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What Size Pressure Washer Do I Need?

Check the tasks you need to tackle. Get an instant PSI recommendation and the best-matched machines.

No ads, no fluff Results in 10 seconds Based on real PSI specs

What do you need to clean?

Select all that apply — the calculator recommends for your most demanding task.

Light Duty Delicate surfaces — 1,300–1,900 PSI
Medium Duty Wood & siding — 2,000–2,500 PSI
Heavy Duty Concrete & stone — 2,600–3,200 PSI
Extra Heavy Duty Pro-grade — 3,300+ PSI
Estimated PSI Needed
Select tasks above
1,3002,0002,6003,300+
Light (1300–1900) Medium (2000–2500) Heavy (2600–3200) Extra Heavy (3300+)
⚠️ Heads-up: PSI mismatch in your task list You've selected both a car/windows and a concrete/heavy-duty task. The PSI needed for concrete can damage car paint and glass. Consider using the lower-PSI setting with a wider nozzle for delicate surfaces, or keep them as separate cleaning sessions.

Top-rated picks for your needs

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Pressure Washer PSI Guide: What You Need to Know

Choosing the right pressure washer comes down to one key question: how much cleaning power does your job actually require? Buy too little and you'll be scrubbing anyway. Buy too much and you risk damaging delicate surfaces like car paint, soft wood, or window seals.

What Does PSI Mean — And Does GPM Matter Too?

PSI (pounds per square inch) is how forcefully the water hits the surface. Higher PSI = more force = better for tough grime on hard surfaces. But it also raises the risk of damage on softer materials like car paint or cedar.

GPM (gallons per minute) is how much water flows. Multiply PSI × GPM to get Cleaning Units (CU) — the real measure of how fast a machine cleans. A 2,500 PSI / 2.0 GPM machine (5,000 CU) cleans nearly twice as fast as a 2,500 PSI / 1.2 GPM machine (3,000 CU), even though the PSI is identical.

Electric vs. Gas: Which Should You Buy?

Electric — quieter, no oil changes, instant start, great for anything up to heavy-duty. Modern brushless motors now match gas PSI numbers. Ideal for most homeowners.

Gas — more raw power, no cord (important for large areas or away-from-outlet jobs), better for sustained heavy use. Requires seasonal maintenance. Worth it if you're cleaning large driveways or doing contractor work.

Nozzle Color Guide

The nozzle controls spray angle — wrong nozzle choice is how people damage surfaces even with a properly-sized machine.

Red
Paint stripping, spot cleaning
15°Yellow
Concrete, heavy grime
25°Green
All-purpose, siding
40°White
Cars, wood, delicate surfaces
SoapBlack
Detergent application only

Quick PSI Reference Table

TaskRecommended PSITier
Car / motorcycle1,200 – 1,900 PSILight Duty
Patio furniture / grill1,300 – 1,800 PSILight Duty
Windows / bikes1,300 – 1,600 PSILight Duty
Wood deck1,500 – 2,500 PSIMedium Duty
House siding / fence1,800 – 2,500 PSIMedium Duty
Mold & mildew removal2,000 – 2,500 PSIMedium Duty
Concrete driveway2,500 – 3,200 PSIHeavy Duty
Brick / stone2,500 – 3,000 PSIHeavy Duty
Oil stains / tough grime2,800 – 3,200 PSIHeavy Duty
Paint stripping3,000 – 4,000 PSIExtra Heavy
Large commercial areas3,300 – 4,000+ PSIExtra Heavy

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