than the ePX3100s
The Westinghouse ePX3050 is for a home washer who wants wheels and a foam cannon in one kit. It stands 26 in tall on 5 in never-flat wheels, so you roll it to the car instead of carrying it.
It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, with rated figures of 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM. Westinghouse says the axial pump is maintenance free and has auto stop.
The kit has a foam cannon, a wand, a spray gun and three quick-connect nozzles: 15 degree, 25 degree and turbo. A 20 ft hose and a 35 ft GFCI cord come with it.
Westinghouse says it also takes accessories with M22 fittings, including other foam cannons. The 3-year limited warranty is a year longer than the ePX3100s gets.
Skip it if storage is tight, since at 17 lb and 26 in tall it is the largest body here. The 15 degree tip is narrow, so keep it off paint and start with the 25 degree tip.
Craftsman 1700 PSI
- 1700 max PSI at 1.2 GPM
- Soap applicator bottle
- 40 degree and turbo nozzles
- 20 ft kink-resistant hose and 35 ft power cord
A soap applicator, onboard storage and a 3-year limited warranty. Craftsman says the washer is CETA certified.
Pros
- Soap applicator in the kit
- Onboard storage for the nozzles, hose, cord and wand
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- The kit has a soap applicator, not a foam cannon
- 1700 max PSI is below the 2100 max on the Westinghouse models
The Craftsman 1700 PSI is for a home washer who wants a soap applicator and onboard storage. It makes 1700 max PSI at 1.2 GPM, with a 20 ft hose and a 35 ft power cord.
The kit has a 40 degree nozzle, a turbo nozzle, a trigger, a wand and a soap applicator. Storage on the body holds the nozzles, hose, cord and wand.
Craftsman describes the hose as kink-resistant and says the washer is CETA certified. It carries a 3-year limited warranty.
An applicator sprays soap but is not a foam cannon, so the soap goes on thinner than it would from a cannon.
Skip it if you want thick foam from the box or a light carry, since the kit has no cannon and 17.5 lb is more than the Sun Joe's 14.33 lb.
Tip: use the 40 degree fan nozzle first, and keep the turbo nozzle off paint.
Westinghouse ePX3100v
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Built-in carry handle
- Pro-style steel wand
- Detachable foam cannon and three-nozzle set
A steel wand and a built-in carry handle on a 2100 max PSI washer. Westinghouse covers it with 3-year limited service, labor and parts.
Pros
- Detachable foam cannon
- Pro-style steel wand and built-in carry handle
- 3-year limited service, labor and parts coverage
Cons
- Rated figures are 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM, below the max numbers
- At about 18 lb it is heavier than the Sun Joe at 14.33 lb
The Westinghouse ePX3100v is for a home washer who wants a steel wand and a built-in carry handle. It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, with rated figures of 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM.
Westinghouse describes a pro-style steel wand, a detachable foam cannon, a three-nozzle set and an easy-coil braided hose. The pump stops when you release the trigger, which Westinghouse says saves energy and helps the pump and motor last.
At about 18 lb it is heavier than the Sun Joe at 14.33 lb, but the handle helps when you carry it from the garage. Westinghouse backs it with 3-year limited service, labor and parts coverage.
Skip it if you want the best value on figures alone, since the ePX3050 matches its numbers and adds wheels. For a closer look, read our Westinghouse ePX3100v review.
Tip: measure the shelf where it will live first, since the body is 15 x 8.5 x 11 in.
Side by side: pressure, foam setup and warranty
Max PSI splits the group in three: 2100 max on the Westinghouse models, 1800 max on the Sun Joe and 1700 max on the Greenworks and Craftsman.
| Product | Best for | Max PSI | Foam setup | Warranty | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse ePX3100s | a compact body with a foam cannon | 2100 max | Foam cannon | 2 years | 9.1 |
| Sun Joe SPX100-GO | a built-in foam bottle and four nozzles | 1800 max | Foam cannon | 2 years + 90 days | 8.8 |
| Greenworks 1700 PSI | light-duty car and yard jobs | 1700 max | Add your own | 3 years | 8.6 |
| Westinghouse ePX3050 | rolling wheels and a foam cannon in the kit | 2100 max | Foam cannon | 3 years | 8.5 |
| Craftsman 1700 PSI | a soap applicator and onboard storage | 1700 max | Soap applicator | 3 years | 8.3 |
| Westinghouse ePX3100v | a steel wand and a carry handle | 2100 max | Detachable cannon | 3 years | 8.1 |
Foam setup and warranty separate the picks more than PSI does. The Greenworks is the only washer here without a cannon or an applicator in its kit.
