Best Compact Electric Pressure Washers for Car Detailing
The best compact electric pressure washers for car detailing include the Westinghouse ePX3100s for tight storage with built-in holders, the Sun Joe SPX100-GO for a foam bottle and four nozzle tips onboard, and the Greenworks 1700 PSI for the smallest footprint and a plain electric setup.
On this page (9 sections)
- The 6 best compact electric pressure washers for car detailing in detail
- Side by side: size, pressure and flow
- How we picked these 6 compact washers
- What makes a pressure washer compact?
- Storage, weight and carrying
- Hose and cord reach on a small washer
- Soap and foam cannons on a compact washer
- The trade-offs of going small
- Which compact electric pressure washer for car detailing to pick
The best compact electric pressure washer for car detailing is the Westinghouse ePX3100s, which stands 8 in tall and keeps its nozzles in built-in holders. It makes 2100 max PSI, so you do not give up pressure to save space.
This roundup compares six small corded washers for apartments, townhomes and crowded garages, with max PSI from 1700 to 2100. For the whole home wash 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 compact electric pressure washers for car detailing in detail
The Westinghouse ePX3100s scores highest because it is the lowest-profile washer here, with built-in holders, an adjustable foam cannon and 2100 max PSI. The Westinghouse ePX3100v scores lowest because it matches the ePX3100s on pressure and flow but is heavier and larger.
Westinghouse ePX3100s
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Stands 8 in tall
- Built-in holders for the gun, lance and nozzles
- Adjustable foam cannon in the kit
The lowest profile of the six at 8 in tall, with built-in holders for the gun, lance and nozzles. Westinghouse calls it ultra compact and easy to carry and store.
Pros
- 8 in tall, the shortest of the six
- Built-in holders keep the gun, lance and nozzles together
- Adjustable foam cannon and turbo nozzle in the kit
Cons
- 2-year limited warranty, shorter than the 3 years on four others
- The turbo nozzle is for hard surfaces, not paint
The ePX3100s is for a car owner with little room, such as an apartment, a townhome or a crowded garage. It stands 8 in tall and measures 13 by 9.7 in, and Westinghouse calls it ultra compact and easy to carry and store.
It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, with 1800 rated PSI and 1.2 rated GPM. The adjustable foam cannon and a turbo nozzle come in the kit.
Built-in holders keep the spray gun, lance and standard nozzles together between jobs. The 20 ft hose and 35 ft GFCI cord give you room to work around a car.
Skip it if warranty length matters most, since Westinghouse gives it 2 years while four of the other five washers here carry 3.
Keep the turbo nozzle off the paint, and wash with the widest standard tip in the kit.
Sun Joe SPX100-GO
- 1800 max PSI from a 13-amp motor
- Four quick-connect tips stored onboard
- Foam cannon and 13.53 oz foam bottle
- Wheels and a telescoping handle
Four onboard nozzle tips and a 13.53 oz foam bottle on a wheeled unit. Sun Joe puts the weight at 14.33 lb with wheels and onboard storage.
Pros
- Four quick-connect tips (0, 15, 25 and 40 degrees) stored onboard
- Foam cannon and foam bottle for pressure-washer detergent
- Total Stop System shuts off the motor when you release the trigger
Cons
- 1800 max PSI, below the three 2100 PSI models
- 13.75 in tall, taller than the ePX3100s and the Craftsman
The SPX100-GO is for a car owner who wants soap and nozzle choices in one small, wheeled package. It has a 13-amp motor and 1800 max PSI, which sits below the three 2100 PSI models here.
Four quick-connect tips come with it, at 0, 15, 25 and 40 degrees, and they store onboard. A foam cannon and a 13.53 oz foam bottle let you run pressure-washer detergent through the wand.
Sun Joe puts the weight at 14.33 lb with wheels and onboard storage, and a telescoping handle helps you move it. Its Total Stop System shuts off the motor when you release the trigger.
Sun Joe gives a 2-year warranty, plus 90 days more when you register at shopjoe.com. Skip it if you want the most pressure.
Wash with the 25 or 40 degree tip, and leave the 0 and 15 degree tips for hard surfaces.
Greenworks 1700 PSI
- 1700 PSI at 1.2 GPM
- 9.06 x 10.24 in footprint
- Push-button start
- 3-year limited warranty
The smallest footprint of the six at 9.06 by 10.24 in. Greenworks says there is no gas, oil, spark plug or pull cord to deal with.
Pros
- Smallest footprint of the six
- Push-button start and a 3-year limited warranty
- 35 ft power cord with a GFCI plug, Greenworks says
Cons
- 1700 max PSI, tied with the Craftsman for the lowest here
- Greenworks names no soap applicator in the kit
The Greenworks 1700 PSI is for a car owner who wants the smallest footprint and a plain electric setup. It measures 9.06 by 10.24 in, and it makes 1700 max PSI at 1.2 max GPM.
