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With pressure washers, the jury is still out when it comes to whether gas powered or electric powered is better. Some people feel like gas is the only way to go and some people feel like electric is the best. Either way, if you’re in the market for one, you need to figure out which one is better for you. Here are some pros and cons of both.

Gas Powered Pressure Washers

One of the things that people love the most about gas powered pressure washers is that they can go wherever they need to go without worrying about being tethered to a power outlet. They do tend to be heavy, but these machines are usually on wheels that allow for ease of use. 

These pressure washers do require maintenance. The oil needs to be kept up and, of course, you need to purchase gas for it. With regular maintenance and some attention, gas powered power washers tend to last quite a long time. 

Gas power washers also tend to be more powerful than electric powered machines. Gas machines can clean up to 4000 PSI. Unfortunately, because they’re more powerful you end up paying more for a gas powered motor than you would for an electric powered motor. That, combined with the gas, oil, and detergents needed can cause the price to be a lot more than an electric power washer. 

Electric Powered Pressure Washers

When it comes to electric pressure washers, there are also pros and cons. One of the pros is that, though very powerful, they can remain very quiet. These are great for cleaning small items such as vehicles, patios, grills, pool areas, and bikes. Some electric pressure washers are up to 2000 PSI so they’ll definitely get the job done. 

Another pro is that electric machines are very low maintenance. Once you buy them, you don’t need to spend any more money on gas, oil, or replacing parts. 

That being said, one of the cons is that they don’t last as long as gas powered machines. Some people say that they’re cheap and of lower quality. They money that you would have saved on gas and oil by buying an electric machine is spent replacing it when it wears out. Most pros say don’t expect to buy an electric power washer and have it last 10 years. 

Another downside is that the power cord may limit where you can go. Unfortunately, with power washers it’s not recommended to use an extension cord so they’re really not meant for whole house cleaning unless you have multiple outlets that you can use. 

Don’t let the cons deter you, though. Electric power washers are ideal for most cleaning jobs. Most jobs are small and don’t really require that much range of motion. They have the power to clean the dirtiest areas.

So which type is best?

This entirely depends on the consumer and what its being used for. If you only plan on doing big jobs every once in a while then a gas powered pressure washer may be the right choice. However, an electric power washer can be used really as often as you need to use it because it’s easy to handle. One isn’t necessarily better than the other and it really does come down to personal preference.