How we picked these 6 budget washers
We compared the pressure, flow, kit and warranty figures each maker publishes, then scored each washer against what a home car wash needs. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
A foam cannon in the kit, a 3-year warranty and a clear set of figures raise a score. A missing figure, like the Sun Joe's flow rate here, lowers it.
Rank follows the score. The middle four are close, so weigh the kit details that matter most to you.
What a budget electric pressure washer can and cannot do for a car
A budget electric washer can rinse loose dirt off a car and apply soap, but caked-on mud takes more passes. Most of the washers here make 1700 to 2100 max PSI, so plan on patience rather than force.
Many car washers start with a 25 or 40 degree fan nozzle and keep the wand moving across the panel. Chipped, peeling or poorly repainted paint can be damaged by any pressure washer, so check the paint before you start.
Follow the washer maker's manual and the car maker's care guide. Our guide on whether pressure washers are safe for car paint covers the basics.
If you are still deciding between a hose and a washer, read Pressure Washer vs Garden Hose for Washing a Car. If you are not ready to buy, How to Snow Foam a Car Without a Pressure Washer shows another route.
Budget electric pressure washer for car: reading the PSI and GPM numbers
Max PSI is the top pressure a washer reaches, and rated PSI is a lower figure some brands also publish. Westinghouse gives both: 2100 max and 1800 rated PSI, and 1.76 max and 1.2 rated GPM.
Westinghouse notes that the 1.76 max GPM is at the lowest pressure, so treat the rated figures as the steadier pair. The Greenworks and Craftsman give one pressure figure each, 1700, and Craftsman words it as a max.
Next to Westinghouse's rated 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM, the gap is smaller than 2100 against 1700 suggests.
Where a budget washer helps most
A budget washer helps most with regular upkeep: a rinse after a drive, a soap wash on a set day and a spot clean on wheels.
Dried mud and baked-on grime are where it struggles. Give the soap time to work as its label says, use a wide tip and expect more passes.
A typical wash runs in three steps: rinse off loose dirt, apply soap, then rinse the soap off from the top down. A cannon earns its place in the soap step, because foam clings to the panels and gives the soap time to loosen dirt.
When to step up from a budget washer
Step up if you wash a large truck, deal with dried mud often or want to cut the number of passes. A washer with more force and flow saves time on those jobs, though it also costs more and takes more storage room.
Our guide to the best PSI for washing a car explains what pressure to look for before you spend more.
What to give up and what to keep
Give up some pressure, flow and possibly warranty length, and keep the parts that matter on a car: a foam cannon or soap applicator, a usable cord and a wide fan tip.
What you give up at this level
- Pressure and flow. Flow is 1.2 GPM on the Greenworks, the Craftsman and the Westinghouse rated figure, so rinsing takes longer than with a stronger washer.
- Hose reach. The ePX3100s, Sun Joe, ePX3050 and Craftsman each come with a 20 ft hose, so you will move the washer more often than with a longer one.
- Build details. Only the ePX3050 names its pump type, an axial pump Westinghouse calls maintenance free, so warranty length is the nearest durability signal.
- Warranty. 2 years on the ePX3100s and Sun Joe, against 3 years on the other four.
What to keep
Keep a foam cannon or a soap applicator, because soap does the loosening and the washer does the rinsing. Five of the six name a 35 ft cord, which lets you walk around the car without moving the unit.
Keep a wide fan nozzle too. The Sun Joe, Greenworks, ePX3050 and Craftsman name a 25 or 40 degree tip, so check the markings on the ePX3100s and ePX3100v tips before you spray paint.