Greenworks says there is no gas, oil, spark plug or pull cord to deal with, and a push button starts it. The kit has 25 and 40 degree nozzles, and either one is a usual starting point for a car.
A 35 ft power cord with a GFCI plug and a 3-year limited warranty come with it. Greenworks names no soap applicator for this kit, so plan how you will apply soap.
Skip it if you want the most pressure, since 1700 max PSI ties the Craftsman for the lowest here. Greenworks gives no weight for this model, so check it before you plan the carry.
Craftsman 1700 PSI
- 1700 max PSI at 1.2 GPM
- Onboard storage for nozzle, hose, cord and wand
- Soap applicator bottle
- 20 ft kink-resistant hose and 35 ft cord
Onboard storage for the nozzle, hose, cord and wand on a 17.5 lb unit. Craftsman says it is CETA certified and gives a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Hose, cord, wand and nozzle store on the unit
- Soap applicator bottle in the kit
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- 1700 max PSI, tied with the Greenworks 1700 PSI for the lowest here
- 18.33 in long, the longest of the six
The Craftsman 1700 PSI is for a car owner who wants everything stored on the unit. Onboard space holds the nozzle, hose, cord and wand, so the parts stay together between jobs.
It makes 1700 max PSI at 1.2 GPM. The kit has a 40 degree nozzle, a turbo nozzle, trigger and wand assemblies and a soap applicator bottle, and Craftsman calls the 20 ft hose kink-resistant.
At 17.5 lb and 18.33 in long, it is the longest washer here, so plan the carry from the closet to the car. Craftsman gives a 3-year limited warranty and says the washer is CETA certified.
Skip it if you want the most pressure or the shortest body.
Wash with the 40 degree nozzle, and keep the turbo nozzle off the paint.
Greenworks 2100 PSI
- 2100 PSI at 1.2 GPM
- Telescoping handle that collapses for storage
- 25 and 40 degree nozzles, turbo nozzle and soap applicator
- 3-year limited warranty
2100 PSI at 1.2 GPM with a telescoping handle that collapses for storage. Greenworks aims it at fences, decks, patios, siding and small driveways.
Pros
- 2100 PSI, tied for the top pressure in this group
- Telescoping handle for moving and storing
- Turbo nozzle and soap applicator included
Cons
- 22 lb, heavier than any other washer here that states a weight
- 36.22 in tall, the tallest of the six
The Greenworks 2100 PSI is for a car owner who also cleans a fence, a deck or a small driveway. It makes 2100 PSI at 1.2 GPM, and Greenworks aims it at fencing, decking, patios, siding and sidewalks.
The telescoping handle pulls out for moving and collapses for storage. The kit has 25 and 40 degree nozzles, a turbo nozzle and a soap applicator.
At 22 lb it is heavier than any other washer here that states a weight, and Greenworks gives its height as 36.22 in, the tallest of the six. Greenworks backs it with a 3-year limited warranty and a 35 ft cord with a GFCI plug.
Skip it if you have a low shelf or a short closet.
Wash with the 25 or 40 degree tip, and save the turbo nozzle for hard surfaces.
Westinghouse ePX3100v
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Built-in carry handle
- Detachable foam cannon
- Pro-style steel wand and 3-nozzle set
A built-in carry handle and a pro-style steel wand on a 17.6 lb unit. It makes the same 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM as the ePX3100s.
Pros
- Built-in carry handle
- Detachable foam cannon
- 3-year limited service, labor and parts coverage
Cons
- 17.6 lb, heavier than the ePX3100s
- Same pressure and flow as the ePX3100s, so you gain a handle and wand but not power
The ePX3100v is for a car owner who wants a built-in carry handle and a pro-style steel wand. It makes the same 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM as the ePX3100s, and it weighs 17.6 lb.
A detachable foam cannon comes with it, plus a 3-nozzle set. Westinghouse backs it with 3-year limited service, labor and parts coverage, one year more than the ePX3100s.
The pump stops on its own when you release the trigger, which Westinghouse says conserves energy and helps pump and motor life. Our Westinghouse ePX3100v Pressure Washer Review covers it in full.
Skip it if you want the smallest body, since the ePX3100s is lighter and 3 in lower.
Wash with the widest tip in the 3-nozzle set, and keep any narrow tip off the paint.
