Best Pressure Washers in Canada

We have a dedicated team of testers, researchers, and proven professionals. We all work together to compare notes, provide feedback, and arrive at the best recommendations for you. Each pressure washer in Canada is chosen with care from dozens of machines. We tried them all and worked to provide you with the best of our findings. Here are some of the areas we looked into as we evaluated our pressure washers.

• Power. The type of power that each pressure washer uses is important, especially if you want to get a very specific clean. Gas-powered pressure water requires more maintenance but is also a little more powerful than an electric model. At the same time, electric models are less expensive and require less effort. We factored the power type into our recommendations.
• PSI. PSI, or pounds per square inch, tells you how much pressure your washer can produce. Some stains require a lot of pressure to remove, but the PSI you should choose depends on what you will be using the pressure washer for. We tried to provide a range of great PSIs in our recommendations.
• Max Flow and Temperature. Water flow and temperature can affect how well your pressure washer cleans, so it’s important to determine the flow and temperature you need. We featured models with the most flexibility in flow and temperature, so you can use them in a wide variety of applications.
• Accessories. Having everything you need right to get started is important. Each of the pressure washers on our list comes with some of the basic tools that you should need to get the job done. The more accessories the better, but all of our recommendations include at least a few important nozzles, hoses, and other accessories.

How a Pressure Washer Works

Pressure washers may seem complicated, but they are rather simple. A pressure washer is a cleaning machine. In most cases, you attach a garden hose to a port on the machine. The low-pressure water from the garden hose is pumped through the machine and released through the gun, lance, and nozzle at a much higher rate of pressure (sometimes called PSI, which stands for Pounds per Square Inch).

This pressurized water can clean stubborn dirt from most surfaces, depending on the power, nozzle, and several other factors. Pressure washers are commonly used to clean cars, siding, concrete, driveways, brickwork, decks, patios, and patio furniture.

How to Choose a Pressure Washer in Canada: The Basics

There is a lot of specialized terminology when it comes to pressure washers. Here, we’ll demystify some of the more common terms associated with pressure washers. We’ll also explain how to choose one based on your preferences.

Type of Power

Pressure washers can run on gas or electricity, but each has benefits and drawbacks.

• Gas pressure washers are usually more powerful. Some of the best heavy-duty pressure washers in Canada run on gas. However, they are more expensive and require more maintenance. While they have the benefit of being cordless, they do require maintenance between seasons, not to mention the gas required to keep them running.
• Electric pressure washers can be powerful as well, but they are restricted. When they use a cord, it’s harder to get jobs done. When powered by a battery, their shortened run time may cause issues for larger jobs. Still, they don’t require as much maintenance as a gas pressure washer would.

Most residential jobs can be done with an electric pressure washer. However, if the electrical cord and lower power ratings are going to be a problem, it’s worth spending a little extra to get a gas model. Consider how you plan to use the pressure washer and choose the type that may work best for that purpose.

PSI

PSI stands for Points per Square Inch. This is how a pressure washer measures water pressure. PSI is based on a rating system, which is determined based on how much pressure is required to remove certain types of stains. However, higher PSI ratings can damage more delicate surfaces.

Before choosing the highest possible PSI, make sure to consider how you’ll use the machine. Do some research into the best PSI options for different types of cleaning. Here is a short table that can help you get started.

Try to stay within the recommended PSI range for your chosen tasks. You will be able to complete them much more successfully this way.

Flow Rate (GPM)

Flow Rate or GPM (Gallons Per Minute) measures water flow. Higher GPM machines can clean more surface area in a minute than a lower GPM. Of course, this is measured with consistent pressure and surface conditions. Still, choose a higher GPM if you want to get the job done faster. Larger GPM machines are good for rinsing soap and chemicals, too.

Flow Temperature

Most residential pressure washers only run on cold water. For most of the options on our list, this means up to 40° C. Some machines have lower thresholds, though. Make sure to look at the documentation provided with your pressure washer to determine what water temperature is ideal for the machine.

If you use warm water with a machine that isn’t rated for it, you could cause serious damage to the internal components, including seals. This could lead to expensive repairs or a voided warranty due to improper use. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, make sure to look up your recommended temperature.

Detergent Tanks

Most pressure washers have detergent tanks attached, though some use separate tools instead. You’ll want to get the largest possible detergent tank possible. You may also choose to use a machine with multiple detergent tanks. This can help you switch between cleaning agents quickly if you need multiple options for a project.