What to spend a little more on
Spend a little more on the parts that change how a wash goes: a real foam cannon if your kit has only an applicator, a longer hose if 20 ft will not reach, and a longer warranty.
For a washer from a car-care brand, compare our Chemical Guys PM2000 PRO Pressure Washer Review. If the cord is the problem, the Best Cordless Pressure Washers for Washing Your Car covers battery models.
To compare more washers near the 2000 PSI mark, see Best 2000 PSI Electric Pressure Washers for Cars.
Accessories worth adding
Add a foam cannon first if your kit has none, then a longer hose if the car is out of reach.
Foam cannon add-ons for a budget electric pressure washer
The Greenworks 1700 PSI kit has a gun, two nozzles and a hose, so a foam cannon is the first add-on there. The Craftsman has a soap applicator, and a cannon makes thicker foam if you want it.
Check the fitting before you buy one. Westinghouse says the ePX3050 takes cannons with M22 fittings, and Greenworks describes a 1/4 in universal quick connect system.
Our guide to foam cannon fittings explains how to match them, and How to Choose a Foam Cannon for a Pressure Washer covers the cannon itself.
Use car wash soap as the label says, and never mix chemicals in a cannon.
For the wash steps, read How to Use a Foam Cannon on a Car.
Hose and cord checks
Add a longer hose only if the washer cannot sit close to the car. Match any hose to your washer's fittings and follow the maker's manual for the connection.
Measure from where the washer will sit to the far side of the car before you buy a hose. For power, follow the maker's manual.
Warranties at this budget level
Four of the six carry a 3-year limited warranty: the Greenworks, ePX3050, Craftsman and ePX3100v. The Westinghouse ePX3100s has 2 years, and the Sun Joe has 2 years plus 90 days of bonus coverage when you register.
Westinghouse describes the ePX3100v coverage as service, labor and parts, with a nationwide customer service network. For Westinghouse's own terms, start at the Westinghouse site.
What to check in the terms
Check the length, the start date and what the brand asks you to do to make a claim. Greenworks says its coverage protects against defects in materials, parts or workmanship under normal use.
Sun Joe's bonus 90 days depends on registering, so do that when the washer arrives. For registration details, start at Sun Joe.
Keep the receipt and the model number together, since a claim usually asks for both.
Which budget electric pressure washer for car to pick
The best budget electric pressure washer for a car depends on what you want the kit to do. Pick the Westinghouse ePX3100s for a foam cannon in the smallest body, and the Sun Joe SPX100-GO for a built-in foam bottle and four nozzle tips.
Pick the Greenworks 1700 PSI for light-duty rinsing if you will add your own cannon. Pick the Westinghouse ePX3050 for wheels, a cannon and 3 years of coverage.
Pick the Craftsman 1700 PSI if a soap applicator and onboard storage matter more than thick foam. Pick the Westinghouse ePX3100v for a steel wand and a carry handle.
If heavy grime is your main job, start with the 2100 max models and plan for extra passes. For a wider field than this budget list, see Best Pressure Washers for Washing Cars at Home.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest pressure washer that works for a car?
The Greenworks 1700 PSI and the Craftsman 1700 PSI are the entry-level picks in this group. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon, and remember the Greenworks needs a foam cannon added while the Craftsman comes with a soap applicator.
Is a budget pressure washer good enough for a car?
Yes, a budget electric washer is good enough for rinsing, light dirt and foam washes, though caked-on mud takes more passes at 1700 to 2100 max PSI. Use a wide fan tip, keep the wand moving and follow the washer maker's manual.
Can a budget pressure washer use a foam cannon?
Yes, and four of these six washers come with one: the Westinghouse ePX3100s, ePX3050 and ePX3100v and the Sun Joe SPX100-GO. The Craftsman comes with a soap applicator, so for it or the Greenworks, check the fitting before you add a cannon.
What PSI do budget washers make?
The budget washers here make 1700 to 2100 max PSI. The Greenworks and Craftsman top out at 1700, the Sun Joe at 1800, and the three Westinghouse models give 2100 max with a lower rated figure of 1800 PSI, so compare rated numbers when you can.