Side by side: size, pressure and flow
Five of the six stand 8 to 13.75 in tall, and the Greenworks 2100 PSI is the tall outlier at 36.22 in. All six sit between 1700 and 2100 max PSI.
| Product | Best for | Max PSI | Size (in) | Max GPM | Our score |
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| Westinghouse ePX3100s | tight storage with built-in holders | 2100 (1800 rated) | 13 x 9.7 x 8 | 1.76 (1.2 rated) | 9.3 |
| Sun Joe SPX100-GO | a foam bottle and four nozzle tips onboard | 1800 | 10 x 9.87 x 13.75 | N/A | 9.0 |
| Greenworks 1700 PSI | the smallest footprint and a plain electric setup | 1700 | 9.06 x 10.24 x 12.72 | 1.2 | 8.7 |
| Craftsman 1700 PSI | storing the hose, cord and wand on the unit | 1700 | 18.33 x 10.43 x 11.25 | 1.2 | 8.5 |
| Greenworks 2100 PSI | 2100 PSI with a telescoping handle | 2100 | 16.93 x 13.11 x 36.22 | 1.2 | 8.3 |
| Westinghouse ePX3100v | a built-in carry handle and a steel wand | 2100 (1800 rated) | 15 x 8.5 x 11 | 1.76 (1.2 rated) | 8.1 |
Westinghouse gives both max and rated numbers for its two models, so the table shows them together. A cell that says N/A means we have no figure for that spec.
The closest pair is the two Westinghouse models. They share their pressure and flow, so the choice comes down to the ePX3100s being smaller and the ePX3100v adding a carry handle, a steel wand and a longer warranty.
How we picked these 6 compact washers
We compared the specs and features each maker publishes, including max PSI, flow, size, storage, hose and cord length, and soap options. We then looked at what a car wash needs, such as a foam cannon or soap applicator and a wide fan tip.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you are shopping for. For a small space, size, storage and carrying counted most, then pressure, flow and soap options.
For a wider field of washers, see Best Pressure Washers for Washing Cars at Home.
What makes a pressure washer compact?
A compact pressure washer has a small footprint, a height that fits a shelf or closet and a carry you can do alone. By that test, the ePX3100s and the Greenworks 1700 PSI are the smallest of the six.
These are the sizes, as length, width and height in inches:
- Westinghouse ePX3100s: 13 x 9.7 x 8
- Sun Joe SPX100-GO: 10 x 9.87 x 13.75
- Greenworks 1700 PSI: 9.06 x 10.24 x 12.72
- Craftsman 1700 PSI: 18.33 x 10.43 x 11.25
- Greenworks 2100 PSI: 16.93 x 13.11 x 36.22
- Westinghouse ePX3100v: 15 x 8.5 x 11
Size and weight do not move together here. The Craftsman is 17.5 lb with an 18.33 in body, while the ePX3100s makes more pressure in a body 13 in long.
Both Westinghouse models list two pressure figures, 2100 max PSI and 1800 rated PSI, with 1.76 max GPM and 1.2 rated GPM. Max is the top figure the washer can reach, and rated is the lower figure Westinghouse lists beside it.
Why a compact electric washer works for car detailing
A home car wash leans on soap, a wide fan tip and distance more than raw pressure, so 1700 to 2100 max PSI is workable. The trade-off is that small washers give you less reach and fewer extras.
For the wider group, including larger electric washers, see Best Electric Pressure Washers for Car Detailing.
Storage, weight and carrying
Built-in storage is what keeps a compact washer compact. The ePX3100s has holders for the gun, lance and nozzles, the SPX100-GO stores four tips onboard, and the Craftsman stores its nozzle, hose, cord and wand on the unit.
Carrying is the other half. The ePX3100v has a built-in carry handle, and the Greenworks 2100 PSI has a telescoping handle that collapses for storage.
Four of the six state a weight, from 14.33 lb for the Sun Joe to 22 lb for the Greenworks 2100 PSI. The ePX3100s is lighter than any of them, and Greenworks gives no weight for its 1700 PSI model.
Storing a compact pressure washer in a small space
A low shelf or a dry closet works for most of these. Coil the hose and cord loosely, and follow the maker's manual for storage between uses.
Measure height as well as width, because the Greenworks 2100 PSI is 36.22 in tall and the Sun Joe is 13.75 in.
If you only need a light rinse, a battery model takes less room still, and Best Cordless Pressure Washers for Washing Your Car covers those.
Carrying the washer to the car
Plan the route from the storage spot to the car before you buy. Check every door, stair and step along the way.
A 17.5 to 22 lb washer is fine for one short carry, but a long walk or a set of stairs adds up fast. The two handled models, the ePX3100v and the Greenworks 2100 PSI, make that carry easier.
A four-point check before you order
Write these numbers down for the model you like, and set them next to the table above:
- The storage spot: width, depth and height, plus room to lift the washer in and out.
- The carry path: every door, stair and step between that spot and the car.
- The reach: the hose and cord lengths for the exact model.
- The soap setup: a foam cannon, a foam bottle or a soap applicator, and where you will fill it.
Hose and cord reach on a small washer
A small washer still has to reach around a whole car. The ePX3100s, SPX100-GO and Craftsman each have a 20 ft hose, and five of the six name a 35 ft power cord.
