Westinghouse ePX3100v Pressure Washer Review
The Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer is a compact electric pick for a home car wash with a foam cannon. It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, and it has a built-in carry handle and a 3-year limited warranty.
On this page (9 sections)
- What the Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer is
- Max PSI vs rated PSI on the ePX3100v
- The detachable foam cannon and nozzles
- A foam wash with the ePX3100v
- Weight, handle and storage
- Pros, cons and who should skip it
- Alternatives to consider
- Our score and what it weighs
- Verdict: who should buy the Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer
The Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer is a good pick for a home car wash if you want a detachable foam cannon in a washer that is easy to carry. It is a weaker pick if the lightest body matters most.
It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM and weighs about 18 pounds. We compared the specs and Westinghouse's claims rather than testing the washer ourselves.
The model name matters here. Westinghouse sells the ePX3100, ePX3100s and ePX3100v, so match the exact name when you order.
If you're new to washing a car at home, start with the Pressure Washer for Car: The Complete Home Wash Guide. It walks through the full routine before you choose a model.
What the Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer is
Westinghouse ePX3100v Electric Pressure Washer
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM
- Detachable foam cannon
- Built-in carry handle
- 3-year limited warranty
A compact electric washer with a detachable foam cannon and 2100 max PSI. It weighs about 18 pounds and carries a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Detachable foam cannon for car soap and thick foam
- Built-in carry handle makes it easy to move
- 3-year limited service, labor and parts coverage
Cons
- Heavier than the ePX3100s
- Westinghouse sells three similar models, so the exact name matters
The ePX3100v is a 2100 max PSI electric washer with 1.76 max GPM, a built-in carry handle and a pro-style steel wand. Its foam cannon is detachable, so you can take it off when you only need a rinse.
The kit includes the nozzle tips, a hose and the pro-style wand, and the nozzle set has three tips. The washer runs on AC power.
Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment makes it, and Westinghouse says it is built for cars, fences, driveways, homes and patios. You can read the manual on the Westinghouse website before you set it up.
Westinghouse calls the washer compact and lightweight, at about 18 pounds. The built-in handle is what makes that useful when you carry it from the garage to the spot where you clean.
It measures 15 by 8.5 by 11 inches, so it fits on a shelf or in a corner.
Max PSI vs rated PSI on the ePX3100v
The ePX3100v's max numbers are 2100 PSI and 1.76 GPM, and its rated numbers are 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM. Max is the top of what the unit can reach, and rated is the lower pair Westinghouse also gives.
The 1.76 GPM max is measured at the lowest pressure setting, so the flow you get at higher pressure is lower. The rated 1800 PSI pairs with the rated 1.2 GPM, so treat those two as one set.
In plain words, max is the burst the washer can reach, and rated is the everyday number. When you compare washers, match max to max and rated to rated, because mixing the two makes one washer look stronger than it is.
If another brand shows only one set of numbers, ask which kind it is before you compare.
For a car, PSI is only part of the wash. The soap step does much of the loosening, and a wide fan tip and a steady rinse matter more than the top number.
For a wider look at PSI numbers for cars, read Best PSI for Washing a Car.
Pressure can lift paint that is chipped, peeling, loose or poorly repainted. Check those spots first, and keep the spray moving rather than holding it on one place.
The detachable foam cannon and nozzles
Westinghouse sells the ePX3100v with a detachable foam cannon, so you can attach it for thick foam and remove it for a plain rinse. It is the main reason to choose this model for a car.
Westinghouse says the cannon is for adding detergent for heavy-duty cleaning. For a car, use car wash soap as its label says, and never mix chemicals in the cannon.
A cannon adds a soap step before the rinse, so plan the order: rinse, foam, let the foam sit as the label says, then rinse again.
Because the cannon detaches, you can keep the washer as a plain rinser and add the cannon only when a wash needs foam. Rinse the cannon out with clean water after each wash so dried soap does not clog it.
Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer foam cannon and nozzles
The nozzle set has three tips, and the angle of each tip decides how wide the spray fans out. For car paint, a 25 or 40 degree fan nozzle is the usual starting point.
Check each tip's angle before you point it at paint. Keep the narrow 0 and 15 degree tips for other jobs, since they concentrate the spray in a small spot.
If detailing is your main goal, Best Electric Pressure Washers for Car Detailing shows more options.
A foam wash with the ePX3100v
A foam wash with the ePX3100v is a four-step routine, and the detachable cannon is what sets it apart. Follow Westinghouse's manual for the exact setup.
- Rinse loose dirt off the car with a wide fan nozzle, working from the roof down.
- Fill the cannon with car wash soap as its label says, and attach it.
