The 10 best pressure washers of 2026, as tested by Consumer Reports

Outdoor surfaces collect grime that a garden hose cannot remove. Consumer Reports tested 16 pressure washers on cleaning and power to find the best

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A pressure washer delivers a concentrated stream of water powerful enough to strip years of built-up grime from decks, patios, driveways, and siding in a fraction of the time a scrub brush requires. Gas models produce the highest pressure and flow, while electric and battery-powered options offer quieter, lower-maintenance alternatives for lighter jobs. Choosing the wrong type for the task at hand can mean inadequate results or, in the case of zero-degree nozzles, a genuine safety risk.

Consumer Reports tested 16 pressure washers on cleaning performance, psi and flow rate, and noise to find the best of 2026.

Priced at $350, the Bauer 23142E-B is available mainly at Harbor Freight stores. Consumer Reports says it tops the ratings for electric pressure washers, with a maximum pressure of 3,000 psi and a flow rate of 1.1 gallons per minute. CR notes it offers excellent cleaning and substantial pressure, and rates it very effective at removing stains, relatively quiet, and easy to use. It comes with five replaceable nozzle tips, an onboard soap tank, a 35-foot power cord, and a 25-foot........

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