For the Greenworks models and the ePX3100v, check the hose length on the exact model before you plan your reach. The ePX3100v does not name a cord length either.
A 20 ft hose keeps you close to the unit, so expect to move the washer when you reach the far side of a truck.
The ePX3100s, SPX100-GO and both Greenworks models name a GFCI cord or plug. Follow the maker's manual for power setup.
If cords and hoses are what bother you, read Cordless vs Corded Pressure Washer for Washing a Car.
Soap and foam cannons on a compact washer
Five of the six have a soap option in the kit, and three of them have a foam cannon. The ePX3100s has an adjustable cannon, the ePX3100v has a detachable one, and the SPX100-GO has a cannon plus a 13.53 oz foam bottle.
The Craftsman and the Greenworks 2100 PSI use a soap applicator, which is the simplest setup if you already own car soap. Greenworks names no soap applicator for its 1700 PSI model.
If you add a cannon of your own, check the wand fitting on the exact model first. Our guide to foam cannon fittings explains the common types.
Use car wash soap as the label says, and never mix chemicals in a tank, bottle or cannon. Follow the maker's manual for cleaning the soap parts after each wash.
The trade-offs of going small
Going small costs you extras and some reach more than it costs you pressure. The three that name a hose length give 20 ft, which keeps you close to the unit.
Warranty length varies too. The ePX3100s and SPX100-GO carry 2 years, and the other four carry 3.
Flow is closer than the max numbers suggest. Westinghouse lists 1.76 max GPM but 1.2 rated GPM, and Greenworks and Craftsman each give 1.2, so compare max to max and rated to rated.
A short wash routine for a small washer
Rinse loose dirt first with the wide fan, working from the roof down. Apply car wash soap with the cannon or applicator, let it sit for the time the label gives, then rinse from the top down.
Use separate brushes or mitts for the wheels so road grime stays off the paint, and dry the car with a clean towel. With 1.2 GPM on several of these washers, a slow, even pass beats a quick blast.
A wide fan tip matters more than the PSI number
Hold the wand farther from the paint than you think you need, and keep the wide fan moving across each panel. Keep the 0 and 15 degree tips off paint, even for a stubborn spot.
No single setting suits every paint job. Chipped, peeling, loose or poorly repainted paint can be damaged, so start on a small hidden area, and read Are Pressure Washers Safe for Car Paint? first.
For wrapped cars, paint protection film and soft tops, follow the maker's care guide or ask a pro.
If you also clean decks, siding or a driveway, a stronger washer is the better single buy, and Best Electric Pressure Washers for Car and Home Use covers that group.
Which compact electric pressure washer for car detailing to pick
Start with the limit that matters most to you, such as height for a low shelf or reach for a long driveway.
If you can check only one number, check height, because it is the one that most often decides whether a washer fits the spot you have.
- Pick the Westinghouse ePX3100s if you want the lowest profile, built-in holders and 2100 max PSI.
- Pick the Sun Joe SPX100-GO if you want four nozzle tips and a foam bottle onboard, and 1800 max PSI is enough.
- Pick the Greenworks 1700 PSI if you want the smallest footprint and a plain electric setup.
- Pick the Craftsman 1700 PSI if you want the hose, cord and wand stored on the unit.
- Pick the Greenworks 2100 PSI if you want 2100 PSI with a telescoping handle and have room for a tall unit.
- Pick the Westinghouse ePX3100v if a built-in carry handle matters most.
If a lower cost is your first concern, Best Budget Electric Pressure Washers for Washing a Car covers more options.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest electric pressure washer for a car?
By height, the Westinghouse ePX3100s is the smallest of the six at 13 x 9.7 x 8 in. The Greenworks 1700 PSI has the smallest footprint at 9.06 x 10.24 in but stands 12.72 in tall, so measure your storage spot for height as well as width.
Are compact pressure washers strong enough for cars?
Yes, for a home wash, because the six models here run 1700 to 2100 max PSI and a car wash leans on car soap, a wide 25 or 40 degree tip and distance more than raw pressure. Chipped, peeling or poorly repainted paint can still be damaged, so keep the wand back.
Where do you store a pressure washer in an apartment?
On a low shelf or in a dry closet, with the hose and cord coiled loosely, and follow the manual for storage between uses. Onboard storage helps, since the ePX3100s has built-in holders, the SPX100-GO keeps its nozzles onboard, and the Craftsman stores its hose, cord and wand on the unit.
Do compact washers work with foam cannons?
Most do in some form: the ePX3100s has an adjustable foam cannon, the ePX3100v a detachable one, and the SPX100-GO a cannon plus a foam bottle, while the Craftsman and Greenworks 2100 PSI use soap applicators. Use car wash soap as the label says, and never mix chemicals.