- Cover the car with foam one panel at a time, and let it sit for the time the label gives.
- Take the cannon off, fit a wide fan nozzle, and rinse from the top down.
If the foam starts to dry on a panel, rinse that panel first. Dry the car with a clean towel afterward to avoid water spots.
Weight, handle and storage
At about 18 pounds with a built-in carry handle, the ePX3100v is easy to move between jobs. The handle helps you carry it from the garage to the driveway.
Measure the path you'll carry it along, from the garage door to the spot where you wash. The 15 by 8.5 by 11 inch body fits on a shelf or in a corner.
The hose is nylon braided and coils easily, which helps keep it tidy when you store it. Keep it clear of the car's wheels as you move around, so it doesn't snag on a corner or a mirror.
The pump stops automatically when the trigger is not engaged. Westinghouse says that conserves energy and promotes pump and motor life.
It runs on AC power, so follow the maker's manual for connecting it. Cord length is worth checking on the exact model you buy.
Store the washer with the hose coiled loosely and the wand in its place, so the set stays together between washes.
Pros, cons and who should skip it
The ePX3100v suits a home car wash that uses foam, and it is a weaker pick if you want the lightest body.
What works in its favor:
- A detachable foam cannon for car soap and thick foam
- A built-in carry handle
- 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, with 1800 rated PSI and 1.2 rated GPM
- A 3-year limited warranty covering service, labor and parts
What to weigh against it:
- It is heavier than the ePX3100s
- Westinghouse sells three similar models, so the exact name matters
A 3-year limited warranty gives you a clear period to make a claim, but the terms decide what is covered. Keep the terms and your receipt together, since a claim usually needs both.
It suits someone who wants soap and foam in a portable unit for a car, deck or driveway, and who doesn't need the lightest body possible.
Skip it if the lightest body matters most. Skip it also if your paint is chipped, peeling or poorly repainted in spots you'd wash, since pressure can lift loose paint.
For wrapped cars, paint protection film, soft tops or convertible roofs, follow the maker's care guide or ask a pro.
Alternatives to consider
If you want a lower-cost pick, see Best Budget Electric Pressure Washers for Washing a Car. To compare two other corded washers, read Westinghouse ePX3100 vs Sun Joe SPX3000 for Car Washing.
The Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer Review covers that model on its own. If the ePX3100v doesn't fit, two other options are worth a look.
Our score and what it weighs
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
The ePX3100v scores 8.6 because its max PSI, detachable foam cannon and 3-year warranty line up with a car wash. The close model names are the main thing to get right before you order.
The score reflects the specs and features in this review, not a test of how the washer performs.
Verdict: who should buy the Westinghouse ePX3100v pressure washer
Pick the Westinghouse ePX3100v if you want a portable electric washer with a detachable foam cannon and a 3-year limited warranty for a home car wash. Pick the ePX3100s if the lightest body matters most, and check the model name before you order either one.
If you move the washer between the garage, driveway and a fence, the carry handle and the 18-pound weight are the details that matter most.
Before you order, run through four checks:
- The model name reads ePX3100v, not ePX3100 or ePX3100s
- Your storage spot fits a 15 by 8.5 by 11 inch body
- Your outlet and water tap sit close enough to the car for the cord and hose to reach
- Your paint has no chipped, peeling or poorly repainted spots you would spray
Skip it if your paint is chipped or peeling, or if you can't match the model name on the box.
If you mostly wash a car and rarely use the washer for fences or patios, the lighter ePX3100s may suit you better. For a wider set of picks, see Best Pressure Washers for Washing Cars at Home.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Westinghouse ePX3100v good for washing a car?
It can be a good fit for a home car wash if you want a detachable foam cannon and a washer that is easy to carry. It makes 2100 max PSI and 1.76 max GPM, but pressure can lift chipped, peeling or poorly repainted paint, so check the paint before you spray.
What is the difference between the ePX3100v and ePX3100s?
Both make 2100 max PSI, but the ePX3100v has a built-in carry handle, a detachable foam cannon and a 3-year limited warranty. The ePX3100s comes with a foam cannon and a turbo nozzle, has built-in holders for the gun and nozzles, and carries a 2-year warranty.
Does the ePX3100v come with a foam cannon?
Yes, Westinghouse sells the ePX3100v with a detachable foam cannon for adding car soap. You can attach it when a wash needs thick foam and take it off for a plain rinse, and you should still use car wash soap as the label says and never mix chemicals.
How long is the warranty on the ePX3100v?
Westinghouse backs the ePX3100v with a 3-year limited warranty that covers service, labor and parts. Read the full terms before you buy, since a limited warranty sets the rules for any claim, and keep your proof of purchase with them.