If you plan on switching between detergent types often, consider choosing a pressure washer with more than one detergent tank. Having at least one onboard detergent tank is imperative, however.

How Will You Use It?

Before deciding on a pressure washer, you have to decide how you want to use it. What’s the main reason you want to purchase one? Is there a specific cleaning job (or type of cleaning job) that you have in mind? If the answer is yes, you’re already in a great place to start shopping. Once you know how you want to use it, it’s easy to figure out what type of pressure washer you need.

That’s why you should never shop before you know your purpose. This can save you a lot of money in the long run and keep you happy with the machine you choose to buy. The type of power, nozzle options, PSI, and GPM are all tied to how effective the power washer is in certain situations, so make sure to do your research before you commit to a purchase.

How to Choose a Pressure Washer in Canada: Special Features and Extras

Now that you have the basics down, here are some special features you should consider before you purchase your pressure washer.

Included Accessories

What does the pressure washer come with? While you might not use every accessory, it’s ideal to have your options open. You never want to be caught without something you need. Most pressure washers come with an array of accessories to get you started, and most reputable pressure washer companies sell additional accessories. These accessories may include different tools, nozzles, hoses, and lances.

Most pressure washer companies provide a set of standard tips. These tips are colour-coded, and the standard is universal for every pressure washer on the Canadian market.

Some companies may feature additional nozzles, such as ‘turbo’ options. However, these don’t fall on the standard colour-coded chart and are not standardized across different models. For this reason, you should treat these as additional features.

Safety Features

Pressure washers can come with a variety of safety features, including a quick-stop trigger release and tip protection. Options with TSS (Trigger Stop System) will turn off the pump immediately when the trigger is released. This helps preserve the lifespan of your pressure washer and saves power. It can also prevent children from damaging themselves or others, or prevent injuries or overheating at the pump.

Tip protection helps the machine keep its balance. If the machine tips over and continues to run, it may leak fluids or begin to run with no available fluids, which can cause overheating and damage. Tip protection is a feature you want, especially if you’ll be pulling the pressure washer around with you often.

Power Cord and Hose Length

The length of the power cord and pressure hose can make your pressure washer a pain to use, especially if you don’t have enough room to move around. If you plan on choosing an electric pressure washer, take stock of the outdoor outlets you have available to you. Make sure that you choose a power cord that is long enough to reach at least one outlet from any location you need to use the pressure washer.

Don’t completely discount the length of the pressure hose, though. The pressure hose can make up some distance. You want this hose to be long as well, though – you don’t want to be pulling the hose tight as you use the machine. Choose a power cord and hose length that are sufficient for your uses without being pulled taut.

Wheels

You’ll probably be moving the pressure washer around a lot, especially as you get to different areas around your home. To make this process as smooth as possible, you want to make sure that the wheels are large, durable, and capable of traveling over rougher terrain.

Smaller pressure washers may not have wheels. However, if they do, you should choose wheels that are at least 10 inches in diameter. Avoid plastic wheels, as they will never tackle rougher terrain as easily as rubber or pneumatic wheels will. You should also look for options like ‘never-flat’ wheels. This is the last thing you want to deal with when trying to use your pressure washer, so make sure you choose the option that provides the least hassle.

On-Board Storage

Keeping everything attached to the machine is important, especially when it comes to nozzles, cleaning tools, and coiled hoses. Some of the best pressure washers in Canada have onboard storage for every part you need, including the wand, lance, cords and cables, and nozzle tips as well.

If you’re worried about losing some of the smaller parts that come with your pressure washer, make sure to look into the option that has onboard storage. It’ll make the process a lot simpler.

Maintenance-Free Options

For the most part, electric pressure washers are maintenance-free. You’ll have to keep the batteries charged and make sure everything is in working order, but you never have to worry about oil changes, draining the fuel out of the system, or other engine concerns.

Still, some gas pressure washers now include maintenance-free parts, which means that they last as long as the pressure washer. You’ll never need to change oil with a maintenance-free crankcase, for example. Choose these options wisely. While less maintenance does sound appealing, it might lead to complications down the road.

If you choose to avoid pressure washers with maintenance-free options, you’ll have to perform routine maintenance like oil changes, part replacements, draining the fuel in the winter, and ensuring that the pressure washer is safe and empty when not in use. If you don’t mind doing this, there are many more options available to you. Always check the in-depth information available for the pressure washer to ensure you are getting the option you prefer.